Yes, It's Another Group Pic... I'm in Training for Haley's Wedding!

SO WHAT?! I make people pose for big group pics that they don't want to take. What are you trying to say???

Another Christmas Celebration

Merry Christmas... from our family to yours

And for those of you who were interested tonight, the Gorillapod: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8293152&type=product&id=1172881564441.

I love Christmas. Not only is it a time for reconnecting with family, surrounding yourself with warmth and love, and filling your heart with a spirit of giving and emotion... but it's also a great opportunity to take a few (or a lot) quiet moments to reflect about life.

During the church service this past Sunday, one of the speakers used John 3:16 to tell a story about a father who read to his son as he was growing up. I can't do the story justice at this moment, but the point of it was to remind us all that God sent Jesus for each and every one of us... the individuals that we are... valuable and precious in our own right whether we're risk-taskers, non-decision-makers, conservatives OR liberals, etc. No matter what else is going on in your life... or in mine, since ultimately, this is about me :) ... you/we/I should know that "God so loved HEIDI (of course, insert your name here) that He gave His only begotten son." I do feel loved at Christmastime. Other times, I may forget it; but today, I know He is with me. May you feel that love every day of your life.

Santa, Remember Us Here

Santa, in case you forgot, this is what we used to look like:



We're a little older with more wrinkles and gray hairs... but we're still looking forward to your visit... like the 5-year-olds we still think we are! :)

I hope all of you are having a VERY Merry Christmas! Thanks for visiting (even if it wasn't part of the plan), sending gifts (you seriously didn't have to do that), saying hello (virtually or in person), and sending me nice holiday wishes/greetings.

Complicated. Eh... complicated can be good. Talk soon...

They're A Girl's Best Friend, Too

You have no idea how much I miss him:


One of the last pics I took of them before I left... My Snow Dawgs:

Yes, it's kinda cruel... but they enjoy it more than they're letting on.

Also... just FYI... it's really stupid to say or even think that I don't love them. I do. And you know it. Everyone who reads this blog knows it. Am I wrong?

Karma... Everyone's Favorite B♥tch

A Swoosh of Snow and Sweet Boys

For Dad: http://www.lib.unc.edu/dc/bunkers/.

My surprise yesterday morning was waking up in snowy State College. Here's my Prius (and a bunch of other cars) getting snowier by the minute:


Ah, shoot... while I'm posting pics from my phone, here are two more. One from the trip (my last trip?) to State College... it's only right I would see the old swoosh (an old logo for the COR) on one of those darn CalArk trucks:


And one of my sweet baby boy... whom I miss very, very, very much:

If the Plane Goes Down, Damn

Have you ever had a moment when death just didn't scare you as much as it usually does (assuming you have a healthy fear of dying like I do)?

And before any of you start freaking out and calling me, NO, I'm not suicidal. I'm fine. Good even.

It's just that during a bumpy takeoff last night on the flight from Dulles to State College, I had a moment of "Eh". Well, truthfully, it was actually more of a (yeah, I know... shocker... I'm using this phrase again) "It is what it is" moment.

So, I have a secret. I kiss planes as I board. It's just a little superstitious routine I do. And it's kept me safe thus far (provided I'm not jinxing myself by telling you now!), so you probably won't find me changing it anytime soon. I've always been afraid to tell anyone about it for fear that it really has been working, but with my "it is what it is" moment earlier, I figure I'm in good hands either way.

No, I don't actually put lips to fuselage. I'm discreet, than you very much. I kiss my hand as I'm heading from the jetway or up the stairs onto the plane. Then, I touch the side of the door with that hand. It looks (I hope!) like I'm just steadying myself as I board.

As a side note, I wrote this during the IAD-to-SCE flight; so it was before the hardest LANDING I've ever been through once we actually arrived in State College. That pillot slammed us into the ground. Plus, I was completely convinced the plane was gonna skid off the runway or flip over since the wind seemed to be blowing our tin-can-plane all over the place... even as we flew along right around the ground. And if that had've happened, it was all my fault since I'd actually written down my secret routine! Anyway, now you know. And I sincerely hope my little superstitious routine keeps me safe again tomorrow. :)

Sweet dreams, little ones.

Oh Yes, We're Having Fun

Oh... these days. It's just one foot in front of the other. Sometimes that's just the best you can do. And say a simple little prayer for strength, that's important too. If I were to make a list of the qualities I need more of right now, it would include: strength, patience, and the ability to control my physical reactions to unexpected events. Bottom line, I may not be able to control anything about the situation... my heart rate, what verbal spewage comes out of my mouth, what materials come flying out of my hand, how shaky my voice is, whether or not I'm crying, etc. ... but I will have the courage to show up. If there's nothing else I can hold onto, hopefully there will always be that.

Are we having fun yet?

The Heart Of The Matter

There are probably not many of you who visit me here who don't know what's going on with Jon & me these days. I hesitate to put it out here for the world to see, but then again... what is this if not catharsis, a daily (weekdaily) dose of self-exploration, an if-I-write-about-it-maybe-I'll-understand-why-this-is-happening experiment? So... catharsis, ready go ... we're splitting up. It feels much more real to write it "out loud". I'm not even comfortable saying it out loud and there I just wrote it! But, despite my best attempts, it's not something I'll be able to hide; so you needed to know. As much as we may have been headed in this direction for the past, well, 7.5 years... it still really, really, really stinks. And I'm sad. Very, very, very sad.

Okay, that's all I can write tonight. Catharsis be damned.

Special Lyrics for the Special People

Love is a very special thing. A smile, a tear. A soft summer rain. It has no beginning. It has no end. But I like it best when it's shared with a friend.

Good Advice No Matter Who You Are

The right time to show your good character is when you are pestered by somebody weaker than you.

A Couple More Cleared Off the Tivo

"The Holiday" and "Because I Said So"... two very good date night movies. I'm such a girl. I love girlie movies. :) The doggies and I all three love girlie movies.