Wordless Wednesday - A City of Contradictions

Here is a photo I took in New Orleans that I think exemplifies my feeling that this city is one that is full of contradictions.

Random Dozen

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?

Friends - not necessarily gross but I would not be likely to share. Family members -It depends on exactly who it is and the situation. I might share drinks with my hubby. I've tasted other family member's drinks or taken a drink of theirs to take medicine or something but not on a regular basis.

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?

Sometime during the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:

Figuring out how to use my new MP3 player...

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?

I'm over it. Once Christmas is over I'd really prefer sunny and 70 degrees thanks!

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?

Only to get wrapping paper and cards for next year.

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?

Nope. Any suggestions?

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?

Not in January. However, I am looking forward to grandbaby #4 coming in early March.

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.)

Drama (as in "way too much drama") except when grandson Isaac is around. Then it is usually an action/comedy.

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.

Lately I haven't been blogging every day. It was all down hill once vacation started. Usually though it is probably about 1-2 hours.

11. Who runs your household?

Not Me! Either hubby or the dog are in charge depending on the day.

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.

That I will figure out what the next phase of my life involves and that God will direct me to it.

A Moldy End to the Year

As the year draws to a close many people take time to look back and evaluate the past. Many make resolutions to do or not do something in the future. As I've talked to people recently, and as I've been doing some evaluating myself, I've been reminded of a great analogy a friend once shared (thanks Mary). It is one I have often revisited and also shared with others more than once. It goes something like this:

It's like that thing in the back of your refrigerator. You know, that thing that you once enjoyed and wanted to save to have more later. It's been there now for a long time and you know it's moldy. You know it's not good anymore and it's not good for you. You know you should do something with it. But, it's safe there in that familiar air tight bowl and if you open it it will be ugly and smelly and nasty until you either clean it up or just get rid of it.

So what is the moldy thing in your life that either needs cleaned up or thrown out completely? Is it a job? Is it a bad habit or addiction? Is it a relationship? Is it an arrogant sense of entitlement? Is it your unrealistic expectations? Is it your need for immediate gratification? Is it your self-righteousness?

What is that "thing" that is not best for you, or you at your best, but is comfortable or familiar so it erroneously makes you feel safe?

May I encourage you to get rid of it if you need to - or clean it out and clean it up if you need to. Start your year with your refrigerator clean and there will be more room for all the healthy stuff and new tastes life has to offer.

Sky Watch Friday

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Random Dozen - Christmas Edition

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

Generally "for". I don't really like gingerbread cookies but I have had some delicious gingerbread cake. I love looking at gingerbread houses people have made (or gingerbread churches in the case of some talented people). This year I am building my first gingerbread house, soooooo, after that I may change my vote to "against"!

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?

Yes. I love having most of our family within easy driving distance. I'd hate being more than an hour or so away from everyone.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

I think Santa would be a fine choice. He is generous, jolly, and encourages people to be good. He should give up that pipe though.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

Miracle on 34th Street - "you have to believe".

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

Mary Did You Know is one of my favorites. I never get tired of it or Silent Night. Tired of that Wham song already - sorry Lid...

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

Donating to charity has always been a part of Christmas for us each year. When the kids were young they chose toys to give to Toys for Tots. Now that everyone is grown, each year we donate to a charity or charities as part of their Christmas. Some years it has been one charity and other years different ones for the guys & girls or a different one for each depending on their personal interests.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

I definitely prefer Merry Christmas but am not offended by Happy Holidays. I am, however, offended by Xmas. It is at best lazy and at worst removing Christ - the real point of it all.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

Just Christmas Eve services at church - the kids are too old to be in any programs and the grands are too young.

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

Yes and yes! I'm hopeful that we will have snow this year.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

Two come to mind. The first was my bouncing horse. I must have been about three or four when I got it and I still have it. The only photo I have would be inappropriate since I was apparently doing my Lady Godiva imitation! The second was several years later when I got the dollhouse I'd been wanting. The best part was that the one I got had a swimming pool and backyard patio furniture with it too. Wooo hooo, my doll family was rich!

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Two - or three if you count Christmas Eve at my in-laws.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

We listen to lots of Christmas music and my devotions for December are focused on Christmas.

Two for Tuesday - Tiger

I typically avoid media topics but several conversations ( both participated in and overheard) have led me to write this post. Let me say first that there is absolutely NO excuse for Tiger's infidelity. Let me repeat - NONE!

In response to the news about Tiger I have heard several people comment, both male and female, "but he has a beautiful wife" or something similar. What exactly are we saying then?

1. If his wife were ugly or plain then it would be okay? Or more understandable? Or easier to accept? Really! This misses two points. First is she were ugly or plain then she would have been that when he married her unless there had been some sort of disfiguring accident. Second, male infidelity rarely has anything at all to do with the wife. That being said...

2. His wife is beautiful. This does not, however, mean she is kind or supportive or a good wife in any way. While this would still in no way excuse his behavior, I am amazed at the way we assumed positive character traits on someone based soley on their looks. Kind of like assuming that because some one is a great athlete, a golfer let's say, that they are a good person and appropriate role model.

Photo Hunt - Undesirable

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Standing in line early in the morning to get a reservation to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant was definitely undesirable.



When lunch time finally came, however, we discovered it was worht the wait!

Sky Watch - Savannah

Beautiful blue skies and warm weather greeted us in Savannah along with this festive looking riverboat.


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Random Dozen

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?

My nose - I still hate it and think it is way to big but I no longer consider the possibility of plastic surgery.

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom?

Phylicia Rashad - The Cosby Show

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?

I know a few words in Spanish and a few in sign language but not enough of either to have a conversation -just enough to maybe ask or answer very simple questions.

4. Who is your personal hero?

I'm not much in to heros. Anytime you put someone on a pedestal, they are bound to fall off. There are, however, several people that I think very highy of and respect because of their integrity and the way they live their lives. A few who come to mind are my Mom, Billy Graham, and Tony Dungy.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

My ex mother-in-law's chocolate mousse - she still sends it to me via my kids. That and Chex mix by the pound - the real homemade stuff, not what you buy in a bag at the store.

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.

All the miniature ornaments on the tree below are special to me. They are ones that my kids and other special people picked out for me over the years especially for this tiny tree.



7. How do you feel about snow?

Love it if I'm inside. Love it if it's warm enough to build a snowman or go sledding. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hate it on the road and on my driveway and sidewalk.

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.

When I was working it was about six. Now that I'm not, it's closer to seven and a half.

9. Tell me about your first crush.

Um, sitting here trying to decide if I can't come up with an answer to this because my memory is on "pause" or because I was so boy crazy when I was young that there are multiple answers to the question.

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?

If there is colored chalk I will probably draw a picture, some type of landscape scene. If I only have white chalk I'm more likely to write something and also doodle. What I'd write would probably depend on why I was stuck in the room.

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?

Unless I plan to be gone all day I usually dress for the current temperature/weather conditions. If I'll be out all day I may dress for the forecast but either way I usually wear layers so I can add or shed as needed. I think that's second nature when you live in Indiana and the weather changes ever five minutes.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?

Miracle on 34th Street - the original, preferably in black & white.

Wordless Wednesday - NOLA

Just a few of the New Orleans views.