Spreading holiday cheer

This weekend, we laughed until we cried, ate more sugar than an eight-year old on Halloween,  and had an intrepidous and sleepless Black Friday night (I am thinking that this may be a bigger holiday celebration than the turkey).  Megan very much wanted to put the squirrel on her Christmas cards.  You know I have always wanted to know where I contracted infectious diseases.  What better way to know than a card intended to spread holiday cheer?

We decorated my parents’ house, which included the ceramic Christmas tree with plastic lights.  Every little thing we did, Megan said “blog it!”, including a trip to the   produce section.

Taking it all in

I went on a run this morning at a local park. Little white flakes began to dance all around as I ran. An amazing thing happens when you experience pain. You begin to experience pleasure in such an intense way. And when you are busy being joyful and reveling in the amazing little things in life, there is little room for bitterness. I drank up every moment.

Life, as of lately

I just found this blog that was never posted.  Since I erradically post just about everything, eat it up.

I am not sure if I should laugh or feel scared...

The plant that is still in the planter from the store.

You see this?  Yep, they all had to be picked up.  And thrown away.  We were a little worried about breaking the garbage truck.

This was only the beginning of the fun.

And just for the record, they were half eaten and rotten.

Thankful Thursday

We had a blast on Thursday.  We laughed so much, people thought that we were drunk, sleepy, or crazy.  We did our own Gobbler Dash at a local state park.  I won...even though we weren't competing..and I was sick. We ate amazing amounts of good food.







Black Friday was not quite the same having to wait outside and minus the dental floss.  We purposely went to the ghetto Walmart, where we were hoping for a brawl or two.  We were sorely disappointed, but someone started yelling at my dad when he was just looking for the place to find the tickets.

When the squealing started at 10pm, I ran to take pictures.  There was a woman who sassily cut in to me at Customer Service, asking me if I had waited in line "like the rest of us".  Well...I purposely cut just you so that I could have this nice Walmart associate who is totally clueless to have you interrupt me.  I also bought more CDs than I had intended...and sweatbands and eye black I didn't even wear.  I guess that is what happens when I give my sister my debit card and let confusion and chaos envelope my attention.

Chuckles from the chitlins'

I have been exposed to lots of kid things lately.  I think the hilarity has been just what I needed.  Like, when the kid licked the window of the door and I made the cleaning guy at work give him a cloth to clean it up.  Or when I had a kid who noticed our Sunday School class was all boys and told me I was "1 in 7...and you are the one."  I guess someone had to say it.

As one of the kids  replayed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, one of the kids said "he only knows that because his parents make him read the Bible."  Later, an epiphany moment was when the one of the boys said, "if people just listened to God, we wouldn't have any problems."  Bingo.  I guess maybe adults have a few things to learn from them.

We attempted to have Abraham lead his camels during another Sunday School class.  He continued to leave them behind.  My favorite was outrunning all the kids and how the whole class had to gang up on me to attempt to catch me during a game of tag.  I guess my sloughing off since the marathon hasn't set me back too much.

Flashback Friday--NYC

NYC 2004.  Megan was in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I begged to go to the Russian art exhibit at the library instead of shopping.  This was the closest I got to it.

Ground Zero...which is weird to visit after we had actually gone up in the World Trade Centers.

1,000 things

I had recently heard of someone making a list of 1,000 things I am thankful.  It has been quite an exercise.  I am at 412.

A sampling of my list:

1.  Food--always available
8.  Friends and family being around the world.
14.  Vision
21.  Having a family who lives out what they believe
51.  Being a bridesmaid--seven times
92.  Clients who live me  (I think I meant like...I was sleepy)
102.  My parents' multiple jobs
124.  Laws keeping kids from bringing guns to school
150.  The color red
154.  Flowers
178.  My new, free perfume
193.  Rest when I need it most
232.  Clouds
245.  My curious spirit
255.  The smell of bread
256.  The smell of leaves in the fall
261.  Miracles
274.  Coupons
285.  Holiday spices
293.  Urban Light (my church)
300.  Polka dots
316.  Getting my life and the world's hurt into focus
380.  NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts
399.  Gravity
402.  How my heartbreak has brought me closer to god.
407.  Mechanics
412.  Having some successes with my clients

The range from silly to serious...deep to shallow...but I am keeping my journal with me day and night and jotting down anything that comes to mind.  I am forced to look at my life and to evaluate thankfulness all around me.  Any suggestions to add to my list would be greatly appreciated.

Flashback Friday--roommates

 This weekend, I am super, duper, duper excited to see all three of my roommates from college.  It is a rare occasion that needs to be celebrated with multiple pics.  I really had no idea where to start or what to choose.  What about the time I told Taylor to take a pic of me when I was lying a ditch because it looked like a grave?  Or the time we um…rode in the trunk of the car with the girl who was driving on sidewalks?  That was the night that we threw the muffin in the guys' tire spoke.  Frozen peas can be used for so much more than eating.

Funny bone

This week, my roommate told me that she didn't know Egypt had internet.  I had to tell her that there are no longer pharaohs.  Then I went into the country's civil war and Mubaric.  I also told her about how I thought that my friend's Muslim neighbor was named Mubaric.  She couldn't have cared less.

I had a kid who told me that he was going to be the next president.  Or host of Family Game night.  But not both.

I heard the term "done having a labor", which apparently means that someone has given birth.

Then a few weeks ago, I had a wee one who told me I make kids cry.

And my roommate continues to obsess over Mark Lowry.  In a real, crush on him, creepy way.  I keep coming in to finding the Phipps Gospel Sing on pause.

And...the man who married my grandpa thought that he was dead.  Seriously.

Letting my blog catch up with my life...

A while back, we painted the house.  I figured I would post a few pics.  Haha...then intention was to make this nice and neat, but I think I will do that...when I feel like it.

Love old and new

Yesterday, I met my new grandma.  A few months ago, my grandpa (Pa) announced on Facebook that he was planning to wed Kristin.  You can imagine the family's surprise, since we just found out two weeks prior that he was e-mailing her.  The entire story is so cute...this was the widow of his best friend from childhood.  Hearing how scared he was to talk with her and how the shuffleboard courts destined their courtship only makes it cuter.  They pledged their lives in a small ceremony in her house a few weeks ago.  It was so adorable to see them holding hands and to see how in love Pa can be after 12+ years of widowhood.

We Skyped with my cuz and aunt in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed birthday celebrations.  It was Kristen's double deuce.  Of course there was cat cuddling and enough giggling to rival a slumber party.  My poor new grandma was introduced to the family version of Apples to Apples...you know, where everyone starts hawking the reasons that they should win to the chooser and it becomes a chaotic mess of stump speeches.  She survived.  And I won.  Just for the record.

Dad and I geared up enough for a run this morning.  Haha...beats my 1.2 miles from yesterday.

Some things never get old.

And yummy food always makes giggles even better.

Mom said not to post this on Facebook.  So I only put it on my blog she never sees.

Flashback Friday--'tude

I know, I know...two Flashbacks about my sister.  Well...she is coming home today, so I think that this one merits being posted.

This is the aforementioned attitude I was talking about.  She used to make us watch her "dance" routines, which consisted of her turning her back toward us, running off the "stage" into the hallway in the foyer, and doing cartwheels for an entire song.  Then, when she was done, she would do the splits and present...always present.

Trinkets of the day

Life continues to get crazier and crazier.  To keep my sanity, I have found little things about my day to enjoy.  Like my neckalace (Ke$sha style) from Haiti and self portraits.

And yes, I do have a bike tire in my car.  Guess what other treasures are there.

I have also fully determined that my heart belongs roaming the world.  I think it is high time for a new adventure.  I will keep you posted.

Oh children...

Oh...admist the paperwork, there are moments when the kids in my job make me laugh so much, all the craziness almost feels worth it.

Bumpkin:  "My brother smashed the trash out of fourth grade." 
Me:  "What does that mean?" 
Bumpkin:  "It means he passed.

A national holiday, of sorts. Now why don't we get the next day off?

Today we elect our leader.  I flexed my suffragette muscle and found a space in my 11 hour day to vote.  I have taken this whole circus act with an amazing amount of detachment, just eating my roasted peanuts on the sidelines and watching our nation become deeply divided by two men who want to lead us.  I was still undecided when I had taken my phone into the voting box with me.  I decided that I would make "educated" votes...on the spot.  I figured I couldn't not use my American rights if I am going to teach a policy class next semester.  I am amazed how this election has brought out some pretty strong emotions from both sides and  thought that it was maybe wishful thinking when I saw this sign today.  I have to admit that I am thankful that I was able to vote today with no intimidation or concerns about casting my ballot.  As aloof as I have been about this who process, I have to admit that I teared up a little as I was stepping up to the booth.  Well...It has been a wild ride, but I think I echo the sentiments of most of the country when I say that I am relieved for the drama to be over.

Doing life

Ok, so I am a little bit of a clothes hoarder.  I keep clothes way past their expiration because I justify that I might someday where them.  And where did I get all these sweaters?



At least I got my closet organized.  Well...mostly.



I then avoided the ginormous rat trap to sift through my shoes.  Just for the record...we have none.

So, I finally pulled myself out of hibernation and did a run.  Two, actually.  Two days in a row.

Then, I undid all that hard work by making scones with a pretty awesome gal.



Maybe I should have heeded warning from the magnet on the fridge at church.



Oh well...it was a boring weekend, but an emotionally stressful Monday reminds me that I sometimes need breaks.  And good friends.