9/11

 

—Photographs by Marty Lederhandler/AP

I will never forget the day our lives were changed for eternity.  It is forever etched in my memory and I remember the exact moment I found out the towers had been hit.  The towers I had visited 15 years prior while marching in the 2006 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Those towers were so regal standing there.  The view from the observation deck was breathtaking.

I remember what I was doing at that moment, the scents, the sights and even the silence as it was deafening.  I remember everything about that day.  I'll never forget the absence of the sound of the planes above us as there was no air traffic for a few days and I'll never forget how everyone of us was in shock.  The way Flight 93 went down.  The images of the planes flying into the Twin Towers and the coverage of those running from the collapse of the towers.  The heroes who tried to save those inside and those inside who helped save lives.

It seems like something we only would see in movies but we lived it.  It has now been eight years and it only seems like yesterday.  I still get goosebumps when I think about it and when I see anything related to it on the T.V.  In fact, it still makes me incredibly sad and angry.  It was almost surreal and still seems a bit that way to this day.

As I was flipping the channels tonight I saw them reading the names....again.  The goosebumps were back.  I am grateful to all those who continue to fight today due to this horrible act on our country and I grieve with those who lost innocent loved ones on that fateful day and for those who have lost their lives fighting for our country post 9/11 as well as those who will lose their lives.  Our freedom does not come for free and I thank God for every one of the men and women who fight for that very freedom we very rarely remember we have.

This marks day 4 of Rhonna's 'The 21 Challenge' and I can honestly say I am doing well with it.  I dug out my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and got to work this morning.  I think tomorrow calls for me to step it up with The Firm.  Besides, there is 100% chance of rain so that definitely makes the possibility of riding my bike another 10 miles uncomfortable and really eliminates the chances of a run.  And did I mention in my other post about my new and improved understanding of riding a bike and the need for bike shorts?  Well, let's just say that there IS a really good reason why you wear bike shorts to ride your bike.  It definitely decreases the fraction factor which can become quite a problem.  I was convinced the insides of my legs were going to be covered with blisters by the time I got back from my ride yesterday.  Yikes!

In the eye candy department I have the fabulous Ms. Heather Bailey.  She has the cutest little blog with the most snappy and happy colors ever and she is such an inspiration as well as a creative genius.  She is honestly someone I would say I want to be when I grow up.  And I had the pleasure of meeting her at inspired.09 and I can tell you she really is a doll.  And tons of fun.  If you visit her lovely blog you can follow her crazy and beautiful world as well as score some great tips, some wonderful tutorials and even a few cool patterns for some really awesome things.  She was up in Utah this week and she did a guest spot on KSL Studio 5 and you can read about it here and even watch it there as well.  But I did bring the interview to you so enjoy, but be patient, there are a few seconds of a commercial previous to it as there must be to help with programming. Remember to push pause on the Playlist to the right.

If you go to Heather's blog here you can see the tutorial in written instruction which may be helpful to you.  I know what I think I will do with my quiet time tonight since The Husband is at work for the night, the oldest Little is at the football game and the youngest Little hung up her apron tonight (girl baked 2, yes 2, cakes last night) and is at her friend's for the night.  Playing!  I love a quiet house, candles burning, a thunderstorm (which is happening right now) and time creating.

Wait, did you hear that?  You say no, there isn't anything to hear......EXACTLY!  It rarely happens anymore with the schedules we have to keep in our house that I have time alone.  I'm off to play.