Remembering..

I haven't forgotten the hurt of nine years ago today, I losing you. Mr. D. says his heart hurts too. You were the first and we know you are in heaven playing with your brothers and sisters that have also remained there.

Two years ago today we made the decision to stop trying, believing eight is enough. Time fades some of the memories but the pain seems fresh today. They say life comes around full circle. I can see that in others around us. We seem stuck, or maybe it's just me. I'm in a fog today not sure where my feet should lead me. For a few moments it all seems ridiculous and pointless. I know that tomorrow will bring new people and new places and new problems. However I am sad now.

Our lives are well intended and busy, but I want to yell for all to hear:
I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.
-C

New Bikes!!!

David and I have budgeted, saved and searched every online and physical store in the greater Houston area. We have finally, after six months, found bicycles. They are beautiful and now you can see them too. It was cold and rainy when we picked them up, so we don't have outside pics yet!



Specs:
His and Hers GT Transeo 1.0 Comfort/Hybrids from Performance Bikes on Voss and Westheimer Rd.

We upgraded and installed the following on each bike:
Disc brakes
E3 Cycling FX10 Cycle Computer (that's so we'll know how fast we're going!)
Todson Spotlite and tail light set
Waterbottle cage and new BPA-free "Safe Plastic" water bottles

I've also started a bike log and will update the results as we ride. We plan to take the bikes on a trip to Georgia next month and should get quite a few miles in at the State Parks along the way!

Fun and Easy - About Meme

I was reading Lisa-Anne's blog and found this little "things you have done in your life" check list. Feel free to grab this to do on your own blog. If you don't have one, feel free to grab it to do via e-mail. Have fun!

Anyway, this is really simple, but fun and revealing. You just highlight the things you've done in your life. Mine are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check**opps!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Tag - I'm it!

Okay, I have un-officially been tagged. So, here goes! I'm responding to the tag I received today from Lisa-Anne over at The Berry Patch.

Here are the rules...
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post (or however many you want)
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!!

1. I collected postage stamps. I think this is why I send out over 70 Christmas cards. I am hoping that I get some really cool stamps on the 25ish cards I receive back!

2. I really dig Jazz music. Most days you can find my new XMradio/mp3 player set to the cool "Watercolor" channel. In 8th grade my good friend Sally and I wanted to join the new and upcoming Jazz Band. Our musical director didn't quite warm up to the idea, saying that flutes are not an instrument used in Jazz music. Bummer!

3. My sister's youngest boy is severely Autistic, he is now 6 years old and still has no vocabulary. Beka, my sister, has gone gluten and lactose free in his diet. This has done amazing things in Justin. It has taken almost a year to see the changes in him though. I could go on, but alas, this post has to end one day.

4. My two favorite flower scents are Jasmine and Stargazer Lily.

5. (For my scrapbook friends) I have only completed ONE (1) album in the 8 years I have been scrapping. I know this is incredible to imagine, but it's true!

6. My dh and I only have one car. It makes us have to coordinate schedules and work with each others appointments. I work at home, so this makes it easier to do. But, none-the-less it definitely takes work! :)


I'm actually going to tag ANYONE who reads this here. Consider yourself tagged and post on your own blog, please.

Another post about me ..

Outside my Window... it is bright and sunny fall day..

I am thinking... I am tired of being tired with too much to do..

From the kitchen... our favorite is chicken salad, it's easy and keeps well. :)

I am wearing... jeans and a black t-shirt.. I know that Stacy and Clinton would be upset!

I am creating... digital art with digital camera pics that we have stored for years..

I am reading... Gilbert Morris "Catching a Spider", set in 1900's London

I am hoping... for David to be happy and energetic with work stuff

I am hearing... Gospel music from our new XM Radio that we've plugged into the house speakers.. David you ROCK!

Around the house... a huge mess but our new place is spacious and inviting. I just need to do a "home blessing hour" on it at the moment.

Today is Saturday, so I should be able to get the house to a presentable state. :)

About me .. Books

Got this from the MacDonald Clan!

Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?

I really like any.. just to have a complete set is nice!

Bookmark or dog-ear?

Bookmark.. As I collect new bookmarks, I place them in books I haven't read yet. It helps me use up the pretty gifts people give us.

Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?

Random really. I have all my Christian fiction together and the non-fiction together as well. The other books are mostly non-fiction and on David's shelves by subject.

Keep, throw away or sell?

It really depends. I am a big keeper, but I am trying to get to only keeping my favorite authors.

Keep dust jacket or toss it?

I keep them on usually, unless it is a favorite book author.

Last book you bought?

Three by Ted Dekker.

Last book someone bought for you?

Believing God by Beth Moore.

What are some of the books on your to-buy list?

Ted Dekker, anything by him!

Collection (short stories, same author) or anthology (short stories, different authors)?

Nah

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?

Mostly at night.

The books you need to go with other books on your shelves?

Ted Dekker's most of his series

Do you read anywhere and anytime you can or do you have a set reading time and/or place?

Usually home...and at night.

Do you have seasonal reading habits?

Nope.

Do you read one book at a time or do you have two or more books going at once?

One book at a time, I can only handle so many plots at one time.

What are your pet peeves about the way people treat books?

I don't mind much.. but really don't like to think about the unknown stains..

Name one book you surprised yourself by liking.

The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd

How often do you read a book and not review it on your blog? What are your reasons for not blogging about a book?

I don't review books on my blog.