When I was in high school I hung out with the drama geeks and acted in a couple plays. I had fun, and found a group I felt comfortable enough with to make it through the only-slightly-less-cannibalistic-than-junior-high years of high school. I never took it too seriously, though. I played at acting.
Some of the the kids I interacted with were very different from me. They went to workshops and studied technique, and when I hung out with them and pretended I was there for reasons beyond having a safe place to eat lunch, I was always impressed by their dedication to their craft.
"What's my motivation?" was a recurring question for them.
Why is my character behaving as the playwrite directs? When he says this, is he speaking sarcastically or sincerely? Is the character being disingenuous when he takes this action, or does he mean what he says?
Stated another way, meaning is not found in action; meaning is found in intention.
My pastor has been preaching through Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount, for the past several months. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's been a life-changing series for me.
He posed a question to us a couple weeks ago that I can't stop thinking about: Imagine heaven with all of its beauty and blessings, with all its joys and relationships restored, with sin removed and purity and utter bliss. If I could have all of that, and Jesus wasn't there, would I still want to go?
Is Jesus a window to a host of blessings for me, or is He it? Is Jesus what I'm after? Why am I in this thing--Christianity--to begin with?
Is Jesus the means or the end of my faith?
If I really believe something, I will act as if it is true. So if I really want Jesus, if I am His follower and disciple, I will live a life of obedience to His words.
What would that look like in my life? How would Jesus live my life if He were I?
I think I will spend the rest of my life learning what that means.
Showing posts with label being me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being me. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Never Alone
Dh's work has required a lot of separation over the last several weeks. He's gone Monday-Friday every week, and will likely be keeping this schedule for at least another month.
I'm fortunate to have a close friend whose work schedule allows her to stay with the kids mid-week, so I can get a sanity break. And I've been very purposeful in staying connected to my women's Bible study and Wednesday small group, so I am staying in community with friends.
The nights are still somewhat lonely, but I have to admit that I like having some time on my own. I think better when it's quiet, and have been happy to be able to spend some good chunks of time in study and prayer.
God is good. I am never alone, without Him.
I'm fortunate to have a close friend whose work schedule allows her to stay with the kids mid-week, so I can get a sanity break. And I've been very purposeful in staying connected to my women's Bible study and Wednesday small group, so I am staying in community with friends.
The nights are still somewhat lonely, but I have to admit that I like having some time on my own. I think better when it's quiet, and have been happy to be able to spend some good chunks of time in study and prayer.
God is good. I am never alone, without Him.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Bit of Fun
I found this on Chautona's blog and thought I’d do it too. It seemed fun!
Just boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal….
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you weren’t ill.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (Kevin and Jenna have!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Just boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal….
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you weren’t ill.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (Kevin and Jenna have!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sanity break
17/365
I need to take the picture for today. I'll post it when I get it taken. I'm planning on a night-time picture of my favorite Chinese restaurant's neon sign.
Tonight I got out on a sanity break. When dh is out of town for a week at a time, it's vital for me to get out over the weekend and have a time where no one talks to me, other than offering to bring me more diet Coke. My favorite Chinese restaurant is my usual choice, where I can have a plate made to order at the Mongolian grill and sit for hours, reading a book and reveling in a few hours without responsibilities.
Being the mom of six young children is the joy of my life. I've chosen the life I lead, and I wouldn't trade it for all the money, fame, or success the world could offer. I treasure the time I spend bringing my little guys to the library, watching my twin guys design fantastic creations with nothing but plain paper and tape, and doing scrapbooking projects with my daughter. Planning cheap and healthy meals, doing the school run twice a day, and even the never-ending laundry is worth it.
But I do still need time alone. My dh has learned that everything goes better when I get a chance to recharge, and now makes certain that if all possible it happens. A couple hours once a week is usually enough, and I'm refreshed and ready to dive back into this crazy, wonderful life.
I need to take the picture for today. I'll post it when I get it taken. I'm planning on a night-time picture of my favorite Chinese restaurant's neon sign.
Tonight I got out on a sanity break. When dh is out of town for a week at a time, it's vital for me to get out over the weekend and have a time where no one talks to me, other than offering to bring me more diet Coke. My favorite Chinese restaurant is my usual choice, where I can have a plate made to order at the Mongolian grill and sit for hours, reading a book and reveling in a few hours without responsibilities.
Being the mom of six young children is the joy of my life. I've chosen the life I lead, and I wouldn't trade it for all the money, fame, or success the world could offer. I treasure the time I spend bringing my little guys to the library, watching my twin guys design fantastic creations with nothing but plain paper and tape, and doing scrapbooking projects with my daughter. Planning cheap and healthy meals, doing the school run twice a day, and even the never-ending laundry is worth it.
But I do still need time alone. My dh has learned that everything goes better when I get a chance to recharge, and now makes certain that if all possible it happens. A couple hours once a week is usually enough, and I'm refreshed and ready to dive back into this crazy, wonderful life.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I'm so sad
15/365
I just learned that my favorite magazine, Simple Scrapbooks, will no longer be published after the May/June issue. The parent company, CK Media, is folding it back into Creating Keepsakes, another scrapbooking magazine. I'm just so sad. Simple Scrapbooks helped restore my joy in scrapbooking, and took away my guilt in not being "caught up."
I just learned that my favorite magazine, Simple Scrapbooks, will no longer be published after the May/June issue. The parent company, CK Media, is folding it back into Creating Keepsakes, another scrapbooking magazine. I'm just so sad. Simple Scrapbooks helped restore my joy in scrapbooking, and took away my guilt in not being "caught up."
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Year End Questions
I snagged this from Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses.
1. Was 2008 good for you? Yes
2. What was your favorite moment of the year? Surprising my dad with an unexpected visit for his 60th birthday. Best of all was introducing him to his youngest grandson.
3. What was your worst moment of the year? I can't say.
4. Where were you when 2008 began? Asleep in my bed. What can I say? I'm old. And boring.
5. Who were you with? Dh. He was asleep, too. We're pretty comfortable being boring together.
6. Where will you be when 2008 ends? Probably the same as last year.
7. Did you keep your New Years' resolution of 2008? No. Still have lots of weight to lose, and didn't manage to keep up with birthdays, etc., as I had planned.
8. Do you have a New Years resolution for 2009? Yes, the same as last year.
9. Did you fall in love in 2008? Stayed there.
10. If yes, with who? My guy. And, a little bit, my kids' new school.
11. Are you still in love? Yes
12. Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? No. Well, unless you count homeschooling.
13. Did you make any new friends in 2008? Yes, especially some of the women at my church.
14. Who are your favorite new friends? The women I've gotten close with at church.
15. What was your favorite month of 2008? April
16. Why this month? I got to go home to Oregon for a visit. I think this is when I started to turn the corner with the PPD, too.
17. Did you travel outside of the US (or your home country) in 2008? No.
18. How many different places did you travel to in 2008? Oregon
19. Did you miss anybody in the past year? Oh, yeah.
20. What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? I'm not sure. Probably Twilight. Or Wall-E.
21. What was your favorite song from 2008? It's not from 2008, but my favorite song right now is We Live, by Superchick.
22. How many concerts or plays did you see in 2008? None.
23. Did you have a favorite concert in 2008? n/a
24. What was your favorite book in 2008? Probably the Twilight series. I'm really enjoying rereading J.D. Robb's "In Death" series, too.
25. How many people did you sleep with in 2008? Oh, good grief. One grown man, and a revolving number of short people.
26. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? Yes.
27. What was the biggest lie you told in 2008? Probably denying my own anger and hurt in trying to smooth over some difficult situations.
28. Did you treat somebody badly in 2008? Yes.
29. Did somebody treat you badly in 2008? Um. Yeah.
30. What was your proudest moment of 2008? When my 8yodd read an entire book to me.
31. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? I've blocked it out. I'm sure there were several--I'm pretty socially awkward at times.
32. If you could go back to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be? Engaging in an couple unproductive and emotionally exhausting conflicts.
33. Where did you work in 2008? In my home.
34. Favorite TV shows(s) of 2008? Law and Order (in all its incarnations) Battlestar Galactica, The Mentalist, and House.
Favorite Band(s) of 2008? David Crowder Band
Favorite Food in 2008? Pad Thai, especially since I've learned to make it at home. I love my version almost as much as I love Green Papaya Pho's.
Favorite Drink in 2008? Ice cold diet Coke, with a slice of lime
Favorite Place in 2008? The Oregon Coast. Oh, of places I actually went? Then probably my church.
Favorite person(s) to be with in 2008? My dh, on a good day. Or our little guy. He's very snuggly and sweet.
Favorite person(s) to talk to in 2008? A toss-up between dh and a couple close friends.
Favorite trip in 2008? Going to Oregon in April.
Favorite stores in 2008? I don't shop for fun stuff anymore. I've been grateful for Walmart's low prices this year, especially for groceries. My Utah friends will understand why I shop at Ream's for produce.
Hardest thing you had to go through in 2008? Postpartum depression after the birth of my sixth, combined with some very un-fun family situations.
Most exciting moment(s) in 2008? When my 8yodd finally turned the corner with reading.
Funniest moment(s) in 2008? Probably one of the many times my baby did his bungee-style and balancing tricks with dh.
1. Was 2008 good for you? Yes
2. What was your favorite moment of the year? Surprising my dad with an unexpected visit for his 60th birthday. Best of all was introducing him to his youngest grandson.
3. What was your worst moment of the year? I can't say.
4. Where were you when 2008 began? Asleep in my bed. What can I say? I'm old. And boring.
5. Who were you with? Dh. He was asleep, too. We're pretty comfortable being boring together.
6. Where will you be when 2008 ends? Probably the same as last year.
7. Did you keep your New Years' resolution of 2008? No. Still have lots of weight to lose, and didn't manage to keep up with birthdays, etc., as I had planned.
8. Do you have a New Years resolution for 2009? Yes, the same as last year.
9. Did you fall in love in 2008? Stayed there.
10. If yes, with who? My guy. And, a little bit, my kids' new school.
11. Are you still in love? Yes
12. Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? No. Well, unless you count homeschooling.
13. Did you make any new friends in 2008? Yes, especially some of the women at my church.
14. Who are your favorite new friends? The women I've gotten close with at church.
15. What was your favorite month of 2008? April
16. Why this month? I got to go home to Oregon for a visit. I think this is when I started to turn the corner with the PPD, too.
17. Did you travel outside of the US (or your home country) in 2008? No.
18. How many different places did you travel to in 2008? Oregon
19. Did you miss anybody in the past year? Oh, yeah.
20. What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? I'm not sure. Probably Twilight. Or Wall-E.
21. What was your favorite song from 2008? It's not from 2008, but my favorite song right now is We Live, by Superchick.
22. How many concerts or plays did you see in 2008? None.
23. Did you have a favorite concert in 2008? n/a
24. What was your favorite book in 2008? Probably the Twilight series. I'm really enjoying rereading J.D. Robb's "In Death" series, too.
25. How many people did you sleep with in 2008? Oh, good grief. One grown man, and a revolving number of short people.
26. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? Yes.
27. What was the biggest lie you told in 2008? Probably denying my own anger and hurt in trying to smooth over some difficult situations.
28. Did you treat somebody badly in 2008? Yes.
29. Did somebody treat you badly in 2008? Um. Yeah.
30. What was your proudest moment of 2008? When my 8yodd read an entire book to me.
31. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? I've blocked it out. I'm sure there were several--I'm pretty socially awkward at times.
32. If you could go back to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be? Engaging in an couple unproductive and emotionally exhausting conflicts.
33. Where did you work in 2008? In my home.
34. Favorite TV shows(s) of 2008? Law and Order (in all its incarnations) Battlestar Galactica, The Mentalist, and House.
Favorite Band(s) of 2008? David Crowder Band
Favorite Food in 2008? Pad Thai, especially since I've learned to make it at home. I love my version almost as much as I love Green Papaya Pho's.
Favorite Drink in 2008? Ice cold diet Coke, with a slice of lime
Favorite Place in 2008? The Oregon Coast. Oh, of places I actually went? Then probably my church.
Favorite person(s) to be with in 2008? My dh, on a good day. Or our little guy. He's very snuggly and sweet.
Favorite person(s) to talk to in 2008? A toss-up between dh and a couple close friends.
Favorite trip in 2008? Going to Oregon in April.
Favorite stores in 2008? I don't shop for fun stuff anymore. I've been grateful for Walmart's low prices this year, especially for groceries. My Utah friends will understand why I shop at Ream's for produce.
Hardest thing you had to go through in 2008? Postpartum depression after the birth of my sixth, combined with some very un-fun family situations.
Most exciting moment(s) in 2008? When my 8yodd finally turned the corner with reading.
Funniest moment(s) in 2008? Probably one of the many times my baby did his bungee-style and balancing tricks with dh.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Christmas Meme
From GloryQuilts
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper with those curly ribbons. I use gift bags throughout the year for birthdays, showers, etc., but I really like wrapping the Christmas presents.
2. Real tree or Artificial? We've always had a real tree. I love the smell and going to the tree farm to cut it down ourselves, but since moving to Utah going to the tree lot is much less fun. Add to that the yearly cost, and I jumped when an artificial one was offered on our local freecycle board. This will be our first year with an artificial tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? It varies. Given my preference, we would put it up on the first Sunday of Advent, which is usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Dh usually wants to do it the first weekend of December, so that's when we do it.
4. When do you take the tree down? On January 2nd or 3rd.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. But only once or twice. And the eggnog-flavored coffee creamer is repulsive.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't remember specific gifts. I got books every year for Christmas, and that was usually my favorite.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? We have a kid-friendly one with plastic figures for them to play with and set up. I would like to start collecting a set, but haven't decided on the Willow Tree set or another one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, definitely. Although I'm considering a hybrid this year--mailing postcards with our family Christmas picture (already ordered and on their way) and setting up a Christmas letter website. We'll see...
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably the fact that I didn't get a single book last year. I was surprised by how sad I was not to have a new book to start reading on Christmas day.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? LOTR is inextricably tied to the Christmas season for me, since that's when they were all released. I'll also often watch the five-hour Pride and Prejudice movie right around the holiday. As far as actual "Christmas" movies go, I enjoy White Christmas, Holiday Inn, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Santa Clause.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? January. I like to buy throughout the year. And my goal is to finish my Christmas shopping on Black Friday, so that December I can stay out of the stores as much as possible.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I like slowly blinking white lights the best. Dh prefers flashing colored lights. We take turns. I think this is his year.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hark, How the Bells; I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; O Holy Night; Santa Got Run Over by a Reindeer *blush*
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? I wish we could travel, since almost all our family is in Oregon. But we'll be home in Utah.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve, which amazingly always ends up being pajamas! :-) After the kids are in bed, the presents placed under the tree and the stockings stuffed, dh and I exchange a few small things and celebrate the anniversary of our engagement. Christmas morning we open all the rest of the gifts.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Having to deal with others' stress every time I need to purchase milk at the Walmart. The unceasing drumbeat of materialism.
23. What theme or color are you using? I'm never that organized.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner. The traditional turkey holiday meal.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A peaceful, happy holiday with my family. Materially, I'm not certain. My parents are giving our family a zoo membership, at our request. I'm really happy about that. Other than that, I'm asking dh for a gift certificate for scrapbooking supplies and hoping for some good books. Oh, and a bluetooth headset.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? ?
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? ?
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper with those curly ribbons. I use gift bags throughout the year for birthdays, showers, etc., but I really like wrapping the Christmas presents.
2. Real tree or Artificial? We've always had a real tree. I love the smell and going to the tree farm to cut it down ourselves, but since moving to Utah going to the tree lot is much less fun. Add to that the yearly cost, and I jumped when an artificial one was offered on our local freecycle board. This will be our first year with an artificial tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? It varies. Given my preference, we would put it up on the first Sunday of Advent, which is usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Dh usually wants to do it the first weekend of December, so that's when we do it.
4. When do you take the tree down? On January 2nd or 3rd.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. But only once or twice. And the eggnog-flavored coffee creamer is repulsive.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't remember specific gifts. I got books every year for Christmas, and that was usually my favorite.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? We have a kid-friendly one with plastic figures for them to play with and set up. I would like to start collecting a set, but haven't decided on the Willow Tree set or another one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, definitely. Although I'm considering a hybrid this year--mailing postcards with our family Christmas picture (already ordered and on their way) and setting up a Christmas letter website. We'll see...
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably the fact that I didn't get a single book last year. I was surprised by how sad I was not to have a new book to start reading on Christmas day.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? LOTR is inextricably tied to the Christmas season for me, since that's when they were all released. I'll also often watch the five-hour Pride and Prejudice movie right around the holiday. As far as actual "Christmas" movies go, I enjoy White Christmas, Holiday Inn, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Santa Clause.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? January. I like to buy throughout the year. And my goal is to finish my Christmas shopping on Black Friday, so that December I can stay out of the stores as much as possible.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I like slowly blinking white lights the best. Dh prefers flashing colored lights. We take turns. I think this is his year.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hark, How the Bells; I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; O Holy Night; Santa Got Run Over by a Reindeer *blush*
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? I wish we could travel, since almost all our family is in Oregon. But we'll be home in Utah.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve, which amazingly always ends up being pajamas! :-) After the kids are in bed, the presents placed under the tree and the stockings stuffed, dh and I exchange a few small things and celebrate the anniversary of our engagement. Christmas morning we open all the rest of the gifts.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Having to deal with others' stress every time I need to purchase milk at the Walmart. The unceasing drumbeat of materialism.
23. What theme or color are you using? I'm never that organized.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner. The traditional turkey holiday meal.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A peaceful, happy holiday with my family. Materially, I'm not certain. My parents are giving our family a zoo membership, at our request. I'm really happy about that. Other than that, I'm asking dh for a gift certificate for scrapbooking supplies and hoping for some good books. Oh, and a bluetooth headset.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? ?
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? ?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Look! I'm posting again!
Okay, so it's only for a meme, but I promise to start posting regularly again. I'm just dipping my toes back into the bloggy water with a meme first.
Snagged this off one of my favorite foodie blogs, What I Made For Dinner.
1. Last Movie You Saw In A Movie Theater? Not counting various outings to the drive-in, I believe the last movie I saw in an actual theater was 10,000 B.C. Suprisingly good, too.
2. What Book Are You Reading? A Monstrous Regiment of Women, by Laurie R. King. Second in the Mary Russell mystery series, and SUCH an enjoyable read. I actually got copies of the entire series from paperbackswap.com this time around, instead of getting them from the library for a fourth (or fifth?) time.
3. Favorite Board Game? Ticket to Ride
4. Favorite Magazine? Simple Scrapbooks and Cooking Light
5. Favorite Smells? Freshly shampooed baby heads
6. Favorite Sounds? silence, the ocean
7. Worst Feeling In The World? Being unable to fix my child/dh's hurts.
8. First Thing You Think of When You Wake Up? Sleep a little longer, baby--please!!! Mama is tired!
9. Favorite Fast Food Place? Panda Express and Taco Time, Subway when I'm being good.
10. If allergies/room/care were not an issue, what pet would you have? The same two kitties we already have, since allergies aren't a problem. If we ever move to the country and have some property, I would like to have a dog again, a good-sized one who would have space to run. I don't like little dogs very much, though.
11. Finish This Statement—“If I Had a Lot of Money, I’d....hire a maid. Invest for my kids' future and our retirement. Hire someone to decorate our house, since I didn't get the home-decor gene. Have our basement finished, with a nice office space for dh and a playroom for the kids. Or maybe buy a new home with that already in place, and add a scrapbooking/crafting room for myself. Go home to Oregon at least twice a year, and bring my parents and sibs out for frequent visits. Pay off my sibs' student loans. How much money would this be, anyway?
12. What did you eat for dinner tonight? Pot roast in the crockpot for tonight. Also on the menu: oven-roasted diced potatoes, green beans, salad, and chocolate pudding.
13. What do you wish you'd eaten for dinner? Pad Thai. Pretty much could eat that six nights a week, but the kids would gripe, so I make other things, too.
14. Movie you love watching over and over again? The Hunt for Red October, Much Ado About Nothing, Steel Magnolias, The Incredibles, Miss Marple Mysteries, Pride and Prejudice (A&E)
15. What Was Your First Car? My youth leader's old Honda Accord
16. Favorite Drink? Icy-cold diet Coke with a lemeon or lime. Today, though, I've been drinking diet Dr. Pepper, and MAN is it good!
17. Finish This Statement—“If I Had a lime, I Would... make Pad Thai. Or maybe Mexican. Nah, definitely Pad Thai.
18. What do you fear? My children getting hurt. Alzheimer's. Food poisoning.
19. If You could Dye Your Hair Any Other Color, What Would It Be? blue
20. Name All the Different Cities In Which You Have Lived. Washington: The Tri-Cities. Oregon: Ashland, Medford, and a small town outside Portland. Massachussetts: Concord, Newton. Florida: Pensacola. Utah: suburbs of Salt Lake City.
21. Favorite Sport to Watch? Baseball. But during the Olympics, I watch gymnastics, diving, swimming, track and field, and beach volleyball.
22. One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You? She's a good cook, and writes engagingly about NYC and food.
23. What’s Under Your Bed? Nothing. The frame made the bed too high, so the boxspring is on the floor.
24. What are you currently hoping for? My dd to overcome her difficulties in reading and become a lover of books and learning, my sons to master toilet training, our church to find a large, affordable, convenient new facility, dh's traveling for work to slow down a bit, discovery of a great new sitter for my kids, restoration of some broken relationships. Oh, and whirled peas. Or something like that.
25. Morning Person or Night Owl? Used to be a night person. Now I have to get up early with my kids, but I'm still not a functional morning person without my caffeine.
26. Over Easy or Sunny Side Up? scrambled
27. Favorite Place to Relax? Oregon Coast. Or the library.
28. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor? Coffee.
Tag! You're it!
Snagged this off one of my favorite foodie blogs, What I Made For Dinner.
1. Last Movie You Saw In A Movie Theater? Not counting various outings to the drive-in, I believe the last movie I saw in an actual theater was 10,000 B.C. Suprisingly good, too.
2. What Book Are You Reading? A Monstrous Regiment of Women, by Laurie R. King. Second in the Mary Russell mystery series, and SUCH an enjoyable read. I actually got copies of the entire series from paperbackswap.com this time around, instead of getting them from the library for a fourth (or fifth?) time.
3. Favorite Board Game? Ticket to Ride
4. Favorite Magazine? Simple Scrapbooks and Cooking Light
5. Favorite Smells? Freshly shampooed baby heads
6. Favorite Sounds? silence, the ocean
7. Worst Feeling In The World? Being unable to fix my child/dh's hurts.
8. First Thing You Think of When You Wake Up? Sleep a little longer, baby--please!!! Mama is tired!
9. Favorite Fast Food Place? Panda Express and Taco Time, Subway when I'm being good.
10. If allergies/room/care were not an issue, what pet would you have? The same two kitties we already have, since allergies aren't a problem. If we ever move to the country and have some property, I would like to have a dog again, a good-sized one who would have space to run. I don't like little dogs very much, though.
11. Finish This Statement—“If I Had a Lot of Money, I’d....hire a maid. Invest for my kids' future and our retirement. Hire someone to decorate our house, since I didn't get the home-decor gene. Have our basement finished, with a nice office space for dh and a playroom for the kids. Or maybe buy a new home with that already in place, and add a scrapbooking/crafting room for myself. Go home to Oregon at least twice a year, and bring my parents and sibs out for frequent visits. Pay off my sibs' student loans. How much money would this be, anyway?
12. What did you eat for dinner tonight? Pot roast in the crockpot for tonight. Also on the menu: oven-roasted diced potatoes, green beans, salad, and chocolate pudding.
13. What do you wish you'd eaten for dinner? Pad Thai. Pretty much could eat that six nights a week, but the kids would gripe, so I make other things, too.
14. Movie you love watching over and over again? The Hunt for Red October, Much Ado About Nothing, Steel Magnolias, The Incredibles, Miss Marple Mysteries, Pride and Prejudice (A&E)
15. What Was Your First Car? My youth leader's old Honda Accord
16. Favorite Drink? Icy-cold diet Coke with a lemeon or lime. Today, though, I've been drinking diet Dr. Pepper, and MAN is it good!
17. Finish This Statement—“If I Had a lime, I Would... make Pad Thai. Or maybe Mexican. Nah, definitely Pad Thai.
18. What do you fear? My children getting hurt. Alzheimer's. Food poisoning.
19. If You could Dye Your Hair Any Other Color, What Would It Be? blue
20. Name All the Different Cities In Which You Have Lived. Washington: The Tri-Cities. Oregon: Ashland, Medford, and a small town outside Portland. Massachussetts: Concord, Newton. Florida: Pensacola. Utah: suburbs of Salt Lake City.
21. Favorite Sport to Watch? Baseball. But during the Olympics, I watch gymnastics, diving, swimming, track and field, and beach volleyball.
22. One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You? She's a good cook, and writes engagingly about NYC and food.
23. What’s Under Your Bed? Nothing. The frame made the bed too high, so the boxspring is on the floor.
24. What are you currently hoping for? My dd to overcome her difficulties in reading and become a lover of books and learning, my sons to master toilet training, our church to find a large, affordable, convenient new facility, dh's traveling for work to slow down a bit, discovery of a great new sitter for my kids, restoration of some broken relationships. Oh, and whirled peas. Or something like that.
25. Morning Person or Night Owl? Used to be a night person. Now I have to get up early with my kids, but I'm still not a functional morning person without my caffeine.
26. Over Easy or Sunny Side Up? scrambled
27. Favorite Place to Relax? Oregon Coast. Or the library.
28. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor? Coffee.
Tag! You're it!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
One Word Meme
Got this from Keer!
Rules:You can only use one word and it's not as easy as you might think. Now copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers.
Here's mine:
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Where is your significant other? garage
3. Your hair? annoying
4. Your mother? doula
5. Your father? pastor
6. Your favorite thing? Jesus
7. Your dream last night? sleep
8. Your dream/goal? harmony
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your fear? SIDS
11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? diaper-free
12. Where were you last night? home
13. What you're not? well-rested
14. Muffins? blueberry
15. One of your wish list items? maid
16. Where you grew up? Oregon
17. The last thing you did? eat
18. What are you wearing? skirt
19. Your TV? dvr
20. Your pet? kitties
21. Your computer? slow
22 Your life? crazy-busy
23. Your mood? crabby
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? minivan
26. Something you're not wearing? shoes
27. Your summer? school
28. Your favorite color? red
29. When is the last time you laughed? church
30. Last time you cried? today
Rules:You can only use one word and it's not as easy as you might think. Now copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers.
Here's mine:
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Where is your significant other? garage
3. Your hair? annoying
4. Your mother? doula
5. Your father? pastor
6. Your favorite thing? Jesus
7. Your dream last night? sleep
8. Your dream/goal? harmony
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your fear? SIDS
11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? diaper-free
12. Where were you last night? home
13. What you're not? well-rested
14. Muffins? blueberry
15. One of your wish list items? maid
16. Where you grew up? Oregon
17. The last thing you did? eat
18. What are you wearing? skirt
19. Your TV? dvr
20. Your pet? kitties
21. Your computer? slow
22 Your life? crazy-busy
23. Your mood? crabby
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? minivan
26. Something you're not wearing? shoes
27. Your summer? school
28. Your favorite color? red
29. When is the last time you laughed? church
30. Last time you cried? today
Friday, May 16, 2008
Movie meme
Kiersten said anyone who wanted to chime in, feel free...so I'm blogging it.
1. One movie that made you laugh:
50 First Dates
2. One movie that made you cry:
Steel Magnolias
3. One movie you loved when you were a child:
The Black Stallion
4. One movie you’ve seen more than once:
Henry V
5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it:
Titanic
6. One movie you hated:
Se7en
7. One movie that scared you:
Cloverfield
8. One movie that bored you:
Robots
9. One movie that made you happy:
Pride and Prejudice
10. One movie that made you miserable:
The Joy Luck Club
11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see:
A Clockwork Orange
12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with:
Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth in the 1995 production of Persuasion.
13. The last movie you saw:
Iron Man
14. The next movie you hope to see:
Prince Caspian
15. Now tag five people:
Go for it!
1. One movie that made you laugh:
50 First Dates
2. One movie that made you cry:
Steel Magnolias
3. One movie you loved when you were a child:
The Black Stallion
4. One movie you’ve seen more than once:
Henry V
5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it:
Titanic
6. One movie you hated:
Se7en
7. One movie that scared you:
Cloverfield
8. One movie that bored you:
Robots
9. One movie that made you happy:
Pride and Prejudice
10. One movie that made you miserable:
The Joy Luck Club
11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see:
A Clockwork Orange
12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with:
Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth in the 1995 production of Persuasion.
13. The last movie you saw:
Iron Man
14. The next movie you hope to see:
Prince Caspian
15. Now tag five people:
Go for it!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Fajitas and the Sovereignty of God
Tonight our family went out for a celebratory dinner, having completed a transaction that ended an unfortunate association. We went to The Mayan, a restaurant with "Mayan" cliff divers acting out hyperbolic dramas and randomly diving, jumping, and falling into the safely chlorinated pool below their rocky stage. The kids love it, and dh and I have taken them there for birthdays and when family visits.
Tonight was the first time we've been since the place was renovated and the menu revamped. They no longer serve fajitas, but have a dish called something like Fajita Adventure, which I guess is supposed to be a classier take on fajitas. Instead of the classic flavors and sides, it had poblano peppers and onions, a black bean and corn salsa, a side of some kind of rice pilaf, and a dab of sour cream and picante sauce. No lettuce or cheese, no guacamole, and the steak didn't have the classic fajita seasonings.
I tried not be negative, but dh could tell that I wasn't really enjoying it. And then he said something that really struck me. He said that he didn't want me ordering fajitas anymore when we went out, because they always fell short of the fajitas at El Rodeo and I was always disappointed.
El Rodeo was a little Mexican restaurant in our hometown. Their food was sensational, and I have so many good memories of meals eaten there with friends and family. Some pivotal moments in my life happened in that place, full of the smells of good food and the sound of happy conversations and the cook in the kitchen, singing along with the Mexican radio station.
Some unfortunate business decisions led to the restaurant closing, and ever since then I've been on a fruitless search for a fajita that can bring me back to El Rodeo.
What I realized tonight, though, was that even when I do find that perfect fajita once again, it still won't bring back the place that I loved, with its corner booth and carnival music. That place is gone forever. The last time I visited my hometown, the former restaurant was being used as a Pilates studio. I wondered as I drove past if the diligent people excercising there ever caught a hint of freshly made tortilla chips and salsa.
I miss my home. And what's funny is, if I were home right now I'd still be missing parts of that home that no longer exist. Restaurants shut down. People move away. Relationships change, sometimes radically. Churches close their doors.
My children have already learned the lament of missing our old house, missing Grandpa and Grandma, missing their aunts and uncles. And as I tell them, so, too, I remind myself: where we live now is a good place, we'll see the people we love again, and God is on His throne.
None of these things came as a suprise to Him.
I need a good fajita recipe. By the time summer rolls around, I intend to have a killer version of my very own.
Tonight was the first time we've been since the place was renovated and the menu revamped. They no longer serve fajitas, but have a dish called something like Fajita Adventure, which I guess is supposed to be a classier take on fajitas. Instead of the classic flavors and sides, it had poblano peppers and onions, a black bean and corn salsa, a side of some kind of rice pilaf, and a dab of sour cream and picante sauce. No lettuce or cheese, no guacamole, and the steak didn't have the classic fajita seasonings.
I tried not be negative, but dh could tell that I wasn't really enjoying it. And then he said something that really struck me. He said that he didn't want me ordering fajitas anymore when we went out, because they always fell short of the fajitas at El Rodeo and I was always disappointed.
El Rodeo was a little Mexican restaurant in our hometown. Their food was sensational, and I have so many good memories of meals eaten there with friends and family. Some pivotal moments in my life happened in that place, full of the smells of good food and the sound of happy conversations and the cook in the kitchen, singing along with the Mexican radio station.
Some unfortunate business decisions led to the restaurant closing, and ever since then I've been on a fruitless search for a fajita that can bring me back to El Rodeo.
What I realized tonight, though, was that even when I do find that perfect fajita once again, it still won't bring back the place that I loved, with its corner booth and carnival music. That place is gone forever. The last time I visited my hometown, the former restaurant was being used as a Pilates studio. I wondered as I drove past if the diligent people excercising there ever caught a hint of freshly made tortilla chips and salsa.
I miss my home. And what's funny is, if I were home right now I'd still be missing parts of that home that no longer exist. Restaurants shut down. People move away. Relationships change, sometimes radically. Churches close their doors.
My children have already learned the lament of missing our old house, missing Grandpa and Grandma, missing their aunts and uncles. And as I tell them, so, too, I remind myself: where we live now is a good place, we'll see the people we love again, and God is on His throne.
None of these things came as a suprise to Him.
I need a good fajita recipe. By the time summer rolls around, I intend to have a killer version of my very own.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Look! My first meme!
100 Questions
1. Do you like blue cheese?
I love it. I especially love the big containers of bleu cheese dressing we pick up at Sam's Club--that stuff is great over a salad or with buffalo wings.
2. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? Ummm...yeah. In fact, one of the most difficult things for me to accept about parenting is that I no longer have the option to just sit and read the day away.
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. Your favorite song? Right now it's probably Here is Our King, by David Crowder Band. I also love the song We Live, by Superchick.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? My kids just had them for lunch. I'm not a huge fan unless they're grilled, preferably Hebrew Nation all beef.
7. Favorite Christmas song? Secular--Carol of the Bells. Sacred--Oh, Holy Night. Silly--Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot chai tea.
9. Can you do push-ups? Heh. No.
10. Favorite thing about the person who sent this to you? Chautona posted this on HearthKeepers, so I'm calling her the person who sent it. I love that she's real. And I can still wear the dresses she made me six years ago.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The ring dh gave me for Christmas two years ago.
12. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking. Nothing else even comes close...although I am enjoying blogging again.
13. Do you put butter on your popcorn? What's the point in eating popcorn without butter? Why even bother?
14. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't really think I--Look! Something shiny!
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Lack of follow-through.
16. Middle Name(s): Rachael
17. Name three thoughts right now: I really don't like these oversized dill pickles. I wonder if dh can make it home in time to go out tonight, since we have a sitter. I wish Spring would come.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Nothing. Last time I went shopping, grapes, breakfast cereal, and mung bean sprouts.
19. Name 3 things you drink on a regular basis. Not including water, diet Coke, chai tea, Mother's Milk tea.
20. Current worry right now? Dh's job situation and the stress that bleeds over into our home.
21. Current hate right now? Reality tv.
22. Favorite place to be? The Oregon Coast, my parents' house, and my very own kitchen.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Sleeping. What can I say? I'm old....
24. Where would you like to go? China, Britain, Chile, Israel.
25. Name three people who will complete this? Probably no one, since I don't think too many folks read my little blog.
26. Do you own slippers? Nope. If my feet are cold, I put on socks.
27. What shirt are you wearing? Red v-neck t-shirt with small button detail.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Ick--no, I can't stand them. I love flannel sheets in the winter, though, and then crisp cotton in the spring and summer.
29. Can you whistle? Yes.
30. Favorite color? Red.
31. Would you be a pirate? Only if I could be a pirate who doesn't do anything.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Lots of praise songs. Some hymns, too.
33. Favorite girl's name? That I haven't already used, Eleanor.
34. Favorite boy's name? Heh. After having five sons of my own and eight nephews, we've used all my favorites.
35. What's in your pocket right now? Maybe some lint?
36. Last thing that made you laugh? My daughter saying "Gobble, gobble" when I called her a turkey.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? I have no idea.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Breaking my arm while roller skating a week after finishing fifth grade. It was lousy to spend the summer in a cast, hot and itchy and no swimming, my favorite thing to do. Plus, I got the cast off just before sixth grade, so I didn't even get to show off my cast and get my friends to sign it.
39. Do you love where you live? I love my house. I don't love where I live, but it's where we need to be for now.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two, one in the family room and one in our bedroom. But since we dropped our satelite service, our bedroom tv hasn't been useable.
41. Who is your loudest friend? Probably my dh.
42. How many dogs do you have? None.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? I think my little guy lurves me!
45. What is your favorite book? Um...only one? That's like choosing my favorite child...The Jesus I Never Knew, Persuasion, Ender's Game, A Severe Mercy, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, gods in Alabama, I Know This Much is True, Shards of Honor, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Desiring God...
46. What is your favorite candy? Peanut M&Ms
47. Favorite Sports Team? Boston Red Sox
48. What song do you want played at your funeral. It is Well With My Soul
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? It is too early to be awake, baby--go back to sleep!
51. Do you have a dishwasher? yes.
52. Is your living room carpeted or does it have hardwood floors? Carpet, sadly. I miss the hardwood floors of our house in Oregon.
53. What room is your computer in? The kitchen
54. Are there pictures hanging in your living room? One, a painting of an ocean storm by dh's dad.
55. What personality trait gets on your nerves the most? Hypersensitivity.
56. What decade were you born in? The 70's.
56. Do you like to entertain? I like having over people for casual things--grilling out, things like that.
57. What were you doing exactly an hour ago? Homeschooling my three bigs.
58. Do you like to wear hats? Ball caps.
59. Last thing you read? My Simple Scrapbooks magazine.
60. Favorite website? http://www.hearthkeepers.com/ http://www.facebook.com/
61. Last person you emailed? A friend from church about the kids' upcoming soccer team.
62. Last person who emailed you? That same friend, letting me know where she buys shin guards for her kids.
63. Do you own any season DVDs? Nope. We have Netflix instant downloads, so we don't need to own our favorites.
64. Last thing you ate? Baby carrots
65. Favorite toy as a child? My doll, Pushka.
66. Have you ever ridden on a train. I went cross-country on the train when I moved home from Boston back to the Portland, Oregon area. I was thrilled to be coming home, but the four day trip was more than exhausting.
67. Favorite subject in school? English
68. What do you see out your window? More snow. Bleah.
69. Baths or showers? Who has time to take a bath?
70. Name of favorite cousin? Amy
71. Worst movie you ever saw? Se7en.
72. Biggest change this past year? Dh's diabetes diagnosis. Oh, and we had another baby. :-)
73. What hurts you the most? Seperation from people I love.
74. Biggest regret? Sin. I'm just too good at it. Disgusting isn't it?
75. Person from your childhood that you remember most fondly? My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Geary.
76. What is the third digit of your current weight? 1
77. How many personal snail mail notes or letters have you sent in the past month? 5.
78. Favorite form of art? Pottery
77. Worst date you ever had? A very ugly evening last fall.
78. Second favorite color? Orange
79. Have you ever met anyone in person that you had first met online? Yes
80. Funniest person you know? My dh.
81. Last word you googled? dunno...
82. Favorite author? Living non-fiction--Philip Yancey. Living fiction--Orson Scott Card. Dead non-fiction--C.S. Lewis. Dead fiction--Jane Austen.
83. Favorite fictional character? Ender Wiggins, from Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.
84. Last time you ate out? Sunday after church. Cheap Italian at Fazoli's--very nice.
85. The hardest thing you have ever done? Homeschooling three children who are not yet fluent readers while caring for an infant, a toddler, and a preschooler. Keeping a household running and everyone clothed and fed. Being a support to my dh in the midst of some extreme stress and difficulty. Doing all of the above while dealing with postpartum depression. Oh, wait, I'm doing all that right now!
86. Talent you wish you had? I wish I could write like the authors I love to read.
87. Are you a good cook? I'm okay. I'm working on getting better.
88. How do you like your eggs? Fried, with a runny yolk and toast.
89. Favorite vegetable? Artichokes and broccoli.
90. Are you a good speller? I'm okay. I can usually tell if something is spelled incorrectly, but I can't always spell it right. And it's a visual thing for me--I have to see it written down.
91. What should you be doing right now? Sitting in the kitchen while my kids finish school for the day, so I'm doing what I should be!
92. Pet Peeve: People who don't parent their children, but let them run wild in public. And then ignore their little Fifi trying to wake my sleeping baby.
93. Who is your hero? Elisabeth Elliot.
94. Nicest thing that happened to you today? Our friends who we trade babysitting with are coming over this evening to hang with our kids so dh and I can go out.
95. Favorite way to eat a potato? In potato soup. Or baked, with butter, sour cream, bacon, and cheese.
96. Do you have a blog? Heh...
97. Is your hair long or short? Short. And I'm not really happy with it, so I'm growing it out again.
98. What did you do last night? Hung out with the kids and dh.
99. Are you glad this is about done? Um, yeah.
100. Favorite question? Are you glad this is about done...
1. Do you like blue cheese?
I love it. I especially love the big containers of bleu cheese dressing we pick up at Sam's Club--that stuff is great over a salad or with buffalo wings.
2. Have you ever read a book in one sitting? Ummm...yeah. In fact, one of the most difficult things for me to accept about parenting is that I no longer have the option to just sit and read the day away.
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. Your favorite song? Right now it's probably Here is Our King, by David Crowder Band. I also love the song We Live, by Superchick.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? My kids just had them for lunch. I'm not a huge fan unless they're grilled, preferably Hebrew Nation all beef.
7. Favorite Christmas song? Secular--Carol of the Bells. Sacred--Oh, Holy Night. Silly--Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot chai tea.
9. Can you do push-ups? Heh. No.
10. Favorite thing about the person who sent this to you? Chautona posted this on HearthKeepers, so I'm calling her the person who sent it. I love that she's real. And I can still wear the dresses she made me six years ago.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The ring dh gave me for Christmas two years ago.
12. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking. Nothing else even comes close...although I am enjoying blogging again.
13. Do you put butter on your popcorn? What's the point in eating popcorn without butter? Why even bother?
14. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't really think I--Look! Something shiny!
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Lack of follow-through.
16. Middle Name(s): Rachael
17. Name three thoughts right now: I really don't like these oversized dill pickles. I wonder if dh can make it home in time to go out tonight, since we have a sitter. I wish Spring would come.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Nothing. Last time I went shopping, grapes, breakfast cereal, and mung bean sprouts.
19. Name 3 things you drink on a regular basis. Not including water, diet Coke, chai tea, Mother's Milk tea.
20. Current worry right now? Dh's job situation and the stress that bleeds over into our home.
21. Current hate right now? Reality tv.
22. Favorite place to be? The Oregon Coast, my parents' house, and my very own kitchen.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Sleeping. What can I say? I'm old....
24. Where would you like to go? China, Britain, Chile, Israel.
25. Name three people who will complete this? Probably no one, since I don't think too many folks read my little blog.
26. Do you own slippers? Nope. If my feet are cold, I put on socks.
27. What shirt are you wearing? Red v-neck t-shirt with small button detail.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Ick--no, I can't stand them. I love flannel sheets in the winter, though, and then crisp cotton in the spring and summer.
29. Can you whistle? Yes.
30. Favorite color? Red.
31. Would you be a pirate? Only if I could be a pirate who doesn't do anything.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Lots of praise songs. Some hymns, too.
33. Favorite girl's name? That I haven't already used, Eleanor.
34. Favorite boy's name? Heh. After having five sons of my own and eight nephews, we've used all my favorites.
35. What's in your pocket right now? Maybe some lint?
36. Last thing that made you laugh? My daughter saying "Gobble, gobble" when I called her a turkey.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? I have no idea.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Breaking my arm while roller skating a week after finishing fifth grade. It was lousy to spend the summer in a cast, hot and itchy and no swimming, my favorite thing to do. Plus, I got the cast off just before sixth grade, so I didn't even get to show off my cast and get my friends to sign it.
39. Do you love where you live? I love my house. I don't love where I live, but it's where we need to be for now.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two, one in the family room and one in our bedroom. But since we dropped our satelite service, our bedroom tv hasn't been useable.
41. Who is your loudest friend? Probably my dh.
42. How many dogs do you have? None.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? I think my little guy lurves me!
45. What is your favorite book? Um...only one? That's like choosing my favorite child...The Jesus I Never Knew, Persuasion, Ender's Game, A Severe Mercy, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, gods in Alabama, I Know This Much is True, Shards of Honor, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Desiring God...
46. What is your favorite candy? Peanut M&Ms
47. Favorite Sports Team? Boston Red Sox
48. What song do you want played at your funeral. It is Well With My Soul
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? It is too early to be awake, baby--go back to sleep!
51. Do you have a dishwasher? yes.
52. Is your living room carpeted or does it have hardwood floors? Carpet, sadly. I miss the hardwood floors of our house in Oregon.
53. What room is your computer in? The kitchen
54. Are there pictures hanging in your living room? One, a painting of an ocean storm by dh's dad.
55. What personality trait gets on your nerves the most? Hypersensitivity.
56. What decade were you born in? The 70's.
56. Do you like to entertain? I like having over people for casual things--grilling out, things like that.
57. What were you doing exactly an hour ago? Homeschooling my three bigs.
58. Do you like to wear hats? Ball caps.
59. Last thing you read? My Simple Scrapbooks magazine.
60. Favorite website? http://www.hearthkeepers.com/ http://www.facebook.com/
61. Last person you emailed? A friend from church about the kids' upcoming soccer team.
62. Last person who emailed you? That same friend, letting me know where she buys shin guards for her kids.
63. Do you own any season DVDs? Nope. We have Netflix instant downloads, so we don't need to own our favorites.
64. Last thing you ate? Baby carrots
65. Favorite toy as a child? My doll, Pushka.
66. Have you ever ridden on a train. I went cross-country on the train when I moved home from Boston back to the Portland, Oregon area. I was thrilled to be coming home, but the four day trip was more than exhausting.
67. Favorite subject in school? English
68. What do you see out your window? More snow. Bleah.
69. Baths or showers? Who has time to take a bath?
70. Name of favorite cousin? Amy
71. Worst movie you ever saw? Se7en.
72. Biggest change this past year? Dh's diabetes diagnosis. Oh, and we had another baby. :-)
73. What hurts you the most? Seperation from people I love.
74. Biggest regret? Sin. I'm just too good at it. Disgusting isn't it?
75. Person from your childhood that you remember most fondly? My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Geary.
76. What is the third digit of your current weight? 1
77. How many personal snail mail notes or letters have you sent in the past month? 5.
78. Favorite form of art? Pottery
77. Worst date you ever had? A very ugly evening last fall.
78. Second favorite color? Orange
79. Have you ever met anyone in person that you had first met online? Yes
80. Funniest person you know? My dh.
81. Last word you googled? dunno...
82. Favorite author? Living non-fiction--Philip Yancey. Living fiction--Orson Scott Card. Dead non-fiction--C.S. Lewis. Dead fiction--Jane Austen.
83. Favorite fictional character? Ender Wiggins, from Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.
84. Last time you ate out? Sunday after church. Cheap Italian at Fazoli's--very nice.
85. The hardest thing you have ever done? Homeschooling three children who are not yet fluent readers while caring for an infant, a toddler, and a preschooler. Keeping a household running and everyone clothed and fed. Being a support to my dh in the midst of some extreme stress and difficulty. Doing all of the above while dealing with postpartum depression. Oh, wait, I'm doing all that right now!
86. Talent you wish you had? I wish I could write like the authors I love to read.
87. Are you a good cook? I'm okay. I'm working on getting better.
88. How do you like your eggs? Fried, with a runny yolk and toast.
89. Favorite vegetable? Artichokes and broccoli.
90. Are you a good speller? I'm okay. I can usually tell if something is spelled incorrectly, but I can't always spell it right. And it's a visual thing for me--I have to see it written down.
91. What should you be doing right now? Sitting in the kitchen while my kids finish school for the day, so I'm doing what I should be!
92. Pet Peeve: People who don't parent their children, but let them run wild in public. And then ignore their little Fifi trying to wake my sleeping baby.
93. Who is your hero? Elisabeth Elliot.
94. Nicest thing that happened to you today? Our friends who we trade babysitting with are coming over this evening to hang with our kids so dh and I can go out.
95. Favorite way to eat a potato? In potato soup. Or baked, with butter, sour cream, bacon, and cheese.
96. Do you have a blog? Heh...
97. Is your hair long or short? Short. And I'm not really happy with it, so I'm growing it out again.
98. What did you do last night? Hung out with the kids and dh.
99. Are you glad this is about done? Um, yeah.
100. Favorite question? Are you glad this is about done...
Monday, March 3, 2008
The end of the world, as I knew it
Thirty years ago today, my life changed forever.
My brother was born, and his arrival marked the end of my existence as an only child. At four and a half, I was old enough to realize that things were different. But a child of four cannot comprehend what a difference having siblings will mean.
For me, my seven siblings have been one of the three greatest gifts my parents gave me. (The other two were their love for each other and a love of God and his Word.)
When I was young, I didn't always appreciate having siblings, especially since they were so much younger than I. But as we've grown up, I've been so grateful to have sisters and brothers who were raised in the same home, laugh at the same in-jokes, and share an appreciation for camping, the Oregon Coast, Bob's teriyaki chicken (all except our vegetarian brother, who makes a mean stirfry), books, 24, and Tillamook cheddar.
So I'm wishing a happy 30th birthday to my brother today. He ruined my life--and made it ten times better.
My brother was born, and his arrival marked the end of my existence as an only child. At four and a half, I was old enough to realize that things were different. But a child of four cannot comprehend what a difference having siblings will mean.
For me, my seven siblings have been one of the three greatest gifts my parents gave me. (The other two were their love for each other and a love of God and his Word.)
When I was young, I didn't always appreciate having siblings, especially since they were so much younger than I. But as we've grown up, I've been so grateful to have sisters and brothers who were raised in the same home, laugh at the same in-jokes, and share an appreciation for camping, the Oregon Coast, Bob's teriyaki chicken (all except our vegetarian brother, who makes a mean stirfry), books, 24, and Tillamook cheddar.
So I'm wishing a happy 30th birthday to my brother today. He ruined my life--and made it ten times better.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Heavy-handed (or should that be footed?) analogy
I love my new Crocs.When they went on sale at Nordstrom's (thanks to Mir for the heads-up ), I was really excited to finally get a pair--and didn't even mind that there were limited colors in my size. If I'd had the option I would've probably gone with black, and I would have missed out.
These bright pink shoes make me happy.
Which was why I was so sad when the very first time I wore them out in public I came home with a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of my right shoe. Bright green gum, for the colorfully minded.
I spent ten minutes or more cleaning it off, but there's still a sticky residue left that picks up dirt.
They're no longer perfect, but they still make me happy. I learned long ago that perfection is overrated. And when I'm contented with my life and the shoes I'm wearing, despite the inevitable scuffs and ick that come my way, everything else seems to fall into place.
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