25 Random Things
I have a phone phobia. If you've ever gotten a call from me, consider yourself lucky.
I had both nails on my big toes removed when I was 18 due to nail-bed damage.
I want to get the rest of my toenails removed. I use to work at a retirement village and thought it was sad the seniors had to wait all month for a podiatrist to come by to clip their toe nails because they could reach them to do it themselves. I don't want to have to worry about my toenails as I age.
I like the transitional seasons-Spring and Fall- better than the extremes of Summer and Winter.
“Care Bear” is my most widely used nickname. It's been used at home, school, and work through out the years.
Before I was married I wanted 5-6 kids. After having one I changed my mind to 2-3 so I think I'm maxed out.
I think it's easier to answer quiz questions than come up with 25 random things...
I've never used a tanning bed, and I don't plan on doing so.
I had a “Tiny Toons” lunch box during high school.
I have no middle name.
The only graduation ceremony I participated in was for Middle School.
I've got no class. High school graduation class, that is. But I usually put class of '94 because that's what I would have been...
I have an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned December 1995.
Keep thinking about dying my hair but I'm too chicken.
I've worn a fake “suicide chain” (chain connecting a nose ring to an earring) on several occasions- though I don't think there is photographic evidence. And yes, it was in public. Teenagers!
Never had my ears, or anything, else pierced. And don't plan to.
Fearful of needles.
I'm a weak swimmer.
Scared of most fires/flames.
Small candles are okay in moderation.
I think I'm running out of steam...
I use a Franklin Covey day planner to keep myself on task.
I'm a habitual list maker.
There are currently 5 aquariums/tanks housing fish/reptiles/etc in my house right now.
I wish there were only two aquariums...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ice
This morning frost covered the grass and the bird baths were iced over- up to 1/8 of an inch around the rim. All the other cold nights this month only produced some frost on the rooftops. There was even a glittering layer of ice crystals on the canvas of the folding chair on the front porch.
I enjoy the winter while I can... it goes so quickly here, if it decides to visit.
I enjoy the winter while I can... it goes so quickly here, if it decides to visit.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
"Wouldn't it Be Nice"
I put the title in quotes because I'm mentally signing that song. Mentally, so as not to create noise pollution.
Wouldn't it be nice to get a whole new wardrobe every month? To pass on the discarded clothes to others and refill the drawers and hanging spaces in your room with a complete new assortment of adorable, and sometimes even trendy, outfits.
Such is the life of Princess S. She turns four months this week and each month I have to bump her wardrobe up to the next size. At birth she wore (filled out in most cases) 0-3 and 3 month clothing. At one month she was wearing 3-6 months. At two months it was 6 months. At three months she wore 6-9 months. Now, she's on to 9 and even some 12 months (depending on the cut- she has a long torso).
Both new and used clothes keep coming our way; thanks to generous family members and friends and even my son's bus driver (not to mention my impulse buying of things so sweet and cheap I couldn't pass up over the years) we more or less have her first year of clothes taken care of. I always thought I'd use gender neutral clothes with a girl, like I did with my boys, but it's just too much fun playing dress-up. I'm loving purple tones more than ever. So whenever I do need to buy something to fill-in the gaps I gravitate toward purple and lavender and wisteria...
.....
On a side note, the goldfinches are arriving! My favorite time of the year to bird watch in the yard. The goldfinches usually stop here mid-late January through March. Long enough for them to start looking gorgeous in their summer plumage before they head back north. But it's a good thing they don't stay around all year- I couldn't afford to feed them. Thistle seed is pricey. “Gold” seed for the goldfinches. And when you get 60-100 goldies eating from your feeders for a month (it takes a few weeks for the numbers to max out and some start leave earlier) the seed bill adds up quickly!
But it's worth the (short term) expense to watch them change and have them here for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I can always count on them for some impressive numbers (to my standards) on my daily counts. http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Wouldn't it be nice to get a whole new wardrobe every month? To pass on the discarded clothes to others and refill the drawers and hanging spaces in your room with a complete new assortment of adorable, and sometimes even trendy, outfits.
Such is the life of Princess S. She turns four months this week and each month I have to bump her wardrobe up to the next size. At birth she wore (filled out in most cases) 0-3 and 3 month clothing. At one month she was wearing 3-6 months. At two months it was 6 months. At three months she wore 6-9 months. Now, she's on to 9 and even some 12 months (depending on the cut- she has a long torso).
Both new and used clothes keep coming our way; thanks to generous family members and friends and even my son's bus driver (not to mention my impulse buying of things so sweet and cheap I couldn't pass up over the years) we more or less have her first year of clothes taken care of. I always thought I'd use gender neutral clothes with a girl, like I did with my boys, but it's just too much fun playing dress-up. I'm loving purple tones more than ever. So whenever I do need to buy something to fill-in the gaps I gravitate toward purple and lavender and wisteria...
.....
On a side note, the goldfinches are arriving! My favorite time of the year to bird watch in the yard. The goldfinches usually stop here mid-late January through March. Long enough for them to start looking gorgeous in their summer plumage before they head back north. But it's a good thing they don't stay around all year- I couldn't afford to feed them. Thistle seed is pricey. “Gold” seed for the goldfinches. And when you get 60-100 goldies eating from your feeders for a month (it takes a few weeks for the numbers to max out and some start leave earlier) the seed bill adds up quickly!
But it's worth the (short term) expense to watch them change and have them here for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I can always count on them for some impressive numbers (to my standards) on my daily counts. http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Week After Christmas
Writing Exercise, edited for privacy:
The Week after Christmas
Adapted from the classic poem written by Clement Moore
'Twas the week after Christmas and all through the room
the natives were restless, awaiting the moon.
Stockings, once hung on the fish tank with care,
caused the oscar to wonder why they're still there.
Toys and messes were strewn across the floor,
trains, markers, and papers galore.
A and N were hustled to bed,
while visions of presents danced in their heads.
On the sofa was J, sprawled out like a pet,
flipping through channels and surfing the net.
With a sigh of relief I settled into my seat
got comfy and cozy and propped up my feet.
And S in her jammies, looking so sweet,
had just settled in for a long bite to eat.
The hustle and bustle was starting to slow
and the birth of a new year will soon be a glow.
From our family to yours we wish a good night
and the light of the gospel to light up your life.
The Week after Christmas
Adapted from the classic poem written by Clement Moore
'Twas the week after Christmas and all through the room
the natives were restless, awaiting the moon.
Stockings, once hung on the fish tank with care,
caused the oscar to wonder why they're still there.
Toys and messes were strewn across the floor,
trains, markers, and papers galore.
A and N were hustled to bed,
while visions of presents danced in their heads.
On the sofa was J, sprawled out like a pet,
flipping through channels and surfing the net.
With a sigh of relief I settled into my seat
got comfy and cozy and propped up my feet.
And S in her jammies, looking so sweet,
had just settled in for a long bite to eat.
The hustle and bustle was starting to slow
and the birth of a new year will soon be a glow.
From our family to yours we wish a good night
and the light of the gospel to light up your life.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Belated "Turkey Blog"
I wrote this on Thanksgiving and posted it to my "MySpace" and "Facebook" pages. Thought it would be a good place to start with my Blog on here. When I do post, I'll most likely post to the two locations mentioned above as well as here, so all my family/friends have access to it. I will shorten names for privacy reasons, but those who truly know me will most liekly be able to tell who it is I'm referring to.
Happy Reading!
November 27, 2008:
On this day of giving thanks I'm reflecting on the year and noticed that there are only thirty-four days left in 2008. Thirty-four! It's amazing to realize all that I've been involved in and where I'm at now on this road called life.
In January I was working at Books-A-Million part-time and enjoying my time out of the house. I was surrounded by my favorite non-human things to love, books! It was my third time in less than a dozen years working at the store. The last two times I was hired the management at the store was gracious enough to do the unspeakable in the world of corporate retail... give me as many (or as little) hours as I wanted, whenever I wanted them.
After just three months (I'd started October 2007) I had to give my two weeks notice. J's work schedule switched to twelve hour days and it didn't allow for time/energy for him to care for the kids while I worked. Plus I discovered that I was pregnant- which is why I left the bookstore the previous times. So good-bye to employee discounts, once again.
In February, I started watching two of my nephews four days a week. That allowed me to bring in some needed money but be able to stay at home, especially nice on those days/nights of “morning sickness”. N and I had fun with his “cousin buddies”, and A, too, when he wasn't in school.
In April I had an ultrasound showing the baby is a girl... so the purple and pink planning began.
And J lost his job, and was out of work for two months. Joy.
June included a fabulous trip to the greater Boston area without kids (or husband), compliments of my oldest sister. A was sweet enough to drive me around to all the literary and architectural spots of my choosing. (J was happy he wasn't there to suffer through those locations, but he was busy with a new job and night classes.) The cooler weather of the Northeast was a much needed break from the summer humidity while six months pregnant. Plus the experience of flying first class was great in itself!
July was a great month for personal goals. I participated in an on-line writing challenge hosted by Laurie Halse Anderson, one of my favorite writers. The challenge was to write at least 15 minutes a day, all month long. I only missed three days, and they were all Sundays, so I didn't feel guilty. (Who ever said the Sabbath is a day of rest never worked in Primary/Jr. Sunday School!)
I started back to work on a story I began in 2001 and wrote an average of a page a day. It was wonderful to get back into the creative process of writing regularly. But I'm sorry to say, I let it slip away after the month was over. Excuses of being a mother of a two active boys and being pregnant are valid, but not worth whining about. My fault!
I kept my nephews through the end of July. That allowed me two weeks with A and N before school started for the eldest and a month and a half off from “work” before the newest was born. As if moms get time off... well, I did, in June! :)
And I was released as the Primary President of our congregation, a post I'd filled for nearly five years.
September brought the birth of S, a week after my first (hopefully only!) trip to the hospital with false labor. My heaviest baby, she beat N by half an ounce, at 9 lbs 15 oz. But she was an inch shorter, at 22 inches. (A was only 8 lbs 12 oz and 21.5 inches.)
It's been great to have a frilly girl with crazy red hair. Hopefully her hair stays red, or at least red-tinted. I always wanted red hair, and it's just in the last decade or so become more strawberry-ish... though it keeps getting darker, plus the forever multiplying white/gray hairs are taking over... but that's another topic.
October was a month of juggling and routine making. Adjusting to life being out-numbered by kids. Having more children than hands takes lots of getting used to... but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even another vacation. :)
Earlier this month I bravely traveled to New Orleans with N and S, plus the help of a dear friend. We drove the 3.5 hours (with stops) to see Laurie Halse Anderson (the author mentioned in the July happenings) at a book signing event. She was sweet enough to ask ME if I was “Wonderwegian” and if she could get a picture with ME. Thankfully N and S cooperated and their weren't any rush-from-the-bookstore-with-a-screaming kid-moments. L.H.A. signed six novels for me, two picture books for S, and two novels for Christmas gifts.
Yesterday I attempted a portrait shooting to capture all three kids that would be worthy of copying for Christmas cards. There is one decent picture out of the two dozen attempts but I think I'll try one more time.
And today, being Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about my blessings and accomplishments. At the beginning of the year I committed myself to goals in eight different categories (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, family, financial, and professional) to try for a real-rounded life.
Isn't there a quote saying “Reach for the stars. Even if you miss you'll end up among the stars” or something like that? Well, I reached all right.
Out of my eight goals, I'm on track for one- family. I know I won't reach/complete the other ones in the next thirty-four days but I know I'll be enjoying this season of magic and beginning the new year in a better position than I ended 2007.
Happy Reading!
November 27, 2008:
On this day of giving thanks I'm reflecting on the year and noticed that there are only thirty-four days left in 2008. Thirty-four! It's amazing to realize all that I've been involved in and where I'm at now on this road called life.
In January I was working at Books-A-Million part-time and enjoying my time out of the house. I was surrounded by my favorite non-human things to love, books! It was my third time in less than a dozen years working at the store. The last two times I was hired the management at the store was gracious enough to do the unspeakable in the world of corporate retail... give me as many (or as little) hours as I wanted, whenever I wanted them.
After just three months (I'd started October 2007) I had to give my two weeks notice. J's work schedule switched to twelve hour days and it didn't allow for time/energy for him to care for the kids while I worked. Plus I discovered that I was pregnant- which is why I left the bookstore the previous times. So good-bye to employee discounts, once again.
In February, I started watching two of my nephews four days a week. That allowed me to bring in some needed money but be able to stay at home, especially nice on those days/nights of “morning sickness”. N and I had fun with his “cousin buddies”, and A, too, when he wasn't in school.
In April I had an ultrasound showing the baby is a girl... so the purple and pink planning began.
And J lost his job, and was out of work for two months. Joy.
June included a fabulous trip to the greater Boston area without kids (or husband), compliments of my oldest sister. A was sweet enough to drive me around to all the literary and architectural spots of my choosing. (J was happy he wasn't there to suffer through those locations, but he was busy with a new job and night classes.) The cooler weather of the Northeast was a much needed break from the summer humidity while six months pregnant. Plus the experience of flying first class was great in itself!
July was a great month for personal goals. I participated in an on-line writing challenge hosted by Laurie Halse Anderson, one of my favorite writers. The challenge was to write at least 15 minutes a day, all month long. I only missed three days, and they were all Sundays, so I didn't feel guilty. (Who ever said the Sabbath is a day of rest never worked in Primary/Jr. Sunday School!)
I started back to work on a story I began in 2001 and wrote an average of a page a day. It was wonderful to get back into the creative process of writing regularly. But I'm sorry to say, I let it slip away after the month was over. Excuses of being a mother of a two active boys and being pregnant are valid, but not worth whining about. My fault!
I kept my nephews through the end of July. That allowed me two weeks with A and N before school started for the eldest and a month and a half off from “work” before the newest was born. As if moms get time off... well, I did, in June! :)
And I was released as the Primary President of our congregation, a post I'd filled for nearly five years.
September brought the birth of S, a week after my first (hopefully only!) trip to the hospital with false labor. My heaviest baby, she beat N by half an ounce, at 9 lbs 15 oz. But she was an inch shorter, at 22 inches. (A was only 8 lbs 12 oz and 21.5 inches.)
It's been great to have a frilly girl with crazy red hair. Hopefully her hair stays red, or at least red-tinted. I always wanted red hair, and it's just in the last decade or so become more strawberry-ish... though it keeps getting darker, plus the forever multiplying white/gray hairs are taking over... but that's another topic.
October was a month of juggling and routine making. Adjusting to life being out-numbered by kids. Having more children than hands takes lots of getting used to... but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even another vacation. :)
Earlier this month I bravely traveled to New Orleans with N and S, plus the help of a dear friend. We drove the 3.5 hours (with stops) to see Laurie Halse Anderson (the author mentioned in the July happenings) at a book signing event. She was sweet enough to ask ME if I was “Wonderwegian” and if she could get a picture with ME. Thankfully N and S cooperated and their weren't any rush-from-the-bookstore-with-a-screaming kid-moments. L.H.A. signed six novels for me, two picture books for S, and two novels for Christmas gifts.
Yesterday I attempted a portrait shooting to capture all three kids that would be worthy of copying for Christmas cards. There is one decent picture out of the two dozen attempts but I think I'll try one more time.
And today, being Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about my blessings and accomplishments. At the beginning of the year I committed myself to goals in eight different categories (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, family, financial, and professional) to try for a real-rounded life.
Isn't there a quote saying “Reach for the stars. Even if you miss you'll end up among the stars” or something like that? Well, I reached all right.
Out of my eight goals, I'm on track for one- family. I know I won't reach/complete the other ones in the next thirty-four days but I know I'll be enjoying this season of magic and beginning the new year in a better position than I ended 2007.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)