NASA - Not About Space Anymore

I'm a blog stalker. I stalk blogs mainly because I use Google Reader to keep up with my many stalkees and Reader has yet to make it painfully convenient to leave comments and introduce myself...so I lurk.

I stalk a particular person that just so happens to work in the building across the street from me. No, I didn't purposefully seek her out...I think a friend recommended her for motivation during my running and tri aspirations.

I have been in meetings, worked console and stood in line behind my blog stalkee...it just "happens". When I see her around campus I often times think...Hey...it's Sarah... how is the freelance project going? You really should choose a earth tone blue color for the dining room and paint already! As I stood behind her in the cafeteria admiring her tan, shortly after her honeymoon in Belize, I wondered if Belize was as beautiful as it sounded. Stop comparing me to "Single White Female"...my hair was already brown.

Food for thought...we often times put our entire life stories into our blogs for any random person to see and isn't it weird to think that the person in line behind you knows you are searching for a remedy to stop the biting habit of your 19th month old before he is asked to be removed from daycare? (Please leave suggestions in the comment field...I BEG YOU).

I didn't intend this post to be about my blog obsession with Sarah...I'm not obsessed, I enjoy the way she writes and often times we share the same views...not politically, everyone has flaws. :D

The real reason I made an appearance today was to address the life altering decision that our Government leaders made earlier this week regarding the NASA Constellation Program. I struggled most of the week trying to put my thoughts into words and it all came out in more incoherent statements than usual. (See the post below) I wanted to share Sarah's thoughts because she sums it up nicely and I found myself surprised at how dead on our interpretation of the events are.

Unlike Sarah I am not a civil servant, I am a contractor. Although I do work for the ISS program (YAY...funding has been extended until 2020) I do not feel like my job is safe...they have to put those civil servants somewhere. I'm not sure my company will even exist with the latest decisions.

I'm all for change and restructure to utilize the best practice approach but good grief...soften the blow with a good solid vision and direction to foster hope and support. There are people associated with these decisions. Families, careers, life work and overall economics have seemingly been given no regard. Some advice...continuously answering questions with the words BOLD and AMBITIOUS does not create hope and foster change.

I'm not going down fighting...Watch this little nugget then Write your Congressperson.

Like sands in the hourglass…

“Like sands in the hourglass…these are the Days of our Lives” oh good grief. I need a day or two or month to recover from the past 30 days.

Uncertainty has the early lead in 2010 with cynicism and apathy gaining ground. Normally I’m a pretty optimistic person, I pretty much see the glass half full of lemonade when life is chunking lemons at me (OUCH…Dadgummit, STOP).

I don’t want to add to the negative dribble that seems to be constantly spewing out of the talking heads. But I wonder…is the pedestal we place these individuals on the epicenter of the world’s negativity? (Really…I’m blaming the media for the world’s negativity…how dramatic…). Is the media a reflection of the dramatics and cynicism we crave?

Do we, ourselves, do nothing but regurgitate negativity and cynicism in an attempt to be heralded more negative than the next person therefore the winner?

The point is one a question that has been asked for centuries…CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG??? Seriously…that simple…but…I have questions…

Why are people compelled to kill their follow mankind over a car, a wallet, money?

Why is it we live in a society where one is afraid to open the front door for fear or harm?

When did the pedophiles, rapist, and murders become top stories in the news on an hourly basis?

Why do people make it their life ambition to harm other people or races? What are they attempting to gain?

Why are we obsessed with celebrity? Most seem really...really…really…for reals unhappy, is that the common denominator? We measure our happiness by someone else’s trials and tribulation?

Why can’t we admit when we are wrong and move on when the facts are staring us right in the face so we can just be…? (therapy baby…therapy).

Why can’t we learn to sustain A VISION. A vision that men and women have fought for and continue to fight for, a vision that our founding fathers spelled out for each and every one of us in detail…not the white, black, pink or blue. EVERY ONE OF US…thanks to amendments we have necessarily evolved. World domination is not necessary to fix everyone’s problems…it is not up to our leaders to take on that responsibility.

When did racism become defined as only a “black thing”?

When did environmental phenomena become a lifestyle?

Are we the puppets to the puppet masters we elect to represent our communities and nation only to be trumped by the all mighty dollar…which isn’t so mighty…which may or may not be the plan of our enemy...

I don’t really know where I’m going with this…I’m frustrated with it all and find myself treading water in the swamp of sadness with Atreyu and Artax. AAAArrrrrtaaaax.

Faith (my luck dragon) will swoop in and save me from going under. I act…blessed by the gifts God has given me.

As heavy as this is…it’s out there. If you happen on this and have made it this far, ask yourself what you can do to be honest, kind, compassionate and an overall productive citizen of this world. Not a hoodlum, a murder, a cheater (in any sense), a cynic or a power hungry, moral lacking cancer on society. I’ve got kids people….

Perpetuate the positive and do the right thing, not at the expense of someone else but because it makes you genuinely happy. (Cue music…We are the World…(swaying back and forth)…we are the Children…)

Peace!

I am thankful because...

Thanksgiving this year has in store for the Wayne’s a visit from Nana and Papa, my husband’s step mom and dad. The boys are looking forward to getting spoiled with lots of hugs and kisses, not that they do not get that now but a Grandma and Grandpa hugs and kisses are special.

Scott has meticulously prepared a menu for the feast. The menu has my stamp of approval and items to be purchased for said menu have been logged into the Grocery app. How can you not love a man that uses a grocery app. I bet he can also provide 10 recommendations for said app that he researched prior to purchasing. LOVE HIM!

Tonight we will put the finishing touches on the house…I’ve got some planting to do and I may have to get my flashlight out in order to finish.

I’ve seen many of things people are thankful for via the social sites I follow and I thought I would jot a few of them down as well.

I am thankful for my husband. He is my love, my hero and the father of my two boys. His nuances are endearing…we are different in so many ways…to the point where either one or both of us have just thrown our hands up out of frustration. Yet that man of mine can still make my knees quiver with just one look.

I am thankful for my two sons. It is amazing to watch them both grow and learn in their boy ways. We have tickle fights in the evenings and there is nothing like a house filled with the laughter of children. Our five year old is maturing more and more every day. He is reading, writing and solving math problems. I am so proud of how hard he works at everything…everyday. Our 17th month old is in awe of his big brother and when he is not trying to beat him up he can be seen as a blonde streak running through the house, with one arm just a pumping, chasing after his big brosef. I’ve said it many of times…I never wanted kids until I had them and I am thankful God had a bigger plan and allowed me to experience and grow as a person and hold the prestigious honor of being a mother.

I am thankful for family and friends. Love and support…from family, extended family to the family I got to choose…my friends, I am thankful for them and their kind hearts.

I am thankful for the health of my family, both physically and as a whole. I am thankful our visits to the doctor’s office are from an occasional fever or checkup. I am thankful we are a cohesive unit and when there is something that needs to be dealt with we rally around each other and see it through.

I am thankful to have a job with outstanding benefits to help pay for those occasional fevers, checkup, unscheduled surgeries and emergency room visits.

I am thankful for our neighbors that have become our friends. Whether it is births, babysitting, a stick or two of butter, gasoline for the generator or a reason to get together to be adults for a night…we can always count on our neighbors.

I am thankful to God. We are truly blessed and I thank Him every day .

Reunion Recap

The hubby and I met up with Mandy and Greg and the high school cafeteria Friday night to begin the La Porte High School class of ’89 festivities. I personally thought it was a great idea to have a homecoming of sorts at the high school. We got a chance to walk the halls and wow…things have changed and I wouldn’t necessarily say for the better…in my opinion of course.

It’s been twenty years and remodeling has been done but everything looks more institutionalized. Zip ties are on the lockers, we surmised that they didn’t use those anymore, adopting the two sets of books philosophy. WHAT??? Isn’t that what half of the experience was about…relationships, sports, social clubs, and lockers, I’ll throw learning in there for good measure.

A name we recognized as we meandered through the hallowed halls was Mrs. Kicklighter. Dang…she was old when I attended that school. She did show up to the dinner, although I didn’t recognize her until later. Picture the old woman from Beetlejuice and when she smoked it would come out of her neck…yep…that’s her. Mr. Nolen was in rare form, as flamboyant as ever. Steve and Kerry Reagan were there, the cool theatre teachers.

The retired Bulldog they used to take to the football games and run it up and down the track when we scored.


After the dinner we decided to ditch the football game and head to Outriggers for the after party. As we were walking to the car La Porte scored and our fight song filled the night air. I couldn’t help but throw an L sign in the air…La Porte Dogs…or Kicks…you know…I never really knew what they said at the end of our fight song.

Outriggers was fun, we were the first group there, had a few drinks and watched as the alum filtered in…we attempted to play a game, the first one who recognized someone had to pick a person to drink. I seemed to have had the advantage facing the door.

We headed downstairs and meeted and greeted those we recognized and those that recognized us…which was at times rather challenging. Not many people from the class of ’90 came; several I know went to Classic and from what I heard the two groups met up later in the evening.

Mandy, Me, Laura Haley, Sally Boldman


Me and Mandy


All in all, from what I witnessed it was pretty tame, no drama to speak of and it was great to see some old faces and catch up with old friends. High school was such a blip on the map of life, it is laughable how we were consumed by the relationships and drama…how can kids comprehend and understand “life” and just be…get along with each other...work hard…and look forward to the future with endless possibilities. Wow…that was deep.

I made a few more facebook friends and Mandy’s (Amanda to everyone else) shawl was so popular it had its own fan page created.
It was great seeing Mandy and meeting Greg. Mandy and I haven’t hung out like that in many o years. I hope it doesn’t take us 18 more to do it again.

No…I didn’t lose ANY weight for those keeping track…oh well…I have time before my “official” to get high school skinny. On to my next endeavor…

EEEKK!!! Mini Reunion next week!!

My 20 year high school reunion isn’t until next year but the class of ’89 decided to invite back all of the graduating classes from 1980-1990 to take part in their reunion. There is a bevy of activities planned for the weekend. Friday night football, dinner at the cafeteria, catered of course, and an after party at Outriggers. Saturday night is the more formal shindig at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

My oldest and dearest friend is coming in from Dallas for the reunion, she is an ‘89er. And it sounds like her sister is going to come down as well…I believe she may be an ‘84er. It looks like the hubby and I are going to attend the Friday night festivities, minus the football game.

Through the magic of Facebook I have managed to reconnect with most of the people I went to high school with and it still amazes me that most everyone looks the same, plus a few pounds and a lot less hair…both men and women. I haven’t been back to the high school since my sister graduated in ’98. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. It will be a good dress rehearsal for my official 20 next year.

Now…I just need to lose about 20 lbs in less than two weeks. LOL!

Coming out of the Dark...

I’ve introduced myself to my blog again and it’s like an old friend. No matter how long you have been apart, we catch up and it seems like I never left.

Have you ever had one of those moments where someone says something to you or you read a book and the obvious is stated and for whatever reason that particular time the light bulb comes on and the clouds part and the sunshine just fills you upside? I had that situation occur a couple of times in the last few days. I discovered things about me that I never considered and those things have given me much insight into myself. I know I’m being vague but the specifics do not matter. What matters is that I am succeeding in my quest to better myself on a daily basis.

Wow, organic tastes so much better than, for lack of a better word…,”regular” food. What is the new buzz word? Non-organic, pesticide infused, or contaminated sewage sludge. I’m not a radical so I’ll just go with non-organic. Apparently your utils last longer with organic food.

What is a util you ask? A util is the one thing I learned about in my college economics class that still sticks with me to this day. And my husband is the only other person that has ever known what I’m talking about when I say my utils have ran out without having the statement explained to him…my lobster.

Think of utility. (Here is the definition from Wikipedia - utility is a measure of the relative satisfaction from, or desirability of, consumption of various goods and services. Given this measure, one may speak meaningfully of increasing or decreasing utility, and thereby explain economic behavior in terms of attempts to increase one's utility. For illustrative purposes, changes in utility are sometimes expressed in fictional units called utils. ) In laymen’s terms…when you have that first sip of a Chai Pumpkin Latte your utils are at their all time high…almost euphoric. As you continue to consume the latte the 6th, 7th , or 10th sip, although still good, do not bring you the same satisfaction of the 1st sip. That is because your utils are decreasing. If I ever start a restaurant I am going to name it Utils. This concludes your economic lesson for the day.

I inquired about scheduling a session of family portraits today. My co-worker found this gem of a photographer. I cannot wait! Well...I can…but I can’t.

Knowing that family pictures are looming in the near future and wanting to slip into a sexy little number or two when the hubby and I go out this holiday season and or course for the overall benefit of being healthy, I am on a quest to become a lean, mean fighting machine. In an attempt to not bore myself or anyone else that happens on this blog, I am not going to post food/weight details here; I have a notebook for that. I’ll do recaps of the week/weekend and talk about my endeavors. If you are interested in specifics…email me.

For the next four weeks on the exercise front I will be doing Pilates. I definitely need to strengthen my core before I even think about weights, running, or picking up my 15 month old son. My back is already offered its opinion on my sporadic activity level of intensity and it is not good one. Fear not…my chiropractor has seen me more than ever in the last couple of months…but as much as he helps, seeing him is a reminder that I hurt and I am changing that starting today. (cue uplifting music)

I so need a soundtrack, you know one of those cool ones with the obscure music that delicately adds an emotional undertone to each scene. Hmmmm…

Off to fry it up in the pan…healthy frying of course…

Balance is in progress...

Did you think I was done? Done...done? Nope...just took an extended hiatus.

You know when your life is spinning out of control and in order to gain balance you let certain things go until you can get a handle on them again? That would be me!

I am not committing to be full fledged with daily postings, my life just isn't that interesting and I am not running. Not that that is interesting either.

I just thought I would check in and let those that may wonder where I've been...or not...that I'm still around and I'll be attempting to update my blog more regulary.

Life is going on and as you can see by my tweets sometimes I only need 140 characters or less to define said life!

Running will commence in October. Right now I'm working on...stuuuuffff and about 30 visting vehicle flights, so it is only hree but the challenges make it feel like 30. Oh...and I can't just call them shuttle flights because that would be an incorrect statement.

Balance is in progress...stay tuned.