I.am.content.

For years and years, I have had camera envy.

I tried to squelch it.

I prayed about the level of envy in my heart.

Oh, how I love photography.

But, I had other priorities.

We had other committments.

My dream had to wait.

I would check the ads.

I would ask people how much their cameras cost (oh, yes I did!)

I kept hoping for an affordable high quality camera.

And today....

....yes, today.....


I met my new baby.

The perfect brand to fit all my existing lenses.

The perfect quality.

The perfect price.

i.am.content.

9-11. Where were you?

They say that there are certain events that are etched in your memory forever.  Where you were when you first heard, the feelings you felt.

9/11/01

was one of those days.

For everyone.

So, do you remember where YOU were?

I was working as the marketing/ admissions manager for a health care center.

I went to the hospital at 6:30am to look at a patient's chart and talk to the caregivers.

I stopped at Walgreen's on the way back to the office to pick something up for my honeymoon.

My wedding was 11 days away.

My brother and his wife were flying out of Germany this morning to come in for our wedding.

I got out of Walgreen's and heard on the radio that a plane had just hit the tower.

There was little additional information.

Accidental?  On purpose?

I hoped it was the former.

I got back to the office, and we turned on the TV.

Just as another plane hit the second tower.

We were under attack.

News of the Pentagon followed.

Then Flight 93.

The residents of my facility were scared and crying.

I still hadn't heard news about my brother and his wife.

Everything was in slow motion...yet going so fast.

Our wedding was 11 days away.

I was required to go to "sales camp" for my job.

I tried to get out of it.

No such luck.

(If I knew then what I know now, I would have told them to "shove it.")

But, 5 of us went to Angola Indiana.

And talked about selling more...while the death toll raced across the screen in the lobby.

My brother and his wife were on a plane that morning.

They were stuck on a tarmac in Frankfurt for 8 hours.

They heard nothing for 2 hours.

Then they heard that "there was a plane crash in New York."

Then, after 5 hours in the plane, they heard that the "U.S. is under attack."

They went back home after waiting for 8 hours.

Fortunately, his Sargent made sure he was on the first flight into the US, and they made it in for the wedding.

We did get married 11 days later.

It was surreal, and a few people chose not to come.

But those that did....we loved on each other...and we celebrated.

We lifted the veil of fear and chose to celebrate life and love.

So....where were you?

5QF

Scatter brained today.  Friday???  Wow...already.  Ok, let's see how I get through the questions.


1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?


Basic Rumor ring tone. 

Except for D's ring.  It's a techno ring that sounds a little like "Bom-chicka-wow-wow."  I thought it was funny.  :)


2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?

Goodness...  We've had an eventful summer!  Can I have two?

Our Kentucky trip was my favorite because I got to see some of my favorite family members and climb through some caves.

I loved our Wisconsin trip because I love the U.P., and I love anything having to do with my bestie, Gina.

3. Paper books or ebooks?

Well.....I don't have a choice in that matter, so I go with paper.  I'm not a big screen person, though....I don't like reading through websites (although I do read blogs regularly....so I may be taking that one back...).  I really enjoy turning pages, though.  I love the feel of paper on my fingertips....I love closing that last page of a book after a great ending...so, I think I'll go with paper.

4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?

Ha!  Can I say the other half?  Really....that's my home upgrade of choice.  (If you're new here, you can read our Love Shack Saga here).


5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?

Oh gosh...  I'm not sure how to answer this question.  I didn't really start dating until college, and even then, didn't really date anyone seriously anymore than a few weeks, possibly months...but not for any great period of time.
I knew what I wanted for my husband, and I knew what requirements God laid on my heart for my husband.  So, if I knew they weren't "the one", I didn't waste anymore time with them in pursuing a relationship that was headed to the same fate eventually.

I dated a lot of guys casually.  When I met Dave, I actually had been "talking to" 3-4 guys.  Casual dates, +1's for weddings, hanging out with groups, etc.  The day after I met Dave, I bid each one of them a farewell.  I knew, in my heart, this was the man God had sent me for marriage.

TWO kitchens?!?!?! Yeah, it's not what you think it is.

I haven't posted a Love Shack update lately.

That's cause there's not much to update on.

We're still here. 


Plugging along. 


Saving little bits here and there to finish the addition and start rehabing the old house.

But in the meantime, I have two kitchens.

Yes, two.

But it's not what you think.  Both kitchens are half kitchens....so essentially, I have one kitchen (if you do the math) just in two locations.  One is in the old house, one in the addition.

So, when I cook...this is what it looks like:

Get out the meat, veggies, and cookware for the stove in the old kitchen.

Go to the new kitchen pantry for dried goods.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to assemble.

(down three steps)

Back to the new kitchen for mixing bowls and spices.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to assemble, stir, and cook.

(down three steps)

Back to the new kitchen to pick up the salad spinner and bread.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to wash veggies, spin the lettuce and cut veggies.

(down three steps)

Back to the new kitchen to grab serving bowls for salads and dinner entrees.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to assemble dinner.

(down three steps)

Back to the new kitchen to grab tableware.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to set the table.

(down three steps)

Back to the new kitchen to grab glasses for milk and water.

(up three steps)

Back to the old kitchen to grab silverware.

(down three steps)

Sit at the table to enjoy dinner.

(plop)

Wonder if I can get some My Fitness Pal exercise points?



Rhetorical Questions

There are sometimes questions I ask that either a) have no answer or b) are answered, but are asked to make a statement.  I understand that latter is an oxymoron, but hey...that's life, right?  Here are the top ten rhetorical questions I ask with great frequency...

1)  Are you cuh-RAY-zee?!?!?!

2)  What the HECK ever happened to personal responsibility?

3)  If your friends told you to jump off a cliff, would you?  (yes, I ask this out loud)

4)  Why can't good-for-me foods taste like a chocolate chip cookie?!?!?

5)  Where'd the money tree go?

6)  And just how much is this going to cost?

7)  How can I help?

8)  Can you give me a minute....or a week?

9)  Have you made a decision about (insert decision to be made here)?

10)  Can I have a hug?

Today

Today
is Labor Day


Today
my husband is "off" work
my husband is working on the house
my husband is mowing the lawn
my husband is jump starting the lawn mower with his work van


Today
I pulled out my jeans.
I realized that (for the first time in many many falls) my jeans had outgrown me
I got out a pair of old old jeans that used to be too small.
I made some fresh stewed tomatoes to go in some fresh homemade chili for dinner
I have all the windows open in my house
I made up a recipe for gluten free bread in my bread machine.
I am crossing my fingers that the bread turns out good.

Today
A. is getting ready for his second week of school
A. is wearing pants and a sweatshirt
A. is going for a run with his mom
A. helped his dad stack wood
A. is cooking hot dogs over the fire pit for lunch.

Today
C. cuddled with me a lot this morning
C. helped me change the sheets on the bunk beds.
C. is outside laughing and screaming
C. is pushing his brother's buttons
C. is looking forward to starting preschool next week.

Today
is Labor Day.

Random Friday Post and 5QF

1.  Do you ever feel like you really NEED to work on priorities and organization in your life?

2.  I'm feeling drawn in that direction, but have no idea where to begin.

3.  Best thing about yesterday- new month = new envelopes.

4.  Last month there was too much month left at the end of the money.

5.  Today I'm going to try to make a dish that my dad is famous for. 

6.  Wish me luck.

7.  It's gonna be a steamy walk today.  Hooray for walk day!

8.  But a long-awaited GNO is going on this weekend.

9.  I'm going to see "The Help."

10.  Loved the book, hope the movie is just as good.









1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay?

Usually Nay. Unless they're shoes that have never been worn outside...then its a yay.  I have been wearing some new shoes to help support my foot after an injury.  It's been helpful.  :)

2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc?

Flip flops.  Slippers are for keeping your feet warm on a winter day, and thongs are those stringy underwear used to floss your butt crack.

3. What song are you almost embarrassed to admit you know all the lyrics to?

Alright STOP, collaborate and LISTEN! 

Yes, I know all the lyrics.

Ice, Ice baby.

4. What is the best quality to have in a friend?

Oh gosh...there's so many!  I'm thinking of all my favorite friends right now and all the wonderful traits that make them so great.  I guess one thing that they all have in common:

empathy.

All of my favorite friends have the ability to empathize.  They can get out of their own skin and feel for someone else.  I (heart) those ladies.


5. Do you know what you want for Christmas?

Gosh, what don't I want?  But I won't get it for Christmas.  The only Christmas presents I get are from my parents, but I'm not about to ask them to purchase this for me.  We don't exchange with my in-laws, and Dave and I don't exchange either.  So, it looks like I'm on my own saving for the new camera.  :)