Tech-know

One of the strangest things in my lifetime, to me, is the rapid, almost exponential growth of technology. The amount of ground covered in the last quarter century plus is astounding, and truly, the thing of novels. Sci-fi writers of years gone by dreamed of these things, yet, I believe they too would be shocked at just how quickly things have snowballed.

I recall, as a child, sitting and listening to records with my dad, and also, him shouting at me if I walked/ran too heavily about and made them skip. (Mind you, I think he was a bit nuts expecting a kid not too make a record skip, but, whatever) Then came tapes; ones that we listened to so many times on our cross-country trips, that they wore out. The Highwaymen, The Final Countdown, Dirty Dancing Soundtrack, Thriller, Bad, etc. Then CDs came along and the massive boom they created with record sales at all time highs. Now, 15 years or so after my first CD, I don't even know anyone who buys CDs anymore, most people make their own. A long way from making mix tapes by listening to the radio all day long waiting for the DJ to announce your favorite song. A mean, really, a DJ? Local radio? Pshaw.

Or how about communications? One of my many fond childhood memories is riding up front with my dad on trips while my mom sat in back with my sister. Why? Well, I got to play on the CB. Just like the Duke Boys and The Bandit. What could be cooler? I'll tell you what, a phone, that was only the size of a child's shoe box, that you could take anywhere with you and make calls to anywhere. You're kidding you say. NO, I am not; only the size of a child's shoe box. Now, my iPhone has all the info I'll ever need in the pam of my hand. Just crazy.

Nearly two-thirds of my life ago, (For those counting, that is only twenty years give or take, but the other way of putting it makes me sound like a wise old sage.) when my family was living in Germany, we would have to set times to be at the house, and make sure the family 6 hours behind us in time (back in time??) was also at their house once a week to have a chit chat. Why did we have to be around, you might wonder. Well, who had answering machines? Not us non-rich people, that's for sure. Now, I am able to look at my family and friends (at least those of you who have been paying attention and gotten Skype, ahem) while I talk to them...for free! Its amazing.

And computers? I remember getting our first computer when we lived in KY in 1985-86. It was the coolest, I could play wonderful, pixellated games that made no sense whatsoever, and it all ran from a cool thing called DOS. Or when we moved to San Antonio and got to connect to the World Wide Web and AOL. I chat and make friends with anyone from anywhere, all after using our phone line to screech and pop onto the web. Cool, huh? Well, just yesterday I finally got all the UK components and was able to link my Xbox and computer and DVD and receiver up again.

Or how about cameras? Or Cars? Or TVs? Or TV channels? Ok, some of you older folks may just appreciate the color on TV, but good for you too. And the list goes on and on. What will we be talking about 10 years from now?

Anyway, that about does it, gonna save this, then go and play games on my Coleco Vision. Just kidding.

Just pictures really

Not a lot to say here. Went to Framlingham Castle in the town of...wait for it...Framlingham. Pretty nice, definitely a spot to return to, by ourselves or with company. Pretty well intact, good photo opportunities, but Kelsie was getting a cold, and Rian was upset that no princesses actually lived there, so the day was cut a bit short.
Anyhow, enjoy.

Nice face, Rian

They really do love their Kels!

The wind!

See? I really am in England

From one tower across the interior of the castle

Up a wall from the courtyard

A school outside the castle walls, across the mere

Through a "window" out onto the countyside

The castle poorhouse, now giftshop, with school in background

LY all!

Requests?

No, no, no, I did not get a radio show over here. I don't think my taste would go over well here for one because everything sounds the same. They don't even seem to have an appreciation for the stuff that has come out of GB that is good. I digress.

I have been trying to work on my prayer life, and I would like to start praying for specific things. As of right now, I am praying for all my loved ones in generalitites, with the exception of a few. So, I have a request. If you don't mind, I would like some prayer requests. Praises are more than welcome too,but since I already take time out of my day to pray for you, (and if you are reading this, there is a 95% chance this includes you!) so why not allow me to pray for something that you truly need prayer for, or thanks for? If these are too personal, feel free to e-mail/facebook mail me. If they ae REALLY personal, just mention an unspoken request, and I will know to pray harder.

In a sense, you'd be doing me a favor as well; for several reasons. First, it helps me in my spiritual life. How awesome is it to be able to say that you have helped someone spiritually? ... That's what I thought. Second, and selfishly, it allows me to be close to you across the great distances between us. Time to reflect about our friendship and memories, and hopes and dreams.

This past week alone, I found out that two of my closest friends, two men who stood with me at my wedding, and their wives are pregnant. One couple for the second time, and one for the first time after years of practice. ;-) I can't begin to tell you how happy these two pieces of news made me. I am quite the little girl, so I obviously cried, but they were absolutely tears of joy!

So, if you happen to read this, even if I don't know you and you simply stumble across it, take a second and share something; you'll be helping us both!

Love you all!

US in Italy

My trip to Italy last week was actual a little more eventful than looking at chickens.  I had a very early flight to Venice that took us over the Swiss Alps.
The grandure of mountains that seems to pop out of the skies above the clouds.  Barren peaks licked with white snow on one side, harsh stone on the other.  Small villages filling the valleys below filled with a foggy mist.  It was a nice way to begin the morning.  I would love to someday see it from looking up.
The first evening that we were there we went for a late dinner in a small town.  The streets were made of cobble stone.  People were strolling along, riding bikes and pushing strollers (buggies).  Very few cars were out.  It felt like stepping back 100's of years.  The 900 year old church with a clock tower stood at the end of the main street over looking a timeless picture.  It's what you would imagine seeing in Italy.  A lazy river running thru town.  Window shopping for Italian shoes and clothes. 
We ate at an outdoor resturant that had homemade pasta and pizzas along the cobble stone plaza.  As I was setting in this relaxed ancient town a F-16 flies overhead and brings me to a realization of todays times.  These people live among a war that is being fought a lot closer to them than the ones that are there to fight it.  The roaring sound didn't seem to affect them a US base is very close, but to me?  I can't explain the feelings that rushed over me.  It was a mixture of pride, fear and confussion.  It's different than having a F-16 fly over your head in the US.  I think it came from an understanding that it wasn't there just for manuvers.  It was there to protect.