Best.Week. Ever.

My apologies to anyone who came from the email I sent out last night and got a post you had already read.  I have typed this blog twice, and due to some hatred this program harbors for me, lost it twice.  My hopes are that it will post this time.

Last week was a wonderful week for me.  I wanted to share what was so great about it.

Reason #1 My Birthday

Besides the emails, call, texts, FB notes, cards and visits I received, I also got some very nice gifts.

New Vera Bradley hipster and messenger bag from my grandmother:

Chocolates from Karenran:

A Christmas Cactus and Chocolate Chip cookies from the Fultons:

And TWILIGHT makeup from my sister!

It was a wonderful day I want to say thanks to everyone who made it special.

Reason #2 Thanksgiving

This year was wonderful. We took a family picture:

Each year since we moved here, we have had the honor of sharing this special day and meal with a different group of friends or family.  This year our dear friends the Ryans invited out to their house for the day.  It was wonderful to play and eat and fellowship with their family, and we came home refreshed and encouraged.  Charles had the honor of carving the turkey, a task he enjoys very much:

On Friday we shared Thanksgiving with the Horldts, celebrating with our personal tradition of Carne Guisada.  It was delicious, I promise.

Dori spoiled us with a Pumpkin Cheesecake that was so good it is what I requested for a Christmas present this year!

Reason #3 – NaNoWriMo WIN!! (Notice the win paraphernalia on the top right of my blog)

For those who do not know, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a writing challenge, encouraging writers to take a stab at writing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. 

*I completed 50,000 words!

*I realized the story I had no plot line for in early November suddenly needed way more than 50,000 words to complete, so I am still trekking away at it!

*I know that I want to be a writer when I grow up.  It took me until I was 32, but now I know for sure. This story that started as a random challenge to see if I could do has become a passion!  I will keep you updated as I start learning about the editing and publishing process! (I know nothing right now!  After I have a completed story I will find out what is next).

Reason #4 We are moving back to Texas

Ok, this one is actually may best week ever, and my worst week ever.  We love our life and our friends here.  Living in Shelby has been a blessing beyond what we could have ever dreamed.

However, in His perfect timing, the Lord has seen fit to send us back to Texas.  TheEngineer is being transferred to Corpus Christi, a move we thought had been cancelled.  We were expecting to wait at least 1-2 more years.  We were shocked when he got a call telling him how much the manager in Corpus was looking forward to seeing him!

It has been a crazy few weeks of figuring out exactly what is going on, but last week the official company announcement went our to over 500 people, so this time it is a real as it gets in corporate America.

It is an incredible opportunity for him, and we are all thrilled to be so much closer to friends and family.

I will keep everyone updated on our house hunting and move adventures as well!

I have missed blogging the last month – NaNoWriMo really did eat up my free time, but it was well worth it!  I will start harassing you with my blog updates regularly again – I promise!

The EnigneersFalcon

From 5k to 50k

Hello everyone! Greeting from the land of beautiful trees changing colors!

Some of you may be wondering about the 5k I was training to run. A nasty leg injury (unrelated to my training) and 2 rounds of bronchitis since August have brought me to what can only be described as a complete halt. While I have not given up the dream, I have no choice but to postpone it.

But, loyal readers, worry yourselves not! I have not abandoned the idea of personal challenges to keep you updated on. I am writing a novel! "Seriously?" you may ask. "Seriously" I would reply. And just any novel - a Great Frantic Novel.

Here's the deal: I am entering a challenge from the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) to compose a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. The goal here is quantity, not quality. It is just a chance to jump in and get something, anything on paper. I have always toyed with the idea but never done anything about it. So, I am, virtually on a whim, going to jump in there and try!

Why do I like the 50k? I can do it from the warmth of my chair, while hacking my lungs up, high on cough syrup, with and ice pack on my leg! HA!

So, from 5k to 50k it is! I am off to work on an idea and an outline, I have to start writing soon!
TheEngineersFalcon

My (Cleveland County) Fair (Little) Lady

Princess danced at the Fair this weekend (3rd year in a row) and it was great.  She is taking two classes, so she was in two numbers. 

The first was gymnastics.  Although she took a little in Kinderdance and a little this summer, this is her first full year to take it.  She is loving it!  She is on the back row, in a pink tye dye shirt and pink shorts.

Ballet is her first love and where she shines the most.  She is front and center in this one!

Hope you are having a great week - we are off of school and enjoying the freedom!

EngineersFalcon