Happy Anniversary to me!

Yep! One year at my new job. In these days, this is an accomplishment. I got a real nice card from my boss with a hand written note. "You made it! One whole year!...bet you thought I'd forget didn't you???? Teresa, can't thank you enough! Getting a job so quickly after imaging alliance was God's blessing to you. Giving you a job at Techno-Aide was God's blessing to me. Your friendship and contribution have been immeasurable!!! Thanks for EVERYTHING you do! Here's to an even better second year! All the best and blessing to you... David."

He also gave me a $50 Cracker Barrel Gift Card Ymmmm

I am blessed with a great boss and a company with great Christian values. They believe in hard work - but also believe in the importance of family. Who could ask for anything more.

Here's to hopefully more years to come!

The Mighty Pen

Today, writing a note using complete words and full sentences is a thing of the past. With the onset of texting and quick emails - the days of sitting down and writing a letter is long gone. I hate that! I love letters!! I can remember when my girlfriend Kelly and I would write penpal letters to each other every month. Letting each other know how we were doing, what's been happening in each others lives, and things we were looking forward to. These letters were so personal and full of life. Then there was the computer and then email. Now people just write a quick note and send it on - if it's lengthy our time doesn't allow us to read it. There's just something about that mighty pen.

Even cards. Some people don't even send cards in the mail anymore. I will have to admit myself, that I do send a lot of e-cards - but after careful searching for that perfect one and then still putting my two cents worth in it. But I will admit that it is not as personal as a card in the mail, and especially a card in the mail that has a hand-written message beyond a simple few congratulatory words. I have received cards in the past - some that come to mind is the cards that the girls have given me over the years - mostly right when they left for college and was a little homesick. Their cards were filled with love and passion and reassurance that even though they were a little homesick - they were ok, and there was also that reassurance for me that I had raised them well and that they were going to be ok.

I recently received a note in the mail from a young man thanking me for including him as a part of our family. This hand written note took time. Yeah, he could have just sent an abbreviated text, or shot an email my way - but no....it was a hand written thank you. That means alot.

I come across some notes that my mom has jotted down. She didn't remember to send them off, but they are written reminders of her love for me and my brother. Something that I will hold onto for years to come.

I think that I'm going to start doing more of this - this writing. I complained in my last entry about not having time for what's important - this is important - to let those around you know how important they are in special occasions and events. Who knows, I might even right a letter just for the heck of it. The mighty pen is far greater and more sentimental than the click of a key!

A Wonderful Husband

Yep - I've got a wonderful husband! As many of you may know, I had a very hard night Thursday. I didn't really want to talk one on one with anyone about the details, but managed to blog about how I was feeling. Ed picked up on it and when I got home Friday from work - he had dinner cooked, on the table, and fresh flowers to brighten up the room. Ymmm delicious Adobo, rice, and green beans. It was so goooood. It really made my night. We talked a little bit about how I was feeling and his hug was very reassuring that we all will get through this together. Love ya honey!

The Moment

I have always considered myself the Queen of Multitasking. I could pay bills, make dinner, and update the family calendar - all at the same time and not miss a beat. If I'm standing in line at the grocery store, or if I'm sitting at a red light - I compose my little to -do lists. Recently I managed to update a facebook page, balance my checkbook, purchase tickets for springbreak, and wash two loads of laundry within a few minutes. I congratulate myself for stuffing every single moment of every single day with important and productive tasks. But lately, things have gotten a little crazy. I'm consumed with time - not enough! I notice that I have started putting time limits on everything - even the fun stuff. I think - ok - you have 10 minutes to get this done, or 5 minutes to read that magazine before I have to do this or that. I catch myself saying uh-huh a bunch of times and nod while a little voice in my brain screams, if you could just stop talking soon I might be able to make it to the bank before the drive through closes. Somehow I've turned into a monster of multitasking.

But tonight - I got a wakeup call. I am so busy checking things off my to do lists that I'm barely present in my own life. Human contact, family time, fun, time with my mom. I have sacrificed much to efficiency. I'm so busy speeding ahead that I haven't taken the time to enjoy all the lovely moments that make up my day. I often remember the times of snuggling on the coach with Jillian and Christie, or kissing them before they drifted off to sleep every night. I can remember the joys of cooking dinner at night or a full breakfast Sunday morning. I remember the long talks at night with my girls...talking about how everybody's day was and what was in store for the days to come. I remember a lingering hug from Ed as we would leave for work in the morning. I remember the laughter, the smiles, the hugs, the love.... I remember.

But now - as I watch mom drift into a world of her own, those memories are fading from her. The everyday moments, the conversations, the hugs, the kisses, are not memories any more. It breaks my heart that the mutlitasker that I am - slowly means nothing, if the moments can not be remembered any more. I'm having to relearn that past paces and efficiency are not important and what is important is the moment. Because for some - that moment will not be remembered at all, but will be enjoyed as it happens. This is the real life - a moment in time that deserves my full attention no matter how long or how detailed....a moment in time that is only important as the seconds click by.

I love you mom....that I hope you will always remember

Movie Night

Hmmmm. This was not a movie that we thought we were watching. I enjoyed it, but felt a little weird afterward.

This apocalyptic sci-fi thriller dives into so many weird circumstances and unexplained narratives. It all comes together in a head-on collision with logic. The setting is a burned-out, futuristic landscape after an unexplained holocaust called the “final war” has destroyed the planet. The survivors have divided into camps—villains and victims, cannibals and people who will do anything for the few remaining drops of water. Denzel Washington plays Eli, a spiritual man with über-human survival techniques who hits the road on the way to the California coast with a sacred book in his backpack that contains the secrets to jump-start civilization and save the planet. I can tell you without fear of spoiling anything that Eli’s book is the last Holy Bible in existence, and it’s in great demand by a lot of monsters and maniacs. I will have to admit it does make you think about the end times and what will be of importance at that time.

Valentines Day

I have to laugh...I guess it's a part of getting old. Ed and I both heard a lady talking on the radio about Valentines day. (even though we were in two different places that day) The lady was talking about how she thought this day was disgusting. She went on to say, these young people in love buy flowers, candy, lavish gifts for those that they love, go out to fancy restaurants..... She said - all I will get, if I'm lucky is a 99 cent card from Walmart that says your lucky to have a husband like me.

When Ed and I got home we both at the same time said, "sorry - I didn't have time to get you anything for Valentines day, but I did get a card." We both laughed out loud = not knowing that the other one had heard the same lady on the radio. No we didn't have lavish gifts or eat at a fancy restaurant. Ed teasingly said - and here is your flower (the one on the card)...again we laughed out loud. We exchanged cards and said...I guess we could at least go out to eat dinner - so we did at Olive Garden.

It's not that I don't enjoy Valentines day - because I very much do - I always have and always will let my girls know how much I love them and will send them a card, and will always give my mom a card and some chocolate candy, and will continue to celebrate loving my husband every day with starting the morning and finishing the day saying I love you!

Stressed to the MAx

This is how my week has been! Our company investers were in for the week - meaning long long meetings of why we didn't do well in sales last year, what we plan on doing differently this year, etc etc etc. This is the first time I had to sit in. Last year, the meeting was held before I started. Talking about intense. There was one night when I went in at 7:30 and didn't get home till after 10:00 PM.

All in all - the board members were happy, my boss was happy with my presentation ... and we all still have a job!

Superbowl Sunday

What an exciting superbowl game; New Orleans vs Indy Colts. I love Peyton, but I will have to say that I was hoping the underdogs - the Saints would win. Way to go Drew!

Wayne, Shelly, and mom came over to watch the game and celebrate my birthday. It was a great night.

Guess who we saw at lunch

Don't know if you are an American Idol fan or not - but this is Danny Goakie. He was in the top 10 of the show last year. Ed and I were eating at Panera for lunch and he and some others were sitting right beside us. Apparently he is a struggling artist! He talked alot about believing that God had a plan for him and the band and that he just had to trust that God would lead him where he is suppose to be. He said, "We've made it through this year and we are still breathing and our head is still above the water - that's a good sign, I think." Pretty interesting conversation that we overheard.

My Birthday

Yeah! Today is my birthday...the big 45! I was so glad to see the Sun shine all day today. Sun always makes the days better. Ed bought me a small birthday cake, some flyer's, a gift certificate to get my nails done and a 1 hour massage this weekend. Jillian and Christie sent me flowers and chocolate covered strawberries - YUM!

I enjoyed reading all my birthday greetings on facebook from all my friends and "surrogate kids". I even received email birthday greetings from our adopted friends in the Philippines. (acquaintances from our Mission Trip) My brother and mom both called to wish me a wonderful birthday, and we will get together this weekend.

At work, my boss took me out to lunch and gave me a book, "The Prayer of Jabez", and later on the day the office surprised me with a birthday cake with my name on it. We all sat back in the conference room for about half an hour laughing, sharing stories, and eating birthday cake. It was a lot of fun....and yes a Surprise!

I finished the night playing a game of scrabble (by myself) My favorite game! and catching up on all my DVR'd shows. Overall, it was a great birthday.