who are these people?

Runner Girls Rock!

2008-06-23T19:11:00.001-05:00

My weekend was a very successful one... we finished Grandma's Half Marathon, and we had fun. I am glad it is over, but am looking for my next big adventure.

Jane Austen

2008-03-30T22:06:00.002-05:00

Ok... I am now an avowed Jane Austen freak. I love to read, but would never have believed you if you had told me 5 years ago that I would be a voracious reader of Jane Austen... how boring!

I blame the BBC and Masterpiece Theatre...

consider this my plea for help

Peep Show

2008-03-12T19:10:00.002-05:00

Leaping for Joy

2008-02-29T23:00:00.004-06:00

Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, an extra twenty-four hours have accumulated, so one extra day is added to that calendar to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position.

A century year, which ends in two zeros, is not a leap year unless it is also evenly divisible by 400. This means that 1600 and 2000 were leap years, and 2400 and 2800 will also be, 1800 and 1900 were not, and the years 2100 and 2200 will not be leap years. To correct a slight inaccuracy that remains (it isn't exactly six hours extra), it has been proposed that years evenly divisible by 4,000 should not be leap years; but this rule has not been officially adopted.

A leap day is more likely to fall on a Monday than on a Sunday. This is because the Gregorian calendar repeats itself every 400 years, which is exactly 20871 weeks including 97 leap days. Over this period February 29 falls thirteen times on a Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday; fourteen times on a Friday or Saturday; and fifteen times on a Monday or Wednesday.

The concepts of the leap year and leap day are distinct from the leap second, which results from changes in the Earth's rotational speed.

The leap day was introduced as part of the Julian reform. The day following the Terminalia (23 February) was doubled, forming the so-called "bis sextum". The first day of the bis sextum (February 24) came to be regarded as the intercalated or "bissextile" day. February 29 came to be regarded as the leap day when the Roman system of numbering days was replaced by sequential numbering in the late Middle Ages.

An English law of 1256 decreed that in leap years, the leap day and the day before are to be reckoned as one day for the purpose of calculating when a full year has passed. Thus, in England and Wales a person born on February 29 legally reaches the age of 18 or 21 on February 28 of the relevant year. In the European Union, February 29 officially became the leap day only in 2000.

There is a tradition that women may make a proposal of marriage to men only in leap years, further restricted in some cases to only February 29. There is a tradition that in 1288 the Scottish parliament under Queen Margaret legislated that any woman could propose in Leap Year; few parliament records of that time exist, and none concern February 29.[1] Another component of this tradition was that if the man rejects the proposal, he should soften the blow by providing a kiss, one pound currency, and a pair of gloves (some later sources say a silk gown). There were similar notions in France and Switzerland.

In France, there is a humorous periodical called La Bougie du Sapeur (The Sapper's Candle) published every February 29 since 1980. The name is a reference to the sapper Camembert. The eighth issue will be published in 2008.

AutoCAD Monkey

2008-01-30T21:18:00.000-06:00

A tourist walked into a pet shop and was looking at the animals on display. While he was there, another customer walked in and said to the shopkeeper, "I'll have an AutoCAD monkey please." The shopkeeper nodded, went over to a cage at the side of the shop and took out a monkey. He fitted a collar and leash, handed it to the customer, saying, "That'll be $5000." The customer paid and walked out with his monkey.

Startled, the tourist went over to the shopkeeper and said, "That was a very expensive monkey. Most of them are only few hundred dollars. Why did that one cost so much?"

The Shopkeeper answered, "Ah, that monkey can draw in AutoCAD - very fast, clear layouts, no mistakes, well worth the money."

The tourist looked at a monkey in another cage. "That one's even more expensive! $10,000! What does it do?"

"Oh, that one's a Design monkey; it can design systems, layout projects, mark-up drawings, write specifications, some even calculate. All the really useful stuff," said the shopkeeper.

The tourist looked around for a little longer and saw a third monkey in its own cage. The price tag around its neck read $50,000. He gasped to the shopkeeper, "That one costs more than all the others put together! What on earth does it do?"

The shopkeeper replied, "Well, I haven't actually seen it do anything, but it says it's an Engineer."

More Irreverent Onions

2008-01-27T22:03:00.000-06:00

Breaking News: Series Of Concentric Circles Emanating From Glowing Red Dot

A Psalm of Life- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2008-01-25T22:06:00.000-06:00

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,--act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;--

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Speaking of robots.....

2008-01-20T20:43:00.001-06:00

In The Know: Are We Giving The Robots That Run Our Society Too Much Power?

Motivation

2008-01-18T20:32:00.000-06:00

Generic Greetings

2007-12-20T10:18:00.000-06:00

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

Where am I?

2007-10-25T13:24:00.000-05:00

Fall is here.

*thump*

The Assault on Reason

2007-06-03T21:24:00.000-05:00

Our founders faith in the viability of representative democracy rested on their trust in the wisdom of a well informed citizenry, their ingenious design for checks and balances, and their belief that the rule of reason is the natural sovereign of a free people.

Democracy is suffering because our well informed citizenry is in danger of becoming a "well amused audience" Americans now watch an average of 4.5 hours of TV a day. When you assume an 8 hour work day, a couple of hours to eat and sleep that is almost 75 percent of all the discretionary time the average american has. TV only provides a one way conversation, in 30 second sound bites.

When was the last time that you took the time to find out for yourself the issues surrounding a news story? Are you well informed or well amused?

Running to stand still

2007-04-03T20:57:00.000-05:00

My joy knows no bounds....

I got in to the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. only 4500 people get into this race.

Earlier this month, I was also able to get a guaranteed entry in the Twin City 10 mile.

Now if I would just get off my arse and follow my training schedule I would be set.

And so you're back... from outer space...

2007-02-26T21:12:00.000-06:00

We all made it back in one piece. Our journey....

woke up at 3:30am Sunday morning (Sydney time) packed up the new Nissan and headed into the Airport. When we got there at 4am, we were suprised to see that our flight didn't leave until Noon. Hmmm.... nothing like spending a little time at the airport. No Worries.

Had breakfast around 8am (Sydney time)

got on the plane around Noon. I figured that I could sleep on the LA segment of the trip, so I made the most of our 13 hours. I did my DVT exercises (consummate V's), drank wine, VB, water, etc. As soon as possible I hit the movies and watched.... Scoop (yuck), Man of the Year (suprisingly funny), A Good Year (romantic movie), Marie Antoinette (nice costumes... confused about the modern music), and Kenny (Australian Movie, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it), had our second brekkie of the day around 3am LA time, got in to LAX at 6:20 am. Went through customs and went to check in. Our 8:35 am flight was delayed until Noon. What is it with noon? Hmmm... nothing like spending a little time at the airport. No Worries.

Had our third brekkie around 8am LA time. Spent a little time napping at the gate, finally got into the airplane, slept the whole way home. We got in to MSP at 5:30 pm with 12 inches of snow. We had to wait until almost 7pm to get the luggage. Hmmm... nothing like spending a little time at the airport. No Worries.

We got home around 8pm, watched the Oscars, and went to bed around 11pm. Woke up around 7am, let the dog out, and decided to get a "little more sleep". Woke up again around 2pm.

I guess it takes that long to recover from a 36 hour day.

It was all worth it.

Down Under

2007-02-13T06:19:00.000-06:00

Here we are....

So far we have been having a great time. See sun, see smiles, see lack of down coats and hats and mittens.

Monkey See....

2007-02-04T21:54:00.001-06:00

You Are 68% Democrat

You have a good deal of donkey running through your blood, and you're proud to be liberal.You don't fit every Democrat stereotype, but you definitely belong in the Democrat party.

How Democrat Are You?

Baby it's cold outside

2007-02-04T21:42:00.000-06:00

We had two invites to family events, but lets face it, no one should venture out in this weather unless it is absolutly necessary. I know it is going to earn me another razberry award, but dammit, sometimes, sitting at home with my husband and pets being antisocial is the best way to pass an evening, especially when it is double digits under zero. I think it is a testament to our hardy natures that we don't just throw up our arms in disgust when we wake up to -12 degrees.

We spent the weekend snuggling under down blankets. Sipping hot chocolate, watching movies, and packing for our trip. I watched the superbowl while folding laundry. Boy do I know how to have fun. Our taxes are done, my suitcase is packed, I have been emailing last minute directions to our housesitter. Now if I could just get the energy to finish up that last bit of work I was supposed to do before tomorrow morning the weekend would be a complete success.

4 days and counting!

Back in our Nation's Capitol

2007-01-23T23:13:00.000-06:00

I am at the end of my second trip to Washington DC it was a memorable one. We got an inch of snow on Sunday, it finished melting today.

There was a bar that had a state of union party. The premise: pick a word and everytime the president says it, shots are $1. We didn't go but it sounded like fun.

I went to the FDR and Thomas Jefferson memorials, missed them last year. A piece of advice, snow on marble is treacherous.

Some of our leaders need to visit the FDR memorial, just a few quotes:

"I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded . . . I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed . . . I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war."

"The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one nation…it must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world."

"More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all war."

"We have faith that future generations will know that here, in the middle of the twentieth century, there came a time when men of good will found a way to unite, and produce, and fight to destroy the forces of ignorance, and intolerance, and slavery, and war."

Just a thought.

Rummage sale

2007-01-09T21:10:00.000-06:00

We spent the weekend cleaning out the basement. It is a gratifing experience to divest oneself of the many extraneous things that one accumulates over the years. It is also amazing how many extraneous things one does accumulate. We found:

grade school art projects
boxes of books...
piles of school papers...
VHS movies..
half burned candles
gobs of photos
electric appliances
buttons
misc. other useless thingys.

Thank goodness for DAV and Goodwill. Although I still want to keep some of the stuff... I feel like I am sitting on a goldmine.

7 days to Christmas

2006-12-18T16:40:00.000-06:00

I love Christmas, I do.
I love to buy presents, make presents, and generally give people things.
I love wandering around looking at Christmas decorations.
I love listening to the same Christmas music playing in every store.
I love to sing along to said Christmas music, with a little dancing too.
I love shopping, just wandering around the mall and finding "deals"
I love work, everyone is so busy they don't come in, so I can catch up on my to do list.
I love going to church and ushing, everyone is in such a good mood and we sing carols.

I love Christmas.

Little Ms Smarty pants

2006-11-02T16:13:00.000-06:00

I passed my comprehensive exams!
Only one more thing to do and then I can graduate.
EGD (expected graduation date): June 2007
Anybody want to write my Thesis for me?

Days of our Lives

2006-10-15T22:41:00.000-05:00

For those of you that may have thought I fell off the face of the planet... here is a brief summary of the last 2 weeks.

I didn't get the job, but they were real nice about it. I don't mind being runner up to the internal candidate. They told me that "it was a hard decision" and "I am very qualified". At least I still got it. :)
I ran the TC10 mile. We kicked butt. 1:43. Pretty fast for me.
I went to Denver to see Maria. Had way too much fun with the girls. Shannon & Shelly are great fun to travel with.
I read Pride and Prejudice, loved it.
Terre got another LCD TV, they threw in a DivX player with it.
I watched the BSG mini series & the first 3 episodes of season 1. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to watch the rest.
I have left the house twice in the last 4 days. I have been working on my comprehensive exam. A 20 page paper, written to address 7 questions about a political administration case study.
I hate the Minnesota Office of State Claims. (the topic of said comp)
I get to drive down to Mankato tomorrow to deliever said comp.

Tune in next week, when you will hear about:

Adam and Dena's wedding.
My harrowing trip to Mankato, with the leaky tire.
Screening Board (in Grand Rapids)
Shelly's parent's farm.
My new tires (hopefully)

From Russia with love...

2006-09-28T17:19:00.000-05:00

My intern turned me on to a cool site....

http://englishrussia.com/

I found the posts and information to be very interesting.

Where were you 5 years ago today?

2006-09-11T08:07:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday night I was flipping through channels and I stopped on Channel 2. They had on a chronicle of the World Trade Center's rise and fall called :“New York: A Documentary Film”. For me it was tough to watch. I found my self crying when they got to the coverage of the events of 9/11/01.

I don't want to forget what happened 5 years ago today because it changed my world. I believe that remembering events and history is critical. We can all learn lessons about ourselves and others by trying to understand why things happen, and how they become catalysts for change. The world is a system, everything that we do, or don't do, effects events and outcomes. Every single person is a part of that system. Think "Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe" and the world is a computer trying to come up with the ultimate question. In remembering what happened, how it made us feel, how we reacted, and where we are now, maybe we can come up with the ultimate answer.

This is where I was 5 years ago today, finishing up a 5K in Philadelphia, PA. At the time we took this picture, we had no idea what was going to happen 45 minutes later, only 81 miles away. We were at a national convention, for the next three days we were stuck there trying to make sense of it all.

I can only hope that someday my world will feel as safe as it did at 8am on 9/11/01.

Life is a Highway

2006-08-23T01:33:00.000-05:00

How cool is this? My three cousins (and cousin in law) left today on a USA road trip in an RV.
They will be gone for about 6 weeks and plan to drive around the USA. They have a page on myspace to document their travels. (points to the links list on the right)

What a great time!

When I'm 36

2006-08-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to me!

While sitting at Jimmy John's sub shop, I read an interesting snippit on the wall. It comes from Dave Barry, Things I have learned in 50 years. These made me smile... so on the auspicious occasion of my 36th birthday (I have 14 years to learn more) Here they are....

If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." (see home pictures below)
People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them. (I have been "witness" to this one more than once)
And when God, who created the entire universe with all of its glories, decides to deliver a message to humanity, He WILL NOT use, as His messenger, a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle. (Amen brother!)
You should not confuse your career with your life. (this one is a hard one, I am working on it)
No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.
When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.
The most powerful force in the universe is gossip. (and you must learn to use it for good and not evil)
You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven. (that is why I make a big deal about it!)
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers. (this one is especially true)
The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people who are not in them. (a little cynical I know)
A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter is not a nice person.
Your friends and family love you anyway.

Thank you to my friends and family that made this (and every other birthday) special! I am a very lucky person!

Things you take for granite

2006-08-03T21:11:00.000-05:00

We have countertops.

We have furniture

I am done with classes.

I came home from work tonight and had dinner at our new breakfast bar, read a book, drank wine, put away some wedding gifts.

I like August!

Java Jive

2006-07-24T22:54:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the many faces of Coughy, Coffee, Kophy?

Isn't it funny how we assign names to things that don't necessarily appreciate them? For example, my cat. I rescued her from the Humane Society 5 years ago. Changed her name from Cory to Cofy (still can't decide how it should be spelled) so the dog's name, Donuts, made sense. I don't think she cares, because we call her kitty most of the time.

To Grandmothers house I go...

2006-06-19T23:44:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, my friends Joan, Kelly, and I ran the Grandma's half Marathon. This is Joan and I at 5:00 am leaving to catch our bus. (Shelly took the picture, she was our official cheerleader)

I highly recommend half marathons... it is mile 12.5, I must be having fun... I have a smile on my face...

Before, during and after...

2006-06-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

Our House

2006-05-28T23:35:00.000-05:00

For those of you that have not been over in a while... here is our house.

This is the room that you see when you first enter, (the front door is to the left and around the corner, the sliding glass door leads to the patio)

We have finished painting and are working on installing the wood floors. (See below)

The furniture is coming in 2 weeks.... we might actually make it.

Eleven down, One to go

2006-05-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Confucius

I would like to announce that I have one class left... that is right one class. It starts on monday, is online and will be over on June 23. Once that is complete, all I have is two 40 page papers to wade through and I will have a masters degree.

The anticipation surrounding the completion of my masters is second only to the anticipation surrounding us being done with our house projects. What will it be like to come home and night and have nothing to do? I don't know, it has been three years since I have had the luxury. The hedonistic joy of coming home and reading a book, going out on a school night, goofing off on a weekend... I get dizzy even thinking about it.

When we all get to Heaven...

2006-05-15T23:10:00.000-05:00

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8

Alice Mabel Bloom died last Tuesday. She was 100 years old and had lived a full life. She had 14 grandchildren & 35 great- grandchildren. My Grandfather died 4 months before I was born, so she lived alone for the last 35 years.

When I was little, we used to visit her every sunday after church when she lived at her house on 38th and Nokomis. Where we would play "button button who's got the button" and eat chow mein. I feel sorry that I didn't make more time to be with her and learn more about her life. She has seen so much, in her 100 years, the changes from 1905 to 2006 are overwhelming when you take the time to think about it.

She was able to be at my wedding, and came to our reception on the boat, when I spoke to her last fall, she said that the trip up the Mississippi was the most exciting thing she had ever done in her life. Words cannot describe how much that means to me.

Death is hard for the people that are left behind, even when you know it is going to happen. I know that she is happy now, outside of her frail and failing body, her spirit is surely in heaven, where she is with Grandpa and Jesus.

Moving Pictures

2006-03-27T22:51:00.000-06:00

My new favorite thing... Blockbuster online. Our list this month:

Treasure of the Sierra Madre
12 Angry Men
Citizen Kane
Waiting
Must Love Dogs
Hotel Rwanda
Mystic River
Persuasion
Good Girl
Good night and good luck
Lord of War
Mr & Mrs Smith
The Forgotten & Jarhead are on their way.

What I did in Cancun

2006-03-02T00:12:00.000-06:00

:Major construction. After Hurricane Wilma, the hotels on the east side of the Hotel zone suffered lots of damage. Most of the beach was washed away. Below is a picture of the "Beach restoration" project that was underway while we were there. Wilma left her mark all over town including many washed out or eroded sidewalks

To the right is the hole that Terre broke his toe in. Please note there are now TWO 2x12 boards covering it... this "safety precaution" happened about 4 days after Terre's accident.

Walking along the beach proved to be challenging, but well worth the struggle. The waves along the Gulf were magnificent.

What every City needs! Their logo in the reflective sheeting on their signs!

As if the rest of this wasn't exciting enough... here is a Mexican Paver! one world, one giant sheet of asphalt.

Return to sender....

2006-02-08T22:11:00.000-06:00

I got a letter this week, it was then followed up by another. These were bonafide, personalized, handwritten communications that had nothing to do with my winning a sweepstakes, Christmas, weddings, thank yous, birthdays, party invitation, or any other major holiday. They were sent via post to my door. How weird.

After contemplating this, I realized that it had probably been over 10 years since I got a personal letter just for the sake of sharing information. Both letters were sweet and really brightened my day. One was from a friend that moved to Colorado, the other from my young cousin (purple stationary and all)

After reading said communications I decided, hey, what a novel idea! Maybe I can brighten her day too. So, I sent something back. I wonder how long we can keep this exchange up.

Father Abraham

2006-02-03T22:36:00.000-06:00

Shelly, Deb and Abe

(oh, and some random other people that wanted Abe's picture)

Somebody Told me

2006-02-03T22:25:00.000-06:00

Interesting that we all look the same as pimps...

Your Pimp Name Is...

Disco Bling

What's Your Pimp Name?

Calendar Girl

2006-01-30T21:00:00.000-06:00

I do believe that 2006 is presenting itself as an excellent year.

The Brainerd excursion over MLK.
Went to Washington DC, saw some buildings, walked alot, ate really good food, and learned about transportation research and stuff.
Had our first girls night. Good movie, excellent popcorn (the entire tub- I never did get seconds), surprisingly good band at Santorini's. Best part was hanging out. I am looking forward to next month.
Finishing up the month with another girl event tomorrow night. Mell's beauty bar for Joan's birthday.

And it just gets better, next month, we are going to sunny Cancun!

Under Pressure...

2006-01-18T18:19:00.000-06:00

Just got back from girls weekend at the Cabin. It was relaxing and fun... we watched movies- lots of movies. The Wedding Singer, Shipping News, Office Space, Strictly Ballroom, In the bedroom, Phantom of the Opera. All good movies for different reasons. Read books, finished thank you notes. Went to the spa for mani and pedi as well as a facial (hey! keep you mind pure). Came home by way of my brother's new house in Elk River (45 miles away) Nice house, wouldn't want the commute.

After relaxing all weekend, reality hit when I got back to work on tuesday, I spent all day yesterday and today in meetings. School started this week, first assignment done. I leave for Washington DC on saturday for 4 days... I am feeling a bit panicky. Missed the Jan 15 deadline, I have another deadine on January 30th. I might drop one of my classes for sanity sake. Going to Mexico in February, need to get back to bikini weight, need a dog kennel, need to take dog to vet. Blah. Deep breaths.

I resolve to call her up, a thousand times a day...

2006-01-04T22:21:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

My big plans for 2006 include (but are not limited to)

Mexico with Rae and Pat
Finishing my Master's Degree (2 classes left, comps and my thesis)
Finishing the house
Taking the summer off from "house" projects.
Losing 10 pounds
Going Kayaking this summer (at least once)
Running a half marathon
starting up monthly "girls night" again with Gwen, Heather and Dena!
Helping Gwen with her garden (whether she likes it or not)
Being the best wife that Terre ever had
Having a garage party

I know I will do more, but this is a good list.

For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear...

2005-12-30T08:10:00.000-06:00

My greatest gift for Christmas this year is our family. While we have been a couple for quite some time (5 and a half years to be exact) this year was different. Being just the girlfriend always made me feel a little bit like an outsider. Now I am officially part of the family and that is a nice feeling. The Heisers are wonderful. Now I am Aunt Deb to all of Terre’s nieces and nephews, which is nice too. We have 11 nieces and nephews on his side and 10 on my side, whenever I need a kid fix I can find it. We spent Christmas eve with his family, and Christmas day with mine.

We were ushers for our church for the entire month of December, so Christmas day was our final call to duty. Ushering at a small church is fun, you get to know all of the regular attendees as well as spend time with the other Ushers so that they you get to know them. Clyde was our head usher and he is a marvelous man, as is his wife. Getting involved in church was a huge step for us this year. We are both very happy to develop our spiritual side and share in fellowship with others. The family at Bethlehem has not disappointed me, unlike some of my other church experiences.

Terre has made the season memorable as well. As usual he showered me with gifts. All of which are special. I don’t know what I would do without him in my life. We are different people, but in some ways so very much alike. For so long I struggled, trying to figure out what I wanted. I was angry and at odds between what I what I wanted and what I needed. I made bad choices because they seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I have done things I am not proud of, and have hurt people I love. My New Year's resolution is to remember all of that and never make the same mistakes again.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend. Happy New Year.

Twas the night before Christmas...

2005-12-24T20:27:00.000-06:00

...and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

A miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

A little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

And more rapid than eagles his reindeer all came

As he shouted, "Oh Dasher" and each reindeer's name.

And so up to the housetop the reindeer soon flew

With the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas, too.

Down the chimney he came with a leap and a bound;

He was dressed all in fur, and his belly was round.

He spoke not a word but went straight to this work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

Then giving a nod up the chimney he rose.

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

I've been looking so long at my pictures of you....

2005-12-13T11:58:00.000-06:00

This year for Christmas everyone gets pictures of me. It seems a little egotistical now that I have typed it out for the world to see, but regardless of what you asked for from Santa you are guaranteed one picture of me and my husband coming soon to a mailbox near you. We ordered our photo Christmas cards and they should be here by tomorrow. One advantage about having just sent out wedding invites, is that I already have everyone's address.

This is my second attempt at this yearly ritual of "Holiday cards". The last attempt was in 1996 when my brothers and I lived together with the dogs, it was fun, but as always I made it more work than it needed to be. Thanks to Kodak, this year it will be easier, we shall see if it becomes a tradition.

Speaking of Kodak, I am working on wedding photo books for the parents. Last night I spent the entire evening going through wedding pictures, both formal and informal. All the while my husband worked on the house, made dinner, and described to me in the next room what was transpiring on CSI. Did I mention how much I love being married to him? (looking at photos for 6 hours gets me all mushy)

I got most of the prep work done, scanning a bunch of the photos that our families took. I uploaded the whole lot of 'em to a website while I slept so that I could make beautiful parents books. I can't wait to get home so I can put them together. A big thank you to Gwen for telling me about the magical world of website photo processing.

I'm DONE, I'm DONE, I'm DONE

2005-12-12T12:19:00.000-06:00

For those of you that have been monitoring my sanity.

I am finished with classwork for Fall semester!
25- page paper... DONE!
2-page critiques of all of our guest speakers... (all 6 of them) DONE!

All I have left is two more classes, my thesis, and Comprehensive exams. Next year at this time I am going to be really done-done... but for now, I am just done.

Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii

2005-12-07T17:28:00.000-06:00

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor 44 years ago today. This is was the "day that will live in infamy". What ever your beliefs about war and peace, I think it is important that we remember those who died.

For an history about the attack, including survivor stories go to: http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor

Most people don't remember these significant days in history. Veteran's Day for example, how many people out there really know that it was a day reserved to honor those that serve in the military. The date is significant because of World War I – known at the time as “The Great War”. This war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 , in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles , France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918 , is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

I wonder that someday September 11 will be forgotten and just become another excuse for a store to have a Patriot's day sale. At least they don't have a "Pearl Harbor Day" sale...

So take a moment to remember those that died that morning in a Oahu harbor.

Target gift registry

2005-11-29T00:51:00.000-06:00

For those new brides out there that procrastinate.
Target deletes your gift registry 90 days after your wedding.

efficient? yes.
Inconvenient? yes.

I checked the website last week and it was still there, I didn't print it. I was waiting to "complete" my registry after the shower. So here I am, I have a post-wedding shower on Saturday, with a gift registry that is deleted. I should have read the fine print.... but on the flip side, it's Target's loss and boy am I going to be surprised by my presents!

Christmas in the 80's

2005-11-28T00:42:00.000-06:00

It's Christmastime
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime

I know it is early for this... but how can one not enjoy a good old fashioned 80's christmas tune!

I love Thanksgiving!

2005-11-23T17:58:00.000-06:00

What I am thankful for:

Terre
My Mom and Dad (Terre's too)
Friends: Rachel & Pat, Tom & Gwen, Adam & Heather, Mark & Cindy
Diana
My family (all nephews and nieces included)
The Runner Girls
Donuts and Coffee
My house
My job
My boss

Super powers

2005-11-23T17:45:00.000-06:00

My thought for the day.

Use your energy for good instead of evil.
It makes life better.

When did this happen?

2005-11-03T18:14:00.000-06:00

Do you remember when you were little and the time between Christmas and Christmas seemed to stretch into infinity? As you grew older, that changed. Now Christmas blazes by and you wonder what happened to Valentine's day, Memorial Day and all those little happy times in between. Welcome to November.

I have two miles of trail to pave, two major projects to complete and be out to bid on by February, a 25 page term paper, and a house to finish by December.

And I am sick.

However, I love my husband, I got to see my friends more this year than any year in a while, and I am getting a raise.

the glass is still half full, but I am getting old.

Dominos

2005-10-14T22:23:00.000-05:00

I am not talking about pizza. another night spent sipping wine and playing dominos at the Ellweins. the dogs had fun and so did we. A welcome evening to a long horrible week. I know the full moon is close because everyone is acting crazy.

What is it about the full moon that makes customer service people cringe? I can tell when it is near because the frequency and strangeness of questions begins to pick up. Who but a crazy man would stop by a person's work 5 minutes before close and engage in a lengthy conversation in how he believes that the aliens are out to get him. Discussing air filter patents and the cleanliness of gasoline when the pumper truck is filling the tanks up.... it is creepy but fascinating. You can't help but egg them on. So it is partially my fault. I have decided that when I retire I will go an harass my local public servant at 4:25 on a friday afternoon just to get my just rewards.

Karma. that is what it is all about, like my good friend Earl sez, what you give you get. Well, what I get I give.

Nighty nite.

Mr. and Mrs. Debra Heiser

2005-10-13T00:32:00.000-05:00

The wedding pictures were ready on friday...
We invited Rachel, Pat, Mike, Uta, Lukas, Rich and Nancy over and we had a bonfire with a wedding picture viewing in the garage.

I have decided that I am just not photogenic. We have 600 photos and there are only a handful where I can honestly say "Damn, I look good!"

I wonder if they have classes to learn how to sit for pictures. Training to learn how to smile, lean, not to squint or have a horsey smile. I think that someone could make a lot of money if they did it... I however, would be a student not a teacher.

Everybody's doing it!

2005-10-12T23:43:00.000-05:00

Well after much blog envy I thought I would try this out. Start the clever musings:

I have never gotten the hang of Wednesdays. However, I have to say that since I made it to the gym, the day wasnt' a total loss. Also, the guys we hired to take down the tree on thursday, had most of it down today. $230 to take down a tree, it's a bargain.

That just leaves the rest of the house to-do list, our deadline... Thanksgiving.

gutters (coming on Saturday)
second coat of paint (prolly saturday)
finish tiling bathroom (??)
electrical for bathroom (??)
breakfast bar (??)
taping and sanding (??)
wood floors (??)
wood trim (??)

There's more but it gets depressing.