Friday Night Pizza

Friday is often a traditional pizza night for a lot of people. I absolutely love pizza and consider it one of the major food groups, so I have pizza just about every opportunity I get. Anyhow, we decided to get pizza tonight. I have been hearing that Massey's pizza is one of the best pizzas in Columbus. In the 9 1/2 years that we have been in Columbus, we have never had a Masseys pizza. We could never get past Donatos pizza. We love it. Well, we decided to get a Masseys pizza tonight. Since there is not one near us, I had to go pick it up. Now, it was about 6:00 and traffic was still rush hour heavy. The pizza was to be ready in 15 minutes and it took me 5 minutes just to get out of the house and then another 15-20 to get there. Then another 20 minutes back home again. So the pizza wasn't the steamy wonderful smelling pizza that arrives at our front door when we order delivery.
Anyhow, I got it home and we got our pieces and microwaved them and sat down to eat. The verdict was that it was very good pizza, but not really any better than Donatos and I probably wouldn't drive to Westerville to get it anymore. Maybe we'll get one closer to us and then we can split our pizza purchases between Donatos and Masseys.

Hope for Haiti

I downloaded the HOPE FOR HAITI telethon performance from I tunes. The telethon was on Sunday night and some of the great talents of the past and present decades performed for the benefit of the people of Haiti, who are undergoing great pain. Their country is ravaged and we can all help. The music is wonderful, but more importantly, it reminds us of our responsibility to 'pay it forward'. We have so much!!! Let's share! It is not too late.

Walking Finn

Finn and I have been walking twice a day every day. Though I find it difficult to get out the door sometimes, I really am enjoying this time and am always glad that I managed to get it done.

First of all, the benefits for Finn are important to our peace of mind. His puppy energy is a force all of it's own and that exercise is absolutely essential to OUR sanity. It gives him a chance to run and jump and sniff and experience. Now I know that I am supposed to train him to walk beside me at a dignified, sedate rate speeding up when I do and slowing down when I do. But I just don't have the heart for that - he spends all day in a crate while we are at work and all night in a crate while we sleep. The poor little guy deserves to get a little exercise on his walks, so I let him run and jump as much as he can on his retractable leash. Maybe in a few months, I will begin some training on our walks.


Secondly , the walks are really good for me too. When I get out in that cool crisp morning air, it just gives me a better start to my day. It gives me a chance to breathe clean fresh air and when there is snow, well that is even better. But the snowy walks are my favorites when they are in the evening. When Finn and I walk at night, it is just a really different feeling. The lights from the houses give a warm feel to the neighborhood and the snow just adds to the ambience. I wanted to try and capture that feeling the other night, so I can in to grab my camera. There was no snow, so it was not quite the total feeling, but it was a start. Using the nighttime setting was my first move, but I still need to work to get better pictures. I intend to continue working on getting that ambience feeling in a photo, so stay tuned (plus, snow is coming), but for now, here is what I have.

Extra.. Extra --- read all about it!!!

It seems that things have been happening at a fast rate in our family, mostly with the girls and their families. So I decided to do a news post just to catch everyone up to what is happening in our family.

Starting with the largest family and oldest daughter, Carrie. It seems that Matt has landed a new job. We are so very proud of him and hope that he truly enjoys it and is very successful. As he ramps up his career, Carrie is taking a break in hers to take care of their two very beautiful little girls. In fact, she has officially broken her last tie with the school system and is now a full time mom with a class of 2. With all that free time (LOL), she has began to sew and has opened an ETSY shop to hopefully sell some of the things that she makes. For those unfamiliar with ETSY, it is probably the largest outlet on the internet for people to sell their handmade items. If you haven't visited there, you really should. I have bought several items and always am happy to patronize the handmade/cottage industry. The name of her shop is CarrieBirdie and you may even see an item made my MOI. Of course, Lily continues to grow and Abby is in preschool, waiting for the big school experience (not so sure about Carrie).

Our newlyweds, Lissy and Chad, are quickly approaching "old married" status. They are past their one year anniversary and heading on toward 2. With that said, they are in the process of moving from Lissy's single little condo to a house with room to grow. They have received an offer on the condo and are very close to putting an offer on a new full sized home. Exciting, but stressful times. They are taking a real hit on the condo, but hopefully will make up for it with the new home in this buyers market. They will likely be staying in Hilliard, so that Chad's commute is slightly more reasonable. He continues to fly in and out of Dayton.

And finally us. I am back at work after a medical leave and attempting to get back up to speed. Also we got a dog, well really a puppy. We have forgotten how much work a puppy can be, but he is a great little guy. He will not be little for long though. We expect him to be big, he is a collie mix.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I read about this exercise from a blog I follow who got it from here. Try it - the instructions are on the link

FOR TODAY Sunday Night, Jan.17

Outside My Window...Fog gathers in the dark

I am thinking... that's all, just thinking

I am thankful for...my daughters

From the learning rooms...not learning anything today, it's Sunday

From the kitchen... dark and quiet

I am wearing...incrediby soft and warm pajamas

I am creating... ideas for our new Etsy shop

I am going... shopping, tomorrow

I am reading... A Christmas Promise, by Anne Perry

I am hoping...for peace, personally and in the world

I am hearing... a playful puppy

Around the house... tense

One of my favorite things... today, solitude

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Sewing, starting a baby gift, etc.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(add your picture here)

Frosty is in trouble - the snow is melting

I absolutely loved the snow we have had over the last couple of weeks, however the temperature is rising and the snow is melting. Unfortunately, it will leave a muddy, ucky mess in it's wake. I actually prefer the snow. Finn and I walked in it every day, twice a day, morning and night. He is still full of puppy energy, so I have no choice, but really I loved it and it is good for me. When I got to sidewalks that no one shoveled, I just trudged through and figured it was good for my cardiovascular system. Hey, I'm trying here - it's just hard.

Anyhow, when coming back from our walk one morning I had to take a picture of some snow overhanging out stoop. It was several days after all the snow fell, so it may have been even more extreme earlier on, but I just noticed it this one day. I swear it looked to me, exactly like layers of batting spilling over the top of my roof. It was pretty cool!!!!

Back again!!!

Searching for Survivors

I have been on my computer a lot lately, but not blogging so much. A little break, I guess. We all need a break from time to time. But I have found that I miss it. Why would I miss it? - I think because it keeps me more involved in what I am doing, crafts, cooking, etc., if I know I will be taking pictures and blogging about it. It also gives me a chance to air my opinions, without anyone arguing back (or at least no immediate feedback). It also allows me to satisfy the inner author in me, which pops up from time to time. It documents world events, should I choose to talk about them as I am today. I have blogged on several world events over the past couple of years and I think I will continue that and perhaps increase my awareness as well.

Which leads me to the devastating Haitian tragedy that occurred this past week. It is a reminder of how fortunate we are and how quickly our luck can be changed. My heart actually aches for these poor people. Be sure to pray for them and donate as much as you are able. There are so many in need and if we were in the same position, we would hope for help from others. God would have us help one another. We really must!