Michael and I had a dinner date with two of our oldest couple friends from back in the wee way ago days when we were newly married and in the same Sunday School class.
That class has since disbanded.
One of the couples now lives an hour and a half away in a small town. He's a Presbyterian minister, she's in seminary on her way to being a minister. and just had a beautiful little "ooops" baby boy in addition to 13 and 10 year old girls. When I held the newest addition for the first time, he was went from fussy to serene in 5 seconds flat. We bonded immediately, just like I did with the girls. Their children are like my own.
The other couple has a special needs child and a beautiful 14 year old daughter who I just ushered through the confirmation process.
These people are my extended family. And it is something, precious and rare and comforting beyond description to be with people who know your history and you know theirs and so much can be said and shared without sometimes saying much at all.
The six of us passed plates of food and drank and laughed and called the other couple friend from our old class, who now live in Mesa, passing the phone around the table, just so we could be all "together" again, even if we ran up my hubby's minutes on the cell...bwa!
And after dinner we went to a coffee house and hung out on the sofas and talked about the deep stuff. Kids, plans for the future, career, passions. How God works in and through our lives and pulls us in directions in ways so different than we ever imagined. Just like we did all those years ago on Sunday mornings.
Someday we all may be scattered to the four corners of the Earth or at the least the country and I try not to think about that.
So I don't.
Not much anyway
I just try to be thankful that these people have been and always will be so much a part of who I am.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Black day at black rock or
When being honest and real comes back to bite you in the ass
After the incredible high of Monday and learning I was going to be published for the first time, comes the incredible low of being almost 45 and realizing I am still naive and dumb in a lot of ways.
I had a phone call that resulted in a parting of the ways with an organization that I taught and designed for and supported with much money(obscene actually when I had them run a total once).
I won't elaborate only to say it is not a bad thing at all to be moving on.
Prior to that phone call I got another phone call telling me that my friend and neighbor had died of cancer in his home surrounded by his family at 4am that morning.
The funeral is on Saturday and I don't know how to tell the boys because they adored this man. Mr. Gray was forever tolerating the wild rambunctious behavior of my two, letting them run wild with his dog and climb in his trees and hangout wiht him in his basement to watch and play with his model train sets. I think after raising 3 daughters my boys were a mystifying but entertaining outlet.
He was a straight up, genuinely nice man. A great neighbor. His wife who has advanced MS will have to sell the house and move out of the only home she's ever had with him.
So much change and sadness.
Thank God for my girlfriends who gave me real and cyber hugs and shoulders to cry on.....love you all.
After the incredible high of Monday and learning I was going to be published for the first time, comes the incredible low of being almost 45 and realizing I am still naive and dumb in a lot of ways.
I had a phone call that resulted in a parting of the ways with an organization that I taught and designed for and supported with much money(obscene actually when I had them run a total once).
I won't elaborate only to say it is not a bad thing at all to be moving on.
Prior to that phone call I got another phone call telling me that my friend and neighbor had died of cancer in his home surrounded by his family at 4am that morning.
The funeral is on Saturday and I don't know how to tell the boys because they adored this man. Mr. Gray was forever tolerating the wild rambunctious behavior of my two, letting them run wild with his dog and climb in his trees and hangout wiht him in his basement to watch and play with his model train sets. I think after raising 3 daughters my boys were a mystifying but entertaining outlet.
He was a straight up, genuinely nice man. A great neighbor. His wife who has advanced MS will have to sell the house and move out of the only home she's ever had with him.
So much change and sadness.
Thank God for my girlfriends who gave me real and cyber hugs and shoulders to cry on.....love you all.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Toot...toot....hey beepbeep!
Man....it feels good to finally be able to SAY that!!!
Scrapbook Answers emailed me and they want my "I Remember When" layout of the boys I did last year! This will be my first time published by a real scrapping magazine!!
Picture this, I'm at the school library, waiting for Ian to finish up with his reading specialist, crusin through my emails on the internet ......and there it was...... 4 emails down!
"Good news from Scrapbook Answers"
Thank GOD I didn't delete it....kind of looked like spam!
So anyway, here's the text in it's all of it's delicious wholeness!
Hi Lisa,
I have some great news for you! We all loved your layout "I remember when" and want to publish it in our next issue of /Scrapbook Answers/ magazine!!!
We want to publish your layout in our Eye on Design department where we showcase layouts that have stellar designs. In addition to sending you a complementary copy of the magazine, we will be paying you $25 =)
I will be writing about your layout and its design for the magazine, and want to include a reader statement from you. I have a few questions for you when you have a second:
-What inspired you while designing the layout?
-What is your favorite part of the layout?
-Did you discover any tips or tricks while creating the layout that you would like to share with readers?
If this sounds good to you, the next steps are:
1. Sign and return the attached Scrapbook Answers permission form (PDF).
2. Send your layout to us so we can photograph it. When we are done photographing the layout, we will return it to you, of course. **If you're interested I will send you our FedEx number so you can overnight the layout and we will pay for shipping.
Also: We'd like to include a picture of you in the magazine next to your layout! =) If you have a high res-picture, preferably a headshot, that you could email to me that would be fabulous!
I look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
-Rachel Boll
I just keep rereading it and giggling like a two year old....yep that's me a giggly two year old!
(Now I just have to get hubby to take cute headshot of me with the digital this week-end and then figure out how to upload the photo to my computer. Seriously this WILL take me all week-end long....much angst and scratching of head involved)
Scrapbook Answers emailed me and they want my "I Remember When" layout of the boys I did last year! This will be my first time published by a real scrapping magazine!!
Picture this, I'm at the school library, waiting for Ian to finish up with his reading specialist, crusin through my emails on the internet ......and there it was...... 4 emails down!
"Good news from Scrapbook Answers"
Thank GOD I didn't delete it....kind of looked like spam!
So anyway, here's the text in it's all of it's delicious wholeness!
Hi Lisa,
I have some great news for you! We all loved your layout "I remember when" and want to publish it in our next issue of /Scrapbook Answers/ magazine!!!
We want to publish your layout in our Eye on Design department where we showcase layouts that have stellar designs. In addition to sending you a complementary copy of the magazine, we will be paying you $25 =)
I will be writing about your layout and its design for the magazine, and want to include a reader statement from you. I have a few questions for you when you have a second:
-What inspired you while designing the layout?
-What is your favorite part of the layout?
-Did you discover any tips or tricks while creating the layout that you would like to share with readers?
If this sounds good to you, the next steps are:
1. Sign and return the attached Scrapbook Answers permission form (PDF).
2. Send your layout to us so we can photograph it. When we are done photographing the layout, we will return it to you, of course. **If you're interested I will send you our FedEx number so you can overnight the layout and we will pay for shipping.
Also: We'd like to include a picture of you in the magazine next to your layout! =) If you have a high res-picture, preferably a headshot, that you could email to me that would be fabulous!
I look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
-Rachel Boll
I just keep rereading it and giggling like a two year old....yep that's me a giggly two year old!
(Now I just have to get hubby to take cute headshot of me with the digital this week-end and then figure out how to upload the photo to my computer. Seriously this WILL take me all week-end long....much angst and scratching of head involved)
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Camping - Not for the faint of heart
I have now officially survived my third camping experience with the boys scouts and thought I would share some random observations.
#1 Two tents are not better than one.
The kids end up with you in the other tent anyway and you're left with two tents to strike....note to self, find one REALLY big tent!
#2 No matter how much you plan, you'll still forget one or two essential things
.....like tent stakes. Well I get home and I still can't find them so it's not like I forgot to pack them, I just forgot where they are. Absentmindedness vs forgetfulness....kind of a draw there.
#3 Everything goes better with dirt
Drop a hot dog on the floor at home. Immediately proceed to trash can and dump. Dump a dog on the campsite, brush dirt off and insert in mouth. I think it's the influenece of mass quantities of little boy testosterone.
#4 Air mattresses are good, my own bed it better
Cause despite my best laid plans, (see rule #1 above) Not only do our kids end up in the same tent, they also climbed into our sleeping bags. (pathetic wavering of voice and chattering of teeth at 1am......but mommy I'm cooooolllldd!) Second note to self. This never happens at home.
#5 Once you get past all the above, the outdoors is pretty good stuff
Okay so I was awakened at 5:30, but I can't remember the last time I saw that many stars in the sky. The boys were awestuck and so was I. Good stuff
So aching bones 2.........happy campers 4!
#1 Two tents are not better than one.
The kids end up with you in the other tent anyway and you're left with two tents to strike....note to self, find one REALLY big tent!
#2 No matter how much you plan, you'll still forget one or two essential things
.....like tent stakes. Well I get home and I still can't find them so it's not like I forgot to pack them, I just forgot where they are. Absentmindedness vs forgetfulness....kind of a draw there.
#3 Everything goes better with dirt
Drop a hot dog on the floor at home. Immediately proceed to trash can and dump. Dump a dog on the campsite, brush dirt off and insert in mouth. I think it's the influenece of mass quantities of little boy testosterone.
#4 Air mattresses are good, my own bed it better
Cause despite my best laid plans, (see rule #1 above) Not only do our kids end up in the same tent, they also climbed into our sleeping bags. (pathetic wavering of voice and chattering of teeth at 1am......but mommy I'm cooooolllldd!) Second note to self. This never happens at home.
#5 Once you get past all the above, the outdoors is pretty good stuff
Okay so I was awakened at 5:30, but I can't remember the last time I saw that many stars in the sky. The boys were awestuck and so was I. Good stuff
So aching bones 2.........happy campers 4!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Golden
I'm sitting here at my computer.....surfing away and I look up
Outside my window is the most perfect tree....it is golden, it is shimmering, it is fall
I'm always amazed how autumn sneaks up on me.
I'm buzzing along, in my own world, run the kids here, run the kids there, fix dinner, work, laundry...blah...blah...blah
And then....
The air is cool in the morning
There's still a hint of coolness on the breeze when I pick up the kids from school
And the sky
it's deeper, bluer.....technicolor really
Autumn is here
I think I'll take a breath, stop and offer a toast
to my favorite season of the year
Autumn......it's golden
Outside my window is the most perfect tree....it is golden, it is shimmering, it is fall
I'm always amazed how autumn sneaks up on me.
I'm buzzing along, in my own world, run the kids here, run the kids there, fix dinner, work, laundry...blah...blah...blah
And then....
The air is cool in the morning
There's still a hint of coolness on the breeze when I pick up the kids from school
And the sky
it's deeper, bluer.....technicolor really
Autumn is here
I think I'll take a breath, stop and offer a toast
to my favorite season of the year
Autumn......it's golden
Friday, October 14, 2005
Adventures of a Co-Den Leader of the DIRTY dozen - Part One
They came, they saw, they sang, they pledged, they made scrapbooks, they snacked.....all without bloodshed or other bodily injury
Okay I take that back, one little tiger took a tumble and scraped his elbow....but hey he still has all his teeth!
Yep, I survived my time being in charge of the activity with flying colors acoording to the scoring system of the parents and kiddos! Of course a lot of it had to do with lack of scissors and ink pads, so I had to divide the 12 into groups of 4 and set up different stations...that was a brilliant but totally serendipitous accomplishment in and of itself.
My co-leader is a very enthusiastic Dad and I also survived his almost daily emails trying to hammer out the details of how to run a meeting, award achievments....you name it...he had a question.
Which is all good, because this meeting was one of the smoothest I've ever attended, my oldest DS (further known as ODS) included.
ODS' meetings involve a good deal of running and screaming with not a whole lot of accomplishment of activity....now that I've hit on the stations idea I'm going to be cracking the whip and suggesting the same thing for his leader.
So woohoo for me, pat on the back and a glass of wine for a job well done....now wash, rinse, dry and repeat in two weeks for ODS!
Okay I take that back, one little tiger took a tumble and scraped his elbow....but hey he still has all his teeth!
Yep, I survived my time being in charge of the activity with flying colors acoording to the scoring system of the parents and kiddos! Of course a lot of it had to do with lack of scissors and ink pads, so I had to divide the 12 into groups of 4 and set up different stations...that was a brilliant but totally serendipitous accomplishment in and of itself.
My co-leader is a very enthusiastic Dad and I also survived his almost daily emails trying to hammer out the details of how to run a meeting, award achievments....you name it...he had a question.
Which is all good, because this meeting was one of the smoothest I've ever attended, my oldest DS (further known as ODS) included.
ODS' meetings involve a good deal of running and screaming with not a whole lot of accomplishment of activity....now that I've hit on the stations idea I'm going to be cracking the whip and suggesting the same thing for his leader.
So woohoo for me, pat on the back and a glass of wine for a job well done....now wash, rinse, dry and repeat in two weeks for ODS!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
I'm now officially a "Cosmo" girl
No I'm not talking about the drink (although I do love them) nor the magazine with the monthly busty babes on the cover.
No...I have officially joined the ranks of those who commute to work by rail..woohoo...yay for me.
See, I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. My firm basically pays for my transit card each month.
Weighing that against my big ole honkin SUV that sucks down a gallon each way.. gas at $3.00 a gallon and a toll of $1 a day, it basically cost me $7 a day to drive to work.
The math was in favor of me becoming a cosmo train riding gal ...gas sucking SUV - vs free transit card...yep it was a decision by KO.
I bumped into, ran into, (see none of those really are what ACTUALLY happened, met by chance, see...it still sounds silly) a friend of mine from Sunday school. He just started his own company and works literally around the corner from me, so we chatted the whole way down and walked together from our stop and to our buildings, which are right across the street from the station.
And oh here's the other benefit...I get to feel virtuous by keeping my gas sucker off the roads while saving money.....I am just so full of myself.....someone needs to smack me.....(she says laughing with smug smile on her face)
No...I have officially joined the ranks of those who commute to work by rail..woohoo...yay for me.
See, I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. My firm basically pays for my transit card each month.
Weighing that against my big ole honkin SUV that sucks down a gallon each way.. gas at $3.00 a gallon and a toll of $1 a day, it basically cost me $7 a day to drive to work.
The math was in favor of me becoming a cosmo train riding gal ...gas sucking SUV - vs free transit card...yep it was a decision by KO.
I bumped into, ran into, (see none of those really are what ACTUALLY happened, met by chance, see...it still sounds silly) a friend of mine from Sunday school. He just started his own company and works literally around the corner from me, so we chatted the whole way down and walked together from our stop and to our buildings, which are right across the street from the station.
And oh here's the other benefit...I get to feel virtuous by keeping my gas sucker off the roads while saving money.....I am just so full of myself.....someone needs to smack me.....(she says laughing with smug smile on her face)
Monday, October 10, 2005
Knock, knock
I came to the realization this past week-end that I am definitely on a different path than I was a year ago.
The things that I used to be able to ignore or brush aside are now things that keep me awake at night.
I don't know exactly where I'll be in another year from now, but I feel like I am being gently, ever so gently nudged in a different direction.
The combination of internal and external forces in my life are filling me with a quite unease and an impulse to change.
External
The unbelievable havoc forces of nature have caused around the world.. the tsunami, Katrina and now the earthquake in Pakistan.
Atlanta is a city marked by incredible wealth and also incredible poverty. My place in between those extremes still makes me uncomfortable beacause I feel like I still have too much.
Internal
A year ago I began going to a different style of worship service that fills my soul with such peace and joy and I have a really amazing small group that I meet with every Sunday morning that lifts me up, challenges me and has encouraged me to walk my own path.
Who knows....maybe I'll chuck it all and take my family to be a missionary in Africa...or in Atlanta...I don't know.
All I know is that things are a changin and someone's knocking on my door.
The things that I used to be able to ignore or brush aside are now things that keep me awake at night.
I don't know exactly where I'll be in another year from now, but I feel like I am being gently, ever so gently nudged in a different direction.
The combination of internal and external forces in my life are filling me with a quite unease and an impulse to change.
External
The unbelievable havoc forces of nature have caused around the world.. the tsunami, Katrina and now the earthquake in Pakistan.
Atlanta is a city marked by incredible wealth and also incredible poverty. My place in between those extremes still makes me uncomfortable beacause I feel like I still have too much.
Internal
A year ago I began going to a different style of worship service that fills my soul with such peace and joy and I have a really amazing small group that I meet with every Sunday morning that lifts me up, challenges me and has encouraged me to walk my own path.
Who knows....maybe I'll chuck it all and take my family to be a missionary in Africa...or in Atlanta...I don't know.
All I know is that things are a changin and someone's knocking on my door.
Monday, October 03, 2005
My Aliases
HAHAHA
Wendy did this on her blog and it made me laughout loud, so of course I immediately had to run to Google and find out what my alter egos are up to!
I am:
an Emmy award winning news anchor in Boston CBS4 Boston: Lisa Hughes
an assistant professor in Calgary www.fp.ucalgary.ca/grst/staff/lisahughes.htm
a natural resource technician http://www.nrginc.com/staff/staff_hughes_lisa.html
the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Cancer Research Foundationof America (CRFA)....www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/hughesbio.cfm
The author of Little Book of Magical Ideas and President of MagicWand Weddings. http://www.magicwandweddings.com/books.html
Publisher, CondÉ Nast Traveler magazine, celebrating my 10th anniversary as publisher of Condé Nast Traveler this year. ...www.globalhospitalityforum.com/miami/bio_hughes.html - 9k
hhhmmm...seems to be a recurring theme here, publishing and broadcasting...hmmmmmm
Oh and I tend to like playing loud music too much and scuffling with law enforcement officers...bwa http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/mems_buls_sept_05_prosecution.doc
Woowee...I'm a very well rounded individual!
Wendy did this on her blog and it made me laughout loud, so of course I immediately had to run to Google and find out what my alter egos are up to!
I am:
an Emmy award winning news anchor in Boston CBS4 Boston: Lisa Hughes
an assistant professor in Calgary www.fp.ucalgary.ca/grst/staff/lisahughes.htm
a natural resource technician http://www.nrginc.com/staff/staff_hughes_lisa.html
the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Cancer Research Foundationof America (CRFA)....www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/hughesbio.cfm
The author of Little Book of Magical Ideas and President of MagicWand Weddings. http://www.magicwandweddings.com/books.html
Publisher, CondÉ Nast Traveler magazine, celebrating my 10th anniversary as publisher of Condé Nast Traveler this year. ...www.globalhospitalityforum.com/miami/bio_hughes.html - 9k
hhhmmm...seems to be a recurring theme here, publishing and broadcasting...hmmmmmm
Oh and I tend to like playing loud music too much and scuffling with law enforcement officers...bwa http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/mems_buls_sept_05_prosecution.doc
Woowee...I'm a very well rounded individual!
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