8-0 Never Looked So Good

Hi, all:  

I know..I know...I should be blogging more!  Had fun helping JA celebrate his bday over the weekend with family and friends.  80 never looked so good!...check out the videos that show some of the fun!...R.

2010: Let the Good Times Roll!

Happy New Year to all of my friends and family members!  

It's hard for me to believe that 2009 has departed.  Last year flew by for me, and, overall was a great year.  I am thankful for the loved ones in my life.

This year, I resolve to blog more, and I hope that doing so will be a 2010 resolution that I keep.

I titled today's post as "let the good times roll," and I included a photo of my twin and me on our '09 birthday having a ball.  My hope is that 2010 will be a year that offers similar happy moments.  So, again:  let 'em roll!

A Year Flies By

Hello, Peeps!  

I can't believe I haven't formally blogged since January!  2009 has been a busy, fun-filled year for me, and I've been micro-blogging.  After discovering FaceBook and Twitter, I've neglected my Blogger site.  

After attending the Internet Summit 2009 event in Raleigh recently and hearing Twitter's Rick Klau present, I was reminded of my little blog spot in the world and of how much I enjoy blogging.

It's fun to have a voice, though often it feels like the whole world can drown you.  I've enjoyed participating in the Web 2.0 world at work this year, taping a few video episodes at http://www.support.sas.com/training/video.  It's been fun to learn about editing video files using Adobe Premiere software.

Well, gotta run.  Am glad to be "back in the blogging game!"...Ruth

Inaugural Snow on Inauguration Day 2009!

Hi, everyone! I just knew it was going to snow today (see video below haha!).

Well....not really, but I'm glad that it did snow. It was great to work from home (minus my remote connection issues) and glimpse bits of Barack Obama's Inauguration as the 44th President of the U.S. For ex., I managed to catch Aretha Franklin sing, "My Country Tis of Thee," and she was fantastic! I also enjoyed Barack's speech. Most of all, it was cool to witness the special history being made. As everyone keeps stating, "change has come," and I think it's going to be amazing to witness the next few years.

I wish all of you the best in 2009 and the years ahead!...bye4now!...Ruth

Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year 2009!

I hope that each of you enjoyed a great 2008 and are looking forward to the excitements and challenges that 2009 is sure to bring. December 2008 was a busy month for me, and the first week of January has begun in overdrive mode. I feel blessed to have a job right now, so I'm not complaining about a busy workload.

Just this evening, I realized that we're actually less than one year away from the conclusion of the first decade of the 2000s. It's amazing how time flies. I can remember all of the craziness surrounding Y2K in the technology arena, and now all of that frenetic concern is just a memory to me.

One of my personal goals this year, the final year of the first decade of the 21st century, is to move forward and keep my focus ahead. I want to try things that I've never tried before. In that spirit, last night I achieved my first 2009 "first." Though I've been an active member of the Junior League of Raleigh for 10 years now, I've never volunteered with the League at the NC Inaugural Ball. Last night, January 9, 2009, I changed that fact. Last night, I volunteered at the NC Inaugural Ball last night and enjoyed the fun. It was a historic night, because of Bev Purdue's recent election as the first female governor of our state. I was glad to be a part of the evening festivities and had fun seeing everyone "decked out" in formal attire. One of my favorite parts of the evening was enjoying barbeque and coleslaw while drinking a cocktail. I commented to another attendee that I was "pigging out" and that I couldn't believe that I was actually eating barbeque and coleslaw at a U.S. governor's Inaugural Ball. I stated: "only in NC," and the other party replied, "there's no better place to be." And, I'd have to agree...attached is a picture of me "dolled up" for the Ball.

I wish all of you a year of "firsts"!.....Ruth

Merry Christmas '08, family & friends:

I can't believe another Christmas is upon us, and 2008 is almost over. So far, the weather here in NC is great. It's Dec22, and I still have gifts to buy. Luckily, I'm on vacation for two weeks -- yeah!

I was just thinking about all of the things that I love most about Christmas...the lights in Christmas trees and in windows..the food...the drinks...the laughter...the fun...the time with family and the time with friends. But most of all, I ponder Him. I sent some of you an email which said: "remember, when forced to choose between living without you and dying for you, He chose the nails," and this video clip that I love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJaophUPLY0&feature=related. What a gift we believers have been given.

Today I debuted my Christmas snow globe collection on my mantle as well as my little tree with the sand dollar ornaments and red ribbon. Here's a cute picture of my little tree as well as a funny little Christmas video...I wish all of you God's faith and His peace during this season and throughout your lives!....Ruth

Thanksgiving Down East 2008

Hi, Friends and Family:

It's hard for me to believe that it's the eve of December 2008! 2008 has been flying by, and I am thankful for my many blessings. I had the pleasure of returning to my older sister's home in Tarboro to celebrate Thanksgiving this year with my family. It was fun seeing my Daddy wear his custom-made birthday boots and hanging out in Tarboro and "on the Common." See the attached pics.

Besides maintaining this blog, I've also been participating in the social networking phenomenon by maintaining a Facebook site as well. It's really been incredible to reconnect with so many friends from the past via FaceBook, and it's an interesting way to keep in touch with friends/acquaintances. I'm not sure how long I'll participate in FaceBook, but, for now, I think it's fun.

While searching on YouTube today, I rediscovered an Italian song that I first heard back in the 1993 timeframe. I still love the song and was amazed at how listening to the song took me back to that time. And, that's why I love music...as Carlos Santana has said, music can "take you there." I'd like to share it with you now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSwmnKH9YGc&feature=channel

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday spirit and can't conclude without mentioning Him, who is the greatest gift of all!

Peace be with you all this holiday season!...Ruth