Big Rocks

I am sure that a lot of you have already seen this in some form or fashion. But this is my blog and I want to put it here because it is very important to me. Also, I think we always could use a little reminder about the important things in life.

Big Rocks

by Unknown Author

An expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes."

The time management expert replied, "Really?"

He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.

"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"

"No," the speaker replied, that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.

What are the 'big rocks' in your life -- time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all." So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first. "

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to travel. Perhaps it was just because I wanted to get away from my ummm...abnormal home life (maybe I'll discuss it sometime), or I just new there was more out there. Either way, I knew a long time ago that I needed to see more than just my small world.

In 2003, that dream came true. My husband (then fiance) got the opportunity to go to Germany with work. We decided to take some vacation time and head out early. I was going to Europe!! I will not lie, there were a lot of mixed emotions going on. This was VERY new to me. The furthest from home I had ever been was to North Carolina, yet I was more excited than anything.

I can not begin to explain how unnerving, yet wonderful it is to be in a place where you do not speak the primary language. "Are they talking about me? WHO CARES...I can't understand what they're saying anyway!" Doug speaks fluent German, but I only knew French from high school...not very helpful. Obviously, Doug did most of the talking.

There are several stories to tell about this trip. Like how odd the toilets are, and the day of drinking, eating, vomitting, and porn shops. But I will leave those for another day. Bet you can't wait.

Everything was different. From how the people socialized to how they shopped, and how they interacted with family and friends. I met some absolutely wonderful people. Like this one, who is one of Doug's good friends.

I just loved his accent. I just wanted him to talk dirty to me, but that would be very inappropriate for obvious reasons.

One of the days of our trip, we went to Wertheim. This is the city that Doug was stationed at during part of his military career. It was so great to see something that was a part of his past.

As we came into the town, we got off the train one stop to soon. It was about 1 mile from the correct stop. This wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been one mile, uphill (both ways) in the snow, and my bladder wasn't about to rupture. Luckily, we found a glass shop that was open that graciously allowed me to utilize their restroom and a phone to call a cab.

It was an incredible day. I loved hearing all of Doug's stories and seeing his old stomping grounds...and I saw the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen in my life that day! Which isn't saying much considering I live in South Texas, but you had to dodge them for fear of getting a concussion. Then we slid our way UP to the castle (I only fell 15 times) only to find that it was closed. So we slid our way back down.

Here is a picture taken from the steps of the city's castle looking into downtown.


We had lunch, did some shopping and headed back to the train station and waited for the train listening to a group of inebriated Russians (not to offend anyone, but isn't that redundant?) playing cards. Anyway, it was a wonderful trip! I could not have asked for more as my first trip to Europe. But I was glad to get back home to breakfast tacos and Bill Miller's sweet tea...it's the little things!

Should We Fed Ex Some Sunscreen?

I wonder what it would be like to live in this galaxy? Somebody is having a REALLY bad day!!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317232,00.html

Home, Home on the Range...

Just thought I would share another picture of the property:

Our tracks are Track B & C. Wolf is purchasing Track A. The higher hill is on the right side on our piece. There is a visible valley running through the center, and then a lower hill on the left in Track A. We are still waiting on paperwork. There are a few other things we need to fill out before we can send it in to TVLB.

I have so many hopes for this property. Most importantly, I want to sit on the porch of our house with Doug watching the sunset. When I can post that picture, that will be one of those moments. The ones where a dream has come true. Like getting my degree, getting married, going to Europe and Paris. Of course, there are many more to come, but that sunset will be one of them.

I Love Paris...

This is one of my favorite pictures:

I actually took this picture. Believe it or not...with my old, decrepit camera. R.I.P.

It's one of those shots that says so much...and quite frankly it was so spur of the moment, I almost missed it. Not surprising considering the performance of my previous camera.

This picture was taken at the Pierre La Chaise Cemetary in Paris. We were wandering around that day, taking it all in. There was a service happening, and we where doing our best to be respectful. I turned around to see a black cat sitting in front of a crypt. It seemed so fitting to me, a black cat in a cemetary. As I was taking a picture this older gentleman walked up and starting petting the cat. Either he didn't notice or didn't care, but he never even acknowledged me. It was just one of those moments.

As I looked at the picture when we got back to the hotel room, I realized it was one of those pictures with so many questions...

Was he attending the service of a friend, or a loved one? Maybe even someone he didn't even care for?

Was he just taking a walk in the cemetary because that's what he did every day? Did he see the cat every day? Was he visiting someone he knew? Perhaps his wife?

What was the story of his life?

Allow Me To Introduce...

You to..."The Scarf from Hell". Here it is, in all of its glory:



Please, let me explain how it received its name. The yarn was originally purchased at a wonderful little shop in Fredricksburg , TX called Stonehill Spinning. The yarn was gorgeous, soft, and fun. I HAD TO HAVE IT. My original thoughts were to make a 2 inch wide scarf. One skein surely would be enough for that. Right?...I think that the Gods simply chuckled a little at that moment. I started on the scarf with size 10's in garter stitch. A little word of warning, I am a very tight knitter. VERY TIGHT. I usually have to go up two to three needles sizes to get the correct gauge.

Needless to say, as I approached the half-way point on the ball of yarn, my scarf was only 6 inches long. This was a problem. So I took myself back to the yarn store in Fredricksburg to buy another skein. Mind you, Fredricksburg is a two hour drive away, and not a trip that one takes on a regular basis. So, naturally when I got there, the yarn wasn't. So, now what to do. How about a drop stitch scarf? Put some space in there. Brilliant!! So let's frog it (rip it out)...and start over. Long story short...this scarf was knitted and frogged out THREE TIMES!!!! This was for various reasons: 1. Incorrect needle size 2. Drop stitch is not as easy as it looks, especially with a yarn like this.

I was going to love this scarf and marry it and have its babies. After the third time of ripping it out, I wanted to run it through a chipper shredder. I knew at this point the scarf was no longer something that I could even wear. And, in all honesty, if I put it on, it might even attempt to choke me to death just out of spite. Soooo...it's future owner will be my Maria. I know that she will love it and give it the attention that it has come to expect. She may be able to use it as a hanky. Merry Christmas Maria!!

Simple Update...

The craziness continues…there has been so much going on. I know, I know…that’s no excuse for not writing. Let’s see…

Work - Work has been crazy and filling up most of the space in my head. But I am moving on to bigger and better things to worry about. It’s just not worth it.

The Property - Which honestly is making me about two steps shy of crazy. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I truly feel in my heart that this is the one, and I know that anything that is ever worthwhile is not easy, but COME ON!!! Enough with the tribulation. Geez!! I know that part of the reason I am so frustrated is that I am waiting for this deal to go through before I pursue some other things in my life, but sometimes it’s hard to remember that if I didn’t want it so bad it would happen sooner.

School - And then there is school…the Photoshop class is great! Albeit very reading intensive! I am learning so much!! The Developing Effective Websites class is another story. I am enjoying it in that I am certainly learning A LOT, but it is also frustrating because I am not familiar with a web programming software. So while I am learning the “theories”, the application of them is difficult. My next class will definitely be a Dreamweaver class. Period.

Hunting Season - So far we have enough deer meat to feed a third world country for a year, and we are not even half way through. UGH!

Christmas…um, Hello!?!? Where did the rest of the year go? I must have slept through it. It’s Christmas time already? So we have to deal with that.

…And to top it all off, our garbage disposal bit the dust. Actually, it eroded…but who’s counting?