Thankful Thursday 12/27/12

the last Thursday in 2012
I haven't blogged in over a month
I'm still in my PJ's and it's 2:30 in the afternoon
shopping for a car just stinks...

these are just random thoughts as the year wraps up

but here are my gratitudes for the week, the day, this moment...

I am thankful my kids got to play in some serious snow yesterday and today!
I am thankful hubs made it safely to and from work in said snow.
I am thankful for neighbors who will give me a lift when needed.
I am thankful for friends who are just there when I need them, for problems big and small.
I am thankful for hot chocolate.
I am thankful for forgiveness, both giving and receiving.

Enjoy the last few days of 2012!

Thankful Thursday: 1/26/12

Mainly, I'm just thankful that it is Thursday.

One more day until Friday.

The weekend is almost here.

Ever feel like that?

Nothing terrible going on.

Work has been ok.

The kids have been sweet and getting along all week.

Hubs has done more than his fair share around the house.

I just have a cold and have been tired and run down since Sunday.

Ready for it to be over.

Ready for the weekend, and the additional rest it will bring.

Thankful it's Thursday.

Around Here, November 2011

Hey readers! I decided to grace you with my presence once again, and fill you in on the goings-on around here.

Around here, I am slowly regaining my health. I had a small procedure done yesterday to accommodate my new Minette device, which will hopefully "cure" my dizzy spells and get me back to work!

Around here, electronics are dropping like flies! Laptop, camera, and flat screen- poof! Thankfully, Christmas is coming soon!

Around here, Morgan has finally found her niche. She is performing in Stone Soup this weekend, and has loved every minute of rehearsals. She even has a solo! One parent complimented us on her singing and acting skills, and asked us how long she has ben taking lessons... it really does my heart good to hear her praised by a stranger.

Around here, I still need to drag out my winter clothes. Can we say "denial"??

Around here, I am in Christmas card production mode. It's been 2 or 3 years since I've made them, and it's been nice having a large-ish project to occupy my time.

Around here, my house is a disaster! So I'm off to clean...be back soon!

Related articles

• Christmas Card round up! (moo.com)
• Best Colllection Of Christmas Email Templates Cards For Professional Business (eisgrup.wordpress.com)
• Around Here, August 2010 (ReflectionsByRebekah.blogspot.com)

Things to Come...

Long time, no post...huh?

Lots of things on my mind and in the works.

Among them...

A dual diagnosis for my daughter


more scrappy pages

more photos


that post about buying a car that I promised

daily must-haves for the chronically ill, or Spoonie


maybe a book review or two if I get to it (I'm really into brief reviews on Goodreads.com lately-- add me as a friend here)
edit: I found a way to quick-post my reviews directly from Goodreads. Here's an example. Let me know what you think!

must get back into Thankful Thursday!

Related articles

• Find Your Next Book To Read With Goodreads [Android] (makeuseof.com)
• The Confusion of Chronic Illness (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)
• My Spoonie Mantra (reflectionsbyrebekah.blogspot.com)

Monday Morning Musings

So I've been awake since 3am. I finally got out of bed at about 3:30. Here's what's rattling around my brain this early Monday morning!

• Why am I up so early? Prednisone. Lots and lots of prednisone. Continuing my love/hate relationship with this stuff. Mood swings. Racing thoughts. Hunger. Hyperactivity. Irritability. I may feel a little sorry for myself, but I really feel worse for the people who are riding this roller coaster with me!
• Some anxiety about my busy week ahead. Three dance rehearsals, three doctor appointments, dance recital, work, reading camp, Father's Day cookout, and a promised trip to the amusement park. WHAT was I thinking??!!
• Thank goodness for Facebook. I have friends in enough different time zones, so there's always someone to talk to, no matter the hour.
• I'm a little afraid of raccoons. We have a family living in our garage, which we don't use much so that part doesn't really bother me. However, running into them in the dark at 4am is a little unsettling. (I was taking out the trash. Really, what does one DO at 4am??)
• Need to get on the ball with making Father's Day cards. I don't really have any "manly" stamps. Ideas??
• I need to color my hair (home job) and get a haircut. Which one goes first for best results?
• Coffee and brownies are awesome at 5am. Just sayin.
• Worried about my oldest daughter. Hubs and I are talking to a psychologist today about her. More on that later. Yep, I'll put it all out there. I only have about two blog readers, anyway!

I think that pretty much sums it up. I think it's a decent hour (now 5:30am) to start getting ready for work. I have so much time that I'm sure to look gorgeous today! Have a great one!

Rita, the Happy Mascot

What a fun week I have had with Rita! Oh, who is Rita? She is the mascot I chose for this week's Happy Book assignment. I picked her because of her affiliation with Creative Memories, my first introduction to my life-changing hobby, scrapbooking. Here is a peek at our week:

In no particular order...

1. at my kid's school

2. after a trip to the pharmacy for cold medicine :(

3. in line at McDonald's for a Coke!

4. um, yet another coke from the gas station (it helps my sore throat!)

5. playing marbles in the living room

6. my desk at work

7. the library return drop-box

8. waterpark

9. self check-out lane at the grocery

10. the bus stop!

This was a really fun project, not only because it was plain silly, but for the memories it revived...memories of Freshman year at college, pledging my sorority. Pledge night- one of our tasks was to run all over town with the Pink Panther (our mascot) and take pictures in certain places...a scavenger hunt of sorts...the penny horse at Meijer, grabbing tons of packets of ketchup at McDonald's, a particular frat house, the playground, the old cemetery on campus...oh what a fun night! And this little assignment brought it all right back!

This coming week's assignment, coincidentally, is to go on a photo scavenger hunt. Here are the items to look for: circle, tree, smile, sparkle, heart, clean, treasure, red, fresh, sky, yum, toes, morning, home. Sounds like fun!

Friday Faves

Here are some random blog posts that caught my eye this week. Hope you find something you like! If you visit someone, be sure to tell them I sent ya!


Paper Roses Tutorial from Housewife Eclectic

How to Mind Map for Better Blog Writing from adventuroo

Can a Nail Salon Charge for Fat? from Shine! on Yahoo

Dear Pants from thxthxthx

Saucy Stuffed Zucchini recipe from Taste of Home

Celebrating the Everyday from...well, me. Not to be too self-promoting, but I think this is really important!

Random Dozen 9/1/10

Haven't done the Random Dozen Meme in a while...head on over to Linda's and check it out!





1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture.
Hands down, spiders. I can't even bear to post a photo. Ugg.
2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?
I'm obsessive about turning off lights in the house. I take my own bags with me to the grocery store.
3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.
None lately. When I was in high school I had one about my dad dying, and me finding out at school. FYI, he's still living!


4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?
College. I was going to visit my mom, flying from Ohio to Texas. I spent the night with a friend, who was taking me to the airport the next morning. We overslept and I missed my flight. My mom, understandably, was so mad!!


5. What do you consider your best feature?
My eyes. I have been complimented on them since I was a child. They tend to shift between blue and green.


6. What was the last concert you went to?
Chemical Valley, my sister-in-law's band.


7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.
Christmas Eve, 2005. My then 3 year old daughter stood up on the pew when the pastor (in robes) walked in, and shouted, "Where there's somthing you don't see everyday"! People still talk about it.


8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?
Mostly a singer. I love singing in the car!


9. George Washington Carver said, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?
Fall is around the corner. It is time to slow down.


10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?
There's always the chance that I will question authority at my weekly staff meeting and get in trouble!


11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)
Taco Bell. The Liberty Bell is only a symbol. Taco Bell, on the other hand, is open late in case of cheese-beef-and-heartburn cravings.


12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?
Absolutely. Maybe, just maybe, not all men are hornballs.

Around Here..a brief reflection on my life Right Now

Around here changes are coming!! My blog re-launch is tomorrow!!


Around here I have a husband of 10 years and two daughters, ages 7 and 4.


Around here that leads to a lot of housework… it seems there are always meals to be cooked, dishes to be washed, laundry be to done, trash to be emptied, toys to be put away…I am often frustrated that I seem to bear the brunt of these burdens, even though I hold a full-time job outside my home.

Around here there are lots of giggles, fashion shows, board games, tears and fighting. But mostly there are a lot of “I love you”s.

Around here I make a lot of lists- grocery lists, to-do lists, work lists, books-to-read lists, craft project lists, meal lists… they keep me organized and help me keep up with everyone’s necessities.

Around here there is always music. The girls love to sing on their karaoke machine. Hubs plays the guitar in the evenings. I have my MP3 player, play list on my blog, and CD collection in the car.

Around here I struggle to maintain patience.

Around here my husband I are re-committing to our marriage and learning to be friends again. Jobs, money worries, and two children often take away from the fun and romance of enjoying each other’s company, and we are at the point where finding those good things can be work. But that’s ok, because at the end of the day we can’t imagine our lives without the other.

Around here I battle a chronic disease on a daily basis. I take a lot of pills and monitor my energy and pain levels frequently. I remind myself that sometimes it’s ok to put my needs ahead of others.

Around here I document our lives through photos and scrapbooks. I hope to leave my children with something tangible that shows the daily ins and outs of our family…our celebrations, our daily activities, our love, my hopes and dreams for them. I am a historian on a familial scale.

Around here we are a family.

This post was inspired by Ali Edwards.

I'll take a 2 liter of Coke, a pack of gum, and oh yeah, some porn.

Last Saturday I was out running errands and just messing around town with my two daughters. Our last stop was my favorite drive-through, the one that hands out Dum-Dum suckers to little kids in backseats. (This photo does not depict the establishment in question). As I waited in line behind two other cars, I noticed an addition to the familiar beer-snack-and-soda lined tunnel- a large white magazine rack. Intrigued, I leaned out my window as I drew closer, then suddenly blurted out, "Oh my GOD, is that  PORN"?? 

Indeed it was, confirmed not only by my own eyes, but also by the man standing beside the register. Front and center, in between the gum and the beef jerky. Not even behind the counter.  Alerted by my outburst, the girls were now noticing the magazines, too.  "Mommy, why is that lady wearing her underwear with no clothes?" asked Vivian, age 5. Morgan, age 7, chimed in with, "Skin is a funny name for a magazine"! (Well, my dear, so is Hustler and Juggs). Oh wow, I am completely not ready for such conversations. 

I politely tell the cashier that I will be going somewhere else from now on. I explain that my kids know enough to ask questions, and I don't think it's appropriate to have porn in plain sight. He looks at me as if I have two heads. "But, you can't even see anything!" he protests.

I shrug and drive down the street to another drive-through. I make my purchases, all is well, and then I see them. More smutty magazines! Just off to the right of the exit door! Apparently from now on I will have to haul my butt out of the car and go in to an actual store when I need to pick up a few concessions.

I'm not uptight. I'm not a prude. I think adults should have access to such things if they want. Just NOT in view of my very young, questioning, and impressionable daughters. Ick. So, am I asking too much here? Have you seen porn popping up in unexpected places?


How to have conversations about difficult topics with your kids
Talking to your kids about sex
Media and girls
Girls and self esteem

Wishes...

less haste
less waste
serenity
less clutter
simplify
peaceful mornings
restful slumber
color and beauty
joy
creativity
fresh
clean
ways and means
travel
health
respect
cool breezes
warm sun
laughter
song


love

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Well, I am ready to go, but the packing bit isn't quite true. I am going away for my bi-annual girls' weekend tomorrow. (Huge sigh of relief and contentment).  Three of my besties from college and I get together twice a year to celebrate women, good food, good drink, and our enduring friendships. I return to my family and my job feeling bouyed and refreshed. More positive about life in general. To help you start planning for your own girls' getaway, here are a list of my must-haves. Ready? Set...PACK!

• camera (duh)
• bottle (or two or three) of wine (don't forget the bottle opener!)
• Tylenol (see above)
• swimsuit, cover-up and flip-flops (hotel hot-tubbing, anyone?)
• hummus and Trader Joe's Pita Chips
• something cute to wear (we usually go out one evening)
• comfy shoes (we always go shopping!)
• excitement, love and laughter (all 100% guaranteed)

I'd love to hear about traditions you have with your friends, or your own must-have list for a girly get-together! Pictures will follow soon!

The Random Dozen 3/10

Click on the button to join Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee for her weekly "Random Dozen" meme!

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?
Probably only about 2 years old. The reason is gross, so of course I’ll share- my feet sweat a lot and my shoes start to smell and I throw them out and buy new ones. So there.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?
Yes, duh! Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, and Lemonades. I ate most of them myself.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to?
I do not know how but I have always wanted to! Maybe for my 10th Anniversary later this year??

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?
Ah, this one gets and bit tricky and involves a bit of confession. Yes, I was responsible. I was in lots of clubs, always got straight A’s, and helped take care of my younger siblings when my mom’s rheumatoid arthritis got too bad. On the other hand, I did sneak out of the house a few times and tried my hand with drinking and cigarettes.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?
I’m going to say none. We rarely go to the movies. However, there are some I am anxious to rent some night when hubs is gone and won’t criticize my taste. He’s a movie snob!

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?
Listen, people. I have had soooo many medical procedures done that I don’t even blink and eye when something new is done to me! But it is completely awful to see my kids get a shot or blood drawn.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
So cliché, but I love Friday. The anticipation of the weekend, having two whole days spread out before you…I love it! Saturdays are always busy and Sunday is just the day before Monday…sigh.

8. Do you miss anyone right now?
My mom. She passed away when I was in college, and man, what I wouldn’t give to share my parenthood insecurities and marriage questions with her.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?
Nope. See #6.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you.
I can do some major damage at craft stores! Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s…any of them suck me in!

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?
For the most part, no. There are two things, however, that I refuse to buy generic: toilet paper and toothpaste!

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?
I don’t have a good answer for this one. Truth-telling can be a scary and difficult thing. I guess if someone is speaking to me about something important, I try to look into their eyes so I can read them better.

A Brief Update...

What a crazy week it has been! Nothing really out of the ordinary, I just haven't been able to get in a groove.  Here's a snippet of what's been keeping me from the blogging world...

• Busy, busy, busy at work. I worked 12 hours yesterday!
• Watching way too much TV. But not the Olympics. I just couldn't get into them.
• Spending my tax return on car repairs.
• Accepting a full-time position for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff design team.
• Listening to my four year old explain about the devil. Psss... he lives in the ground and is almost a teenager.
• Scrapbooking- at an all-day event called Celebrate.
• Considering going back on Weight Watchers.
• Taking photos. Yes, I'm still doing Project 365!
• Laundry. Piles of it.
• Thinking about all the blog posts I would write if I could find the time and energy!

I'll be back soon!

New Years Resolutions

 

This week’s prompt from Mama Kat is to, of course, write your New Year’s Resolutions. I really was NOT going to do it this year, but then I thought that the important part of resolutions is to try to meet them, thus making your life a little bit better everyday. So here goes…

1. Be good to myself.

In the past I have always written specific weight-loss goals, and usually fail miserably. I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, on top of a rare, chronic disorder called Relapsing Polychondritis. With the two combined, exercise is often difficult, if not impossible, so while I HOPE to loose weight, I vow not to beat myself up about it. Instead, I will focus on BEING GOOD to myself. Not overeating is being good to myself. Going for a walk is being good to myself. Resting when I need it is being good to myself. Taking all my medicine is being good to myself. And so on!

2. Think of three good things.

I recently read “Family Tree” by Barbara Delinsky, and one of her characters advised that when you are mad or upset with someone, think of three good things about them. This seems a practical way to change negative thoughts, and I believe my attitude about my job and my marriage will be the better for it. My husband is a very good man, but often is the brunt of my frustration with other things. Thinking three good things will keep the reasons I married him at the front of my mind!

3. Complete Project 365.

Just because I am looking forward to this one does not mean it will be easy! I realize that taking a picture a day for a whole year is a huge undertaking, but I have been mulling it over since October, so I’m going for it! Check my blog on Mondays for the previous week’s shots.

4. Send cards out on time.

I am a card maker, and have everyone’s birthday and anniversary already on my 2010 calendar. I will try harder to get them in the mail on time this coming year!

5. Spend more one-on-one time with each of my daughters.

This one is a repeat from last year, but one worth working on some more. They are such fun kids, but often I am so tired, or busy, or distracted, that I fail to appreciate their unique personalities and needs. And let’s face it, sometimes siblings together just don’t make for a fun time. So I want to take a little time each week, or month, or whatever, just to be with each girl. I’m sure they will love it as much as I will!

P.S. As I am reading back over my goals, editing and so forth, I realize that I really want to do these things! So how about I make myself accountable and give myself a grade at the end of the month on my blog? Check back to see how I am doing!

Last Random Dozen of 2009!

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?

I find it most gross to drink after my kids. Cute little petrie dishes of germs! Tasting someone else’s drink, I am ok with that.

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)
I have learned to be more appreciative of the little blessings in my life. I did a “week in the life” album that contained three gratitudes for each day, and it really changed my perspective. See this blog post for a list from that album.

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?
Usually not until after January 1, but I was sick of them all this year so they came down on the 27th!

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:
I want to start the year fresh with a really clean house. During the holidays mail, laundry, and dust seem to pile up everywhere. The bathroom was thoroughly scrubbed yesterday, the mail pile sorted through today, and all the decorations are put away. I am halfway there!

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?
I liked winter much better when I was a stay-at-home mom. Especially the stay-at-home part. I love seeing the kids play in the snow, they just get so excited! But cold does not feel good to me, and I HATE driving in it.

Photo taken Jan. 2009

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?
Not this year. I have had enough of shopping and crowds for a while!

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
Every year my brother and his wife go out to dinner with myself and hubs, then back to one of our houses for an all-night party, sans children. This year we are opting for a more family-centered celebration. Just a nice dinner at our house, some good music, and letting the cousins play together. I am looking forward to the more relaxed plans!

New Year's Eve 2008

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?
One friend just had a baby on the 26th, a cousin had a baby in November, and one more friend is due soon. So I hope to get to meet some new little people!

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.)
With two little girls in the house, one who has the nickname “Drama Mama”, it is definitely DRAMA around here! Then we had hub’s layoff, my illnesses, and practically every major appliance in the house going ka-put this past year. Good riddance, 2009!

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.
Actually blogging? Not much, maybe 45 minutes or so, and I don’t update my blog every single day. Now blog reading, I could do that for hours, and sometimes do!

11. Who runs your household?
Me. Me. Me. But don’t tell the 4-year old!

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.
2009 has not been very kind to me in terms of my health. I really really hope to get my issues under control and be able to function without pain.

Huge Blog Giveaway from my friend Emily

My blogging and in-real-life friend Emily is having a HUGE giveaway on her blog!! She is very talented and this is a generous package, I must say. Check it out:

For a chance to win all this awesomeness, visit her blog and become a follower!

Random Dozen

It's time for another Random Dozen Wendesday  Thurday with Linda!

Click on the button for more random fun!

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

For, but mainly in the photographic sense. Pictures of my kids decorating gingerbread men are priceless. Eating said gingerbread men, laden with all varieties of candy and sprinkles, is a different story.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?

Moving back to my hometown when I was ready to start having my own children was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Having family close by to help out has really made a difference, and I feel good knowing that my children had the opportunity to have a relationship with my grandparents.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

Santa. Duh.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

This will sound corny no matter what movie I choose, so how about “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”? (the one with the Island of Misfit Toys). I really dig the message that everyone has special gifts and talents. I work with children with disabilities, so that theme is very important to me throughout the year.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

I really dislike that one about the Shoes. It is completely sappy and makes me cry, even though I think it’s ridiculous. I recently pulled out my old Harry Connick Jr . Christmas album and enjoy that quite a bit.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

Every year my kids and I have a discussion about kids who don’t have as much as them. A few weeks before Christmas we clean out their playroom and donate a lot to Goodwill or some other organization. If feels good to teach my kids about generosity, and it makes room for the new gifts they will be receiving! This year we gathered 4 large bags of donations.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

It does not bother me morally to see it used as an abbreviation. However, if it is on clothing or decorations, I don’t like it. Last night I was looking for a few last-minute gifts and saw these cute baby bibs at Target, in the Dollar Spot. Upon closer inspection, they said “Merry Xmas”, so I put them back.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

None! Yea!

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

Snowing once over the kids’ Christmas break is ok with me, because I am off work and they enjoy it so much. Anytime after that, yuck! I hate driving in snow. We have had some flurries the past couple of weeks, but I haven’t heard of anything major on its way.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

I think most of my childhood Christmas photos are with my maternal grandmother in Texas. But here are some gifts I especially remember:

Age 5- Strawberry Shortcake doll. I had chicken pox so our spots matched!
Age 10ish- keyboard
Age 17- coffee maker (no one else in the house drank coffee, so this was exciting to me!)

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Work- 1
Extended family- 2
Cookie decorating party with friends- 1

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

Christmas Eve church service always brings me back. The music, candlelight, and memories of my mother are very special to me.

Random Dozen Wednesday #14

Time for another Random Dozen from Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee! Click on the button to join in the fun!

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like?


I will be cheesy and say Dorothy. When I was younger I swore up and down I’d never move back to my hometown. Two years after graduating from college, where did I move? Yep, my hometown. I guess there really is no place like home.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why?

Usually pants, because I have fewer of them. So whatever’s clean is what I go with.

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without?

Tarantulas. I dislike all spiders, but realize they eat other bugs and stuff. But tarantulas are just unnecessarily huge and hairy.

See what I mean??

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?

Technically, three. One huge artificial, one small artificial in a box in the basement, and a kitchy little 10” one that my daughter decorated and put in her room last year, and never took down.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?

No way. Emotion is 90% of the human experience.

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression?

Not really. I tend to get the holiday grumpies. All the traveling and multiple family gatherings tend to wear me out. This year I am trying to just be thankful for all the people I have in my life and that they want to spend time with me during the holidays.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music?

Older stuff, I guess. Although I don’t like him well enough to OWN any of his music.

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma?

This is my theory- anyone can have bad teeth, man or woman. But almost all cosmetic procedures are geared towards women- lipo, augment this, tuck in that. Men are not held to such beauty standards. So, it’s the Man keepin us women folk down.

9. Enjoy horseback riding?

I used to, but since developing my autoimmune disease I get sudden dizzy spells. Probably not a good thing perched on a horse’s back going 90 miles an hour.

10. Shoes--practical or stylish?

I would love to say stylish, but I dislike pain. So, practical, but not ugly.

11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic.

Skitter, a farm cat. Met her demise in a corn field when she had a run-in with a combine. My mom picked me up from school that day to tell me. I don’t think I have any pictures, as she was an outside cat and died when I was still in elementary school and hadn’t caught the photo bug yet.

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?

About 85%. But gift shopping for my daughter’s birthday party this Saturday? 0%. Geez.

Random Dozen...Tuesday?

Welcome to my 100th post!!

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?


Pretty darn traditional around here!

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")

I am very thankful for my dishwasher. Seriously. It gets a lot of use.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.

Today, as part of my job, I saw a child who had been abused by his mother, so badly that he is legally blind. I am thankful that I never experienced anything like that, and that my life choices have not led me to become a person who would do that.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

A couple of years ago someone brought a karaoke machine, and lots of people sang. Very strange Thanksgiving activity, in my opinion.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

My Great Aunt Rosie will eat dessert before any “real” food!

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

Nope. Anything but dry cat food upsets Luna’s tummy.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

No.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

Probably not. The guys watch football and the women sit in the dining room, drinking coffee and catching up.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

This is the type served at our dinner, and I don’t care for it! One of my cousins brings it every year.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

Now that I think about it, probably not.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

I think a better question is, which variety will I not be enjoying? I love pecan, pumpkin, peanut butter, and apple.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)

The poor turkey was born and raised to be on my table; it’s his destiny.

Visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee for more randomness... and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!