You Know You Spend Too Much Time At The Photo Lab When...

You're not the first person in line, but the photo lab lady digs out your order and brings it to you anyway.

I am working on my scrapbooks today and braved the frigid temps to have some prints made at Wal-Mart. When I returned a few hours later to pick them up, I was the second person back in line, but I got my pictures first. Guess it pays to be recognized as a frequent customer?

Here are a couple of the pictures I picked up today. They're not new, but I had them printed in black and white to frame and hang in my bedroom as the final touch before taking the "after" pictures of the makeover. (A makeover which started a year and a half ago, you understand.)

I was pretty impressed that I managed to take both of them myself...no timer...AND the cats cooperated. That is rare.

Kaegan

Braeya

It's Baaaaaaack!

Well my small consolation in the TV world of no writers is that American Idol is back...and my stomach hurts from laughing.

This particular picture was taken two years ago at the little party I hosted for the opening night. I was mid-coffee-drink when a less than stellar singer tried to go up the down escalator...in a dress, no less...and I nearly spit coffee on my guests. This time it was tea that just about went flying, but the general idea is the same.

Oh goodness. I just have no words for so many of them. I can't even remember their names...but there have been some scary ones. The guy who wrote the stalker song for Paula both amused me (as Kristin said, "Who knew that much rhymed with stalk her?") and scared me to death! I felt bad for the girl who even softened Simon's heart...and it was very nice of him to walk her out to her parents and break the bad news to them. I liked the girl at the very end - the nanny who hasn't watched an R-rated movie. I thought she had a good voice and she seemed to be just a good person.

Tonight's crowning moment was saved until the end - with that never ending brotherly love song. Good grief. I don't think the singers who got through today (most of them anyway) were as good as yesterday's. A couple of them got through on sheer luck. How did that happen?

Anyway, it brought a bit of laughter to my day...so welcome back, American Idol!

Bits for Sunday, January 13, 2008

This week I’ve been thinking quite a bit about discipline.

Not because I particularly enjoy it, you understand, but it just seems to be popping up everywhere. Conversations. Devotions. Books. When something doesn’t go away, I usually figure God’s trying to get something through my head. So…I’ve been giving it some thought.

It started when I went to my friend Jaye’s birthday party and she and I talked about last year and all the commitments I made. She asked if I’d given in and had a taste of the coveted pop yet…which I haven’t. That led to an entire discussion about the discipline of doing the things I committed to do and which ones I kept and which ones I let go…and so it began in my mind.

One of my commitments for this year is to read Proverbs through every month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and also that many days in nearly each month…so if I read a chapter a day, I can read all of Proverbs in a month. At the end of the year, I’ll have read Proverbs through twelve times. Right now I’m in the chapters that are the Proverbs attributed to King Solomon, and each is a little couplet – not necessarily relating to the topic of the one before it or the one after it. I’m learning that there are definite themes in his wise sayings, though, and one of them is discipline. I keep making notes in my journal about what he says regarding discipline…and another month I’ll have to do a study just on that topic.

And then came the book. Another of my commitments this year is to read one book each month…on the topic of some sort of relationship. The one that I’m reading this month is a tough one – because it forces me to take a hard look at how I operate. I’m learning I’ve got a little more work to do than I thought. And many evenings I just sit with the book and shake my head wondering how I can be so incredibly disciplined in some areas (like flossing) and in other areas I can be so disorderly!

One evening this week, as I walked on the track, I thought about what Jaye said…I thought about what Proverbs said…and I thought about what I didn’t want to learn about myself while reading that book. I thought about being carbonated-beverage-free and exercising and flossing and all the other successes of last year and wondered how in the world I could tie all of this together and turn it into something beneficial.

Then I thought about something I told my friend Kari last week, when I reported in about my new list of commitments. I told her I felt frazzled and unsure of how to make this new schedule work…but then again I remembered feeling that way last year when I started my big list. And yet in time, I began to remember the things I needed to do on a daily basis without consulting the master list. I began to instinctively fine tune my schedule to allow for the commitments and not scramble every Saturday night to finish the things that I hadn’t done yet.

And now, a year later, I see that those things are just part of who I am. I disciplined myself right into desiring those things to be part of my life. Do I love them? Not all of them. I don’t skip to the gym with joy. Many days I still force myself to change into the grubbies and go. But I know the lifestyle change is something I desire enough that I choose to continue the discipline.

And so it will be with some of these new things. So I haven’t always done a great job in the past in some areas. That doesn’t mean I’m a complete failure for it. It just means now is the time to create new disciplines that will help me improve. And while right now that hurts and makes me tired…eventually it will become a desire in my heart.

So that’s what I’ve learned about discipline this week. I need to exercise it. I’m not perfect at it. And most people probably think I’m crazy for it. But if I ever want to desire the better things, I’ve got to start (or continue) training myself in that direction.

And so, Jaye, to better complete the conversation we started at your party…I guess that’s the basics of how and why I do what I do. I don’t like it. But after a while I definitely want it. And when the desire kicks in, it’s a whole lot easier.

The Table

Here it is! The table I assembled myself! There really is a fourth chair...I just hadn't put it together yet when I took this picture. I love my new table and actually have not eaten dinner on the couch one time since I got this! I sit at the table like a big girl and eat my food.

Last night I also discovered that it works GREAT for scrapping. I prefer to stand and scrap because I seem to work better that way...but I get really bad backaches from bending over the table. That isn't an issue anymore!

Wouldn't THIS Just Be My Luck

I suppose it could be worse.

I found this story on Yahoo's news list today. I suppose there are worse things than not finding the man of your dreams.

Full Work Weeks

Just like I don't understand why it only takes me two days to get my days and nights mixed up...and then two weeks to get them straightened out again, I don't understand why I can so easily adapt to shortened work weeks and can't figure out how to get used to the five day routine again. The shortened weeks I'd had lately were no less busy than a full week...so I had to cram a whole lotta work into a very short work frame. You'd think I'd be grateful to have more time to accomplish it. But instead...I think this has been the longest week EVER.

It's not been a bad week. I haven't been reduced to tears by any irate person. I've been able to rest and watch TV and exercise and do all my fun things I like to do. But it has been a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng week. And it didn't help that a couple of days, I thought it was already the next day. Boy was that a disappointment when I figured out the truth!

I guess I don't have any monumental news except that I hear tonight is the last Grey's until the strike ends...so I'm telling myself tonight is the last Grey's of the season. Very sad. But American Idol picks up soon so I can chatter about that!

One more day...and then a full work week is ACCOMPLISHED!

Leftover Christmas

Ahhh...a few sweet minutes at home to make cards and eat dinner and watch TV and sort through the ads from the Sunday paper. That is the very sort of night I've been craving, and tonight I got it!

While I was at it, I had a chance to add a few pictures that Mom gave me from Christmas day:

Lori, I guess this proves that even a digital camera doesn't prevent her from beheading a subject. In my heart, I'd like to think she was so focused on her grandcat that she wasn't even worried about me...but I have a feeling she just missed. I was trying to show Braeya the cat food, but she was much more interested in the catnip on the other side of that stocking.


Posing with my stocking and my "consolation prize for lack of husband."


This was my "gift from Christmas past" - and no, it did not come with a ghost. This was a platter that Mom and Dad received for their 25th wedding anniversary. I think I might use it at my next entertainment extravaganza. Hey Kari - see the candles you gave me up on the table? they fit in so perfectly with that little ensemble!

Oh look. Imagine that. Me being goofy! I believe this was a gift of an "IOU."

Mom found coffee magnets for my refrigerator. Perfect!
Well I'd love to write some more but it's time to gather up the trash and get busy on other stuff, so I'll go for now.

Bits for Sunday, January 6, 2008

WHEW. I'm exhausted.

This new year brought about a pretty significant change in my daily routine – one that I’m enjoying so far, but the actual shift in schedule is tiring right at this moment. I’ve made a commitment to do part of my daily devotions in the morning…so I am allowed no more than one snooze per morning alarm. That’s a big change from the hour and a half I used to spend hitting that little button.

By the third day, I was already quite sure I didn’t care for the change, but I knew it was a good thing and I needed to stick with it. I’m learning that to make a commitment means to make somewhat uncomfortable sacrifices, but the rewards are worth it.

So here I am, still trying to get the hang of when I need to officially end the day in order to complete all of the new night routine – and exactly how much time is required in the morning to make any sort of sense of this hair. I’m hoping to have it all figured out just in time for the time to change. (Let’s not get started on that, though, okay?)

In other “new routine” news – I made a somewhat annoying observation this week. I’m technically allowed to drink pop again because I didn’t renew the “no carbonated beverage” commitment…but I can’t bring myself to do it. Friday I went to Subway with some friends and I stared long and hard at that drink machine before rolling my eyes and filling up with fruit punch. The day will come when I’ll break down and have a good old Coke or Pepsi, but for now, I just can’t. And now that I can have it…I don’t crave it like I did for the 365 days of last year. Isn’t that just how it always goes!

To take a break from the elliptical routine this week, I did tae bo for a couple of days. I can’t turn right. Something in my neck must have pulled or popped or snapped or gone on strike or something. It makes for an interesting time in backing out of the driveway. If you find a huge chunk of my house missing, you’ll know how that happened.

I purchased a new table and chairs this week to replace the temporary table and folding chairs I’ve been using for a few months. I fully assembled the table AND the chairs all by myself and so far, everything appears to be properly placed and quite sturdy! Oh – and did I mention I did it without power tools? Thankyouvermuch. Even my dad seemed impressed. Who am I kidding…even I am impressed! I’ve come a long way from the days of college when my roommate, Christi, and I put together a tower that leaned quite significantly to the left and was missing a large chunk of finish on the right-hand side. (Went a little crazy with the hammer.)

So that’s the way 2008 has started for me. The first week was busy and I felt like I constantly ran from morning until night…so it’s okay with me if it slows down a little. But I am enjoying the changes…the new routine…the trying new things…maybe not so much the furniture assembly.

Channel Surfing

This evening I spend my time doing some quality furniture assembly, so while I wore out my fingertips with non-power-tools, I got caught up in a little channel surfing. Landed on Wife Swap. Though I've seen the show before, I'm not a devoted viewer. But this evening, as I sailed past in my surf, I heard them say one of the wives was a Quaker pastor, so I stopped to see what she was all about. Having grown up Quaker, I try to check in on my roots now and then.

Well, if she were to serve as the denomination's spokeswoman (as I'm sure she'd take high offense to being called a "spokesperson"), then I'd just as soon not even be associated with the denomination at all. I was extremely disappointed.

At the beginning of the show, as they introduced the families, they did show her behind the pulpit. That was where any reference to the Lord seemed to stop. I went on the show's website just now and read the first part of her manual (each wife has to write a manual for the wife coming in to her household...and the manual includes a general synopsis of the family as well as an idea of their weekly routine and household rules) - and other than the reference to her occupation, I never would have known she knew anything about God at all.

She's very into the feminist movement and insists that her daughters understand they are not "defenceless" people. She doesn't approve of women being treated as a piece of "meet." Oh - and did I mention she homeschools? (Maybe her husband teaches the spelling part.)

Speaking of the homeschooling - I found it interesting that her manual indicated she (and her husband) did not want the kids "trapped in a patriarchal educational system surrounded by mindless social drones," but yet her husband (the patriarch) is a high school special education teacher. Hmmmm.

The other thing that really baffled me was what seemed to be missing from her weekly schedule. HER JOB. I didn't read that part word for word yet, because of time, but as I skimmed through it...I found the sleeping in and the watching public television and the schooling and the QT with the empowered women in training and the family outings...but other than preaching on Sunday morning, I didn't find much about her work with her church. Goodness, my pastor is at the church most every day of the week...and he visits people...and counsels people...and goes to the hospital...and pitches in on almost any kind of need a congregation member could have...and THEN he preaches a sermon he's worked hard to prepare.

The inconsistencies were disturbing, but even more disturbing and disappointing (she would like that last word - it's a big part of her method of discipline according to the manual) was just the lack of shining any sort of light for God. What better avenue could she have been given to leave a positive impression than an hour in primetime TV? And yet even the wife she swapped with made a comment about "And you're a preacher?" It made me sad, but I had to agree.

The Passion Promise: Living a Life Only God Can Imagine

Remember the list your English teacher handed you in high school? One hundred books you needed to read before you died?

At this rate, I need to live to be about 200 years old to squeeze in all the books. With all due respect to the great authors whose books comprised that list...most of the titles just don't interest me. So I decided that over the course of the next ten years, I would make my own list. Not that I think I can do any better than the master list of 100 great books...just that I think there are other books out there that deserve a chance too.

So the list that I'm making is a compilation of books I would recommend that my kids read (if I ever have kids, you understand) as they move into adulthood and start foraging a way for themselves. The way I've figured it...if I introduce a new book roughly every two and a half months, I'll have a list of fifty books at the end of the decade.

With that being said, I bring to you my first book of choice for this list:


The book is The Passion Promise: Living a Life Only God Can Imagine, and it's written by John Avant. I received this book as a gift from my friend Marie back in June, 2005. She told me the author had spoken at her church and moved her so deeply as he spoke on this subject that she went to the bookstore and ordered a number of copies of The Passion Promise to distribute to her friends.

The Passion Promise was the first book I ever remember crying over as I read. I cry all the time at movies, commercials, TV programs, testimonies in church, you name it, but books don't often make me cry. John wrote with such fervor, though, that he stirred up all sorts of God-planted desires in my heart - some that I hadn't felt in years. And that brought on the tears.

In his introduction, he says, "Deep in your heart, you know you were made for more than the daily grind. Like Paul, you were created for a passionate life designed by God. Even now the Lord is calling you to that life! Calling you to trade rusty religion for radical risk. Guaranteed safety for lifelong significance. Worthless ambition for wild adventure" (p. 11). That phrase received the first of many underlinings as I read through his book.

To write a book about "how to live" can be a perilous thing for an author. Some fall on the opposite side of a dangerous line that leaves people relying on the authority of a man (or woman) over the authority of God's Word. John states early in his book "The treasure is not in this book. It's in His book" (p. 20). In fact, he pulls the entire premise for his book straight from Ephesians 3:20-21, which says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!"

Starting with "Now" and concluding with the "Amen!" John spends ten chapters dissecting these two verses, sharing from his personal experience as a husband, father, pastor, teacher, Christian, and human being. He brings in bits of study from the Bible's original languages, and he frequently backs his own words with the Word of God. He challenges anyone reading to take specific action to begin living a passionate life.

I've read this book more than once and I still find new things to underline and star. I love the practical wisdom he offers, and I think it's a very appropriate book to read at the start of anything new...a new year, a new ministry, a new marriage, a new baby, a new day, a new trial...anything.

John's words and his conclusions of Scripture have inspired me to dig even harder for the passion God has placed within me. I reread this book again just before the start of the new year, and it gave me the extra push I needed to begin my new lineup of commitments with renewed enthusiasm!

2007...A Good Year

Every day when I hop online, I'm greeted by yet another top ten list of this past year's highlights. I was going to make my own list, but I'm too tired, quite frankly. So I just thought I'd wish the year a fond farewell (much too busy tomorrow to do it then) by pausing to remember a few of the year's major events.

Today I busily geared up for my next round of covenants and commitments, since I'm pretty much done with the list of 25 for 2007. I'm thrilled to say I accomplished more than I thought I was capable of doing. My biggest triumphs were 365 days carbonated-beverage-free and a whole year of exercise. And of course - the before and after pictures to spur me on to continue in the path of a good thing.

Last Christmas:



This Christmas:

Yes, I am aware that they are taken from totally different angles. Yes I purposely picked the worst of last year and the best of this year. But you know, in every single diet ad you'll ever see, the people tanned and got a hair cut and teeth whitening in between their before and after pictures, so let me have my fun, okay????

The year wasn't all amazing triumphs. Hopefully this year will be less catastrophic for the family - no more tornadoes! No more windy storms of any kind! Having said that, it was quite an amazing thing to see how people came together to help. People who knew me and had never met my sister or her family still wanted to help - and that was pretty humbling to comprehend. Though I wish the circumstances could have been different, I am glad that I had saved the vacation days and had the money to go out to see/help/be there after the tornado. Thank you to all of you who patiently read and encouraged me and prayed for our family during those first especially rough weeks. Lori, Jeff, and Cassie are looking forward to being in their new home soon!

(Below: Julie and I in front of a massive random rubble pile.)

I loved the times this year that allowed me to reflect. I enjoy reflecting and love the moments in a day when I can zone out of crazy life long enough to catch up with God and sort through the ideas tumbling through my head. This year my exercise hour often became that time. But I took out other days for purposeful retreat - like this one on the lake:

But never fear - my crazy side is never far away. I had a fun year. Overall, minus the tornado, a fun, fun year. I went into this year hoping to see the joyful moments for what they were and I feel that I accomplished that. I stumbled. I fell. I hurt. I cried. But I didn't do any of those things nearly as much as I laughed and enjoyed this life.

Here at my desk I have my brand new still-smells-like-leather day planner that is already filling up with fun stuff. I also have my book for January. (One of my commitments this year is to read a book every month that deals with a relationship of some kind. Trying to learn more!) I'm excited to dig in to both!

This past year, my theme verse was 1 Samuel 16:1 - "The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'" My goal for the year was to work to put the things of my past behind me for good and prepare myself for the work ahead. I didn't do a perfect job, but I'm pleased with the foundation God helped me build this year. I don't know exactly what I'm doing with it yet, but I can tell some good things went into that foundation.

My verse looking ahead into 2008 is Romans 8:5 - "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." My prayer for the coming year is that I put aside what I have concocted in my head that I desire and need for my life and instead embrace whatever God has planned for my path. Not easy...but I want it.

So to each of you - happy new year!

Bits for Sunday, December 30, 2007

I realize that Christmas is over...but I have one more Advent reading to share, so you will find it below.

The Wise Men: The Light of Offering The Best Gift

Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men. Perhaps the most controversial characters in the record of the first Christmas. Should they or should they not be included in the Christmas account? They weren’t there right away…their visit was months…up to two years later, perhaps! Were there three…were there more? Were they kings or were they just smart guys? The debate goes on all these many years later.

And we spend so much time trying to figure out just how far away from the manger to place these figures in our Nativity scene that we miss the entire purpose for which they came! Even when we do separate ourselves from controversy long enough to talk about why they came, we focus on the exciting part of the story…like their run in with King Herod and their secret journey home. Or we focus on the lavish part of the story...like the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that they brought to honor Jesus.

And tucked away in that story, in the middle of lavishing and excitement, is the part we usually gloss over. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11a). That was their first order of business. They didn’t rush into the house and start pulling out presents right away. They didn’t scurry in and begin a great ceremony, declaring the Kingship of Jesus. They walked in, stopped, bowed, and worshiped.

We remember them for their material gifts that they presented. But their greatest gift – their first gift – was their worship. They didn’t come with the intent to impress. They came with the intent to humbly worship the One they recognized as their King. And the rest of that verse says “Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” Then. After the worship, they gave the gifts.

I love giving gifts at Christmas. I love planning out exactly what I want to give. I love planning a theme. I love writing notes to go along with my gifts. I love wrapping them with care and watching joy on the faces of those who receive them as they unwrap them during the Christmas festivities. Presents are good – but they are not everything. The greatest gifts are the unseen ones. The ones you cannot hold in your hands. Your time. Your friendship. Your listening ear. Your hugs. Your caring.

Though Christmas is behind us and the gifts are now given, there is still one you can yet give. An unseen gift that you should seek to give first. The greatest gift...your worship.

Toilet Tales

Below you will find a series of posts that include the touching photos of the Christmas season. Key word there - "below." Because this post is all about the madness that always happens in our family. Remember back a few weeks - my post about my sheets getting eaten up in the agitator of my washer...the same day that my chair broke while I was using it? Well you'll be glad to know that these mishaps come to me honestly. This was my mom's latest adventure.

In her bathroom, she has a shelf a few feet above the toilet. She changes out the decor on it to match the season/holiday. (More things that are passed down to me via the gene pool.) So for Christmas, she had a cut glass vase filled with gold glass Christmas balls. Well, one day she was cleaning or walking by or whatever and she accidentally knocked the vase off the shelf. This is the vase "after."


Amazingly enough - it was the least of her worries. The toilet below took the brunt of the mishap. Here's her sign to keep people away from using it. (If you can't read it, it says "Don't even think about using this!")

Why, you ask? Keep scrolling.


Yep! The vase shattered the porcelain! The stuff in the water isn't what you think. It's actually the gold paint from the Christmas balls that were in the vase. Apparently the paint comes off when it gets wet.

So Mom bemoaned the fact that she had to go toilet shopping 2 days before Christmas. I (in all my annoying wisdom) reminded her of what she said to me the last time I had to spend money on a home repair: "Be thankful you have the money to fix it." She found it about as amusing as I did when she used the line on me.

I Just Liked This One

I know I already posted one picture of me with the newest baby in my collection of honorary nieces and nephews - but I just really liked this picture, so I thought I would add it. This was taken Christmas Eve when I went over to her house to have Christmas with her (she was thrilled) and her sister and Mom.

Christmas Coordination

Janice - you made a comment about my theme. Here it is in full swing.

The packages (which match the tags)

Which match the card.....
(Skyepuppy - there is that saran wrap ink technique you asked me about)


And the winning photo for the inside - one of the last of 34 attempts my mother made at "the perfect picture."

Christmas with the Fam

Lori - I guess most of Sunday's festivities must be on Mom's camera - I was kind of in charge of both. I'm going to get my own set of her pictures on Monday, so I'll add to it then. But here's a few.

Julie (my sister) with one of her gifts from me: coffee. It's decaf, which in my head translates to "why bother?" - but she was happy and that is all that matters. (Or so I'm told.)

There's my cute princess Santa hat from Miss Kristin! :) And my new novel - it's called White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick. It's from my Aunt B - she said the title sounded like me. I wonder why she would think that??? ;)


I think most of the family portraits ended up on Julie's camera, but this one was on mine. I kept making her retake the picture because I looked fat in all the others. (So vain.) I guess in this one, Mom and I ended up looking like a 2 headed person.

Christmas Day

Here's Dad "resting his eyes." Who was he kiddin'? He was OUT. Apparently the last minute lunch preparations just took a bit longer than he could handle.

Our lunch...and no the folding chairs are not a permanent fixture. I'm mid-dining-room-table/chair-hunt right now, so in the meantime I use a table I had in storage and a set of Mom and Dad's folding chairs.

Kitty Christmas

Of course I insisted that Kaegan and Braeya be part of the festivities......

Here's my Mom, possibly the closest she has ever been to Braeya (or "Pooch" as she calls her) - actually attempting to play with her. Good job, Mom. The ornament Mom is holding was a gift to her and Dad from lil Braeya Jo Jo.

Dad (polar opposite of Mom) l-o-v-e-s his grandcats and spent a lot of Christmas day playing with both of them. Here he is with Braeya and her new toy - well one of many new toys. She was having a blast reaching for that toy! Hey Lori - I think Mom was on the phone with you.


Greedy, greedy, greedy. She didn't even wait for me to pull the toys out of her stocking. Apparently I was not moving quickly enough to suit her.

Kaegan wouldn't join us for the longest time, but when he finally did come out to play, he had fun with his Grandpa.

Christmas Night

Christmas evening, my best friend (Lynnette) and her husband (Mark) stopped by for a little Christmas get-together. They brought their active little chihuahua, Belle. Wanna guess which members of my household disappeared altogether until she was gone??

Anyway, here's my gift from them - a very pretty Willow Tree (LOVE THEM!) figurine and matching picture frame. There's a kitty book too, but it was cut out of the bottom of the picture - woops! You'll notice over my shoulder there...HGTV!!!!

Time Off...Too Much of a Good Thing?

I'm LOVING my time off work. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to the decision makers at work who extended our holiday time this year an extra 3 days beyond what we would have had under the old policy. I'm thankful! Love the sleeping in, love the doing whatever I want, love the staying up late - LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

And then comes the question of...what to do with all this time?

I started scrapping and made some serious progress in Cassie's high school book - but even scrapping can only last so long before other shiny objects attract my attention. And now said objects are starting to turn into $$$$ (at least mentally), so I think it will be high time I returned to work when the appointed day arrives.

Yesterday, because I could, I decided to hop in the car (a sight to behold) and drive down to the Gaither store because I just "needed" their two newest Homecoming videos. While driving, I contemplated how a girl who just received multiple Christmas gifts could "need" to spend money of her own...but I just did.

Then I came home and read a book - a whole book - just because I could. It was not my first read-through of the book, but it seemed an appropriate time to re-read it.

And then I started playing online. I don't know if I've mentioned this on a blog before...but I'm a SERIOUS Little House fan. Once upon a time I could really give the best of the best a run for his/her money on Little House trivia. So just for fun, I thought I'd see if I could find online trivia games. I did. I took 19 quizzes (I know - ridiculous waste of time - but I'm on VACATION!) and scored a 246 out of 310 overall possible points. And truly, if I'd read better on a few, I bet I could have had a 260. I got in a hurry and made stupid mistakes sometimes. Still, for not having earnestly watched this show in about the last 7 years, I thought that was the display of a PRETTY good memory.

One peril of this much home-time has been an overbonding experience with HGTV. By 10 pm last night I'd been all over the Lowe's website and had completely redesigned my bathroom. I don't have the money to do it - at least not yet. But I know what I want when the time comes! Upon staring at my wish list, I thought it in the best interest of my wallet to CHANGE THE CHANNEL. But I gotta tell you - when I do the bathroom - it's going to be cuh-ute! Pretty much everything goes except the toilet. It's in good enough shape to stay.

Fortunately, one of my former college roommates drove up for a visit today, so spending time with her kept me from taking quizzes and remodeling more of my house.

If I were smart, I'd start taking down the Christmas decor. I'm guessing I am not about to be smart.