A Self-Portrait Photographer in the Making

. . . maybe we should stop letting her watch America's Next Top Model . . .

Merry Christmas

Luke 2: 1-14 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them,

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

2007: A Year in Review

Without further ado, I give you the first sentece to the first post of each month in the year 2007 . . .

January

We spent the first day of the new year having family fun time at Sea World Orlando. ...

February

This is one of my favorite poems - I memorized it and would recite it loudly with a friend when I was in college. :) ...

March

I came upon this meme which is currently floating around many bookworms' blogs, and thought hey--why not? ...

April

I have been knitting, I just haven't had time until today to mention it. ...

May

I totally promise to post more - like did I really finish the Sushi Wallet?? ...

June

Just been incommudicado (sp?) lately. ...

July

In addition to being Independence Day and Grandpa Bill's birthday, today Emily turns 1! ...

August

Hold the phone, I'm about to blog about socks, again! ...

September

On Saturday morning Wayne's dad was killed in a motorcycle accident. ...

October

I only have 2.5 more fortune cookies to knit!! ...

November

There are 30 days in November and I vow to post on every one of them. ...

December

We're still moving. ...


This year has definitely had its ups and downs and I look forward to a blessed 2008!

Click To Play

No time for slow/snow

No, it's not snowing here. Although the weather has taken a chillier turn here in Orlando, snow is a distant wish.

I'm envious of snow days though.

My sister got to stay home and snuggle her baby in Colorado last week due to a snow day. Ann-Marie got to play with her kids and hang with her hubby because of snow in Canada. The bloggy-verse seems to be full of photos of snowed in cars and cuddly looking families.

Outside of just wanting snow - 'cause it's so darn Christmas-y, I'm envious of the slow, relaxing day that a snow day represents.

I know I shouldn't complain about beautiful weather practically year-round (with the exclusion of hurricane season), but if it's always nice out, you always go out. Nothing stops you from running, running, running yourself ragged.

It would be nice if Mother Nature made it impossible to go out . . .

It's hot!

I got an email from my sister in Colorado today. She wrote to tell me that it snowed there the last three days and she and her baby stayed home today for a snow day. She couldn't help herself and also commented about how she'd heard it was supposed to be in the 80s here today. That is in fact true.

I've lived here for 15 years and still struggle through Decembers with no snow. And this year it can't even manage to stay cool for more than three or four days at a time.

Some friends who have yet to experience the Florida Christmas have been asking about it. And unfortunately I've had to tell them about the penchant for rain on Christmas and the unseasonable warmness that usually takes the day. It'll be cool the week before and sometimes the day after, but the actual day is usually warm. Ick!

We did get to experience some "snow" on Monday night with an abundance of Christmas cheer - the girls and I went to Disney-MGM Studios with the awesome Wendy and got to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. As a lover of words, this is one of those times where the adjective definitely applies, it was certainly a spectacle. Complete with soapy "snow".



You can click on over to the flickr for more photos of the lights. :)

Holiday cheer

We're still moving. It is apparently an unending process. And while I trooped through NaBloPoMo, when it was over I have to admit, I needed a blog-break.

Good news:
*We got a REAL Christmas tree this year! I'll save that story for another post.

*I put lights up on the house! Wayne does not hang Christmas lights, but I love them and for that reason braved the 4-foot ladder to get some up.

*At my last drs. appt. I found out I've lost 45lbs (!!) in the last few months!! I kind of wanted to cry. It made me feel really good about taking our family Christmas picture the next night. :)

*Ali got in to a PreK that is bunches closer to the new house. AND she's taking it really well. AND she's taking changing dance schools really well too. I've got one great kid.

Speaking of kids, we stayed up past the girl's bedtimes tonight to go see Santa. Our new little city has been doing a Santa Run for the last few nights. The fire department toted Santa and Mrs. Claus, throwing candy, around on a trailer behind a fire truck through the residential areas. The city sent out maps so you'd know when they'd be near your house. We were at church went they went by here, so instead we caught him at City Hall tonight at the end of his route. I think the girls liked him. :)