Family Pictures

I took some pictures of my friend Jeni's family a week or two ago and thought I'd post some of them. I want to emphasize that I am not a portrait photographer, but I think they came out really well. This is also the first time Jeni will see them, as I have not given her the disk yet. Let me know what you think, please. I'm always looking for ways to do better.

Christmastime is here!

OK, I've eaten the turkey, stuffing, pies, etc. several times now. I feel that I've given the Harvest Season its due. Now it's on to the most wonderful time of the year! I hope this background and my music get you into the festive holiday spirit. I'm still building my playlist (which I should have started in October) but if you have favorites, let me know and I'll put them on the rotation. Hopefully I'll include a few that aren't worn to shreds on your all-Christmas radio station. Enjoy!

Many Thanks

I'm taking a brief break from my Thanksgiving schedule (which has been planned since before Halloween) to list some things that I'm thankful for. They are in no particular order, though my most thankful items found their way to the top anyway. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

1. Aubrey we're talking serious celestial intervention here
2. Olivia if you know the story, you know that the word thankful isn't strong enough
3. Gospel it gives me identity, direction and understanding
4. My home we're so lucky to be in our house, which easily accomodates three dogs, a cat and a family
5. My neighbors I have awesome neighbors right next door and around the neighborhood
6. Music I can't go a day without playing, singing or listening to it
7. My girls the 8-11 year-old girls at church are so much fun and help me feel young (when they don't make me feel old)
8. My BIG girls I have lots of good friends who've known me a long time and still enjoy my company
9. Family I have a great immediate and extended family who are pretty close
10. In-laws what?! yes, I have awesome in-laws and I love my sisters-in-law
11. Facebook it helps me keep up with my family and friends, some whom I haven't seen since kindergarten
12. Dishwasher no pre-rinsing neccessary, baked-on mess or not!
13. Plumbing I've actually been without running water in the winter, so this is not a flippant item of gratitude
14. My dogs no other creature on earth is capabale of such natural, unconditional affection
15. Parley P. Cat she keeps my feet warm at night and I appreciate a little sass
16. Modern technology it lets me do what I do
17. Employment we're blessed to still have a job, even with other companies closing their doors
18. Books there is nothing like a good book
19. Education I'm so glad I'm not stupid
20. Humor it makes some pretty difficult situations livable and it feels so good to laugh
21. Our church assignment the people in Greensboro are such good people and we've been blessed to serve with them
22. Sunday naps I can't function without one
23. This country as bad as you think it is, things are a lot worse in other parts of the world; we're not just lucky, we're blessed to live here
24. Cows I love cheese and steak
25. Stars one of my favorite things to do is look at the night sky

What are you thankful for?

Say it...

...vampire.

Are you scared?

No.

Ahhh!!!! I saw the movie Saturday and I want to see it again. Bella's friends totally made me feel like I was in high school again with all their giggling and I want to play baseball with vampires. I confess, it took me awhile to get into it, but I loved it. Having read the book made it even better because I understood the looks and the humor (like when Charlie makes a big show with his shotgun before their date...as if that would make a difference...) Believe it or not, the only character I didn't like was Jacob. I was sad for that. BUT after seeing the movie, I might have changed allegiances. I could be a vampire girl now. But to be sure, I'll have to see the movie again...and again...and maybe read the books again...and again...

She's just a slip of a thing

Olivia's been in a forward-facing carseat since September. The catch is that you need to be at least 20 pounds...she was only 17 pounds. I know all you moms are going to hate on me for doing that, but in my defense, we were going on a long road trip and thought that it would be better traveling for her, and we were right. We also thought that it would be no time at all until she reached that 20-lb. mark. This is where we were horribly wrong.

Today was Olivia's 15-month check-up and she weighs a whopping 18 lbs. and 1 oz. That means that she won't technically be ready for the forward-facing carseat until, geez, February. It also means that large gusts of wind can topple her like a two-year-old Godzilla topples a tower of Legos. And it means that Sparky can knock her down with a quick flit of his tail. That several of her 12-month pants wind up around her ankles after a few laps around the living room (guess she didn't get my caboose). And it means that I can still hold her and do the dishes at the same time (although certainly not in record time!) It also means that after all that agony of deciding whether or not to give her a middle name, I was right to do so. Could there possibly be a better name for this tiny little imp than Tynni?

Five top-eight things about moi

Aubrey's watching a gross werewolf movie, so in looking for something to do other than watch peoples' entrails get pulled out, I decided to do my friend Meghan's tag. She loves tags...I have a cool one coming up for you, Meghan. Here we go:

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1. Chuck
2. The Unit
3. The Closer
4. NCIS
5. The Office
6. Big Bang Theory
7. Crusoe
8. Pushing Daisies

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. Baby Shower
2. ALABAMA BEAT LSU IN OVERTIME!!!
3. I almost had a panic attack 'cause Alabama went into overtime
4. Finished a quilt (which is a whole other blog post)
5. Went to bed at 8:30. Yes, I said 8:30.
6. Read part of "The Black Arrow" by Robert Louis Stevenson
7. Listened to Christmas music
8. Frizzed my hair with the blow dryer

8 Favorite Places to Eat:
1. Anything off the beaten path
2. Pepito's
3. Steamers (I hate seafood, but love the atmosphere)
4. Cypress Inn
5. Newk's
6. McAlister's
7. Wendy's
8. Valentino's (YUMMY pizza/buffet place in Lincoln)...That was hard 'cause we never eat out.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. A baby (I'm not pregnant)
2. Getting out of debt in less than two years!!!
3. Christmas
4. Thanksgiving with my parents
5. Making Thanksgiving dinner
6. The Iron Bowl
7. A national championship
8. The SEC championship

8 Things on My Wishlist:
1. Kitchen Aid
2. A new kitchen floor
3. A family room
4. Frames for all my photography
5. My old brain, sharp and clear
6. A baby
7. Crimson mums...can't seem to find them anywhere
8. New skillets

8 Tagged People
1. Savanna
2. Desiree
3. Steff
4. Tiff (if you're still alive)
5. Donna
6. Elizabeth
7. Jess
8. Noel

So, Hail TO the Chief, or Hail ON the Chief?

Before Homeland Security strikes me down, let me just say that I would personally never rain hail on anyone. I would pray to have it done. I only rain down the thunder and lightening of my wrath, hail-free.

I am, of course, devestated by the outcome of the presidential election (or as devistated as you can be about something like this). I don't trust the man any farter than I can throw my piano (and I can't even push my piano) and share virtually no values with him. That said, and being a ridiculous optomist, I am still hopeful for the next four years. At least he's not the anti-Christ. I mean, do you know how seriously evil he would have to be? I'm hoping that, as with all politicians, he can't do everything he says he wants to--because I disagree with almost everything he wants to do. I'm also hoping that he'll find success where others have failed: bridging the ever widening gap between political parties. I am so sick of the hateful rhetoric that goes on between the two. If you listened to some Republicans, you'd think Obama was The End of Days. If you listened to some Democrats, you'd think McCain would have us all implanted with computer chips in the name of the Patriot Act.

Get a grip on reality, people! Please! You're making me lose my grip on mine!

Oh, but I did want to add that, win or lose, it is really exciting to be part of this whole process. It was pretty cool watching the news channels and realizing that the anchors, presidential nominees and VP nominees all voted, too. Even the President votes. It's one thing that, no matter how poor or low profile you are, you get to be involved in as well. It's one of the few things that bridges the class lines these days.

More on politics...

Well, it was my intention to get into a discussion on the economy, but I'm afraid that will have to wait for another day. Both Olivia and I have a little bug...that means all my spare time (such as it is with a sick baby) will be devoted to my living, breathing pile of laundry instead of pointing out the myths and truths of our economic recession.

I will say this, however, as encouragement for you to do your own research: be careful where you get your information. Whether you read the ultra-liberal New York Times or watch the pseudo fair and balanced Fox News, the media have become questionable second sources. They are no longer objective. If you want the reality of either candidate's game plan, visit their official websites, don't read it in a column or hear about it from a panel. If you want facts and figures, research them yourself. Look at what the media sites as a source and then go to that source. Make sure nothing is taken out of context. It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to track any of this information down, especially with the internet. Just google a word and look for things like "official website" or "independent researchers".

If you have questions about the candidates' voting history, look it up. It's public info, you know. Don't assume that Obama is right when he says McCain voted with George Bush 98% of the time, find out. A good question to ask is how often did Obama vote with George Bush? And don't automatically believe that Obama is up to his ears in Acorn(s). Find out for yourself how far his involvement with the organization goes. A good question to ask is has Obama done anything else with the organization other than act as counsel? All I'm saying is that you can't trust the media to give you accurate information in a proper context. Find out for yourself.

My Little Pixie

Just thought I'd interrupt this political furor with some pictures of the cutest baby on the block. Olivia is a really tiny girl, and my mother-in-law calls her a pixie, so the logical choice for a Halloween costume was, indeed, a fairy. She was so cute! Even if the costume (which I made to get a custom fit) was too big. Here are some pictures, too, of the pumpkin carving we did with some friends for Family Home Evening. Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Roll Tide Roll!

Olivia and Sydney, who is always so sweet to her.


The kids taking a break from running around and screaming like banshis. I assure you the break was short.

The back of Olivia. No matter what I did, the wings were just too big.

She's a walker now, so any picture I take is of her on the move. Sure is cute, though, huh?