ice storm...again?

ice storm AGAIN? really? it was this same exact time last year that NWA experienced a level 5 ice storm. i didn't think it was possible to happen again only a year later! all the bad stuff is supposed to move in sometime tomorrow around noon. boo. normally i would love a day or two off of work, but if it's anything like last year, count me out! i'd rather go to work than lose electricity and see half the trees in fayetteville snapped in half, and the whole region be a complete mess. it took a solid 4-5 months to clean up from last year! crazy how powerful and unrelenting these storms can be! regardless, we've stocked up on batteries, bottled water, and gave the pups a bath since they'll be confined to the kitchen until this passes. we may have to start getting creative on ways to keep ourselves entertained just in case we lose power. only until you've lost power do you realize how dependent you've become on TVs, computers, and cell phones! i guess we'll have to find a deck a cards, a book, and the scrabble board...FUN.

spring, are you there?

this week i have had a bad case of spring fever. after the arctic assault we had 2 weeks ago, pretty safe to say i am completely ready for warmer weather. never have i ever been in such freezing cold temps. i dont know how to deal with cold weather, and i think we're definitley ill-equipped for it. who knew that you had to keep your faucets dripping to keep them from freezing? not me!

although, i must confess, our recent ski trip to colorado was incredible. maybe it was the scenery. the one day the sun was actually out, you could see what looked like tiny crystals floating everywhere. it was like every drop of moisture in the air was frozen. and skiing down a mountain when it's snowing so hard you can barely see is amazing. so i guess i just talked myself into liking cold weather again. shoot.

regardless, i am ALWAYS excited when it starts getting warm again outside. although i think this past week was an exception and not necessarily an accurate predictor of an early spring. but i just cant wait to get back outside!! i dont know if my seasonal affective disorder can take it much longer! running on the treadmill will only last so long, and indoor heat and lighting just aren't cutting it anymore. i need a good sunburn, and i cant wait to roll the windowns down in the car. funny how each season makes you appreciate and anticipate the next. i am always in awe at creation and how the Lord made everything with such timing and individuality. nature truly continues to amaze me. i think one of the best experiences/memories i have was last spring at the buffalo river. ben and i had gone canoeing on the buffalo one day, and with about 15 minutes left on our float, it starting POURING. everything seemed to be silent and still, and all you could hear was the rain. and even the river was calm. we were surrounded by huge bluffs one on side and trees on the other. we just quit paddling and sat in our canoe getting soaked. it was awesome.

oh, hello 2010

so, after a little year-long hiatus, im attempting this yet again. i think it's probably some combination of denouncing my secret passion for trashy TV, the beginning of a new year, and the attempt to change up my monotonous routines that is driving me toward something more productive and engaging of my time, thoughts, and energy. so, instead of summarzing the entire year of 2009, i think i'll just resume from present day.

ok, so i tend to get bored easily; with hobbies, jobs, location, myself, etc. Not sure if this is dangerous or not, but as long as i dont act too impulsively, i actually think it can be productive. why stay stagnant doing the same things in life? when there are so many places to be seen, so many things to do, people to meet, and things to try, it seems like such a waste to continue on with the same exact routine for years and years. i just hope i can always change things up and keep life exciting. granted, im not saying im quitting my job and throwing all responsibility to the wind (i actually love my job, for the record). just desire to always be open to new things. seems like a luxury, but i think with creativity and some intentional effort it's possible. with that said, a couple of new things i desire to do/learn: (in no particular order): greece, missions, learning to play the guitar, photography, run a full marathon, and just learn that there is more to life than what goes on in my comfortable and content life.

these have no particular time frame; i tend to set myself up for failure if i put a time limit on anything. hopefully i can actually be proactive in the transition from turning an idea into reality and something tangible. historically not my greatest quality, but we'll see how this year unravels.