The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry about 250 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,200 times in 2012. If it were a Dreamliner, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.
Click here to see the complete report.
Day one of riding the front runner (commuting train) has been good! Nice ready ride no frustration with driving and nice people. Its super quiet not that I’m surprised, the people here don’t like to even say hi or acknowledge anyone else exists. The train its self is much much quieter than Philly trains too. Sounds more like a smart car than anything. Lol however their wifi leaves much to be desired. Good thing I figured out how to use my phone as a hot spot this morning! 🙂 now to go just a few more stops (NO TRANSFERS!) And enjoy my brisk 3 block walk to my office! 🙂
The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have very mixed feelings on this particular book. I really enjoy Orson Scott Card and was excited about reading this one. I was really needing a book with some more thought provoking points – this was a great one for that matter!
It’s a Science Fiction (which I also love) set in the future, when the Human Race has destroyed Earth and moved to another planet named Harmony. Most of the book sets up the scene, the people, the planet, the culture, the religions, etc. It was fascinating to read about. I enjoyed much of the religious overtones and similes through the first 75%+ part of the book. Granted, some of it was VERY weird, but over all I liked it. I thought that it flowed well and that the story and all details connected and made sense, and really brought things to my mind about our own cultures here on Earth.
It finally gets to the point of this whole story, in the last 15% of the book, not just setting the stage and it was the first few chapters of Nephi, from the Book of Mormon. There were not many variances from the story of Lehi and his family. At this point I lost a lot of interest, and some respect honestly. I didn’t like how he literally played it out detail by detail identically to the things that happened with Lehi’s Family! Which took away any suspense, of how is this going to end… Even Nephi’s name was used in Card’s book (I listened to it) but the main character’s name is Nefi! Really? Have we lost all creativity here? Obviously I got hung up on it feeling like plagiarism.
Nonetheless, I’ve always loved this story (in it’s original telling) it was very interesting to see how Card made these defining moments fit into his story board. It brought many things to the surface in a different light than I have ever looked at.
I think that the things that stuck out to me most was that the Oversoul’s purpose was to help mankind over come itself to finally develop the greatness that we inherently could have if we but tried a little harder. But that no matter what time or place we continue to make the regular trip through the pride cycle. Another big point was the difference Nefi’s out look was on everything once he knew the Oversoul’s purpose and goals and how he played a part it in. Little things, fights with his brothers, how he approached things he was asked to do, how he choose to treat people – all of it changed, because he could see more of the big picture and where he fit and learned more of the things that really matter.
Overall I did like it. I know there is a lot more seeing that he barely broke into the first few chapters of 1 Nephi. I worry though that I would struggle, because I would already know what big thing was really going to happen next.
In addition, I really like the fact that Card has been able to share basic gospel principals in more of a secular manner and able to reach out to more people. Go ahead and read it, if nothing else it includes some great physiologic and sociological discussion points.
I love Christmas! I love the season, the smells, the feel of everything, the taste in the air and the energy all around! For years I have dreamed of having that perfect storybook Christmas, my family never had that. Oh we had our own type of Christmas Magic, but never what I knew was waiting out there…. somewhere.
I grew up all over the US, my dad works for the Federal Government in the Bureau of Land Management. Therefore, we lived in every small podunk town known to mankind. Ok, not really, but it sure felt like it! I ended up going to 11 different schools by the time that I graduated from high school, so I’ve been around. We never lived close to our extended family and we always just celebrated our quiet little immediate family holidays by ourselves. Which I ultimately grew to appreciate VERY much! After college, I ended up moving back East, New York City, Vermont & then was in the Philadelphia suburbs for nearly a decade. (While on that subject I think the state of Pennsylvania simply has something incredibly magic about it – but especially during Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year!) Which again put me far away from extended and immediate family. As I’d always done, I adopted new family(ies). This also comes with invitations to spend holidays with other families and get a glimpse into other people’s worlds and traditions. From this I have gleamed some of the best ‘magic’ I have witnessed, and implementing their traditions and magic into my own traditions – and hoping that someday when I have a family of my own I’ll be able to continue to add to that great Christmas Magic!
However, here I find myself close to family once again and some holidays are celebrated, while most are not. If they are celebrated it’s generally because I’m hosting the whole shebang. Most the time though, I find myself ignoring the things about the holiday’s that I love so very much – in order not to be once again heart-broken. I stopped putting up decorations, I don’t want to cook my big fabulous meals, and I look forward to the quiet day off with no one bugging me, no phone calls or texts beyond Happy whatever holiday! It breaks my heart knowing this. I even do it for my own birthday anymore (I’m a Christmas week baby) no one cares, no one will come and if they do, they do stupid stuff that makes me wish I never attempted to throw myself a party in the first place. 😦 This I know all stems from the years of heartache and let downs of having hopes so high that just maybe this year might be a fraction better. In addition in all likeliness its that awful voice of my ex-husband telling me everything was horrible because of me, and my wanting each moment to be great – even if it’s horrible – I continue to believe that there can be goodness found in all things even if it’s just a micro or nano thing… Of course I find myself just wanting to take myself on some fabulous vacation that I can’t afford; far away from everyone and everything…. and it’s warm of course!
Despite my jaded view on this subject, there are a few things that bring me such great joy!
I have been an Auction Host at the Festival of Trees now for 3 years! It’s hard to believe I’ve even been around here that long! I was first introduced to the Festival of Trees from my girlfriend, Andrea. (Andrea’s Main Blog & Andrea’s Second Blog – Things you will not believe!! Regarding the Health of her Children)  These are amazing stories that you need to read!) The Festival of Trees  is a fabulous non-profit organization that donates 100% of their proceeds back to the children at Primary Children’s Hospital. Each year the first week after Thanksgiving they hold a gigantic auction at the South Towne Expo Center. People and organizations donate their time, talent and resources to providing a fabulous environment and things to auction. You can find Large Trees, Medium Trees, Small Trees, Centerpieces, General Decorations, Wreaths, Quilts, Statues/Sculptures, Paintings,
Photography, not to mention all the baked goods and other gifts that you can purchase there and MUCH more! It’s quiet the experience Auction night is always quite elite and has a formal attire dress code. Andrea & I are Auction Hosts for whatever section we might be assigned to each year answering questions and facilitating the silent auctions in our area. What fun this is! Not only do we get to dress up in our beautiful formals, but we also get to make new friends, meet interesting people and serve! What energy fills the air here! In this one place my Christmas Magic has returned and ignited such a fire of hope and joy all around! I’m so grateful that Andrea invited me three years ago! This
is truly one of my most favorite events of the year! I’m so glad that my little effort actually makes a difference in someones life! It’s amazing to see what some of these items go for – and it’s all really for the children!
So whatever it might be that you love about the Christmas Season… I hope you find it this year. I hope you grab onto it and hold it tight. Find people around you in every capacity that you can serve in either the littlest of ways – most people are so in need of a genuine smile and a hello, or in big ways – but do it just because.
May you be blessed with the Love of our Lord and remember exactly WHY we have Christmas after all… because someone gave us the greatest of all gifts!
I’ll post a few photos from our night. 🙂 Later when I am working on a better computer… 😉
As promised… 🙂
What a beautiful morning here today! We have been in the middle of a blizzard for two days now. My favorite part of winter is the overwhelming desire to cuddle up in your favorite blanket, a movie, a book out best of all a loved one.
Yesterday, I was blessed with a paid day off work because of the blizzard. It was much needed. I was able to do some chores and just do some of the things on my need to do list. Nonetheless, there is still much to do. This morning I am so grateful for the time to my self to just attempt to relax and watch a movie. This has always been difficult for me. I can’t just sit. But I tried hard this morning! My computer is still not working (remember the honey infested keys), and I couldn’t figure out a project I could work on in the living room. No wonder I listen to books while doing chores & projects! Lol
Also yesterday, when I turned on the radio for some music I was surprised that they were playing straight Christmas Music! However, it really is starting to look a lot like Christmas! Here are a few pictures of my area. It certainly isn’t as beautiful as my old home in Pennsylvania (200 year old farm home on 3 1/2 acres, in the middle if the forrest on a lake), yet out is still beautiful! In these pictures you can’t see the mountains due to the storm still hovering. I’ll post a picture of the snow capped mountains later. So far we have received 16″ in my township, but only 6″ or so at my home.
I’ve never been a fan of pine trees, long explanation, and after the windstorm from last year that made national news that took down nearly every pine tree in the south end if the county, (I’ll give you the story and pictures later) I like then even less. Yet, as I saw these two, I had to stop and admire God’s eye and talent for creating this beauty, of the snow.covered pine trees. 🙂
Please excuse any typos. This was typed on my phone. I will make corrections when I again obtain computer access.
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Family of five in Europe for a year.
it is our choice what kind of world we live in. we can suffer in the darkness or play in the light. we can be angry, frightened and enslaved, or loving, joyous and free.
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." - Amelia Earhart
Our life on the road
A blog about our adventures of life in an RV and on the road.
pipeline follower • photographer • family + farm lover
Full Time Living in an RV
Reading my way through Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Novels since 1923 (plus Ulysses)
Finding my way back out of motherhood -- while mothering
Our Next Chapter
Living simply. In an RV. With a family of 4. Collecting coffeehouse insights.
All Who Wander Are Not Lost. J.R.R. Tolkein
Seeking a Life of Learning, Wellness and Adventure
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