Seasoned Greetings

I got a little addicted to my design programs this year and had to spice up our season's greetings with a few homemade "cards" for my Facebook page.

Since not all of you are on Facebook with me, here's what you've been missing since Thanksgiving... (Just click on the pictures to make them larger is you can't read the text.)

Thinking of warm, sunny thoughts from our August concert when the three of us saw STYX, 38-Special and Grand Funk Railroad!

Had to make use of one our "church photos" since they turned out so nice.

The one naughty thought I had this year came at the Women Rock Minnesota 10K race. Santa understands. (But does hubby??)

Naturally, our Sylvester is pretty for all seasons. And a good reminder of all the sweet blessings we have in our life.

Looking forward to the Hedberg Christmas party Saturday and our annual program. Who knew last year's appearance by Mom and Dad would be their final performance together? Treasure who you have while you have them!

And then there's our actual Christmas card/letter/photo page. I will have to wait to post that, though, since I have a few I didn't get out in the mail yet.

I hope all your greetings -- seasoned or otherwise -- are bringing a smile to your face and a warm feeling in your heart!

Stamina

Don't ask me how those aging rock stars can dance around the stage for hours in their black leather pants and still get out of bed in the morning. I had troubles today and I just watched them!

Whether it's solar panels or energy drinks or some substance I'd rather not know about, I have to admire their stamina. Of course, they must be in shape to fit into those leather pants and be able to move and eventually get out of them again.

Do I seem too focused on those leather pants? Maybe. But I'm pretty sure Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw has been wearing them since 1980 and, after everyone else I saw on and off stage last night, he's the only one who can pull off that look.

Nicely done, Mr. Shaw.

Now, what was I saying? Oh, energy. Lack of it. Today. Yes, it was tough getting out of bed.

I had emailed my boss and said I was coming in an hour late. Basically, that gave me 5 hours of sleep instead of 4. I think both hubby and I were dragging today. I was proud that I only drank half a pot of coffee and didn't consume as much as I felt I needed. I would be wired and sick by now!

I skipped any sort of workout at lunch and had the salad bar deal at work. Tonight I carbed up -- just an excuse for chicken Alfredo, really -- in advance of this weekend's running event. Now talk about stamina. I am a little concerned about this Dirty Girl mud run I've gotten myself into. I don't just have to run a 5K, I have to surmount 10-12 obstacles between the start and finish line as well. Haven't done much to prepare myself for that, but I'm guessing if the old guys from the '70s and '80s can bring it for 1-2 hours on stage, I of a much younger age (cough, cough, ahem) should be able to handle this "fun" run.

And I don't even have to wear leather pants!

Though, those might deflect mud better. Hmmm. Mr. Shaw! Hey, Mr. Shaw...

May Day Special

I was on my way home from the grocery store tonight when I heard the song, "Oh How the Years Go By" by Amy Grant. It was still playing when I parked in the garage. I shut off the car and listened.

I thought how appropriate to hear it on my baby's birthday. I thought how different life was 10 years ago today. When Carter wasn't officially "here" yet. Life without Carter?! How empty! Now, it's 10 years later. A decade! Oh how the years do go by!

Carter has been making a big deal about this birthday because it's double digits. "Wait until it's triple digits!" he says. He sure is optimistic about his longevity!

Today was a busy day for him. His birthday treats were a big hit at school. He didn't even bring any leftovers home. He opened a few cards in the mail after school. Then he trotted off to baseball practice.

He wasn't expecting to open any presents today (although he really, really wanted to). We said Daddy's family is coming over for a small party on Saturday so he'd have to wait. But then I started thinking, that's not fair. It's not like he's 3 years old and doesn't know what day it is. He still should get to open up something on his birthday.

So when he got home from practice, we put candles on the little M&M ice cream cake I got from the Schwan's man -- and he got to open his socks and underwear. Hey, that's what he gets for begging to open something today. At the bottom of the bag was a Styx greatest hits CD so he is satisfied until Saturday now.

Since there's no school tomorrow, he was hoping to stay up until his "real" birthday at 10:15 p.m. but we still have to get up early to get him to the sitter's so I said maybe next year. He said, "Sorry, Mom. I bet 10 years ago when I was still in your tummy you said, 'This kid is gonna be annoying.'"

I said, "Nope. I said 'this kid is gonna be my angel.'" I think he rolled his eyes, but still let me hug him and kiss him anyway. That's my baby! Oh how the years go by...