Just Gotta Hang On....

Oh yay! It did work!! Now, if I'm out and see something interesting, or if inspiration strikes at random, I can share.  ================================================================== This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Just trying out this whole "blogging from my phone" thing. Hope this works!

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Love at Sunset

This is a photo I captured (on the sly) of a couple viewing a stunning sunset at a local lake.  The perfect picture of romance, and the simple joys in life.

Happy Love Thursday!

 

(You can view the rest of the set here.)

Clark Gable

(Thanks go out to Kirk for this one!)

What does your music library say about you?

1. Put Your iPod on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song.

What do your friends think of you?
Love You To - The Beatles 

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
Obsession - Animotion

How would you describe yourself?
All These Things That I've Done - The Killers

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz

How do you feel today?
Big Time - Peter Gabriel

What is your life’s purpose?
Is It Any Wonder? - Keane

What is your motto?
SexyBack - Justin Timberlake

What do you think about very often?
I Won't Back Down  - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

What is 2 + 2?
Hyperballad - Bjork

What do you think of your best friend?
Redemption Song - Stevie Wonder

What do you think of the person you like?
Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

What is your life story?
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Rain - Madonna

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Be My Lover - La Bouche (ROFLAMO!!!)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds

What will they play at your funeral?
Bliss - Tori Amos

What is your hobby/interest?
Soft and Wet - Prince

What is your biggest fear?
The Power of Love - Celine Dion

What is your biggest secret?
Running to Stand Still - U2

What will you post this as?
Clark Gable - The Postal Service

(If you do one on your blog, leave a comment here, so I can check it out!  Or, feel free to leave it in the comment section!)

Warm Fuzzies

My blog buddy, Sara, was kind enough to nominate me for a "Lovey Award", despite the fact that she's going through a difficult time right now.  That makes her friendship and thoughtfulness even more special.  So, per the instructions, here are my nominations.

 

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

1. Melissa

2. Julia

3. Julia (Hippogriffs)

4. Wendy

5. Erin

6. Cecily

7. Bethany

8. Emily

Thanks, George W. Bush!*

*the ONLY time you'll hear that phrase uttered here

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank our soon-to-be-former President, George Walker Bush.  Without your brilliant ineptitude, war-mongering, or idiot-savant-style babbling, the American public may never have been so overwhelmingly spurred into action to rise up as one and elect Barack Obama.

The seeds of this change were laid at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, when President-Elect Obama was first seen on a National Stage.  His speech about uniting America moved so many, and we all watched his blossoming Senatorial career anxiously, waiting to see when, not if, he would run for your office.  It was only because of your actions from 2001 to that day, that Mr. Obama could even have the ability to call for a change - to bring the Red States and Blue States together as the United States.

Though I initially supported soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, I choose to follow Mr. Obama's idea of unity, once he was declared the candidate of my Party.  With each speech, each debate, and with further research on my own of his policy ideas, I became a devoted convert.  Never before in my life had I felt such excitement, such hope, about the possible direction this country would take under his leadership.  For so long, I used to envy those who got to hear the speeches of John F. Kennedy first hand, for those who lived and witnessed his Presidency - and now, here I had my own JFK to inspire and lead me into action in a way I've never aspired to before.

On Election Night, I, along with the rest of the country waited with baited breath as the returns came in.  Though we were hopeful, we knew the taste of the defeat too well, and would not take any projections for granted.  When it was overwhelmingly clear that the country had chosen Barack Obama to lead us, the tears flowed freely - with joy, rather than the sorrow and anger I had in the 8 years since your "election".  A weight was lifted off my shoulders, the bitterness dissipated, and a light filled my heart.  I appreciate the victory not only for it's historical significance, but for what We The People proved that night - that in unity, anything is possible.

President Bush, you were elected upon the promise of being a "Uniter and not a Divider", well Sir, by going against  your word, and being such a divisive "leader", you were finally able to fulfill your promise and united this country in action against your Party - to give us the hope and change we so desperately need.  For that, I thank you.

Good luck to you, Sir, for history will not be so kind.

Man In The Moon

Here are some amazing photos I took tonight of the full moon, through Jake's Meade telescope lens:

 

 

What's For Dinner? Golden Mushroom Pork and Apples

I've decided to start a new "feature" called "What's For Dinner?", where I'll occaisionally post what I am making for dinner.  Tonight's menu is courtesy of Campbell's Kitchen.  May I present to you: Campbell's Golden Mushroom Pork & Apples:

From: Campbell's Kitchen

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Serves: 8

Ingredients:

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
8 boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch thick
4 large Granny Smith apples, sliced
2 large onions, sliced (about 2 cups)

Directions:

Stir the soup, water, sugar, Worcestershire and thyme in a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Add the pork, apples and onions.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours* or until the pork is cooked through.

*Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with field green salad tossed with toasted walnuts, blue cheese crumbles and red wine vinaigrette with Texas toast or garlic bread. For dessert serve a fruit and yogurt parfait; layer strawberry yogurt with chunks of pineapple and green seedless grapes, then sprinkle with granola.

Nutrition Information

Calories 277, Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 57mg, Sodium 603mg, Total Carbohydrate 26g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Protein 23g, Vitamin A 11%DV, Vitamin C 7%DV, Calcium 4%DV, Iron 7%DV

As If I Didn't Have Enough To Do...

...I decided to start a second blog dedicated to showcasing my photography, particularly any paid jobs I get.  So, if you'd like to check it out, click this link.

Danke!

PS: I definitely need help with a design over there, so if you have skills, lemme know!  I'll even pay!

You Say You Want Resolutions?

Well, here are mine for 2009.  Let's see how well I can stick to them!

1. Get healthy. I've gained back 6 of the 25 hard-fought pounds I lost, and I can feel and see every one of them. When I eat better and exercise, I feel better. The weight loss is an extra bonus.

2. Take more photos. I have an awesome Nikon D90 and need to use it more. I want to *try* take at least 1 photo per day.

3. Read more books. I used to devour books like candy. I need to do that again.

4. Knit more. I just learned how to knit a couple of months ago, and am about to start my first blanket. I can't wait to learn how to make pullover sweaters!

5. Blog more. I feel like I'm letting everyone, including myself down by not journaling online. I've been in a pretty negative place (on the inside, you would never be able to tell externally), and I have shut everyone, including myself out. By blogging, I'm connecting with others, and keeping myself from that isolation.

6. Take a 2 week vacation. I've never done this. We always just take 1 week at a time. Luckily, I have 3 weeks total vacation, but my husband only has 2. However, we'd like to go somewhere and really have the time to enjoy it without rushing. Especially since we drive, and don't fly. There's so much I want to see, and I don't want to waste time, or put off seeing it, anymore.

7. Organize all of my important documents. Even if I get nothing else in my life organized, I need to do this. It's the adult thing to do, for Pete's sake!

(Thanks to Bethany over at Wavybrains for helping me to think of these!)