Iknow... 2 blogs in one week. But I figured I hadn't updated in about a month or so, so here I am.

James' season is finally over. So he now goes to pit practice at Hendrick every Monday. That makes me proud of him. Work has been moving quickly for me.I am going to Phoenix in January for a meeting and to Boston in May for another one. The one in May isn't for sure and it's over our 5 year anniversary. Can you believe that it's almost been 5 years? I can't. Okay, maybe I can.

In other news, I am sick of people saying how they are going to move to Canada or some other reiculous country since Obama became our President. I was on Team McCain, and voted for the first time, for him.And yes, I was horribly disappointed when he lost.However, I find it stupid to say that you would move to another country. Do you even know how Canada operates as a country? I didn't think so. But go ahead and try it. And don't call me and cry when it sucks.There is no point in being upset or mad about the person the majority of America chose to be our leader. Where is that going to get you? So, I just try to remain hopeful it works out.

I had my portfolio pictures done last month. When I get a chance, I will post a few.

Anyways I must be going. There is a mountain of laundry eyeballing me. Sorry if their are typos in this post, I am posting from my Blackberry. I know.I'm popular.

Hugs,
S

Love.

I know its been awhile. But life happens sometimes and I get busy. Today is more of a journally post. I was watching one of my shows. I love my shows. They get me through the week sometimes. I love the writers of the shows- I wonder if they are writing from their own experiences.

I watch as an older couple in their 70's say goodbye to eachother for the upteenth time while she goes into surgery because she has a recurrent brain tumor.They look at eachother. But its not the kind of look like, "I'll see you soon." Its the look that says, "I am your person and you are mine, forever...no matter what happens." Sometimes the future scares me. It holds so many things. New careers, travel, possible additions to family, and somewhere along the way, it ends. I know- that probably seems horribly dire. But its true. One day, the people whom we love won't be there anymore. My person, won't be my person anymore. I adore my person. He's been my person for 9 years...you learn a lot about a person in 9 years. More than their favorite color, food, place to visit (all of which tend to change.) You learn their dreams, desires, what makes them sad and what makes them happy. Can you imagine looking at the same person, the same eyes for over 50 years? No matter what happens, they will always be your person.

So here is to everyone's persons. Tell your person how much they mean to you. Because you are their person too.

Hugs
S

Tagged.

Well, here I am because I am tagged.
The Rules:•Mention the rules on your blog.•Tell about 6 things people don't know about you.•Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them.•Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged- however I won't be following the rules on this last part. Disappointing, I know.

1. I hate emptying the dishwasher. Hate. I will do anything to not have to empty that dumb thing.

2. I hate Styrofoam. It gives me the creeps. Think about eating a paper napkin...that is what Styrofoam is like for me. It gives me goosebumps just writing about it.

3. I have a very vivid imagination. For example, if I almost trip on something but don't, I will continue to imagine myself tripping, falling, breaking something, having to call someone, etc. No wonder my mind doesn't get a break.

4. I hate voice mails. I have to listen to them, and respond to them immediately. I don't like not knowing what's going on.

5. I am awesome at Badminton.

6. I always have to cut the connector things that hold bottled soda together. I feel sure that if I don't, they will end up in the ocean and a dolphin will die.

Gas. Or lack thereof.

That's right people. While you are all toodling around town, using up gas- over here in The NC we have hardly any. Right before Hurricane Ike, our gas prices went crazy...almost to $5 per gallon for regular unleaded. We then thought we had recovered but now its worse than ever. Yesterday I went to 12 gas stations. No, that wasn't a typo- it really was 12. You may be wondering... ummm, why 12? Because silly, our gas stations are out of gas. OUT OF: as in none, nada, zero. The signs that usually say $4 per gallon now say straight zeros.

See, I told you so. My favorite are the stations that still have prices on their signs, but have bags over the pump handle which you can't see until you are practically in the parking lot of the station- I find that very rude. Back to my story, I drove around while my ugly out of gas light was glaring back at me...praying to find gas. There were a total of 3 gas stations who had gas, but the lines to the stations was 20-30 cars long...people were running out of gas while waiting in line. Because the lines are so long, the cars are backed up for miles, in turn making me late for work. Lets not forget the accidents that are happening because of the lines..rear-endings are now at an all time high. Go us. To finish my story, James had to buy a gas can and bring gas home to me... keep in mind he needed gas too, but his car can only use premium. Yep you guessed it! Of course there is no premium so he had to get another can and drive to Autozone to mix Hi-Octane with regular unleaded. And don't think that just because you actually find gas you can fill up your tank. It will automatically shut off at 10 gallons. So, next time you say ugly words when that gas light blinks on, count your blessings that you have stations with gas.

In other news, life is moving right along. I can't believe its almost October. Where has this year gone? I continue to stay busy with work and school. James is nearing the end of the racing season, in which we continue to stay hopeful that a wonderful job will come his way.

I continue working out, and have started running outside. The weather here has been beautiful (today would be an exception) so I have traded the gym for the outside world.

This picture was taken while running with one of my friends. We took it because we ran down Cat Lovers Lane. It was a good time. I am having pictures taken Sunday for my portfolio...cross your fingers that they turn out okay. If they do, I might just share some with you.

That's all for now friends. Hopefully next time I blog, I'll have a full tank of gas.

Many Hugs,

S

Slacking.

Yes, I am obvioiusly a slacker in the blogging department. For one, I haven't had time. (This is sometimes when some certain people would say- how do you not have time? You don't have kids.) That statement makes me ugly. I'll tell you why I don't have time. I get up at the buttcrack each morning and work until 5...in which I then change clothes and head to the gym- because Pigs Must Run. I leave the gym an hour and a half later which puts me home closer to 7. Then, depending on the day- I have two classes that I must take care of. No, I don't have to go to an actual campus- but thats the way it has to be. I again don't have time to sit in a classroom until 10 o'clock at night. I am constantly doing laundry, playing with Bella- who is like a small child, getting ready for tomorrow, and trying to eat. Before I know it, its after 11. By the way- should you feel necessary to argue and say that a small dog does not equal a small child- I would say you are sadly mistaken. I have often thought about strapping on a diaper to her so that I don't have to worry about any accidents. And most of the time I have to pay full attention, because if you don't you will find her under the bed, with 3 cottonballs and 2 q-tips tucked safely in her cheeks. Mmmhmm- never a dull moment in the Beck Household.

In other news, life continues to plug along. James leaves tomorrow to trek to Iowa for another race... Atleast the season is almost over.

I know this hasn't been the most informational blog, but hey- its better than a poke in the eye, right?

Hugs
S

Rainy Days.

I can't believe its almost been a month since I have blogged. Is blogged an actual word? Anyways- in case you have watched the weather news lately, you'll already be aware of the fact that we have been running around with life jackets on from all of this rain we have been getting. Hurricane season is in full swing over here on the East coast. Just yesterday, James and I were flooded in and couldn't leave for work. There is currently only one way in and out of our area which proves to be a real problem when it has rained for the past 2 days, allowing the adjoining field to flood and run across the road at a rapid rate. There were parts of Charlotte that were so badly flooded, you couldn't see the side mirrors on cars, and people were being evacuated in boats from apartment buildings. I am thankful we don't live any closer to the coast than we do.

In other news, things have been busy in the Beck household. Not many new things to report on I suppose. James is still busy with his job, and we are still keeping our fingers tightly crossed that something great comes along for him. I hope with all of my heart it is soon...he deserves so much more. I am on a much needed 5 day break from work and am enjoying every minute of it. August was a slammed month for me at work- and pair that with trying to learn French and do my Criminal Justice courses, I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. But, things are starting to even out and I am getting back into the swing of things.

I am sad to report that my lightning bugs are gone for the year. I hope that they will come back and make a much bigger spectacle of themselves next year as they took forever to arrive this year. We are also in the process of getting rid of our pine trees. I am actually pretty sad about it, but there are beetles here that have killed them. Dead pinetrees means a great chance for them to come timbering on top of our home or onto our powerline. So, our power company is going to be removing them for us as well and taking out some others who are proving to be pesky problems. It was hard for me to see my trees tagged...but when you come from Arizona where it is dry and ugly and the only trees there are Palm trees, you become quite attached to the woods and many trees that live there. But I am assured that there are many baby trees that are waiting to sprout once the big ones are out of the way. So, I remain hopeful.

I head off to San Diego for a conference next week for my job...so I doubt I will blog before than.

I hope everyone is well,

S

P.S. I thought the page could use something colorful, so I chose a photo that makes me smile. Us with Yama and Nandi


This was taken on our trip to the Beach this summer. One of life's greater moments.

The Bugs of Light.

Since we have moved to this beautiful state, I have become fascinated by Lightning Bugs, or Fireflies or The Bugs of Light. Needless to say I have been very disappointed by them this year. They have not been out very much and I have been very sad.

BUT- much to my dismay I have completed a tiny dream of mine. Maybe it was more of a wish than a dream. In any event- we could call it a Drish. Perfect!

I was inside working a paper and my other half came inside to inform me (as he was outside being a dutiful husband changing my oil) to tell me that the lightning bugs were out. So, I hurried to finish my paper and grabbed my camera. I was determined to document a Lightning Bug glowing in my hand.

I romped around outside for 20 minutes or so, unsuccessfully catching one. Ever tried it? Its not easy. They like to hang out deep in the woods which I was hesitant to play around in there because there are things in there out to get me. Like Poison Ivy. No thanks. But it didn't matter because since I live in the Amazon June-August, I was still eaten alive. And YES, I even had bug spray on. But it doesn't matter- don't be fooled by the OFF! on the can. It really means ON! in bug language.

After frustration and disappointment fell upon me, I recruited a volunteer to help me. I don't know if he actually volunteered, but he was willing. Right?

So a half hour later....my Drish came true. Make sure you turn up the volume. It cracks me up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LeiX5cqlWI

Needless to say...my summer is complete.

Hugs,
S