Welcome Baby Nixon

In Front of the lens

My Friend, Julie Boles, took me out on my own personal photo shoot recently. I am used to being the one pointing the camera, and feel much more comfortable when I am the one behind the lens. I discovered quickly, that posing wasn't as easy as others make it look, and my dear friend was very patient with me as she turned my head, moved my hair from my face and gave me constant guidance! I was as posable as a piece of cardboard, but Julie did an outstanding job.

Oh to be like Barkley

Barkley joined our family a little over 2 years ago. He's a gorgeous Golden Retriever, which is a pretty Ironic name, seeing as he doesn't actually retrieve. Don't get me wrong, he's a smart dog, and can do many tricks, but running after something and bringing it back to you just doesn't seem to be his cup of tea! We have so much fun when people come over, showing them how Barkley can fall down and play dead if we pretend to shoot him, and how he can shake paw with you, and the weird sounds he makes for a liver treat, but if I want something, I have to go get it myself.

Anyhow, with tricks aside, he is a good running companion, gentle giant, and great company. Over the past 2 years I have found that I want to be more like my dog then anyone else. When you think about it, there is a lot to be learned from this hairy, wet nosed friend.

1 Loyal

2 Forgiving

3 Unconditional with Love

4 Obedient (as long as he doesn't need to fetch)

5 Happy

6 Content

7 Always pleased to see me

8 Good listener

Why wouldn't I want those qualities all the time?

I only have to walk out of a room and walk back in it and his tail is wagging like I'm some kind of a rock star. No matter how bad my mood, he overlooks it and is still happy to be with me. If I beat him at tug of war, he is a good looser, although ready to beat me next time. I could go on forever about my dog and the great qualities he has, but I think you get the point.

Happy Anniversary to my sweetheart

Life is like a Skydive

Back when I was young and reckless, I took it upon myself to do a skydive from 13,000 feet. I justified my craziness by doing this for charity, knowing that no matter what happened, someone, somewhere, would benefit from one of my many lunatic moments.

However, over the years I have realized that skydiving is a lot like life, and during difficult moments, I sometimes use this photo to give myself back some perspective. Now, is one of those times.

1 Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to.

Before getting in the plane with the man I was about to strap myself to, I asked, "Have you had any accidents!" What was I thinking? My instructor proceeded to tell me stories that made me feel sick. What bones hadn't he broken? How long was that coma?

Who am I strapping myself to in life?

2. If you don't fall, you can't fly.

When the plane got to the right altitude, I had a complete change of heart, and no longer wanted to exit the plane. Strapped to someone that was familiar with a persons fear of plunging to their death was of little comfort. Begging for my life had no effect on him, and he pushed and pushed me till I was at the opening of the plane. With my legs dangling over the side, my heart raced and I REALLY DIDN'T want to do this anymore. Then the instructor said to me, "Stop thinking of this as falling and start thinking of it as flying." At the time his words were complete madness, but he was right. I all too often think of my problems in life as being falls and crashes. But without jumping in with my whole heart I can never fly.

3. Without some rules it's easy to get into trouble.

I was rolled out of the plane, and the same feeling you get on a roller coaster came over me for a moment, and then, with nothing around me to make a judgement with, I lost all sense of how fast I was falling. Kinda like how fast things can escalate in our lives. I held my mouth in the grimace I was told to, to prevent my lips from being blown in every direction. I also held my body in the pose I was told to so that I would keep control and have no fears of getting tangled when it was time to pull the chute. How many times in life do we have to grimace and get through something? And just like holding the pose would keep me out of danger, rules in life keep us out of harms way.

4. Sometimes I need a big jolt to remind me to enjoy the view.

And just like life, this free fall had it's jolt. I hadn't been warned how it would feel when the chute was first pulled. It was like slamming on the brakes. The straps jerked tight around my thighs and I was pulled upwards as the silk of the parachute caught the wind. It was then, and only then, with a big jolt and my decent slowed down, that I took in the amazing view around me.

Sometimes in life we are moving so fast that we forget to enjoy whats right before us and I was guilty of this when hurtling to my doom below! Now, at a slower pace I noticed how the fields looked like a patchwork quilt, threaded by hedgerows. I felt a gentle dampness on my face as we drifted thru clouds. All was silent. As busy as the world was below me, I heard none of it, only the slight rustle of the parachute above. PEACE.

5. We all need something to hold on to.

With toggles in my hand, I used them to guide me to the landing area. Calmly I could turn this way and that, knowing that doing so would lead me to a place I could land safely. So what things am I holding onto in life to guide me to where I want to be? Each thread from the toggles to the chute have a purpose, and they don't control us, they are there to help us travel thru the air in safety. So I would have to say that my threads are God, my family & Friends. No occupation, possession, hobby, or obsession has defined me as a person or helped me be who I want to be. Only those I love, and who really love me have kept my feet where they have needed to be, and re-directed me when I have travelled off course. So note to self...am I being a reliable thread in someone else's chute? Am I constant and dependable? Food for thought.

6. Was it worth it?

ABSO-FLIPPIN-LUTELY!!!! Don't get me wrong...being no expert at landing meant there was a little bump at the end, but the fall was worth the flight. Anyone who knows me will know that I HATE problems. I'm a self proclaimed pansy and thats okay. But even a whiney baby like me can't deny that problems are a part of life, and as much as I hate them, I would be far less of a person without them. Thru my problems, I have come to know who my friends really are. Thru problems I have found that God is more loyal to me then I have been to Him. Thru problems I have become a little stronger, or had a little more understanding and compassion for another.

So what am I saying, and who am I saying this to? Well I'm giving myself a pep talk really, and reminding myself of what I already know. Because whats the point of a forgotten experience? And what I'm trying to say is, The jump is scary so Grimace, Hold on to something and...fly!

When 30 mins early is still too late

Yeah, you know what I'm talking about...Pue Possession!

I always arrive at church 30 minutes early, and there appears to be rows and rows of empty seats. However, when attempting to sit down, I find that someone has reserved them by placing their scriptures or hymn book there. It brings me to the question...what time do I have to be at church to get a seat?

After many years of going to church, I have accepted that saving seats at church is kind of like the Germans placing their towels on the deck chairs the night before, while on vacation. My British friends will understand that explanation. My point is that church seat saving has become a fact of life that we live with, because telling someone to turn up and sit down, like you did, seems to label you as un-christian.

This week really bothered me though. After arriving 30 minutes early, finding the building virtually people free, but every cushioned seat reserved, I took my usual spot on the hard metal chairs at the back. Then 10 minutes after the start of church, people walked in and sat down on three rows of seats that had been saved for them. Call me a religious fanatic, but church is a privilege and a blessing to me. Part of the reverence we should be showing should include being punctual and seated.

Seat saving is selfish, and I don't apologize for saying so.

There have been occasions when I have sat in a seat at church and been asked to move because this is 'Their seat!' REALLY??? When the prophet burns your name into the wood of a pue, then I will respect it as being yours. Until then, come to church, sit in your chair or allow those who actually show up on time to have the privilege of a comfortable seat.

You wouldn't go to the post office, and jump the line with the excuse that you had a book or magazine saving your place. Three rows of people wouldn't jump the line at disneyland with the excuse that their neighbor had held all those places. Not without some kind of a death wish. There is no other place a person would dare to do this, so why have the disrespect to do it in a church building to your fellowmen?

I'm not saying that I'm right...but this is how I feel. However, I am really interested in anyones thoughts and feelings on this subject...so comments please.

Oh remember when we knew it all...

Do you remember when you knew it all? There was a time when no-one could tell me anything (Don't act all shocked), and as a mother there have been plenty of times that I have said, "Sorry, I forgot you know everything!"

Of course I do what so many of us do, and look back on my life with rose colored glasses, remembering myself as a perfect child. But deep inside, OK, my mother reminds me, that I knew it all once too.

I have been right very few times in my adult life...but I sure as heck was right as a kid. That's why "those were the days."