200 July 14, 2008

It’s my 200th post! I know! Celebration time!

I can’t believe I’ve stuck with this and enjoyed it as much as I have. Good for me! b*pats self on back*

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Anyway, I like to commemorate milestones with gifts for YOU, my dear readers, who make this blog as fun as it is (seriously, if I had no commenters? I would have lasted two weeks, tops.). Because I think it would be fun to do Bloggy Giveaways at the end of the month, I’m going to wait to reveal the prize until then, but here’s the sweet deal for those of you who have been riding this train for awhile. You will each be allowed 3 comments toward winning the prize. See, WordPress has this neat feature where I have to approve your first several comments before you’re allowed leeway to comment freely. For those of you who have passed that point (a.k.a. my regular commenters) by Bloggy Giveaway time, you can comment three times and have as many entries into the giveaway.

Oh, I so wish I could tell you what I have to give away. As much as I love funny books and Bath & Body Works, this giveaway will top the prior ones, in my opinion. So stay tuned!

And feel free to wish me some sort of congratulations on my stick-to-it-iveness.

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Lastly, I have a question for you friends. What would you like to see/hear/read more of on this blog? Be honest, now; you won’t hurt my feelings! If there’s something you’d like more of that is not in the poll, feel free to comment below.

 

Between One Page and Another July 10, 2008

Beck tagged me with this fantastic book meme. So here it is. If you want to do it, too, I’m always interested in what other people read.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?
I watched a lot of Sesame Street, which focuses on letters a lot (sometimes rather scarily), taught myself to read (by age 3! I know; I’m a stinking genius…haHAha!), and got heavily involved in the world of Bert, Nan, Flossie and Freddie.

2. What are some books you loved as a child?
- The Bobbsey Twins Series
- The Little House on the Prairie Series
- (rather unfortunately) The Babysitters’ Club Series

Are we noticing a trend here? Pretty much if it was a series, I read it. Trixie Belden, Boxcar Children, Sweet Valley Twins, and on and on. Barf.

- My one redeemable quality was that I was also in love with Roald Dahl. Matilda, James & The Giant Peach, The Twits, George’s Marvelous Medicine, Danny Champion of the World. He’s a great author. And you can’t beat his illustrator, either.

3. What is your favorite genre?
Right now? Probably non-fiction (is that a genre?). I read mostly manuals about how to operate a baby. When I have free time, I delve into fluff or my husband’s books, like A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss or the Narnia books or C.S. Lewis.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?
Nothing notable, I’m sure.

5. Where do you usually read?
Anywhere I can. I bring books or other reading material with me all the time.

6. When do you usually read?
All the day long. Books? At night after Anja goes to bed.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Rarely less than five.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Well, yes…I’m usually looking for information from a non-fiction book. I don’t often read them for entertainment value. Place? Not so much.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy most, check them out second (may as well buy them for the amount of overdue fees I accrue), and borrow last.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
I try not to, but I’m one of those people who gets attached to material objects, especially ones that are made of paper and have WORDS on them. So the answer is yes, yes I do.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?
Since Anja’s at that “I like board books except for when I want to rip something up” phase, here’s what I plan to share with her as she gets older:

I’m with Beck on Ramona books and Archie comics (my mom had a vintage stack that I would read through almost every summer), but other than Roald Dahl (which she WILL read, even if she HATES it!), I rather hope she’ll take after her father and read something meaty. The Redwall series by Brian Jacques (yes, a series) and the Mortimer books by Joan Aiken (oh, how I LOVED them—how could I have forgotten?).

And I still love The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Even as an adult, if you haven’t read it, you MUST.

12. What are you reading now?
The Bible, Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week, Digital Photography by Eismann, Duggan and Grey (isn’t Grey a lovely word?), Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp and Camera RAW by Rob Sheppard.

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list?
Kind of, in my head.

14. What’s next?
I’d like to get my hands on Believing God by Beth Moore, and I own about 40 books I’ve not yet read. The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton is in the running.

15. What books would you like to reread?
I simply salivate over the word pictures in Roald Dahl’s books (and sometimes, gag), so I might pick up one of those again sometime. Mere Christianity (C.S.) and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, too.

16. Who are your favorite authors?
C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl and Joan Aiken come to mind. Apparently, I’ve never grown up. I think I’m okay with that.

Valuing Independence Today - The 4th of July Post that Wasn’t July 4, 2008

So we were gone over the weekend, and I thought I’d test my abilities to put up posts while on vacation.  Didn’t work.  I set this to publish on the 4th at 6:30 a.m. (which it still says, by the way), but it’s still here in my drafts.  Any WordPressers out there know how to do this?

Three days late, my Independence Day post:

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Although technically, America declared their independence on July 2, 1776, this document was drafted and then approved on July 4 of that year. Never before have I taken today as seriously as I do this Independence Day (emphases mine).

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Stranger Anxiety July 2, 2008

Anja’s been slowly but surely getting over her latest bout of stranger anxiety.  It’s fun to see her trying to be social with those around her.  Back when we lived in Fargo I was very, very interested in writing.  Husband, ever-supportive of my endeavors, bought me a beautiful journal with refill paper, some nice juicy pens (yes, juicy!), and a book full of writing exercises.  He is almost always this thoughtful with his gifts.  Really!

So I took to writing often in this journal.  And today I came across an entry I’d like to share, not because it’s well-written, but because I just liked it.

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Lately I’ve been wanting children.  There was the sweetest little Asian baby in a stroller in Barnes & Noble today.  She was sucking a bottle and occasionally leaning forward to touch her daddy’s leg or lean against it in a baby hug.  He was absorbed in a newspaper.  Later, her mother wheeled her past us and she looked up at us, her little fat cheeks glowing, and said, “Hi!” in the cheeriest voice.

Honored that she would notice me, I smiled and said “Hi” back.  As they turned the corner, she continued saying “Hi!” about every 2 seconds.  This diminished my pleasure a wee bit, since she greeted table legs and bookshelves with the same amount of enthusiasm I had received, but she was too darling for me to care much.

A little later, a dashing young lad of about 4 or 5 marched independently past us on his way to the children’s section.  Our eyes met briefly as he drew near our table, and he grinned shyly, as if concealing some secret.  I turned then, as he ducked his head and hurried past, and caught him looking back at me one more time and smiling the same shy-little-boy smile.  Seconds later, a petite woman followed the same path and shot me quite a different look, as though I had crossed some line that strangers shouldn’t cross by smiling at her son…  That disconcerted me.  Where is the balance between saying “Hi” to everyone and everything and complete parent-induced stranger fear?

At the mall this evening, out for our walk, Husband and I crossed paths with two sock-footed boys momentarily leaving the Dinosaur Playland (properly dubbed “Prehistoric Park,” I believe).  The smaller, fairer one noted that we were holding hands and whispered (loudly) to his taller, dark-haired chum, “They’re in love.”  We chuckled and affirmed that observation as we turned right by Claire’s Boutique.

Mo’ Meme June 28, 2008

Veronica tagged me for a meme a few weeks ago, and I felt like doing it tonight, so…here it is! If mine looks different than hers, it’s because I picked and chose questions from the person who tagged her…

Favorite food? Cookies!

Quirks about you? Not a one. Just kidding. I have about 5-10 water bottles rolling around on the passenger-side floor of my car at any given time. I floss religiously. I can bend my fingers at the top knuckle only.

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? Husband says: “Nice, pretty, good cook, smart, creative, fun.”

Is someone sucking up?

Any regrets in life? Wasting time.

Favorite Charity/ Cause? Bethlehem Baptist Church, Compassion International, Wycliffe, the US Center for World Missions.

Something you can’t get enough of? Cookies.

Worst job you’ve ever had? Working as an assistant to the president of a private school. I could say much more, but I won’t.

What job would you pay NOT to have? Workin’ a honey wagon.

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? People’s homes right after I leave. I would like to hear what people say about me behind my back. Wouldn’t everyone like to know? Perhaps not…

Favorite Bible verse right now? I’m not big into Bible favorites, but the 3^rd chapter of Colossians has always hit me at the right times.

Guilty Pleasure? Cookies.

Got any confessions? I haven’t showered yet today.

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Camera gear or clothes.

Favorite thing about your house? People I love live here. And it has white trim on the interiors.

Least favorite thing about your house? Not as much storage as I might like.

One thing you are bad at? Staying focused on one task until completion.

One thing you’re good at? Mad Gab. I’m not allowed to play that game anymore, because my team always wins by a landslide.

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I would like my impinged biceps tendon to be healed so I could play summer sports again.

Who would you like to meet someday? Jesus. Sounds like a Sunday School answer, but it’s true.

What makes you feel sexy? Not much. I think when I feel witty I feel better about myself, but I rarely feel sexy.

Who is your real life hero? Jesus.

What is the hardest part of your job? Right now? Finding things to do! Construction is in a slump.

When are you most relaxed? Saturday mornings. Husband usually gets up before me and takes the daughter out of our room if she’s fussing so I can sleep a little late.

What stresses you out? The lack of time in a day (she writes as she’s wasting time).

I’m only tagging you if you want to play. So, go forth and meme if you want to! I just made meme a verb, by the way.

Hope and Change and Dysentery June 24, 2008

Props to Sherri E for this:

Generate a Barack Obama Quote!

“I think it’s time we had a national conversation about dysentery. We need to get past all the Funions and recognize that we are our own best hope for overcoming doggie poops on the sidewalk. We need cookies, not discontentments. Cookies are our hope. And we need to have change in dysentery.”
Generate your Barack Obama quote at Buttafly.com

Blue JEANS or…the Best Mom on Earth June 7, 2008

Today while working on our Bible study for small group tomorrow, I told Husband to stop and play a game with me.  I had him write colors on the “notes” page in his book with each spaced several lines apart: red, yellow, blue, orange, green, pink, purple, brown and black & white.  This is the order of the color pages in Anja’s favorite book, Baby Colors (because baby colors are different than adult colors, you know).

Then I gave us about 7 minutes to write down every object we could remember on each page.  I scored 37, and Husband scored 31.  I guess we know who the better parent is. 

A Little Project June 2, 2008

Hi friends!

Long time no…write!  I think this is the longest I’ve gone without posting.  It feels awkward.

Anyway, the reason is, I’ve been working on a little project.  Actually, a big project.  I’m kind of embarrassed about it, because I don’t feel like I’m good enough to be “in the big leagues” yet, but I’ve started a photography business.  I have a new blog (since I can’t afford my own .com yet) where I’ll be posting favorite images, including those of some lovely folks who have helped me during my portfolio-building stage.

All that said, since my identity is somewhat secret on this blog, and I’d like it to stay that way, please email or leave a comment if you’d like a link to my new blog.  I’m fantastically excited, nervous and hopeful all at the same time.

I’ve long wondered, “Lord, what do I want to be when I grow up?”  I’ve been wondering that since high school graduation.  And…I think I might have finally found an answer.  Of course I want to be a MOM, but in order to be able to stay at home with my little peanut, some cash money needs to be made, and this photography stuff?  I’m addicted.

Thank you all SOOOOO much for your helpful support up to this point, and I will always, always appreciate your constructive criticism.

Free the hot dogs! May 23, 2008

What a fabulous Friday. Aside from the fact that my baby and I are getting over a mild case of the respiratory flu (Lord, can the fussing stop? Her, not me. :)), I have much for which to be thankful.

I have front and back windows open and a cool spring breeze is giving me free (and much better smelling) a/c. As a result, I can hear my neighbor’s wind chime and imagine myself on the dock at a lakeside cottage, waves lapping at the shore.

I just saved $46 at the grocery store in coupons and discounts.

I got me a little sprig of lilac from a park last night. Life is sweet. Except for that crying baby…excuse me…

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Carrie, who will graduate nursing school this weekend (yay! Pop over and congratulate her!), tagged me for a meme yesterday. So here it is:

The Rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.

2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.

4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing 5 years ago?

- I was at home preparing for my wedding. Last-minute things, like printing programs (should that be last-minute? Probably not.), coming up with favors, picking out centerpieces from the huge conglomeration of antiques my grandmother let me borrow…and I was enjoying my last few days with my maiden name.

What are five things to do on your to do list for the day?

- Get groceries (done)

- Make supper

- Go for a walk with Anja

- Plan locations the hubby and I will visit the rest of this weekend (we’re celebrating our 5th anniversary a week early since we’ll be up north with family next weekend)

- Spend time with God

What are five snacks you enjoy?

- Cookies (duh)

- Chips (I never used to like them until I hit “puberty” at age 21. That’s when I first started getting zits and craving salty things.)

- Ice cream

- In season fruit (right now pineapple is ending its peak and stone fruits are on their way, people!)

- Cereal (especially Quaker Oatmeal Squares)

What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?

- Stay home with Anja

- Buy a house instead of a townhome (though I really am thankful for our nice home)

- Invest in some charitable gift annuities and live off the interest while helping those ministries out

- Support other ministries in new and astounding ways (currently on support list: Wycliffe, Compassion International and our church/Desiring God)

- I don’t know. Maybe travel?

What are five of your bad habits?

- Biting torn nails when I don’t have a file handy

- Doing one of them right now (Internet)

- Overplanning

- Impulse buying

- Complaining

What are five jobs you have had?

- Maintenance/Landscaping at the D.O.T.

- In-home elderly care

- Camp counselor

- Executive assistant at a private school

- Youth minister

What five people do you want to tag?

- my good friend Jennifer

- my other good friend Jennifer who needs to get a new blog so I can link to her when she does a guest post

- bloggy friend Sharkey

- bloggy friend Jamie at her new home on the net

- bloggy friend mck Mama

Blogiversary May 8, 2008

Hey guess what?  Yesterday was 6 mos. from my first post.  I’ve been WAY more committed to this than I ever thought I would be.  And I’ve enjoyed it a lot more, too.  The company is outstanding.  I’ve never found a way to read good writers that I’ve enjoyed so regularly.

Thanks for making my day a little brighter, all you bloggy friends!