happy happy

Just a quick wish for a very happy new year from here in the middle of the Caribbean.  We are on the Norwegian Dawn, heading back to Miami.  We have had a fabulous, relaxing trip, and I think I might have caught the "cruise" bug.  Our next vacation might just have to be another cruise!

you capture - lines

OK, so I am slow to the party here.  The thing is that I have been sick ALL week.  Plus also we had a giant snow storm, the kids were out of school one day this week and we are breaking records all over the place with the cold night-time temps.  Forgive.

This is the painted brick fence at the front of our courtyard.  I love how linear it is, especially with the mounds of snow from earlier this week.

Join us:

What I did this weekend

Wanna know where I went on Thursday and Friday night?

If you can't tell who those people are from my pathetic phone photos...here is a little help:

Uh, Yeah.  I saw both Darius Rucker and Martina McBride in concert this weekend.

Can you say H.O.T.? 

Both of them...

Darius was here in Salina and it was an amazing concert. 

The Stiefel Theatre is the way to go when you are seeing a concert.  It is small and intimate. 

And by the way, he wants me.

Martina was just a limo ride (with 5 or 9 Blue Moons) away at the new Hartman Arena in Wichita.

It too is a smaller venue.

Both concerts were great.  I forget how fun a concert can really be.  Especially now when we can afford to buy better tickets! wink!

I have 2 new additions to my free-pass-five!

sore

Last night's workout was a killer.

at the YMCA

running 2-3 laps 

in between 1 minute sets of leg and back excercises.

Totals:

3 miles run

7 body parts strengthened

a great stretch at the end.

Thanks, Hope.  You're the BEST trainer ever. 

You kill me and make me stronger at the same time. 

Thanks to you, I WILL have a faster 1/2 marathon time in the spring!

fun

Carson and Molly atop Indian Rock Park on Wednesday

This was the first long weekend in a long time that I enjoyed.

I am usually tired, annoyed and frustrated when they are over

 I usually want to go back to work.

But not this weekend...this weekend was fun.

Thanksgiving was at my in-laws

and we served 57 (yes 57) without a hitch.

We ate too much, drank too much and played too much poker.

Cousins came to sleep over with Carson and Molly,

cousins we don't get to see very often.

I got out and excercised almost every day of the weekend.

We went on a family walk, and I

swam, ran and walked the other days.

Molly's 8th birthday was on Sunday

we had homemade pizzas on the grill

(Molly got to order Pizza Hut for herself...it WAS her birthday afterall)

and had a few friends over for cupcakes.

There weren't a lot of presents, but a lot of joy.

We didn't have many plans, and

just enjoyed each other's company all weekend.

It was good.

what I did this weekend

basketball

sleep

sleep

basketball

If these grey, dreary Sundays don't stop, our new couch will soon have my body imprint in the sleeping position on it.

the light this time of year - you capture

This week's theme for You Capture was sunrise/sunset.  I can't say enough how much I love the light this time of the year in Kansas.  Especially at dusk.  Although I didn't take photos of the sunset itself, the setting sun and the light on these is just perfect!  Enjoy!

Join us!

runner's high part deux

it was dark and 50 degrees

just right for a quick 4 mile run run

the ipod was charged

and the timing and my shoes were just right

for a runner's high night

Now that the clocks have been changed, and the cold and dark and damp comes earlier, I have started my running training again.  This time we're going to Lincoln, NE in the spring for the 1/2 marathon.

 Hip Hip Hooray! 

winter

It snowed yesterday!

Hurrah!

My friend Margy, modeling the snow in Colorado in February. 

Sadly, I didn't have my camera in my car yesterday to capture any of OUR snow,

and the sun is out and it is 50 today, so there is none left to photograph!

what to say

So, what to say when I have committed to writing more often, but have nothing of note to say?

Maybe a list of my weekend activities will do

(lists always have a way of bringing things around, don't you think?):

>had a great and fun shopping trip with my boss and her friends of Friday (Yes, I have a GREAT boss)

>ate at IHOP on Friday night with Carson and my mom

>fell asleep in the vortex on our new couch.  You know, that spot where you instantly fall asleep when you are all bundled up.  That's the vortex.

>slept in on Saturday and then went to Hillsboro to Carson's first basketball tournament of the season (they were 1and 2)

>between games, went to watch our 3rd kid (actually, Hector, our great KWU men's soccer student who we are the host family for) play in the KCAC championship game.  They won!  4-0!  Now they are on to McKenzie, TN on Saturday.  If they win that game they go to California for the championship!  They are all so excited for the possibility as they will get to be home with their families for Thanksgiving if they make it) 

>went for a run in the cold, dark, damp Saturday night.  My FAVORITE time to run.

>slept in on Sunday (and even skipped church) and had a bacon sandwich for breakfast.

>read with the kiddos in my bed for a long while

>went for a walk with Mrs. Jordan in the cold mist.  Loved every minute of it!

>put my sweatpants on and didn't move from the couch for the rest of the day...

ps, do you think the knots on aspen trees look like eyes?  I'm fascinated with them, and take photos of the eyes every time I am around Aspen trees.

harbor

you know that saying about how much more energy it takes to be angry?

how much you have to put into holding a grudge,

how hard it is to keep being mad at someone or something

after a long period of time?

Well, I just decided it is true.

here's to letting go

and to more energy towards

kinder, gentler more beautiful things.

you capture - real life

This week's You Capture theme was Real Life.

I know it is hard to believe, but this is so my real life. 

My friends and I had a sunset picnic on Saturday night in Ellsworth County, right here in Kansas. 

I was surrounded by beautiful friends, beautiful prairie and a most beautiful sunset. 

We sat still, drank wine, ate, talked

and were just plain were thankful for all that we have and all that surrounds us.

Join us!

swimming

a few weks ago

Molly joined the swim team

she's a natural the coach says

she works really hard at each practice

she's never once complained

or said she didn't want to go

in order to see our reflection

 we need to get near the water

I'm proud of you, Molly

resolve

here I sit tonight

with a new resolve

to write more regularly

to open up more

to tell my friends and family how much I love them

more often

to compliment

to smile

to be a bright shining berry in the fall foliage

I spent Saturday evening with my dear friends

at a ranch near Kanopolis Lake.

We are so lucky to have such beautiful state parks

all around us.

We had a sunset picnic

and drank wine

and talked and talked and talked.

I resolve

to believe I am the person

everyone sees in me.

what's for dinner?

What do you do when you are out of town working, staying in a town of 3000, and there is no restaurant to go eat in?  Well, you break out the bottles of wine you brought with you from Jacksonville (good thinking!) and go to the grocery store for:

smoked cheddar cheese

havarti cheese

Toasteds crackers

french bread

grapes

jalapeno cheetos (the crunchy kind)

cold shrimp with cocktail sauce

baby carrots

wickles

imitation crab salad
cajun crab spread
yummo!

it is autumn here - you capture

Here in Knasas, in the counrty, in the fall, I love to look at the irrigation units in the bare fields. 

There is something so architectural and abandoned about them.

join us!

you capture - still life

Finally!  I am able to post a You Capture again!  Things just haven't been working out for posting lately, but a long weekend in Winter Park, CO with 10 of my aunts, cousins and cousins-in-law was just what I needed to get me back into the swing of things.

Without any more waiting, I present:  Still Life:

Two cousins, and a soon-to-be cousin-in-law (hopefully) and I made up Team Martha Stewart.  As you can see, we made a feast for Sunday brunch.  Everyone was so impressed with our menu cards (made with supplies from the local Alco in Fraser, CO) as well as all of our cooking (menu discussed briefly via email before our trip), we won the contest.  All 10 of us at the Miller Women reunion trip read The Help, and we had our discussion over brunch.  What a lovely, lovely time...and memory.

Join us!

soccer and modern family

Hip hip hooray.  After a sucky first half, USA came back in the last seconds of the game to tie the World Cup Qualifier game tonight.  They beat Costa Rica after a strange ending where both the head and assistant coaches for CR were ejected and escorted to the locker room by DC policemen.  The final goal was scored by Jonathan Bornstein...a header that was AWESOME! 

plus JB is pretty cute!

Also, do you watch Modern Family?  We have been watching it and it is really good.  Definitely recommend it!

tonight...

tonight I paid the soccer coach

tonight we went to watch the babysitter play in a tennis tournament

tonight for dinner I made hot dogs and mac & cheese

tonight we all sat at the table working on our computers

nothing much exciting to report about tonight...

photowalk 09/28/09

the best and the worst

The undefeated Salina Pirates!

Some days I am just the best.  Otherdays, not so much.  Yesterday for about 1.5 hours I was the best.  You see, in-between Carson's soccer games, I needed to run to the store to get another memory card.  I had a brillian idea to go to Wal-Mart (yes, the dreaded Wal-Mart...but only because they have the machine...keep reading) and get the cards, but to also develop the photos I took during the first game, and take them back with me to the second game.  Our Wal-Mart has several of those "instant develop" machines, which don't do so well for really high quality developing, but for parents of kids who were playing soccer a mere 2 hours ago, it is pretty cool.  So, I had photos for parents of all of the kids on the team (save for one, who somehow I missed).  It was a good afternoon.

Truer words were never said (sung)

You say you gotta go and find yourself
You say that you're becomming someone else
Don't recognize the face in the mirror
Looking back at you

...

I can't get close if you're not there
I can't get inside if there's no soul to bare
I can't fix you, I can't save you
It's something you have to do

Come Back to Me
David Cook
(cringing as I type that)

I am alive

The flu?  It was horrible.  It seems the older I get the worse these things make me feel.  After 3 days in bed, I am finally up and around.  I ate a little rice today.  I stripped our bed.  Typhoid Amanda is no more.  Be gone, you nasty flu!

you capture-macro

This week's You Capture theme was macros.  I love taking pictures with the macro function, but with this new camera, I need much more practice.  It is really hard to keep really still!  On with the show:

Join Us!

triathlon...check

I finished.

1:35:57

swim, bike, run

I can check that off my list.

Will I do it again?

Yes, with a road bike

sabatical...from life

the view from Coronado Heights on a hazy Labor Day

I need a break

>
a sabatical from my life

my heart just isn't in it

I am worn out, worn down and tired.

marriage is hard

work is not rewarding

my only joy right now is my children.

I recognize all of these things;
I know I need to take some time away
away from this life I have created
to cry
to reflect
to meditate
to be creative
to get back to being me.

I have started the internal process

of seperation

from this life I have created,

and I need to stop it

before

the cord is cut.

please think of me. I need all the thoughts I can get.

you capture-old signs

This week's You Capture challenge was old signs. I live in a part of the world where there are old signs everywhere. Just a quick trip down the road and I can drive through numerous old (mostly abandoned) towns. I have always loved looking at old signs, and it was fun to photograph them!

Join Us!

found time

Last night, Molly had soccer practice.  Carson did too, but his coach (his dad) ws sick, so it was cancelled.  I found myself with a great opportunity for some time alone with my son.  Carson.  The 9-year-old.  My 4th grader.  My lovey-dovey, will-still-kiss-me son.  I love this "found time."  So, we decided I talked him into going to the boy's high-school soccer game.   We got ourselves some nachos, Starburst and a Diet Dr. Pepper.  We made our way up to the top of the stadium to watch.

The game was a blow-out.  None of his friends were there.  The crowd was sparse.  We had a ball.  It was so pleasant and wonderful to just spend time with my son.  My growing-up-too-quickly son.  My son who scooted up close to me to just hung out.  You see, it wasn't even about the game.  The game, honestly was boring and secondary.  For us, it was just about being together.  A hour of time we had stumbled upon to share. 

I love these found times, and have to keep reminding myself to look for them; not to worry about having a whole afternoon together, but to enjoy those little blips of time together on his growing-up timeline.  little blips...

have you ever...

...gone to Burger King for lunch (after a long bike ride and then a run) and ordered both a Whopper with cheese (without tomato) AND a classic chicken sandwich?  Because you couldn't decide which sounded better?  And ate them both?  I did.   Today.

felt tip pens

whoa! Posts 3 days in a row...something must be wrong. Maybe I am getting back to normal?

Just wanted to profess my love to all the world for Paper Mate Flair felt-tip pens. Man, I love me a good felt-tipper. I usually use a black or bright green at work, but they come in all of these delicious flavors: pink, black, blue, red, green, purple, magenta (or as my HS physics teacher used to call it: mag-neta. Every time I see the word magenta, I think of Mr. E.), plum, lime, marigold, navy, yellow, olive, tangerine, lilac and sky blue.

That's all!

on exercise and dreams

dreamy clouds?

Last night I rode my bike for 80 minutes (and damn if my vagina bone* doesn't hurt today). You see, I am an evening exerciser. I believe it all started when I started running, and my plantar fasciitis was really bothering me. It was so bad that I couldn't even think about exercising until my feet had been sufficiently "warmed up"...like walked upon all day. This plus the fact that I had 2 children under the age of 3 at home to get ready in the mornings kind of took all the desire for getting up early away.

Anyhoo...I still like to do my exercise in the evening. I love the cold and cover of the night. I like to feel all alone. It soothes my body and my brain. However, I have come up with something lately that has just revealed itself: the connection between hard exercise and vivid dreams.

After last night's ride, I had the most vivid dreams. Like being scratched by baby raccoons and having to get rabies shots. Like forgetting the combination to my swimming pool locker EVERY time I was at swim practice. Like dreams of past friends/boyfriends where I remember every word they said. Like Carrie and Kerry thinking that taking in baby raccoons was a good idea.

See? Really vivid dreams, and ones that I remember too. Strange dreams that HAVE to have something to do with the exercise. I am going to go today and get a little notebook to start recording these dreams, and to track them to see if they are related to my exercise. Thoughts anyone?

*many thanks to Zak of Shindig for introducing me to the phrase vagina bone. But damn if I can find that post...

you capture-food

Oh! Hello there! I'm still here, but have been MIA for a while! There's nothing like a You Capture and a new camera to get me back into the swing of things. Work has been a killer lately, and school has started (see, I even didn't get to post pics of the first day of school, things were so crazy) but things appear to be loosening up, so I might be back to normal soon (whatever that means).

So, without further ado: food.

We are big canners in our family (and by we, I mean my father-in-law and I). Here you will see some of the beautiful salsa we canned this year, and grape jelly from last year...our last jar (the horrors of store-bought jelly!) You can also see the pretty pickled beets peeking thru on the right. We can and we freeze. We freeze and we can. Pictures of frozen things aren't nearly as pretty. Green beans, salsa, spaghetti sauce, and applesauce in glass jars are much prettier.

Please join us!