+ 1 - 0 | § ¶Pancake Tuesday
I know I've already used this picture, but I really like it! So today is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and in Britain apparently, Pancake Tuesday! That's what I'm going to celebrate today! I haven't had pancakes yet, but that's my plan for dinner. I'm not giving up any sort of food for Lent- I actually don't think I've ever given anything up for Lent before...I've never been quite sure about what Lent means even except for in the Lutheran school I went to the colors on the pastors robe changed, as did the hangings on the walls.
But this year, my church is going to celebrate and explore Lent. I'm looking forward to learning more and from what I've picked up already, I am looking forward to the extended and purposeful time of reflection. So, what I'm going to give up is radio/cd's/etc. in my car. Diana suggested it the other day and the more I've thought about it the more it makes sense. I don't really care enough about chocolate...I don't eat meat generally...coffee- well, NO!!!...t.v.- a possibility, but I don't really care that much about it either since I usually watch the shows once they're on dvd anyway...but radio/noise in my car- now that will be hard, but also incredibly good. I'm in my car a good hour every day and it's pure habit to have music on. Silence is fine some of the time, but it will take some getting used to in my car. I think I may have done that for a week or so before, but never for over a month!!! And, now I'm thinking about what I will do to fill that void of quiet. I think I will talk to God. I also have thought about memorizing scripture. Or maybe I need to just sit in the quiet and listen. Since, isn't that kind of the point of giving something up? To remove an obstacle to God? Again, I don't know tons about Lent, but it seems right. I'll let you know how it goes. So, today, I'll have some pancakes, but since I'm not giving up food, instead I'll indulge in as much loud music in my car as I can!
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+ 1 - 0 | § ¶Mansion friends!!!
This was the sunrise over Cocoa Beach last Friday morning. It was slow, but beautiful. I have a lot of pictures from Florida to share, but today I'll start with some from last Thursday night, at Stan and Joan's house. For those of you who were at His Mansion with me, you'll appreciate these pics! For those of you who knew me or supported me while I was there, you'll sort of appreciate them. And for those who have only known me since I've been in GR, well, look anyway- I'm sure you've heard me talk about my time out east!
It just so happened that I was going to Cocoa Beach with my family on Thursday afternoon, to stay overnight. Well, that was the same night that Stan and Joan had planned a mini mansion reunion at their place in Cocoa (about 20 min. away!) It was such a good time!!! Lee and Joyce were there, so were Bob and Ada, as well as Capt. Mike and Lew, Jackie and Michelle (who I didn't know very well, but we're all from the mansion so after a few hours together we were just a bunch of former mansionites!)
Anyway, it was so fun to re-connect with those dear people and then I came home and found out that Steve has set up a new website that I think will connect us all even more! In the immortal words of Diane W, "Good on ya, Steve!" So here's the link for all of you former students, interns, long term staff- go check it out! It really is pretty cool!
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+ 1 - 0 | § ¶slight sunburn...
This is the main pool where we are staying. Here's the pool/hot tub out our back door! It's been a little cool, but I've still managed to get a slight sunburn! Today and the rest of the week will be much warmer so I'll try to bump it up to a full sunburn by the time I come home! We've had numerous parties with all sorts of family coming to hang out and have yummy dinners. One night we all sat and watched Napolean Dynamite- notice my mom giggling hysterically?!? Here are a few other random pictures.
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+ 0 - 1 | § ¶in the land of Mickey Mouse and sunshine...
After very little sleep and lots of time in airports, I made it to the land of mickey mouse and sunshine. And then it started pouring!!! But it's all good- we arrived safely and made our way to the AWESOME house we're staying in for the week. I'll try to post some pictures later, but the one of Em up above is in our hot tub/pool in our screened in back porch! So, even though it's sprinkling and dark out and about 60 degrees, the pool is warm and right out our back door. Yay! We each have our own room with a matching bathroom attached. It's decorated entirely beautifully and we all feel totally spoiled! Here's who I've seen so far today: Dad, Mom, Ron, Linda, Ronnie, Erin, Emily, Rob, Elizabeth, Uncle Bill, Aunt Diane, Uncle Dick, Aunt Marie, and Aunt MaryAnn!!! Mom brought over some yummy dinner and we all sat and talked for a while. This is gonna be an awesome week! Yay! I read one book so far and am ready to devour a few more this week. I love vacation!!!
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+ 1 - 0 | § ¶And....Sunday!
I went to the 11am service at church on Sunday. I think it's been close to a year since I've been to that service! I was happily surprised when Annie and Tamra came up to say "hi"! I also sat with Juanito and watched Karen interpret the service. She did the whole sermon and I was pretty captivated by her! She's just really, really good, regardless of what she says. Her expressions and mannerisms totally added some spunk and even though I don't know sign language, I felt like I could understand her! (Ok, besides the fact that I'm not deaf and I could hear what the guy was saying :) Really, I was so proud of her!
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+ 0 - 1 | § ¶Saturday...
Saturday was a hang around the house and get things done sort of day. Then, in the evening I went with one of my d-group girls, Aubrey, to see Barlow Girl in concert! Her mom got us tickets in the 4th row!!! It was awesome! And, as you can see above, we got to meet them too! I'd like to publicly acknowledge the total generosity and overall coolness of Aubrey's mom! Thanks- it was a great night! Here are some pictures of the girls playing and singing. They really are one of my favorite bands ever. Here's Aubrey with her little sister and friend.
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+ 0 - 1 | § ¶Friday...
I've decided to write about each day this weekend seperately, so there will be more posts! Thanks to all of you who check- it makes me happy to know you're still reading! Anyway, that picture is of one of my co-workers, Bill! He's a goofball! We were at the Beltline Bar for a farewell lunch for Dave who was an intern therapist for a while. He's a cool guy- I know him from church too. There were a bunch of people that I used to work with at the unit there- I miss them!
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+ 0 - 1 | § ¶For Diana!
Of all my friends who read this, Diana is the most vocal when I don't write for a while. It makes me feel good that she is waiting on the edge of her seat for my next post! Ok, maybe that's going a bit far, but you get the point! I hope that she's not the only one who notices when the same picture greets you day after day (even if it is Johnny Depp- come on, who's gonna complain about that!?!) and you are left wondering why I haven't written. Is something wrong? Am I out of town? Did my computer die?
Nope. I'm just sorta boring lately! I mean, I have done fun things and hung out with people I like. Part of it is that I haven't taken many pictures recently and I like to have pictures to go along with what I say. Work has been sort of busy too. Ok, really busy. When I get home (on the evenings that I actually come home before 11:00) I just have no brain power left to really write anything worth reading. And then because I've been up so late, I have a hard time dragging myself out of bed in the morning so a morning post is usually out of the picture.
I really do appreciate those of you who still check occasionally to see if I've written and those who find something to comment on when all I write about is a cereal box! I'm planning on doing a few fun things today and I'll try to remember to take pictures and then write about it this weekend!
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