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| Christmas Eve and Some Christmas |
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| Christmas |
12.26.2007
First Texas Christmas
We love that it's Christmas time in Texas and we can enjoy the outdoors day or night, often in a pair of shorts. This year we enjoyed a bueatiful Christmas eve service at a local church and then came home and enjoyed a nice nighttime stroll with Tipper before opening the traditional Christmas eve Jammies!
Christmas arrived early (5:30a.m.) to the sound of Garrison singing loudly in the front room...we finally woke at 6a.m. The kids declared this was the best Christmas ever and enjoyed several really nice gifts...some SANTA gifts included a new bike for Garrison and an Ipod Nano for Hallie. Other nice gifts included a wonderful new camera for Hallie and a Nintendo DS Lite for G; both gifts given courtesy of the Horton Gparents and Keith and I. Keith and I enjoyed new cycling shoes for the mtn bikes from Gary and Sharon and each other and Wyoming wear and pictures from my parents. But, let me tell you the greatest gift of all was given to me by my honey...it's a gift that keeps on giving and started in July when we left Georgia and he quit smoking. Keith and I enjoyed one of those mtn bike rides that leaves you wondering if you are really on earth or perhaps already in heaven...After all the visible gifts were open Keith and I got on the bikes and headed down to the Bayou for an awesome ride. I really did feel blessed to be riding with him on Christmas day knowing that each day since he has quit his body is becoming healthier and more in tune with nature, his family and himself. What a gift to be doing something I enjoy so much with someone I love so dearly!
Christmas arrived early (5:30a.m.) to the sound of Garrison singing loudly in the front room...we finally woke at 6a.m. The kids declared this was the best Christmas ever and enjoyed several really nice gifts...some SANTA gifts included a new bike for Garrison and an Ipod Nano for Hallie. Other nice gifts included a wonderful new camera for Hallie and a Nintendo DS Lite for G; both gifts given courtesy of the Horton Gparents and Keith and I. Keith and I enjoyed new cycling shoes for the mtn bikes from Gary and Sharon and each other and Wyoming wear and pictures from my parents. But, let me tell you the greatest gift of all was given to me by my honey...it's a gift that keeps on giving and started in July when we left Georgia and he quit smoking. Keith and I enjoyed one of those mtn bike rides that leaves you wondering if you are really on earth or perhaps already in heaven...After all the visible gifts were open Keith and I got on the bikes and headed down to the Bayou for an awesome ride. I really did feel blessed to be riding with him on Christmas day knowing that each day since he has quit his body is becoming healthier and more in tune with nature, his family and himself. What a gift to be doing something I enjoy so much with someone I love so dearly!
11.28.2007
Biking in Georgia; Memories
Lately, I find myself closing my eyes on bike rides(scary huh?) or when I am on a cardio machine(which I hate) imagining I am in the North Georgia Mtn's on my bike. Honestly, the North Georgia mtns are like I imagine heaven, quiet, serene, fresh with breathtaking views. The climbs are often slow, steady hard work and the fast descents are exhilarating.
I managed to find some old photos and even a Coach Coy video of the last several years rides and found many of the GAP rides. It's cool to think I rode the same roads as Lance Armstrong,Tom Daneilson,Nathan ONeil, Ceasar Grajeles,(I have actually ridden with Nathan and Ceasar; the later actually changed a flat for me; he's adorable) Dave Zabriske, and yes, Floyd Landis. I am sure something like the GAPs exists in Texas and I look forward to discovering such a place.
I managed to find some old photos and even a Coach Coy video of the last several years rides and found many of the GAP rides. It's cool to think I rode the same roads as Lance Armstrong,Tom Daneilson,Nathan ONeil, Ceasar Grajeles,(I have actually ridden with Nathan and Ceasar; the later actually changed a flat for me; he's adorable) Dave Zabriske, and yes, Floyd Landis. I am sure something like the GAPs exists in Texas and I look forward to discovering such a place.
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| Georgia Gaps! |
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| Riding |
11.23.2007
Thanksgiving 2007 Houston
So, Thanksgiving has come and gone and with it all the family has left the house. Great memories remain in this place and we look forward to sharing more good times with the Texas family. Enjoy the photo's contained below and visit often; the door is always open.
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| 2007-11-23 |
11.21.2007
11.12.2007
Updates, long overdue!
Hey all...Here is a mess of pics...Pre and post house pics...halloween, silly backyard pics, extended family fun, Houston downtown museum district and other goofy stuff. We have been busy with the house and Keith's extended family...all his aunts, cousins and of course parents live down here. We have also been busy traveling to see Hay in her xc meets. Hay is of course busy with friends, football games, and parties. G is kicking butt in school, killing his 1 mile time, building and riding to school and home every day. The family has been riding and running together lots and the plan is for all us to do a 5k on Thanksgiving. Post race; 19 family members from the Houston,& the Austin area will converge on our Walnut Drive house for Turkey and fun. Miss you all.
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| Updates |
9.03.2007
September 3rd
Today we leave the apartment and head for an empty new house.
Our things will arrive on the 6th. By next weekend we should be totally moved in.
We will "camp" out for the next two days; air mattresses will serve as beds and coolers will serve as fridges!We will be "out of the pocket" for the next week or longer (no internet service). You can still reach me on my cell phone if you want to chat. I will also send out new address information so check the snail mail!
Be well!
God Bless!
Our things will arrive on the 6th. By next weekend we should be totally moved in.
We will "camp" out for the next two days; air mattresses will serve as beds and coolers will serve as fridges!We will be "out of the pocket" for the next week or longer (no internet service). You can still reach me on my cell phone if you want to chat. I will also send out new address information so check the snail mail!
Be well!
God Bless!
9.02.2007
8.27.2007
8.25.2007
8.19.2007
8.05.2007
7.21.2007
Thoughts on My Georgia
Some thoughts on the last week in GA.
Seven years ago, Keith was looking for another job having been with Meridian in Wyoming for sometime he sought more challenges. He interviewed at several places close to home; I think in part because he knew I really did not want to leave Wyoming. Of all the Wyoming opportunities he could work not one appealed to either of us. Then,one day he came home and said, "How about Georgia?". Having only been In Georiga once as a kid...I said without an ounce of reservation,"Yea, I could do Georgia!". So, we packed it up and headed south. We have loved every minute since our arrival. It felt in many ways like we had always been from Georgia. From the moment we "fell in love" with our house it seemed like home.
As you leave our subdivision you come to a four stop that overlooks, to the east, a "valley"(it is seriously the most majestic of valleys, looking much more vast than the two miles it actually inhabits)This little peice of heaven is dotted generously with Georiga pines and speckled by one loan pristine, white church steeple (Baptist;just up the hill from the historic Alcovy Grist Mill and the Alcovy River). Sometimes this valley glows with a beautiful, and radiantly colored sunrise and other times a low fog sits between the trees gives it a quiet beauty accentuated by the smell of moist pinestraw and the dampness of the Alcovy river as it rises to the top of the overlook.
I had a valley like this in between Laramie Wyoming and Ft Collins Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mtn that I fondly named, "The Maubie Valley"; named after my grandma. Maubie was an artist; a bond we shared, and she would often say, "Winnie Pooh, do you see the brillant purple in that sunset?". After, she died I felt her presence in that valley between the two states often and cherished any opportunity to drive slowly thru it and enjoy it's quiet beauty. My Georgia valley I named, "Laura's Valley", after my dear friend Laura Parker who died too young (at only 35) of breast cancer. She passed shortly after we moved but not before she came to visit giving Georgia her blessing and deciding,"Georgia looks good on The Horton's).
On morning runs and bike rides from the house I would frequently stop at the four way and just stare at the beauty the valley had laid out for me that day. Often I would spot a beautiful blue bird and I secretly imagined the bluebird might be Laura sharing the valley with me;reminding me to slow down and take it all in; just like Maubie. I loved that I was allowed to move through Georgia either on foot or on my bike.It was in those solitary moments close to the earth and happy laughter filled moments with family and friends that I will always remember as my Georgia. I guess I will always have some part of Georgia on my mind!
Seven years ago, Keith was looking for another job having been with Meridian in Wyoming for sometime he sought more challenges. He interviewed at several places close to home; I think in part because he knew I really did not want to leave Wyoming. Of all the Wyoming opportunities he could work not one appealed to either of us. Then,one day he came home and said, "How about Georgia?". Having only been In Georiga once as a kid...I said without an ounce of reservation,"Yea, I could do Georgia!". So, we packed it up and headed south. We have loved every minute since our arrival. It felt in many ways like we had always been from Georgia. From the moment we "fell in love" with our house it seemed like home.
As you leave our subdivision you come to a four stop that overlooks, to the east, a "valley"(it is seriously the most majestic of valleys, looking much more vast than the two miles it actually inhabits)This little peice of heaven is dotted generously with Georiga pines and speckled by one loan pristine, white church steeple (Baptist;just up the hill from the historic Alcovy Grist Mill and the Alcovy River). Sometimes this valley glows with a beautiful, and radiantly colored sunrise and other times a low fog sits between the trees gives it a quiet beauty accentuated by the smell of moist pinestraw and the dampness of the Alcovy river as it rises to the top of the overlook.
I had a valley like this in between Laramie Wyoming and Ft Collins Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mtn that I fondly named, "The Maubie Valley"; named after my grandma. Maubie was an artist; a bond we shared, and she would often say, "Winnie Pooh, do you see the brillant purple in that sunset?". After, she died I felt her presence in that valley between the two states often and cherished any opportunity to drive slowly thru it and enjoy it's quiet beauty. My Georgia valley I named, "Laura's Valley", after my dear friend Laura Parker who died too young (at only 35) of breast cancer. She passed shortly after we moved but not before she came to visit giving Georgia her blessing and deciding,"Georgia looks good on The Horton's).
On morning runs and bike rides from the house I would frequently stop at the four way and just stare at the beauty the valley had laid out for me that day. Often I would spot a beautiful blue bird and I secretly imagined the bluebird might be Laura sharing the valley with me;reminding me to slow down and take it all in; just like Maubie. I loved that I was allowed to move through Georgia either on foot or on my bike.It was in those solitary moments close to the earth and happy laughter filled moments with family and friends that I will always remember as my Georgia. I guess I will always have some part of Georgia on my mind!
7.15.2007
Installment 2: Goodbye at Steph's
Hey all, here are more pic's courtesy of Mo! Thanks Mo!There might be one more installment so keep checking back!
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| Installmen |
First Installment from Goodbye at Steph's
First, what a great, super, brilliant, wonderful, superb group of people I get to call friends. When we moved from Wyoming 7 years ago I recall a similar goodbye with a great group of people whom I knew could never be replaced. Now, leaving Georgia I feel the same way about you all. I feel blessed that the circle of people I call friends has grown and that we shared so many happy times here.
It's true, if you are happy where you are you will happy where you go!
It's true, if you are happy where you are you will happy where you go!
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| First Installmen |
7.14.2007
6.01.2007
Summer hanging!
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| Summer hang out! |
5.31.2007
A picture's worth...
On a different note, the background picture for this blog is me...circa 1970 or so, on my "Bie" outside our trailer (yep, we were trailer trash!). My mom has written, "I's ridin my bie ousie'!" on the back of the photo. So, you see my love for things self propelled started young.
Have a good day!
Muck bee
Have a good day!
Muck bee
5.30.2007
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