Three blog entries so far today, I'm out of control...

“In the context of web logs / ‘blogs / blogging and other kinds of personal web sites it’s some kind of list of questions that you saw somewhere else and you decided to answer the questions. Then someone else sees them and does them and so on and so on.” -thedailymeme.com

Kristin tagged me - so here’s my meme.

1. Make a list of things you can see without getting up : Water bottle, Plato book, planner, and a TON of work to be done.
   
2. What were you like when you were five? : Pretty awesome. :P Actually, I'm not sure, maybe my mom will read this and leave a comment. ;) That was a long time ago!
   
3. What are you wearing now? : Jeans, black cami, gray long sleeve shirt, wool sweater in tan/gray with a little yellow and a black vest.
   
4. What story/book/novel have you read over and over again in your life? : The Red Tent, both series from Laurell K Hamilton... I'm sure there are others. I reread a lot.
   
5. What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? : I read most of Soldier's Heart by Elisabeth Samat. I'm not going to finish it. The writing is great, but the story doesn't seem to be going anywhere. And a trusted source confirmed for me that it never does. Lame! I also just started reading Chocolate for a Teen's Soul.
   
6. Do you nap a lot? :I wish. I love napping. I always do it when I'm feeling poorly.
   
7. Who was the last person you hugged? : Jake :)
   
8. What’s your current fandom/obsession/addiction? : Photography, my macbook, facebook... Those are the biggies.
   
9. What was the last thing you ate today? : Lunch was refried beans and mexican rice with some roasted broccoli & cauliflower. Yum!
   
10. What was the last thing you said aloud? : It was just a moment ago, but I can't remember exactly! I think it was, "Okay, well if your 8am meeting runs late, I can schedule some time for us to meet later." Talking with my boss.
    
11. What websites do you always visit when you go online? : Gmail, SU email, facebook and a photo chat board. Often add google reader and Pandora at work.
12. What was the last thing you bought? : Breakfast - oatmeal and a banana.
    
13. What are you listening to right now? : Pandora's playing For the First time by Mark Harris.
    
14. What movie are (or were!) you most excited to show your kids? : Never thought about it! If we have a girl, probably the Little Mermaid. I also loved Aladdin and the Lion King.
    
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? : I think I'd love to have go-go gadget like arms. I HATE not being able to reach things!
    
16. What is your favorite weather, and why? : Warm but not hot. May/June are great months.
    
17. What time do you usually get up? : 6am or so.
    
18. What is your most challenging goal right now? : To finish my Plato questions in the 30 minutes I have before class starts.
    
19. Say something to the person who tagged you : Kristin, thanks for taking over my old job! They're lucky to have you.
    
20. If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be : Default answer is West Seattle, ideally down on Alki. That may or may not change in the future depending on where Jake ends up for work in a couple of years.
    
21. Favorite vacation spot? : Arizona. I love to see my family and escape my daily life all in one swoop!
    
22. What is your favorite children’s book? : I have this awesome set of books that I got from friends of my grandparents. One is nursery rhymes and then the others are all different. They're BEAUTIFUL. And sitting in the top of the closet in my office until we have kiddos.
23. Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you : Ice cream.
    
24. What is your favorite article of clothing? : Lately it's been a combo of my knit hat with my wool coat.
    

TAGGED: Adam, Leandra, Lisa, Deborah, Monica, Kevin, Stacy and Teddi.

THE RULES : Step 1 : respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own : Step 2 : tag—eight other un-tagged people will be tagged.

Saturday was fun!

I had the opportunity to go out shooting with some other photographers on Saturday morning. They brought terrific models! Lots of pink cheeks and noses from the cold temp, but it was worth it. Can't wait for the next get together in March! Here are a few of the shots I grabbed -

I've got Dt Pepsi back in my life again!

Oh, how I missed it. And ice cream. Yum. Though I just realized... I didn't eat any bread yesterday. I'm definitely having some tonight. ;) I'm so glad that I did the weird food thing, but it will be nice not to have to make and buy a bunch of stuff I can't eat.

I picked up Jessica Simpson's new country cd recently and found a song that I just love - Pray Out Loud. I think I listened to it four times yesterday. It reminds me of a quote I read once about praying before you go to bed... Give you troubles to God at night, he's up all night anyway! Check out the lyrics -

When you're down
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Just close your eyes and let it out
Take all your fears and downs
He's listening right now
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Pray out loud

Everybody's got their problems
Everybody's got their struggles
We all need a helping hand sometimes
Sometimes

And I think back to when I was a little girl
My daddy said Remember, Jess, is you I cherish in this world

When you're down
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Just close your eyes and let it out
Take all your fears and downs
He's listening right now
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Pray out loud

Don't have to face it on your own
We don't have to be alone
Just open up your arms and look ?? the sky
And pray out loud

When you're down
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Just close your eyes and let it out
Take all your fears and downs
He's listening right now

Oh, when you're down
Don't be afraid to pray out loud
Just close your eyes and let it out
Take all your fears and downs
He's listening right now

Don't be afraid to pray out loud

So I stopped in at Top Foods on my way home tonight...

To pick a few things - apples, bananas, green beans and some nuts from their bulk foods section. I parked right outside the door to the food court and thought, for sure, that it'd be open until at least 6pm. Well, when I went to check out a few minutes before 6pm, the checker was counting her till. Lame, so I went down to grab the frozen strawberries I forgot and then went through a regular checkstand. (I usually do the self check out at this particular store because it's a busy one!) Anyway, Jake called as I was putting my items on the belt, so asked him to hold on. I hate talking on the phone while I'm paying for things. It's so rude and annoying. Back to the story... I picked up my bag, started talking to Jake again and began walking toward the food court exit. I got there and found the door was locked. Also lame, but I went back through the front door. Jake and I were chatting about who knows what, when a guy comes up to me and says, "Excuse me" and shows me a badge of some kind. First I was like, um, who is this guy and why is he being creepy? Turns out, some lady accused me of shoplifting produce. What the heck?!?!?!? The ONE day I go through a regular checkstand is the day someone accuses me of shoplifiting? Ugh. So, I showed the guy my receipt and he called someone in the store and talked to them. I had one hand on my phone and one hand carrying my bag - how could I have shoplifted something???? It's just so rude to accuse innocent people of stuff like that. Jerk. And the security guy scared me at first because I was just putting the bag in my car and he came up behind me all strangely. Needless to say, I sure locked the doors of my car as soon as I got in it!

I went to a baby shower last month...

And met these two beauties, Gracie & Katherine -

Aren't they just gorgeous?! I'm heading out Saturday morning to shoot with some other photographers, hopefully I'll get some good stuff. I'm excited!

Dang, it's been a week already!

I really would like to blog more than once a week. That would be awesome. But by the time I get home from work, figure out what to eat for dinner, think about the stuff I didn't get done at work, check my favorite online sites, I'm just wiped. I guess I need to just schedule it in.

I saw this in a friend's online journal today and thought I'd share it in honor of all of the amazing mothers I know. There are so many in my life and I'm thankful for each one of them. Whether they're my age, my mom's or my grandma's, I learn from each and every one.

Long time no blog, what's up with that?

Lots. ;)

I enjoyed doing the 10 on Tuesday for part of last year, but I think I'm going to do some different things in 2009. Here are a few major updates:

• I started school last week. Oh boy. I'm taking a 200 level course titled "Philosophy of the human person. One of the things about finishing my education at a Jesuit institution is the requirement of this class as well as Ethics and at least one theology & religious studies classes. So far it's okay. The other kids seem, well, like kids. You know, barely out of nursery school. If I could go back and check my attitude at the door, I would. I'd have finished my BA in psychology at WWU. Can't go back now though!
• I'm ANXIOUSLY awaiting the arrival of my good friend Heather's baby girl. She's due in 8 days. 8!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait. I've been longing to meet her for months now.
  
• Each year my pastor names a theme for the year in our church. 2008 was the Year of Intimacy with God. Great year. 2009 is the Year of Boldness. I've been feeling a call recently to get involved with the youth in my church. In the church I used to attend, I worked with the children's ministry, teaching Sunday school and leading in AWANA. But the last couple of years I've felt the youth ministry calling to me. In fact, the last few weeks I've felt the Lord telling me to get involved and start a small group with some of the teenage girls. I spoke with our youth pastor about it yesterday and I can't wait to get started! It won't be until March because my class meets in Seattle until 6pm on Mon/Wed and youth group starts down by my house (~1.5 commute in the evening) at 6pm. :( Next quarter I'm going to aim for either a Tue/Thur class or something that gets out earlier. I really, really want to get involved.
  
• I made this vegetarian (vegan even!) jambalaya this weekend. And it's GOOD. I used brown rice, so it took a while longer before it was cooked all the way, but YUM. I've had some every day! And there's still a bunch left. Though not as much as I'd like. I might have to make some more this week!
• There are some students that I wish would either find a different major or just graduate. Ugh. I feel bad sometimes, but some of them just drive me UP THE WALL!
• There are some students I wish would never graduate and leave me. The top two are those that work for me. I adore them and would keep them forever if I could!

Well, I think that ought to cover it for now... There's more, but I need to get some work done before I leave today!

2009 is here!

We rang in the new year with some great friends, delicious snacks, a little Mad Gab and a whole lot of rock band. It was awesome. If we're friends on facebook, check out the picture my sweet husband posted on my wall. :)

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful time tonight!