Mountain Musings

Going Back to School Today

Today starts the first Digital Photography Made Simple online lessons, and I'm excited about actually taking time off to play around with my camera and officially learn how to use it. I think I'm going to try and talk Hannah into joining me; I need someone else around who can be my second brain!

~Deb

Yes, I won it!

Isn't it absolutely F-U-N to win something? When I returned home from my gallavant to Richmond yesterday, there was a voice message from our local arts and crafts store saying I had won their door prize! Winning anything is exciting for me, and this was something I love...scrapbook stuff! I'm posting a picture of the Sue Dreamer scrapbook (for all my scrapbooking friends who are drooling by now) which came with an entire kit of beautiful papers, seven packs of coordinating embellishments, and a 30 foot roll of border stickers! Wow!

I'm wondering if anyone else has ever received a surprise phone call or gotten a message that you've won something...small item, big $$, a trip, or whatever? It would be interesting to learn about it and your reaction. I happen to be someone who sticks my name in every drawing or door prize available...doesn't cost me anything. I'd never do anything to lose money such as lotteries or raffles, but a free entry for a scrapbook? Tell me where to sign up! :)

~Deb

On to Richmond!

Well, my excursion last Friday to meet with my friend, Chris, was postponed because of bad weather. Today we're going to "do lunch" at Ukrop's (it's a Christian family-owned grocery store chain, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing their loaded salad bar). I'm looking forward to catching up on what's happening in our families and just enjoying each other's company. Memories Galore, my favorite scrapbook store, is nearby...so I'm sure a stop there is on the agenda, too. Fun Friday!

~Deb

T-H-J-P-L & G-R

I memorized those letters many, many years ago to recall in order the things the Lord tells us it's good to think about.

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8

~Deb

Out & About

I've been out and about these past two days and haven't done much blogging; but whenever I've been waiting in the dentist chair, standing in line at Walmart, or reading in a parking lot waiting to pick Jonathan up from class, I wonder what's happening in the blogosphere and what I'm missing. I never thought I would think about blogs so much! My instructions when I go out the door..."Someone please think of a blog entry and post it while I'm gone!" I think my family believes I'm becoming a bit obsessive! :)

~Deb

Want a compliment? Wear Fun Fur!

During my out and about times, a warm and cozy fun fur scarf has been snuggled up around my neck. I was first introduced to this new knitting craze last summer when my friend, Chris, showed me her beautiful scarf projects and gave me one for a gift. I decided this past fall I would take a class at Michael's and learn how to knit a scarf myself. My sister wanted me to learn well so I could teach her at Thanksgiving. I went to class; I didn't learn well. She ended up teaching me at Christmas, but I have yet to finish the first one I started. But I have her to thank for two gorgeous fun furs she knitted just for me.

Anyway, this week everyone has noticed this scarf! It's amazing. I keep getting compliments from little old ladies at the library, the cashier at Walmart, and folks I see around town...I just wish I could say "I made it myself!"

~Deb

Here We Go a-Googling

In the past couple days, I've just realized the gradual assimilation of the word "google" into the English language. Google search engine has become so popular that people have started to use "google" or "googled" instead of "searched on the Internet." In fact, I just used it in my "Not too Keane" post. Will this become like the word "xerox?" Just another random thought...

Does anyone know what the mathematical term "googol" means? It is the number 10^100 (1 with 100 zeros after it). A tougher question: what is a googolplex?  Answer: 1 with a googol of zeros after it! You can read about the invention of the terms here. 

A last parting fact: I googled the word google on Google and got 150 million results!

~Jonathan

Sunday Morning Sunrise

This is the view this morning out our back windows facing the Blue Ridge Mountains. We did get more snow last night but not nearly as much as predicted. Our vehicles are parked down at the bottom of our back hill because we can't drive out of our subdivision yet. It is very frigid today, but maybe we'll venture out later and see what the outside world is doing as church service today is at 4 p.m.

~Deb

Sunday Hymn

Here's a song we sang one Sunday recently...the tune is a traditional Welsh melody and I like the words as well.

O God, To Us Show Mercy

O God, to us show mercy and bless us in Thy grace;
Cause thou to shine upon us the brightness of Thy face;
That so Thy way most holy on earth may soon be known,
And unto every people Thy saving grace be shown.

O God, let all men praise Thee, let all the nations sing;
In every land let praises and songs of gladness ring;
For Thou shalt judge the people in truth and righteousness,
And through the earth the nations shall Thy just rule confess.

O God, let people praise Thee, let all the nations sing,
For earth in rich abundance to us her fruit shall bring.
The Lord our God shall bless us, our God shall blessing send,
And all the earth shall fear him to its remotest end.

~Hannah

President Bush's Speech

For those of you who have never clicked and gone over to my sister's blog, Dappled Things, you should read her random thoughts posted yesterday about the Inauguration and today about President Bush's speech. We listened to the speech yesterday on NPR radio where the announcers were quite slanted in their remarks. Like Bet I also enjoyed hearing the hymn "God of our Fathers" at the closing and hearing what Bush said about the people in America praying for him. It certainly made me want to be right there in the crowd!

~Deb