Friday, December 30, 2005

a Christmas ephiphany



I'm a horribly practical person. It's true. Sometimes it's not a good thing.

My #1 item on my Christmas list this year was . . . a blender!

Yes, really. It was.

I have one very dear friend who always gives me incredibly lovely and frivolous gifts. This Christmas, it was this butterfly necklace, made by a local artist, and I absolutely adore it!

When I went to put it away last night, I looked at my jewelry drawer, and (to my honest surprise) I realized that most of the items there came from this friend! And those are the ones I wear most often! Several thoughts followed this realization:


  • He knows me very well.
  • I just don't *think* about asking for things like this.
  • Why don't I shop for fun or beautiful things just for me?

Like most moms, I spend most of my time making sure that everyone else is cared for, comfortable, and happy, and I simply don't think about doing those things for myself.

It's terrible to write (and even worse to say), but I think I need to spend a bit more time on me. I made an attempt today, and I fear that this is going to be more difficult than I thought. I don't really "do" New Year's Resolutions, but this is one of two that I'll attempt for 2006.

Oh yes, I did get a new blender, and it makes great frappucinos!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is one of my most favoritest days. We fell into the tradition of hosting a Mexican fiesta at our house every year. We just finished this year's and it was grand, as always. Right now we're baking cookies for Santa (chocolate chip, what else?) and cleaning up from the party. We'll be eating enchiladas and queso dip for days, and I'm not even sure I can fit everything into the fridge!

Traditions are a funny thing though. We absolutely love our Christmas Eve filled with friends and great food; others feel that it's just odd that we don't have ham and turkey like most people. Personally, I'm of the opinion that holidays are meant to be *enjoyed* not suffered through, and traditions are what you make them.

Have a very happy Christmas everyone!

Friday, December 23, 2005

Seven Things

Seven Things to Do Before I Die:

  1. Raise my children to be happy, generous, loving, well-rounded adults
  2. See the aurora borealis
  3. Read the Bible in its entirety
  4. Travel, specifically Europe, but I'm up for other places too :o)
  5. Take a photography class
  6. Own a bookshop
  7. Learn to knit

Seven Things I Cannot Do:

  1. Knit (this is bothering me; can you tell?)
  2. Calculus
  3. Read something without (mentally) correcting the typos
  4. Drink black coffee
  5. Climb ladders without being scared I'll fall
  6. Pick up either of my dogs
  7. Sleep with my mouth open

Seven Things That Attract Me To My Spouse:

  1. His sense of humor
  2. His intelligence
  3. His tenacity
  4. His sense of fun and adventure
  5. His loving kindness
  6. His willingness to try new things (even when he doesn't want to)
  7. The way he loves me

Seven Things I Say (or Write) Most Often:

  1. :o)
  2. Excellent!
  3. WOOHOO!
  4. Are you sure that's a good decision?
  5. Hey, that's pretty good!
  6. It's time to get in bed.
  7. No, you may not read right now. It's time for bed.

Seven Books (or Series) I love:

  1. Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith
  2. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
  3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  4. The Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey
  5. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
  6. The Idiot Girls Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro
  7. A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:

  1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
  2. The Mummy
  3. The Princess Bride
  4. Real Genius
  5. Hitch
  6. 13 Going on 30
  7. Ella Enchanted

Seven People I Want to Join In (Be Tagged):

  1. Michael
  2. Alicia
  3. Dana
  4. Diane
  5. Rachel
  6. John
  7. Brenda

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Beginnings . . . or new beginnings

A few months ago (in a weak moment), I let it slip that I've been blogging for a while, in a "secret" blog that I don't give to anyone. I had hidden it pretty well -- or at least, I think I did -- and as far as I know, it hasn't been discovered. But I think it's been driving my poor friends mad!

So, let this serve as my official announcement . . . it has been discontinued! I've been considering it for a while, but I only just made my decision.


So, my dear friends (you know who you are), I can't promise that it will be interesting, but at least you'll be able to decide for yourself. :o)

Oh yes, and if you found the old one, please let me continue believing that I was able to keep it hidden.