1/2 Over, Never Done

Written on September 25, 2008

Yes, today is the halfway mark. I am going downhill now. Wait, let me re-phrase that! The pictures were when I had just been here a short time and Vic and Scott took me to a pizza joint overlooking the ocean and White Beach. At the bottom of the stairs. Then, to work it off, we walked the 100 steps back up to the top. We stopped halfway up to admire the view. Good thinking, nice line, Vic!

I know it is halfway from the time I left until the time I get back because my best friend counted. So I counted too. She is right as usual!

I am admiring the view from today. The time I have spent here already is great to reflect upon, and I am looking forward to the future. I've gotten broken in just a bit, so maybe I can now actually be more helpful. I hope so.

This will be just a short hello post, because I am working on how the time up ahead will look like and it is exciting! I have a big October 1st announcement. Just wait, just wait....

Enjoy what you can see, my friends, wherever you are on the stairs...especially if it makes you catch your breath!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Written September 13, 2008
On my mother's 8--cough,cough--birthday

Dear Mom,

I miss you. I miss our mile walk with the dogs; our stated mission to get the newspaper at the end of the lane, but our real purpose to connect with each other and renew our friendship.

Yes, we are friends. I am grateful and very happy about it, and I know you are too.

More than that, I am thankful that you were the one God chose to give me birth, and life.

I cannot imagine how it would have been with a different mother,
nor would I want to. You gave me the world from a wild and remote
place in the high Nevada desert, and opened the possibility of more.
You encouraged me when I had no confidence in myself, and you
comforted me when there was reason to be discouraged. As a woman,
you are a model of competence combined with grace; generosity
tempered by a strong will; and, most of all, the model of a loving wife
and devoted mother.

And a Great-Grammy! How did you make it this far? What a journey!
You have so many more miles still yet to go, and adventures to
experience and share with the rest of your loving family.

I miss you, but....soon....I will be home soon to walk with you some more of those miles!

Wait up!

Love,
Terri


"A mother is someone who dreams great dreams for you,
but then she lets you chase the
dreams you have for yourself and loves you just the same."
Author Unknown

In The News

Written Sunday, September 7

September 11, 2001- I woke in the morning and turned on the news. I was in shock with everyone else. I had to wake my daughter and tell her the news. The World Trade Center? In New York?

Are we safe?

September 1, 2008- Some of you have heard the news of renewed fighting in the Philippines. The southern Philippines, but did I really tell you where I was, exactly? I am not in the South.

But am I safe?

Are you?

For My Northern Friends - Blizzards
For My East Coast Friends - Blizzards Plus Hurricanes
For My Southern Friends - More Hurricanes Plus Tornadoes
For My Western Friends - Earthquakes and Red-Legged Frogs

Are you safe?

There is always something that threatens or frightens us.
Weather. Crime. Loss. Death.
Politics. Religion. Taxes. War.
If you are never scared for yourself and for others, you are just not living....
or your pants are on fire.

So, to answer your question, I am fine. I am careful, but I don't want
to be toooooo safe. I want to be equipped to help others and to do
that, I should be breathing for some time yet. So no worries....
I also want to be around awhile for all of you and my little granddaughter
too! Pictured here in the safety helmet she picked to go with her goggles.

But to really be safe, I would required to not take chances. Or a bath.

And I need both.


I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8

And as good friends recently reminded me in their blog:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9