Hey everyone
Just checking in and catching up on my reading. You are all such angels. A special thanks to Queen for posting the Goose story. This year hasn't been quite as bad, and I do think it has a lot to do with all the love and support I receive here.
Happy Birthday to 2cute and Mary!
Tina, 10.5 lbs?!!! I am so happy for you!
Thin, you are always so solid and supportive. Sounds like you are that way for everyone in your life.
Kat, isn't it cool when a program begins to click for you? I love that feeling!
Mary, glad you are beginning to feel better. And I'm hoping that recipe is going to be submitted soon...
Lucky, I couldn't help giggling at the thought of you getting your ducks in a row. Images of a shooting gallery came to mind!
I really do like the idea of a Saturday renewal.
2cute, sounds like you had a healthy serving of self-awareness served up for your birthday. *HUGS*
Valerie, you are off to a great start! Walking around a lake with your dog sounds lovely.
Prism, get well soon! Ribbon embroidery on the bra is such a cute idea.
I didn't post yesterday because I was putting finishing touches on my submission for the newspaper. It isn't perfect, but I wanted to share it with you all even if it is kind of long.
Every once in a while life brings us to a gathering moment where we are allowed to see who we are and what we have become with amazing clarity. There isn’t always a rhyme or a reason as to why these moments come upon us, but they quite often portend change. We find ourselves at a crossroads with decisions to be made.
Recently I found myself at just such a point in time. I was standing on the side of the road with hundreds of other people, waiting for what was most likely to be a once in a lifetime event. We were all waiting for that magic moment the Olympic torch would be carried past.
I am not sure what we were really expecting. There was a carnival sort of atmosphere, despite the bitter wind whipping around us. My youngest kept shouting about “the parade”. One exuberant teen picked up a traffic cone, lofted it high in the air and went sprinting down the street. We laughed and cheered him on. It was hilarious and what I think we were expecting; the ideal of youth, enthusiasm and energy packaged together into an Olympic dream.
The reality of our Olympic torch moment touched me more deeply than I can fully describe. Our bearer was neither an exuberant youth nor an accomplished athlete, but he held the torch high and proud as he moved down the street. And even though he was not what my mind had prepared me for, he carried our hopes and dreams along with him in each shuffling step.
Life has not been particularly kind to all of us. We are faced with challenges from all quarters: physical, mental and spiritual. Money can be tight, education is cut short, and children come too quickly or not at all. Our expectations of the future can come crashing down hard and leave us standing amidst piles of rubble, wondering how we arrived at this point. Other times we are standing high, overlooking all that is good and wondering again, how we got here.
What that moment brought clear to me was that none of it really matters. Where we are in life does not really matter; it is how we arrive at each point and choose to respond to each challenge. I came to realize the one thing I truly want out of life is to be someone who stands out, whose life is so exemplary that it could be chosen to shine as a beacon for others. I want to live a life worthy of carrying an Olympic torch.
For each of us there are moments which define our humanity and bring us together. This last year was full of poignant stories of heroism and sorrow, with many of us being forced to look beyond self, to reach out and touch another human being. I know the Olympics have had their share of negative comments this year, even down to people saying they should have been cancelled. I, for one, am incredibly grateful for what they have brought to me, this state, and the world as a whole. We need a chance to celebrate. We need time to cheer and remember there is light and life in the world. And as far as the running of the Olympic torch is concerned, we all needed to be reminded; a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
Hugs and loves to you all. Hope you have a terrific Valentine's day!
Andria
LuckyLadyBug , 02-13-2002 08:43 PM
thinthinker , 02-14-2002 12:17 AM
Just a quickie, I'm beat!!! Started my 'bra jobs' today. Did 3 stores so that I would have part of the day off tomorrow. There are 8 different styles to the new Playtex plus line that I'm setting. And 7 out of the 8 are underwires! 
The one that's not is a leopard print so guess what I came home with today? 
But can't keep my eyes open.
2cute2Bfat , 02-14-2002 12:48 AM
I tried to justify because it was yogurt. What a bunch of bull. 
katrinabgood , 02-14-2002 08:24 AM
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! 
So, last night I baked some chicken I had bought from the store already seasoned in the pack, and it looked really good, but I stayed away from it. Then when DH got up this morning, he heated up some for breakfast, (yeah, I know, chicken for breakfast?) but it gets worse........and when I came in from work, 3 chicken legs were laying out and that ol' devil came upon me and before I knew it, I had snarfed down all three! So, where is the victory you might ask? Well, here it is: Before I snarfed down those 3 chicken legs, I still had the consciousness to peel off the skin and somewhere in the back of my mind, even though this meal was unplanned, I knew I was just eating 3 points. And I honestly feel, had something worse have been left out, I would have maybe just wrapped it up in a towel and with my head turned, tossed it in the fridge. 
