Wednesday, September 29, 2010

FLY

Joe arrived home this evening after a solo bike ride on his speedy
road bike and was commenting on how many bugs he swallowed. (Yuck!)
Sadly, that's what happens by the river at dusk. As he was heading
towards the shower he said, "Man--I was flying!" to which I replied
"You are what you eat." HA

Speaking of flying... Several weeks ago I started working on the FLY program:

www.flylady.net

Basicly, it's a free website that helps people organize and clean
their homes. I can't say that I've been religiously following the
program, but I can say that I'm doing much better by at least keeping
a few rules like getting dressed first thing in the morning, not
leaving dishes in the sink when I go to bed, spending at least fifteen
minutes a day clearing up clutter, and picking certain days for
certain chores so they actually get done.

I've found it to be a great place to start organizing my life when I
previously felt clueless about where to start. The trick now will be
to incorporate more steps into my daily/weekly/monthly plan of action.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Pictures from the Early B-day Party

Cake demolition: Miriam and her cakey grin--in true first birthday style.
The mommy cake and the baby cake. 28 and 1.
Miriam petting Rocky the boxer dog.
Smiles on all three faces.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Season's Greetings for Fall

Fall is approaching; This morning was the first brisk morning of the
season and we went on a tandem bike ride along the river, followed up
by a breakfast of egg bagels and apple turnovers. What could be
better?

We just spent a pleasant weekend in San Antonio. Joe had to give his
yearly presentation on his research and we had the benefit of visiting
family. Miriam and I had a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday visiting
Great Grandma Taylor in Kerrville, eating pizza and treats, playing
scrabble, and having my first impromptue lesson on an interesting
stringed instrument called a mountain dulcimer.

Saturday evening was the General Relief Society broadcast (an annual
meeting for Latter-day Saint women to receive instruction from church
leaders). As always, we joined the choir for a few hymns; I think
there's something special about singing in a congregation of women,
particularly knowing that there are congregations of women singing
with you around the world at the same time. It makes me want to be
better.

As for the talks: 1. Julie Beck announced that a history of the Relief
Society is being compiled. I wondered if I would be interested in
reading it or not, but I concluded that I am since Sister Beck said
that she felt it was inspired by God as a way to remind us what
righteous women through the generations have held most dear, and I
think it might also inspire me to prioritize, cut out the superfluous
and pare down to what is most essential in life. 2. Silvia Allred
talked about how every woman is a daughter of God. as we feel and
recognize His love for us we can use those feelings and experiences to
cause us to "press forward… with steadfast faith in Christ". 3.
Barbara Thompson talked about following Christ's example in
ministering to and strengthening others through Visiting Teaching. 4.
President Thomas Monson talked about having charity for others. He
told several stories including one about a woman observing her
neighbor's laundry, and one about a deformed old man who a woman
likened to a beautiful flower growing in a rusty old bucket.

On Sunday Joe's mom made an early birthday dinner for Miriam and me,
complete with a mini birthday cake just for Miriam. You're only one
year old once. Thanks Anne.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Sweet Ride

So you've probably heard by now--since I've been shouting it from the rooftops; Joe bought me a tandem bike for an early birthday present. It's been a lot of fun this past week and now Miriam has her early birthday present too; a trailer for the back of the tandem. Yes, we're quite a sight to behold.
For this morning's ride, we took the trail into downtown Fort Worth (about 20-25 miles round trip) and discovered that they were having a car show. We got to check out some hot sets of wheels from atop our own set--even if I do say so myself.