A Great Story

So many have been touched by adoption, this is one story out of many:

http://holtinternational.org/blog/2011/02/always-in-my-heart/

Going Down Memory Lane

Working on the Holt auction and figuring out who to have as the special speaker, I've had to really use my brain. But I did it and what a wonderful speaker we are going to have! As I was busy figuring things out, I've had to check my pictures from my trips to Korea.

So going down memory lane from a few years ago, 2007 and 2008. Looking at the pictures from the Gift Team trips brought back wonderful memories and a smile to my face as I was looking at the many people I have traveled with and became friends with.

Then I came across this picture:

These locks are at Seoul Tower in Korea. I remember my great friend Debbie telling me all about these locks and we both HAD to get one and put one on the fence! We're such kids! Mind you, our group was to leave, at that very moment, but nothing was stopping us from being a part of this tradition as this was the first time we had been to the Seoul Tower in our many visits to Korea. I totally blame Debbie for this. So we found the desk where we bought the locks, the blue ones with the clouds on them. We tore open the package, had to write our message on the locks, then run out and lock them onto the fence. Phew!

On the locks, you are to write the name of you and your significant other or any message you want, put the lock on the fence anywhere, then you take the one key and you and your significant other are to throw the key far, far somewhere to signify that your lock can never be opened, thus your love can never be unlocked. Cheesy? Maybe, but it's in Korea!! How many people can say they have done this?

So why am I writing about this now? Because I still have the key!! I have yet to have my hubby and myself throw the key somewhere. Now where do we throw it? I was thinking maybe we throw it somewhere in Sweden when we travel there next year. Why Sweden? Because my hubby is Swedish and what better significance is there that our lock would be in Korea and the key would be somewhere in Sweden? I think I like that idea. Let's just hope I remember to bring the key to Sweden!!

It's the Carpet

For years now, as I have been walking around, bending down, anything that has to do with my knees, I've ignored the sensation of crackling plastic. Walking down the stairs, for years, I really thought it was the carpet, not my knees making that crackling noise. But does carpet make crackling noises? I think not, unless the padding underneath was really cheap.

As I age, I have to come to terms with my aging body. But really, how did my knees get so bad? I didn't play sports in high school, just thought I was all that on the dance squad(not really, but isn't that the stereotype?)!

I don't have problems with my knees that surgery is in order, but they are just annoying enough that I do have to limit any activity that will be stress to my knees. Sad. But reality. So now I am trying glucosamine. Yes, I've tried it before but quit, only because I didn't want to take five pills a day, good gravy! That's a meal! Now it comes in liquid form, 8 oz. I can handle that, right? Ugh, it tastes like flat kool-aid that has been sitting out in the sun too long. But I can do it, for the sake of my knees and being able to exercise. Those darn leg extensions, my knees sound horrible!

Okay! Okay! Yes, my one shoulder is also giving me issues when I do the shoulder press. Man, this getting older stuff is tough. Hey, at least I'm exercising again, it's been way too long, my friend.

So let's go glucosamine, give my knees(and shoulder)a break!

Deleted

When a person reads my posts then decides to comment, which I welcome most comments, but then decides to delete the comment...I'm left with the thought of what was the comment and was it that bad that it had to be deleted? My curiosity is piqued. Can't the blog just delete without letting me know that the comment was deleted by the author?

I know, there are more important things in life to worry about, but I'm just sayin'...

Happy Valentine's Day

No chocolates needed, no long stemmed roses needed, not even a card is needed. And no, not even diamonds are needed(gulp, I said that out loud)because my motto has always been, 'Jewelry is always good'. As I get older and wiser and more and more practical, I see these days as just another day. I've stated it before, I don't like the over commercialized days to tell me when I should send a card or gift. Everyday should be recognized as days to say 'I love you'. Gifts should be given because you want to give them, not because they are expected. The best gift is one that is truly a surprise to the other person.

The smallest of gestures are also great gifts and a reminder to that special someone just how much you care. So I will continue to sort thru the dirty laundry, sweep the floors, organize the schedules, plan trips and parties, cook dinners, keep the pantry full, listen to the stories, share in the cheers, share in the tears, laugh full belly laughs, watch you grow, watch you mature, sit back and watch you go your own path, hold your hand thru the tough times, give you a hug thru the scary times, give you a hug thru the happy times all because I love you, today and every day.

'Wordless Wednesday'

I've seen this on other people's blogs, but never understood it. Yes, I have a blog so shouldn't I know all the ins and outs of having one? Is Wordless Wednesday a rule I am to follow? How did it start? Who started it? And why must Wednesday's posts be 'Wordless'?

I guess I have been breaking all the rules for a blog owner. What is the punishment for this? Blogger bashing? I've experienced bashing on forums, I do not want to experience it on my own blog. Will I be turned in for not being wordless on Wednesdays? Are there rules for the other days of the week for blogs?

Here I thought blogging was a sense of freedom for writing and now I find out I am not to write anything on Wednesdays.

Ok, this really doesn't bother me that much, just thought it was funny that I was writing words on Wednesdays and others were wordless. I only wish I was as creative and interesting as some of the other bloggers out there.

Needless to say, I probably won't be wordless on Wednesdays, I've always been one to go my own path.

Oh, How I Have Missed You!

The workout 'high'...lifting weights, working muscles that haven't been used in years, what a great feeling. I'm sure I will be complaining tonight tho, but I will continue. I didn't overdue it, I took my time, I used the lightest weight. The two ab workouts tho, wow, killer. I'm amazed at how creative and useful a home gym has become.

Can you tell I'm excited?! I so am looking forward to my clothes not feeling like sausage casings(sorry about that visual, I even grossed myself out). Until then, I will continue the illusion.

No More Time for Excuses

In the past, I was so good about working out, but with that came getting burned out too. I was in great shape so I figured I could just let it all go and not worry about exercising. Well, it's been a few(too)many years of letting it go, literally. Yes, I can still fit into my size four jeans, but I am really feeling it every time I put on my jeans. They don't fit like they 'used' to, they are getting too snug. My tops are even getting tighter, not the look I'm going for, maybe when I was younger, but now I'm leaning more towards the loose fitting tops. I figured hey, I worked out for years and years, I can let loose on my clothing too.

Now it's just getting a little annoying, my clothes. I have been working out, not hard, but I have been riding the exercise bike. I've actually felt better since I've kept it up for over 60 days, not consecutive days, but still, it's better than not exercising. I'm not putting as much pressure on myself like I used to when I was a crazy work out person.

To be balanced, I know I have to incorporate some strength training. Free weights, eh..yeah, but...not gonna do it for me. Elasta-bands and rubber bands...yes, I can do those, but still...my true passion has always been strength training, I hate cardio.

So, I'm biting the bullet and buying an entire weight training gym set(it's all one piece). And I even talked my hubby into getting a better elliptical machine, one that 'maybe' I could or want to use. I have always hated the elliptical machine, why? Because my stride is SO much smaller than everyone else's and now this new machine will match my stride..bonus huh? At 5' 1", seriously, my stride is small, just ask my hubby when it comes to me keeping up with him just walking. He doesn't call me slow walker for nothing!

Yea, I know buying exercise equipment isn't a big deal, millions of people do it everyday, but I've been on this money saving kick, piddly things like no longer paying for XM radio in my car, no longer having the weekend newspaper delivered to my house so this is a huge purchase! I figured, since I live way out in the boonies, which I really don't, only a 15 minute drive into the 'city' and I have an exercise room in my house, I will save money in the end compared to a gym membership, not to mention saving money on gas.

My goal? Not to put pressure on myself to exercise, but to feel good doing it and let the results be whatever they will be.

So This Could Be My Chance

I talked about how much I love HGTV...

I've always wanted to have one of the HGTV designers come to my house and do his/her magic in my house, but the shows never want to come out to Nebraska. BUT now I may have a chance with one of their new shows, HGTV'd. So please comment and rate our house using the link:

http://my.hgtv.com/hgtvd/Yard/YES--This-IS-Nebraska/detail.esi?oid=23503493&cObjId=23503505

Thank YOU!!