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!