Technologies!

So, to be honest, without technology, my current job wouldn't even exist, and the University certainly wouldn't need me to help support instructors in their use of a complicated software application. I am grateful for technology for providing me a pretty good way to make a living. And I truly enjoy almost everything about my job and the people I work with.

But I'm also grateful for technologies because they are fun and useful and exciting.







Facebook lets me keep in touch with people that I would normally not have contact with, except on very rare occasions. Blogs let me express myself here, where I'm not sure anyone is reading ... but ... the important part is that I get to say what's on my mind and in my heart, with the tantalizing knowledge that, at the very least, I know a few people that I care about will wander into this space sometime and get a glimpse inside.

Our laptop allows me to sit comfortably and companionably on the living room sofa near my husband while the television presents its disturbing and/or amusing fare ... and I don't even have to pay attention, because I'm otherwise occupied!

Today, another kind of technology arrived at our door. Its design, I believe, originated in the 1950s, but ours is brand new. It looks "space aged," and it floats on air. I'm looking forward to using it!



Technology ... I guess that makes me some kind of geek, eh?

Oh! Did I mention the technology I'm grateful for that allows me to capture images of my world, my loved ones, and to learn more about myself in the process? Ah, yes ... I'm grateful for my camera and Flickr and Picasa, and ... yeah, all that. :-)

Winter Sun, Getting Things Done

I have amazing miracles in my kitchen! One is this gorgeous "Christmas" cactus that John bought for me last year. It's been hanging over the sink, pretty much gasping for water most of the time. John took it down a couple of times and soaked it in the sink ... and recently noticed BUDS! Now it's in bloom. Look how beautiful!



The afternoon sun was so warm and delicious when I got home (early). I love sunshine ... even winter sunshine. And I love light and shadows. And I love that I get to capture them to enjoy long after their short, ephemeral presence is over.



Last night, I spent two hours applying for a Federal PLUS Loan for Parents. I'm grateful I overcame the challenges in the website and Sallie Mae personnel, to complete the process (including the correction of the amount we're applying for!). I'm grateful for the one person out of four I spoke to who seemed to be a thinking human being instead of a living answering machine. And I'm grateful it's done!

Mack greeted me this afternoon very insistently. I couldn't stay home and cuddle him (that's him in the picture with the computer), but he persisted ... climbing onto the kitchen table and into my arms despite my protests. I snuggled a minute, and wondered out loud if he was trying to tell me something ... checked the food dishes downstairs and discovered they were completely empty. He's such a clever kitty!

Finally, I'm grateful for the progress on the work necessary to make Summer Assembly 2009 happen. We're very close to being on target with our project dates, we've got a GREAT leader, and although there's still plenty of work ahead, it's nice to feel confident instead of frantic. :-)