A Weekend Holiday

Taking a trip down memory lane on this Wednesday.

This day, while not a holiday, was a fun day, and one that I'm glad I documented so that I can still remember it. A day with my dad.........

25 Things You May not know about Me

(And after you read this, you may wish you still didn't know!)

1. My favorite color is red. Red red. Like fire engine red.
   
2. My heritage is part Cherokee Indian, German and Irish. My ancestry has been traced back to Wales in 1692 (on my mom's side).
   
3. I have two plants. One is a Ficus and her name is Blanche. One is a Pothos, and her name is Germania.
   
4. I have been to 37 states. One day I hope I get to the other 13.
   
5. Nancy Drew is my hero. Seriously. And, my secret (or not so secret) ambition is to be a detective.
   
6. I like clocks.
   
7. I enjoy writing. When I was younger I was always writing stories. I would sleep with pen and paper by my bed in case an idea came to me in the middle of the night.
   
8. I love the music from The Nutcracker.
   
9. I've been to Guatemala twice on mission trips.
10. I have a crazy imagination. Seriously. It's crazy.
    
11. I'm short. But, since I wear tall shoes, sometimes people don't realize it.
    
12. I like to dance.
    
13. I have been known to walk around my apartment in pajamas pants, a sweatshirt and high heels. Oh, just because.
    
14. I would like to go to Greece. And England. Oh, all of Europe.
    
15. Cinnamon candles are my favorite.
    
16. I like sitting in the floor.
    
17. I enjoy making things. I have crayons, markers, oil paints (and more!). I'm going to school to be a teacher, so that's the excuse I'm sticking with.
    
18. I'm going to school for teaching.
    
19. I went to school in Missouri. I remember people. But, ask Melissa, huge chunks of my memory are missing!!
    
20. Chips and Salsa are staples.
    
21. I love potatoes.
    
22. When I was younger I had five imaginary friends.
    
23. My cousin and I had our own "detective agency." He was Spike. I was Tracy. My brother was our trusty dog.
    
24. I practically know the entire movie, The Wizard of Oz by heart.
25. Fall is my favorite season. Hands down favorite.
    

(P.S. 9 days!)
(P.P.S. 26. I have always enjoyed counting down to events. Like, birthdays, (yes, usually mine) and Christmas!!!)

Tonight

I really saw a shooting star.
I'll be honest. I did make a wish.
Don't ask me what I wished, though, I'm not tellin'.

(P.S. 10 days until Christmas!)

2010 In Review

The year isn't over yet, by any means. We still have many days ahead of us. However, I was thinking in my mind tonight (That's an original quote by my friend Christy) about this past year.

It has been great. Lots of "new". Lots of old. Lots of the same.

There was a family vacation! Woot! Crusin' time!
There has been a new car. (Not new new, but you know new.)
A new job.
A new apartment.

There was a reunion in Texas.

The passing of a precious woman.

School has been crazy, lots of work. I was able to go to my friend's school and teach in her class.

There has been a lot in between. Visit to Nebraska. A visit from my Melissa and Carson.
God is good. Life is great.

Oh Ramona,

As soon as I learned to read there was no stopping me. Kindergarten and my mama taught me to love words and words and words.

And then came Ramona. I read all of her books and loved her every one. (I'm actually pretty sure they are all shoved under my bed right now- either that or in the basement at my parent's house!) I always loved Ramona because things never went quite for her, and I can relate. After all, I was once again sitting at the stop sign (again) waiting for the light change to green. (The stop signs never change- just so you know.)

Tonight, yes people, I watched the movie. And, I laughed. Just like when I was nine.

Ramona is a mess. She is all imagination and sunshine and fearless.
I love her.

I love her imagination, and her ability to make red rain-boots look good with everything. Not only that, but her sense of style and difficulty matching (which is cuter when your eight) reminds me of my own!

Who else says things like:

"I color inside the lines sometimes. It just depends on the picture."
"I'm gonna say a really bad word. The worst word I think of.... Here I go. GUTS."
"Mom, I am nine years old. I think I can tell when I'm not wanted."
"I make your life colorful."
"She cannot tell kids to not make up words!"
"Terrifical..."
"Whatever I did wrong, I probably didn't mean it."
"I am extraordinary."

And Beezus sums it all up perfectly. "I hope nobody sees us out here. We're so weird."

Yes Ramona, you are extraordinary. I hope to be just as incredible as you some day.

Charlie Brown...

...ain't got nothin' on me.

What you may or may not be able to see in this picture is that there are huge holes in between the branches. Regardless of how much I bend the branches, the holes are still there. I am also missing over half of my ornaments. However, if you turn off the lights, squint your eyes, and turn your head sideways, it almost looks ok! Regardless it's festive, and I like having the twinkly lights!

In other news. I almost -ALMOST- done shopping for Christmas. I cannot say that I am complete yet, because I need to finalize a few additional items. Last year at this time, (actually by Thanksgiving) I was done and wrapped. This year, not so much. Not that I mind hitting the shops!

Truth Be Told

I am a complete fall person. I love the smell of burning leaves. I love the fire-y colors, and the crisp air. I also enjoy the not too hot, not too cold, t-shirts during the day and sweatshirt at night options. I would not mind if fall took care of 9 months of the year. However, I am also delusional. I live in Northern Illinois.

Truth be told, I usually feel like Summers are humid. Falls are way too short. Winter is like... well, think of something really bad then multiple it by 1 million times, worse. And, when Spring comes, although beautiful, it arrives too late. That being said, I do also enjoy each season. And, if there was a guarantee that winter would only last EXACTLY three months, I might not dislike it at all.

This year, I feel like we have had the pleasure of enjoying each season. Spring was amazing, and the Summer of 2010 offered plenty of opportunities for swimming and Six Flags. And, then came the glorious fall. And, it's still here. Now, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the days of burning leaves are coming to a close. My pathetic, yes, pathetic Christmas tree is up (I still love it, even though I am in serious need of a Christmas Tree intervention.), presents are already arriving and are wrapped up underneath my tree. Yet, it hasn't felt like Christmas, and I haven't quite felt ready for its arrival.

Until today.

When I saw my first flurries, and a snowflake hit me in the eyeball.

Now, I'm ready.

But, why can't it be possible for it to snow and still be 50 degrees outside, and cover everything but the roads?

Finishing out the week....

...of Thanksgiving.

Although, I have had a good run of blogging this month, I have missed a few days. However, I feel pretty good that I am back in the blogging world. That's my plan anyways!

There is of course, much to be thankful for this year, like any other year.
I'm closing this post out early.

More later.
Love to all,

John and I went to the circus

Saturday night, we went and saw the Greatest show on Earth.

It was a lot of fun. On our way in to the United Center, in honor of my brother, we broke into a song. (If you've not heard it, call me, I'll sing it to you.)

This is for you John.

"John and I went down to the circus,
John got hit with a bowling pin.
We'll get even with the circus,
We'll buy tickets but we won't go in..."

I am thankful today for:

• A good job
• My couch =D
• My teeth
  

Giving Thanks

I love this time of year, and having a built in opportunity to remember the things I have that I should be thankful for. This week is going to be a busy one, (at least the first half) as I prepare to go home for Thanksgiving.

However, I want to be sure that I post something each day this week (although, yes, I missed the last few days). I am going to post at least one thing I am thankful for each day this week.

Although these may seem generic, they are true.
I have much to be thankful for!

1. God's grace
   
2. Friends
3. Family
4. A place to live
5. A good job
   

What are you thankful for?

On November 19th...

In 1954: The first automatic toll collection machine is used at the Union Toll Plaza on New Jersey's Garden State Parkway.

In 1963: The 100 year celebration of the famous Gettysburg Address delivered by President Lincoln's given during the consecration of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg.

In 2006: Nintendo releases its newest video game console the Wii in North America.

In 1939: President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for his presidential library at Hyde Park, NY.

In 1962: Actress, Jodie Foster was born.

In 2010: Had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and rice krispie treats, made by my aunt.

The Circus is in Town!

This weekend, the CIRCUS is in town!
My Aunt Ellen, already arrived, and my mom, Aunt Janet, and brother are arriving tomorrow.....

Wait.

I didn't phrase that correctly. Let's give it another go.

This weekend, my family is coming (aside from my dad who is with his quiz team in Pennsylvania). My Aunt Ellen is in town from North Carolina, and is going to be staying in the area (well, between my place and Indiana/home) for a few weeks.

Saturday we will be going to the Greatest Show on Earth!
Sunday they'll head home, and a few days later I'll be heading there myself for some good ole Turkey.

I love the Holidays.

Snowy Days

Not quite a holiday, but definitely a memory.

I'm linking up to Jenilee's Walk Down Memory Lane by posting a previous post regarding a holiday memory. You can check out Jenilee's blog here.

College was, of course, an amazing time. Amazing, stressful, fun, crazy, stressful, exciting, stressful. Add to the mix some ice, cafeteria trays, and a big hill....

Ice Trucker Anyone?

I am on my way to sleep, however, I needed to accomplish a note of some sort. In order to keep me awake, I flipped to the history channel and immediately became engaged, in the Deadliest Roads.

These people are either really brave, really nuts, or a little of both. I'm pretty sure I know several people who would be able to successfully handle driving on the world's dangerous roads. I'm also pretty sure, I'm not one of them.

Miscellaneous Monday

Mondays are always a little unexpected. Yes, I know they come around every seven days. I know they have their rightful place between Sundays and Tuesdays, but you just never know what Mondays could bring. Will you wake up late or early? Will there be traffic or will others decide to call in for a three day weekend? More importantly, will I get done on my list what I want to get done on my list? That's the real question the world should be asking.

Truth be told, I'm still not sure if I will cross off everything on my list.

This particular Monday started off well. I woke up on time, and arrived to work early (even after stopping at the grocery store for breakfast fruit for work). I managed to live through the day (which is another triumph all together- remember, it's a Monday) without any trials. I can cross off the grocery store because I made it there too!

I am now home. I changed into my comfy clothes within two minutes of arriving. Meanwhile, all my groceries are sitting right in front of my door. I should probably put them away. I should also do my laundry.

Then again, maybe I'll just sit on my couch and watch an episode of Matlock?

Until tomorrow,

Sunday Sunday

Well, I had was well on my way to blogging daily throughout the month of November, and then Friday happened. And, I forgot. Then Saturday came, and.... I forgot again! Hah!

The positive thing is, I can always start again. So, here's to the beginning of a new week, and a new day.

Thoughts to Think On

Today, I don't have a lot to say. I'm wondering again why I decided to sign up to post a blog a day. But, I'm always up for a challenge. I'm 11 days in now, and 19 to go.

I have decided that today will be a few of my favorite quotes.
If you have any other quotes that you would like to share, please do so!
*****

"Be slow to speak, and quick to listen." James 1:19

"It's a dream, a frightful dream, life is..." Commodus

"Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment." John 7:24

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you, we are in charge of our attitudes."
Charles R. Swindoll

"Laugh as much as you breathe, and love as long as you live."

"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."
Gladiator

"What we do in life echoes in eternity." Maximus

Wednesday's Walk- Christmas Time

Hi All!

I am hopefully going to continue this for a while. I am joining my good friend Jenilee, on her blog on Wednesdays, for Wednesday's Walk!

See info below:
*************

Wednesday's Walk will be getting lazy! No extra posts or pictures to scan or memories to write...
November 17th through December 29th we will be having a lazy walk down memory lane!
How?
Each Wednesday through the holiday season, link up an old post instead of writing a new post! Join in with a past holiday post or a favorite post from your first blogging days!
Link up any post right here at The Goodwin Family blog and enjoy blogging the lazy way!

So fun, right?

I know I have old posts that would be fun to link up!

This is going to be so lazy that you don't even have to go in and add a button to your old post or worry about editing it at all. Just link it up as is!

We did make a button for our lazy blogging Holiday Wednesday's Walk. You can add this button to your blog just to let everyone know that you are participating! We would love to have anyone join in! Even if you don't normally link up, you can walk down memory lane with us the lazy way! Dig back in your blog, find a favorite post and link it up with us on Wednesdays.
*******************
So going back to December 2008, imagine it's Christmas Eve.....

Random facts and figures (no figures, but it seemed to go with facts)

Update to Germania:
She is doing even better today!

Update to time change:
42 days until December 22, when the days start becoming longer. At this point, I'm turning on lights, music, TV, whatever, until the sun stops setting at noon. (That's only a slight exaggeration.)
To create your own countdown go here: www.timeanddate.com

Update to school:
Homework, homework, homework. The end.

Update to Texas Reunion:
The story is not done. More to come. As soon as I finish writing it.

Update to cooking:
I've done more recipes. More experimenting. Mostly really good. And, a lot of chicken.

That's all for now!
Enjoy the beautiful weather. Did I say beautiful?! It is amazing. I love it.

Love always,

Plant Love

I have mentioned my first plant child (a ficus), Blanche, on multiple occasions. A few months ago, I bought a second plant child. This plant is a Pothos. Her name is Germania. She is green and beautiful. And, while Blanche has the privilege of being my first plant, Germania is growing in my heart.


This morning, when I arrived at work, my beautiful plant was drooping. Apparently the weekend, lack of sun (I forgot to open the blinds) and the need for water had overwhelmed her. So, as any plant parent would do, I took action. I watered her, rubbed a few of her leaves, and said a few soothing words.

A few hours later, I looked at Germania and noticed that her drooping leaves had already started to revive and lift up. A little water went a long way.

Sometimes, I realize I am a little droopy. My heart is sad, my attitude is worse and laying on my couch is the only place I want to be. It's during those times that I need more than a little drink of water.

Those times, are times that I must remember to turn to the Keeper of my heart, and the Lifter of my head. He is better than a little drink of water.

Where's Waldo?

Giving Thanks

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
~Gilbert K. Cherston

Are you thankful today?

Much love,

13 months and counting

The past 2 years have been a new experience for me as well as for all my friends and family (So sorry for all the drama)! I've started to work toward my graduate's degree in Elementary Education. At this point, I'm on track to graduate in January 2012. I am very excited. I also really enjoy learning and going to school, however...There are days when I am not sure that I am cut out to be a full time student. I am not quite sure how I managed to do it the first time around, let alone doing it now as a full time employee! I have persevered, however, due to a lot of encouragement and support.

10 Ten Things that I Will Not Forget: (after two years back in school)
1. I have always been a late night person. I still am. I was never an early morning person. I'm still not. Staying up late + getting up early = Cranky.
2. Worrying incessantly about whether or not you passed a test is not a good way for a person to spend the weekend. Plus, I'm pretty sure worrying can cause ulcers. It also can cause violence. I have been threatened that the next time I say I failed a test I will be beaten. So this next time around I will do my best to not say anything about failing. I cannot guarantee that I won't think it. But, I won't say it. That's a start right?
3. Encouraging words actually helped me make it through. There were moments when I thought I might not.
4. As a young college student, I could live without pizza. I still can.
5. The Geometric Proof. I finally can figure out a proof. I still don't know why I need to know how to prove a triangle is an isosceles, but if I need to, I'm all over it.
6. The Nez Perce tribe are from the Pacific Northwest. I will not forget this.
7. The three paintings, Battle of the Amazons, Heart of the Andes and the Volga Boatmen are very similar.
8. Eunice Kennedy Shiver helped to found and create the Special Olympics.
9. Staying up until midnight- bad idea at 20. Definitely a bad idea now.
10. Every child, is valuable. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

Got Stress?

*I received this in an email and that it was excellent email.

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience,
Raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 2 oz to half a pound.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.
If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier
it becomes."

He continued,
"And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
as the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water,
you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.
Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now,
let them down for a moment if you can.
So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.
Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while."

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon,
and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet,
just in case you have to eat them.

* Always wear stuff that will make you look good
if you die in the middle of it.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be
"recalled" by their maker.

* If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again,
it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time,
because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well.
Just get up and dance.

* When everything's coming your way,
you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you.
The more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and
some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but
they all have to live in the same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Day of the Reunion

Back to the Lone Star State.
Saturday, we woke up ready to roll. The day started off hot and humid, but the sky was clear and beautiful.

Of course, first things first. We had to go by Sonic for refreshing beverages.

New Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Walking in

My Bubba

That's all I have time for today. More to come later.
************

In other news:

• I've broken out the humidifier.
• I still haven't turned on my heat. I generally have a rule that until it gets down into the 30s/40s I will not turn it on. We've hit that mark, but I'm still holding out for 50s/60s. I realize that we really have had a beautiful fall. I'm not quite ready for it to be over.
• Despite my new furniture, I have a habit of sitting on the floor. A lot. A lot, as in I'm sitting on the floor right now, leaning on my couch.
  
• Chipotle has a way of making a rough day, better. For that matter, so does ice cream.
  

A Thousand Words are Worth a Picture

Note: Not enough comments on the previous post to remove the picture of my mum. If there are more, I'll take it down!

Back to Texas.

We drove on Thursday and Friday. On our way, we stopped at a gas station and my mum walked out with BLUE BELL ice cream. People, if you have never experienced Blue Bell ice cream, stop what you are doing, and go get some. Nothing like it. We also drove through Jefferson, Texas, where I snapped a few pictures, and drove by my mom's old house. More Jefferson stories to come.

Who wouldn't love a town that has this displayed???

Late Friday afternoon landed us in Carthage. I was crabby. I have always been a people person. I consider myself an introverted extrovert. I love being with people, visiting, hanging with friends. Love it. However, after living on my own for so long, I've grown particular and I like things my own way. I also need some quiet to myself every day, or yes, I'm a little testy. This day was no exception. My family, however, is very forgiving! (Fortunately for me!) We unloaded, got settled in to the hotel room, and headed out to visit my Aunt and Uncle.

At this point, the story tellings and memory making began. I would love to wrap the weekend up in a picture. But, the stories and laughter and events of the weekend cannot be compressed into a picture. But a thousand words, might just do it.

(Just wait til you hear about the goat man. Yes, he's real.)

"Rockin' Down the Highway"

As I mentioned previously, I traveled to Texas to a family reunion in June. My life has been full of trips and vacations to Texas. I remember when I was eight, piling into the van and making what I thought at the time, a quick 30 minute drive and pulling up to my Grandma's house. (Granted I was eight. The age when going an hour feels like 20, and apparently going 23 hours feels like 1!) This trip was different for multiple reasons.

To begin with, we were going to a family reunion that I had never been to. In fact, my mom hadn't been to it, in a LONG time (maybe 20 years - I don't remember). Follow that up with the fact that my dad wasn't going to go, and I have only been to Texas one other time without him. Aside from that my aunt and cousin were also going, we were taking two cars, and caravan-ing. We had plenty of snacks, a map, my camera, and a destination.

I believe in documenting all of life's adventures with pictures. I am sure that this does not make me popular with many people, however, it is good fun for me!

Packed up and ready to roll

I am fairly certain that at this particular moment my mom was threatening my life if I posted this. So, mum, here's my deal. You get 10 people to write a comment on my blog, I'll remove this picture! (And, it'll probably save my life.)

The first two days were filled with lots of road time. There was singing, sleeping, and yes, taking pictures.

More to come,

A Family Reunion

I have been storing up memories in my mind from my June trip to Texas. We went to a family reunion on my mom's side. It was seriously a great weekend. It was a fast week/weekend.

While we were there we had the opportunity to see multiple houses that my mom and her family lived in over the years. It was amazing. Ironically enough, about that time I heard a country song, sung by Miranda Lambert that I feel sums it up.

House that Built Me

I know they say you cant go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these handprints on the front steps are mine.
And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn, concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move
on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

My Grandpa

More stories to come.
Love to all,