Priceless weekend

 
 
 
 

This weekend was great...... Sun, surf, attempting to sit,lie, and balance a 8 foot surfing board. The sheer physicality of balancing a board while sitting on it in the surf was an interestingly amusing task... Let alone learning the power to paddle and catch a wave. (okay so I didn't get to brag that I could stand up), but I had a blast trying.. Then good seafood, good conversation, great salsa then a few more hours in the sun and surf before heading home.

A weekend full of refreshement, relaxation, doing what I love, trying a new adventure and swimming in the sun.... the sheer exhaustion and ache of sore muscles but the satisfaction of working hard at all the fun things of life..... priceless
Here's a few more pics

salsa Congress in Orlando 2008

Okay, so I didn't take my good camera to Orlando Salsa Congress. This weekend was to throw myself into Salsa -absorb as much as possible and leave all the stress of day to day life -- at home... And get away. Ah you gotta love it... Its just hard to blog all the fun moments afterwards. How do you put into words the thrill of getting down a routine, of learning a new lead or of spinning so many times you loose count on the floor, or the feeling of floating like a beautiful princess with one guys lead and change it up with the next lead who teases you into showing everything you've got.

And the fun part of salsa conventions -- you meet people from all over -- the US and outside the US -Romanian, Hungarian, Italian etc.

--- Special shout out out to Kansas City-- Lauren -- you were so open and friendly-- it was great fun hanging out in the classes and getting pointers from a styling Salsera who is newer than me, but could easily put my shines to shame... It was great meeting you. You go girl!!!

-- A second shout out to the amazing instructors -- thanks for breaking down the routines and giving so many different ones. All the little pointers about leads was great. And the moments of humor to break up the fatigue were well appreciated. As was the laughing at my own inadequacies at times. -- sorry to the guys I hit with my elbow. And laughing about others inadequacies -- my big toe felt its own retribution, when one guy backed up on me in class and the mutliple hits to the top of my head during complicated cross body leads.

-- A third shout out to the great male dancers who were way above my league and made me smile, flirt, laugh and spin controllably with delight. Its great to get out of town and meet new friends.

-- And finally a fun shout out to the friendly crowd from home -- it was nice hanging out chatting with people and getting to know more about you.

And for those who have never gone to a salsa congress -- its a weekend packed with classes all day and social dancing at night into the wee hours of the next morning (usually around 3 am)only to get up the next morning to start all over.

This year was nice to have our share of restaurants across the street -- I got to go to a BB King Bar/ Restaurant and listen to a live blues band one night and got to listen to and participate in a traditional "Opa" Greek dance and watch a belly dancer routine who was also a fire eater. All around entertainment every which direction. And even a few minutes to put my feet in the spa jets of the pool to soothing my throbbing feet.-- Orlando provides a great packed weekend.

... One video from class -- most instructors asked us not to put it on the internet and I will respect that --but this instructor from Kissimee Florida didn't care -- he does it for the fun of salsa. Here is a clip of a laid back routine he taught us.

Some cute video updates of Jayden

Okay, so while babysitting I caught a few video clips. One of Jayden counting... and then bored when I asked him to start again so he tries to change the topic then tries to whisper and then in frustration yells it for me...



and later at bedtime while reading one of his favorite books-- a cute book that he loves to act out, I couldn't help but video him again...

Delayed gratification..... two parts

Part 1.
So the pastor talked about something Sunday. It struck me then, and tonight I took time to go back over it. I needed to reread it and let it sink in further. He challenged us to "develop the art of delayed gratification". That is a weakness of mine... and I dare say its a weakness of my generation. He challenged us to learn to delay gratification for the proper time. (reading from my notes) --a quote that struck me specifically was "Don't eat today what God has planned for tomorrow" -- "do it right, now, so that you don't have to re do it/ fix it later". So often I don't keep that in mind. I see a piece of clothing and want it now -- put it on credit. I see a piece of chocolate -- it sounds good to me. The examples abound, but do I take a moment to try and practice patience or self control -- not often...

He challenged us to have more self control and diligence. He particularly identified that diligence is something you do every day for a long time. He went on to share some vs that confirm God's desire to see these things to develop. And he shared that often God blesses us for our diligence -- you don't get blessed for quitting. That message hit me on so many levels... I wanted to share it with others and let it encourage others out there...

Part 2
Recently my aunt sent me a fun scuba diving map. She challenged/encouraged me to dream of having a dream vacation --scuba trip to Maui Hawaia in the future. A dream.... why is it that I don't easily allow myself to dream of big dreams. Am I too much of a realist to allow myself to have big dreams? But tonight I was challenged to dream big and expect God to bless me with special times, places, people and moments to refresh and encourage and surprise me. And then it struck me...





Part of dreaming big dreams -- delayed gratification. (My weakness). To dream big or have faith or expect big things... AND... be willing to wait for it to happen.

The bible is full of delayed blessings... the land of Isreal to the slaves -only after 40 years in the desert, Jonah's release from the belly of the fish -- after three days in the cramped dark claustraphobic area (imagine falling asleep only to awaken wandering "what is that thing swishing past your leg?"), Joseph being raised to second in command after years of being a slave and being imprisoned, Esther became a queen after being orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordecai.

So this week even when I fail I am going to retry at diligence and self control and dreaming big and wait to see what God has in store for me...

Maddie at 3 months & Jayden at 20 months

I got to spend some time with my niece and nephew. They are growing up fast. I have fun playing the papparazzi but must admit since going digital I am way behind on printing any pictures. I made my first scrapbook for Jaydens first few days and weeks and he is almost two. I better get started on Maddies... I had a share a few pics. Jayden and I played in the pillows and played hide and seek. Later I gave him his bath and made it a bubble bath. He had so much fun exploring the bubbles and even was brave enough to put his face under the bubbles -- so that he could come up with a face full of bubbles. I can't believe how verbal he is getting. Here are a few mored pics -- click here

Yard sale finds...

I love a bargain and I love artwork ... problem is, I can't afford to buy many pieces. But I found the answers -- yard sales in nice neighborhoods of Greenville. Janelle and I set off at 7am on my day off. There were bargains to be found and we were out to get them. We hit paydirt around 9am. We both noticed this set of oil paintings and agreed to get them and decide after we got home who would get them. After running it by Josie and find two other small pieces we agreed I got these two and Janelle got two more for her kitchen. I love the big one. Its the kind of picture I want to plan my living room around. The sail boats in the background and the blue ocean that you can fall into. -My perfect get away... just imagine the wind in my face whipping at my hair, the rippling of the sails, and the slicing noise of the boat in the water. The instant freedom from distractions. Ahh I love this beautiful world and can't wait to explore it more.

Here are some pics from a two weeks ago. I can't believe how difficult it is to get a toddler and an infant in one pictures.

This weekend I spent a night out with the girls then went up to Hendersonville for Saturday to get some work done.

Ownership now also includes manhandling large half broken limbs out of tall trees onto the roof top. Followed by rolling it (since its too heavy and bulky to pick up)off the roof. Then one must remove it from sight and since I don't own a chainsaw (half from fear of injury to my own limbs -- after fixing many limbs from the same self induced injuries and half because then its one more piece of equipment for me to try to maintain) ((and I mean try as I seem to fail more than to suceed at the maintaining part)) -can you put an aside inside another aside? Continuing on... I then had to drag said limb 20 feet into the woods. An easier task on superficial statement... problem is.. the limbs catch on all the underbrush which required tramping through briary underbrush in shorts to lift pieces free to drag it further into the woods. Some times my noisy smoke smelled apartment is easier (even when you observe cops breaking up females fighting in the parking lot from time to time).

I got a chance to hang out with the Foskey family. They are growing up so quickly... It was fun hanging out with everyone and playing on a trampoline.

Then I went salsa dancing late Saturday after eating a fresh strawberry pie (made from melt on your tongue strawberries from my garden) with the Wilder family.
Only to make it home 4 hours before having to make it up for church to dance. And worship was amazing on Sunday. God is doing some amazing things. Can't wait to know what he was working on freeing up... I realized the last chapter in my life was on Identity. I believe this next stage of my life is going to include vision and purpose....
Gotta run -- salsa calls

Birthday party with the dance team from RWOC

Pammy's birthday brought the team together for dinner at Cesear's Resturant. We had a nice time chatting and laughing and sharing time together and blessing Pammie with some gifts. Here are pictures

A collage from the weekend

 

Fun with cameras

I still laugh at this one... I turned the viewfinder to the front of the camera with Jayden... He could see himself while I recorded. It was his first experience seeing himself. He was so confused/amused he would run in circles away from the camera....




this weekend was full and fun...

In the last week I have been crazy busy and neglected uploading some pictures. I went to Virginia and had birthday parties for Sammy and for Lanicia.









Then, this week I spent several nights at church - some great insights .... I may share more later...






I had a great time hanging out and catching up with friends.


And enjoyed watching kids be kids....















this weekend I enjoyed catching up with Janelle and Josie and helping out with Jayden and Madelyn. So here are a few pics...



Jayden is such a fun subject to take pictures of...















He loves the swing... so much is hard to convince him to get out of the swing

























And he is a great big brother





















And then they got a great box to play in. I cut a hole for a door and two for windows that open and close.


He had a ball, and decided to start using the larger window as an exit and entrance site.

Downtown

I spent this afternoon enjoying downtown Greenville. I thought I would share a few pictures of the beauty of the day and the architecture around the city.

my day in the sun/ time with family

Ive been tagged....

I've been tagged by my friend Crystal. Crystal & I know each other from a Virginia. She's been the queen of blogging despite the fact that she is the mother to five of the smartest and most beautiful kids. So I will try to pass on this game as I find it fun to find friends who are in common who are blogging..

The rules are as follows...
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Random Facts about Karla:
1. I've lived in three different states in the last three years -- VA, NC now SC
2. My top 3 favorite activities begin with the letter "s" (although two are expensive and I don't get to do them very often) Can you guess what they are from reading my blog?
3. My middle name came from being named after my grandmother.
4. I love looking at colors in nature -- like sunsets, rainbows or light dancing on water.
5. I want to sell my log cabin in the mountains of NC
6. My current favorite verse is Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me...
7. I now work with kids who have orthopedic problems.



Seven friends tagged...
1. Lindsay
2. Kristin
3. Gil & Nel Marie
4. David
5. Janelle
6. Marissa
7. Kim and Laura

 
 
 
 


A few pics from the salsa congresito in greenville, sc.... More details after I get some sleep 35 hours without sleep is catching up with me. Sometimes life goes a hundred hours a minute, and I don't want to miss a second.... good friends, buying groceries, seeing family, SALSA dancing, dancing in church, more salsa dancing and then laundry and a peek at the pics... gotta run....

Spring and new things abound...

Spring is here. Traditionally I go and take pictures to prove it... but the proof exist in the blooms that fall off the pear trees, the tulips in bloom, the daffodils, the birds chirping, and the beautiful 60-70 degree days here. I am slowly adjusting to life in Greenville. (I know, "rough life" you say from all my northern friends yearning for the warmth-- except I am very aware of the possible skin melting heat I may face this summer)

I love this time of year. And I love being where God has planted me. And looking forward to the anticipation of what is about to blossom open in my life. I pray that I follow his plans. And can't wait to see what He has in store for me.

The new job is mentally exhausting grasping all the new syndromes children can be born with and learning all the logistics to the specialized pediatric orthopedic care they provide. But luckily the staff is great and encouraging and helpful at educating. I am learning and enjoying it.

And how are other things?...
-- trying new things like the worship/dance team at church
-- trying to switch from late nights to early mornings-- 5:30-6:00 am to be exact
-- still looking for a great Christian man and learning to not let my expectations/standards slip -that God knows I'm worth it and now I realize it too :)
-- trying to learn to salsa dance smoother
--enjoying being an aunt to Jayden and now Madeline -- as of note we gave Jayden and easier version of my name to say and now he proudly says "hi" and "byebye" to "Lala" (missing my other three nephews - Justin, Josh & Walker)
-- enjoying chatting with new friends and hoping to start having energy to hang out more in the next few weeks
-- itching to go scuba diving -- anyone interested in a trip let me know...

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....still loving life to the fullest, living every moment, treasuring every new memory, giving all I have, sharing my love,taking moments to look up and enjoy those beautiful sunrises, falling down and getting back up to dance again..