Irony?

English teachers can correct me but is it ironic that I kept talking about how I was just going to drink a ton of Diet Coke on vacation and then Brenda and I got delayed and instead of spending Monday on the beach we did this?



And is it more than a little funny that this is right across the street from that?



We did eventually make it here


(this being the last photo taken before I broke my 4 day old camera)

And so despite broken cameras and missed planes and too much sunburn, it was a wildly successful Panamanian Thanksgiving.

I thought about a lot of things-goals for 2011, the power of two, new places I want to go, lessons I can learn from Andre Agassi (not a joke), possible color schemes for my bedroom, where I want to be in 10, 15, 20 years...but mostly I counted blessings. My list probably sounds a lot like yours-family, friends, job, home, car, freedom-all the standard stuff.

By far the thing I am the very most grateful for is one whole year of feeling like I am just where I want to be. Professionally, personally, even the bumpiness of my love life (there is no non-lame sounding way to say that is there? Love life? barf.), I have no business complaining. And sometimes I still do but I'm also thankful that I usually manage to laugh at myself pretty quickly when things like delayed planes and broken cameras get my blood pressure rising. It is humbling to see how active the Lord has been in granting wishes I probably don't even deserve.

Tonight my sunburn still feels a little raw and the contrast of my pink skin with the snow that is finally falling in Colorado Springs is making me giggle a little bit while I listen to some Christmas music. Not a bad end to the first of this many holidayed season.

And for you...an artist I'm falling madly in love with of late. Rambling Man by Laura Marling. I posted her song "Ghosts" a few weeks back and then found this live version that is just stunning...I love the imagery of the first verse

He walked down a busy street
Staring solely at his feet
Clutching pictures of past lovers at his side
Sat at the table where she sat
And removed his hat
In respect of her presence
Presents her with the pictures and says
‘These are just ghosts that broke my heart before I met you.
These are just ghosts that broke my heart before I met you’

He opened up his little heart
Unlocked the lock that kept it dark
And read a written warning
Saying ‘I’m still mourning
Over ghosts
Over ghosts
Over ghosts
Over ghosts that broke my heart before I met you’



More to come...