Is it dorky that I find this cool?

Hi peeps.

I know it's Monday and I should have a new post for you today. I don't have much time, so here's a video that made me smile.

I dedicate this video to Orsa, the best sheep herder I know.

The "Blizzard" of '09

Well, according to all the news reports, we're currently smack dab in the middle of the Blizzard of '09. Only in reality, it's not doing much of anything right now.

It was really windy yesterday and snowed some. The roads were sheets of black ice and driving was pretty treacherous. Today there are drifts of snow 12 inches deep, but in other areas you can see the grass poking through. (Here's a a picture.) But from the way they were talking, you'd have thought we'd be housebound for days with snow up to the roof.

So much for the Big Dump. Of course, all the weather reports and news made it sound like it was going to be a lot worse that it actually is. They always do that. (You'd think we'd learn by now.)

Anyway, because of all the media hype, many businesses, churches and schools closed today. The gym is closed. All the military bases are closed. Even the public library is closed.

But don't worry. Compassion is opening at noon. We won't let a little ol' blizzard stop us.

We're doing God's business!

Bringing Sexy Back

Okay. I know I already posted today, but I have to post this. It's too funny not to.

I'd like to introduce you to the Sexy People blog.

You're welcome.

(Thanks, Vince.)

Dan Brown

A while ago I randomly stumbled across this guy Seth's blog. I don't know Seth. But a lot of his posts crack me up. The ones about Madonna are funny. And today's post is also really funny.

I liked reading Dan Brown's books, but Seth's right. He's kind of crazy.

MacBook Wheel

Okay people. This video made me snort. It's THAT funny.

Missing God

Okay, I'm convicted.

One of my new favorite reads these days is Pete Wilson's blog. He's funny, well-spoken, wise, relevant, and yet still writes with true humility. (Somewhat of a rarity among preacher/bloggers, I'm finding.)

Anyway, his post really got me today. Read this.

It's true what he says ...

Each and every day the God of the universe wants me to listen to Him, tune into Him, walk with Him and yet I often choose to drown Him out with the noise of the world. I’m missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

I wonder what opportunities I've missed? The thing I do know is that I don't want to miss any more.

Lord, help me not to miss You in the seemingly small and insignificant.

A Day in Breckenridge

Sunny Saturday in Spring

Coffee.
Bible.
Flip flops.

Yeah, I'm happy.

Water

Have you heard? Sunday, March 22 is World Water Day. Here's some suggested reading for your weekend ...

1. A challenging post about bottled water on Compassion's Blog.

2. Healing Waters International: Based in Golden. Partners with Compassion.

3. charity: water: My friend Fay told me about this awesome organization.

4. Playpumps International: I wrote about this innovative organization a while ago.

5. FreePoverty.org: A game where you donate cups of water when you play.

Happy reading!

An Evening with Becky

Wow, it's Thursday already? Where did this week go?

Since the time changed and the days are warmer, I find myself living for 4:30. Every day. Don't get me wrong ... I like my job, but I LOVE summer evenings. I love leaving the office (where I've usually been cold for eight straight hours) and getting into my toasty car. I always sit for a few minutes and just soak up the warmth. Then I kick my shoes off, roll the windows down, crank the radio and enjoy the 20 minute drive home.

When I get home, usually the first thing I do is change into comfortable clothes (this inevitably includes a baseball hat and Crocs or flip flops) and take my dog for a walk. There are several paths through my neighborhood and I do a two-mile loop. On the nights when there's nothing going on at the church near my house, I'll let Havana run off leash for 10 or 15 minutes in the field next to the church.

When I get home, I'll decide what to make for dinner. I love trying new recipes and so often I'll browse through the latest issues of Gourmet, Bon Appetit or Real Simple to find a recipe to try. (Another place I find good dishes is Allrecipes.com.) As I cook I'll put a few of my most recently acquired CD's on shuffle. (This week it's Martin Sexton and India Arie.) Chris often joins me around this time, and true to his Italian heritage, he's an excellent cook. (And his eating skills are unmatched!)

After dinner, it's time to relax. This usually includes some combination of reading, watching TV, and reading blogs or Facebook. My living room windows face the west, so we often get to watch the sun go down over the mountains.

Evenings are my favorite time of day. I love the freedom to do the things I most enjoy without any agenda. I love spending quality time with my favorite person. I love relaxing and savoring the blessings God has given me.

Some might say that I waste my time on the frivolous and unimportant. That my life is too hedonistic. Or that I should be a better steward with my time. No matter how I choose to spend my time, though, there will always be more "could be's" or "should be's." In fact, I think Satan often uses guilt or a burden of responsibility to strip life of the good, the pleasurable, the enjoyable. I believe God is pleased when I'm not too busy doing his work to truly delight in his blessings.

Life is good.

Bust a Move

There's something about dancing that makes people happy.

I don't know what it is. But check out the reaction of the crowd in Liverpool Street Subway Station in London when people randomly started dancing. (Only the dancers were in on it.)



Here's how they did it. Brilliant ad on T-Mobile's part.

"I Was Runnig" -Forrest Gump

Attention everyone: I just ran my first 5K!

For a self-declared "Not-Runner" I didn't do too badly. Officially my time was 30:13, but the start was very sketchy so I'm sure it was under 30 minutes.

Here's a few photos ...

It was Karyn and Carmen's first 5K too.

Never tuck your shirt into your spandex pants. Never, never, never ever. (That's me on the left, fake posing so we wouldn't be so obvious.)

Mid-race photo. (Thanks, Karyn!) Here I am getting schooled by a 14-year-old.

My prize was waiting for me at the finish.

FW: FW: FW: Wal-Mart Scam

I'M PISSED.

You know all those email forwards warning you about the latest scam? I always delete them. I assume it's just an internet rumor someone started at some point in the past. They're never true, though, right? And even if there is some ounce of truth, it only happens to those idiots who are stupid and don't know how to protect their identity.

Well guess what? Sometimes those scam warnings are real.

My mom called me this morning all panicked because apparently "I" called my grandpa in New York and told him that "I" and my "boyfriend" had gotten in a car accident in Montreal and "I" needed money.

So of course, my grandpa, the world's most trusting and generous soul, went to Wal-mart and wired the money to "me." Twice. Only it wasn't me.

I feel violated. This person used my name and took advantage of the fact that my grandpa loves me and would do anything for me. I'm so effing angry I could scream.

This sucks all around. My grandpa has likely lost his trust in people. He's out a lot of money, of which he didn't have much to begin with. Some jackass in Canada is using - and damaging - my name.

This is the most helpless feeling in the world because there's nothing we can do. I certainly understand the meaning of injustice now.

So I'm doing the only thing I can do to fight back. I'm telling you here. I'm going to tell everyone I can. Please warn your grandparents about this.

The only consolation I have in this situation is that God specifically addresses people like this who take advantage of the vulnerable in His word - they will pay.

Here's a news story about this scam. Unfortunately, this time the Wal-Mart employee didn't catch it.

So I'm THAT person ... the "someone else" it always happens to. Now you can add "This is for real. This actually happened to my friend Becky." to the beginning of the scam warning before you forward them.

He Chose Me

Every once in a while I get completely overwhelmed with the people that God has chosen to put into my life. Does that ever happen to you? It happened for me tonight.

I haven't talked much about my boyfriend Chris on this blog. We were coworkers first before we were dating, and many of our mutual coworkers read this blog, so it's always felt a little weird to get all mushy about him here. But I feel like it's long overdue. After tonight, I couldn't NOT write about him. (Coworkers, consider yourself warned.)

I'll try to keep the mush factor to a minimum in this post, but you guys, he is seriously unbelievable. I am in awe that God has decided that we're right for each other. I don't deserve him. Here's an example ...

Tonight, I was having one "those" nights. Nothing major happened, but for some reason I was in a funk. I felt burdened by life, annoyed at the world, frustrated with my dog, crampy, tired, and irritable. I know I was not pleasant company. On top of all that, tonight is Monday, which means we had dance class (a.k.a. our weekly fight.)

There were so many reasons for Chris to get frustrated with me. But you know what? He didn't.

He didn't say "I told you so" when my dog ignored me, even though he HAS told me many times exactly how to train her. He didn't get impatient with me when I messed up the dance steps. Over and over again. He didn't try to pull me out of my funk or fix anything - he was just there with me while I was in it. He allowed me to be grouchy without allowing it to affect him. He listened to me and hugged me and encouraged me and told me I was lovely.

This man was a perfect reflection of Christ to me tonight. And do you want to know the most amazing part? He is like that a lot. Even in those times when he gets stressed or angry or frustrated, he somehow manages to keep God in focus. I've never met anyone who is able to do that like he does.

There's so much more I want to say about him, but I'll save that for another post. Suffice it to say I feel incredibly lucky - no, incredibly blessed - that he thinks I'm worth loving.

I'm honored that he's chosen me.

JJ Heller

Hi guys. It's Friday! I'm so glad. Even though Monday was a vacation day and this was a shorter work week, I'm desperately in need of some down time. Who's with me?

Anyway, I have a new music discovery to share with you - JJ Heller. She played last night with my friend Luke this coffee shop near my house. Her voice is FANTASTIC! She wasn't feeling well last night and still her voice was flawless. For any Ingrid fans out there, she has a sound very similar to Ingrid Michaelson. (Especially on her song Grow.)

You can listen to some of her music on her MySpace page.

This was the first time she's played in Colorado Springs. There wasn't a very big crowd last night. (Not sure why - usually when Luke plays the place is packed out.) So we sat on the couch about two feet from the stage.


I hope she doesn't judge Colorado Springs on the poor turnout last night and never come back. She's super and you should go see her if you ever have the chance.

Zach and Sara Get Married

Sara was gorgeous. The bride and the matron of honor.
Bridesmaids.
Me with my baby sister.
Anyone want to guess how many "Are you next?" comments we got?
The capes were our lifesavers.
Micah had a matching suit.
Siamese twins.
Chris and his wife, Valeen.
Bridesmaids. Sisters. Friends.
Swing dancing.
Dave and Ellie cut a rug.
The fam.
The wedding was perfect.