This crazy life....

Does it slow down? Seems like we are so "plugged in" that we are never still.

Spring break started yesterday. I had hoped for some down time. Not to be. Between band (EP) practices, soccer practices, volleyball games, church, youth, and school, it doesn't stop.

My sister and brother-in-law will be in from Maryland and staying at the beach starting Thursday. We won't get to see them until Sunday. I can't see driving 40+ miles one way to come back a couple hours later for whatever is going on in Pensacola. Yes, I know I don't get to see them often. But sometimes I need to be realistic in how much I can do in the few hours we have.

We are hoping for a trip to Camp Beckwith this week to take pictures. Andrea wants to go up and I'd love to take my twin lens reflex camera up and shot some 'through the viewfinder' photos. I've only gotten to take a couple pictures so far and need to finish up the box I'm shooting through.

We have also had singles get together last weekend. Not sure if I'm glad or aggravated. I'll leave it at that.

And have you ever wished to be anonymous? Even for just a few hours? I do. I think that's why it's nice to go to 722 occasionally. No one knows me there and I can just be quiet and watch rather than having something to do or someone wanting something.

And, I sometimes wish God would send the 'right one' along to help. I know God is with us. He would have to be for my kids to have turned out the way they have (amazing!). But it would be so nice for someone to say "Let me take a look at that" "let me help you with that" or just to turn around and give me a hug when I need it. I know, small things that count little in the day to day things that are going on in the world. But God, it's been 9 years with just the kids and I. We love our church and the help and care they provide. But there are some things they can't do.

I know, I'm complaining. Sorry. I'm tired.

I am grateful for the wonderful friends God has given us. And for family when we get to see them.

Checking email on the Sony with Bri on the netbook. Headed to school soon.

Things have been busy as always and I feel I neglect my blog. It may almost be worth getting internet at home so I'll update more.

I am going to make my own graphics though. I have some marvelous photos I took over the weekend.

I'll put one here. I found this marvelous little red chair at the place we stayed over the weekend while the kids were in studio laying down the vocal tracks for their cd. The chair and I spent about 3 hours touring the property we were staying on.

Eli Stone and ABC

It has been nearly 2 months without Eli Stone.  Thought I'd share my continued disappointment with ABC.  Also, since the cancellation of Eli Stone, my family and I chose not to watch any ABC programming to include our local news.

 

Have a good week.  See you when Eli Stone returns.

 

Sincerely,
Deborah

PCs and Macs and other things...

I priced a macbook to use for graphic type stuff and it could be a while before I buy one. A long while.

In the meantime, I think I will upgrade the ram on the Sony and get a wacom tablet of some variety. Found a reasonably priced one and it would be so nice to do modify stuff with a "pen" rather than a mouse. Also, I'll be able to draw with it. That is the best part. I'm a doodler/artist at heart and being able to draw straight to the computer will be a beautiful thing.

Combine that with the printer that I got last weekend, I will be set for a while. I know. Sounds like a lot but not so bad. All told, less than 1/4rd of the cost of the macbook I was looking at.

........

finishing the post a day later and after my computer at work has been stupid and sent stuff here that shouldn't have been here. *sigh*

Placed an order for a wacom intuos 3 tablet (6x8) and a MSI Wind netbook.

I'm going to find the RAM to upgrade my Sony. I learned tonight that I have 512M of RAM on the computer and need at least 2 Gig!!! No wonder it's locked up so much!

anyway, I'm outta here for now. Kids are staying with Debi tonight.

It should be a misdemeanor if a parent falls to provide appropriate medical information and phone numbers on a student's emergency contact card.

A disturbing sight passed me on the road today. I saw a tractor trailer hauling signs for gas stations. The prices on all 3 windows read $5.559. Hello???

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

There is just something about this song that speaks to me. With God, I am free to be who I am supposed to be. Although at times, I'm not sure who I'm supposed to be. I like that standing with God, I am free to find out who.

Inspiration and Discouragement

I opened a beautiful magazine by Somerset Studio called Artful Blogging this morning to read. Such inspiring images and tremendous words by so many creative women. My eyes welled with tears just from the joy of reading and seeing it. So many words, so many media choices. Vivid. VIVID.

It gives me hope to know that it's possible. Hope to stretch, to reach, to grow. God gave me this talent that I have Not just to hide in this little sphere of mine but to share, to teach, to imagine even more.

And yet, at the same time, I seek direction, a goal. Everything seems so overwhelming and unreachable as well. I don't even know where to begin the majority of the time.

Yesterday I sat with a friend from school and her significant other who used to work at Apple as we discussed macbooks. He is a major graphic/computer geek. Beside him, my little meanderings and piddling creations seem so small and insignificant, so unworthy of... anything compared to just the little mini demonstration of what he does.

I felt so discouraged and insignificant when I left. How does anyone at all ever get past what seems to be a crushing of the spirit to take the first step?

I have to admit, being able to change my layout with a couple clicks is awesome and I didn't have to do any work. Yah

I'm drifting around the net today checking out new stuff. I'm checking out Aviary which I found via a link on a techy web page.

Invite Share which I have no idea what types of invites you might get but hey, if it's graphic related, I'm there.

These awesome pictures were taken by my beautiful daughter who now thinks she wants to study multi-media possibly.

oh! cute birdies. Can you tell I'm easily amused?

The kids are with other Debi. I'm not sure exactly where. Just somewhere east of here. The musicians in the band are laying down the music for their album. Too cool huh?

off to small group. later.

p.s. ABC....

I'd like a response for a change. I know you get a lot of emails. But for once I'd like an acknowledgment that you hear us. Thanks.

Open Letter to ABC

The following is the email I sent to ABC tonight. They have canceled Eli Stone. My family throughly enjoys Eli Stone.

Letter to ABC:

I am very disappointed to see you have canceled Eli Stone. With the loss of this show, I am back to watching only the local news on ABC. I am tired of garbage. You moved EMHE to the 7 pm slot a couple years ago and replaced it with Desperate Housewives. No longer can watch EMHE due to time slot. I'm tired of smut. If I wanted smut, I'd subscribe to cable and watch HBO and Cinemax. I want shows I can watch with my children. Eli Stone was one we all enjoyed.
Sincerely,
Deborah K

I'm over smut.

Happy New Year 2009

Kids spent the evening at a capture the flag New Year party. I went to church for a worship service.

Afterwards, I joined Steph for coffee at Waffle House. Then home to play Animal Crossing City Folk. The image below is of my character at New Year.



Hope everyone had a marvelous New Year start and may the year be filled with blessings!

ah ha!

Hope your Christmas was amazing. We had a great day. The kids got plenty of clothes. Their dad sent them money. They will gradually spend that.

Chaz got me Animal Crossing City Folk edition. Breezy got me smelly stuff from Bath and Body works. We especially liked the Dancing Waters fragrance.

I'm sitting at Martellis (my favorite place other than Hobby Lobby, Books a Million and Liberty) looking up information on ACCF.

Wish you all a Happy New Year in case I forget to check in before then. You'd think I'd get here more often since I come to Martellis a couple times a week. Guess that's what makes the Twitter feed good?

ohhhh

I like this layout. All I need to do is make a title header to replace the text header.

I'm sitting outside the church waiting for everyone to get here for practice and finish preparing for the Christmas program. I'm getting a better signal sitting outside than I do when I'm inside. *grimace*

One more week of school. I have to say I'm totally ready for it. I hope and pray God opens a door for me to be somewhere else come August of next year. Breezy will be finished at the school in high school. Chaz is already there. It's time for a change.

Still need to finish Christmas shopping. I returned the shirt I got for Chaz while in Alabama. I'm going to order him a replica Alabama jersey for his big gift. Still not sure what Breezy's big gift will be. She hasn't given me any clues. Go figure.

Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking. On Twitter and Facebook more often. I use text messages to update Twitter which updates my Facebook account. That way I don't need to be logged in as much and can just use my phone. Good idea huh?

Oh yeah, I got my 1099R from the military today so I'm 1/4 of the way ready to do my taxes!

Happy Thanksgiving

Short week. Only two days of work. Finished up. Completed the monthly report for November that I will email before leaving Martellis.

Laundry is done. Chaz and Breezy are cleaning the kitchen. Groceries are purchased.

I just need to pack my clothes and the car and we are ready to go.

To the few who come by, Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be full of blessings!
~Deb

That was the easiest template change I have ever done thanks to "The Cutest Blog on the Block."

It has been crazy busy as always. Between soccer and band practices.

Chaz has been playing varsity soccer at the high school but as of December 1st, he's off the team. His grades are horrendous. The only thing left to take away is soccer. He's not only hurting himself, he's hurting the team. I want to scream in frustration but I know it will do no good.

Breezy is playing with one of the church teams. They have a tournament on Saturday and we'll be finished with that.

We'll gain 2 free days back with the end of soccer. We need days at home. This always on the go is tiring.

This morning, Chaz told me that he had no long pants. He's been wearing shorts to school every day. He has one pair of jeans that fit and two pairs of sweatpants. He wore sweatpants to school today and actually looked good. So this weekend, we'll have to find him at least a couple pairs. I'm so thankful Breezy has as many pairs as she does.

I'm sitting at A's updating facebook and the blog, checking email and just hanging out.

Today I recovered a couple examination books with pretty covers. I may do them all with nice covers and give them away. I know that I want to do several to add to my Christmas stuff to record Christmas memories in. I'll post a picture later this week when I get the camera out.

I discovered an awesome photo web page. Picnik. Wow. What a great page.

I need to start picking up the kids Christmas stuff. No clue what they want but got to find something. Maybe clothes? Game? Watch? Suggestions?

It has been crazy the last week or so. Between work, the kids, soccer and church.

Chaz made varsity. This is good but it also means soccer every single weeknight and at least one day of the weekend.

I did get a revelation this weekend. I never thought of myself as prideful but missed the part about leaving home and my attitude toward it. Nor did I realize the shame I feel toward what I thought I'd do and what I am doing.

I have realized that there are certain people in the body of Christ that I'd just as soon never speak to or see for that matter. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. And when your children can see it too, then there is a problem. When outsiders see it, there is really a problem.

I voted yesterday. Voter 5,136 at the poll I went to.

Anyway, that's enough for now. Later. Catch you on twitter.