WHOA!!

Hey Guys!! I just realized that I haven't posted since the summer of 2008! 2008!!!! Life's just been sooooooooo busy. School has been picking up, golf coach has been going bonkers (the girls in the class do NOTHING!), other things have been sooooo tiring. I' m just glad that junior year is dwindling down. This past summer was good. Went to NO, La with my church for the ELCA National Youth Gathering. All was fun. Although I didn't have a binget at the Cafe Du Monde, hanging out with my friends was all gooooooooood. Other than that, volunteering at the First Tee of SA has been fun. They had 2 summer camps in 2009, and a spring break camp this year. Only got to help out one day this week, though. Teachers loaded me with homework. Talk about a snore over Spring BREAK!!! IT IS A BREAK, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GET A BREAK FROM SCHOOL, NOT TAKE IT WITH US HOME OVER A BREAK!!!!! Phew... glad I got that off of my chest. It's getting late. Hopefully I'll be able to blog sometime soon.... See Ya!

Holy Cow!

Holy Cow! I just popped into our blog and realized that our last post was in JANUARY! We obviously are spending too much time hanging out on facebook. Not that there is anything exciting or interesting to post here, or there, or anywhere. Oh well. I'll try again soon.

Stop Lights

So, along the route we often travel there is a corner where we desperately needed a traffic light. A small road ended at a four lane, busy road. Now, we usually had to turn right at this stop, so it wasn't that difficult. However, if there was extra traffic on that small road (the two fairly large churches located on the road often let out at the same time), the traffic would back up whenever someone needed to make a left. Whenever we got stuck in a jam, we muttered, "There should be a light here."

Our hopes finally came through a few weeks ago. The large road has been under construction, making it better for the large amount of traffic that travels there daily. Lights were placed along this road on several intersections. We were very excited about these changes.

Then they turned on the light. As I said, since I usually only make a right onto the road, I didn't really need a light to be able to find a place in traffic. However, coming home on that route means making a left from the large road onto the small road. The day the light was turned on, I came to that light, which was red, and uttered, "O crap." Without the light I could have made that turn when there was an opening. With the light I have to wait until the light turns green.

Oh well. I'm sure that it will be beneficial, especially the next time we have to drive to that corner when those churches have let out. So, I will be thankful to the city for putting up the light while I patiently (or not so patiently) wait for the light to change from red to green.

Procrastination

I had something brilliant to write about a couple days ago, but I wasn't able to get on to the computer. Now it is lost in the caverns of my brain, never to be found again. I guess that's why we shouldn't procrastinate. Putting things off until tomorrow might seem harmless, but all too often we lose sight of the importance of those tasks and then we just forget. Especially when our brains stop working the way they did when we were young.

Christmas, endings and beginnings

We have finally finished undecorating the house. The final lights are being packed away and boxes put in their place. I know that we can't keep it up year round, especially since it will become to commonplace if we do. The Christmas decorations are special because they are around for only a little while. It is nice to have our room back in order, with places for everyone to sit while we are watching television. But it is always sad to see it go.

Even while we are closing out the 2008 Christmas season, I'm already preparing for 2009. Each year I make homemade ornaments to give to family and friends. This year's design is not complicated, but it will take a great deal of work to create enough to give away to everyone. So, I'm beginning early. Hopefully I'll stay on top of this project, keeping it handy whenever I have a few minutes to work.

It might seem strange working on Christmas ornaments when we've just finished celebrating, but I'll be very glad if I get these done early to not have to rush with them (or give up my great idea) at the last minute. So, if you see me working with needle and thread, you'll know what I'm doing! But don't peak, because I might just be planning to give you one for Christmas next year!

Epiphany or Three Kings Day

January 6th is an exciting day, but it is equally sad. Epiphany is the official end to the Christmas season. After today, I'll have to begin taking down our Christmas decorations, which have not become 'old' to me, yet. The tree is still fresh and pretty, the other decorations still bring me joy. I know it is time, especially for the outside. After all the housing association will probably be sending letters immediately telling us that our lights should have been down for weeks. However, this has been such a lovely Christmas for us that Ihate to see it end. It was so nice to have Victoria back in the house, the kids seemed to get along, gift giving was perfect with everyone getting just the right things to bring joy.

Now we have to settle back into the every day rat race of life. Victoria will head back to school for another semester. Zachary will get back into his regular activities. Bruce will be back into the swing of things at work as new projects come due. I'll be back to my normal routine of caring for my family.

I haven't really made any 'resolutions' but I have set myself some goals. I'm going to work harder at writing, delve into my 'book' and see if I can really get it going. I'm going to stay committed to the Christmas ornaments I've decided to make for next Christmas.

I'm looking forward to 2009. I do not have as negative opinion about 2008 as so many, but each new year is a chance to begin new and when we have a chance for new beginnings it is time to step out in faith and confidence that everything will be blessed by God's grace.

I begin these goals on Epiphany, the day of light, because it is with God's light shining on all we do that we see the good and the bad. God will help us build up the good and He will help us to overcome the bad. There are things to overcome, of this I have no doubt, but with God's help I'll succeed.

So, Happy Three Kings day, or even better...

Have a de-"LIGHT"-ful Epiphany.

Non-resolution resolution

Ok, my New Year's resolution for this year was to NOT make any New Year's resolutions, but as I was hanging out online today I realized that I had not posted anything on this blog for a very, very long time. None of us have. But I'm going to change that (of course, I said that the last time I posted.) I will post something regularly.

I saw recently a friend (on facebook) is doing a daily photograph. What a great way to keep track of the year! I don't think I will remember to take a picture a day, but I certainly can keep my posts short and sweet. I tend to write such long stories that I find it overwhelming to sit at the computer.

So, my new posts will be short and sweet. And regular. I hope. Maybe I'll find some sort of theme... that'll keep me going.

Hope your holidays were terrific and that 2009 will be great.