I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.
America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy.
Memories of Iowa. There is a heap of snow (for here at least) all over the place here. It is quite beautiful! What a wonderful way to see out the year.
I love a freebie as much as the next person. Casey had scored a couple of free tickets to go to the Enchanted Village to ride the rides and see the Holiday Lights. Well it wasn't totally free as they hit you for $7 to park.
The park had just open and it was just above freezing. The Christmas lights were quite lame but the rides were fun. We rode the Pirate Ship, Bumper Cars, a Mine Car Rollercoaster, Hang Glider, and the faster Ferris Wheel of all time!
I am a big wimp so we didn't ride the big coasters. My thinking is if I want to throw up I will just eat really old leftover takeaway Chinese food!
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
For those who subscribe to my newsletter you would have read that I was going to spend a week in Kentucky with Hayden. It was a little strange seeing Karissa again at first but I truly believe we can be friends from now on. When it comes down to it I still care about her and she is the Hayden's mother so this is a great thing.
Karissa and I had some very needed conversations and we openly talked about our new partners. I have briefly mentioned my girlfriend Casey here before. She is pretty amazing. Understanding of my strange post divorce life. A incredible cook, and the reason I don't use the term Chef is simply because she does not have the formal training. In my eyes she is a Chef though! Most importantly she encourages my continued interaction with Hayden and realizes that no matter where our relationship goes Hayden will be an important part of my life.
Janice (the lady that lives with Eric) said something quite profound (to me at least) yesterday, and I shall quote her, "There are two types of family, those of blood and those of the heart. One is not necessarily more meaningful than the other". I think she has something here. Although legally blood is more important, morally what you feel in your heart is most important.
So anyway let me go back to seeing Hayden. I had a ball. She had a ball. Together we had fun. We went and saw Cat in the Hat, or Hat in the Cat as she would call it. We went shopping together. Opened her presents from me. Opened her presents from my Mum, Dad and sister. In all we had a great time.
It was a bit sad to leave, not to mention a crazy time to have to drive back to Nashville and catch a flight. However it was all worth the effort!
Since then all has been a little crazy with last minute shopping and preparations for Christmas. Eric and Janice threw a great Christmas Bash for the Miata Club Web site committee. I also helped them also do some last minute shopping.
Today when Casey gets off from work we are heading out to see Eric and Janice and exchange gifts. While there we are going to webcam with my parents and grandmother who will be over for Christmas lunch. Then we are off for Christmas Eve at Casey's Mums place.
It looks like it has been a great holiday season and that Christmas will be merry!
Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family...
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.
Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.
Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times.
Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent.
It is the loving, not the loved, woman who feels loveable.
Ok so I was stuffed after flying in to Nashville. Got a little stuffed around by car rental and then lost so I hit the first hotel with high speed internet. Picked up the end of Survivor while wrapping Hayden's presents. Looks like a good offering to me! I hope she likes the presents.
Should be a fun week with her!
Peace, love and happiness to everyone these holidays.
Nathan
Whatever you fear most has no power - it is your fear that has the power.
For me, words are a form of action, capable of influencing change.
Time for a rant and rave. Ok so I am a bit peeved at the moment. Why? Well because I had one of those sleazy, scum of the earth telemarketers call me early this morning. The twist that really gets my blood boiling is that I asked if he was a telemarketer and he said no. In turn he indeed was.
It makes me want to get my sea-kayaking whistle and blow it very loudly in his ear. Of course doing that would probably give me a burst eardrum.
If I want to buy something I will search for it on the internet or buy it in a store.
If I want to refinance my home I am definitely not going with someone who called me to tell me they have a low interest rate.
If I want to make a donation to a charity I will do it in person.
The Do Not Disturb list needs an quick and easy way to have violators prosecuted.
It is enough to make you cancel phone service completely.
Most of the basic truths of life sound absurd at first hearing.
What more felicity can fall to creature, than to enjoy delight with liberty.
Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water.
I just noticed Dogpile.com (my new favorite search engine). Has a Funny Bone Joke of the Day. Here is today's which I found particularly funny!
The math teacher saw that little Johnny wasn't paying attention in class. She called on him and said, "Johnny! what are 4, 2, 28 and 44?" Little Johnny quickly replied, "NBC, CBS, HBO and the Cartoon Network!"
If you don't risk anything you risk even more.
My Miata was featured in the Sounder! That is the Miata Club Magazine/Newsletter. It is all dressed up for the halloween trick or treat in Bremerton.
To see it you really need to be a member of the club but check out the Web site anyway and you might find a picture of me (in the Web Committee section).
What I am actually saying is that we need to be willing to let our intuition guide us, and then be willing to follow that guidance directly and fearlessly.
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.