PENSIEVE

100 things for a 400th post

Ever since my venture into blogging, I've borne witness to "The 100 Things" others have blogged about themselves, usually leaving me feeling extraordinarily boring and somewhat defeated.  I can barely eek out an "Eight Things About Me" without breaking into hives over the lack of interesting material...and then I read Carmi's list and thought, "Y e a h...if I ever do one of those, THIS is how I wanna do it...".  When he posted a second "100 Things", it was time to write one myself.

Revised ~ If you're a new reader (or one who has just discovered my "100 Things"), I'd love to hear how we're similar....and different!  Even though I wrote this a looong time ago, these kind of things don't change :).

1. After taking ten years of ballet, I never learned how to "spot" well.
2. In spite of taking ten years of ballet, when I participated as a teen in the local America's Junior Miss pageant, I tapped (having taken less then half the years I studied ballet) to "Yankee Doodle Dandy"...on stairs.  Yes...s.t.a.i.r.s.
   
3. The choreography began with me standing on my head.
4. I would pay an arm and a leg to have video footage of that dance (or ANY of my performances) now.
5. One of my favorite sounds is laughter, especially my husband's and children's laughs when it's a deep-down belly laugh.
6. I love to laugh until I cry because something is really, REALLY funny.
7. That doesn't happen enough.
8. "The Sting" is my all-time favorite movie and not just because of Newman and Redford.
9. Although they're v e r y easy on the eyes, and I think both have aged well, like fine wine :).
10. I've found one of the downsides to blogging is I don't read as many books.
11. Reading more books is one of my New Year's resolutions.
12. I'm starting the year by reading one of my favorite blogger's (Ragamuffin Diva) first published novel, Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man. 
13. I begin recycling plastics and metal this year as a result of a former post and consequent comment thread with another blogmate of mine.
14. I hope to add paper products and glass soon (it's a matter of space).
15. I've found once you begin recycling, you think about environmental stewardship a whole lot more...I get a little twitchy when I see people throwing cans and plastic bottles in trashcans :/.
16. One of the best, unexpected results of recycling was meeting Al, the steward of the recycling center where I take our things.  HE is an example of how a GOOD JOB should be done!**
17. I think I could pick my children and husband out of a police line-up, blindfolded, by their scents alone.
18. My favorite scent on a person is "freshly showered", regardless of the soap, lotion or deodorant they put on after.
19. Dirty fingernails gross me out.
20. Dirty, long toenails REALLY gross me out.
21. I love the fact my faith is not stagnant.
22. It blows my mind to think about the Trinity and eternity.
23. I can't think about either for very long.
24. I love how Jesus lived the gospel, showing us how to love God and love others.
25. This, in practice, is remarkably simple but paradoxically difficult.
26. In spite of the fact I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was nine and she was just 38, lost my maternal grandmother to same when she was in her early 20s, and my sister is a TEN YEAR (WAHOO!) SURVIVOR, I do not live in fear of the disease coming after me.
27. That doesn't mean I think I've dodged a bullet, just that I refuse to allow it to force me into living a life of "What Ifs".
28. However, when I forget something I think I should remember, I wonder if it's early Lewy Bodies Disease or Alzheimer's.
29. I've seen the end-life of dementia face-to-face...and realized there's a paradoxical mercy in car crashes and sudden heart attacks.
30. I think I'm over-using derivatives of the word "paradox" in this list.
31. Even though I have a pretty big chickenpox scar between my eyebrows, it's been a part of my face so long, I don't even see it anymore.
32. It embarrassed me as a teen.
33. I'm glad smallpox has been eradicated in this country and my kids didn't have to receive vaccination against it.
34. But I kinda like the scar on my arm from my own vaccine.
35. I wish I had paid better attention in ALL my history classes. I can't remember much of anything now, but I find it fascinating, and wish I had retained more :/.
36. I'm geography impaired and have no sense of direction.
37. I can't read a compass.  I mean, sure, I know they always point north but that doesn't do me much good given #37.
38. My favorite childhood stories were "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "The Gift of the Magi".   
39. The exchange between the Rabbit and the Skin Horse about "becoming real" is beautiful to me.
40. It reminds me of my former job as marketing director of a retirement community...it was FULL of "real" people.
41. I love my daughter's version of the V.R...it's a stuffed white Persian cat she received as a gift when she was two, still has, loved to shreds (and survived two stomach virus "sprinklings" and two subsequent "showers" in the washer)...and her friends used to make fun of it when she was older ("You STILL have Princess?!), but I tried to explain to her she was more beautiful than EVER because she was loved "real".  I wonder if she remembers that.
42. Recurring dream themes of mine used to be running away from someone who was chasing me, the ability to fly (sometimes in relation to the former), not being able to put my contacts in because they were too big for my eyes, and my teeth falling out.
43. I rarely dream about any of the above now, but the last thing makes me wonder if I grind my teeth.
44. I'm a strong swimmer and, although decades from being current, was a lifeguard.
45. The hardest job I've ever had (besides being a mom) was nursery director for a large church.
46. The first year and a half were wonderful (I felt like I made a difference).  The  last 2 1/2 years slowly robbed me of joy, and at times, left me judgmental, critical and self-righteous.  That makes me go "Ugh" now....
47. THAT was when I realized it was time to leave it behind.
48. Good manners are VERY important to me.
49. My kids' first words were "Please" and "Thank You" not "DaDa" or "MaMa".
50. Just kiddin' (but those were among their first words) :).
51. "Large things" in creation inspire me--the ocean, waterfalls, mountains, thunderstorms--and perhaps more than anything else I can put my hands on, speak to the imagination, creativity, power, grace, beauty and generosity of God.
52. "Little things" in creation inspire me, too--ants working in a colony, snowflakes, fireflies; they remind me that God's interested in the details and little things matter.
53. I think dreadlocks are more appealing on black men than white men; braids are equally attractive for any woman who can pull off the look (I don't think I pulled it off very well, but it was fun).
54. If I'm the last one out of the bed, I can't imagine not making it every morning.
55. I have scoliosis, but never had to wear a brace.
56. Tiramisu and crème brûlée are my favorite desserts, sharing equal billing.
57. In part, because I like their texture...I don't really chew or bite either, I squish 'em around with my tongue.
58. Using my blow torch to caramelize sugar is a cheap thrill.
59. I love caramel macchiatos breves (made with half and half) and I'm afraid they're the #1 reason I've gained weight this year :/.
60. Plus, my favorite salty snack is cashews, and they're fattening.  I so wanna believe they're healthy nuts.
61. It's worth it to me to pay a premium for whole cashews, halves and pieces don't taste as good ;).
62. Moderating #s 10 & 11 does not factor into any New Year's Resolutions I've considered.
63. Ever since my watch battery died I've been using my cell phone to tell time.
64. I have sentimental attachment to clothes.
65. In the past I have collected carousel horses, angels and elephants.
66. I don't collect anything now.
67. My first car was an electric blue Grand Prix, a family hand-me-down.
68. I wish I could purr like a cat.
69. I cannot roll my R's. 
70. I'll eat just about anything if it's deep fried.
71. I have no musical ability outside of appreciating it in others.
72. The only time I recall enjoying singing (and anyone enjoying me singing) was when my children were babies...and lullabies were part of our bedtime ritual.
73. I sang a three-song repetroire, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", "It's a Happy Day" and "You are My Sunshine". 
74. Realizing fully well they were stalling to stay up a few minutes later, I still loved my babies begging me to sing.
75. Now, they beg me NOT to sing.
76. Or "car dance"...that is SO not cool for their mother to do (hehe).
77. I don't just love drinking coffee for the taste or caffeine...it's for the warmth in my hands, its divine aroma, and an excuse to use fun mugs.
78. While I wouldn't turn down marshmallows in hot chocolate, my preference is whipped cream.  MOUNDS of it!
79. You can smile with your lips, or you can smile with your lips AND your eyes.  The latter is MUCH more beautiful and engaging and I think it's easy to tell the difference.
80. I d.e.t.e.s.t. a victim mentality and blaming others for your circumstances.
81. It's unattractive in children, it's deplorable in adults.
82. The more I read Scripture, the more I want to read Scripture; the less I read Scripture, the less I want to read Scripture.  What's up with that?
83. Sometimes the most sincere prayer I can offer is the same prayer as the father who had a demon-possessed son (full account in Mark 9:14-32).
84. I'm pretty much cold all the time.
85. I love to fill our children's Christmas stockings, but not until this year, did my children notice and comment that Tad and I don't have one.
86. I'm on the prowl for two new Christmas stockings :).
87. I used to be a binge bargain shopper, but that abruptly stopped when I moved to Tennessee 4 1/2 years ago. 
88. For the most part, I HATE shopping...too many choices for EVERYTHING!
89. EVERY time my children ask what's for dinner, the FIRST thought that enters my mind--which I don't allow myself to respond--is "Chicken sh!t on a shingle".
90. About the above:  a)  My sweeter-than-sugar mother-in-law, the woman who is basically Jesus with skin on, told me I could say that on my blog, because b) it's what my my mother used to say to us (to be blogged with affection soon).
91. I'm thankful to have siblings of both genders.
92. All the knives in our kitchen desperately need to be sharpened or replaced!
93. I won a marathon dance contest when I was in high school.
94. I'm very competitive when playing games, but it probably doesn't come across that way.
95. I think (hope?) I'm a good sport when I lose...and when I win.
96. I don't have a favorite flower but several favorites--gerbera daisies, gardenias, tulips, lilies of the valley and zinnias. 
97. I don't care for carnations at all.
98. I stopped wearing perfume because I wear scented lotions.
99. Sometimes, I think it'd be nice to give up scented lotion in order to wear perfume again...for my husband.
100. Pretty soon, if you're a consistent reader, you'll notice a shift in my blog....

Well, now...that was actually fun to write.  Makes me wonder how hard it would be to come up with a second list myself!  :).

Sure to put a smile on your face

As host of this week's Fun Monday carnival, Peter (Holtie's House) wanted the "fun" put into Fun Monday as we say good-bye to 2007 and usher in the New Year.  He asked for good jokes and favorite cartoons, and although my submission is neither--it's a recycled photograph from an old post--every time I see it I can't help but smile.  This wasn't my child, but it well could've been.

Hope it has the same effect on you :).

(I'm headed to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta to watch a battle of the Tigers, so I won't be around to visit FM posts til Tuesday...thanks for visiting today!)

Toldja so...

Sometimes my eyes play tricks on me, but sometimes I talk myself out of what I'm SURE I saw because it's just too bizarre to be true.

Like when I thought I saw a fox in my backyard but eventually decided it was just a coyote instead.

I was right the first time.

This morning, while Tad and I were enjoying conversation and coffee at the breakfast table, when it was still early enough for the children to be fighting dream-formed dragons in their own versions of Narnia, he stopped mid sentence and said, "Look at that."

I looked in the direction of his pointed finger and saw nothing.  He quietly insisted, "Look!", so I moved to his side to observe his vantage point and there she was, trotting along our back yard with something curiously deer-leggy boney hanging from her mouth.

In one movement, I leapt for my camera, pulled it out of the case, removed the lens cover and started shooting.  The upside?  I did get six pictures before she was out of view; the downside?  Obvious, from the images below, there was no time to adjust the lens or think about framing or remember to turn off the flash or anything!  But at least I have a modicum of photographic evidence this time.

Oh, and another witness to corroborate my story :).

Uh oh...it just occurred to me this creature LIVES in my backyard! 

Oh deer dear! :/

Pippin & Pepper

The names fit, don't you think?

Ultimately, it was Stephen's decision...they are his babies, after all.

Personally, I think at least one of them should've been named "Poopsie" because rabbits are prolific at poppin' out more than just tons o' bunnies, no photo necessary (really, truly, let's agree to draw the line at bunny bodily functions, k?  I've already seen enough animal scat in the b-sphere to last me a lifetime...I'm just saying....).

They wake up more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than MY babies. 

Stephen laughed at some of your suggestions (Lionel, Wallace and Gromet, and Black Jack), looked puzzled at others (Vinegar (me, too, but it still made me smile), Hitam (loved the explanation)), and considered at least one other (Dusty).  I liked Hamilton and Snicket, perhaps because they don't readily come to mind when naming rabbits.   He loved that readers actually offered more than a few suggestions (me, too--THANKS!).

Wow, three bunny posts in a row...I PROMISE this is the last one of the year, and I'll get back to regularly scheduled programming soon. 

Held Hostage

Remember the Thankful Box and when I required my family to submit--in writing, no less--their "thanksgivings" in order to eat Thanksgiving lunch?

Well, I came up with a new version for Christmas dinner :).

Last night, as we finished the last bite of "Company's Coming Beef Tenderloin" and all the mmmmmmDELICIOUS fixins that accompany half a side of red beef, right about the time we needed a wheelbarrow to cart us out, I required a "ticket" to leave the dinner table.  The kids were desperate to leave so they could pick up where they left off with Rockband, so they reluctantly willingly complied.   

This time around, they were required to submit--in writing again--their Outstanding Memory of 2007.  Everyone penned one (or more) thoughts that were memorable--good, bad or ugly; then, we took turns drawing them out of the box, reading them, guessing whose memories they were, and then that person was the next to draw.

I'll just say this about that:

-- GREAT idea!
-- FABULOUS conversation
-- they actually ENJOYED the exercise
-- we SAVORED our year...even the difficult things...

...and I'll tuck those "memories" into an envelope marked "2007" and share them with my family years down the road.

It's kind of like a time capsule of thought....hmmmm, or a PENSIEVE :)!  No wonder I thought of it ;).

Dustbunnies...and Squirrels?

Meet one of the newest additions to our family...and she? he? is one of two lionhead rabbits my youngest received as a Christmas gift as a joke? payback for childhood pranks? from his grandparents.

We're still looking for a name--any ideas?

All things WW

wordless wednesday

Smitten by Snugglebunnies...

...quite literally. 

These little fellas have us WRAPPED around their little paws rabbits feet :).

My baby's years-long wish came true this Christmas, and I'm pretty sure if you ask him, he'll say it was worth the wait--not just one, but TWO baby bunnies, thanks to the INSANITY generosity of grandparents.  Two special bunnies, mind you...rabbits with a mane (until Sunday I didn't even know such a thing existed).

And, oh-my-lawsey-mercy--WE DON'T YET KNOW THEIR GENDERS!  Well, one of 'em, anyway.  The other is a boy.

That stuff about "rabbits gone wild" is just urban legend, right?

OOoooo!  They don't have names yet!!   Got any ideas?  I told Stephen I'd post it, so if you've got a critter-naming creative gene and you're worn out from all the wrappings trappings of Christmas...and you could use a little diversion, give him a shout.

Merry Christmas ~

Charles Schulz is a great American hero...

Wishing you the blessings of peace and hope and joy and grace in the year to come:).

Much love, much life! ~ Robin

Scattered and Smothered

Anyone who's driven along a Southeastern interstate will get the title reference immediately--it's a nod to a Waffle House delicacy, the greasiest-but-most- delicious hash browns EVAH!  I'm not sure but the "scattered" might refer to the potatoes themselves, the "smothered" refers to the addition of onions and probably the half-stick of butter per order (culinary tip:  if you ever have opportunity to order these, make sure to ask for them "extra crispy"... otherwise, it's a not-so-pretty-soggy-disgusting waste of calories...imho;) ).

"Scattered and smothered" also seems to express exactly how I'm feeling these days (and why I've been absent from the b-sphere); I imagine a lot net peeps can relate. 

We're on the road, visiting some of the sweetest nieces and nephews known to man, and I'm sneaking computer time long enough to check in.

Hi y'all!

Yep.......as usual, these days leading up to Christmas are finding me in typical form:  Not suffering from my insanity, enjoying every minute of it :)

Can anyone relate?

It's not YOU, it's ME TYPEPAD!

Yikes!  For some reason, TypePad has enabled word verification and spam filters and they're making it intolerable to comment at times...I have no idea why.  I knew I had trouble elsewhere this week, but until I started receiving emails and comments on my blog, I didn't realize it was happening on PENSIEVE, too :/ (I haven't been around to respond to comments like I typically do, so I didn't realize until today it's blocking ME, too!). 

I've emailed TypePad about it, and Willowtree is on it, so I'm sure it'll be resolved soon.  A squillion "thanks" to those of you who have persevered and commented, especially after multiple frustrating attempts (it took Mariposa six times to get through...she ROCKS!).

Hmmmm, do you think it's a Blogger conspiracy after all the backlash to them a few weeks ago?  Does anyone else sense a sabotage?  Cover up??s

Pork shoulder and ham, hmph...smells like a bunch of turkeys to me >:(.