Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas is a day
of meaning and traditions,
a special day spent
in the warm circle of
family and friends.

~Margaret Thatcher~

2012 Ornament

The Growing Heart of the Grinch

Though he tried to steal Christmas
in Whoville that year,
The Grinch couldn't stop
all the goodwill and cheer!
When the Whos joined their voices
and sang through the snow,
The Grinch's small heart
soon started to grow!

Birthday Girl

Happy 4th Birthday to our beautiful little girl!  You make mama and papa so happy, Crickett MaGee; you've been such an incredible blessing!

Thankful Day 18

I'm thankful for the new vehicle I got this past week.  She's so much fun to drive!

Thankful Day 17

I'm thankful for my washer and dryer that allow me to do laundry any time of day (especially when I have a pup who likes to throw up on the sheets).

Thankful Day 16

I'm thankful I do not have children.


*This post was actually kind of a joke.  Tonight I spent the evening with some friends, one of which has four children all under the age of five.  They are adorable kids and it was a very entertaining evening but my friend's husband likes giving me a hard time so he said something along the lines about "I suppose your thankful status tonight will be about how you're happy you don't have kids."  I couldn't resist putting this as my post!*

Thankful Day 15

I'm thankful for a wonderful derby practice.  Had so much fun with my awesome teammates and loved how well we worked together.

Thankful Day 14

I'm thankful for delicious dinners with fabulous friends.

Thankful Day 13

I'm thankful for quotes because they can say things better than I ever could.

Thankful Day 12

I'm thankful for days I get to go thrifting with sissy.

Thankful Day 11

I'm thankful for Sunday dinner and game nights with my in-laws.

Thankful Day 10

I'm thankful for the kind strangers who stopped to offer their help pushing and pulling my car out of its stuck state after another stranger hit me and my car into the frozen rain and snow mess on the side of the road.

(I had Mitch come help me despite all the offers since I was just a hop and a skip away from home.  Also, everyone was fine and the cars were fine.)

*This photo was taken this morning when Mitch tried backing out of our driveway that had become a solid sheet of ice the night before when freezing rain made an appearance.  We ended up in the grass - I thought for sure we were going to hit our poor little lilac tree.  After we were successfully on the street, it was fun to laugh about.  Definitely not this couple's best driving day.*

Thankful Day 9

I'm thankful for new days and fresh starts.

Thankful Day 8

I'm thankful for friends and family who are able to pick up the slack when I fail.

Thankful Day 7

I'm thankful for pajamas and hot apple cider (in my "Ed" mug).

Thankful Day 6

I am thankful for the right to vote and for dentists who can fix broken teeth.

Thankful Day 5

I am thankful for music that moves my heart and soul.

*Cannot wait to own my own piano; I miss playing so very much!*

Thankful Day 4

I'm thankful for Crickett cuddling on my lap as I peruse Pinterest. A wonderful Sunday morning.

Sunday Smile

Thankful Day 3

I'm thankful for Saturday morning breakfasts with my wonderful parents.

Thankful Day 2

I'm thankful for wonderful co-workers who make my job fun even on the crappy days.

*Not only do my co-workers make me laugh A LOT, I get to be goofy with them and make them laugh as well.  This photo was just me trying out a potential napping spot under my desk (which I think will work beautifully once I bring in my pillow!); my cube-mate was awesome enough to take a photo for me!*

Thankful Day 1

During the month of November, many people will write on Facebook something they are thankful for every day until Thanksgiving.  I am going to play along there and thought I should post my thanks here as well.

I'm thankful for a husband who rubs my head and neck almost daily to help me with my headaches.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mom!  Hope 58 is a great year for you!

First Day of Autumn

Busy Being Confused

On August 6th, I started a new job (figured I should probably get one after I graduated and all).  I sit in a cubicle at a computer and pay bills and file my paperwork from those transactions.  Other than being confused a great deal of time, it's starting to be enjoyable.

On September 9th, I became Treasurer of my roller derby team.  I have a gigantic mess and have not yet organized things they way I want them.  I still have no clue what exactly my duties are or when I'm supposed to be doing them but I think it will be enjoyable once I'm not so confused.

So there you have it - I've been busy being confused.

Sunday Smile

Do It Anyway

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable,

illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

~ Credited to Mother Teresa ~

Imagine

Neil Armstrong

"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

~Armstrong's family~

photo source

Two Cup Evenings

I've been obsessed with tapioca pudding these past several weeks.  I usually eat one pudding cup before bed; if it's a really good night, I'll splurge and have two.

There have been a lot of two cup evenings lately.

Sleepy, Sunny Sunday

Two weeks ago, the football season started up again (didn't it just get over?!).  Crickett and Mitch almost always cuddle during the games and the cuddling almost always turns into napping.

I suspect I may be seeing a similar scene today.

Sunday Smile

Since Mitch and I celebrated our fifth anniversary yesterday, I thought I would throw a little marriage humor out there today for Sunday Smile.

Snapshot Saturday

We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness - and call it love - true love.

~Robert Fulghum~

Happy 5th Anniversary to my dear husband!

Food Friday

Whenever Crickett gets her first bowl of food from a brand new bag, she feels the need to roll around in it.  Such a silly girl!

Thrifting Surprise

My sister and I did a bit of thrifting today.  I left the first store with nothing (definitely not a norm for me) and walked around the second store, finding nothing but a pair of shorts (again, finding only one item is definitely not a common occurrence).  After paying for my shorts, I turned around and saw this on the shelf right behind me

I'm not sure where it came from because I certainly did not see it during my earlier trip through the store.  I definitely would have remembered something like this!  I grabbed the candle holder before anyone else could be surprised by its sudden appearance, then promptly started debating whether or not I should buy it.  Several ideas danced through my mind as I looked at this beauty so I decided to bite the big $3.50 bullet and bring it home with me.  I'm so glad I didn't leave this gem sitting on the shelf; I think I'm going to have a wonderful time with it!

Just a Head

If a post appeared every time I thought about blogging, I would have a lot of memories captured here; unfortunately things don't work that way.  I wish I had a good excuse but I don't.  All I can say is for the next five months of the year, I hope to turn things around.

And because I don't want a post simply about not posting (I have enough of those!), here is a photo of my dear Crickett.  My sweet puppy was napping and started snoring almost as loud as her papa.  When I turned around from the computer to look at her, all I could see was her head.  It was the cutest sight!  I laugh every time I look at this photo!

Sunday Smile

This comic is for my dad who had his appendix removed on Friday.

My Poor Blog

Just when it thinks we're rekindling our relationship, I bail on it.

My poor blog.

Sunday Smile

Facebook Friday

Not long ago, I liked Book Riot's page on Facebook.  I have seen so many wonderful things from them and here is one from today:

Happy Friday!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday 13: Summer on Etsy

Wow, haven't done one of these in ages!  Looking forward to getting back at it.  To celebrate the first day of summer yesterday, I thought I would enter the word "summer" into Ety's search box and find 13 things I loved.  Here they are, in no particular order (click on the description to go to the shop):

1.  Linen napkins

2.  Watermelon shirt

3.  Seahorse bracelet

4.  Pillow cover

5.  Wreath

6.  Bird dress

7.  Barefoot sandals

8.  Butterfly wing earrings

9.  Lemonade sign

10.  Flower necklace

11.  Summer Seas ring

12.  Burlap banner

13.  Tote

More Thursday 13!

Life Full of Laughter

Whenever I hear this line of Daughtry's "Life After You," I think of my husband:

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter,

Without you God knows what I'd do

We laugh a lot and it's probably my favorite thing about our relationship.  I honestly don't think I could find someone with whom I would laugh more.  I'm so very lucky for that.

Despite all the laughing, it's hard to find a picture of us doing that together!  This gem is from our engagement photo session in 2007.  We were told to be serious for the picture right before this one and then we burst out laughing because we both look ridiculous when we try to take straight-faced photos.  I'm so glad this moment was caught by the camera.

Thank you, dear husband, for this life full of laughter.

Summer 2012

Happy first day of SUMMER!

Christmas Countdown

Tomorrow is the first day of summer but I can't stop thinking about Christmas!

It doesn't help that every time I go downstairs into my scrapbooking room I see reminders of my favorite holiday - wrapping paper and decorations that can't be hidden out of sight or new objects that I haven't yet put away into the red and green tubs.

Only five months and four days until I can unleash this Christmas beast!