To Florida and Back, part 2

I'm back!

Monday, September 7th:  Meet the parents day.  They picked us up late morning.  Greetings all around.  Then we hit the road to make the drive from Orlando to Tampa (area).  It was a nice car ride, getting to see more of the state and getting to know D's parents.  We got to the house, dropped our stuff in our rooms, and they wanted to rest so we drove around and did some lay of the land sight seeing and shopping.  Found a dollar store, found a Panera, found a mall, found our way home.  Dinner was great, as was watching Dennis catch up, share stories and laugh with his parents.  We cleaned up and hung out.  I think it was Monday that we went bowling too.  Maybe it was Tuesday.  I can't remember.

Tuesday, September 8th:  Decided that this was the day we were going to find the jet boat tour thing.  Fast boat, maybe get wet, see some water and coastline.  But no, we could not find the place.  There was no address online and the only way the phone number was any help was if you already had reservations.  So we went to St. Petersburgh instead, to the pier, where we had lunch and went on a dolphin cruise.  Where we saw things like this...

 and this...

and I even did this...

Then we were done.  Drove home.  Picked up ice cream for dessert.  Dinner.  Either a movie or bowling.  Can't remember.

Wednesday, September 9th:  Guess what we did.  We did the dolphin cruise again!  Crazy, I know!  But this day went brought the parents with us because it's something Dennis thought they'd enjoy.  So we started the day going to their favorite Italian bakery, then the cruise where there was a ton more dolphin activity, stopped at Ruby Tuesday for an early dinner then home.

I honestly can't remember what we did that night.  I think just watched TV then hit the hay.

And with that, that's what I'm gonna do.  Hit the hay.

to be continued...

Picture of the Day 273

September 30th:  Jude; Ezra 9-10; Psalm 95

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song. 

-Psalm 95:1-2

Days of October

October
1	Balloon Around the World Day
	World Vegetarian Day
2	Guardian Angel Day
	World Farm Animal Day
3	Lee's National Denim Day
	National Diversity Day
	World Smile Day
4	10-4 Day
	World Card Making Day
5	World Teachers Day
6	Mad Hatter Day
	World Habitat Day
8	International Top Spinning Day
	National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work Day
9	National Depression Screening Day
	World Post Day
10	Emergency Nurses Day
	National Cake Decorating Day
11	National Coming Out Day
	Reptile Awareness Day
	Universal Music Day
12	Clergy Appreciation Day
	International Moment of Frustration Scream Day
13	National Kick Butt Day
14	Be Bald and Be Free Day
15	National Grouch Day
	White Cane Safety Day
16	National Boss's Day
	Dictionary Day
	Get Smart About Credit Day
17	Mammography Day
	Mulligan Day
18	Sweetest Day
	World Menopause Day
	World Toy Camera Day
19	Evaluate Your Life Day
	Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day
22	International Stuttering Awareness Day
23	National Mole Day
24	Lung Health Day
	United Nations Day
25	Make A Difference Day
26	World Priest Day
	Mother-In-Law Day
27	Cranky Co-Workers Day
28	National Chocolates Day
29	Internet Day
30	Haunted Refrigerator Night
	National Candy Corn Day
31	Frankenstein Friday
	National Knock-Knock Jokes Day

Just Maybe...

Ohhh...  Can it be? 

Looks like it! 

Look who can do something from el jobo again...  That's right!  Excitement is in the air!

In the meantime I thought I'd share with you a blog post from Big Mama,a blog I follow.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part of Waiting

Ummm...yea...  That's pretty much exactly what I needed to read/hear.

Can I get an AMEN!?!

The Secret to Finding...

I'm on a search, a quest you might say.  To find what you ask?  I'm on a mission to find the love of my life.  Of course it's all in God's hands and timing, but I can't sit around and wait for him to knock on my door.  So let's see what Mindy Weiss has to say about...

The Secret to Finding The Love of Your Life
There's no better way to put your best foot forward that to use your home as a backdrop for getting to know new people.  And how do you do that?  Throw a party!  Just make sure that you're throwing a party that designed to do two important things. 1) Make you appear to be a confident and charming host, and 2) attract single, fun and interesting people.

1. Don't Just Invite Anybody
   You need to invite a specific kind of person, and it may feel awkward the first time. That's okay. Important new steps are sometimes that way. For this party you're going to want to invite all the smart, fun, and interesting people you know with the phrase, "please come and bring someone single and fun."  
2. Don't Wait for the Weekend
   For weekend nights she recommends keeping it very simple - picking up some trays of food from the market, or grilling burgers.  Make sure you stress to your guests the casual nature of the event.  A weeknight party should be about unwinding from the day and relaxing.
   
3. Be Charming and Your Guest will Too
   Positive energy energizes people as they walk through the door.  One of the responsibilities and pleasures of being a host is the free pass to engage any guest with questions about his or her life. Take advantage of the situation, and get to know everyone who comes through your door. This is key because the easiest way to make a date with someone you don't know well is to discover some activity they enjoy.  
4. Make It Interactive
   Mindy is a big believer in potlucks. "There's nothing wrong or cheap with having a potluck!" She is also a big believer in themed events.  Themes or holidays can give you a great excuse for the party and can give attendees something to focus their food choices on. 
5. Don't Make it Feel Like Work
   One of the smartest things you can do is to recruit a couple of friends to help.  Make sure you have time to sit down, relax and be your best self.
   
6. Remember the Details
   Food:  If you are inviting people over for dinner, you need to make sure you have enough food.
   Parking:  People who drive around for 20 minutes looking to park aren't in a very good mood when they finally get to your place.
   Bathroom:  If you only have one bathroom, and personal items in there, empty it out.
   Decorations:  I would keep it simple.  I wouldn't overly decorate.  The idea is to come, make them feel at home, and meet people.
   
7. Build Your Momentum
   It works best when applied as a regular periodic event.  Try to host some kind of event in your home every couple of months at the least.  Each time you have people over and show them a good time, you're building a reputation as a person who is fun, imaginative and confident playing host - traits that make you more attractive to everyone who meets you.
   

To read more visit the article...

Picture of the Day 272

September 29th:  3 John; Ezra 7-8; Psalm 94

When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy to my soul.

-Psalm 94:19

To Florida and Back, part 1

Ok.  Since the internet is working...for now...I'm gonna make this short and quick.  Let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on anything.

Wednesday, September 2nd:
I worked almost a full day at work.  Mom, dad, and Kaitlin drove me to the airport in Sacramento (they then went to IKEA).  Leg 1:  SMF to SEA where I'd stay the night near the airport in Seattle and meet up with Dennis in the morning before heading to Orlando.  Hotel in Seattle...interesting...  Hey, what can I say?  It was cheap and had a free shuttle service.  Unfortunately for me, there was a couple on the other side of the wall that went at it like rabbits late into the night.  Lovely.

Thursday, September 3rd:
Got to airport around 6:45am.  Dennis was already there, his flight landed early.  Checking baggage and going through security took forever.  Finally got through.  Meet up.  Found drugs coffee.  Waited at the terminal.  Watched bird.

Yep.  It was on the plane with us.

A 6 hour flight later and extra loop around Orlando we finally landed.  Dennis' sister was waiting to pick us up.  Oh, but did you know that when there is lightening all ground crew goes for cover for 5 minutes?  With each new flash the time starts over...45 minutes later we were finally let of the plane.  Grabbed my bag and headed out into the first taste of humidity.  Headed to Jeannette and Russell's house, aka hotel #1, for 4 nights.  Dinner, catching up (or listening in for me), relaxing, bed.

Friday, September 4th:

As you can see we got to Epcot early...empty parking lot...  But early was really only like 10ish, which really isn't too early.  Unless you're on California time, then it's 7ish, which is early.  For me.

Here I am in Italy.  Or Disney's version of Italy.  It was hot.  It was humid.  We were miserable.  And we used Disney for their air conditioning.

Flied lice anyone?

After we had had enough of Epcot, we drove around.  We tried to find an orchid garden place, but they were closed.  Maybe for good, the place looked kinda sketchy.  Then we drove around some more.  Got a little lost.  Thank goodness for Carmen Garmin (thanks Kaitlin!).  Friday night ritual in hotel #1 is guitar hero while Jeannette is at work.  So we I partook of that tradition and rocked out!

Saturday, September 5th:
Slave labor Earn your keep day.  Russell needed help moving some furniture.  So Dennis helped.  Then I had to show them all up and prove that women do have muscles.  After exhausting ourselves, it was time to get a move on.  Where to you ask?

Oh, The Holy Land Experience of course.  Words cannot express my emotion.  Ok, actually they can.  It's a joke.  Don't go there.  Don't waste your money.  The website makes it look like a large theme park (based on the Bible), but in reality it's small and on the side of the freeway.  After that lovely experience, we went to a mall.  A huge mall.  A mall that I'd never be able to afford to shop in.  And then we left.  I think is was this evening that we went out for dinner to Houlihans.  I can't remember though.

Sunday, September 6th:
Sunday we puttzed around with Jeannette.  We went to Prime Outlets that put any other Prime Outlet to shame.  Cartier.  Dooney and Burke.  Coach.  Burton and Northface...in Florida?  After using the outlets for their air conditioning we went on a quick trip to IKEA.  Yep, that's right, IKEA.  Then...well, I don't remember.  We eventually made it back to hotel #1.  Maybe more guitar hero?  I know sleep happened.

to be continued...

'Cause I'm tired and I can continue a story if I want to.

Night all!

Picture of the Day 271

September 28th:  2 John; Ezra 5-6; Psalm 93

"Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday."

―Author Unknown

Motivation Monday - Indifference

nothin' I can do...

So when I said that you'd have an update by tonight, I truly honestly meant it... Pending my sketchy Internet would let me. Which it didn't. Despite trying for well over and hour.

I'm sorry. Ain't nothin' I can do about it...

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Picture of the Day 270

September 27th:  1 John 5; Ezra 3-4; Psalm 92

"Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little."

―Plutarch

What first?

So what do you want to hear about first? 

Actually, I can't remember what I have and haven't told you about what's going on in my life since I've been such a bad blogger lately.  And I feel guilty for that.  I've neglected you.  I'm sorry. 

So I guess that leaves my trip to Florida.

I'll have a post up by tonight.  I promise.

Pinky promise.  Cross my heart promise.

Anything else you want to know about?  Comment me!

Picture of the Day 269

September 26th:  1 John 4; Ezra 1-2; Psalm 91

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

-1 John 4:11

We love because he first loved us.

-1 John 4:19

Picture of the Day 268

September 25th:  1 John 3; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 90

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

 -Psalm 90:14

Picture of the Day 267

September 24th:  1 John 2; 2 Chronicles 35; Psalm 89:38-52

Praise by to the Lord forever!

Amen and Amen.

-Psalm 89:52

Picture of the Day 266

September 23rd:  1 John 1; 2 Chronicles 34; Psalm 89:19-37

"A college education should equip one to entertain three things:  a friend, an idea and oneself."

―Thomas Ehrlich

Picture of the Day 265

September 22nd:  John 21; 2 Chronicles 33; Psalm 89:1-18

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through

all generations.

-Psalm 89:1

Picture of the Day 264

September 21st:  John 20:19-31; 2 Chronicles 32; Psalm 88

"There aren't enough days in the weekend."

―Rod Schmidt

Motivation Monday - Futility

Picture of the Day 263

September 20th:  John 20:1-18; 2 Chronicles 31; Psalm 87

"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway." ―Mary Kay Ash

Picture of the Day 262

September 19th:  John 19:16-42; 2 Chronicles 30; Psalm 86

Hear, O Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant

who trusts in you.

Have mercy on me, O Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

Bring joy to your servant,

for to you, O Lord,

I lift up my soul.

-Psalm 86:1-4

Picture of the Day 261

September 18th:  John 18:38b-19:16; 2 Chronicles 29; Psalm 85

"Don't know the weather; nine-tenth of people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while."

―Kin Hubbard

I'm back!

I'm sure you already knew that though.

Let me tell you. It's been a tough week! From trying to get caught up at work to getting back onto PST to getting caught up on sleep (or trying to sleep) to getting back in the groove of things...aka life... Needless to say, I'm exhausted.

My pictures are up on flickr and I've even edited some. Stay tuned for reports on how the vacation actually went and what we did.

Hummm...I'm tempted to go to bed now...

Picture of the Day 260

September 17th:  John 18:19-38; 2 Chronicles 27-28; Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Alighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

-Psalm 84:1-2

Picture of the Day 259

September 16th:  John 18:1-18; 2 Chronicles 26; Psalm 83

O God, do not keep silent;

be not quiet, O God, be not still.

-Psalm 83:1

Picture of the Day 258

September 15th:  John 17; 2 Chronicles 25; Psalm 82

 "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

―Mark Twain

Picture of the Day 257

September 14th:  John 16:4b-33; 2 Chronicles 24; Psalm 81

"No person who can read is ever successful at cleaning out an attic."

―Ann Landers

Motivation Monday - Doubt

Picture of the Day 256

September 13th:  John 15:1-16:4a; 2 Chronicles 23; Psalm 80

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

-John 15:5

"My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you."

-John 15:12

Picture of the Day 255

September 12th:  John 14:15-31; 2 Chronicles 21:2-22:12; Psalm79

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

-John 14:27

Picture of the Day 254

September 11th:  John 14:1-14; 2 Chronicles 20:1-21:1; Psalm 79

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me..."

-John 14:1

Picture of the Day 253

September 10th:  John 13:21-38; 2 Chronicles 19; Psalm 78:38-55

"Avoid any diet that discourages the use of hot fudge."

―Don Kardong

Picture of the Day 252

September 9th:  John 13:1-10; 2 Chronicles 18; Psalm 78:21-37

“A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.”

―Peter De Vries

I suck at mobile blogging

I'm better at twittering/fbing while I go. So watch for that on my side bar, twitter (follow me), or on fb.

Sorry.

The end.

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Picture of the Day 251

September 8th:  John 12:27-50; 2 Chronicles 16-17; Psalm 78:1-20

"A good deed is never lost:  he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love."

―Basil

Picture of the Day 250

September 7th:  John 12:1-26; 2 Chronicles 14-15; Psalm 77

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

-Psalm 77:2

Motivation Monday - Conformity

Picture of the Day 249

September 6th:  John 11:28-57; 2 Chronicles 12-13; Psalm 76

"Self-esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves."

-Nathaniel Branden

Picture of the Day 248

September 5th:  John 11:1-27; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Psalm 75

We give thanks to you, O God,

we give thanks, for your Name is near;

men tell of your wonderful deeds.

-Psalm 75:1

Picture of the Day 247

September 4th:  John 10:22-42; 2 Chronicles 9; Psalm 74

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older."

-Tom Stoppard

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September 3rd: John 10:1-21; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 73

"Strange how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody."
―Samuel Pepys

Trip so far...

Picture of the Day 245

September 2nd: John 9:24-41; 2 Chronicles 7; Malachi 4

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path andyou will find you have crossed the mountain."
―Author Unknown

Picture of the Day 244

September 1st: John 9:1-23; 2 Chronicles 6; Malachi 2:17-3:18

"A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils."
―Ever Garrison