Random Beliefs Meme

I was tagged by Carmen at In The Open Spaces for this and it is probably the best (and hardest) meme I've seen in a while...

“Here’s the idea. Post a collection of 10 things you believe, ethical, philosophical or theological. You choose how much to connect them or make them coherent: do you want people to know where you belong, or do you want to mix and match to keep them guessing? I encourage you not to aim for a totally coherent credal statement of faith, and I also encourage you to put one or two in about controversial topics.”

1. I believe that God still does miracles.

2. I believe that God can deliver anyone from any bondage in a split second.

3. I believe that being in relationship with God should be something about which you can get excited!

4. I believe that people in general need to quit worrying about what clothes, what makeup, what hairdo, what school, what car, what TV show, which Hollywood whoever or whatever else influences you and start worrying more about treating your family and those close to you as politely as you do to impress strangers.

5. Speaking of family, I believe "family" is made up of more than blood and marriage. I think it's also about kindred spirits who fill in those little Swiss cheese holes in your soul as well.

6. I believe that we are made up of millions and millions of small and large decisions we have made and that assuming that any one person's experience was *just* like yours is ludicrous. The fact that any of us have anything truly in common is a miracle from Heaven. Because of this, there is no way to truly understand what a person's history is, the repercussions/consequences of that history, or what he/she is thinking, going through, etc. So, when you start to look down your nose at someone who is different - STOP IT!

6. I believe cussing (beyond the religious objection of taking the Lord's name in vain) simply shows a lack of vocabulary and a laziness about learning to express oneself effectively.

7. I believe in a marriage policy of "do not let the sun go down on your anger" even if it requires instances where neither of you sleep until it's resolved.

8. I believe that if one wants a spouse who is honest, faithful, and trustworthy then one should consider being COMPLETELY honest, COMPLETELY faithful, and COMPLETELY trustworthy (avoiding even the slightest appearance of inappropriate behavior) in all things oneself first.

9. While I believe that "all men" share some similar characteristics due to the way God built them, I also believe it is just as offensive to make statements that start with "all men..." as we women find statements offensive that start with "all women..."

10. And, I believe that intelligent people of different faiths, backgrounds, and worldviews can still have a civil conversation and agree to disagree.

For the tagging part...I know y'all are busy but I love how these ladies' minds work so I tag Anita, Sara, and Heather.

In One Word

Saw this done by a buddy of mine of Facebook. Looked like a challenge - especially for a chatterbox like myself! LOL

USING ONLY ONE WORD! It's not as easy as you might think! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers. Be sure to tag the person you received it from!

1. Where is your cell phone? charging
2. Your significant other? studying
3. Your hair? ponied
4. Your mother? vacationing
5. Your father? hermitting
6. Your favorite thing? DaHubby
7. Your dream last night? unremembered
8. Your favorite drink? tea
9. Your dream/goal? righteousness
10. What room you are in? living
11. Your hobby? technology
12. Your fear? alone
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? DEBTFREE
14. Where were you last night? bowling
16. Muffins? scones!
17. Wish list item? unsure
18. Where you grew up? Michigan
19. Last thing you did? cooked
20. What are you wearing? PJ’s
21. Your TV? silent
22. Your pets? none
23. Friends? blessed
24. Your life? blessed
25. Your mood? PMS-y
26. Missing some one? Lisa
27. Car? Goldilocks
28. Something you're not wearing? socks
29. Your favorite store? Borders
30. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who will resend this? unknown
36. One place that I go to over and over? Aldi’s
37. One person who emails me regularly? Jamie
38. My favorite place to eat? Cozumel
39. Why you participated in this survey? challenge
40. What are you doing tonight? *snicker*

Random Clean Up-Catch Up

I have started following the goings-on at SmartyPantsMama recently and I noticed that she is the home of "Munchkin Mondays" where she lets us moms show off our little ones.

Well, while my internet has been down (have I mentioned it was for FIVE DAYS!?), I received an email from Caroline on Sunday saying that Pojke has been chosen to be highlighted this week! COOL!

There's not an individual post so to speak. Caroline has Pojke's smiling face in her right column just for this week. If you are interested, stop by Caroline's place and check it out!

Five Things Meme

I was tagged by Jen at Monkey Barrel Musings. Meeting her via her blog means I now know TWO people with books coming out soon: Jen and Kelly!

So on to the useless facts! LOL

5 Things in my bag:

Leatherman multi-tool. LOL From my law enforcement years. Yes, I’m the only mom I know who can whip out a pocket knife and/or screwdriver at a moment’s notice in the middle of the playground.

A “box” of gum the Vikings prefer that looks like a band aid box.

A open pack of AAA batteries - was moving them from the van to the house but I don't remember what for! LOL

And, I go NOWHERE without my Palm and my Financial Peace envelope system

5 Favorite Things in my Room:

Several stacks of books
Tote bag filled with the Vikings’ baby books and supplies
The coolest Christmas snow globe with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph I like out all year ‘round.
A picture in a frame of DaHubby and I dancing at our wedding
My bible

5 Things I Have Always Wanted to Do:

Speak a second language
Go to Europe
Learn archery
Write something I get paid for
BE DEBT FREE!

5 Things I Am Currently Into:

Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University
Keeping the peace with DaHubby gone so much for work and school
Purging the house for a garage sale
Rookie sewing projects
Getting things together for homeschooling this fall

5 People I Want to Tag:

That’s up to you! If you do this, come back and tell me!

Five Classes I Wish They Taught In School

GiBee over at Kisses of Sunshine tagged me for an interesting meme. She tagged me a week ago so, while I'm usually pretty good about quickly posting memes, I'm a little behind on this one.

Not to be too serious about it, but looking back lately at what I wished I had known sooner and looking forward as I consider appropriate training and instruction for the Vikings, this has actually been on my mind a lot lately.

So, following GiBee's gracious lead, here are my five "required" classes I wish I had completed.

1. Spiritual Management: This course includes not only individual counseling but also training in a Bible knowledge and living a Biblical lifestyle. This course is meant to not only help the student let loose of old emotional baggage but look ahead effectively so one can meet God, build faith, and learn what God's will is for one's future church, spouse, family, and calling.

2. Personal Wealth Management: The student would learn that ALL of it is God's, that tithing 10% back is the least we can do, and then how to manage the other 90% as a good steward. Instruction includes debt avoidance, paying with cash, being a wise consumer, learning about budgeting, cash-flow planning, living frugally within one's means, insurance, investing, and giving.

3. Personal Property Management: This multifaceted class will train the learner to be able to make simple repairs to property he/she purchases. The goal is to enlighten the student that it is more simple and more financially savvy to maintain one's purchases than to dispose of them and simple buy more. There will be units on simple auto repair and basic home maintenance as well as units on technology upkeep (file management, e-cleaning, and protection via firewalls and commercial virus and spyware software).

4. Personal Environment Management: This class will give the learner a working knowledge of the environmental impact of their every day decisions. Recycling, hybrid vehicles, reducing waste, composting, appropriate landscaping for one's climate, etc. One will also do a special study on the specific ecological features of one's hometown area.

5. Personal Physical Management: This course combines nutrition, health issues and challenges including diet, injury and illness prevention, and the benefits of appropriate physical exercise.

Now, for the part most don't like...the tagging. Since she has acted as a mentor for me electronically and at great distance (LOL), I would be very interested to see what Anita would say for this meme.

Due to the fact I'm interested in how to raise up my babies as beautifully as she's raising up her boy, I tag Lisa.

And, anyone else who is interested in spending time pondering this, feel free to participate!

Another 7 things

Jessie at Overflow of a Forgiven Soul tagged me this week for a "7 Things" meme saying I'm "spunky"! I wonder what THAT could mean? *wink*

The Rules: 1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

And, since I try to pick a "theme" of sorts for these to help me come up with all seven, this meme's theme is my wedding! LOL

My 7 Things:

1. DaHubby and I had a courtship, engagement, and wedding based on "fives": we met on 5/25/00, five weeks later he proposed, five weeks after that I had quit my job and was moving to the other side of the state to be near him, and we were married on 5/5/01 with only 50 guests!

2. A bagpiper "played me" down the aisle!

3. Instead of a unity candle, we exchanged tartans: my family's background is part of the Clan Hamilton and DaHubby's mom's side is connected to the Clan Gordon. I "gave up" my Hamilton sash and then DaHubby pinned the Gordon sash on me.

4. We were married under a cedar arch DaHubby built just for the occasion that then stood in our first backyard and followed us to our current one as well.

5. DaHubby's dad, DaGrandpa, married us. He's that tiny, little guy behind us in the photo above. Don't let his size fool ya! He used to be a boxer...in the Navy!

6. Being new to the area, I planned our wedding for the first Saturday in May...which happens to be the same weekend as a large local festival around here which includes a parade. The main drag out of the local "downtown" passed right by the old-mansion-turned-restaurant that we had chosen. In the middle of the vows, it occurred to everyone that the parade was complete because...everyone that passed by honked at us! LOL

7. The dance with my daddy after the ceremony was the first and only time I've danced with him.7 People I'm Tagging:

Most of my immediate bloggy circle generally don't do many of these but I will tag them nonetheless (LOL) and leave their response up to them.

1. Anita (she'll have to come out of hiding to tell us she's OK)
2. Debbie (maybe she'll show us her favorite seven teacups! *wink*)
3. Lisa (who can probably name the seven best deals she's gotten this week)
4. GiBee (who will probably give seven home remedies for flu and/or toddler ear infections)
5. Christina (I want to make sure she's survived the midwest winter)
6. Sara (who'll need something to do when she comes off her bloggy break LOL)
and
7. Pam (who could easily list seven ways God's blessed her during the last two weeks during her hubby's hospitalization)

What's On Your Fridge?

Was tagged by Kathy at My Quiver's Full for meme which I haven't had in a while. And, it's not only a meme but a contest as well! Since it is Saturday and DaHubby had to work this morning and it's (nearly) a quiet moment, I thought I'd post my response now.

First, I feel like I have to defend my poor little fridge. It came with the house. It is not the one I would have picked (considering we had come from a little one bedroom bungleow where I had all new post-wedding stainless appliances *wink*). It's a pain to use - I'm not a side-by-side fan - and plain to look at but, she keeps running despite everything the Vikings have throw at her and in her in the last two years.

So, starting from the left side:


Along with some other random stuff...the blue basket is the junk mail and such to be shredded. In the upper right corner is our wedding announcement from out local paper I cut out nearly 7 years ago. And, there are the two "handout thingys" (prayer cards? programs?) they give you at funerals from my step-grandma and my maternal grandma services.

Well...there is usually a method to the madness but ya caught me at a messy time! LOL On the left door are all my prayer and verse reminders. Some for the Vikings. Some for me. One to remind me to pray for my pastor.

On the upper right door is all things kitchen... measurement conversion chart, basement freezer inventory list, the running grocery list, this week's dinner list, and sneaky ideas for getting veggies in the kids' diets. And, on the bottom right, Flicka's contributions.

On the right side is an idea I got from a teacher catalog. It's designed to hold a "door-full" of postcards for classroom display. Instead, I use it to post pictures of family we don't see often, the Vikings' favorites snapshots, and the prayer cards of three missionaries we pray for.

That's it! Now for the part that worries everyone...the tags. LOL

Our little corner of the blogosphere hasn't had a lot of memes lately that I've noticed so hopefully they won't mind this either...so I tag Anita, Lisa, and Deb

A Random Meme

After a long dry period of tags, I got one from Thea yesterday about 7 random things about me!

So, here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours
Post the rules on your blog
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post
Include links to their blogs
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Been thinking a lot about where I grew up lately. So, my seven random things have to do with my adolescence:

1. My hometown high school is nearly across the street from the old Ford Motor Company test track/airport.

2. I was the captain of my high school’s marching band’s flag corp. Looking back…the outfit? Oy! And, I can still hear in my head the repetition of “eight to five, eight to five, eight to five…” being drilled in by our band director as he was “gently” reminding us over and over and over of 8 steps for every 5 yards of the field. Which reminds me…

3. As a senior, I was one of a few who took that band director’s challenge to march the entire field (goal line to goal line) blindfolded to see if we had trained enough that after marching 160 steps that the ball of our right foot hit the other goal line! And, I DID IT!

4. As a teenager (and in obviously pre-9-11 times), my circle of friends and I would sit at a pull-off area at the end of the main runway at Detroit Metro Airport and dream of all the real cool places we’d go to and see when we were “all grown up”! LOL

5. One of my favorite memories during high school? Participating in my local community’s theater group’s production of Carousel and Tom Sawyer! Neither were large parts but it absolutely turned me into a theater fan!

6. There was an annual tradition where our rival high school would release LIVE CHICKENS in our school’s hallways the day before our yearly battle on the football field! This would be one of the disadvantages of having a Thunderbird as your high school mascot! LOL

7. And, finally, speaking of birds, one section of my high school was build in a kind of “figure 8” with classrooms in two squares with a common hallway and courtyards in the centers. One “square” contained part of our science wing. An odd but regular occurrence in the spring and fall would be to be in a silent classroom during a big test...the exterior door would be open to the courtyard. And, suddenly, the silence is broken by the mega-decibel caw of at least one very large peacock! There were several who made their home there. Talk about breaking the tension and scarin’ the wits outta ya! LOL

And, instead of tagging seven, I'm breaking from tradition and just opening it up for anyone who wants to share! Y'all consider yourselves tagged if you want.

Christmas meme

Haven't done a meme is ages...so I stole this one from Christina:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. But, since I’m not a very good wrapping paper wrapper, I generally lean toward the bags.

2. Real tree or artificial? I fought this one tooth and nail but, as of last year, we’re a fake tree family

3. When do you put up the tree? First Saturday of December generally

4. When do you take the tree down? First Saturday after New Year’s generally

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but haven’t had it in years.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Lots of them but the one that sticks out…the handmade doll house my dad made me just before my parents’ divorce that now sits in Flicka’s playroom.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yep!

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law, step-dad, and my dad. As DaHubby can attest to, I stink buying guy gifts! LOL

9. Easiest person to buy for? Probably the Vikings

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I take the Fifth to protect the feelings of someone who reads this blog! LOL

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Always mail, usually 100+ of them, but this may be the first year in 10+ years I don’t send them out!

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Can’t think of one I like off hand - LOL I wouldn't mind see "The Navitiy" though.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October/November since we’ve been trying to make a lot of them homemade

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Any goodies my mom or mother-in-law bake

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I prefer colored but our tree is pre-lit with white.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Have always traveled but since the Vikings have arrived, we try to work it out to be here on Cmas Day

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yep

20. Angel on the treetop or star? Neither – butterflies! Three of them about the size of your hand from Flicka’s great-grandma's tree.

21. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning? No real “tradition” here. Depends on where we are. Been working towards one on Cmas Eve and the rest on Cmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? “Happy Holidays”

23. Corniest family tradition you do, or miss doing? I don’t know about missing it but even into my 20’s when I was single, I was not allowed in the living room Cmas morning until my mom was up and had a cup of coffee in her hand! LOL

24. Ugliest Christmas decoration ever invented? I’m not a big fan of all the blow-up thingies everyone has on their lawns right now – sorry.

25. Theme trees or homey? I’m a homey person all the way – too much pressure with the theme trees! LOL

Pensieve's Poetic License

OK, I had WAY too much fun with this! LOL

While poking around at Kelly's site, I saw she was participating in a monthly meme that will stretch my slowly decaying poetry skills. As the one of the biggest English geeks I know (as someone who used to write TONS of poetry and LOVES teaching Shakespeare), I am ALL over this exercise!

This month's theme and form is thankfulness and the limerick! LOL (I'm sure NO ONE I know IRL thinks this is NEARLY as cool as I do! LOL) Anyway, just completed mine a few minutes ago:

In living, God's way is my goal
And given to Him is my soul
So thankful I'll be
That all those may see
God's praises are great to extol

OK, Shakespeare I'm not! *wink*

Anyway, pop over to Robin's site on Monday the 19th when she puts up the Mr. Linky for all the results and see what other "thankful limericks" everyone else created!

Tagged again: 8 (more) Random Things

Found a new friend in Jesse via a Tales From the Scales update. I went to check out how she was doing weight-wise and found myself reading her current as well as several older posts! When I commented that it had been nice to "meet" her, she showed up here at my bloggy home shortly thereafter saying she'd tagged me for this meme.

Here are the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each participant posts eight random facts about themselves.
3. Tagees should write a blogpost of eight random facts about themselves.
4. At the end of the post, eight more bloggers are tagged.
5. Go to their blog, leave a comment telling them they're tagged.

I did this in May so let's see what other random, little-known scraps of personal info I can scrounge up:

1. My first summer job I was washing dishes. My best friend of now 30+ years and I were alone in the kitchen late after dinner one night cleaning up. It was REALLY hot - August in a hot kitchen...you can imagine. And, we managed to "find"ourselves in a water fight with the dishwasher hoses! LOL We squirted so much water on the floor and around the kitchen, we were there until nearly midnight cleaning it up. Not to mention, we had to go wake up the head cook since we had sprayed so much water around, we had put out the pilot lights on the big industrial stoves and had no idea how to re-light them!

2. Another summer job had me painting large boulders/rocks with silver metallic paint. LOL These rocks outlined the camp's parking areas. We started at 8am while dew was still on the ground. Being impatient and unwillingly to carry the supplies a minor distance, I tried driving the truck "off road" to get around to the other side. Unfortunately, an old truck with bad brakes + a fairly steep hill + dew-covered grass meant I promptly slid the truck down the hill into the very rocks I was suppose to be painting!

3. That same "rock painting" summer: I didn't put the lid on the 5 gallon bucket of the silver metallic paint tight enough and then drove too fast as a teenager is likely to do. The paint tipped over and left an oh-so-lovely silver trail from the back corner of camp to the main office. And, lucky for me, I stopped at the main office for a few minutes to pick up my paycheck because that would explain the large puddle of silver-ness I left right in front of the door!

4. Keeping with the job-related theme I've started...my senior year of high school found me bagging groceries at the same little grocery store where 5 years earlier my mom made me go apologize to the manager for a case of "sticky fingers".

5. A couple years later, again in the summer, I made it TWO weeks working at McDonalds. Two weeks of apple pie and fish friers and I was SO outta there! LOL

6. My first job out of college (where I had graduated with honors from a Big Ten university) was for $5/hr as a receptionist in a recording studio! A lotta good that degree did me! LOL

Let's see - what else...

7. While I was working as a public safety officer at another Big Ten university, I worked the night shift and had been told to remove all the old water fire extinguishers from a small dorm in preparations of replacing them with new multi-use, updated ones. Again, having not learned my lesson apparently in #2, and too lazy to carry the heavy, water-filled ones too far, I tried to drive the patrol vehicle up on the sidewalk to get closer to the dorm's main door...and promptly ran a large cement pole (meant to keep people from doing exactly what I was doing) down the side of the patrol car!

8. And, lastly, this one isn't so much my doing but still kinda funny - while working at that public safety job, during a football game at its stadium, I got a call to respond to a women's restroom for a disturbance. I arrive with a Michigan State Police trooper as back-up to find several women in line yelling and hollering at someone inside. Come to find out - there was a couple having...um, "relations"...in one of the stalls. And, these women waiting in line were TIRED of waiting in line and waiting for this couple to move along so they called the cops! We had to escort the half dressed couple out because these women were ready to take justice in their own hands! LOL

So, I'm done. That turned out WAY longer than I intended! LOL Now, I'm suppose to tag 8 others. But, I'll leave it up to you...if you feel like playing along, consider yourself tagged!

Tagged: Five Things I Love About Jesus

Tagged by Anita.

The "rules":
Those tagged will share 5 things they "love" about Jesus.
Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here with their name so that others can read them.

1. That He is my Healer (1 Peter 2.24)
2. That He's my Redeemer (Romans 3.24)
3. That He is my Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2.20)
4. That He is my "Justifer" (Romans 5.9)
5. And, finally, that His is THE Name above all names! By His name, miracles happen! (Phillipians 2.9)

My five to tag (if they are interested and willing): Beth, GiBee, JMom, Kelly,and Christina

Eight (more) Random Things

Been tagged by Lisa...

The Rules:
Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

The Facts:
1. I collect postcards. Not just from places I've been but I bug everyone else to get a few while they are gone wherever THEY go too! LOL It started with a mentor teacher hand-me-down-ing a shoebox filled with really old postcards to me in 1995.

2. I don't/can't drink coffee. Never got the taste for it - even in college. However, I figure if it could taste the way it smells, I'd need it intravenously! LOL

3. Weird Proud family baby naming tradition: Flicka and Pojke are fourth generation "double initials". Most everyone down my dad's side of the family tree has names like Timothy Terry, Erin Elizabeth, and Dawn Denise.

4. Last month, I had my first sewing machine lesson since 8th grade home ec. LOL Got a hand-me-down machine from my MIL. I'm nearly done with a new blanket and throw pillows for Flicka. And, I have patterns sitting on my desk for aprons and (hopefuly) an adorable jumper for Flicka.

5. Several years ago, I participated in a halftime show for a Detroit Lions game at the Pontiac Silverdome.

6. I had a short career in law enforcement. Was a pretty good 911 operator/police dispatcher for a while. However, I found it frustrating that there's no "follow-through" - you generally don't find out how things turn out.

7. Prior to DaHubby and Vikings, I used to be a regular Renaissance fair attendee. Even had a simple costume made to wear. Can you say "NERD"? LOL

8. While having problems with a starter and cellinoid on a former vehicle, I was taught by the tow truck driver who was getting repeatedly sent to my home how to basically hot wire my own vehicle. Must have gotten too good at it because I got stopped by a friendly local law enforcement officer in a Meijer's parking lot one day and had to prove I was the registered owner!

The Tags:
Well, most everyone I know has already been tagged...but how 'bout DaHubby, Christina, and JMom.

Purse Meme

(Updated: Da Hubby pointed out to me that too much of our personal info was showing up on some of these pics so I re-posted with some altered pics.)

I was tagged by that nosy friendly *wink* GiBee over at Kisses of Sunshine for the "purse meme" that's been going around the mommy blogs. I'm afraid she'll be very disappointed! LOL She picked a incurable tomboy with a very boring bag!

This is as transparent as it gets - I hate shopping so much plus I can't EVER seem to find a purse I like. As a result, every purse I've had in the last seven years, Da Hubby picked out! LOL And, this one is no exception. Knowing from experience how hard I am on clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc., he chose one of these for a Christmas present in (I think) 2004. I've used it for 2 1/2 years and it barely shows any wear! LOL How's THAT for an endorsement! *wink*


So, here is mine. It's actually bigger than I need but that extra space comes in handy with the miscellaneous baby/toddler stuff that inevitably ends up in there as we travel.

In the main pocket is my wallet, checkbook (with a Duluth Pack checkbook cover provided by Da Hubby as well), my Palm, my cell (which is our home phone), a brush, a pack of floss and appointment card from my dentist appointment yesterday and the summer camp schedule from our local kids' science museum.















In the zipper pouch is a melange of hand creams, eye glass cleaner, hand sanitizer, lip balm, extra keys for Da Hubby's vehicle.















And, finally in the outer pocket is a Walgreen's receipt and coupon and the receipt/paperwork for Flicka's YMCA swim lessons.













See, told ya' it would be boring! *wink* You should see our diaper bag...I got tired of carrying everything but the kitchen sink and finally transferred into a smaller bag - my old college backpack! We're nothing if not frugal around here! LOL

So, to share the fun, I'm tagging Lisa, Christina, and JMom.

Monday Moanin'

Well, it's actually Monday afternoon by now just to show ya' the type of day I'm having. Short version: the kids are fine, I've got the blahs going on five days now, not much getting done, ADD is raging, spent all morning at the walk-in clinic for me (I'm fine too), and I'm just brain fried. Can't make one. more. decision.

So, I'm relying on a meme today...sorry! Thanks to Just Peachy for the idea. LOL But, it perked me up a little because it made me SO thankful for that handsome dude that sleeps next to me every night! *sigh*

Meme about Him (in my case, Da Hubby)

His age: 39

How tall is he: 5’9”

How long have you been together: 7 years in May

How long did you know each other before you got together? 5 weeks! LOL

What physical features attracted you to him first?: funny, funny, funny and the smile! Aw, geez! Could melt me with a glance!

Eye color: bright, icy blue

Hair color: not sure! LOL He wears his head shaved since I met him! LOL

Hair style: see above

Normal Outfit: jeans and a sweatshirt or t-shirt

How did you meet: met at a kayaking symposium

How serious is it: Dead-on serious right from the start

Are you "in love": Still and always!

Do your parents like him: Ah, well…he’s the son my dad always wanted. The jury’s still out occasionally with my mom! LOL

Do his parents like you: *blush* yep!

Do you trust him: With everything!

Would you share a toothbrush with him: yep but would prefer not to! LOL

Would he let you wear his pants: If I’d fit in them – yes! LOL

Do you have a shirt of his that you sleep in? Nope – don’t need it! We’ve slept together every night except for 2 for nearly 6 years

Do you like the way he smells: Oh, yea!

Can you picture having kids with him: Been there. Done that. Best decision I ever made.

What bothers you the most about him: that husband “selective hearing” and needing to clean up his messes

Does he have a temper: used to – don’t see it much any more unless someone “attacks” me or the kids

Are you happy to be with him: Can’t even remember what life was like before him!

Does he embarrass you in public: Sometimes but in a good, class-clown kind of way! .

Does he smoke or do drugs? No.

Does he have any piercings?: No

Any tattoos? No

Does he have any scars that you know of? A couple.

Is he a Party dude or Stay at home?: Stay at home, definitely

Is he Outgoing or Shy?: See comment above about being the class clown! LOL

Does he love his mama?: yep – and just like her!

Would he hang out with you and YOUR friends?: He’s been there, done that.

Sing?: Wonderfully AND plays piano amazingly…one of those thing on my “teenager wish list” for the perfect guy and I got it! LOL

And, I tag Lisa (if she'll come out ofher self imposed blog exile LOL) and Christina!

Christmas Meme

Since my first post today was so boring (LOL), I figured I drop this in here as well. Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer had this last...

1. What is guaranteed to make you smile over the holidays?
Viking #1 “helping” #2 open his first Christmas gifts! LOL

2. What makes you weepy during the holidays?
Singing “Silent Night” (all the verses!) LOL

3. How will you spend Christmas Eve and Day?
This year? Christmas Eve with the in-laws and Day home alone with the Vikings and Da Hubby!

4. What was your most memorable Christmas and why?
Unfortunately, the first one to come to mind- Christmas 1984. My grandpa passed away that day.

5. Christmas form letters from friends -- pro or con?
Big time pro! Love seeing pics of all my friends’ little kids I don’t get to see often! Lisa, Shelagh, Jill, Katina, Becca, my cousin Kathy, and my WebMD/MSN-PAIF friends.

6. In your home is Christmas more of a religious or secular observance?
The coming of Jesus over the coming of Santa! LOL

7. What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
See above about the weepy part! LOL

8. What is your deepest prayer for the world this Christmas?
Romans 10.1

And, if you are feeling Christmas-y, consider yourself tagged...Merry Chrismas, y'all!

A small fun thing...

I remember being told once "Don't ask what someone REALLY thinks of you unless you REALLY want to hear the answer." Well,I guess I'm doing that...sort of. LOL This is an interesting meme I picked up from Kari at Healed Waters and thought I'd give it a try.

It's called a Johari window which "was invented by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in the 1950s as a model for mapping personality awareness. By describing yourself from a fixed list of adjectives, then asking your friends and colleagues to describe you from the same list, a grid of overlap and difference can be built up."

So, let the fun begin...click here and then click on the 5-6 words you think would best describe me.

Christmas Meme

Tagged from Callapidder Days...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? No Santa at our house but, growing up, Santa wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White pre-lit on an artificial tree. None on the house.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. Don’t even know what it looks like! LOL

5. When do you put your decorations up? Trying for a tradition of the first Saturday in December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Ham

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Honestly, having trouble thinking of one. Isn’t that awful?

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don’t remember

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not ‘til I got married so now one gift is opened on Christmas Eve

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Right now it’s mostly stuff I collected, had passed down, or had given to me as a single girl. Haven’t really gained too many since I got married or since the kids arrived.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Depends – the good fluffy stuff where I am now? Love it! The nasty damp stuff I grew up with? NOT!

12. Can you ice skate? Use to – now I’m just an ER trip waitin’ to happen. LOL

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not really but I know that one that I remember fondly because I just passed it down to my daughter is the doll house my dad made me when I was about 9.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Re-discovering the simple joys and setting traditions for our kids

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My sister-in-law’s “Dirt Cake” – think crushed Oreoes and “fluff” in layers in a trifle dish/bowl.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? This is hard since I’m transitioning from being someone’s only child and being a mom myself. This may sound funny but I always looked forward to the bag of pistachios in the toe of my stocking growing up. Munching nuts after all the gift opening while reading instructions, manuals, taking off tags, etc.

17. What tops your tree? Has been an lighted angel for several years but it is acting as her nightlight right now in my 2 year old’s room right now. So, probably won’t have one this year.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? It’s probably a tie between “Away in the Manger” and “The First Noel”20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?? Yum!

And, "Tempest/Coppertop"...consider yourself tagged! LOL

Five Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

I was "passively tagged" (LOL) by Everyday Mommy and thought this might be fun. And, I don't remember what I've blogged about or not (thus the "probably" of my title) so...

1. In elementary school, I won the softball throw for the greatest distance in the City-Wide Olympics. I was also the only girl in third grade who could hit a softball hard enough from our playfield that it would hit the school!

2. In high school, I not only got to be the lead in my senior year play, an Agatha Christie mystery, but I got to be the "bad guy" as well! What fun!

3. In college, I was part of a large group of people at Michigan State University trying to set a world's record for the most people playing Twister! LOL

4. Again, in college, I got to work down on the field at Spartan Stadium as a gopher with ABC Sports a year that MSU went to the Rose Bowl!

5. I worked with Secret Service while on staff with the police department at the University of Michigan around 1996 when the former President Ford was on campus to "retire" his football jersey!

If you read this and found it fun, consider yourself tagged!

2006 11 09 Nine Weird Things

Found this on Everyday Mommy (http://www.everydaymommy.net/everyday-mommy/2006/11/9/nine-weird-things.html ) and considered myself tagged! LOL Anything self-inspection-evaluation-orientated lately is seriously grabbing my attention.

My 9 Weird Things...

1. Up until I had children, for every vehicle I've ever owned, I recorded EVERY tank of gas, mileage, etc to figure out my MPG. Thanks to my "best-est" friend of 30 years whose Dad made her do it for all the leased vehicles his employer provided and that she and I drove through our high school and college years.

2. While I love him dearly, I am eternally miffed that Da Hubby can NEVER seem to order anything off the menu! LOL It seems like EVERYTHING needs to be a special grill order for him!

3. One of my favorite toys from my childhood was my huge box of Lincoln Logs! I want to find some for my kids as soon as they stop putting everything in their mouths! LOL

4. Speaking of toys, another favorite of mine was the racetrack I won when I was about 7 while on "Bozo the Clown", a Detroit area kids' TV show "back in the day". I was on a field trip with my Brownies troop and managed to get a dollar bill out from under an upside-down glass Coke bottle without knocking it over!

5. I met Da Hubby at a kayaking conference - I had NEVER kayaked before and had borrowed all of my equipment!

6. I rarely can have a can of Pringles in the house without sitting down and eating the whole can!

7. Being trained as a middle school landuage arts teacher, yes, I've read all the Harry Potter books and LOVE THEM! (Don't know that I would let MY kids read 'em now (LOL) but I did read them all when I was single and teaching full time.)

8. I can sing the theme songs to "Diego" and "Wonder Pets" in my sleep.

9. And, I can still sing "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" that I learned at youth camp MANY years ago backwards and forwards! LOL

So, if you read this, enjoyed it, and think it might be fun, consider yourself tagged as well!