Surprising Productivity

Today was my Friday and for that I was glad! I've been on day shifts (that's 8-5ish, for you normal people).  I'm not a day shift fan...I like to sleep in, and not be tired.  Well all this week, I've struggled to be any bit of productive.  I've the short little bursts of productivity, but I've still felt like a lazy bum all week.  However, tonight the night that I might have normally been the biggest bum, and frankly that's how I envisioned it to be.

  I got a bug and since then I've accomplished great things.  I'm ready for the rest of the week.  Tomorrow (after some good sleep) another day of baking!!! I'm looking forward to it, but that will wear me out as much as anything.  I love the surprising productive days.  Thank you!

Love.

Mothers are Wonderful

My mom has been quilting holiday banners for the much of the past year.  She sends me them in the mail much of the time and I cannot wait to get them inside and see what they are like.  This is the Christmas one I got today.  I LOVE it!!!! I got the banner stand right out and put the quilt on it.  Isn't it it gorgeous! Thank you Mom!

Father Christmas

Christmas - T minus 1 week.

I'm struggling to believe that Christmas is only a week away.  I knew it was coming...but as usual it seems to rush forward.   It's almost a given with everyone that early December is a crazy mad dash of holiday programs, holiday baking, family Christmas, possible travel and of course the regular ol' work or school. 

  I'm kinda half ready and half not ready for Christmas.  I've gotten 1/4 of my baking gifts completed, and still plenty to get done.  I have a few gifts, but I still have lots to purchase.  I've completed all holiday music programs (band and bells).  With just a week to go...I have the rest of my baking to complete, plenty of gifts to get and a few days left of work before family Christmas.  Oh I do have all Christmas Cards to complete, I'm not even sure how many I'm going to do, just don't feel into the cards this year. 

Some photos of the house at Christmas.  I love decorating for Christmas!

My Christmas Mantle.  Some of my favorite things. 

The Tree.  I love all of my ornaments and decorations, always a joy to decorate.

I recently joined a women's list serve at work. I found out about it because a co-worker was a member. I was sad to not have been apart of it earlier in my career, but there is a time and reason for everything.  I've read back through a lot of it and it's really interesting to read.  They have discussions on things such as family and working within the NWS, medical problems and just life.  The list serve is dominated by women, but there are men on there as well. 

Today this story was shared on the list.  I have experienced this and I hazard to guess every women, men and person has experienced this at some point in their lives.  It is just to different extents, and I'm sure I'm guilty of it as well.  Just interesting to think about. 

Sugarland

I had an A-MAH-ZING night last night!!!! 6-8ft from Sugarland?  Can it get better?  I think not!!!


Vanessa and I got General Admission Tickets to see Sugarland, this put us in the Sugarpit.  We got their early, but not terribly early.  It was raining and all and we didn't want to stand in the rain.  However, we did get unlucky and when we thought we were going to get in, finally stood out in the elements, and it started to rain again and for 10 minutes, we got rained on.  I looked a little like a drowned cat/rat take your pick.  So as we got into the arena and down the stairs to the pit, I expected it to be full...not at all!!! We took our standing "seats" where we wanted, right front center.  We couldn't believe how close we were.  Maybe 6-8 ft from the stage. 

The show started with Sara Bareilles, which was a tad odd for a country concert, but she was good all the same.  (left)

Then Sugarland came out, this is how they started, and this image is not zoomed!!!! (above right)

My night was this!!! I enjoyed every minute. 

I even caught a guitar pick from Jennifer after they sang Baby Girl!!!! So awesome! Definitely a great night! Thanks to Vanessa and Sugarland! 

To end it, I'll share probably the worst picture, but puts it in perspective kinda....This is a terrible shot of me, but it shows how close Vanessa and I were to the stage.  Vanessa struggled to get me and Jennifer into the picture at the same time. 

Love

Friends are blessings to all

Moving around you make and meet new friends, this is fantastic because you get to meet so many different people that all touch your life in so many ways.  The flip side, the sad side, is that when you move you also leave these friends behind, in physical space anyway.  I feel so blessed to have met all of the people I have in my life.  I do, however, miss those that I was close to while in that place and now we do not get to see each other.  There are to many to name, but they are from each location: Kearney, Norman, Raleigh, Wichita, Reading.  

 I don't do good enough about calling people, I always feel like I'm bothering them, but I should get better at it.  I am so excited to hear the phone ring and see who is calling.  I wish I had all the money in the world to go and see everyone  often.  Many of these friends have moved on themselves to new and exciting locations.  I keep all of you in my heart and my mind.  I think of everyone often when different things come up.  Such as a certain song that we would sing to in the car, or a place we use to eat, or an activity that we use to do.  Memories are everywhere and even just for a split moment, I'm thinking of you all.  Thank you all for what you've given me in life.  I am truly blessed. 

Love

Addictions

I may not be addicted to alcohol or drugs or other "bad" things, but we all are addicted to something aren't we?  My addictions change weekly/monthly but they are there.  Sometimes it is planning travel, other times it's a TV show or a music group.  Right now my addiction is Geneaology research.  My parents and I traveled to Ohio in August to do some research on the Sims family (my mother's maiden name).  A distant relative put a lot of good information together a few years ago, but I've been able to find a lot on Ancestry.com.  We drove by the land that my mom's great grandfather grew up on, and the couple generations prior to that.  It is realling interesting to learn all of these things.  Sometimes I would just love to find a time machine and travel back for a couple days to say hi and see what life was like.   What I've discovered is that I have a long lineage from Ireland.  These ancestors then moved from Ohio to Nebraska to Kansas where they stayed.  When we started this, I knew I had some Norwegian heritage, but my mom had always been told that the Sims name was English.  I've found out differently.  Regardless, it gets addicting! We all have our vices. 

Love