I'm sitting in my piano room... surrounded by packing boxes (delivered by the moving company yesterday) and Christmas gifts that need to be wrapped. Oh yes, I'm already wrapping Christmas presents, because if I don't do it now, the gifts will most likely get shoved in some box and well, we're moving the week before Christmas! So yep... trying to stay ahead of the game here. I've got the fireplace roaring, and quite honestly it is WAY too early for me to be up, especially with my in-laws coming today, Thanksgiving dinner to start preparing, plus physical therapy this morning and the kids are out of school early today. Ok Sal... breathe. Breathe in. Breathe out. We are truly blessed... For now, lets procrastinate Hodgepodge and focus on what really matters!
1. Turkey-love it or leave it? White meat or dark? What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?
I do enjoy turkey, dark meat please! My favorite thing to make with leftover turkey is turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce. My family (who doesn't like cranberries) may gag, but I say Yum!
2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain?
Right now, since I'm still healing from my hip surgery, I would dearly love to be able to do either! When we were in Park City, Utah a few weeks ago I went on a small hike - ok, it was just a walk up a hill at the Olympic Park - but to me it felt like a mountain and I was so darn proud of myself for doing it! Funny how your perspective changes, eh? So yeah, if I had to chose, I'd definitely prefer climbing a mountain!
3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse? Explain.
It's a toss-up... social networking has reconnected me with many people that I had lost touch with, so for that I am grateful. And it is an easy way to stay connected quickly. But I do miss the comfort of writing letters, and receiving letters. I was even thinking the other day about how when I was in school, we were always passing notes to each other (probably the reason why I didn't do so well in algebra!) - but now, kids just text. And maybe it's similar... but it's not the same. It makes me a little sad.
4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life?
By knowing that I'm not God... and He is in control, no matter what, and can bless and teach through the hard times as well as the good. A few years ago when my best friend was killed in a car accident, I went to church and as I sat in the pew crying, the praise team started to sing "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord" - and I said in my heart, "God, I believe this... but I just can't sing it right now" and I heard His small still voice in my heart say "It's OK... some day you will." That's the good in the middle of the bad.
5. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'. Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?
Internet, definitely! I don't find any joy in the masses of people, cranky salespeople, and the focus on commercialism. Blech. I much more enjoy finding special, meaningful gifts on the internet and having them arrive at my door.
6. Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?
I have a cute little black dress!
7. What do you appreciate about your life today?
My kids. My husband. My extended family and friends near and far. My God, who never leaves nor forsakes me.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Next week my hubs and I will be house hunting in California, while my amazing mother-in-law stays here to hold down the fort and get the kiddos to their various activities! Please pray for us to be able to find a house quickly, for wisdom and discernment as we decide where to live, and for everything here at home to go smoothly as well.
It is really starting to hit us that this is it... we are taking this leap of faith into the unknown, leaving the Air Force community that has been so good to us over the years and has provided us with security. We know that this new job is a good opportunity, but it's still scary starting over - at the age of 40, with three kids. We covet your prayers!
1. Turkey-love it or leave it? White meat or dark? What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?
I do enjoy turkey, dark meat please! My favorite thing to make with leftover turkey is turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce. My family (who doesn't like cranberries) may gag, but I say Yum!
2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain?
Right now, since I'm still healing from my hip surgery, I would dearly love to be able to do either! When we were in Park City, Utah a few weeks ago I went on a small hike - ok, it was just a walk up a hill at the Olympic Park - but to me it felt like a mountain and I was so darn proud of myself for doing it! Funny how your perspective changes, eh? So yeah, if I had to chose, I'd definitely prefer climbing a mountain!
3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse? Explain.
It's a toss-up... social networking has reconnected me with many people that I had lost touch with, so for that I am grateful. And it is an easy way to stay connected quickly. But I do miss the comfort of writing letters, and receiving letters. I was even thinking the other day about how when I was in school, we were always passing notes to each other (probably the reason why I didn't do so well in algebra!) - but now, kids just text. And maybe it's similar... but it's not the same. It makes me a little sad.
4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life?
By knowing that I'm not God... and He is in control, no matter what, and can bless and teach through the hard times as well as the good. A few years ago when my best friend was killed in a car accident, I went to church and as I sat in the pew crying, the praise team started to sing "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord" - and I said in my heart, "God, I believe this... but I just can't sing it right now" and I heard His small still voice in my heart say "It's OK... some day you will." That's the good in the middle of the bad.
5. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'. Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?
Internet, definitely! I don't find any joy in the masses of people, cranky salespeople, and the focus on commercialism. Blech. I much more enjoy finding special, meaningful gifts on the internet and having them arrive at my door.
6. Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?
I have a cute little black dress!
7. What do you appreciate about your life today?
My kids. My husband. My extended family and friends near and far. My God, who never leaves nor forsakes me.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Next week my hubs and I will be house hunting in California, while my amazing mother-in-law stays here to hold down the fort and get the kiddos to their various activities! Please pray for us to be able to find a house quickly, for wisdom and discernment as we decide where to live, and for everything here at home to go smoothly as well.
It is really starting to hit us that this is it... we are taking this leap of faith into the unknown, leaving the Air Force community that has been so good to us over the years and has provided us with security. We know that this new job is a good opportunity, but it's still scary starting over - at the age of 40, with three kids. We covet your prayers!
