There are moments in my life that really make me realize I'm a grown-up. Most of the time I feel like I'm still 19 years old, but today I felt like a grown-up lady. My best friend Chassidy and I met at the nail place and got our nails done, went to lunch, and then strolled the square and did a little browsing. It was a fun way to spend some of my Christmas money, and I still can't believe we're both adult married ladies.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!
Saturday, December 29
Monday, December 24
"After all it's only one more sleep 'til Christmas"
As I write this I'm enjoying a wonderfully delicious cup of wassail at my in-laws' house. We're celebrating a beautiful Christmas Eve, and my niece Mackenzie is watching me update my blog! I hope everyone out there is having a great Christmas Eve. If you're not able to be with your family today, call them and tell them how much you love them!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 21
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Droke
Happy anniversary to Eric and Liz! Five years ago today they were married in a beautiful Christmas wedding. I don't have a picture from their wedding, but I figured this one would do. They both look very happy!
Thursday, December 20
Sad news...
Our church family lost a very special member this Tuesday night. Rev. Everett Kennedy passed away. We are all very saddened by this news. It's such a hard time of year to lose someone, and Bro. Kennedy left behind a wife, two daughters and sons-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. He was a very great man, and I'm honored to have known him.
Paul's words to Timothy came to mind when I heard the news. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Paul's words to Timothy came to mind when I heard the news. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Here's a post
I've been terrible about posting this week, and I'm sorry to my faithful readers (all two of you). Just been having a busy few days at work and at home. There's a flurry of stuff to get done since, oh yeah, I start a new job on January 2.
That's something I can blog about. I start a new job on January 2. It's for a company called The Clever Factory. They are fairly small and are hiring a full time in-house editor for the first time. I'm really excited at the opportunity. It's more responsibility and will require me to push myself, but I need something like that.
Anyway, there's a flurry to get all my projects wrapped up at the publishing house, and there's been something to do every single night. Tonight's finally a break though. As well as tomorrow night. Yay!
That's something I can blog about. I start a new job on January 2. It's for a company called The Clever Factory. They are fairly small and are hiring a full time in-house editor for the first time. I'm really excited at the opportunity. It's more responsibility and will require me to push myself, but I need something like that.
Anyway, there's a flurry to get all my projects wrapped up at the publishing house, and there's been something to do every single night. Tonight's finally a break though. As well as tomorrow night. Yay!
Thursday, December 13
Tuesday, December 11
Nieces
I realized reading over my last post that I often write about AbiLyn in a manner that might confuse a reader who doesn't know me. She is not my daughter, nor does she live with me. She is my sister's daughter and is the first grandchild in my mom and dad's family. To say that she is the apple of all of our family's eye might be an understatement and may not be very accurate because we are all becoming more and more smitten with her little brother, Lex, the more he flashes his dimples at us.
I did want to do a quick run-down of her and her little social circle because the older they get the more prominent they may become in my blog. (You're also starting to see them in pictures I post.) First, I should do some background. My sister, Liz, and I ran in pretty much the same crowd in our childhood/teenage years. She was mature for her age, and I, a little immature. We're about 3 years apart so we meshed together nicely, for the most part. We had 2 very close friends in between us in age: Chassidy and Crystal. This made for a very interesting friendship dynamic. There were 4 of us, so when push came to shove two could take sides against another two and never was anyone left out in the cold. The 4 of us could easily fit into whomever's car we were riding in, and when it came time for overnight youth trips there was never any question how we would room: the four of us together, no one left out and no room for an outsider (hey, I'm just being honest).
In 2003 Crystal had a little girl named Lilla. She was the first one to have a baby, and we were so excited she had a girl. The following year, in February, Chassidy gave birth to Kaylee. Again, the four of us were ecstatic. We were even more excited when Liz found out that her little bundle who would arrive in October of the same year would also be a girl! They would be friends...just like we were. (Trust me, I've taken plenty of heat over the fact that I haven't contributed to this group, but they'll be fine.) Also, in this blonde bunch is another little sweetie named Denayen (I totally butchered the spelling. I can't believe it. I'm so sorry, R.) There've been additional siblings added to these girls: Kaylee has a sister named Avery. AbiLyn has Lex. Denayen has a brother named Dallen, but there's something special about this first round of girls. They're always giggles, shreaks of excitement, and bashful little smiles, and they even hug each other when they get to church or Sunday school. They are all such sweet little darlings, and they are so much fun to be around. I feel like an aunt to all of them.
I did want to do a quick run-down of her and her little social circle because the older they get the more prominent they may become in my blog. (You're also starting to see them in pictures I post.) First, I should do some background. My sister, Liz, and I ran in pretty much the same crowd in our childhood/teenage years. She was mature for her age, and I, a little immature. We're about 3 years apart so we meshed together nicely, for the most part. We had 2 very close friends in between us in age: Chassidy and Crystal. This made for a very interesting friendship dynamic. There were 4 of us, so when push came to shove two could take sides against another two and never was anyone left out in the cold. The 4 of us could easily fit into whomever's car we were riding in, and when it came time for overnight youth trips there was never any question how we would room: the four of us together, no one left out and no room for an outsider (hey, I'm just being honest).
In 2003 Crystal had a little girl named Lilla. She was the first one to have a baby, and we were so excited she had a girl. The following year, in February, Chassidy gave birth to Kaylee. Again, the four of us were ecstatic. We were even more excited when Liz found out that her little bundle who would arrive in October of the same year would also be a girl! They would be friends...just like we were. (Trust me, I've taken plenty of heat over the fact that I haven't contributed to this group, but they'll be fine.) Also, in this blonde bunch is another little sweetie named Denayen (I totally butchered the spelling. I can't believe it. I'm so sorry, R.) There've been additional siblings added to these girls: Kaylee has a sister named Avery. AbiLyn has Lex. Denayen has a brother named Dallen, but there's something special about this first round of girls. They're always giggles, shreaks of excitement, and bashful little smiles, and they even hug each other when they get to church or Sunday school. They are all such sweet little darlings, and they are so much fun to be around. I feel like an aunt to all of them.
Library Love
Obviously I love to read, so I also love the library. It's a truly wonderful institution. I mean, I love bookstores too, but there's always the nagging thought of "Oh, this book is sort of pricey. Maybe if I put this one back, I can get that one. Which one do I just have to have?"
At the library there's none of that. They say, "Here is a building we built just for books for you to read." You say, "Okay, how much does it cost to be a member of this wonderful club." They say, "It's free. Just fill out this form, and we will give you a little card that lets you check out as many books as you like. Please just bring them back in a couple of weeks or we will charge you a staggering fine of 10 cents a day."
My mom always took us to the library when we were young, more in the summer when we were out of school, but we knew our way around that children's department in the basement of the old Linebaugh Library like the back of our hand. Our town's library has changed quite a bit. It's in a newer, more modern building. There are computers you can use. There are even movies to rent. I still love the wonderful feeling I get when I come in the door. I even start to get excited when I'm riding the elevator up from the parking garage.
I also enjoy running into people, and I always seem to at the library. That is one of the many wonderful things about Murfreesboro. Last night I ran into the Becketts. Regina is a good friend of mine who is in our book club, and her little girl is AbiLyn's age. It's always so comforting to walk through the door and see friends unexpectedly. Like, "Hey I'm not just out in this world by myself. There are other people like me: living life and running errands and checking out books."
At the library there's none of that. They say, "Here is a building we built just for books for you to read." You say, "Okay, how much does it cost to be a member of this wonderful club." They say, "It's free. Just fill out this form, and we will give you a little card that lets you check out as many books as you like. Please just bring them back in a couple of weeks or we will charge you a staggering fine of 10 cents a day."
My mom always took us to the library when we were young, more in the summer when we were out of school, but we knew our way around that children's department in the basement of the old Linebaugh Library like the back of our hand. Our town's library has changed quite a bit. It's in a newer, more modern building. There are computers you can use. There are even movies to rent. I still love the wonderful feeling I get when I come in the door. I even start to get excited when I'm riding the elevator up from the parking garage.
I also enjoy running into people, and I always seem to at the library. That is one of the many wonderful things about Murfreesboro. Last night I ran into the Becketts. Regina is a good friend of mine who is in our book club, and her little girl is AbiLyn's age. It's always so comforting to walk through the door and see friends unexpectedly. Like, "Hey I'm not just out in this world by myself. There are other people like me: living life and running errands and checking out books."
Bragging on myself
Ask me what I was doing at 4:30 this morning. That's right; you heard me correctly. I said 4:30 AM. I was cleaning my filthy bathrooms. Did I mention it was 4:30?
Here's a little recap of the last 24 hours of my life. Liz had a Tastefully Simple party last night, so I went straight to her house by way of the daycare to pick up AbiLyn after work. I left there about 8:30 and stopped by the library on the way home. I got home a little after 9:00, and David was already asleep. I put on PJs and went downstairs. During all this running around, I kept thinking about how my bathrooms were so dirty I wouldn't have let anyone else even lift up the toilet lids and that I had to do something immediately about it. David and I are about to be flung headfirst into the craziness of the holiday party circuit (fun but crazy), and I won't have time to clean again for about 2 weeks. So, last night while David was snoozing I cleaned the kitchen all except for mopping. When he came downstairs this morning (I had fallen asleep on the couch...I know, I'm naughty) I got up, we talked for a bit, and when he left I started cleaning bathrooms and mopping like a madwoman.
It'll be so nice to go home to clean bathrooms and kitchen this afternoon. This is our last night for a while that we don't have plans, so I fully intend to spend it cuddled up on the couch with my husband. We're having chicken curry, and I can't wait.
Here's a little recap of the last 24 hours of my life. Liz had a Tastefully Simple party last night, so I went straight to her house by way of the daycare to pick up AbiLyn after work. I left there about 8:30 and stopped by the library on the way home. I got home a little after 9:00, and David was already asleep. I put on PJs and went downstairs. During all this running around, I kept thinking about how my bathrooms were so dirty I wouldn't have let anyone else even lift up the toilet lids and that I had to do something immediately about it. David and I are about to be flung headfirst into the craziness of the holiday party circuit (fun but crazy), and I won't have time to clean again for about 2 weeks. So, last night while David was snoozing I cleaned the kitchen all except for mopping. When he came downstairs this morning (I had fallen asleep on the couch...I know, I'm naughty) I got up, we talked for a bit, and when he left I started cleaning bathrooms and mopping like a madwoman.
It'll be so nice to go home to clean bathrooms and kitchen this afternoon. This is our last night for a while that we don't have plans, so I fully intend to spend it cuddled up on the couch with my husband. We're having chicken curry, and I can't wait.
About the quiz results below
Interesting. I've always seen myself as more of an Elinor Dashwood than a Lizzie Bennet. I don't think I'm that stubborn. Hmmm.
Don't get me wrong, Elizabeth Bennet is an amazing character. I would probably do well to adopt some of her strong-willed traits.
Don't get me wrong, Elizabeth Bennet is an amazing character. I would probably do well to adopt some of her strong-willed traits.
Which Jane Austen Character Are You?
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Which Jane Austen Character are You? created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Elizabeth Bennet As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to.
|
Thursday, December 6
Watch out for "skunks"!
I totally forgot about another event of last weekend. I guess because I didn't have any pictures from it.
Well, one of the Johnsons' family Christmas traditions is a trip to the Christmas tree farm. You can click on the link to visit their website, but it's a really neat place. We still went out there this year even though no one was getting a Christmas tree. A couple of us wanted to get wreaths, and my mom and AbiLyn even joined us.
As we were pulling in the driveway of the farm I told AbiLyn to stay close to me or Marmee because there were stumps out in the fields, and I didn't want her to fall and hit her head. Well, the minute we got out of the car she starts going on and on about staying with us because of the skunks. She talked about the "skunks" the whole time we were there and riding the wagon and everything. My in-laws were getting such a kick out of it, and I didn't know where that was coming from, but later that night I figured it out. I said "stumps," and she heard "skunks." Bless her heart! I wish I could have figured that out and told her what I meant, but at least she stayed pretty close by while we were there.
Well, one of the Johnsons' family Christmas traditions is a trip to the Christmas tree farm. You can click on the link to visit their website, but it's a really neat place. We still went out there this year even though no one was getting a Christmas tree. A couple of us wanted to get wreaths, and my mom and AbiLyn even joined us.
As we were pulling in the driveway of the farm I told AbiLyn to stay close to me or Marmee because there were stumps out in the fields, and I didn't want her to fall and hit her head. Well, the minute we got out of the car she starts going on and on about staying with us because of the skunks. She talked about the "skunks" the whole time we were there and riding the wagon and everything. My in-laws were getting such a kick out of it, and I didn't know where that was coming from, but later that night I figured it out. I said "stumps," and she heard "skunks." Bless her heart! I wish I could have figured that out and told her what I meant, but at least she stayed pretty close by while we were there.
Tuesday, December 4
A King is Coming to Town
If you remember my Survivor Babylon post from the summer you'll remember that our church does a workshop format for our summer musicals. Well, we adapted that idea for our Christmas musical this year and it worked great! We used to practice for the Christmas musical every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night for almost three months since we couldn't do the every-night-for-a-week-thing like we do in summer because kids are in school. Well, this year we had two Saturday workshops in November, a dress rehearsal the day before the play, and the play this past Sunday. We learned a lot for next year, but I think it was an overall success! This musical was also special because my niece made her theater debut! My mom and dad even got out the video camera and videoed it. The little girl with AbiLyn is her friend Kaylee. I'll have to devote a whole post someday to my friends and how those relationships are now carrying over to their kids. Anyway, congratulations to all involved. You did great!
Two babies
We babysat Lex one night last week while Liz and Eric worked on the sets for the musical, and I killed two birds with one stone. I'd been wanting a picture of my nativity set, and Lex looked so sweet asleep in his bucket that I had to have a picture of that too.
We Gather Together...
I'm finally posting my Thanksgiving stories and pictures. On Thursday, we joined David's parents and his sister with her family for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a feast to put it mildly: turkey, dressing, gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans on top, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and pineapple upside down cake and red velvet cake for dessert. (If you look at the picture of the table you'll see David delicately placing something in his mouth. It's a little sweet pickle. The Johnson family loves these little pickles and don't consider any special occasion complete without them. That's one of the most interesting things about getting married. You don't realize that every family has weird little idiosyncracies that make them each special and wonderful. I have loved discovering all of these things about the Johnsons.) We perused the sale papers, watched a Christmas movie, and hung out all day.
Patty (my SIL) and I decided to go to the outlet mall in Lebanon since it was opening at midnight. She picked me up at 11:30, and we shopped for about 3 hours. (Mall was totally crowded by the way. We had to park illegally.) Friday I slept in very late. Friday night I sent David away and put up Christmas decorations. I'll probably post some of those pictures with the rest of my Christmas pictures.
On Saturday evening we went to my parents' house for a second Thanksiving dinner. We had ham, sweet potatoes, pineapple, hash-brown casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin spice cake for dessert. Oh, and we had my mom's homemade wheat yeast rolls.
Doesn't Lex look so happy with his Marmee?!
AbiLyn wanted to take some pictures with my camera, so, being a doting auntie, I of course let her. I love seeing the pictures she takes. Something about the point of view is so childish and cute.
Patty (my SIL) and I decided to go to the outlet mall in Lebanon since it was opening at midnight. She picked me up at 11:30, and we shopped for about 3 hours. (Mall was totally crowded by the way. We had to park illegally.) Friday I slept in very late. Friday night I sent David away and put up Christmas decorations. I'll probably post some of those pictures with the rest of my Christmas pictures.
On Saturday evening we went to my parents' house for a second Thanksiving dinner. We had ham, sweet potatoes, pineapple, hash-brown casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin spice cake for dessert. Oh, and we had my mom's homemade wheat yeast rolls.
Doesn't Lex look so happy with his Marmee?!
AbiLyn wanted to take some pictures with my camera, so, being a doting auntie, I of course let her. I love seeing the pictures she takes. Something about the point of view is so childish and cute.
Trunk or Treat
For a Halloween activity, our church has a "Trunk or Treat." Basically, everyone pulls their cars in, decorates the trunks or backends, and hands out candies to the kids. AbiLyn was a bride. Here's a picture of her and her Momma. They're so sweet!
Why I Don't Go to Wal-Mart
I know there are lots of people that have deep, philosophical, political reasons why they don't shop at Wal-Mart. I live in the South, so there aren't many of those people around here, and I don't even think those reasons (wages, benefits, gender disparity, forcing mom-and-pop places out of business, etc.) are why I don't shop there. Let me just tell you a story about last night.
I needed to make a grocery store run, a big one. We had depleted our supplies of just snacking, munchy-type food, plus I needed to get supper supplies for the week. Well, I normally do the shopping alone, but I wanted David to come with me because I knew it would be more fun. I wasn't going to make a list; we were just going to meander every aisle and stock up. I also needed some non-food items, but David suggested that instead of driving across town to Target (I normally shop for non-food things at Target and food at the Kroger right by my house), why didn't we just go to Wal-Mart, and get everything there. I've not been in a Wal-Mart in well over a year, but he insisted it would be fine.
Since we were going to be in there a while, we decided to get something to drink from the McDonald's right inside the door. Well, the woman ordering had two or three unruly kids that she couldn't control and was taking forever to order for her brood, not realizing she was inconveniencing the entire McDonald's. We gave up. Our moods began to deteriorate. Then we entered the Wal-Mart proper. Screaming babies, people blocking the entire large Wal-Mart aisles, walking forever to find what you need, oh and did I mention screaming babies. We got our non-food stuff and decided to finish the shopping at Kroger. Well, we had under 20 items, but there were some (what's the PC way to say this?) non-English speakers with about 50 items trying to pay and cluelessly blocking the way to the other express lanes. I'm serious they acted like they didn't have a care in the world, while people were backing up behind them and fuming!
That's pretty much how every Wal-Mart experience I've had in my adult life has gone. Even David, the former Wal-Mart employee who normally sings their praises, was ready to not return for another year.
I'll stick with Target. It's quieter, shoppers smile and greet each other, people are considerate, and it's just an all-around fun experience to go there (most of the time).
Thanks for letting me rant.
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