thursday's ten or so: the january goals edition

so i've been a little lax on the blog this year, but that's ok. i've been formulating a new plan for what i'm going to be doing this year in terms of goals, and i've come up with a fun way to combine one of my favorite things (making lists) with another favorite (pinterest).  this year instead of having random goals that i can't really "track" i'm trying to do ten things a month that fall into the categories of:

1- try new recipes (because we all know i love the cooking)
2- improve overall health
3- do something creative
4- invest in relationships (God, husband, friends, co-workers, etc)
5- have FUN
6- organizations/improvements in general

so, i'm creating a board for each month (not all of them exist yet) of things that somehow fit one or more categories.  here is january's list

1 - start a "blessings" jar for 2013. more on that as it comes {creative, fun, relationships)
2 - create a vegetable soup recipe that both anthony and i will enjoy. i hope. {recipes, health}
3 - try the meat/egg in muffin tin recipe {recipes}
4 - recipe for tortellini spinach bake {recipes}
5 - recipe for hashbrown quiches {recipes}*
6 - get in a routine of exercising in the mornings {health}
7 - recipe for balsamic carrots {recipes, health, relationships (because it's mainly for A)}
8 - recipe for blt pasta salad {recipes}
9 - reorganizing the kitchen utensils/counters/drawers {organization}
10 - trying the mint tin storage solution {organization}
this month it's a bit recipe-heavy. hopefully the months will even out a bit...this was just my first attempt at a monthly goals board.  we're a little over halfway through the month, and i have done a few of these already! i'll post pictures/give an update at the end of january or beginning of february along with feb's goals! i think this is going to be fun :-)

*swapped this one for another salad type recipe that i realized i'd rather have in warmer weather! perhaps the low 20s this week made me reconsider!

join me?
or at least share some of this year's hopes/dreams/goals with me!

Thursday's Ten: the last moment gift edition

i thought we'd do holidays for the month of december...so i'm going to go ahead and tell you the next 2 weeks' topics.

next thursday: your favorite (family or personal) traditions for the holidays

the following: funny christmas -- in photos, stories, etc. i love the meaning of this season, but sometimes it is lovely to just enjoy the humor that can ensue when you get family together, etc.

but today...

today we'll do gift ideas

here are the ten things i thought of while sitting on my couch today ;)  i'm sure there are better ideas out there, and i'm hoping YOU have them!  so play along, please?

1. gift cards with purpose. starbucks has the red program for example.  if you're getting someone (or me!) a gift card from starbucks, could you make it a red card?  it won't cost you or the user anything extra, but it will ensure donations are made to help out with AIDS treatment in africa.  bonus?  those cards are reloadable.  you bettter believe i'll be reloading the free one i got when i took advantage of the buy a pound of coffee get a $5 gift card deal...

2.  from the heart ideas.  yeah, you could be branded as "cheap".  but do you really care?  i make jewelry for some, and for most everyone on my list this year i'll be including some of my peppermint bark.  hey look -- you can too because i've given you the recipe :)

3.  date nights.  do you have a couple friend that you hang out with?  give them a gift that the 4 of you enjoy and can do together.  or if they have kids, give THEM a date night.  offer free babysitting and give a gift card to the movies, or to their favorite restaurant.

4.  hobby baskets:  have a book lover?  put together a "comfy reading basket" complete with a bookmark, nice mug and yummy tea, fuzzy slippers or socks, and possibly a copy of that new book they've been wanting, or just a gift card to a local bookstore. 

if you have a crafter on your list, besides the obvious gift card to hobby lobby or michaels you can do something similar -- compiling some 'staple' items for their crafts.  ribbons for gift wrappers, findings for jewelry makers, tapes and stickers for scrapbookers.

5.  pampering kits for new (or not-so-new) moms are always good.  what female among us doesn't enjoy a nice bubble bath with a candle, some pedicure stuff and nail polish?  actually, scratch the moms part out and just give to any female.  add some good chocolates for good measure.

6.  for the kiddos: i love to give books, and will until they're old enough to ask for something else!  and then i pretty much stick to their lists.  however, stationary stuff for little girls is always a hit...and i haven't yet met a male child who didn't love to build with legos or lincoln logs.  but when in doubt -- double check with the parents!

7.  games for family members or close friends.  it's really nice to be able to sit around the table and giggle over apples to apples...or even just gather around the tv for a rousing night of rock band.  the bonus is that it's really a gift of time...because it'll bring you all around the table (or couch) together and will start conversations that normally wouldn't have happened.

8.  don't forget the furry friends.  emi usually gets a new toy or something for her Christmas gift :)  i'll never forget that my dad always gave my family's cat a bit of turkey on thanksgiving day...and said "it's thanksgiving for her too".  it was kind of out of character for him to spoil her in any way...and it's kind of inspired me to give a little something extra to my pets at Christmas too :)

9.  memories.  photo calendars, a mini scrapbook (or photo album if you're not creative that way), framed photos, etc

10.  gadget helpers, offbeat fun things.  for example, i really need these iphone gloves, and could someone please make me a sun jar?  or there's always the funny tshirt companies like threadless or busted tees.

mmmkay, did that help?  hopefully you have ALL your shopping done, but just in case...

Thursday's Ten: Oscar's Edition

So we're totally having a Red Carpet party for the Oscars this weekend...complete with dressing up. SO, I'm asking you. If you were actually walking the red carpet...or if you're like me and fake-walking the red carpet...what 10 things would be high on your list to get ready?

Here's mine:

Oscar Prep List

1. A killer dress
(or a cheap dress. I found one at Goodwill for less than $10. Yes, there will be pictures)
2. Hair in an updo
(this one will be difficult for me. shall have to experiment)
3. French manicure
4. fresh pedicure
(both of these will be done by me...just not in the budget for me to go to a salon)
5. great little evening bag
6. awesome shoes
7. an eyebrow wax
(I may go to the beauty school to get this done on the way cheap...IF I get around to it)
8. smokey eyes. just because I've been waiting for an excuse to try this.
9. a loss of approximately 50 pounds. I'll settle for 2 for this party since it IS in 4 days.
10. and finally...great lipstick!

Pictures will be forthcoming. What are you doing for the big night?

Link up if you will...

Thursday's Ten -- Your Bucket List

Welcome to Thursday's Ten! Please link up or grab the button (and let me know so I can visit you) and write your top ten list! It can be about anything or nothing, what's going on in your life or 10 of your favorite things. Or you can go with the theme I've picked out.



So, I've been thinking a lot lately about goals. Some of them silly, some of them strange, some of them deep and real. I am planning to do a big "30 before I'm 30" year starting next March, so I guess this post is kind a precursor to that.

What's on your bucket list? The things you want to do before you leave this world? That's what Thursday's Ten is about this week.

(clearly there are more than 10 things that most of us want to do before we die...just pick out 10 to share!)

Here's mine:

Bucket List

1. Get married and have children
2. Visit Ireland
3. Volunteer at an eating disorder recovery center
4. Drive the coast of the western US in a convertible...from Washington to SoCal.
5. Become licensed to teach yoga
6. Take a cruise
7. Enroll in a ballroom dancing class
8. Run a marathon
9. Learn to swim
10. Attend an Inauguration

Please sign up on the linky or grab the button and let me know you're participating...see you on your blog!

9 Great Things About 9

(or 9 odd things about me)

I've always had this thing for the number 9.

I first realized it a few years ago when it came to my attention that most people set the alarm clock for an even number. I never have. If I want to get up at 6:30, I simply set the alarm for 6:29.

(my dad does something similar, only reversed. He sets the clock for 6:31)

It goes without saying that I set the microwave, kitchen, and other timers with a 9 at the end if I possibly can.

(do you all think I'm insane yet?)

So today... 09/09/09 ... is a day that I almost want to celebrate.

But since people would probably look at me oddly if I asked them to come over to celebrate the number 9, I'll just have a little party on my blog.

Here's some info I dug up on our friend google!

1. The number 9 holds special rank. It is associated with forgiveness, compassion and success on the positive side as well as arrogance and self-righteousness on the negative, according to numerologists.

2. The number 9 is quite important in many worldwide faiths, including Judaism, Christianity (9 fruits of the spirit, among others), Islam, Hindi, Tao, and Baha'i

3. The Chinese culture very highly regards the number 9, in fact the Chinese dragon is made up of 9 animals.

4. The curse of the ninth in classical music refers to the superstition that if a composer writes a ninth symphony he/she will soon thereafter die. Started with Beethoven.

5. Cloud 9 is apparently the happiest place on (or above) earth

6. The most dressed up you can be is "to the 9s"

7. Cats have 9 lives

8. Sudoku. Hello. It's all about the number 9.

9. Mathematically speaking, it bring symmetry. After all 9 x any number equals a number that itself adds up to...9. (9 x 3 = 27...2 + 7 = 9, etc)

"The whole nine yards"
"A stitch in time saves nine"

I know, I'm a little nuts. But you love me anyway, right? Right...

Thursday's Ten

Ten Things I Couldn't Live (as well) Without...the $25 and under edition


1. Neosporin
(with as much as I hurt myself...it's a VERY necessary item. I don't have it in the medicine cabinet. It lives in my purse, actually.

2. my SIGG water bottle

3. the one-touch can opener my parents gave me a couple of Christmases ago. I thought it was silly until I used it...

4. ThermaCare heat wraps. An ex's mom introduced them to me, and I will forever be grateful. Let's just say that wearing a portable heating pad during certain days is a Godsend.

5. flip-flops. I'm notorious for wearing them in inappropriate temperatures and weather conditions.

6. San Pelligrino water. Aaah.

7. exercise apparel, especially yoga pants and exercise skirts. So cute and comfy!

8. Cadbury mini-eggs. I'm on the prowl to find them during non-Easter times...

9. my tape deck adapter that allows me to play the iPod at top volume in the car

10. Starbucks. Yeah, it's expensive. But on occasion...worth it.

Thursday's Ten -- Time For a Little Laughter!

First of all, those of you who have commented sweetly on my last couple of posts have encouraged me greatly. I promise I wasn't trying to be a downer...just sharing my heart and part of my journey!

But I think a little lightheartedness is due on this blog!

So...

Ten Things that Make Me Laugh

1. Kids. They always say the funniest things.
(one of my favorite nannying moments was when the 2 year old told the restaurant hostess: "Lora needs some wine")
2. The $3.99 lazer pointer I bought for the cat to play with. Hi-larious.
3. Family Guy. Yeah, Anthony has me addicted.
4. Old episodes of Friends. When I'm feeling down, all I have to do is pop in one a dvd of Friends and life seems good again.
5. Girlfriends.
6. The woman I'm acting as caretaker for. I had to help her pick out a bra the other day (she found out I used to work at VS). She's always telling me things that make me giggle. Sometimes out loud...sometimes inside.
7. Teaching stories. My own, others. You can't make this stuff up!
8. My "skills" at certain video games. I LOVE playing, but I'm not necessarily "good". A indulges me. I'm determined to get to a level where I don't feel dumb playing with him all the time!
9. Myself. Soooo many crazy things happen to me on a semi-regular basis. I'm going to post a story I shared with my email friends a few years ago at the end of this.
10. blogs. There are some blogs that I go to regularly just for the humor within. And often leave with some pretty powerful thoughts too--some of you have such a gift for writing with humor and making us see beyond the surface.

**************************************************************************************************

Blast from the past:

I'm all about being an independent single woman.

And bugs? Bugs don't freak me out. Not really.

After all, I'm the one who made the rule at camp that if it's not bigger than your fist you're not allowed to scream. Bugs surprise me sometimes, and I'm not necessarily thrilled with them (especially the spiders who crawl up my drainpipe to die in my shower), but I'm not *scared* of them, and I'll take the necessary steps to eliminate them even if that's flushing them or spraying them with windex repeatedly.

BUT.

As I was grinding my coffee beans last night, as is my routine, Emi came into the kitchen and meowed while looking longingly at her food corner. This normally means she's out of something, and sure enough I noticed her water dish was low. I filled up a glass and when I bent down to fill the dish my eyes traveled to her food dish.

Now, I've been working in the garden a LOT lately, and mistakenly have left the door open to the patio a lot. The patio is off the kitchen.

Nestled in the corner of her food dish was a slimy looking gray...something.

I freaked.

Seriously.

And then figured out by careful (and faraway) inspection that it was a slug.

Now...my dad would have poured salt on it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I employed the help of a broom to first knock it off Emi's food dish. Then I shuddered and said "ew, ew, ew, ew, ew" I grabbed my garden shovel, but realized I didn't want to get close enough to scoop it up to throw it outside, and then if I DID throw it outside wouldn't I run into it again? So I shuddered again and said "ew, ew, ew, ew, ew". (which sounded more like "euhhhhhh" since I was thoroughly disgusted!) Finally I employed the cup trick. I grabbed a disposable cup from my "party" stash,{note: this was Lora's "pre-green phase"} and very carefully placed it over the top of the nasty little creature. My hope was that it would die under there (admittedly, cruel) before I slipped a piece of paper under it to scoop it up.
So tonight, after I got home from yoga I did just that--using a Geico advertisement. The last I saw of the slug it was in a trash bag which has been put in the outside garbage. I didn't take a long enough look to see if it was still alive...

So...THIS is why I need to get married.

But in the meantime, I'm taking applications for the immediate vacancy of "Gross Creatures Eliminator" at my house. Any takers?

and to make it better, this was one of the responses:

Lora,

Sorry about your near death experience but not at all disappointed to hear about the death of your slug. Just as a point of reference, when we lived in Washington you never went outside at night barefooted. Why, you may ask? Because out there they grow slugs the size of small bananas. I guess that’s why they are called banana slugs. Guess you’ll keep your doors shut tight from now on.

Love,

Kathryne

Sooo...what makes you laugh these days? Share please!

Thursday's Ten -- The G Spot

Not THAT kind. Come on guys. :-P Was challenged over at Fine Family to do this, so I decided to make it my Top Ten list for the week!

I was given the letter "g", and instructed to come up with 10 things I love that begin with that letter!

1. grass clippings -- the smell of them, at least
2. the color green -- while it's not my favorite, I do seem to use it in my decorating a lot!
3. giada on Food Network -- her recipes are amazing and I have about 3 saved to try very soon!
4. the state of being green -- NOT the same as the color. I love recycling, using my shopping bags and CFL's, drinking from my SIGG instead of plastic water bottles and generally caring around the environment. I truly feel that's a God-given initiative, even if it is trendy these days!
5. green tea -- ok, I need to make a pact that no more of the ten will include the word "green". so in the interest of making this number all about food, here's more things I like: gargonzola cheese, garlic, greek meatloaf, greek anything, gooseberries, ginger, gingerbread, gravy...and grand marnier alcohol!
6. no more of the ten will include the word "green" except for this one...the greenway by my house. Walk, run, jog, bike, walk your dog...it goes all over Nashville and I love it!
7. games -- whether board, card, computer, video or simply word-sparring, I love them all. Anthony is quite pleased with himself for getting me hooked on Halo...
8. german food and culture -- I tend to pay more attention to the irish side of me, but oh I love my german side.
9. grace -- it's saved my life. literally and spiritually.
10. gifts -- giving them is just as good as receiving them. and gift cards are awesome. :0)

Now for the fun -- if you're reading this and your first or last name begins with a C, J, H, A, or K...you're tagged! And your letter is... B.
(please do comment and let me know if you're playing so I can come read your blog!)

Post: 100

I made it! Thanks to all of you who supplied questions for this! I've kind of broken this up into categories so that it's easier for you to read and me to write..

First up, the answers to my five fun facts post.
1. My favorite food is ice cream, followed closely by chocolate.
(this is absolutely false. I am not at all an ice cream lover--I used to hate it, I can stand it now. And chocolate I can live with or without).
2. I have nieces and nephews that are older than me.
(true. My half-siblings are 28 and 25 years older than me, I have 2 nephews and 1 niece is older, and 2 nieces and 1 nephew who are younger, but within 3 years of me)
3. I entered college as a music education major, flute as my applied instrument.
(true. I changed to a vocal applied within a semester though :0)
4. I grew up in one of the largest cities in Indiana.
(haha--FALSE. One of the smallest towns, actually)
5. I taught middle school for 4 years and loved most moments of it.
(absolutely true and I hope to go back to the classroom soon)

Now for your questions:

Relationship/Family
How you met your boyfriend?
Anthony and I met in August of 2007 when he was assigned to the same group of middle school students that I was working with. We became fast friends and eventually (during the summer of last year) realized that we both had "stronger than friends" feelings. After a whole lot of soul-searching and talking (and him asking our youth minister's "permission") we got together just about a year after we met.
What's your favorite feature about your boyfriend?
His faith and love for God. I've always wanted to find someone who would love God first and then me, and I have.
What's your favorite thing to do with friends?
I'm all about a Girls Night In...or Out! Chick Flick and a few nice drinks...or just out on the town
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Favorites
Your favorite place? Besides my couch :0) I think anywhere with water is a favorite of mine. The beach, Radnor Lake here in Nashville...there's something about water that just draws me in.
Favorite recipe?
This one's entirely too hard, so I'm categorizing it.
Beef: Greek meatloaf
Soup: Tortellini Minestrone
Chicken: poppyseed chicken (followed closely by pepperjack)
Dessert: Tiramisu
Vegetarian: A ginger stir fry with all the veggies I have on hand and japanese noodles. Yum.
what is YOUR favorite color?
Red is my absolute favorite color. I have to stop myself from making more red jewelry and buying more red clothes.
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General Life
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I have this wonderful ability of saying something completely innocent that can be taken the wrong way. Most of my embarrassing moments have to do with publicly saying something that turns out to be a sexual innuendo without meaning to. There was also the time I fell flat on my face in the middle of campus *right after* chapel, so most everyone saw it.
What would you like to accomplish in life...(besides the regular girl dreams of marriage and family...)?
More education--I hope to get my doctorate eventually. Also, I want to somehow volunteer in or open a center that helps counsel young girls with eating disorders.
What is the thing about yourself that you love the most?
My smile (physical) and my personality
Or for something more deep, what childhood dreams do you still hold onto, at least a little?
I've always held onto the "mother" dream. And a very small part of me still wants to be the musician on the road, although I realized a long time ago that wasn't the life for me :0)

What are some places you want to travel to?

My top five US places are: NYC, California coastline, Seattle, Charleston, New Orleans,

World: Ireland, Australia, China, New Zealand, Greece

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Random

For my question, here's a bit of randomness...do you press your toothpaste from the middle or from the bottom?

I squeeze from the middle

If you could vacation anywhere in the world for a full month, where would you go?

I'd probably take a Mediterranean cruise. That sounds like heaven.

Hmmmm. If you could turn back the clock, what time would it stop at and why?

Honestly, I try to live life without regrets and I really like where I am in life right now...except for the whole jobless thing. I think I would stop it mid-July and follow my instincts to apply for a teaching position in the system I used to teach in. I squelched those feelings and I REALLY wish I hadn't.

if you could be an animal, what would you be?

I have cat-like tendencies. I like to nap in the sun, stretch, and can be rather aloof when I'm in a mood.

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Entertainment
How about favorite singers?
Wow, that one's hard! I love Ella Fitzgerald, Bono, Sara Groves, Michael Buble, my friend Michael
How about your top 10 recommended books. Or the last 10 books you read.

My 10 recommendations would be: The Shack, Captivating, Girl Meets God, The Five Love Languages, Blue Like Jazz, The Book of Uncommon Prayer, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, The Secret Life of Bees, Real Sex and The Kite Runner

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What/Why/How/If
What made you start "blogging"?
I enjoyed the myspace blog feature so much that I started my own blog space. Now I rarely even log onto myspace (I'm a facebook girl), but I still love getting my thoughts out there.
Hmmm... What is one thing you told yourself you'd never do, but then did?
Become part of the statistic that most new teachers quit within the first 5 years...at least I made it 4! And I'm going back. I hope.
what made you decide to get into the jewelry gig?
Some online friends of mine posted instructions on how to make earrings. I tried it...loved it...and the monster was born!
what is the one material thing your friends would say you cannot do without.
Hmmm. Probably my phone or computer!
what is some crazy that you want to do
I want to travel the world. That's not really "crazy"...I want to run a marathon someday. Does that count?
My question: How long have you been blogging?
I've had a blogspot since 2007. If you count the myspace blogs though, since 2005.
If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
Maybe Sandra Bullock? She always seems to play those quirky and loveable characters :0)
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Got this from my new blogging friend, happyascanb

I am…a daughter of the King
I think…of weird and random things quite often
I know…that I am well-loved
I want…a job!
I have…wonderful friends
I wish…I could lose weight healthily and keep it off for good!
I hate…traffic
I miss…my skinnier self :0)
I fear…being alone
I feel…thankful
I hear…the tv.
I smell…very little at this point, since I'm stopped up!
I regret...nothing. The best advice I was ever given was to live life without regrets, and that's what I've tried to do.
I love…my life!
I care…very much for those around me
I always…laugh when Emi chases the laser light
I am not…your average girl. Just ask the boyfriend :0)
I believe…in God’s grace.
I dance…not well, but I love it.
I sing…as much as I can
I write….mostly for my own pleasure, but I enjoy it
I win...rarely.
I lose…my keys if they're not in the key bowl
I never…want to bungee jump, parasail, or anything else that involves hurtling my body through space.
I listen...to a pretty eclectic mixture of things
I can usually be found...with people I love. or at church!
I’m scared of…unemployment.
I read…when I have the chance
I forget…people's names entirely too often
I just…cleaned the house
I am happy about…so many things

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A 25 Random Things About You post I wrote on Facebook a couple of months ago

1. I can get lost for hours in the baby clothes section at Target or pretty much anywhere. Actually I can get lost in any sort of baby section, or any Target.
2. I'm kind of a tv/electronics junkie. One of the first items on my "buy when I'm fully employed again" list is a Wii. I say that it's because I want WiiFit (which is 100% true--I do). But I'm just as excited about the other games that I'll get too :D (I blame it on 18 years of no tv.)
3. I use proper grammar when I text. I can't stand writing "RU goin 2nite?" and other such things. Like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. The rare occasion that I've done it to save room on a text makes me squirm.
4. I'm getting more and more attached to blogging and reading blogs. If you have a blog you should give me the address. I'll stalk you too.
5. I have an unhealthy love for office supplies.
6. I'm really distracted by the Starbucks logo on the right side of this page. If I weren't in a tank top and shorts right now I'd probably be headed out the door for a latte.
7. I love traveling and seeing new places. I prefer to go with someone I really like--a close friend...or alone. I have a lot more fun that way. Maybe it's selfish, but I have a lot more fun that way.
8. I never seem to get enough sleep. I wake up in the morning and while I stumble through my morning routine I plan out a time later to take a nap. Usually there isn't time to take that nap...but for some reason I can't go to bed early. Like, ever. I try and end up laying there staring at the walls for hours. Ick.
9. I take pictures all.the.time. I think my friends have become used to the flashes by now. I also scrapbook and have plenty of them tucked away in the house.
10. I've always been a people person and thrive on being surrounded by people I love. However, I don't let a lot of people "in" as far as my personal life goes. I'm actually a very private person but if you are in that inner circle I'm an open book.
11. As much as I love being around people, I do need a healthy dose of "me" time each week. I go crazy if I can't just sit in my house for awhile by myself.
12. I'd rather watch a crime show than just about anything.
13. I believe sweet tea has healing properties.
14. You have chocolate? I'll probably pass. You have mint chocolate? I'm in. Especially if it's mint chocolate oreos.
15. I'm pretty passionate about politics. I'm sure you haven't noticed. :0)
16. I'm a big fan of Impressionism. Monet is my absolute favorite. When I'm in a museum with a Monet I could stand in front of it for hours on end.
17. I could eat ranch dressing on just about anything.
18. I love organic and natural foods. I'd shop exclusively at Whole Foods and Trader Joes except for 2 things. 1 - expense. 2 - they don't have the really yummy non-organic stuff like jalepeno cheetos.
19. I am not even remotely in the realm of "morning person". Usually my alarm goes off multiple times and I finally get up because my cat is pawing me in the ribs. No really. She has incredible aim.
20. I really attempt to be "green" in a lot of ways--CFLs, reusable shopping bags, a Sigg water bottle, cloth napkins, real instead of paper towels, etc. But I fear that I'll never be completely green. For one thing, there's the San Pelligrino water I keep buying. At least I recycle the bottles...?
21. When I'm babysitting I LOVE playing with the kids and watching the general cuteness. But my favorite part with a baby/toddler? Putting them to bed at night or down for a nap. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'll have nothing to do while they're sleeping, and everything to do with the sweetness of a little one all snuggled up while you read and sing together.
22. I love fashion and clothes/shoes. But truth be told, yoga pants, a tank, and flip flops are my choice if and when I can get away with it. Or those little exercise skirts that my friend Sarah introduced to me last year!
23. I recently noticed that I have a pretty sizeable scar on the side of my left knee. And I have absolutely no idea where it came from.
24. I currently have a couch in the breakfast area of my kitchen. It's from my former boss (blech). I moved it into the kitchen to make room for the Christmas tree and I kind of like it there. It matches the paint perfectly. Is it weird to have a couch in your kitchen?
25. I love to entertain, whether it's just a quiet intimate dinner, a girls night or an all-out party. I haven't done it in awhile, but on my list of "things to do when I'm fully employed again" is a big bash to celebrate. Stay tuned... :0)

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and my 10 favorite blog entries
1. 2009's Word of the Year
2. a bit of a vent on driving in TN Winter Weather
3. California memories
4. bit of a raw emotional post from me on Mother's Day
5. my hope for the future
6. a little calamity
7. my election night reflections
8. storm
9. see how random my mind is?
10. Ash Wednesday reflection 2007

Bucket List and Other Stuff

I'm at a good spot in my life right now. No, I really am. I think this "season" of financial uncertainty is a great learning experience. Now, it's not necessarily fun. But I've grown and learned so much about myself. And for that I am truly grateful.

As for everything else...it really is good. I'm blessed. I've seen God at work, and I am surrounded by people who love me--and love me well.

I was blog-surfing this morning and found this "bucket list" at the Sweet Spot. She suggested that we post it as well...so here's mine. Feel free to copy it to yours as well!

Things I've done are bolded.

Things I've Done... How About You??

1. Started your own blog (that one's kind of a given :0)
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/World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (I am going back here someday, it's in my top 5 cities ever.)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
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 (from Germany to France I believe.)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (we called them "mental health days" in education)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (but it's in the near future...I hope)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (we decided they were too expensive!)
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 (after a scary elevator ride TO the top!)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (on the list for this summer!)
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. Gotten 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 on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House we didn't get to go in, but I SAW it!
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (ok, this takes some explaining. I was involved in a no-fault accident, the other driver didn't have insurance and sued for med expenses. However, she shouldn't have been ON the ROAD, considering her license had been revoked. She was ticketed at the scene, blah, blah)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I'm not sure who created that list, or who decided that those were 99 important life experiences. Some of the things on that list (bungee jumping for example) I have absolutely no desire to accomplish. Some are dreams that may never come true. But as I read through the list I realized that even some of my seemingly mundane and everyday happenings ARE significant. Life has that way of being more than you make of it sometimes, you know?