Me, Myself, and I (the Christmas edition)

Whoa, we’re just 3 days away from what the Mayans think will be the end of whatever they thought would end on 12/21/12. I’m still confused about the whole theory, but let’s get to know each other before Doomsday strikes!

Christmas, most specifically Advent, is my favorite time of year. I didn’t understand Advent until a few years ago, but it instantly changed my perspective on Christmas. Advent is the season of expectation and anticipation for the celebration of Jesus’s birth, completely opposite of the commercialized retail frenzy.

Since my birthday is a week before Christmas, my gifts have always been pretty spectacular. For several years, Mom and I spent a week at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Another year, Santa surprised me with a custom set of golf clubs.

Spirit of Christmas by Ray Charles
(also featured on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

Honorable Mentions
Little Drummer Boy | Faith Hill
Where Are You Christmas? | Faith Hill

Totally random but a Le Creuset Deep Dish Loaf Pan. Husband has offered to buy me an entire cookware and bake set – he’s so generous – but I don’t want to seem excessive. I’ll keep looking for a good sale and then try my hands at making homemade honey wheat bread.

Growing up, my Mom and I “adopted” an angel from the Angel Tree at church. Then, we’d go shopping together to pick out clothes, books, toys, etc. according to their wish lists. Now, Husband and I continue this tradition instead of buying gifts for ourselves.

Whether I am in Texas or Kentucky, I always go to Candlelight Service at midnight on Christmas Eve. Sitting in a sanctuary filled with flickering candles and sing “O Holy Night” feels like Christmas, like I am truly experiencing the anticipated birth of my Savior.

WRAPPING PAPER!!!!!!! I love the different patterns and designs. Years ago, friends asked me to wrap their children’s gifts. They’d stack everything according to child (usually labeled with a Post-It note!) and I’d sneak upstairs into a room with rolls of paper, Scotch tape, scissors, curling ribbon, and name labels. It was bliss.

 

Me Myself and I

Without a doubt, my favorite Christmastime movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. I laugh hysterically every single time. Plus, it’s level of immaturity, inappropriateness, and twisted humor is right up my alley. A couple years ago, Husband and I began watching Love Actually and it’s become an annual tradition. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (starring Jim Carrey) has one of my favorite songs by Faith Hill, Where Are You Christmas? The Family Stone is tolerable, especially the food fight scene. It definitely reminds you that every family has its dysfunction. I also enjoy watching Tim Allen as The Santa Clause.

I am most thankful for faith, my marriage, family and friends. I am blessed.

Hands down, my mother. There, I said it. Fifteen years ago, I would have cringed at the thought of becoming like my mother, but truth is: we all become a miniature version of our mothers. Good, bad or indifferent. Mine is a jewel, I’ll love her forever. She’s classy, sassy, and a bit smart assy. (Sorry Mom, but I had to include that last sentence!)

This question assumes I consume drinks at Saint Arbucks. I am not a coffee drinker, hot or iced, foam latte or venti. Seriously, what does that gobbly-gook even mean?!?! If you were to ask me what I drink at Sonic, I’d say “Route 44 sweet tea *OR* Route 44 Coke with extra cherry syrup.” That’s the more important question!!!!!!!!

Part 2 | Me, Myself, and I

Without hesitation, and with sufficient funds, I would create my own career where I got to travel, write, take pictures, and eat at fabulous (and some hole-in-the-wall) places. If I could take more trips like the one to Washington, DC, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I would also like to write a book.

Spend more time with friends and family. Accomplish the ultimate bucket list (i.e. swim with sharks, scuba the Great Barrier Reef, an African safari, Grand Canyon, The Vatican, Egypt, and more). Write that book I was talking about.

This is a difficult question, because the context of the situation is key to the headline and story. I’ll have to think about this.

Doors or drawers left open. Drives. Me. Nuts.

I cannot pick just one of these: Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, and Pretty Woman.

Part One | Me, Myself, and I

Recently, I’ve been participating in blog link-ups that have led to new friendships (some even in the Dallas/Fort Worth area …. SCORE!!!!!) and I’ve noticed a significant increase in blog traffic. Not that I’m a numbers kind-of-gal, but I love knowing people read this stuff. Bless her heart. I’m hopeful that my new blogging buddies in the DFW will decide to meet in person soon (hint hint … wink wink). I’d love to meet these fabulous, talented, and creative peeps for drinks, dinner, and whatever! In the meantime, check out this link-up that goes beyond the boring traditional About Me page.

Creepy-crawlies freak me out. The usual culprits (snakes, spiders, etc.) are on my list, but it wasn’t until I moved to Texas that I came into contact (literally) with scorpions. I consider these evil creatures the spawn of Satan. Last summer, while vacuuming under the couch,
I got stung struck stabbed on the thumb by one of the little fudpuckers. I freaked out because I didn’t know how I would react to the venom, as I have other allergies. Luckily, I had an arsenal of Benadryl, a WebMD-prescribed paste of water and baking soda, and Husband telling me to “CALM DOWN.” If I were a cat, it would have claimed at least two lives. Maybe five. In the last three months, we’ve killed six scorpions in the house. I’m constantly on the prowl and hunting for the minions. I’m proud to say that every scorpion I’ve eliminated has died quickly and violently via  rubber-soled shoe. Husband often thinks I might shatter the tile or wood floors, but, in that moment, I don’t care one teeny-tiny bit. Simply put, when I go for the kill strike, I hath no mercy!!!!!!!

Definitely our wedding day in Kentucky (03/31/07). The morning of, while my beloved Mother was running around making sure all the details were perfect, Dad and I sat on the front porch and read the newspaper. She was NOT a happy camper. Later, after everyone was dressed, we played ping-pong in a Sunday school room while waiting for guests to be seated. Husband-to-be was in the reception hall salivating at all the food being set-up by the caterer. He said it was torture not destroying the fruit tower or eating a piece of cake.

I loved our wedding day. It wasn’t super-duper fancy, but it was perfect. The church was packed, the food was delicious, everybody had a good time, and we remember all the quirky details: like me forgetting to flip my veil in front of my face before walking down the aisle. Once pronounced husband and wife, Husband and I yelled “WOOHOO!!!” and high-five’d.
We almost forgot to sign the marriage certificate. The food was incredible. (Did I say that already?!) The after-party took place at my parent’s house. I forgot to take a change of clothes to the church so I wore a shirt I found in somebody’s car and kept the slip I had on under my dress. My hair had enough hairspray to glue cement so it stayed up, along with a veil. Friends and family brought more food for everybody to enjoy and afterwards we rode four-wheelers and ATVs to the farm. I drove a tractor. And kissed baby pigs. The party-after-the-party took place inside the hotel lobby. We had tons of out-of-town guests come to our wedding, plus Husband’s family from Texas, so we basically had the place to ourselves. While some swam in the indoor pool, the rest of us played board games and cards. Husband and I eventually went to bed (heyyyyyyy!!!!!!) around 2:00am. We were on the road back to Texas the next morning (Sunday) by 7:00am. I cried like a baby when I left. I always do. Husband and I returned to work on Monday.

This question is so hard for me. I miss certain things from my childhood, teens, and college days but I wouldn’t want to be that age forever. I’d miss out on the experiences I’ve had recently and the relationships and friendships I have now. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. If I could time travel for a day or two, that would be cool. Forever? Not so much.

Goodness gracious, I have no idea.

Ohhhh this is going to be fun. In no particular order, they are:

• She’s Country ~ Jason Aldean
• Coal Miner’s Daughter ~ Loretta Lynn
• If I Could Turn Back Time ~ Cher
• The Power of Love ~ Celine Dion
• Good Hearted Woman ~ Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
• Georgia On My Mind ~ Ray Charles
• The House That Built Me ~ Miranda Lambert
• I Told You So ~ Randy Travis (and Carrie Underwood too)
• I Gotta Feeling ~ Black-Eyed Peas
• She Is His Only Need ~ Wynonna
• I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool ~ Barbara Mandrell
• Rolling In The Deep ~ Adele
• Kiss An Angel Good Morning ~ Charley Pride
• Pontoon ~ Little Big Town
• When You Say Nothing At All ~ Keith Whitley / Allison Kraus
• Fly Over States ~ Jason Aldean
• Crazy ~ Patsy Cline
• Drift Off to Dream ~ Travis Tritt
• Cowboy Take Me Away ~ Dixie Chicks
• Only Wanna Be With You ~ Hootie & The Blowfish
• Born in the U.S.A. ~ Bruce Springsteen
• God Bless the U.S.A. ~ Lee Greenwood
• Heartland ~ George Strait
• Stand By Your Man ~ Tammy Wynette
• Lady Marmalade ~ C.Aquilera, Lil’Kim, Mya, and Pink
• Mississippi Girl ~ Faith Hill
• I Will Always Love You ~ Whitney Houston
• Stronger ~ Kelly Clarkson
• With Arms Wide Open ~ Creed
• Endless Love ~ Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

Sorry, I might have gotten a little carried away with the song titles but once I started,
I couldn’t stop my list-making. Oops.

99 Things

One of the many blogs that I follow is Perfectly Imperfect. Jennifer is a Texas girl. She was born in Dallas and now lives in Austin, one of my favorite places in Texas! Most recently, Jennifer had a really unfortunate situation occur, but she’s handling it with a beautiful smile and unwavering faith. She posted her list of 99 Things and it inspired me to do the same. I’m incredibly blessed and grateful for the people in my life and the many “extra” things I can enjoy too. If you’re reading this, I appreciate you. A lot.

The bold items are things I’ve accomplished. I hope to do more in the future!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland — I’ve been in Disney World in Orlando several times, does that count?!
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox — TWICE!!!!!
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo — I doubt this will EVER happen. Just. Saying.
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person — No offense, Texas, but The Alamo is quite disappointing!
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Own a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

What items would you BOLD from this list?