There's been an addendum...

...to the this post in the comments section. Check it out, someone pretty special wrote it.

iPod Shuffle

Michelle and Janelle both did this Meme and I thought it looked like a lot of fun.

I have to admit that I cheated a little bit because I still have all of my Christmas music on my iPod and a lot of the answers were coming up with Christmas music. Look at me...breaking rules! I also went down a slide yesterday that had a sign that CLEARLY said it was for children only. And today I'm posting this instead of my Thursday 13. I kind of like living life on the wild side.

Instructions for the Meme:

Put your iPod on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title to answer the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today? Set Me Free by Casting Crowns

What is your outlook on life? Glorious God by Ross Parsley

What does your family think of you? How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin

What do your friends think of you? Do You Even Know Me Anymore by Mark Schultz

What do your exes think of you? Holy by Nichole Nordeman

How is your love life? At My House by Kindermusik

What does your love life look like in the future? That's Where It Is by Carrie Underwood

Are you good at school? Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood

Will you be successful? In Your Eyes by Nichole Nordeman

What song will they sing at your birthday? Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives

What song will they sing at your graduation? Lemonade by Chris Rice

The soundtrack of your life? It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby

You and your friends are? Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan

Happy Times? What If by Nichole Nordeman

Sad Times? You Are My King by Passion

For Today? Closer to You by Mark Schultz

For Tomorrow? He Will Carry Me by Mark Schulz

For you: Silent Night by Amy Grant

What does next year have in store for me? Let My Words Be Few by Passion

What do I say when life gets too hard? I See the Moon by Chris Rice

What do you want as your career? Take Me As I Am Nichole Nordeman

Your favorite saying? And Now My Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns

How will I die? Someday by Nichole Nordeman

If you own an iPod or MP3, tag, you're it. Be prepared to laugh at yourself!

I've been tagged!

8 Random Facts or Habits /Meme

I've been tagged for a meme (see my friends post at Cup of T)

Here are the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

Without further ado...because I know you can't stand the suspense.

1. I rinse ice.

2. Though normally mild mannered, when provoked, I can switch to "Listen here, Mister" mode quite efficiently.

3. Rich and I lived in England for a year while Rich was in graduate school. We lived in a flat off of a 200 year old home. Our landlady had the most beautiful garden. Imagine a picturesque english garden in your head...it really looked like that!

4. In the fourth grade I almost won the school spelling bee. My friends will tell you I'm bitter over this, but I'm really not. It's no big deal. Really. But I will have you know that I when I skipped a letter in renewal (renewl) and my arch enemy went in for the kill. Her word was...get this...sailboat. SAILBOAT! What fourth grader can't spell that word? SERIOUSLY!!!

5. I have a strange little habit that sometimes causes me to pause and mentally type a word. Sometimes I actually move my fingers and sometimes I just figure it out in my head which fingers I would use to type that word.

6. When I studied music in college I had paralyzing stage fright. I would psych myself out and lose my voice. I was traumatized every time I had to do a recital...which unfortunately was often. I overcame it to some degree by the time I graduated, but didn't really get over it until after I left college.

7. I sing all the time, even when I don't realize it. One time I was at the eye doctor's and the receptionist told me that I had a beautiful voice. I was like, uh...thank you, but how do you know? She said I was singing while she was adjusting my glasses. I really didn't know I was singing!

8. I didn't really know my left from my right until I was a teenager and had to learn it for like...DRIVING. I don't know how I missed that important bit of learning or how I hid it for so long, but it is true. For any of you out there who might still be struggling with this I'll let you in on a little secret. Hold your hands so that your thumb is horizontal and your forefinger is vertical. Whichever one forms an L for Left...that's your left. The other one? That's your right. Your welcome!

Now it's your turn. I'm supposed to tag eight people:

Dixie at The Royal Family Blog (because I'm a glutton for punishment)

Sara at Miller Moments

Janelle at Snot and Kisses

Shelley at I've Got An Itch

JP's Mom at Babydolls and Soccer Balls

Sarah at Shopaholic and Mommyhood

Celeste at Poetic Justice

Michelle at Two Kids and A Blog

Here's a bone...

Just because I know how disappointing it can be to visit a blog when there is nothing new to view. I thought I would throw y'all a bone. I can say y'all because I'm in Tennessee right now.

I have lots of pictures and stories to share from our trip, but I'm not sure I can formulate them into any posts yet. I think I'll put a long post together for y'all when I return home and have the time to do it right.

So, I thought I would share some pictures that were taken by my sweet friend Sheri right before we left.

We took these by The Mill on the college campus where Rich works. Rich and I weren't really planning to be in the pictures (which is why he is wearing a Tshirt and ball cap). I thought the family one turned out nice, though.

Just Like It Was Yesterday

I remember just like it was yesterday...

1) The first time you made me laugh. I still chuckle when I think of you "holding up one finger to your mouth to shush your growling tummy".

2) The first time I felt the chemistry between us. The Cliffs.

3) Our first kiss. You always tease me that I kissed you first, but mine was just a peck and it was on the cheek!

4) The first time we held hands on campus. This was a big deal because once you hold hands a small college campus, you are as good as married ;-)

5) Our first "official" date. It is a good thing that you were handsome, witty, and charming, or you may not have recovered from your movie choice of Schindler's List.

6) The first time you put a ring on my finger. You asked me to wear my green formal dress and told me we were going out on a special date. I knew what was coming so it was torture to wait while you put together the perfect proposal. You picked me up and started driving. We didn't get very far, though, because we conveniently "ran out of gas" in front of Seeger Chapel. We walked in and there on the stage was a beautiful table set for two...in the spotlight. There was music playing and dinner from our favorite restaurant. You were so nervous, but sure at the same time and after dinner you knelt down and sweetly proposed marriage. With tears of joy and no hesitation, I accepted.

7) The first time I wore a beautiful white dress. The second time you put a ring on my finger. It was the day we were joined together as husband and wife. It was 11 years ago today. Happy anniversary, Rich! I could not ask for a more wonderful, patient, loving, and unselfish husband. You are forever my sweet. I love you more with every passing day. I look forward to many more "firsts" with you.

Love,

Alana

Thursday 13

Wow, can't believe I almost missed my Thursday 13.

Glory be to God...our hotel has free WIFI. If you don't know what WIFI is - google it! And If you don't know how to google something then you have more serious problems than I can help you with ;-)

13 Random Road Trip Thoughts

1) Praising God for safe travel!

2) You can easily entertain a 3yr old and 5 yr old with the world's lamest car game. You know...one you made up because even though you've read countless magazine articles on the topic you can't remember a SINGLE one!

3) If your youngest child is continually grunting and won't eat his lunch, don't be surprised when he comes down with a fever a couple of hours later :-(

4) WARNING - If you are desperate and have to buy a tiny bottle of Children's Motrin at a gas station in the middle of nowhere...it will cost you.

5) You may not mind, though, because they also have your favorite childhood soda (Big Red).

6) And a pack of Sweetarts. For future reference, they are much cheaper than the Motrin and work just as well!

7) DVD players are a gift from God!

8) While the DVD player is entertaining your kids you might be able to sneak in a few GLORIOUS minutes listening to real GROWN UP music on your IPOD.

9) However, be prepared to wear out the pause button addressing issues like "Can I have a snack?" or "I have to pee" once or twice or sixteen times.

10) Once you tell your child that you will be there in 10 minutes, a sudden hour-long traffic jam is sure to ensue.

11) When the Sweetarts and Motrin wear off, the grunting and fever will return.

12) Low battery power on your laptop is a good reason to give up trying to come up with a more relevant #12

13) I wonder what tomorrow will hold?

Leaving the Shed Behind

We're leaving tomorrow for a family road trip. 12 hours in the car with a 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. Could be fun.

But seriously we are very excited because we get to see Mamaw, Papaw, Nana, Papa, Uncle Mark, Aunt Angie, my Papaw, friends from college including my roomie Dianna, and some special relatives on my Mom's side of the family who are having a reunion while we are there. It is going to be an action packed trip!

You might think I'm done packing since I'm blogging right now, but not so much.

I have a confession to make. My name is Alana and I'm a last minute packer (obvious omission of my other problem here).

I'm not sure how much time I will have on my hands for blogging while I'm gone. Would it be rude to excuse myself from a reunion to check my blog? Yeah, probably.

Since there is a possiblity of a dry spell for a few days, I'll leave you with something that I thought might last you awhile. I know you don't feel that I've beat this topic with a dead horse...or is it like a dead horse...or this topic is like beating a dead horse? Oh well, I think you get my point.

I give you the infamous shed.



Jen, would you mind driving by every so often to make sure it hasn't been bulldozed by B? You laugh, but we found a nail in Rich's tire this week...

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

Here's a picture for you...



Another vantage point...



Lest you ever wonder what life is like in a household with 3 boys (my husband included because although I don't think he was responsible for this PARTICULAR infraction...HE IS NOT ABOVE throwing a suction ball at the recessed lighting just to see if it will stick).

I'm not sure how this particular ball got there. Obviously I can deduct that someone threw it there, but I'm not sure if Richie threw it with good aim on purpose or if William was just throwing it with abandon and got LUCKY.

It could go either way...

Check out my ATunes

Look to your left and scroll down...I now have a playlist for your listening pleasure!

I will add to it occasionally. Currently it has some of my favorite ITunes...thus the title...ATunes. Aren't I clever?

If you want to create your own...just click below the playlist where it says "create a playlist" and you can go from there!

Father's Day in Review

Father's Day was a big hit at our house.

After church and Sunday brunch at one of our favorite local spots, we came home to bestow gifts upon Daddy. After gifts Rich helped Richie (I mean Richie helped Rich) build a sandbox. I was amazed that out of all the things Rich could have been doing yesterday afternoon (I gave him many an option) he wanted to stay home and build a sandbox for the boys.

You can read here about my idea of a great Mother's Day and it doesn't involve staying home, making anything, or being with the kids. I comfort myself with the thought that I get to stay home, make things (like breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and be with the kids all the time...for Rich these things are a novelty, right?

Anyway, I took some cute pictures of the project for your viewing pleasure. By the way, the funds for the sandbox were provided Mamaw and Papaw in honor of the boy's 3rd and 6th birthdays.

Two Cute Carpenters



The Finished Project



THANKS DAD!!!



Dig In! (Check out those cute little footprints in the sand!)

10 Reasons We Love Daddy (and cute pictures to boot!)

1) We love Daddy because he makes us pancakes.

2) We love Daddy because he builds stuff for us.

3) We love Daddy because he sings us lullabies.

4) We love Daddy because he builds forts in Richie's bedroom.

5) We love Daddy because he lets us watch movies.

6) We love Daddy because he plays ball with us outside.

7) We love Daddy because he can make a Luke Skywalker costume (for Richie) and a belt (for Will).

8) We love Daddy because he wrestles with us.

9) We love Daddy because he makes artwork.

10) We love Daddy because he fixes our owies.

What's not to love??






HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

10 Things We Love About My Dad (Gordon) By: Rich and Alana

1) His Hugs
2) His aftershave
3) His generosity
4) His dedication to his family
5) His Mr Fixit abilities
6) His love for his grandchildren
7) His 3x5 Reminders
8) His ability to put everyone at ease
9) His fried potatoes and onions
10) His thorough explanations

Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you!!

10 Things We Love About My Dad (Dick) By: Rich and Alana

1) His love for blueberry pie
2) His generosity
3) His dedication to his family
4) His appreciation of the light coming on in North Carolina
5) His engineer's hat
6) His growth in the Lord
7) His Mr. Fixit abilities
8) His love for his grandchildren
9) His love for a GOOD prime rib
10) His fatherly advice

Happy Father's Day! We Love you!

There is ONE Spider I Like...

...her name is Charlotte.



Richie and I just finished reading Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. If you have never read this book or the last time you read it was as a child you should read it again. Delightful is the word that comes to mind. It is full of humor and wisdom. I adored my reading time with Richie...this was our first attempt at a chapter book and I can't wait for the next one. I think we might try Stuart Little next, also by E.B. White.

On occasion our family enjoys a movie night together. Since we had just finished the book, Charlotte's Web (the new version of the movie with Dakota Fanning as Fern and Julia Roberts playing the voice of Charlotte) seemed a perfect selection for our viewing pleasure. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you have never tried a family movie night at your house, I highly recommend it! It is a cuddling, snuggling, giggling, popcorn eating, candy licking good time! Our boys love it and look forward to it all day. Actually we all do.

I just had an idea. I would love it if you would all share some of your favorite children's chapter book ideas with me as well as good family night movies. I will then keep a running list of both on my blog for so that everyone can benefit.

Wouldn't it be great to have a list of wholesome books and movies like Charlotte's Web to reference from? I love it!

Let's do it...

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Yay! I finally have a picture in my profile. I had to beg, borrow, and steal to get my husband to do this for me. He teaches graphic design at the college where he works and he is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY good at it. So, you might think that I would by now have the "be all end all" of blog designs...not so much. He simply will not give in to my pleading. I'm a little puzzled as to how he has resisted me. It may be that he has just been too busy (what with all of the battery making and shed building)...if you read this blog you already know about the shed building and the battery making...

It's really better not to ask.

Anyway, we had some fun with this picture today because I was like, um...can you make my teeth a look a little whiter? (wish he could do that in real life, because those whitening strips are just a form of torture if you ask me), and even out my skin tone? and how about adding a little gloss to my lips?

I'm not kidding, I really asked all of those things and he really did them...except we didn't go for the gloss because we thought it was a bit over the top. Needless to say it pays to have a design GURU at your disposal.

Of course there are times that he can get a little TOO creative. Ask Janelle - one time he made her into an ogre. I would post the picture, but I'm pretty sure she would never forgive me.

I will, however, post a few of the "alternative" looks that he came up with for me today. What do you think?

First, we have goth Alana (some of you will remember this look from a recent costume party)



Look, it's Smurfette...only with scary green eyes



Speaking of eye problems



Okay, I'll stop clowning around now...(I know this last comment is not really funny, but it's the best I can do)

Thursday 13

Recently I've been corresponding via email with my niece, L, and she has like totally revealed to me her affinity for 80's music. She's 15 (going on 16 I'm sure she would have me tell you) so she was not actually around in the 80's no DUH, but we'll forgive her that since she obviously has some AWESOME taste in music.

L has requested some of my favorites from this RAD decade so...let's dig out your synths, dust off our roller skates, and put on our leg warmers 'cuz I can't fight this feeling anymore...

13 Tublular 80's Songs

1) CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING by REO Speedwagon

2) GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN by Cyndi Lauper

3) CHERISH by Kool and the Gang

4) GLORY OF LOVE by Peter Cetera

5) ALONE by Heart

6) MANIC MONDAY by The Bangles

7) ADDICTED TO LOVE by Robert Palmer

8) HANDS TO HEAVEN by Breathe

9) WE BUILT THIS CITY by Starship

10) WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN by The Bangles

11) AGAINST ALL ODDS (Take a Look at Me Now) by Phil Collins

12) I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW by Tiffany

13) LOVE SHACK by The B52s

Don't have a cow if I've left one out, I only had 13 spaces! Just leave a comment with your fave...I don't want L to miss out any good ones, that would be SUCH a bummer!

Maybe...

...instead of a sign we should go with a thoughtful gift!

Quote of the Day

"Mommy, did you know that when you flick something really hard it flies into the air?"

I think it is safe to say he's feeling better.

Bless His Heart

My baby is sick. Really sick. He's been running a high fever for three days now.

The doctor says it is just a virus. Don't you hate that? I want a remedy. When I spend $30 for a doctor's appointment I want my little guy to FEEL BETTER as a result.

Oh well, I atleast I can soak up the calm and cuddly side of him that shows up when he's feeling this way.

Divine Intervention

Do you ever have one of those moments when you feel like God is trying to get your attention?

I've had so much noise in my life lately (mainly in the form of blogs), that I've really not been taking the time to stop and listen to Him. Sometimes, I think I do that on purpose because maybe I'm afraid to hear what He has to say.

This afternoon I went downstairs to walk on the treadmill. The only thing that will even remotely motivate me to do that is being able to watch some of the Oprah episodes that I have taped on my DVR. Well, today I was trying to get the TV to come on so that Oprah could help to lessen the drudgery that is "working out". It wouldn't come on.

Hmmm, that is strange.

I did a few things to try and fix it before I realized that I needed to call tech support (aka - my husband). He came downstairs and tried for a bit, but was unsuccessful. He asked me to give him a minute to figure it out and went upstairs to do so. In the meantime I decided to go ahead and start the workout for fear I would never do it.

As I started walking, I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit. A still small voice. Pray. The door was open and the invitation was clear. My Maker wanted a moment with me. So, I took the time to be still, silent, and to be in His presence. It's such a good place to be.

I wouldn't call it any epiphany, but a moment of clarity. And I'm hoping that next time...I'll be able to turn off the TV, the phone, the music, or the blogs all by myself.

My Blogging (Short) Story

Well, I wasn't sure I was going to do this Blogging Story Carnival by Chilihead because I wasn't sure I really had a story...I've only been blogging for a little over a month. But hey, what else is there to do at 12:10am on a Tuesday morning? Sleep is surely not an option for a dedicated blogger. Plus, Shelley and Janelle both joined the fun, so who am to be a party pooper?

HOW DID YOU START BLOGGING?

My good friend Sara sent me a link to her blog and I began reading it faithfully. After a while one blog was just not ENOUGH so I started reading some of the other blogs that she recommended like Big Mama and Baby Bangs. My blogging instinct kicked in soon after and I HAD to have a blog of my own.

DID YOU INTEND TO HAVE A BLOG WITH A FOLLOWING?

That question seems to insinuate that the person answering has a blog with a following...so I think I need not answer. In other words...N/A (not applicable)


WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH YOUR BLOG?

I hope to keep a record of my daily life and share it with family and friends. I hope to be real and transparent and to find humor in the everyday. Also, maybe I'd like to share a side of me that I don't always feel as safe to show in REAL life. I'm learning some things about myself in the process.


HAS THE FOCUS OF YOUR BLOG CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

Well, I've only been blogging for one month, so I'm not sure I have a focus, or ever will. I know at first I had a hard time deciding where I was going with it. And I'm still not sure I'm going anywhere...I think this answer is case in point.


WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU STARTED?

I wish I knew how much joy it would bring me. I know that may sound silly, but it's true. I find myself focusing more on the humor and positive aspects of the situations I find mysef in.


DO YOU MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR BLOG?

No, but I'm not spending any either so I guess I'm coming out even...which is more than I can say for most hobbies.


DOES YOUR IMMEDIATE/EXTENDED FAMILY KNOW ABOUT YOUR BLOG?

Yes, and a few of them even read it.

WHAT TWO PIECES OF ADVICE WOULD YOU TELL NEW BLOGGERS?

I'm still a newbie, but my best advice would be...

1) Check out Blogging Basics 101

2) Be mindful of the tone of your writing. This is hard to do because you know how you hear it in your head, but it can come across very differently depending on the perspective of the reader.

Driving Along in My Automobile...

Disclaimer: This is not written with the a Christlike attitude. Forgive me.

Okay, so I'm driving along minding my own business, singing a little ditty when I see it (brake screeching sound here). I see something in B's yard. It's a sign...



Okay, so it wasn't that exact sign...it only said "No Trespassing" and didn't have the "Police Take Notice" part...I found that picture on the internet. You didn't expect me to risk life and limb to take an actual picture of it did you? I must admit I was VERY tempted, but the rule follower in me simply would not allow it.

Can you believe that? Who DOES that? We live in a NEIGHBORHOOD for pete's sake. Please someone tell me why she bought a house in a neighborhood if she wanted to live the life of a recluse? Buy a castle with a moat if you don't want neighbors. SERIOUSLY!

I guess I can take solace in the fact that it was facing the road and not our house.

I'm trying to think of a sign we can put up in our yard.

What do you think of this one?

A Boy Named Luke

My friend Sarah came to visit this weekend along with her two boys, C and R. We had a great time catching up and our boys as usual had a great time together as well. Richie and C have been friends since birth (or atleast since Connor's birth). Sarah and I met almost 6 years ago. We were both new to town and our husbands were new faculty at the college where Rich works.

We became instant friends. We soon realized that our boys (Richie was 4 weeks old when we moved here and C was born three months after) were going to be close in age and that we would soon have A LOT in common. If it weren't for Sarah I honestly don't know if I would have made it through that first year of motherhood. We got the boys together for "playdates" which at first consisted of them lying on the floor together doing nothing and/or taking long naps. In those early days we had a lot of time on our hands to sit on the couch and chat for hours, eating chocolate chip cookies, and laughing. Needless to say their playdates now (at age 5) are a little more interesting and quite a bit more interactive.

See Exhibit A (Richie's bedroom floor)



and

Exhibit B (my living room floor)




(And this is after Rich picked up a little bit:-)

Even though we don't have as much quiet time to chat, we do still enjoy trying to talk over the chaos as we referee the festivities and dodge a ball or two flying by our heads.

Since then we've added two more boys to the mix (one each...also very close in age, Will and R). However, two years ago Sarah and her family moved because her husband was offered a fabulous job at another school. We still keep in touch and try to visit each other as often as possible, but the little ones (we sometimes call them "the seconds") are not as familiar with each other as the older ones. This became quite clear to us this weekend as R kept calling Will by the name Luke (apparently a buddy of his back home). However, by the end of the visit, we were straight on names and William at one point said "Ryan is my best buddy"...quickly followed by "He's a boy". This is rather novel to him because all of his buddies currently seem to be girls. I guess like any man he was just noting his appreciation of a little testosterone in the room.

Sarah, it was great to see you...until next time!

A Cup of T

My sweet friend Teresa has joined the blogging world. Sooner or later it will suck YOU in, too. Teresa and I met in college, but she has known my husband Rich since, well...forever. She is a sweet person, wonderful friend and Godly woman. We have a beautiful friendship that stands the test of time. I'm forever grateful for the support she gave me in college and especially during the year we served in ministry together in Alabama.

She is currently 8 1/2 months pregnant and is expecting her first baby. What better time to start a blog?

Let's lay this to rest...

Okay, Janelle talks a lot about honking and I talk a lot about Big Mama. I'm going to try to get a life and leave her alone for awhile after this post. HOWEVER, I have had a few people asking me "so what's the story on Big Mama???" so I feel it imperative that I address the issue.

First of all, although I do think Big Mama (hmmm, I started to type BM for short... but that's not too flattering, now is it?) is super cool, and was really excited when she commented on my blog (as were my friends). I fear that those who don't know me well might have taken all of that a little more seriously than I meant it. My own husband (who knows me quite well mentioned that if he was Big Mama he might be looking into a restraining order). I'm harmless, REALLY! Some of you who don't know me in real life (and possibly a few who do) might not realize that the majority of my humor is more on the satirical and sometimes a bit exaggerated side. We (my friends and I) were mostly just having a little fun with the topic because she really has become a bit of a celebrity to us in our little section of blog world.

Before you discount us all as "crazies" go see for yourself what all the fuss is about. I'll point you to a few of my favorite posts...try this one, and this one, and this one. Be sure to take a little visit to the powder room first, because you just might pee your pants.

"IT'S BIG MAMA, IT'S BIG MAMA!"

What are the chances that my one shot of hitting the BLOGGING BIG TIME has been thwarted by the fact that Big Mama happened upon my blog and read MY LAMEST POST EVER! Couldn't she have visited and read this one, or this one, or this one? I have potential, I can be funny, I'm a little bit interesting...I might be worthy, but probably not. It is probably just as well because I'm not sure I can take the pressure.

But seriously, I am a little awestruck by the fact that Big Mama knows I exist! I am such a dork! I'm just hoping I handle it a little better than the last time I had a celebrity run in...

Take a little trip down memory lane with me to The Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Circa 1995. I'm in college touring Europe on a Humanities trip. We are there for the lightshow and I'm walking down the aisle to our seats and I hear "the voice". It should be permanently etched in your memory. It was Fran Drescher from "The Nanny". Now, I didn't necessarily watch this show a lot, but I knew that voice. The funny thing is I have always been one of those people who was like, what's the big deal with celebrities? I don't get all the fuss. But Something unexplainable came over me that day and I just started screaming "IT'S THE NANNY, IT'S THE NANNY, IT'S THE NANNY!!!!!" and pointing like a complete idiot. I still cringe at the thought. Up to this point, she was pretty much incognito and I'm sure she will be forever grateful to me for blowing her cover because after my "outburst" she suddenly had a swarm of people surrounding her asking for autographs, pictures, etc. Which by the way DID NOT include me because I was too mortified to approach her.

Big Mama, if you are reading THIS post, please know that I will try to be a little more DIGNIFIED in our interactions, but obviously I can't make any promises.

Thursday 13

13 Words

1) I
2) can't
3) think
4) of
5) anything
6) good
7) to
8) post
9) for
10) my
11) Thursday
12) Thirteen
13) SORRY!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Okay, apparently a few people have taken issue with my ice rinsing (mentioned as a personal policy in my last post). I'm pretty sure I clarified that these were "personal" policies/rules so I'm not asking any of you to rinse your ice...(unless you want to...you kind of want to now, don't you?) No, we're talking about things that you have to do whether they make sense or not. I KNOW you all have things like this.

For example I have one good friend (you know who you are) who brings home fast food only to turn around and put it on real plates. Isn't the point of fast food, NOT having to do dishes? It is in my world, but this is one of her "personal policies" so I don't ask questions (anymore...but I do occasionally bring it up because I can't seem to wrap my brain around it). And then there is my sweet Richie who won't eat the ends of the hot dog. Why? Because it's his personal policy! Are you getting my drift here?

CLEARLY the ice rinsing is illogical. I mean ice is made out of WATER! However, somewhere along the line it became essential for me to do this. Why, do you ask? I wish I could offer a more compelling explanation but this is all I've got...

(DRUM ROLL PLEASE)

In the house I grew up in if you filled a glass with ice and then added water these little white flakes would rinse off of the ice into the water and settle at the bottom of the glass. I guess it was from hard water? I don't know...but if you rinsed the ice first there were fewer white flakes. That's it folks, aren't you glad you tuned in for that one? I thought so.

(Pause so I can google "white flakes from ice")

Lo and behold I am not crazy. Read the fourth paragraph found here.

See, if I didn't have this blog I may have never solved the mystery of the "white flakes". Time well spent, I say.

Did you miss me?

Did you miss me in blog world? There there now...it's okay...I'm here now.

Guess what??? I have my first blog friend! That is I don't know her in real life, just blog life. How exciting is that?

Well, if I am being technical or more accurately DELUSIONAL I could count Big Mama as my first blog world friend because I DID get an authentic email from her when I commented on her blog. However, as I have not received any further correspondence from her since then I'm pretty sure that was a courtesy email that she sends to anyone who comments on her blog for the first time.

Anyway, back to my original train of thought...my new friend is super sweet and loves Anne of Green Gables so there is not one doubt in my mind that we are kindred spirits. The name of her blog is KittyHox and she just posted a Meme that I thought looked pretty fun about "personal rules/policies". Now, most of you know that I am a strict rule follower so this list could be long...but since KittyHox named just ten I'll follow her lead...

10 Rules for Better Living

1) Never park in an illegitimate parking place (handicapped, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, expectant mothers). For SHAME!!!!

2) If there is a crunchy leaf or leaves in your path, crunch them for pete's sake. How can you resist?

3) If you have a blog, write something on it! (you know who you are)

4) If there is a couch, sit on it.

5) Check your email and blog one last time before you go to bed, even if you know there is noone else who is OBSESSED enough to be up that late (or early, rather) writing emails or blogs.

6) Order no larger than a medium sized fountain Coke, because it tastes better and has more fizz than the humongous ones.

7) If you've had something sweet, you must have something salty to counteract, continue the sweet/salty pattern until you make yourself sick!

8) Absolutely under no circumstances should you (an adult) drink any other beverage but Coca Cola with pizza or popcorn. Especially not MILK...gag me with a spoon!

9) When killing a bug or spider, you must smash it multiple times, squish it again when you grab it in the kleenex, and then flush it just to make sure there is no chance it will be able to exact revenge.

10) When making a drink at home, all ice must be rinsed before adding the beverage.

Feel free to post your own personal policies or rules either in comments or on your own blog.

A Storm

This is dedicated to my sister who is in the midst of a storm right now. Kat, I know you are praising Him through this...I see His strength and peace in you. How sweet it will be to give God the glory for this victory. Keep praying, find refuge in His word and hang on for that day.