Our 1st Ice Storm!!

I have officially lived through my first ice storm!! It has been snowing, sleeting, and pouring freezing drizzle since yesterday morning. Our office at work actually got shut down yesterday at 1:30pm and we didn't have to go in today!! I started off thinking, it just looks a little gray and foggy out there with some rain falling down. In Colorado that would be no big deal...we'd be out playing in the rain!! But then I realized that is was raining in 19 degree weather...hmmm...

When we left for work it was like a skating rink...I literally skated to the car in my heels. When we finally got home after not moving more than 30mph and watching all kinds of cars slid into, over, and around things we were relieved. We actually slid around quite a lot ourselves but we eventually made it home safe :). Today the office was technically open, but they told everyone to use there discretion and to not venture out if they didn't have to. Well, Dwyatt and I brought our work home yesterday so we stayed home and worked off our laptops!! It was fun to watch the storm all day. It's been one of those lovely gray days that you spend snuggling by the fire with a nice cup of coffee (and our laptops).

This afternoon we went out and took a few pictures to commemorate our first ice storm. It was fun, though we were only able to stay out there about 8 minutes, it was FREEZING!! Hope you enjoy :)

Proud to be an American

The day is finally here. The day we inaugurate a new leader of the free world, President Barack Obama. I have not really been looking forward to this day. In fact, I voted for the other guy... While I wouldn't say I agreed totally with McCain's point of view, he was more in line with my beliefs than Obama. My beliefs have not changed, so part of me is still a bit weary about our new President.

However, when I was watching the coverage on the Internet today I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with pride and joy for this day. No, I don't agree with Obama's beliefs on many subjects; but yes, I will stand behind him and give him a chance. If he really will carry out his pledge of peace and change then I am all for him!! I believe we need change, and I pray he is the best President this country has ever seen!!

America is an amazing place. The freedoms we have here are like no other place on earth. It doesn't matter who wins or loses an election we should all still be proud to call America home. I know I certainly wouldn't want to live anywhere else. That being said, I believe it's time we all put our differences aside and show our new President all the support he deserves. He has his work cut out for him, and I plan to support him and respect him as our new leader.

I am immensely proud of my country today. We are moving forward, putting past differences in race and political beliefs behind us and we are taking the first step towards change. The republican in me is still weary, but the American in me is so excited!!!

I have had this song in my head all day and I keep wanting to sing it outloud at the top of my lungs. However, since I am at work I am simply going to post the lyrics here. This is one of the best country songs ever written about America and our precious freedom:

God Bless the USA

by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,

I’d worked for all my life.

And I had to start again,

with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,to be livin here today.

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,

and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas,

From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,

and New York to L.A.

Well there's pride in every American heart,

and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

New Furniture!!!

This weekend Dwyatt and I upgraded our first room!! It all started when Dwyatt decided that the old 20" box TV we had just wouldn't cut it anymore. So we started with a new flat screen & before you know it that lead to a new TV console, a couch, a coffee table, an end table, & a sofa table...

It was finally all delivered yesterday and it looks amazing!! I have a new red couch that's extremely comfortable and matches the kitchen perfectly. :-) As I write this I am enjoying the new fluffy cushions and drinking my morning coffee. Mmmm...life doesn't get much better!!

A New Year & New Ambitions!!

I can't believe that January is almost half way over already!! Time is flying by. I have been thinking about this coming year a lot lately. This is going to be a year for me unlike any other. Never before have I worked a full time job all year, or owned a home, or had a husband... all new experiences each one exciting and slightly intimidating in their own way.

Every year I sit down and write out my goals, not resolutions, for the New Year. Goals I can stick to...resolutions are always forgotten by March. This year seems to be about improving my health and taking on new experiences I haven't had in the past.

I want to become a healthier person, which of course includes the ever-present goal of dropping 10 lbs, but more than that I want to set up a healthy lifestyle for the future. I am starting the year with one of the total body cleanse things, that sounded healthy :-), and I am also drinking Acai berry juice every day. Doesn't taste so great, but at 30,000mg of antioxidants, I don't really care how it tastes. I also am being better about my running, I go every weekday...ok, except for if the weather is <19. Then I stay inside and do yoga!! I am hoping to follow through and run both a 5k and a 10k by the end of the year.

My other goals include things I never had time to do in college!! I am loving my photography hobby, I want to improve with that & hopefully even hang some of my own artwork in my home. I also want to begin learning Spanish...I must be fluent before I have children, another goal... I want to travel to somewhere I have never been before, and I want to continue to decorate my home.

I know this probably sounds like the typical "New Year's Ambition", but that's ok. When do we ever give things a chance and try to fulfill our dreams without the ambition?? Wish me luck & I'll keep you posted!!

Photographer in training...

I have been thinking, for awhile now, about taking up photography as a hobby. I took several photography classes in high school and I really enjoyed it, but after graduation engineering seemed to take over. Now that I have graduated I am looking for an artistic outlet and I think photography will be fun!!

Well, I have been discussing this with my family, and the wonderful parents I have bought me a camera for Christmas!!! I am now the proud new owner of the Nikon D60 :) It is the coolest camera ever, so much capability and great pictures, but also so easy to use!! And it's small, I can still put it in my purse, my rather large purse, if I want to!!

My dad also enjoys photography so we have been learning and taking pictures together. Last week we went and spend a day outside taking pictures of whatever appealed to us. I wanted to post a few of my favorites that I am quite proud of!! I hope to grow and expand my photography skills, but the most important thing is that I enjoy it. I can already say that I'm loving it...though I think my husband is rapidly becoming tired of being a subject...

Me and my new camera!!!!

The Praying Hands

Daddy taking pictures...

Pikes Peak!!

Oak Brush Leaves

Clay Pots :)

Christmas Cactus flower...