Feeling Stressed...

As we approach the new year, I am:  happily thinking about how I get to plan a 7th birthday party for the best little boy in the world; thankful that Kevin and I both have jobs to go back to on January 3; and getting excited about my beautiful Hannah playing softball in the spring.  But I am also feeling uber stressed about money with the change in my insurance that's coming.

Now let me start by making a disclaimer.  Trust me.  I know that this is a bit of a "first world" complaint.  I know that there are people all over the world without a roof over their heads, with no food to eat.  I absolutely get the whole "let's put things in perspective" thing, and I thank God everyday...multiple times a day.  But that being said...I'm going to gripe and stress and whine here, and I don't want to hear any of that thrown back at me.  Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I just need to vent a little bit.

So here it is.  In an effort to save money, our school district decided to switch insurance providers.  Before they did this, though, they sent us information to look over so that we could voice our opinions.  So I looked it over, and I voiced my negative oppinions...which is not something I normally do (so that should be your first big clue as to how bad this change was going to be for my family).  I got a response back that very kindly said something to the effect of, "Oh, I'm very sorry to hear of your circumstances...thank you very much for your feedback...it will be used to help us make our decision." 

Here's another disclaimer for you:  I'm sure that this change in insurance has probably saved the district quite a bit of money.  Which means it has probably helped to save some jobs.  I get it, and I am so happy for those people that get to keep their jobs.  HOWEVER...

There were 4 plans for us to choose from.  So I pretty much just had to pick the one that would suck the least.  I don't want to get into all of the nitty-gritty details, but suffice it so say that it all comes back to me and my pesky leukemia.  It's just screwing everything up.  I didn't like any of these plans, so I tried to get coverage for the kids elsewhere.  But this country's new health care plan screwed that up for me too.  "No child can be denied coverage."  Sounds great, right?  And it truly is:  if a parent has coverage, then his/her children are automatically covered...regardless of how sick a child might be.  That's awesome.  Really.  But that means that insurance providers don't need to offer children only plans anymore.  Well that sucks.  Since no one else will cover me with my leukemia, the only way to get my kids covered is through my work.  So there I was, back to square one...picking the plan that sucked the least.

Well, I did that.  And not only is it going to be about $175 more per month, but my meds are going to be $65-$165 more.  The coverage of some things is not as good either.  Add in higher (albeit slightly) office visit and general prescription copays, and there we are....screwed over.  It's not like we're getting raises to help off-set some of the cost.  Things are going to be tight around the Prickett household, that's for sure.  (and I thought things already were...)  And I know that all of the other district employees I've talked to about this are going to feel the pinch, too.  But I think that those with serious/chronic illnesses are getting the worst of it.

Allright.  I guess that's enough self-centered whining for one day.  I'm glad I got that out.  Now I'll go back to focusing on all of my blessings and reminding myself that things could be worse (and are for a lot of people). 

• Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

• Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

• Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

The Day Before Christmas...

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the place
All the prep work was done, and even the test-tastes.

All the stockings were hung, and had been for quite a while.
With arguing children hoping Santa was in denial.

The children were drving their parents a bit crazy.
Their uncle took them to the park so as not to be lazy.

With Grandma in her church clothes, and the rest of us too,
To Christmas Eve mass is where we all flew.

When what to my wandering eye should appear,
But kids dressed as Mary and Joseph drawing near.

With a little old donkey they went to a manger
To bring into the world its glorious savior.

More rapid than eagles, His praises were sang.
Prayers were said and bells were rang.

Now Mason and Hannah, now Logan and Taylor.
On to the family Christmas Eve dinner.

As I cleaned up the dishes and we passed presents around
In through the door, Kevin came in with a bound.

He was dressed all in clothes warm enough for the cold
We were glad to see him...both yound and old.

Now that all were here (except those in Georgia out of sight)
We could truly say, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night"!

:)

It's a Wonderful Movie...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  It is the time of the year for family, friends, shopping, baking, church-going, anticipating, giving, celebrating, singing, and....movie watching.

There are so many Christmas movies out there, but these are my favorites.  I know, I know.  Some of these aren't actually Christmas movies, so much as they are movies set during Christmas, but whatever.  They're awesome, nonetheless.

In no particular order, here we go:

Hillarious.  Classic.

Touching and quotable.  :)

Best soundtrack.

Simply magical!

Fan. Tastic.

The kids love it, too.

Never actually seen the whole thing, but the parts I have are superb.

Gets me every time.

Love, love, love.

I mean, come on!

Cheesy, but I still like it.

A relatively wordless blog for me today, but now it's your turn.  What are your favorite Christmas movies?





25 Random Things, Part 6...

Here I go again on my blog!  I think this is the longest I've ever gone without blogging.  I've thought about it many times, but I just haven't found the time...and if I tried, I could not get my scattered brain to come up with a blog topic.  So today, it dawned on me.  It's time for another 25 Random things!  So let's get started...

1)  The song above has always been one of my favorites.  It reminds me of my days at the Pizza Hut in Abilene.  I would play this song on the jukebox during slow times of the day.  And maybe tried to reenact some of those car-top dance moves on some of the tables when nobody was looking.  And yes, you're right.  It was awesome!
2)  On school picture day, even the teachers have to get their pictures taken for the yearbook.  And one of the "perks" is that we get a free photo package.  But what on earth am I going to with 30 pictures of myself, hmm?
3)  I went to see Breaking Dawn (the newest Twilight movie, for you less awesome folks out there) with some friends from school 2 nights ago.  I've never once said they're the best movies ever, but they are good mindless fun...which is just what I needed.
4)  I'm so looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving.  I love my family!
5)  The worst part about being so busy lately is that I haven't had time (or energy) to bake.  I miss it.  So guess what I'm doing with my time off next week?!  H-e-l-l-o stand mixer...long time, no see!
6)  Kevin is watching Fast Five right now.  And some how the terrible acting has me in a trance.  It's like a car wreck...I can't look away.
7)  I'm going to go see the new Footloose with my mom, sister, and newest sister-in-law when I go home.  Delightfully cheesy fun, here we come!
8)  3 out of the last 5 items were movie related.  Don't worry...I bet there will be more.
9)  I've really been chomping at the bit to decorate for Christmas!  It truly is "the most wonderful time of the year".  But I refuse to do it before Thanksgiving.  I just can't.
10)  It appears that I have a very warped sense of how old I am.  Sometimes I feel like High School was only yesterday.  Like I'm still a good 10 years younger than all of the parents of my students.  But then I look in the mirror and see that's just not the case.  I am about the same age as most of them now.  I have the same crows feet and laugh lines that I see on their faces.  When did that happen?  Sheesh.
11)  I stumbled across this quote recently:  “The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.” ~ Lane Olinhouse  I'm finding it quite fitting today (and everyday, really).
12)  I saw the trailer for The Hunger Games movie the other day.  OMG...I'm so excited!  http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2402131481
13)  I just spent what might be some of the best $10 I've ever spent:  a DVD 3 pack with The Money Pit, The Burbs, and Dragnet.  I love me some old school Tom Hanks!
14)  Bradley Cooper is The Sexiest Man Alive 2011.  Maybe not my top pick, but I ain't complaining.
15)  I'm about to start reading The Best of Me, the latest Nicholas Sparks book.  Looking forward to it.
16)  When Kevin and I first started dating, he watched WWF wrestling fairly regularly.  I can't say that I ever cared too much for it, but there were a few guys that I enjoyed:  Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kevin Nash were good, but The Rock was the greatest.  As we know, The Rock is now Dwayne Johnson.  But he came back to wrestling last Monday, and I have to confess...it was pretty awesome.
17)  My friend, Katie, pointed out that the music we listened to in High School is now called "Old School" on the radio.  Ouch.
18)  You know who I love?  I love Mayhem.  You know, from the Allstate commercials?  Fantastic.
19)  Even Kevin's got a touch of the baby fever.  So much so that we really started wondering if it would be possible for me to go off my medication for a year or so to have another baby.  So I checked with my doctor.  And I think I knew better, but to make a long story short...it's a no go.
20)  What is the deal with those Latisse eyelash growth commercials?  It sure seems like a lot of risk for some eyelashes.  But maybe that's just me.
21)  Claire Danes has always been able to make me cry.  Ever since My So Called Life...when she cries, I cry.
22)  I found Starburst Jelly Beans at the store the other day.  I have to say...I was pretty stoked.
23)  I have always wanted to ride in a limousine. 
24)  Kevin and I watched a few middle of the night episodes of Saved By the Bell a week or so ago.  It was glorious.  I grew up with those Bayside kids.  They were the best.  They were certainly better than the California Dreams kids.  And WAY better than The Suite Life kids these days.  But maybe I'm just biased.
25)  While we were in Vegas, we stumbled accross a little art gallery in one of the hotels.  It was for a guy named Peter Lik.  (I know...the jokes that come to mind with a name like that...)  But I fell in love!  His photos are a-mazing!  I would LOVE a coffee table book of his, but they're like $80-$100...which is rediculous.  But just check these out! http://www.lik.com/thework.html

Two Down...

If you remember a few posts ago, I started a bucket list for myself.  Well last weekend, I was able to scratch 2 of those things off the list.  Last weekend I went to Vegas...and saw Garth Brooks in concert.  Can I get a what, what?!  All-in-all, it was a pretty fantastic weekend.

Here's the story:

Thursday
Kevin, my brother-in-law, 2 of their friends, my friend Katie, and I go out to the Casinos on Freemont Street in old Down Town.  You know, the place with the neon cowboy and cowgirl.  But it also has a giant (over 5 football fields long) LED screen canopy that makes it seem like it's daytime, even at 1:00 in the morning.  And let's not forget the topless ladies, cross dressing guys, and people in costumes (from Kiss and Elvis to Zack Galifianakis and the baby from Hangover). 

Friday
We walked (and walked, and walked, and walked) the Strip.  Who knew there would be so many stairs, by the way?  We start out at the Venetian.  We go to Caesar's Palace and the Mirage with everyone.  Then Kevin and the others who have already seen what Vegas has to offer split off and go do some more gambling while Katie and I tackle Vegas on our own.  We went just about everywhere to see as much as we could (including an outdoor establishment with a very cute server where we got a very refreshing beverage, and hanging out at the House of Blues) so that we could get an idea of what we wanted to go back to.  We experienced a couple of Vegas buffets, and got ready for the big night. 

We had a taxi drop us off at the Wynn hotel with 10 minutes to spare.  When we get to the door, we ask the guy where the theater for the Garth Brooks concert is.  He tells us that it's actually at the Encore right next door.  (Now, if you've ever been to Vegas, then you know how sprawling these hotels are.  They span quite a distance.)  But he says that it's OK, because all we have to do is go left and there will be a sign and a door that will lead us to the Encore.  Well, we speed walk left...and keep going, but there's no sign.  So finally when we get to a door, the stupid curve of the hotel has brought us all the way around to the opposite end, putting us a good half mile from the entrance we needed.  So what's a girl to do?  That's right...we run...down the strip...at night...in our 3+ inch wedge shoes.  OMG, you should have seen us.  We only tripped twice (once each).  For anyone who knows how clumsy and out of shape I am, you'll know what a feat that was.  So we finally make it into the right hotel and have to subtly speed walk to the other end of it to get to the theater (right on time, mind you), only to have to walk to the end of a long winding line waiting to get in to the theater.  But we made it, so that's all that matters, isn't it?

And the concert?  Well...I'll  blog about it later, for sure.  But let me just say that it was pretty much the best, coolest, most amazing thing ever!

Saturday
We wake up and go back to our favorite Casino (New York New York) for breakfast.  We hung out for a little while, then Kevin and I went on a date.  And by date, I mean:  walk all the way to Caesar's to go to Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill for lunch, decide after looking at the menu that the lunch menu didn't have anything that Kevin wanted to try, walk all the way back to New York New York, call everybody else, and have lunch together there.  After lunch, we went to a crappy duelling pianos performance, put on our Rangers gear, and settled in at the Excalibur bar to watch the game.  We were super excited, and super optimistic...until around the 6th inning.  Then we couldn't take it anymore. So we had dinner at Peppermill (a Vegas-y breakfast/lunch/dinner/bar/diner place)...with the largest portions ever.  Then the gang dropped Katie and me off at the Bellagio so that we could see the fountains at night.  So cool!  But then we had to walk all the way back to the hotel...again.  Once we got back to the hotel, at only 11:30, we weren't quite ready to go to bed on our last night.  So we stopped by Dick's Last Resort (located inside our hotel) and listened to a band finish their set and watched a couple of hootchies dance with each other (thus keeping us and everyone else from dancing).  But then the band finished, the DJ took over, and the skanks left.  So we got our groove on with some other people, including 2 couples from Canada...who told us that they were from Canada...over and over.  But they were a lot of fun.  We danced for a good 2 hours, and then called it quits.

Sunday
The next morning; between all of the walking, climbing stairs, running down the strip, and dancing, we woke up quite sore.  But we powered through and headed back to New York, New York to have our gourmet desserts for breakfast.  Then we said good-bye to Vegas and flew back home, exhausted but pretty satisfied with our trip.

A HUGE thank you is in order for my parents.  They stayed with the kids while we were gone and chauffeured them to and from school, softball practice, a football game, school testing, movies, and church...plus shuttling us to and from the airport.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again...they are the coolest!

Plexers, Wuzzles, and Logic Oh My...

Some of you might be thinking...what on earth are plexers and wuzzles?
                                               
Well, they are word picture puzzles that tend to get you  tholostught.  I LOVE them.  I think they are so much fun!  My first experience with them was when I was a kid.  My mom got a sheet of Christmas themed plexers (from one of her sisters, I think), and I've been hooked ever since.  They are super clever.  Some, of course, are easier than others, but they're a great way to tease your brain every now and again. 

I don't have much else to say about them, so I'll just share a couple that I found online, as well as links to some others.  Have fun!

For more, you can check out:
http://www.wuzzlesandpuzzles.com/wuzzles/ (which just might be one of the coolest websites I've ever seen...)
http://www.princeton.edu/~distract/allpuzzles.html (look under wacky wordies for some themed plexers)
http://myfunteacher.com/plexers.htm


And while we're on the topic of brain teasers...  Did anyone else love Logic Problems as a kid?!  (OK, yes.  This post is really allowing me to unleash my inner nerd.)  In case you weren't as nerdy awesome as me when you were in school, this is an example of a logic problem ('m sure you'll recognize it when you see it):  

If you're interested, here's a fun little website with some logic problems that you can play online (but be careful...you could easily waste hours on here...):  http://www.puzzles.com/projects/LogicProblemsArchive.html

ENJOY!

One Hundred...

Alright, alright.  Calm down everybody.  I'm excited too, but there's really no need for confetti.  :)  Yes it's true...this is my 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know some people blog religiously...several times a week.  As you know, I am not one of those people.  I just don't have the time.  So I figure 100 posts in just under 2 years is still pretty good.  My posts have ranged from serious to funny, personal to general, sarcastic to thoughtful, whiney to grateful.  I don't get near the amount of comments that I used to (whether here or on facebook), but I don't care about that near as much as I used to either.  This has just been a creative outlet/way for me to vent.  And if anyone else has gotten anything from it (memories, a laugh, a new perspective), then that's just icing on the cake.

So I was thinking that on this most momentous of occasions, I would do a little recap of sorts.  I'm going to link some of my favorites from the last 100 posts!  Sounds like fun, right?!  Well get ready, folks.  Here it comes!

Memories...

Ending of an Era...

Favorite Things...

Top 5...

Autobiography...

The Kids' Latest... (which is not really their latest anymore)

Old Already...

Firsts...

The Power of Prayer...

October...

Movie Mash-Ups...

Feeling Lost...

Letters to Myself...

Photo Challenge...


OK, so maybe that was more than a few of my favorites.    :)   Oh well.  I guess that's all for now.  I hope you enjoyed the look back at my at my first 100 posts...I sure did!

My Dad's Stronger Than Your Dad...

You know how kids like to say that kind of thing?  Well, today I'd like to take my turn and say...My Parents Are Cooler Than Your Parents.   :)

Case in point...

That's right.  My mom is wearing leather pants, and my dad is wearing a skull cap and leather chaps.  I know...it's bad ass!  They love riding my dads Harley together.  They're even part of a motorcycle gang!  Ok, so it's not a gang exactly.  But it's still pretty awesome.  They are members of the Patriot Guard Riders.  They are a divers group of motorcycle riders from across the country, and their mission is to "attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family in order to:  show their sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities; and shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors."


Point #2...

What other parents would take their children to a lake at an old fort to conjure up a ghost...at midnight...3 nights in a row?!  So maybe it's slightly less awesome, seeing as how Mom brought the holy water with her, but not by much.  It's still one of my favorite memories!  Besides, what better way for your youngest daughter's new boyfriend to get to know the family?  Yup.  Kevin was there, too.  We had been dating for approximately 3 1/2 months.  Classic!


Point #3...

They are quite simply the best grandparents in the world!  Grandkids get a red Radio Flyer wagon?  Well, I guess Grandma and Granpa better get one to have at their house so the kids never have to go without their wagon rides.  Wagon rides just not fast enough for those grandkids anymore ("Faster, Grandpa...faster!")?  Well, Grandpa better get himself a brand new bike with a bike seat so they won't be disappointed anymore.  Still not fast enough?!  I guess it's time they took a ride with Grandpa on the Harley!  What do they want for Christmas?  How about Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Jenga, etc...  Gotta keep those kids entertained.  Kids getting older?  "Well, I guess we better get new grass in our backyard so the kids don't get stickers in their feet when they go out to play on the new swingset that we built for them."  I joke that they are spoiling the kids, but really, they just love spending as much time with them as they can, having as much fun as they can.       Simply the best!


There are many other wonderfully awesome things I could say about my parents (quoting movies, teaching your daughter how to take a tequilla shot, getting virtually anything you want with just two letters...LD, etc.), but I'll spare the rest of you the further realization that I'm right...my parents really are cooler than your parents!

9/11/11...

In the weeks leading up to today, I have watched several documentaries and seen many recaps, and have cried many tears just remembering the tragic events of 10 years ago.  In light of today's significance, I wanted do a blog that would put all of my thoughts and feelings into words.  However, I have found that someone else already has.

The following is a post from Deacon Greg Kandra on his blog that I follow, The Deacon's Bench.  It says everything that I wanted to say, and says it far better than I probably would have been able to.  So here you go:


**Anyone who saw the 2002 Super Bowl saw something unforgettable.  And it had nothing to do with sports.


It was held in New Orleans, in the Super Dome. The half time entertainment was Bono and U-2. There must have been 100-thousand people in the stadium, cheering wildly. Bono stepped onto the stage and the lights dimmed and the crowd roared and the band began to play.


If you watch video of that performance, you can hear Bono, over the music and the cheering, speaking into his microphone: “Lord, open my lips that my mouth may sing forth your praise.” The same words spoken at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Catholic Church.


And in fact, what followed turned out to be a kind of prayer.


As the song began, and the music swelled, behind the stage a massive banner started to rise, coming up from the floor of the stage, rising toward the ceiling, hundreds of feet above. Around the world, I imagine, millions of viewers were transfixed – stunned and moved what they were witnessing.


On the banner were projected the names of all those who had died on 9/11, less than five months before.


And the music continued, and it went on, Bono and U2 singing about a place “where the streets have no name.” And the banner kept growing, and the list kept getting longer. It seemed like it would never end. Name after name after name, like a visual litany of the lost.


Then the banner reached the roof of the Superdome. And it collapsed, rippling to the floor. For a brief moment, we were back there, and it all was happening again.


To see it so clearly was devastating.


And at the end of the song, with the crowd on its feet, screaming wildly, Bono opened his jacket and there, inside, was sewn an American flag. He stood there in defiance, and in pride, and in solidarity.

There have been so many other tributes and memorials and remembrances since that day – but nothing like that. It was raw, and it was real. An Irishman stood on a stage in New Orleans and paid tribute to a tragedy that struck New York and Pennsylvania and Washington and he said, in effect, I’m with you. Inside, I’m one of you. This is my tribute, my remembrance, my prayer.


It is difficult to capture what this anniversary means to us as Americans, as New Yorkers, as Catholic Christians. The things we feel are almost beyond words. We are still, in many ways, groping in the dark, struggling to find a way to deal with what happened, and how much our lives and our world have changed. Yet, this day, as we come before the altar of God with our prayers and petitions, our grief and our anger, we hear these words from the ancient prophet:


“Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.”


In the gospel, Jesus says it again: “Forgive your brother,” he says, “from your heart.”


But how? I wish I knew. I wish there were a mystical way to click on a forgiveness switch in the human heart. I wish I knew how to love all my enemies and pray for all my persecutors and “forgive my neighbor’s injustice” – even this most heinous injustice of all.


I think perhaps that forgiveness – like conversion – is a journey. The human heart isn’t necessarily converted over night. We don’t all have that electrifying moment on the road to Damascus. For many of us, it grows out of what Flannery O’Connor called “a habit of being.” It happens over a lifetime.


Conversion is a daily choice. So, is love.


And so, I believe, is forgiveness.


Like all of the challenges of our faith, it is something we need to pray for – to pray to able to do what we are called to do.


To love our neighbor.
To love our enemies.

To forgive our neighbor’s injustice.


C.S. Lewis put it beautifully. “To be a Christian,” he wrote, “is to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven it in us.”


A couple weeks ago, we heard Christ tells his disciples: “Take up your cross and follow me."  Well, one of the heaviest crosses is the call to forgive. Even when something seems unforgivable. Especially then. But by God’s grace – and by Christ’s example – somehow, we pick up that cross. We bear it on our backs. And we begin the long walk.


We may carry it on our backs, but what is more important is what we hold in our hearts, and it is this: that love is greater than hate; that hope is stronger than despair; that vengeance is no match for forgiveness.


This Sunday, we pray to remember that. And we pray, very simply, in remembrance.

We remember: all the lives that were lost, the martyrs who were born, the heroes who did what no one thought possible. We remember.


We remember sacrifice.

We remember courage.
We remember greatness.


At the Super Bowl, the song that Bono performed was “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Bono has said that he wrote the song about growing up in Dublin, where everyone could tell who was rich, and who wasn’t, by the street they lived on. And the place he was singing about was a city where that wouldn’t matter anymore.


It was his vision of heaven:

I’ll show you a place
Where there is no sorrow or pain…
And the streets have no names…


Our prayer is that we may one day know that place and walk those streets, in gratitude and in joy, with those we remember this day.


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.




Well said, Deacon Greg.

But I Don't Wanna...

So, it's official.  I'm going to start exercising tomorrow.  But like my title so subtly suggests...I REALLY don't want to.  In fact, there's almost nothing I want to do less.  But I just can't stand it anymore.


I've got a few options:

~ I can just do my usual work out videos, which are fine.  They target specific areas.  So, that's good.  This also leads to variety in the work out, so it's not the exact same thing every day.  So I guess that's a bonus, too

~ I can do a couch to 5k training.  You know, it gradually takes couch potatoes like myself from their laziness to running a 5k (about 3 miles) in about 2 months.  Running is supposed to be really great exercise, and I know a lot of people that LOVE it.  But I just don't know if I can get over the fact that I would actually have to run. 

~ I can train for another 1/2 marathon (walking, of course).  I figure if I'm actually diligent about the training this time, and if I don't have to have a bone marrow procedure 2 weeks before the race, that maybe it won't be quite so excruciating this time.  And we did actually end up walking faster than some of the joggers we saw there.

OR

~ I could always try dance-walking.

...but I don't know if I can afford to lose any friends.   :)

Wish me luck!

30 Day Movie Challenge...

Alright, alright, alright (said so coolly by Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused), it's time for another facebook challenge!  Song Challenge...check.  Picture Challenge...check.  Movie Challenge...here goes nothing!

Now, as much as I love music and as hard as that one was, I think this one might be even harder.  But we'll see.  There are a couple of different versions of this challenge floating around out there, but this is the one that I liked the best.  I thought it was a little bit deeper...it would tell you more about me (and let's face it...I know you want to know all there is to know about me).   :)  And while there are probably several movies that could be used in multiple places on this list, I'm going to try not to double up anywhere.

Day 01- The best movie you saw during the last year
Day 02 – The most underrated movie
Day 03 – A movie that makes you really happy
Day 04 – A movie that makes you sad
Day 05 – Favorite love story in a movie
Day 06 – Favorite made for TV movie
Day 07 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 08 – A movie that you’ve seen countless times
Day 09 – A movie with the best soundtrack
Day 10 – Favorite classic movie
Day 11 – A movie that changed your opinion about something
Day 12 – A movie that you couldn't finish
Day 13 – A movie that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14 – A movie that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 16 – A movie that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 – A movie that disappointed you the most
Day 18 – A movie that you wish more people would’ve seen
Day 19 – Favorite movie based on a book/comic/etc.
Day 20 – Favorite movie from your favorite actor/actress
Day 21 – Favorite action movie
Day 22 – Favorite musical
Day 23 – Favorite animation
Day 24 – That one awesome movie idea that still hasn’t been done yet
Day 25 – The most hilarious movie you’ve ever seen
Day 26 – A movie that you love but everyone else hates
Day 27 – A movie that you wish you had seen in theaters
Day 28 – Favorite movie from your favorite director
Day 29 – A movie from your childhood
Day 30 – Your favorite movie of all time

Day 1 = While there are some that made me laugh or cry more than others, I think this movie had a fabulous combination of both; Crazy, Stupid Love.
Day 2 = Most people can appreciate the skill it takes to be a comedic actor these days, but not many people recognize Tom Hanks's achievements in Turner and Hooch.
Day 3 = Music and Lyrics (I can't get enough of Hugh Grant's motorcycle dance)
Day 4 = This movie didn't actually make me sad, but UGH, it was depressing!  Revolutionary Road
Day 5 = This one's a tie between Noah & Allie in The Notebook and Holly & Gerry in PS I Love You.  They were both beautifully tragic love stories.
Day 6 = Everybody's Baby.  (the baby Jessica story) I vividly remember watching this as a kid and being amazed by the story.  Now, as a parent, I almost get teary-eyed just thinking about it. (almost)
Day 7 = Definitely The Sixth Sense.  Need I say more?
Day 8 = Although there are many movies that my family and I can quote throughout, this is one that I have seen enough times that not only can I quote it, I can sing along to it.  The Little Mermaid.
Day 9 = Yikes!  Talk about difficult.  This question combines my love of music and movies.  I am taken back to many a road trip to South Dakota in my youth (I'm talking Footloose, Rocky 4, Cocktail, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, etc.), but I think I'm going to have to forgo all of those and say Forrest Gump simply because the music (like the movie) spans several decades.
Day 10 = I'm not a big fan of classic movies...at all.  But one of the only old "classic" movies that I have seen that I can actually stand is It's a Wonderful Life.
Day 11 = The Wedding Singer.  While I had always enjoyed Adam Sandler's brand of stupid comedy, this movie (although it was a comedy at heart and had it's moments of stupidity) was one of the first to reveal that he had a bit of a dramatic streak in him...that he's not just a stupid comedian.
Day 12 = I don't think I even lasted 15 minutes through Kill Bill.  Sorry.  I know many of you love it, but I just couldn't get with the Tarantino-violence-horrid language business (I've never seen all of Pulp Fiction either.....I know...GASP!)
Day 13 = Although I proudly admit to loving Footloose, I think it qualifies as a guilty pleasure.  It's just so wonderfully cheesy (especially the whole "getting so pissed off I'm going to dance by myself in a warehouse" thing) that I can't get enough of it!
Day 14 = Sheesh, I don't know.  I guess I'm pretty predictable.
Day 15 = I don't know how much I relate to this character as a whole, but the scene in Speed where Sandra Bullock's character drives the bus into the baby carriage only to find out it was full of cans gets me every time.  I'm just so certain that is exactly the way I would react.
Day 16 = Sorry... I've got nothing...
Day 17 = I don't know if this disappointed me the most, but it's the only one I can think of right now.  I had heard such good things, and it got Oscar attention, but I was very disappointed with Black Swan (and I typically like both Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis).  It just wasn't my cup of tea, I guess.
Day 18 = Again...nada
Day 19 = Favorite book turned movie should be a given...Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  And my favorite movie based on a comic is X-Men Origins: Wolverine (I've always loved movies that give good background information, and ones that span decades...not to mention Hugh Jackman...yummy.)
Day 20 = These may not be my top favorite actors, but I do enjoy Sandra Bullock a lot and Matthew McConaughey has be one of my top crushes for quite some time.  And this fantastic movie has both of them, so why not?  A Time to Kill.
Day 21 = Transformers.  The special affects blew my mind the first time that I saw it.  I still think it's SO awesome.
Day 22 = Dreamgirls.  Loved it.
Day 23 = I have already used my all-time favorite, so I'll cheat and list a bunch of others that are all probably tied for 2nd place:  Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, Finding Nemo, Up, Kung Fu Panda, and Despicable Me
Day 24 = Hate all you want, but I would LOVE to see a movie about the life of Michael Irvin.  I think his is an awesome story...very movie worthy.
Day 25 =  I'd have to say Bridesmaids.  I don't think I've ever laughed that hard or that much in a movie.  Ever.  (and I've laughed a lot, so that's saying something)
Day 26 = ??? I have such good taste that I just can't fill this one out.
Day 27 = The Abyss (the director's cut).  I love this move, and the director's cut actually explains things.  It would have been awesome to actually see on the big screen.
Day 28 = I'm taking a few liberties with this one.  I would not say that Stephen Herek is my favorite director...at all.  In fact, I didn't even know his name untilIi looked it up for this post.  But he did direct a movie that I really wanted to use on this list.  So when I looked up the movie, I found out he directed some other movies I enjoy, too.  The wonderful movie I wanted to use is Mr. Holland's Opus (again, it has great music and spans several decades).
Day 29 = This was the first scary movie I ever saw.  I watched it at a Girl Scout sleepover at the Embassy Suites in 3rd grade.  I remember being freaked out, but loving it.  Watcher in the Woods.
Day 30 = It's virtually impossible to only pick one.  But Armageddon has been at the top of my list since it first came out.  It's got a little bit of everything:  action, comedy, drama, great music...and pure awesomeness.


So that's it.  I did my best to complete the list this time, but I just couldn't waste devote any more time to this post than I already have.  I'm sure that if I completed this list again next week (or even tomorrow, for that matter) that I could have completely different answers for almost all of them.
Now, it's your turn.   :)

I just can't resist...

Today's blog will be relatively wordless.  Here are just a few of the things in my life that I have a weakness for: 

~ babies

~ "true" ghost stories

~ cupcakes
~ alien/ufo/crop circle documentaries

~ pizza
~ JFK conspiracy documentaries

~ quoting movies

~ procrastinating

~ family game night
~ singing along

~ laughing at Cakes
~ crying at almost every movie ....no, not this badly, though

~ TV
~ being sarcastic

~ coloring inside the lines
~ seeing the silver lining


So how about you?  Do you share any of these vices with me?  What can you not resist?

Because I Feel Like It...

Today, I'm feeling the need to blog.  But today, I'm also feeling a bit under the weather.  My sick brain is kind of all over the place today.  So that being said, I'm going to do a rather random post today.  Here goes nothin'.

* Kevin and I have started watching the show, Breaking Bad.  It's really pretty good.  It's just strange seeing the dad from Malcolm in the Middle in this kind of role.  Pretty interesting concept for the show, though.

* Hannah and Mason want to make a web page to showcase their sweet, sweet dance moves.  That way, viewers can send in clips of their own moves for Hannah and Mason to deem worthy to join their dance club.  Hannah's not really all that great, but Mason's actually pretty awesome.  He's got some street dance, hip-hop kind of thing he does.  Greatness.

* I have a bit of an attitude problem right now.  I've really enjoyed this summer. Nothing much to it, but it's just the break I needed after last year. It has really made the idea of going back to school that much harder to wrap my head around, though.

* I could really go for a cupcake right now.

* The grass in our back yard is so dead, Hannah looked out the window this morning and said, "Mason, I think it snowed last night.  Look how light the grass is!"  Then she looked at me and winked (or at least tried to).  Smarty pants.

* I can't wait for good TV to come back.  I'm not even ashamed to admit that I've got the premiere dates marked on my calendar.  Right along other only slightly more important events.

* I've done a lot of reading this summer.  Probably the best book of the summer was "The Help".  If you haven't read it, you should.  The movie comes out in August (I think), and it looks good, too.

* One of these years, we're going to take the kids to Universal Studios.  They don't really have any desire to go to Disney World.  Plus, Universal Studios is the place that has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  I mean, come on.  Who doesn't want to see that, right?

* Kevin has a sick obsession (literally sick...literally obsession) with popping pimples.  It GROSSES me out!  Even the kids have learned that if they have a tiny pimple (or even an ant bite) somewhere, they do everything they can not to mention it around him.  Eeeeww.

* You know how certain actors get type-casted as a certain type of character?  It really makes you wonder (or at least it really makes me wonder) how close they are to that in real life.

* What do you think?  Are dinosaurs and birds related?

* I just love the commercials that try to make the simplest of tasks seem oh so hard.  When all they really do is make the people doing those tasks seem ridiculous.  That is, until they get the help of whatever product is being sold. 

* Speaking of commercials, there's one I think I will always remember.  It's a local (Abilene) commercial.  I think some of you may already know which one I'm thinking of.  It's for Abilene Portable Buildings..."family owned and located on Butternut and Treadway".  I guess you could say it's a testament to the advertising that it has stuck with me all these years.

* I'm going to bed now.  Good night.

Bucket List...

I'm sure that most of you have seen the movie, The Bucket List, by now.  But just in case there are any of you that haven't (and even for those of you that have), here's the trailer:

     But even before seeing this movie, I'm sure we had all thought of things we wanted to do in our lives. Maybe we didn't have those things on an actual list or have an actual name for it, but we had goals and dreams. Bucket lists are also known as Life Lists. Rather than thinking of them as things you want to do before you die, you just think of them as things (big or small) that you want to do in your life.

     I'm going to take this time to start a working Bucket List of my own.  It will be a work in progress that I will add to over time (that I guess I actually started when I was a kid).  And there are some that am I pleased to be able to cross off already. Feel free to put yours in writing as well. :)

My Bucket List (in no particular order)

     : get married

     : have kids

     : become a teacher

     : get a pool

     : go to New York City

     : see New England in the fall

     : go to Washington DC

     : visit the Smithsonian

     : adopt a baby

     : see a tornado in real life

     : go on a Haunted Ghost Tour (in New Orleans would be best)

     : get paid to bake

     : write a children's book

     : become a published author

     : read the Bible (the whole thing)

     : make photo albums for Hannah and Mason

     : keep up with the kids' photo albums

     : make a family album for you and Cakes

     : go to Vegas

     : see Garth Brooks in concert

     : see Aerosmith in concert

     : go on an African safari

     : travel to Italy (Venice, Rome, and Florence specifically)

     : visit the Louvre

     : be a godmother

     : truly make a difference in someone's life

     : be a grandma

     : celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary with Cakes

     : get a new, bigger house with more room for the kids to grow and play

     : buy a boat

     : buy an RV

     : travel the country, road trip style

     : learn to hoola-hoop

     : save money (in an account that actually grows over time...instead of getting spent)

     : figure out a second career

     : take the kids to Universal Studios

     : go back to Pensacola Beach (or any of the neighboring beaches)

     : go to Hawaii

     : take the kids to meet my family in South Dakota

     : get a new family portrait at least every 5 years

     : sing Karaoke

     : go to a costume party

     : volunteer with the high school youth group at church

     : have our house be the house that our kids and their friends want to hang out at

    

OK well, I think that's enough for now.  The more time that I give this, the more things I think of.  It's a start anyway.  And as I said before, it's a work in progress.  Some of them are silly, some of them are trivial, and I'm sure some of them may never happen...but here's hoping.  

   

Photo Challenge...

So I know you've been eagerly awaiting this post about facebook's 30 Day Photo Challenge ever since you read my ever-so-awesome song challenge post the other day. Well, wait no more! Here it is. And just like last time, I will not do all 30 here, but I will go ahead and give you the full 30 day criteria. And even though a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm going to go ahead and add my thoughts to them as we go. So...are you ready for more awesomeness?!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of something/someone you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most weird things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of a memorable night
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture of a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

~ Day 1
: I am probably the coolest nerd you'll ever meet.
: I married for money ;)
: I have a brand new bathroom.
: I love my family.
: I love how I was raised.
: I feel at least slightly inadequate most of the time.
: I have 2 awesome and vastly different kids.
: I have leukemia.
: I have my mother's grace.
: I love to bake.

~ Day 2
Well, despite the fact that she curses like a sailor and sings songs about chicken vaginas, Mom is the person I've been closest to the longest. She got me through gymnastics and piano lessons. She's the one that told me how cute it would look if I cut my hair super short. She taught me how to sew and cook. She encouraged and supported me through High School. And she has become an amazing friend to me since then.

~ Day 3
LOST...need I say more? I don't think so, but just in case you don't already know how amazing this show is and how I feel about it, you can check this out.

~ Day 7
I'm not a very materialistic person...at all. So for me, my most treasured item is my family. Not just the ones pictured here, of course. ALL of them!

~ Day 8
This was Kevin on the day of our wedding. The photographer told him to "gaze adoringly at his ring". All he could manage to do was think, "What the _ _ _ _"?! Honestly, there were so many of Kevin's pictures I could have chosen for this, because he is such a good picture taker. :)

~ Day 11
Landry...UGH! Especially the folding part. I don't know why, but I loathe it. Maybe it's just because it's NEVER done. Even if everythings clean, folded, hung, and put away, there's still the close that we're wearing at that moment. So unless everyone in the house walks around naked and doesn't bathe or wash hands requiring towels (which I'm pretty sure would be traumatizing for everyone involved), it is literally never ending.

~ Day 12
Board games...YAY! I have blogged before about how they are one of my favorite things. They bring people together and bring out the laughter, and they're just the bomb-digitty!

~ Day 14
As a mom, I would be remiss if I did a photo post without including my kids. And what better place than the ones I couldn't imagine my life without?! I mean, come on...just look at how cute they were! And even though there not itty-bitty anymore, they still are utterly amazing.

~ Day 15
One of these days I'll have to blog about my bucket list, but I'll go ahead and tell you that going on an African safari is one of the things I want to do before I die. I just think it would be so amazing and awe inspiring to be so close to those incredible animals, in the natural habitat that God created!

~ Day 16
Who inspires me?

JUST KIDDING!

I think I've blogged about this before too (in bits and pieces anyway), but my parents are an inspiration to me: their faith, their devotion (to each other, their friends, and their family), their integrity, the way they still flirt with each other, the example they set as parents, the fact that they've been happily married for almost 38 years, etc. I'm SO lucky to have been raised by them and am SO blessed to still have them in my life.

~ Day 20
This is another thing on my bucket list and could also have been used for Day 15. But I think it's more appropriate here, because I see this as much more of a traveling thing. I would LOVE to go to Italy (Rome, Florence, and Venice specifically). Rome has so much history, art, and the Vatican. Florence, I truthfully don't know that much about, but the architecture is beautiful (and to be honest, I've just wanted to go there ever since I saw "While You Were Sleeping"). Venice is so picturesque with the waterways and gondolas. Ahh...one of these years...

~ Day 23
So, I cheated a little bit. It's not one book, it's a series. But I'm counting it as a whole. If you haven't read it yet, you really should. I'm not even going to bother describing it to you, because I wouldn't do it justice. And just based on the description, you might not think it sounds good anyway. And trust me, I didn't either. It is SO not my usual type of book to read. But despite my doubts, I trusted the recommendations I got from friends and cousins, and I gave it a shot. And "holy adictive books, Batman"! It's AMAZING!

~ Day 24
I didn't want to get too heavy here, but I didn't want to go completely light hearted either. With all of the technology we have, I truly find it amazing that there are so many diseases we don't have a cure for yet: cancer, diabetes, leukemia, AIDS, alzheimers, etc. So many people of all ages are suffering. That is what I wish I could change.

~ Day 26
My faith...as a Christian...as a Catholic means a lot to me. I'm not one to be very vocal about my faith, but I hope that it comes through in my actions. Sharing my faith with my kids is also very important to me, and it meas SO much to me that Kevin takes an active role in that as well.

~ Day 27
This is a picture of me with my little brother, Josh. When we were little, we were like 2 peas in a pod. As we got older, I'm affraid I became more of a typical big sister and deliberately tried to get him in trouble. But once I got into High School, we became friends again. I can't believe the little turd is actually getting married in a few weeks!

~ Day 29
This picture with my Dad always makes me smile. I think of how I used to wrap my little hands around his big arms and say, "Like a rock, Daddy!" And I remember how I would look up at him and ask, "Daddy, are you happy to me?" I've always been a daddy's girl at heart.

~ Day 30
The little baby girl in my arms here is someone I miss. Her name was Reagan, and she was my cousin's daughter. She was born without a brain...only a brain stem. Even in her short time here on Earth, she lived longer than was expected. And I can't explain it, but I had a deep connection with that little girl. I know that she's healthy, happy, and at peace up in Heaven, but I think of her and miss her almost every day.