Yesterday I was the very excited recipient of the first package of a Harry & David Fruit of the Month Club!! I've wanted to get one for so long and just haven't felt like it was a good idea to send it to myself. Don't ask me why - I don't know. It's just not the same.
Anyway. My Elves were kind enough to fulfill that wish for me this Christmas.
Last Christmas, they gifted me with the mother of all toaster ovens, which I had mentioned would be really nice to have. Not that I requested the superdeluxe model that takes the food out of the fridge and cooks it for you, but that's what they gave me.
I love my Elves. And not just cause they give me good stuff - that's a bonus. Needless to say the elves are Kellie, David and Kathy. I meant to lavish more heaps of praise on them, but I see it's past time to get ready for work.
OH - I moved into the new work digs on Monday, but that can wait a day or two.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New Profile Pic
Okay - so I totally stole my new profile pic from Kellie's blog! I think it's just a really good picture of me. David, I'm sorry I cropped you out of it, but - sorry to say - after 3 IMAX movies in a row, you were looking a little... shall we say... tired?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Now, if I would only do pictures!!!
Got my cool new background... starting to actually put some thoughts in here... now I just need to do this in the evenings, rather than in the mornings so I'll have time to add some pictures!
"Reading" Scriptures
Ever since Kellie and I decided we'd read scriptures together - well, okay - virtually together - I've been a lot more regular about my reading. Okay - I've been reading regularly. Period. It just makes a difference to have someone reading (sort of) with you.
I have, however, lately taken to having them read to me. I go to the scriptures at lds.org and I can just listen to my heart's content. It's different to hear the words, as I'm reading them. I think it impresses them more firmly in my mind.
I have, however, lately taken to having them read to me. I go to the scriptures at lds.org and I can just listen to my heart's content. It's different to hear the words, as I'm reading them. I think it impresses them more firmly in my mind.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was wonderful!
My brother David, his wife Susannah and daughter Anna came to stay with me a couple of days and my sister Ginny and her husband Kendall took up residence at the local Hyatt Place.
We visited a lot, I got to cook a huge meal that was really pretty good, and it was just a good time, all around.
Kendall installed a couple of fans and did a couple of other odd jobs for me which kept him busy and out of trouble while the rest of us visited. He was happier that way and it just tickled me to death!
We were all very thankful for family and the tons of blessings we all have.
My brother David, his wife Susannah and daughter Anna came to stay with me a couple of days and my sister Ginny and her husband Kendall took up residence at the local Hyatt Place.
We visited a lot, I got to cook a huge meal that was really pretty good, and it was just a good time, all around.
Kendall installed a couple of fans and did a couple of other odd jobs for me which kept him busy and out of trouble while the rest of us visited. He was happier that way and it just tickled me to death!
We were all very thankful for family and the tons of blessings we all have.
The View from Georgia has been a bit dark, lately. After months of procrastination and waffling back and forth, the powers that be finally gave us the drop dead date for the removal of our office from Alpharetta to Buckhead. This coming Friday is it.
We’ve all been purging files and packing what we can’t bear to part with. As a relative newbie, I don’t have as much stuff to go through as a lot of my co-workers.
On the bright side, the new offices are just that - new; so we won’t have to live with the retro 80s décor of this building. I will also have a window next to my desk, which is a decided improvement. It’s just really difficult getting past the fact that I now live ¾ of a mile from my office and beginning Monday, I’ll get to travel 23 miles to work on the infamous parking lot known as GA 400. Or not. I’ve been looking at options and it may be that ignoring 400 and taking local roads might be better. But it still is more than ¾ of a mile.
I’m sure I’ll adapt. I’ve tried every way I know to transfer to another part of the company that’s staying in this building, to no avail. Apparently, there are things I need to learn from a daily commute that I’m not learning now.
We’ve all been purging files and packing what we can’t bear to part with. As a relative newbie, I don’t have as much stuff to go through as a lot of my co-workers.
On the bright side, the new offices are just that - new; so we won’t have to live with the retro 80s décor of this building. I will also have a window next to my desk, which is a decided improvement. It’s just really difficult getting past the fact that I now live ¾ of a mile from my office and beginning Monday, I’ll get to travel 23 miles to work on the infamous parking lot known as GA 400. Or not. I’ve been looking at options and it may be that ignoring 400 and taking local roads might be better. But it still is more than ¾ of a mile.
I’m sure I’ll adapt. I’ve tried every way I know to transfer to another part of the company that’s staying in this building, to no avail. Apparently, there are things I need to learn from a daily commute that I’m not learning now.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Guess who is now in Primary!?!?!?!
Yep. That’s right. Yours truly!
I’m now team teaching a CTR 5 class. And, by the way - let me tell you, I love the team teaching concept! My previous wards have been so small, it was a struggle just to get one teacher for many positions, much less two. Having two teachers makes it so much easier - especially for 5 year olds.
There are 6 children in the class - 3 boys and 3 girls. I know. I can hear you saying, “And for that number you need two teachers???” But it certainly is helpful to have another adult to ride herd on the boys.
The kids are so precious, though. One boy seems to have so much anger inside, and acts out frequently; but when he decides to take part in class, he knows what’s going on and where we are in the lesson. Another boy wears a tie every Sunday, sits so quietly and always takes part in the lessons. It was fun to see him exhibit his talent for last Sunday’s lesson by breakdancing! The girls are so quiet compared to the boys and none of them are quite ready to accept me yet. Maybe after I've been in class for a while...
Although I feel exceptionally ill-prepared to try to teach these young souls anything, there has to be a reason for me to be doing this at this time. I suspect the lessons are as much for me to learn as for the kids!
I’m now team teaching a CTR 5 class. And, by the way - let me tell you, I love the team teaching concept! My previous wards have been so small, it was a struggle just to get one teacher for many positions, much less two. Having two teachers makes it so much easier - especially for 5 year olds.
There are 6 children in the class - 3 boys and 3 girls. I know. I can hear you saying, “And for that number you need two teachers???” But it certainly is helpful to have another adult to ride herd on the boys.
The kids are so precious, though. One boy seems to have so much anger inside, and acts out frequently; but when he decides to take part in class, he knows what’s going on and where we are in the lesson. Another boy wears a tie every Sunday, sits so quietly and always takes part in the lessons. It was fun to see him exhibit his talent for last Sunday’s lesson by breakdancing! The girls are so quiet compared to the boys and none of them are quite ready to accept me yet. Maybe after I've been in class for a while...
Although I feel exceptionally ill-prepared to try to teach these young souls anything, there has to be a reason for me to be doing this at this time. I suspect the lessons are as much for me to learn as for the kids!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Reading
Reading is probably my favorite pastime of all time - some have even whispered the word “obsession” behind my back - and I’m not always real picky about what I read. If caught bookless at one of those more compulsive times, I can be found reading recipes, junk mail, cereal boxes, and even Chinese take out menus. Just about anything with words on it.
My taste in books is what I choose to think of as “eclectic”, with two strong contenders for favorite genre.
On one hand, you have feel good, uplifting romantic books. Not bodice-ripping romance novels… RomanTIC. Think more in terms of Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber or even CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. Light, easy reading usually with an underlying moral or two that always ends well, even though the characters may have an issue or two to work through.
On the other, you have deep, dark mystery and suspense - the more intricate the better. Murders and other heinous crimes, played out in convoluted plot twists that leave you totally surprised at the end.
And then - everything around and in between.
I’ve always read voraciously. Even as a child, I can remember setting my library book behind the faucet on the kitchen sink so I could read as I did dishes, or reading by the light of a flashlight, when it was way past time to turn off the lights for bed. My mom used to say that a bomb could go off beside me, and if I was really engrossed in my book - and I usually was! - I wouldn’t even know.
I learn so much by reading - even light romantic fiction. A well-researched novel can give all kinds of information about other cultures, history, different peoples, customs… I’ve often been able to toss out little-known facts to liven up a stalled conversation - and it makes people think you’re really smart if it just happens to be something they didn’t already know.
I think reading is fun. It can take me totally away from cares and woes of all kinds, keeps me from ever having to say, “I’m bored”, and opens up the world to me. Fiction (my undoubted favorite) and nonfiction alike can take me places I could never go otherwise.
My taste in books is what I choose to think of as “eclectic”, with two strong contenders for favorite genre.
On one hand, you have feel good, uplifting romantic books. Not bodice-ripping romance novels… RomanTIC. Think more in terms of Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber or even CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. Light, easy reading usually with an underlying moral or two that always ends well, even though the characters may have an issue or two to work through.
On the other, you have deep, dark mystery and suspense - the more intricate the better. Murders and other heinous crimes, played out in convoluted plot twists that leave you totally surprised at the end.
And then - everything around and in between.
I’ve always read voraciously. Even as a child, I can remember setting my library book behind the faucet on the kitchen sink so I could read as I did dishes, or reading by the light of a flashlight, when it was way past time to turn off the lights for bed. My mom used to say that a bomb could go off beside me, and if I was really engrossed in my book - and I usually was! - I wouldn’t even know.
I learn so much by reading - even light romantic fiction. A well-researched novel can give all kinds of information about other cultures, history, different peoples, customs… I’ve often been able to toss out little-known facts to liven up a stalled conversation - and it makes people think you’re really smart if it just happens to be something they didn’t already know.
I think reading is fun. It can take me totally away from cares and woes of all kinds, keeps me from ever having to say, “I’m bored”, and opens up the world to me. Fiction (my undoubted favorite) and nonfiction alike can take me places I could never go otherwise.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Georgia in General
I’ve lived in Georgia a little over two years now, having made my way here from Virginia by way of Florida. So far, I love it. While both the mountains and the ocean have a lot going for them, north central Georgia seems to suit me just fine. I’m not quite in the North Georgia mountains, but close enough that the temperatures are usually just a little cooler than downtown Atlanta.
Actually living in the city - “inside the perimeter” as they say here - doesn’t appeal to me very much, but I’m really surprised by how much I enjoy having easy access. My little home a half mile - for now, at least - from my office, surrounded by stores and restaurants serves me very well. While I feel fairly certain I’ll never enjoy driving downtown, it’s nice to know I’m close for those (granted, very few) times I want to take in the sights or take care of business.
The climate works well for me, too. It’s much less humid than I thought it would be; but after living at the beach, I guess almost any place would be less humid. I don’t mind that snow isn’t a huge part of the winter weather scene.
I love my job, except for the fact that the office I work in will be moving to midtown - Lenox Park - after the first of the year. The people are great. The work is often challenging, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
All in all, life is good.
Actually living in the city - “inside the perimeter” as they say here - doesn’t appeal to me very much, but I’m really surprised by how much I enjoy having easy access. My little home a half mile - for now, at least - from my office, surrounded by stores and restaurants serves me very well. While I feel fairly certain I’ll never enjoy driving downtown, it’s nice to know I’m close for those (granted, very few) times I want to take in the sights or take care of business.
The climate works well for me, too. It’s much less humid than I thought it would be; but after living at the beach, I guess almost any place would be less humid. I don’t mind that snow isn’t a huge part of the winter weather scene.
I love my job, except for the fact that the office I work in will be moving to midtown - Lenox Park - after the first of the year. The people are great. The work is often challenging, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
All in all, life is good.
Who Knew?
My friend Faye is blogging, and I really enjoy reading about her life. It seems like a good way to capture all that's going on. Not that a lot goes on in my life, but still... We'll see how this gets on.
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