Lisa Is Coming!

My friend, Lisa, is coming in from Minnesota Saturday afternoon to spend a couple of days with me before we have to do "work stuff" Monday-Wednesday. I'm not exactly sure what we'll do - Art Museum? Short North Galleries? - We'll definitely eat! Maybe scrapbook a little...

I'll have to be sure to bring along the digital camera so I can snap some pictures of our adventures.

San Diego

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. I've been super busy since I've been back from San Diego. What a WONDERFUL time. The traffic wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Even during rush hour, people were patient and polite. They expected to wait a while to get somewhere, so nobody was weaving in-and-out of traffic or being rude. I was 20 minutes away from several small beach communities - my favorite being La Jolla. Chris and I watched the sunset in La Jolla almost every evening he was there.




Here's a nice picture of my honey watching the sunset at La Jolla. There were seals that would come up on a particular stretch of the beach. I have pictures of them too, but the blogger would only let me load so many pictures. :>) I'll have to blog again tomorrow and put some more up. We went to Seaport Village and snapped a picture of a naval ship as it went by. We also went to Imperial Beach for the sandcastle building tournament. It's absolutely unbelieveable what people can make with water and sand. I particularly liked the hog on his "hog". :>)


I dined like a queen every night I was there - I went to fancy restaurants and had lamb, chocolate cake, wine, baked brie with apricots, GENUINE hispanic food that was to die for.....and I only came back a little more than a pound heavier. :>) (Which I took off, by the way) The trip was just what I needed professionally and personally. I hope they send me back for some follow-up training!

Oh - I also met a wonderful woman at the office while I was out there. Her name is Terry. She was born in Mexico and came to San Diego as a child. She is retired from the armed forces. Part of her duties while she was on base was to take guests on sight-seeing tours of the city. She and I went out several evenings. If it wasn't for Terry, I wouldn't have seen the real San Diego. I am forever in her debt for showing me such a wonderful time and for allowing me in to her life briefly to learn about real Hispanic culture.

More pictures tomorrow.....

Sunny California

Well - In less than 24 hours, I'll be headed off to San Diego for a business / vacation trip. I'll be there for two weeks. The only part that has me nervous is the driving...It shouldn't be too bad. I just get nervous any time I have to drive in unfamiliar territory. The good part is - I'll be 15 minutes away from the coast!! I'm such a beach chick. I would spend an entire vacation on the beach if Chris would let me. Unfortunately, Chris can't sit still for more than 10 minutes. He usually plays in the ocean while I sit on the beach. :>)

I'll be arriving early tomorrow. My intention is to get to the hotel, get settled, and then head out to La Jolla (la hoy-ah) beach with the other Aetna girl that's coming in from Connecticut. Chris is coming out Friday and staying until Tuesday. :>)

I'll try to post from my Blackjack while I'm there...I don't know how well it will work.

Getting Ahead

What a horrible day at work....I won't bore you with all of the details. Basically: I didn't get hired for ANY of the quality project management jobs I posted for and I found out that someone I thought to truly be a mentor, friend and team-player is just like everyone else. The above sign is an absolutely appropriate representation of how I feel about my office right now. The caption under the sign should say "Shoveling All the Bullshit Out of the Way So we Can Actually Get Some Work Done". (Yes, I said bullshit - I can't think of a nicer way to say it)

Dave & Christy

Chris and I have been friends with Dave and Christy for a few years now. They are absolutely wonderful people. They're fun to be around and are very generous. Chris and I love to travel with them because we always have a good time. We laugh a lot when we're together - I think that's why I like them so much. :>)

I was looking through some old photos today and came across our trip to Niagara Falls in 2005. I was inspired to show you the hat fashion show Chris and Dave put on for us:

Work it, Dave!!!

Look at Chris being all sexy...

Busy, Busy, Busy

I haven't blogged for a while. Getting ready to go to Steak and Shake with Dave, Christy and their girls. I was at a conference for work most of last week. I trained a class this week and prepped for two interviews in the midst of trying to get some of my "regular" work done this week. My pastor called the church to fast sometime before the end of July - I decided to fast coffee and cocktails this week!! What a week to fast coffee!!! I've stuck to my guns and have drawn closer to God - all is good. :>)

I really liked the verse of the day today. I loved the statement that said "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me" I needed that today on every level of my life. So here's Psalm 138 in it's entirety:

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and
your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.

5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against
the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not
abandon the works of your hands.

My Own Roses

I was excited to see my favorite roses blooming today. These are climbers called Joseph's Coat. When they first begin to bud, there are shades of white, yellow and pink. As the blooms mature, they turn red. A progressive rose - which is good for me because I get bored easily. I don't get tired of looking at these because they're always changing. :>)

Continuing my thoughts on God's blessings in my life -

I used to have "panic" or anxiety attacks when I was a teenager. I had to be put on medicine for a while. I only had to stay on the medicine for a year or so. I would still have trouble from time-to-time. After I was baptized, my attacks became much less frequent. I still have one once in a great while, but I can put my faith into action to overcome it.

The bible says that God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a SOUND MIND. The Amplified version says "a calm and a well-balanced mind".

Jesus also told his disciples that he bequeathed his own peace unto them. We can claim everything that Jesus told to his disciples, so that same peace - HIS peace is ours to claim.

The Bible also says that the peace of God will fill our hearts and minds when we lift up our requests to Him.

What terrific promises!!