I think I've created a blogmonster...

As tagged by my dear hubby...

Top 5 people I wish would write a blog:
1 - I agree with DH - Cousin It - we want you!
2 - Jenn - and you KNOW who YOU are
3 - Surprisingly enough, my mother
4 - Any of the Dicksons
5 - Any of the blogs I usually read who haven't posted in forever

Words I heard waaaaaaaaaay too often in 2005:
1 - Money
2 - Emergent
3 - Post modern
4 - Saxophone
5 - "I don't know"

5 things I'd like to see decrease in 2006:
1 - weight
2 - tension
3 - housework
4 - natural disasters
5 - excuses

5 things I'd like to see increase in 2006:
1 - stitching time and ability
2 - time with the fam
3 - world peace
4 - my quiet time
5 - my prayer time

5 people whose lists I'd like to see:
1 - Mozark
2 - Paul W
3 - Beaner
4 - Dwiggy
5 - George

Dec 29

...and once again, I just don't feel like conversing with anyone here in the office today. I can't help but think that this is just SO wrong of me, and that as a christian, I should be making the most of every opportunity, but I just don't want to get into these long, drawn-out gabfests that occur around here. The problem is, this week there's only three of us in the office, so my silence is pretty noticeable. I'm really looking forward to a half day tomorrow - going to be too busy to chatter...

*Stitchspeak Warning* Hit Hobby Lobby last night, and kitted out the pin guards. Got some evenweave, and I think I did alright on the color conversion. I even indulged in some DMC light effects floss - lovely! I compared the floss I had from the wolf kit (which are not DMC - ugh) and converted them as closely as I could to DMC, so I think I might be ready to start. And I'd really like to. But I have two WIP's that need to be finished first. DH has been very patient about his sax player, and well, Ivy's piece should go quickly after I frog what's already been done on the "Y" in her name. I spaced the letters evenly, but I guess they should have been spaced proportionately. I think these three projects will take up all of my rotation for the next year. I have until spring of 2007 to do the pin guards, but I need to get them done ASAP so she can do the finishing. In other stitching news, I did my first no-sew cube for Christmas! I used jingle bells for the feet and faux holly sprigs for the embellishment on the top, and I think it came together really well. Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera, so I can't post pictures.

Back to regular stuff...We're having guests over tomorrow night for dinner, but haven't decided what to serve yet. I think we're doing Mexican. We're going to watch The Polar Express and read the book as well. I'm really looking forward to it! I have to clean tonight, and make my homemade caramel corn - yum. Tomorrow afternoon we're having a family portrait done - gasp! The last time we had an entire family picture professionally done was when DS2 was a few weeks old. Yeah. It's been a while.

Well, I guess I should at least pretend I'm working, huh?

Oh - and for your daily sugar-sweet rush: http://cuteoverload.com

Wednesday - for lack of a more clever title

Ever have a day when you just don't wanna talk? Nothing's really wrong, I just don't wanna talk to anyone here in the office. I'm not upset, not angry, nothing like that - just want some peace and quiet while I do my job. Does that make me a bad person?
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One of the gifts DH got me for Christmas is a gift card to a local hobby and craft store. He insisted that I go there tonight and spend it. What. A. Guy!! Can't wait! I've spent the time that the internet was down here (nice - and on a day when the boss is gone! Cutting into prime surfing time...) organizing my priorities and stuff...
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I also received on of The Swift's CDs for Christmas, and I've been playing the song "I Need You" over and over...there are just times when I absolutely feel that way.

...and to all a good night...

Hey, Blogville! How was yer Christmas?! Ours was purty darn good! We were up (for the day, at least) before the kiddos, and had a blast opening our gifts...I think the kiddos had a nice Christmas. It was so nice to be able to spend on other people this year. It doesn't always work out that way, but I love it when it does. I think DH had a good Christmas, too, and that goes without saying for me! I think my favorite thing, though, was hearing how much DH enjoyed church Sunday morning.

DS1 and I had a running conversation as to why we were going to church on Christmas. He just did not want to go. We talked about it frequently over the past week. Finally, Sunday afternoon he came to me and said he understood why we went. When I asked him to tell me why, he said it was so we could spend time with friends and our church family, and hear about God's gift to us. (YEEESSSS! Learning has occurred!!)

And I'd like to send a big ol' shoutout to Donna and Terri for their lovely Christmas cards - made me all teary-eyed! Thanks, gals!

Now I'm back at work. And to tell you the truth, I'm getting kinda tired of hearing about everyone else's Christmas - who spent what on whom, who got cheated, who got spoiled. Ugh. Back to some warped form of "real life."

Merry Christmas, Blogville!

It's almost here!!! Just a few more things to get and wrap and I'll be good to go! DH and I "wrapped" presents last night. One of our traditions - pick a night just before Christmas, make the kiddos go hide in their rooms and we attempt to wrap gifts. Why, oh why and manufacturers put everything in geometric boxes?!?!

Anyway, I hope you and your have a wonderful Christmas!

...now if I could just get that SONG outta my head...Weee want da funk; gotta have dat funk...

C-5 days and counting...

(Just remember - I warned you a loooooong time ago that Sunday was a-comin')

*Warning* Stitchspeak ahead...

One of the things my aunt and I discussed Sunday were her pinguards. She has asked me to do Just Nan's Celeste, but to do a color conversion to green, and add a wolf figure next to her. (Her mascot and her assistant's mascot incorporated into one design.) All within a space less than 6 inches high and maybe 5 inches wide. Twenty times. Yes, T-W-E-N-T-Y times. Ack! I'm a bit overwhelmed, to be honest. And I am going to have to stitch over two - which I really dislike - I'm easily confused - with the wolf, and the angel's face and hands done over one. *sigh* And as far as I can tell, I'm doing all of the guards. I helped her stitch pinguards a number of years ago, but she spread them out amongst a few other stitchers as well as me, so I ended up doing five or six. But twenty! Eeep! I have to have them done before June 2007 - which sounds like an awfully long time to some, but trust me - cross stitch is not exactly a speedy endeavor! So, I guess, please pray for my sanity, my wrist, and my family!

Today we're doing our Christmas luncheon here at work. We decided that A) we didn't want to go out in the evening sometime, and B) didn't want to deal with MB - so we're doing lunch here and getting the difference as a cash bonus - scree! Of course, it's already accounted for - Merry Christmas, right? Ahh, nothing says Christmas like...Italian food? Whatever! We're cool with that!

Whoops - gotta run! Happy Tuesday!

Weekend recap

Happy Monday...

Not much happened this weekend - DH worked Saturday, and I baked. A lot. DS1's b-ball team won their final game - woo hoo!

Sunday my dad's father and sister came over for Christmas. We had a nice long visit, and everyone got gifts (doesn't that automatically make for a nice visit?) I still feel some awkwardness because there was such a time gap for us. But it was still good to see them.

...and that's pretty much it...lame, huh?
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Random tho't for the day...(Completely tongue-in-cheek, of course!)

How fair was it to give Jesus to Mary and Joseph as their first child? How well could He have prepared them for the 100% human children that came after Him? I mean, He was without sin, so no tantrums at 2, no ornery pranks at 10, no eye rolls at 14 - come on - kid #2 for the family must have been quite a shocker! Did they ask said second child "Why can't you be more like your brother Jesus?"

...tee hee...

Merry Christmas...?

http://www.southflorida.com/events/sfl-scaredsanta,0,2245506.photogallery?coll=sfe-events-headlines&index=1

One of my favorite Christmas songs...

Just wanted to share the lyrics with you...it's performed by Natalie Grant

One Child

The seed, it grows and somehow becomes a life
It moves, she knows that her baby has arrived
She's so scared, but she's so blessed
She lays down her fear for the hope at her breast
For she knows

Chorus
One million chains could never hold back this moment in time
One thousand dreams could never dream what this moment truly means
Heaven and earth, they cradle the infinite joy born on this night
For it only takes one child to forever change the world

He stands beside her, he'd share her pain if only he knew how
He whispers I love you as he gently strokes her brow
He's so scared, but he's so blessed
There's a thundering pride pounding deep in his chest
For he knows

Chorus

Christ is born, we are blessed
Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess
That we know

Chorus

This baby cries
And for the first time the world hears the voice of God weep
Mary sings a lullaby
As the hope of the nations gently falls asleep
She knows this is the one child
To forever change the world

I stink

Have you ever been around something that's dead and rotting? The stench is overwhelming! It's intense and like nothing else - you'll never mistake it.

DH and I are CSI fans (the original one, not the knockoffs) and there was one episode that really made an impression on me. Sarah and one of the guys is trying to determine the identity and cause of death for a body found in the desert (wait - don't they ALL start out like this...?) This particular body was in a bag of some sort, and had liquified, in essence. Long story short, she's trying to impress a guy, but is covered in the stench of this rotting body that she literally can't wash away. Something about the rancid body fat clinging to her hair, etc. Just a really nasty thought. The impression I was left with was that she was going to be smelling like this for a long time, regardless of how often she bathed.

Which brings me to the story of Lazarus in John 11. Jesus wants the stone in front of the tomb rolled away. Those there with Him protest as Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, and to be honest, he stinks. But all Jesus knows is that He loves Lazarus and that God has a plan. He doesn't care about the decay, the smell, the dirt. He just knows that this is why He came. He is willing to face the stink of death for the one He loves.

No matter how much we bathe, put on expensive perfumes and powders, we, too, stink of death and decay and sin. But He can get past that. He can get through the stink, through the pretense, through the rebellion, through my hardened heart and stiff neck.

Just so that I could come out smelling like a rose.

Warning: Vent to Follow

DS1 has joined the chorus at school. I was thrilled until I was informed that there was no homework, and this was the primary reason for opting for chorus. Well, last night, the chorus was to perform, as well as a number of other musical groups from the school. And DS1's chorus was required to stay for all the performances. Okay, no problem. We got there on time, and headed to the cafetorium (how classy is that!) There is literally standing room only. Crazy! Students are lugging chairs from wherever they can be found - I watched them add at least five rows of chairs and there were still people standing. A woman standing next to me asked if this school had a gym we could go into, and I told her they had two gyms - moving sounded good to me! Then the chorus director announced that they were sorry there weren't enough seats, but to bear with them and they would make do. He also said that this was a problem they loved to have. (Yeah. Thanks.) He added that the sound system in the gym was terrible, so we would have to stay where we were. Then he said that although they wanted the 6th grade chorus to remain, they would be allowed to leave after their performance to make room. Everyone applauded!

The girls chorus performed first, and they were really good. Probably 50 young ladies singing in harmony - lovely! Then the boys chorus performed, and they were not so good, but you gotta give them credit. A dozen junior high boys singing along with a bongo. Takes guts, man! Their third piece was Love Potion Number 9, with three solos. The problem was, they couldn't be heard! And not just to soloists who were singing into mics (that mysteriously got turned off right before the solos) but the whole group!

So 6th grade chorus heads to the stage. The music teacher announces that this is the first year that chorus has been offered as an alternative to "regular" music and that more than 150 students opted for chorus. Wait a minute - you have to believe that on average, more than one family member will turn out for your kid's chorus performance, right? So, double that 150. Oh, wait, you forgot to factor in siblings and grandparents, so maybe another 100 or so people. Not to mention the families present for other choruses. One would think - wouldn't one? - that someone with a mathematical bent in the school would have suggested that someone set up more chairs! Sheesh! What a madhouse! But the songs they performed were charming, and more than made up for the inconvenience! Really cute and original! Just wish DH had made it in time to see it.

Sorry - venting finished - but as you can see, I'm still not feeling great...and this was just one more straw...grrr...

Have a good day, and I'll take drugs or something...

Blech...

Well, it's Monday again...

Weekend recap:

Friday - I think the evening went pretty well! The fam came over and chowed on wings and catfish. I think DH was absolutely in his element! All four sisters and a brother, as well as his mom and an adult niece and nephew were there. Kinda crazy and crowded, but that's what family does, right?

Saturday - Slept IN! Fetched Christmas trees (yes, more than one.) Then DS1 and I trudged into work to type his story for school - it ended up being 19 pages. Really cute story! We finished just in tiime to head to his basketball game, and then straight out to church for babysitting/cookie baking which led into the youth group's midnight service.

Sunday - Too sick to go to church. Fever, congestion, yuck. Stayed in and warm until it was time to decorate the main tree and discovered it was in an absolutely arid state - crispy, even. Went to another place to get another tree and made it home in time for DS1 to head out to see Narnia with the youth group. Slept...watched football...slept. Decorated tree, watched Christmas with the Kranks, and baked gingerbread cookies (okay, well, it wasn't from scratch, but, hey - I tried!)

Monday - made it to work, but feel pretty yucky! Hence the title...

Friday

Made it home yesterday - in spite of Mother Nature's best attempt. Got home and started in on housecleaning. DH has invited his family over tonight for games and snacks. Kiddos and I worked hard all evening - all of us hacking and coughing and sneezing and pretty much feeling yucky. But we got it done, for the most part. Sorry it wasn't completely done, Allen.

I am looking forward to tonight. It will be nice to have his family over. I'm looking at it as a good opportunity to serve them. Here's praying that He will shine through...

Have a good weekend everyone!

It's SNOWING!!!

Hooray - oh wait - I guess it would be better if I didn't have to slip and slide across town to pick up the kiddos...nice first day back to work for DH...

Please be praying - my car doesn't like snow! And unlike Beaner, I made sure my driver's ed classes were during the summer! Ack!

It's OVER

I'll not go into details here, but please - join us in praising God for His goodness and mercy!

HALLELUJAH!!

Monday

(If you've read DH's blog, you know how {relieved} I am to be back at work!! Whew!)
Yeah, so, this woman calls me back to the exam room, where DH is {patiently waiting}, escorts me in and proceeds to speak an obscure Swahili dialect regarding my husband.

ME: "Wait - what?"

DR: "Blah-blah-blah-blah hospital blah-blah ambulance blah-blah-blah admit blah-blah."

DH: "You gotta be shi**in' me!"

And can I just note how long it actually TAKES to get to the hospital from Doc-in-a-box?! Holy oleo, Batman!

I guess the good news is (other than DH is okely-dokely of course!) that DS1 dedicated his game Saturday to his dad *sniff* (who was in the ER at game time) and played really well. Hmmm...correlation? I dunno.
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Everyone around here is sick. I don't want it - I don't need it - I ain't gonna accept it from ya! Keep it to yourself!
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Tomorrow is going to be tense as NB comes in and MB will possibly be talking to him about giving him the proverbial boot, as it were. *sigh* I guess right now, I'll just hang out at least for awhile and see what happens next...
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And what the heck happened yesterday with worship?! Eeep! Personally, I blame, uh, well, I guess me for sharing the "Concerned Caller" clips from www.ourgreenroom.com with the rest of the PT. Sorry, guys! I felt very conspicuous up there, knowing there were some in the congregation making sure I was being a statue for Christ - not moving my butt around, back and forth, side to side. LOL!

Did we mess up in reverse?

The rumor mill is grinding out a whole slew of stuff this afternoon. Seems that the new guy may be interested in coming aboard. NOW what do I do? I hate that this will cause all kinds of stress and crap in the office and between MB, NB and FB! Do I stick it out? Do I step up my efforts to find somewhere new? Do I hang around and see how the new guy works out? It could be a good thing - NG could make MB be out of the office actually working - novel concept, I realize - but NG could end up being just as bad as MB - they've been friends for a looooong time. This inhales!

...just another day in paradise...

I think I've been in denial about today. MB (mean boss) is bringing in one of his "friends" to the office today. In the hopes of replacing NB (nice boss). And FB (friend boss) and I are kind of (read: VERY) uneasy about it. NB has some inkling I think, but I don't know the depth of his knowledge or the extent of his concern. Ugh. MB told FB that he'd want ther to show new guy some things today maybe. We're not sure what exactly he will want to see, or ethically, what she can show a stranger about the business dealings around here.

Crud - gotta go - guess who's here!

...please send happy thoughts and prayers our way...thanks!

Happy December!!

Yep, it's definitely December! Fine coating of snow on the ground, below freezing temps...ah...love it! And, since it's officially December, I can begin decorating for Christmas! Hooray!

I'm in a much better state today than I have been all week it seems. Sleep is a WONDERFUL thing!

Whoops - MB (mean boss) is here - gotta dash...!