Well, here we are ... the last day of the long Thanksgiving weekend.  Thursday was perfect.  I didn't work one bit on projects.  I baked my pie, whipped up my green bean casserole, and a relish tray; then I spent the rest of the day kicking back, enjoying time with family, and making new friends at the Egyptian theatre's showing of Miracle on 34th Street.  Despite the fact that I had to run to the store two times that morning, it turned out to be the best Thanksgiving yet. 

Yesterday my mum and I spent time with our good friends Kristi and Theresa.  It's a tradition don't-ya-know.  Birthday movie and lunch.  This time around we saw Australia (review to come) and then ate lunch at the Outback (gotta love a good theme.) 

Ooh I almost forgot!  At the theatre I was put in charge of "the device" - apparently they pick one person who gets to call for backup should the sound fail, the picture fail, or you're otherwise annoyed.  Even though I didn't have to push any of the buttons, just knowing I could was some good times.    

The rest of the weekend was filled with work, errands, Christmas decorations, etc. etc.  Just finished wrapping presents for Sweden (okay, I'm not actually finished, but I'm taking a break until tomorrow).

Now I'm off to work on the manual - in between yelling at the kits for using the mailing box for their fort and attacking the ribbon on the presents, naturally...  

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a bun sandwich

My pumpkin pie is in the oven and I'm just getting ready to make up place settings, so I thought I would take a few minutes to write a post ...

A friend and I were chatting the other day when the topic of gas prices came up.  My friend and I were tickled pink that gas is now below $2.00 a gallon.  Apparently, my friend's uncle does not feel the same.  He skims right over the current price, lamenting the fact that prices will go up again and probably worse than ever.  Chances are good, he's right.  After all, things don't last forever, do they?   But I'll tell you what - I was near certain I'd never see them this low again - yet here they are.  So long as they remain, I will be thankful. 

As we begin our holiday season let us remember to be thankful for the big and the small - even if the blessings are but fleeting.  Once we start, chances are good we'll be hard pressed to stop. 

And to you, dear readers, a very blessed Thanksgiving ...

Each Thanksgiving, my grama says grace in much the same manner – she prays over the food and blesses the hands that prepared it; she thanks the Lord for those at the table and remembers those far away; she thanks the Lord for our blessings; and then she prays for those less fortunate. When I was younger, her prayers seemed to go on for ages. I was certain I would starve to death before the closing “Amen.” But now that I’m older I understand the preciousness of each word. After all, that’s what Thanksgiving is about – giving thanks. Sure, it may seem obvious; but life has a funny way of blurring what’s important. We’re too busy cooking mounds of food or preparing for company. We’re too concerned with eating or playing games. We’re too eager for “Black Friday” bargains. Thankfulness may even be buried beneath a heavy heart or the burden of anxiety. But this year, despite our circumstances – whether in plenty or in want – let us be truly grateful. And as we thank the giver of all good things, let us not forget those less fortunate … those without a home, those with no food, those who have no family, those who know no friends, those who have no freedoms, those who do not know the One who frees us from our sins. For the moment we remember others will be the moment we discover thankfulness without end...

[UGH!  I have the cutest picture EVER to post, but my scanner is not working.  Stupid technology... ruins all our great plans]

Today is my mum’s birthday.

That’s right, we share a birth month – I start it out, she tops it off (God, in His infinite wisdom, sent but one of us in the feisty part of the month).

We’ve shared 35 of her 55 years. We’ve had our share of knock-out-drag-outs; we’ve each had to apologize a time or two. But most of the time, we’ve had some good times.

I like to joke and tell her I’m looking forward to another 55 years of laughter and memories, but she doesn’t think I’m funny. Still, I hope I’m not too far off.

So Happy Birthday mum – may your day be bright and happy; may your new year bring more happiness than you can imagine; and may you realize just how kind and beautiful and great you really are!

-with heaps of love, from the luckiest girl in the world

Today a few friends and I volunteered at a local drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child.  I was a part of the greeting party.  Our duties included waving, saying hello as people got out of their cars, directing and otherwise helping people with their box delivery. 

For the two hours we were there we heard a lot of comments around picking the short straw and the color of our noses (it was a tad nippy outside).  We laughed a lot.  We injured ourselves (one kid took a chunk out of his finger loading boxes into the truck and I ran over my toe with a cart - MY OWN TOE PEOPLE!!!).  But the thing that struck me most, was the fact that car after car pulled up and dropped off their boxes.  Some had many, some had few.  A man came by to collect boxes for a credit union that was filling boxes; a woman dropped off three precious boxes that her granddaughters had put together.  We came from different parts of town, different backgrounds, and different church affiliations - but we were joined together by the act of giving.     

Now I've written about Operation Christmas Child before, but I'm going to say it again - there's something magical about these boxes.  Most are just an ordinary shoe box, wrapped in Christmas paper, and lovingly filled with presents for a child we do not know, and more than likely, will never see.

But a small act, performed out of love and covered with prayer, is really quite large.  And when thousands upon thousands join one another - well there's just no knowing what blessings are in store ...

If you haven't experienced for yourself, I encourage you to do so.  Collection week for 2008 ends tomorrow - November 24th; but even when this date come and goes, you can still be a part.  You may send shoeboxes directly to Samaritan's Purse headquarters; you may also donate online.  Even if you don't have the funds this year - you have the means to give the greatest gift of all - prayer! 

"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.  Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."  -Hal Borland

Feelings get you killed.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Western

Verdict: Keep on a-ridin’…

The gist: Two infamous lawmen (Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen) are hired by the town of Appaloosa to keep the town safe from the evil rancher, Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons). Having worked alongside one another, keeping peace, town after town, year after year, they are more than competent for the job. But then Ms. Allison French (Renee Zellweger) pulls into town and the line of law and love begins to blur.

My take: It’s never a good sign when you wonder when-in-the-world a movie is going to end. And I felt that way a good part of the movie. It’s not that it was so very bad. As a matter of fact, it has a lot going for it – a strong cast, promising storyline, opportunity for strong character development. There are a couple elements of surprise and an amusing line here or there, but overall it fails to rise to the occasion. The overall pace of the movie is slow. The tagline doesn’t really fit the storyline. And while both Mortensen and Harris provide strong performances, there is still not quite enough for viewers to invest in. For example, the story is grounded in the friendship between the two law men, Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Mortensen) – but I felt more intrigued by the relationship between Hitch and his “whore” Katie. A successful western must have gritty adventure and strong characters as real as the baked soil on which they trod. They bring the wild-west alive – as they draw to a close you feel as though you too could tame the open plains. Sadly, the only thing I felt when this movie ended was a hint of relief.

An aside:  I will say I'm feeling some love for the official website...

Yeah, I've got nothin'... so rather than bore you to tears with an excerpt of the prose that is my photovoltaic manual, I'm going to send you on your way.  But first, a brief introduction:

Patrick Roberts posted a comment a few weeks (months?  It's all a blur) back in reference to Fireproof.  I'm glad he did; otherwise, chances are good I would have never stumbled upon his blog Kingdom of God Media. Now I must admit, when I first saw the tagline - the Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through Movies, Music and Television - I was skeptical at best.   I mean seriously.  What kind of whack-job finds the mysteries of the kingdom of God in movies, music and television?  But then I read the latest post.  Using various types of media as a springboard, Roberts makes some good, strong points on the Christian life. 

And that's all I'm going to say about it.  Check it out - see for yourself ...

Why is it huge projects always arrive at the worst possible time?  I mean really, it is autumn.  I should be snuggled up to a good book - candles lit, cup of tea by my side.  And the only reasons for abandoning that delightful pose would be the visiting of friends or a nice long soak in a bath full of bubbles. 

But alas ...

So for those of you gracious enough to inquire about the manual writing project (okay, so you probably just want it to know when it will be finished so I'll quit whining, but whatever ...), I have only this to say:  It will take a miracle. 

I have a total of 15 chapters that must be completed by month end.  And I do NOT want to work Thanksgiving weekend.  I have four chapters off for edits; two more are done; three others are in various states of completion. 

Good thing I believe in a God of miracles! 

I'm an auntie and a godmother all rolled into one!  Today's the day my wee nephew chose to make his grand entrance (and what an entrance it was - 19 hours of labor and an emergency C-section - yikes!).

For those of you interested in the details, he weighed in at 3.2 kilograms (7 lbs - yes, I had to look it up), 50 centimeters long (19-something inches).  He has dark hair; and, according to my brother, resembles an old man with a crooked nose.   

Being that he's there (Sweden) and I'm here, it's a little hard to believe. 

Maybe that's not such a bad thing - after all, if I don't believe it, I don't have to be sad that I can't hold him, or smell that sweet baby goodness, or kiss his soft cheeks.  So with that I have only this to say ...

Welcome to the world sweet baby boy ... we love you!

"A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at a such a speed ... it feels an impulsion ... this is the place to go now.  But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons."  - Richard Bach

A few of you have been inquiring about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert on Monday night.  Well, let me just tell ya ... it was nothing short of spectacular.  The visual effects - from soft twinkling lights and falling snow to lasers and pyrotechnics - were like a party for your eyeballs.  And the music!  The music was amazing.

But the thing I loved most was the fact that they really seem to care about the audience.  The dazzling display that was the show lasted 3 hours with no intermission.  And not once did they mention items for sale.  They used local talent for the string section and presented the Boise Rescue Mission with a check for a over $7,000.  And when it was all said and done, the band came out to "say hello to some old friends, and make a few new ... "    

So if you ever get the chance, take in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - unless you're a Scrooge, you'll be glad you did!      

After a weekend of fun and frivolity, I should spend this evening slaving away on the manual project from hell.  Instead, I'll be taking in the Trans Siberian Orchestra winter tour.  YEAH for me!  At least until tomorrow ...

YouTube - Trans Siberian Orchestra Joy to the world
  

Well, this it.  It's now official.  I am thirty-five years old.

My birthday was filled with well wishes of all sorts and varieties - emails, "wall" notes, phone calls, cards, and gifts.  A myriad of pleasant surprises!  And I only cried once.  My mom gave me a beautiful shooting star necklace, with packaging that read: "No time is too late to dream and to begin a journey of a lifetime."  I took one look and bawled.  But seriously ... it could not be helped. 

So while I fully intended to be in a dreadful state - a blue funk at the very least - I now find myself happy - hopeful even.  I'll keep dreaming; and we'll just see if this be the year those dreams take flight ... 

If you haven't already, getter done!  And that's really all I have to say about it ...

My mom and I took a road trip to spend Halloween with my aunt and uncle, two of my cousins, and two of my second cousins.  Here are a few random thoughts from my weekend:

Everyone should strive to make their corner of the world a bit brighter.  Like the people right outside Juntura who painted a big smiley face and set it in the field to face the road.  Makes me smile every time. 

Few things can make you smile quicker than a wee person dressed as a lady bug ... a fairy princess ... a lion ...

There's something about having someone look up to you in wonder and amazement - even if it's only because they think you are Tinkerbell - that makes you want to be better.   

Then there are the boys.  The ones who take one look, yell, "Ooh, it's Tink-er-bell" and whistle.   They may make you laugh.  Out loud.  But I suppose, in a way, they make you want to be better too. 

There's something to be said about a person who gives a little extra, even if the job is crappy and there's little acknowledgement.  Like Dot, who cleaned our motel room and left us a little box of Dots. 

Gummy eyeballs are sick and wrong. 

My cousins two kids are getting older.  Each hug, each kiss, each moment spent laughing makes me more aware that there will soon come a day when spending time with us old folks is SO not cool.  Even if those days won't last forever, they will still make me sad. 

Laughing until you cry is the only way to spend a weekend. 

I'm glad back when I was in volleyball we actually wore shorts - and not just our panties. 

I was chatting with one of my second cousins when I mentioned we were too old to play hot pumpkin in the dark.  She said, "You're not old!"  I said, "Well, I'm getting there ... " She asked how old I was; when I told her I'd be 35 next weekend her eyes bulged out of their sockets.  "You don't LOOK that old!"  I'm just gonna skim right over the fact 35 is positively ancient to a young person, and be honored that she doesn't think I look it. 

Memories are the best thing you can make. 

My uncle is a model-among-men - guys take note:  If your wife and her girls are lounging in the hot tub, sipping coffee, chatting, laughing, and you bring out the pot of coffee and creamer for a warm up half-way through, they will love you forever.  

Having a moment of sickness is 10,000 times worse when you have to stop and use the restroom of some small shop in the middle of the desert.  Trust me.  I know.  Next time I'll opt for the sage brush.   

I use to think the sage brush was dreadful - it's such an ugly drive, I would say.  Suddenly I find it beautiful.  In the spring, it's a blend of greens and yellows; in the autumn a mixture of yellow, orange, and red. With the birch trees and differing types of grasses all against a backdrop of red rock.  It's grasslands and winding streams that sparkle and dance; it's the wonder of the wide open range, with horses and cattle grazing.  They say a person's eyesight gets worse as they get older - but I'm beginning to think it may get better.