A little bit about me

Someone sent me this somewhere along the way and I thought it was a good one, so here is a little about me.  Don't take it too seriously though.

1. What is your current obsession? Trying to keep my house clean, it’s a never ending job! Between the dogs shedding, Jim being home more and having a 6 year old in the house, and working full time I can never seem to spend the time I need to get it clean to my standards.




2. What are you wearing today? White slacks and a Kelly green top with gold jewelry.



3. What’s for dinner? I have no idea!



4. What’s the last thing you bought? The last thing I bought was a new door for the outside entrance to our basement it has nine windows on it. Rather plain, but just what I wanted for that space. Terribly exciting, huh?


5. What are you listening to right now? The hum of the air conditioner.



6. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? Anywhere my family and friends are is where I want to be and where I can call home.



7. What is one thing you want to change about yourself? I’d like to be more connected to people as I tend to isolate myself a bit even from those I love. It’s not intentional but more of a defense mechanism. I am so afraid of being hurt and rejected that I create a wall, a barrier to protect myself.



8. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? I’d go to Florida to have a cup of coffee with my mom and chat about nothing in particular. Ah, heaven!



9. Which language do you want to learn? I’d love to be able to learn the male language, then maybe conversations with my husband would make more sense!



10. What’s your favorite quote? I have many but one of my current favorites is: "A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child." The Knights of Pythagoras



11. Would you cook for me? Of course!



12. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you? The best way to avoid people who would purposefully hurt me is to simply avoid them.



13. What are you afraid of the most? Snakes & getting locked in a Port-a-Potty!



14. Who do you want to meet right now?



15. What is your favorite color? I love many colors especially like pinks and greens.



16. Give us 3 styling tips that work for you. Three styling tips? Okay, here’s what works for me: 1) Blow dry hair with a big round brush 2) Invest in quality clothing it pays in the long run 3) Always wear nude underwear with white!



17. What is your dream job? Personnel shopper. I love spending other people’s money!



18. What’s your favorite magazine? Hmm, I don’t think I really have a favorite. I like to look at craft magazines and home décor magazines, but no favorites. Oh, but I do love that cooking one with the southern lady with the white hair and the thick accent. The one that drips honey, can’t remember her name. Love it!



19. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? A new pair of shoes.



20. What do you consider a fashion faux pas? I can’t stand seeing underwear, it is not meant to be seen that is why it is called underwear. Especially bras under tank tops, ladies didn’t your mother’s teach you anything! Get a strapless or a racer back, and by all that’s good in this world do not wear a black bra with a white top!!



21. Who, according to you, is the most over-rated writer? I don’t keep up to date on too many current authors but I hate it when popular authors who are aging and/or loosing their ‘steam’ pair up with another writer to sell books.



22. What brings a smile to your face instantly? Bella can bring a smile to my face anytime!



23. What is one word that you say a lot? Youknow. One word.



24. What kind of haircut do you prefer? Something easy and flattering.



25. What are you going to do after this? After I hit ‘Post’, I may have a bite of lunch.



26. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed? It’s not often that I feel low or depressed but when I do I find that a great big dose of sister therapy helps!



27. What makes you go wild? Me, wild? Why, I never! Ha!



28. What are your favorite movies? An American President, Sabrina, Dave



29. What inspires you? Lots of things inspire me, my family, my community, the world around me.



30. What do your friends call you most commonly? Karen



31. Would you prefer coffee or tea? Coffee



32. Which other blogs do you love visiting? Bring the Rain-Love Angie’s writing and her inspiring story of dealing with Plan B and their beautiful daughter Audrey Caroline.



33. What is your favorite dessert/sweet? Yes! How’s that for an answer.



34. How many tabs are turned on in your browser right now? Eight



35. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first

thing you thought? Ooh, I got a lot of work to do-makeup don’t fail me now!



36. What is your favorite season? Fall, love the crisp fall air, love the changing leaves, love the smells, love the sounds the clothes. Love fall!



37. What is one wish that you really want to see come true? I want to see my children truly happy.



38. What breaks your heart? To see suffering without hope.



39. What's one thing you really want to do in life? Make a difference.

Snow Day!

Yes, it is another snow day here in my neck of the woods!  It is amazing to me sometimes to wake up and look out the window to see everything covered in a blanket of white.  It looks so beautiful, but as we all know it can be so dangerous too.  Especially for drivers.  Luckily today our road crews were prepared and as I left for work at 6:30 the roads had been cleaned and clear.  Isabella is home with her Grandad today and was snuggling with a warm blanket and cartoons on the tele when I left.  What a life!  Each time that I look at her I am reminded of what a blessing she is to our lives and I am so grateful.  And I think about Michelle and the choice that she made in carrying Bella.  It was the  hard road no doubt, but we have all grown and been enormously blessed by this gift! 
Tomorrow I am going to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. with a group from church.  I have never been, believe it or not.   We have seen quite a lot in Washington as we live so close, but there are still things that I have not seen and this museum is one of them.  Jim and both of the kids have been and have been incredibly moved by it, but because they all went with school or Youth Group, I was not able to go with them.  I am really looking forward to the trip but I know too, that it will be difficult.  We will see a brief movie and then listen to the words of a survivor as he or she speaks to our group.  Say a prayer for me that I don't make a fool out of myself blubbering like an idiot!  Jim told me to bring lots of tissues.    I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes. 
Have a safe and happy weekend!  (And stay warm.)
P.S.  Bella did try out for her play on Wednesday.  Jim was able to go and watch, though he was not able to tape it like he thought he might.  The kids had to go on stage, introduce themselves and sing a song.  Jim said she spoke loud and clear and was able to project her voice with no problem.  (No surprise there!)  She choose to sing "You are My Sunshine" and he said that she did a great job!  I am certain too, that his opinion is not at all biased.  Ha!  Eighty children tried out, so they will have a full cast for "The Little Mermaid". 

A Year In Review

First, Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Girl!  You were a blessing to us when  you entered our world 28 years ago today and you continue to Bless us each and every day.  We Love You!

taken from (In)Courage.com


1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?  Jim was able to retire after 34 years of teaching.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?  That is a tough one because each day in different ways were are faced with challenges, but nothing really stands out in my mind.  I guess that I have been faced many challenges with my job this year.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? I feel like I have grown in my Faith this year and it has brought me unexpected joy and peace.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle? Learning to conquer fear, though I have not fully conquered my fears I know that I am not in control and that has given me a new perspective on it.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009. .Busy, Blessed, Fortunate

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009.  Busy, Hectic, Over

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009.  I have no idea here.

8. What were the best books you read this year? I go for easy reading, nothing too deep as I have difficulty concentrating. Actually I can only remember recent books-short term memory isn't so good either! Ha!  1.) I, Alex 2.)The 7th Victim 3.) The First Patient

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?  My husband, my God, my parents, my children, my family and Durinda

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year? Jim's retirement has been a HUGE change for our family and continues to be an adjustment for me!

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally? My heart grew and expanded in my love for my husband and children. I became much more appreciative for the people in my life. I lessened my expectations for people, yet gained in my gratitude for them.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually? I have learned to trust in God's plan for me more and give myself over to Him.  I have come to know that I have so little control in so many ways and I accept that. 
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13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?  Growth comes in different ways but I guess that it is safe to say that I have become more accepting of my limitations and continue to learn to work within those limitations.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others? I have fallen more in love with my husband by learning to accept  him as he is fully. 

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home? Creating a safe and loving environment for my family and friends.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?  The dogs!  Talk about no control.  Ha!
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? Hands down, the internet.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year? By continuing to work on the relationships in my life.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year? You never know what tomorrow may bring so live life to its fullest each and every day.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you. This year have been a year of renewal for me.