Tuesdays are the hardest days for me to stick with the theme. The people I know who read this already know most things about me...and if there are things people don't know about me, it's for a good reason!! So, just know that these days are probably not going to be the most interesting, but you just might learn something you didn't already know!
Today, I will choose to reminisce about my childhood. I have a younger brother...notice I said younger, not smaller. We are 2 years apart, and from the time he was 4, he was bigger than I was. Well, as siblings often do, we fought...like cats and dogs. We were so mean to each other! He had the strength to hold me down and I had the nails to draw blood from his arms.
When Joseph and I were about 8 and 10, he got a pair of boxing gloves for Christmas. My parents decided to put an end to this physical abuse between the two of us. Joseph is left handed and I am right handed. So, when we couldn't stop fighting, we would each be forced to take our designated boxing glove, of the pair, and fight each other. Picture for a moment...2 children...wearing one boxing glove each...fighting madly...Ahh, good times. I would like to thank our parents for this amusing Tuesday story!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Mad Music Mondays 1.30.06
Music I'm diggin: LeCrae
LeCrae's album Real Talk rocks my face off. It is so hard to find good Christian hip-hop...you know the kind that doesn't sound like 1983 clubbin' music. The first time I heard this CD, I was shocked...because I heard them make several references to Jesus (in a positive way) and then I wanted to dance...to Jesus music. That doesn't happen often! My two favorite songs on the album are "Alien" and "Holy Crunk". Lovin' it.
LeCrae's album Real Talk rocks my face off. It is so hard to find good Christian hip-hop...you know the kind that doesn't sound like 1983 clubbin' music. The first time I heard this CD, I was shocked...because I heard them make several references to Jesus (in a positive way) and then I wanted to dance...to Jesus music. That doesn't happen often! My two favorite songs on the album are "Alien" and "Holy Crunk". Lovin' it.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Friend of the Week Fridays 1.27.06
Every Friday I get the chance to name someone as my "Friend of the Week" and for this I am VERY excited. I don't feel like I take the opportunity often enough to let people in my life know how much they mean to me, and how appreciative I am for their friendship.
Friend of the Week: Elizabeth
Elizabeth and I have known each other since our freshman year at WCU. We sang in choirs together and were both music majors. I was so blessed to have her sweet voice sing "Surely the Presence" in our wedding. Now, I am honored to stand with her on the day of her wedding as a bridesmaid. We get to go dress shopping tomorrow, and I am excited to get to spend the weekend with her and some other college friends! Thank you, Elizabeth for being a forever friend.
Friend of the Week: Elizabeth
Elizabeth and I have known each other since our freshman year at WCU. We sang in choirs together and were both music majors. I was so blessed to have her sweet voice sing "Surely the Presence" in our wedding. Now, I am honored to stand with her on the day of her wedding as a bridesmaid. We get to go dress shopping tomorrow, and I am excited to get to spend the weekend with her and some other college friends! Thank you, Elizabeth for being a forever friend.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Things I Love Thursdays 1.26.06
Today is the beginning of Things I Love Thursdays. These days, I get to tell about fun things in my life that I love having around. (Welcome, Lori, to the blogging in themes :) )
Thing I love: Wearing comfy fleece pants and one of Marty's long sleeve baggy t-shirts
I am a stay-at-home-wife/person who runs 2 businesses from home. One of the things I absolutely love about that is that I get to be slouchy anytime I want! The best part of my day is when Marty comes home in the afternoon...I'm dressed like a just rolled out of the bed, my hair looks like a rat's nest, and I have on zero make up...and tells me that he still thinks I'm beautiful. Yeah, that's a good time. :)
Thing I love: Wearing comfy fleece pants and one of Marty's long sleeve baggy t-shirts
I am a stay-at-home-wife/person who runs 2 businesses from home. One of the things I absolutely love about that is that I get to be slouchy anytime I want! The best part of my day is when Marty comes home in the afternoon...I'm dressed like a just rolled out of the bed, my hair looks like a rat's nest, and I have on zero make up...and tells me that he still thinks I'm beautiful. Yeah, that's a good time. :)
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
No Sleep
So I just have to vent. Last night I got home late, but I was still in bed by 11:30. I knew that I had to get up earlier this morning than I normally do (at 6:15am to be exact) to head up the road to the thriving metropolis of Spruce Pine, NC. My purpose in venturing so far off the beating path was to help my WCU friend, Greg, audition 60 (yes, I said 60) 2nd graders for various roles in their rendition of "The Wizard of Oz". OK...if my math skills serve me right, I could have gotten (mind the words "could have") a little over 6.5 hours of sleep to help prepare me for this mini version of American Idol. Well, last night (for the second time in 2 weeks, I might add) I have not been able to sleep!!! Of course, last night (in which I got about 5 hours of sleep) was MUCH better than the last time it happened (only 1 hour and 45 minutes of sleep that night)...but my point is, I hate getting up early...and I hate it even more when I get so anxious about getting up early that I can't sleep!! AHHHH!!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Tell All Tuesdays 1.24.06
So it's Tuesday and Brooke & I are starting the Tell All Tuesdays series of blogs. We get to reveal things that not many people know about us. So, get ready...there's no telling what kind of craziness can come out of Tuesdays!!!!
Today's fact:
I have a secret love affair with labels and label making products. It's true. 30 seconds in my house, and it's completely revealed. Everything has it's own box or basket and it is properly labeled with a clear or white label on the front. It would be one thing if I didn't know at first glance what was in each box or basket...but most of them are clear=you can see through them. Yet, I still feel it neccessary to make sure you know without a doubt what you will find when you lift the lid. Some people might call this ridiculous...and it is, and I am, and I know it.
Today's fact:
I have a secret love affair with labels and label making products. It's true. 30 seconds in my house, and it's completely revealed. Everything has it's own box or basket and it is properly labeled with a clear or white label on the front. It would be one thing if I didn't know at first glance what was in each box or basket...but most of them are clear=you can see through them. Yet, I still feel it neccessary to make sure you know without a doubt what you will find when you lift the lid. Some people might call this ridiculous...and it is, and I am, and I know it.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Mad Music Mondays (1.23.06)
To spice up the life of our blogs, Brooke and I have decided to start with a series of topics that make us smile, laugh, think, etc. Mad Music Mondays-this is the day that we get to talk about music that: we love, we won't take out of our CD players, we can't get out of our heads, or we think should never have been released to the public to begin with. Mad Music Mondays...and GO.
Carrie Underwood-Some Hearts
So, I am not a die hard country music fan like I was as a kid, but this CD is the one that has been in my CD player ever since Christmas. Lots of catchy tunes that you listen to once, and you already know the chorus by heart. And then, during MLK Jr. weekend, Jesus, Take the Wheel took on a whole new meaning (thank you, Brooke). And no, my favorite song is NOT Inside Your Heaven, whatever the heck that means. I don't even think I have a favorite song on the album. I DO NOT like "honky-tonk-my-wife-just-left-and-she-took-my-truck-bar-songs". Other than the song Before He Cheats (which is actually kinda funny) they are all pretty decent songs about growing up and moving on, and never forgetting where you came from.
So, why in the world am I listening to this CD a month later? I don't even know!! It's a nice little CD, and it's fun to sing along with, but that's really it...maybe I'll change it today...
Carrie Underwood-Some Hearts
So, I am not a die hard country music fan like I was as a kid, but this CD is the one that has been in my CD player ever since Christmas. Lots of catchy tunes that you listen to once, and you already know the chorus by heart. And then, during MLK Jr. weekend, Jesus, Take the Wheel took on a whole new meaning (thank you, Brooke). And no, my favorite song is NOT Inside Your Heaven, whatever the heck that means. I don't even think I have a favorite song on the album. I DO NOT like "honky-tonk-my-wife-just-left-and-she-took-my-truck-bar-songs". Other than the song Before He Cheats (which is actually kinda funny) they are all pretty decent songs about growing up and moving on, and never forgetting where you came from.
So, why in the world am I listening to this CD a month later? I don't even know!! It's a nice little CD, and it's fun to sing along with, but that's really it...maybe I'll change it today...
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Reality TV
I confess...I am a reality TV junkie. I have to admit that I have a TiVo season pass for American Idol, The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, The Biggest Loser and The Real World. And, we discovered Beauty and the Geek last week, and yeah, I thought I need to make sure I watch that the next time it comes on.
What is it about other people's lives that intrigues me? Probably the same thing that intrigues the rest of America. I don't know how you feel about it, but there is absolutely nothing like seeing people get on TV in front on millions and singing horribly...or watching a doctor date 25 women at once and break several hearts at the end of every week and then "fall in love" and propose after dating her, and her 10 housemates, for only 6 weeks...or seeing a family's life completely restored thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers...or witnessing 7 strangers move into a house together for several months and experience the "real" world (umm, ok)...or tuning every week to see who's lost the least amount of weight...and did I mention how stinkin' hilarious it is when the worst singers in the world get on national television and sing in front of millions of Americans? Man, I love this stuff.
What is it about other people's lives that intrigues me? Probably the same thing that intrigues the rest of America. I don't know how you feel about it, but there is absolutely nothing like seeing people get on TV in front on millions and singing horribly...or watching a doctor date 25 women at once and break several hearts at the end of every week and then "fall in love" and propose after dating her, and her 10 housemates, for only 6 weeks...or seeing a family's life completely restored thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers...or witnessing 7 strangers move into a house together for several months and experience the "real" world (umm, ok)...or tuning every week to see who's lost the least amount of weight...and did I mention how stinkin' hilarious it is when the worst singers in the world get on national television and sing in front of millions of Americans? Man, I love this stuff.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Snow
It's very obvious from my collection of snowmen, that I LOVE SNOW!!! My favorite snow is the kind that comes down all day long, is deep enough that it's not convenient to go anywhere, and there is enough to play in if you want to (and even if you don't it's beautiful to look at!). Moving to Madison County when we got married was very exciting to me because they more snow than Jackson County (which is where I lived for 23 years). When this winter began, I was thrilled because I WANTED IT TO SNOW!!!!
Well...there were a few days before Christmas where it snowed all day long, and it seemed that at the end of the day, there was less moisture on the ground than there was at the beginning of the day! Then, Christmas came, and we knew there would be no chance of a White Christmas, which was fine with me. I don't care what day it snows, just as long as it does!!! Well, on December 26th, Marty and I woke up VERY early to leave for our trip to Louisiana. We got dressed, ate breakfast, and as we were opening the door to load the car, we saw it...3+inches of snow on the ground!!! It was so beautiful!!! I was like a kid when I saw it-so excited and couldn't wait to enjoy it...and then I remembered...we were leaving for LA...where it would be 70 degrees. So, very sadly we drove to Sylva to meet Marty's family. I was devastated.
Then came this weekend...I was serving on a Chrysalis weekend in Hendersonville and I had heard of the rumors that we were going to be getting lots of wind and lots of snow. WOOHOO!! Saturday morning came and they were right on with both calls...except at nightfall on Saturday, the wind was still very present and there wasn't a trace of snow anywhere!! To make matters worse, I called Marty who was home in Mars Hill, and heard that he had spent his day SLEDDING IN THE 4-6 INCHES OF SNOW AT OUR HOUSE!!!! I couldn't believe it!!
I know it's only January and there is PLENTY of time left for winter weather. My only problem with that is that I WANT TO BE HERE TO ENJOY IT WHEN IT HAPPENS!!!
Well...there were a few days before Christmas where it snowed all day long, and it seemed that at the end of the day, there was less moisture on the ground than there was at the beginning of the day! Then, Christmas came, and we knew there would be no chance of a White Christmas, which was fine with me. I don't care what day it snows, just as long as it does!!! Well, on December 26th, Marty and I woke up VERY early to leave for our trip to Louisiana. We got dressed, ate breakfast, and as we were opening the door to load the car, we saw it...3+inches of snow on the ground!!! It was so beautiful!!! I was like a kid when I saw it-so excited and couldn't wait to enjoy it...and then I remembered...we were leaving for LA...where it would be 70 degrees. So, very sadly we drove to Sylva to meet Marty's family. I was devastated.
Then came this weekend...I was serving on a Chrysalis weekend in Hendersonville and I had heard of the rumors that we were going to be getting lots of wind and lots of snow. WOOHOO!! Saturday morning came and they were right on with both calls...except at nightfall on Saturday, the wind was still very present and there wasn't a trace of snow anywhere!! To make matters worse, I called Marty who was home in Mars Hill, and heard that he had spent his day SLEDDING IN THE 4-6 INCHES OF SNOW AT OUR HOUSE!!!! I couldn't believe it!!
I know it's only January and there is PLENTY of time left for winter weather. My only problem with that is that I WANT TO BE HERE TO ENJOY IT WHEN IT HAPPENS!!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Christmas Musings
I know that Christmas was almost 3 weeks ago, but I finally have time to reflect on the 2005 Christmas season. It was by far the busiest December EVER, but was filled with LOTS of good times with family and friends. Here's a little play by play of our 2nd Christmas together:
-(Nov. 19th-20th) Marty and I sang in the Christmas Musical at our church. Yes, I know that it was a week before Thanksgiving, but hey...it's not like anyone had another Christmas program to go to!!
-(Dec. 13th) I was invited to participate in a Cookie Exchange with some ladies from our church. 11 batches of Magic Cookie Bars later...it was a good time, and great to meet some other people from our church.
(Dec. 17th) Christmas dinner at the Dillard House with my Dad's side of the family. I have never seen so much food in my life! For 12 people, they brought out 15 dishes (excluding desert)!!
(Dec. 18th) Got together with Brooke & Lori to exchange gifts. Brooke gave Lori and I a trip to Atlanta for a weekend in May for shopping and eating and to see they play "Wicked"! (It's the Wizard Of Oz story from the Wicked Witch of West's point of view.) What a thoughtful friend.
(Dec. 20th) Marty and I went to Hayesville, NC for a Fondue Party at Andrew & Diana's. There was chocolate dipping going on, cheese dipping going on, caramel dipping going on, and of course some game playing going on.
(Dec. 23rd) This day was "Christmas" with Marty's parents, sister and grandparents. Itis always so much fun to exchange gifts with them, and there's always that guarantee of more wrapped up snowmen than anyone can count.
(Dec. 24th) Busy day! Christmas breakfast at Daddy & Janice's house started our day. Then after too much food, a nice nap,and of course lots of play time with Jordan (my step-sister Amber's little boy) we were off to our next destination...dinner at Mom & Marvin's. Mom taught me (and I wasn't a very good learner) how to crochet...it's a stick and some yarn...how hard can it possibly be!!!
(Dec. 25th) After church, Marty and I , amidst solving some crazy FedEx delivery issues, finished up with the preparations for my mom's extended family's Christmas gathering. Since this was our first Christmas in our new house, we decided to have it here. It was such a blessing to have everyone over...and quite a funny time, too.
(Dec. 26th-29th) This was my first time going to Louisiana for the Gilbert family Christmas. With all 5 of us in one car for 10 hours, it was a good time waiting to be had! There was LOTS of rest during these few days, which I was certainly ready for. We also got hooked on Su Doku puzzles while we were there. Then, after a few days, we were headed back to NC...in one car...for 10 hours...all 5 of us. Good times.
(I know what you're thinking...Christmas is only one day...December 25th. Well, that would be WAY too simple for us and our family...and it's not over yet!)
(Dec. 30th-Jan. 2nd) After very little sleep, and very little time to recover from our LA trip, we were in the car again heading to Raleigh to stay with one of Marty's best friends from college, Aaron, and his family (wife, Eli and 2 year old, Bella). This trip was a complete mystery to me. All Marty would let me know was that we were going to Raleigh to stay with the Hawkins family but there was more planned than that. There was some shopping involved, some very good hang out times, and as always, LOTS of fun Bella time. On Mon, Jan 2nd, Marty and I were to meet some friends of his from grad school at Duke for lunch and then finish our adventure with a trip to the Duke Bookstore (or so I thought). Marty still hadn't revealed his plan to me. After lunch, we were on our way to the Duke Bookstore, and there was a guy standing on the sidewalk with a sign that said "Need Tickets", and immediately I knew his plan...HE WAS TAKING ME TO A DUKE GAME!!! I had told him ever since we got married that I wanted to go to a game, but tickets are ridiculous to come by, and I thought that it was a dream I was never going to get to live out. BUT, IT HAPPENED! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!! It was an AMAZING experience, and by far the best surprise EVER (well, besides that time he proposed to me!)!!! Marty says I was "like a kid in candy store." They played Bucknell, and of course they won. I learned a few things that day: 1-JJ Redick rocks my face off. 2-Walking in the pouring rain for like a mile without an umbrella is only fun if it is followed by a Duke game. 3-Dropping my wool coat into a puddle of freshly spilled coke is only ok if it's at a Duke game. 4-MY HUSBAND IS AMAZING!!! What a blessing to have someone in my life who hears me talk of this far fetched idea for a year and a half, and do everything he could to make it come to life.
So, a month and a half of Christmas was GREAT!!! We are so blessed to have such amazing friends & family to celebrate the birth of Jesus with. And, I look forward to MANY more years of making fun traditions.
-(Nov. 19th-20th) Marty and I sang in the Christmas Musical at our church. Yes, I know that it was a week before Thanksgiving, but hey...it's not like anyone had another Christmas program to go to!!
-(Dec. 13th) I was invited to participate in a Cookie Exchange with some ladies from our church. 11 batches of Magic Cookie Bars later...it was a good time, and great to meet some other people from our church.
(Dec. 17th) Christmas dinner at the Dillard House with my Dad's side of the family. I have never seen so much food in my life! For 12 people, they brought out 15 dishes (excluding desert)!!
(Dec. 18th) Got together with Brooke & Lori to exchange gifts. Brooke gave Lori and I a trip to Atlanta for a weekend in May for shopping and eating and to see they play "Wicked"! (It's the Wizard Of Oz story from the Wicked Witch of West's point of view.) What a thoughtful friend.
(Dec. 20th) Marty and I went to Hayesville, NC for a Fondue Party at Andrew & Diana's. There was chocolate dipping going on, cheese dipping going on, caramel dipping going on, and of course some game playing going on.
(Dec. 23rd) This day was "Christmas" with Marty's parents, sister and grandparents. Itis always so much fun to exchange gifts with them, and there's always that guarantee of more wrapped up snowmen than anyone can count.
(Dec. 24th) Busy day! Christmas breakfast at Daddy & Janice's house started our day. Then after too much food, a nice nap,and of course lots of play time with Jordan (my step-sister Amber's little boy) we were off to our next destination...dinner at Mom & Marvin's. Mom taught me (and I wasn't a very good learner) how to crochet...it's a stick and some yarn...how hard can it possibly be!!!
(Dec. 25th) After church, Marty and I , amidst solving some crazy FedEx delivery issues, finished up with the preparations for my mom's extended family's Christmas gathering. Since this was our first Christmas in our new house, we decided to have it here. It was such a blessing to have everyone over...and quite a funny time, too.
(Dec. 26th-29th) This was my first time going to Louisiana for the Gilbert family Christmas. With all 5 of us in one car for 10 hours, it was a good time waiting to be had! There was LOTS of rest during these few days, which I was certainly ready for. We also got hooked on Su Doku puzzles while we were there. Then, after a few days, we were headed back to NC...in one car...for 10 hours...all 5 of us. Good times.
(I know what you're thinking...Christmas is only one day...December 25th. Well, that would be WAY too simple for us and our family...and it's not over yet!)
(Dec. 30th-Jan. 2nd) After very little sleep, and very little time to recover from our LA trip, we were in the car again heading to Raleigh to stay with one of Marty's best friends from college, Aaron, and his family (wife, Eli and 2 year old, Bella). This trip was a complete mystery to me. All Marty would let me know was that we were going to Raleigh to stay with the Hawkins family but there was more planned than that. There was some shopping involved, some very good hang out times, and as always, LOTS of fun Bella time. On Mon, Jan 2nd, Marty and I were to meet some friends of his from grad school at Duke for lunch and then finish our adventure with a trip to the Duke Bookstore (or so I thought). Marty still hadn't revealed his plan to me. After lunch, we were on our way to the Duke Bookstore, and there was a guy standing on the sidewalk with a sign that said "Need Tickets", and immediately I knew his plan...HE WAS TAKING ME TO A DUKE GAME!!! I had told him ever since we got married that I wanted to go to a game, but tickets are ridiculous to come by, and I thought that it was a dream I was never going to get to live out. BUT, IT HAPPENED! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!! It was an AMAZING experience, and by far the best surprise EVER (well, besides that time he proposed to me!)!!! Marty says I was "like a kid in candy store." They played Bucknell, and of course they won. I learned a few things that day: 1-JJ Redick rocks my face off. 2-Walking in the pouring rain for like a mile without an umbrella is only fun if it is followed by a Duke game. 3-Dropping my wool coat into a puddle of freshly spilled coke is only ok if it's at a Duke game. 4-MY HUSBAND IS AMAZING!!! What a blessing to have someone in my life who hears me talk of this far fetched idea for a year and a half, and do everything he could to make it come to life.
So, a month and a half of Christmas was GREAT!!! We are so blessed to have such amazing friends & family to celebrate the birth of Jesus with. And, I look forward to MANY more years of making fun traditions.
Sunday, January 8, 2006
The First One
OK...so why am I starting a blog? I don't even know! It's not like I need ONE MORE THING on my to-do list. Oh well, it sounds fun, and it seems like a great way to stay up to date on the happenings of friends far away. And anyway, I love to tell stories about my life...whether it be an everyday amusing story or one fit for the Jerry Springer show. Believe me...I have PLENTY of both.
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