Friends, podcasting and weather.

I have just had coffee at Tuscany's with my good friend Jana and we had a great time. Jana always travels during the holidays so it is good to catch up after not seeing her for a month. I still say that Tuscany's is the best place in town to have coffee, lovely atmosphere, awesome coffee and friendly service. This morning I made my protein shake which I have been drinking for breakfast ever since I saw the recipe for it on the Today show, and because I didn't eat any dinner last night for lack of time before it was too late to eat, I was still hungry. So, because I was hungry I joined Jana and chose breakfast which was organic vanilla yogurt, chopped strawberries and banana's, and 2 pieces of multi-grain toast, which I didn't finish, but was very yummy. Tell me where you can get a healthy breakfast, excellent coffee, and a beautiful atmosphere, besides one's home ofcourse in Abilene. Only at Tuscany's I believe.
I have borrowed (actually taken over), my husbands 30 gig video ipod. I am sure that if he asked me to return it to him, it's rightful owner, I would do so, but thankfully he has let me play with it for several days now. I have loaded 4 movies for our trip to Dallas next week, for Jack to watch. Our portable dvd player that became Jack's best friend for dr.s trips to Dallas and hours of chemo, bit the dust several months ago. So the ipod will come in very handy for the trip. And for myself I have been downloading pictures, some of my last sittings, so I can show prospective clients a slideshow of engagement sittings, or weddings if I don't have my books with me. I have downloaded quite a bit of music, and now for my favorite item - podcasts. I along with the rest of the free-world am still in the midst of the New Years resolution, this year will be the year I will get in shape again, after all my youngest children are turning 8 in a few short weeks, I can no longer in good conscience blame my figure on post partum baby weight. Ideally for me to work out with a friend works best, because there is accountability and conversation that gets me through it. I get bored when I am working out, even in classes, my mind will wander and I will wish that I was at home cleaning my kitchen, or whatever, but the addition of podcasts to my walking has made time fly by and I certainly wont quit walking until the podcast is over, so every night I have been downloading podcasts to listen to from Focus on the Family. I love Dr. Dobson's half hour show, but am rarely in my car at the right time to hear it and don't think about turning on the radio at home at the right time. So I am listening to them while I walk in the mall each morning. Yesterday I was listening to the inspiring story of a woman and then her husband who were hard core addicts that had no hope for life, and then someone told them about Jesus, they went to a rehab that is based on Jesus and years later they married and had children and they testify to the power of Jesus in their lives. I was walking through the mall, crying and whimpering for this amazing story and before I knew it, my 3 miles were done! I don't even remember feeling one time, I wish I wasn't here. So one of my favorite things is podcasting on my (oop's my husbands) ipod. I do ofcourse have my own shuffle, so if he does call back his ownership then I can use my own ipod. It just doesn't have as many bells and whistles, but it does very nicely clip to my clothes and is effortless to exercise with, one perk the video ipod does not offer.

To a totally different situation - we go Tuesday to Dallas for Jack's MRI which is early Wednesday morning, the weather is looking a bit iffy, if the roads are safe we will go, if not then we will need to reschedule, please keep Jack and our family in your prayers next week.