GO DORES!

I.Love.CollegeFootball. Specifically, I love Southeastern Conference football. I have been a fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers (GO Big Orange) since I was a baby. That being said, I have also become a fan of Vanderbilt Univeristy (GO DORES!) in the last several years. It started because I knew one of the students on the football team. This person was the nephew of my best friend, and his story was like something from a novel. To give the short version, he never knew his birth father, his birth mother was a drug addict, he got into some troubles, was taken in by my friend's in laws, thrived in school, got a football scholarship to Vanderbilt, and has become a wonderful, successful young man. So, while this young man was the catalyst for my love of Vandy, there are other reasons I like them. I like to support the underdog and lord knows Vandy is the mascot for all underdogs everywhere. You expect them to lose, so when they win you're pleasantly surprised instead of heartbroken because you've come to expect them to win (UT VOLS). There's no heartbreak with an underdog! Also, their colors are black and gold. I love black, it's a fabulous color. It hides every flaw, as opposed to orange which not everyone can get away with wearing. One must be very confident in themselves to pull off such a vibrant color. And gold, who doesn't like gold? Also, Vanderbilt is a little more classy than UT. For some reason, if you support UT, you must be either a redneck or a hillbilly. Well, I'm neither! Plus, Vandy is somewhat closer to my home, close enough that we could go to their games. And today would've been a good game to attend. Because today, for the first time in 26 years, Vanderbilt is playing in a post season bowl game. Granted, it's one of the lesser important bowls, but it's still a bowl game and it shows that Vandy is getting better each year and maybe one of these days they might even be in the BCS Championship game. Yeah, I won't hold my breath for that one! But it could happen. So, while everyone has picked Boston College to beat Vanderbilt today, that's okay. It doesn't matter whether we win or lose, it's that we're actually playing! So, I say... GO DORES!!!






Hooray for the underdogs! Vandy upset Boston College 16-14!! WOOHOO!

Blog Change

I changed my blog template. Apparantly, I'm supposed to mention said change. I just figured that my "peeps" would recognize the change for what it is... my boredom. Y'all know I gotta change things up now and again cuz I get bored with the layout and I like to "redecorate" shall we say. I'm not entirely thrilled with this design, but hey, it's different. Y'all know me, I'll keep it for a month or two, maybe three and then there'll be something new.

So, thanks for noticing the changes.

I'm a Bette!

I don't know how accurate these things are, but as everyone knows, I'm a sucker for a blogquiz! If it counts, I have worn my hair like Ms. Davis' in that photo.

Who am I?

This is one of the coolest videoes I have ever seen. The song featured is one of my most favorite contemporary Christian songs by the band Casting Crowns, called "Who Am I". It's a beautiful piece that illustrates just how important each and every one of us is to our heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas

I can't believe how quickly the Christmas season has come upon us. That old adage, time flies, is surely true. It seems to go faster every year. This season is a time for peace and goodwill, sharing, joy, and reflection. As I reflect upon this year that's about to pass, I recall much upheaval and change in my occupation, an exciting election year, the worst economy I can recall, changes for my children from middle school to high school, and a diagnosis that came with many tests and at times distress. While many things have changed, much has stayed the same. Love of family and friends and faith during hard times. In the days ahead, I'll be spending time with my family, contemplating changes for the upcoming year, and shopping with my very best girlfriend on our annual day after Christmas shopping extravaganza. I wish for you all a blessed holiday.

Lucky!

If I could only have five channels on my television, the very first one I'd choose would be SoapNet. Yes, I love me some "stories", especially "General Hospital". SoapNet is a soap opera/drama lover's dream. The last couple of years they've been producing their own programs. They've got a new show starting in January starring Greg Behrednt Greg is a stand-up comedian/writer who has been a consultant with Sex & the City, made appearances on the late night talk show circuit, and even had his own daytime talk show for a minute. He's probably best known as the co-author of "He's Just Not That Into You" and "It's Called a Breakup because It's Brohen". Greg's made a gozillion dollars from those two books and the marketing of them. Apparantly, he's looked upon, by some, as a relationship expert. I'm sure his books have valid points, however I've not read them, but I must say this new show on SoapNet looks interesting. Like a trainwreck, you know, where you just can't help but watch. It's called "Greg Behrendt's Wake Up Call".



From what I gather, it seems like Greg is going to counsel with couples and help them with their problems, trying to "wake them up", as it were. to the areas of their relationships that need work. I have one thing to say.... Thank GOD that I don't need his help! While my husband isn't perfect, we do communicate with each other, we do participate in things that the other likes to do, we do have sex more often than once every four years, and he tries to help me with the kids and household chores. I'm constantly dumbfounded by men that just leave everything up to their women and don't interact with their spouses except for "marital relations" or that put themselves first, or don't help do anything around the home. Because my hubby does all those things, I reckon I just assume all men do them. WRONG! I've always heard that a woman marries a man like her father, boy is that ever true! I went from being spoiled by my Daddy to being spoiled by my wonderful husband. Am I Lucky or what? Thanks Honey! And Thank you God for sending him to me!

Wrapping, part 2

Since the last post was about wrapping paper and seeing as how my wrapping has been commented upon in great detail, I thought I would show a couple of examples of my wrapping prowess.

Now, I've been a bit lazy this year and I've not gone over and above what I sometimes do. In addition, it's been a little hard finding purple ribbons and I've had to conserve, cuz you know it's not one of those "traditional" Christmas colors that one can find in abundance. So, keeping those in mind here are a couple of my wrapped gifts in purple and gold paper that coordinates with my Christmas tree.

Wrapping Paper

I am such the sucker for those blog test things, and of course they have tons of them for Christmas. So, when I saw this one, I just had to take it. I love wrapping my gifts and decorating them with pretty bows and ribbons. I always try to coordinate my papers with my tree decorations. It's obsessive, anal-retentive, whatever you want to call it, but hey, that's me. So, here's the wrapping paper test.

You Are Considerate and Mature

You approach the holidays with responsibility and cooperation. You'll do your part to make sure that everyone else has a happy holiday. You aren't particularly picky or high maintenance during the holidays. You're happy to be in the company of people you love, and you're willing to "go with the flow." Of all the types, you are the most likely to give someone exactly what they want. You're also the most likely to wrap all your presents well - to prevent peeking!

The Wrapping Paper Test

Whether or not all of this describes me, well, I suppose only my husband could verify.

Love/Hate

I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas.

I hate that we as a society have commercialized something so special as the arrival of God's one and only son sent to save his people.

I hate that mega-chain department/wholesale stores start decorating, play Christmas music, run special marketing campaigns, and put out those gift sets right after Halloween and before Thanksgiving.

I hate that we spend so much time rushing around here and there trying to get our shopping or other tasks accomplished.

I hate that we fill up the season with parties, caroling, addressing cards, and decorating.

I hate that people are so rude, crass, and impatient with one another.

I hate that my husband works more hours during the Christmas season than at any other time in the year and that we have even less time to spend together as a family.

I hate that we focus more on what gifts we're giving instead of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned.

Most of all I hate that during this season I grieve more for my parents as Christmas was the most important time of year for my family.



I love the smells in the air, smells of cakes, cookies, candies that we bake.

I love deciding what colors I'm going to decorate for the season, the actual decorating, and wrapping of the presents in paper to co-ordinate with my colors.

I love all types of Christmas music and start playing it right after Thanksgiving. Music gets me in the Christmas spirit better and faster than anything.

I love singing all the hymns and popular music to the top of my lungs.

I love pulling out my Christmas music and practicing on the piano.

I love how beautiful our church looks during the season and I love how we all work together to make it so.

I love our special church services. The Epiphany service and our Hanging of the Greens are the opening and closing of the season and it wouldn't be Christmas without them.

I love that our family gathers together to celebrate our long held traditions.

I love surprising my husband with gifts that he never expected.

I love the looks on my children's faces on Christmas morning. Nothing can compare to their looks of surprise and wonder.

I love that there's a spirit of peace and goodwill in the air, I only wish that it could last the year through.

Most of all, I love the Baby Jesus and what his coming to earth means for me and the entire human race.

The Christmas Meme

Well, since everyone has done this meme, I may as well do it too. So, here goes.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, I love to wrap presents with frilly bows and such. I only use bags when items can't be wrapped.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial because my dear sweet husband is terribly allergic to cedar, I won't even mention what happened the last time we had a real tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving, around the first Sunday in Advent
4. When do you take the tree down? not until after Epiphany
5. Do you like eggnog? love it!
6. Favorite gift as a child? My Barbie town house, unfortunately it was that Christmas that I realized there was no Santa.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Art's parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Art, because I've got him all figured out!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but I have no idea where it is.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? not sure
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love Christmas movies, so it's hard to pick one. But I'll go with "It's a Wonderful Life" that movie makes me cry. I don't even have to see the whole movie, just that last line "every time a bell rings an angel gets it's wings" and it's boohoohoo! I also love "A Smoky Mountain Christmas" with Dolly Parton and Elf with Will Ferrell.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to start sometime in October.
14. I’m not sure why, but there isn’t a #14.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My christmas candies that my aunt makes for me every year.
16. Lights on the tree? Absolutely! And I don't have to mess with it anymore cuz our tree is pre-lit! YAY!
17. Favorite Christmas song? This is another one where I can't choose just one. So as far as hymns go, I have to say "In the Bleak Midwinter". And for popular songs, I'd say "Do they Know it's Christmas"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? nah... cuz there's only one that really matters.... the most famous reindeer of all.... RUDOLPH!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star. I used to have an angel, but I switched to a star because it reminds me of the Magi coming to the Christ child.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When I was little, it was always on Christmas Day. My in-laws are Christmas Eve kind of people, so we're opening on both.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? that we fill up the time and make ourselves so busy that we don't take time enough to consider the true meaning and reason for this season.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite because I change my colors/decorations each year. this year it's purple, last year was black. I'm thinking next year might be more traditional with red... but who knows?
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? time alone with my husband!


Tag... you're it!

Fa la la la la

Okay, it's time for some Christmas music and you all know how much I love.Love.LOVE. Christmas music. I'm gonna share two songs with you this time. One of them puts a smile on my face and I feel oh so happy when I hear it. The other makes me think of my husband and well, "other" things. ;)

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Gayla Peevey




All I Want for Christmas is You Mariah Carey

This Year's Christmas Tree

Okay for all my christmas tree fans out there, here are pictures of my/our tree this year. As you may remember, last year's decorations were black and silver. Well, this year, I went purple. It took me a long time to decide and I vacillated between several color combinations, but once I saw these, I decided it had to be purple. And don't you know, while I had to search last year for black ornaments, they are all over the place this year. I suppose it's like my teenage daughter said, "Mom, you're just ahead of the trends." Well, if someone has to be a trend setter, I suppose it may as well be me!


So, without further ado...