One more week and then glorious Christmas vacation is here. Two weeks of sleeping in, reading books, writing, wearing my pajamas all day long, watching movies, drinking hot cocoa, and hanging with my husband. I can barely stand the wait. So in honor of the upcoming bliss, here's a Christmas meme.
1. Getting kissed under the mistletoe or in the snow? Under the mistletoe because then I'm warm and toasty. I'm not so much of a snow girl. Something about being cold and wet kills my romantic inklings.
2. Santa or Rudolph? Santa. I love Santa's many names throughout the world and the story of Saint Nicholas. Although I'm not such a fan of some dude breaking and entering to drop off gifts and eat my cookies. Not cool.
3. Stocking or presents? Stockings. The essential stocking stuffer is the Lifesavers Story Book. Terry and I exchange stockings and it's so great because we have to find small, meaningful gifts. My stocking was handmade by my great grandmother when I was a baby. She must have been a wonderful person to have made me such a thoughtful gift.
4. Egg nog or hot cider? Neither. Hot cocoa with a tiny peppermint candy cane thrown in for good measure is the perfect winter drink. Coming in second is Peet's peppermint tea with two teabags for good measure.
5. Angel or Star? Angel atop the tree. Stars in the sky as we ride in the MINI with the top down and the seat warmers on high.
6. Decorating the tree or putting lights on the outside? Tree. I love putting up all the ornaments from my childhood as well as the conglomeration of handmade ornaments from my students betwixt the white twinkle lights.
7. Warm fires or sleigh rides? I've never been on a sleigh ride, but I love a crackling fire and a good book.
8. Expensive presents or presents that come from the heart? Neither. I have everything I need.
9. Snow ball fight or snowman? Snowman. One of my favorite children's book is called Stranger in the Woods about a family of deer who discover a snowman. The photographs are fantastic.
10. Will you be getting coal or presents? Definitely coal. Loads and loads of coal.
11. Caroling or Christmas stories? Both. I'd play Christmas music year round if it didn't drive Terry insane. My Christmas playlist is in full effect right now. Traditional carols like The Holly and the Ivy carry me back to my high school days in the Madrigal Dinner. My accent was terrible, but I loved the sound of our voices harmonizing and echoing off the walls Frank Lloyd Wright designed. My affection for Christmas stories is equally strong and I'm thankful it's part of my job to share such gems at The Polar Express, Welcome Comfort, Gingerbread Baby and The Velveteen Rabbit.
12. Snowy days or icy days? Snow if I'm inside and there's enough for the schools to close for the day.
13. Red or Green? Green. Green now and every other month of the year.
14. Fake tree or Real tree? Real tree and a shiny Festivus Pole, too.
15. Prime Rib or Ham? Neither. Gotta save room for Christmas candy.
16. Red and White Candy Canes or Colorful Candy Canes? Red and white dipped in hot cocoa or smashed into minty shards on ice cream.
17. Get up early or sleep in late? Sleep in. Always sleep in.
18. Old Christmas Movies or New ones? Both as long at that includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, the original Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Love, Actually. On Christmas Day we always see a movie in the theater, too.
19. The Santa Clause 1 or The Santa Clause 2? There's a Santa Clause 2? I discovered today there's a Santa Baby 2 as well. Surely, the apocalypse is upon us.
20. Christmas Eve or Christmas day? Christmas morning. It's just Terry and I huddled under a blanket in our pajamas, reading Luke chapter 2 and appreciating another Christmas together.
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
December 11, 2009
February 7, 2009
8 Somewhat Interesting Facts & 17 Mediocre Ones
I was recently tagged to write a 25 Things meme about myself. At first I thought 25 things? 25 interesting things about me? I'm only thirty one, so that's close to one interesting thing a year. That's a lot of pressure. So, I'm going to say that only like 8 of these are interesting and the other 17 are mediocre at best. You be the judge as to which is which.
1. My very first bike was a bright pink Schwinn with a white banana seat. My dad bought all the components and built it for me by hand.
2. As a kid, I loved making molasses taffy with my Grandpa. The feel of hot taffy sliding through my small, buttery hands is tied to my memory of his face.
3. In third grade I won a spelling trophy. I still have the trophy. Oh, and I can spell words backwards.
4. In fourth grade I won my first writing award for a poem about the Earth. That meant I got to attend the Literary Festival where I sat in on classes by real authors. I entered the contest and won each year through my junior year in high school. The Literary Festival was by far the coolest day of the school year.
5. I make a mean balloon animal. I learned how to make balloon animals in preparation for a missionary trip to Mexico when I was 15.
6. I married Terry when I was the ripe old age of 19. He was 23. I count it a real blessing to have grown up together within our marriage.
7. When I was 30, I attended the NCWP Summer Institute and it's enhanced every facet of my writing, including how I foster a love of writing in my young writers.
8. Every July I spend a week volunteering at a Youth to Youth conference with a few hundred of my favorite teenagers. It's a fantastic week and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
9. A newly hatched dragonfly once landed on my nose in front of 40 first graders. The feel of the dragonfly tiptoeing on my nose along with the squeals of delight from my little ones will always make me smile.
10. When I got married and changed my last name, I moved my last name to the middle so that I would always be connected to my brothers. You should see the looks I get when people ask what my middle name is. I guess Wheeler isn't a popular middle name, especially for girls.
11. I watch Gilmore Girls every weekday. Oy, with the poodles already!
12. I play electronic Yahtzee almost daily. My husband currently holds the top score and my jealousy is palpable.
13. I once visited a town in Eastern Europe that is home to many, many storks and their monstrous nests. It was terrifying.
14. I'm a Mac.
15. I have a huge laundry basket of cards, notes, and special things written by my loved ones. If I ever have to evacuate my house, it will be one of the first things I grab.
16. I love the movie Dirty Dancing. My copy of it lives on the floor in the corner of my living room behind a chair because my husband insists on proving that he puts Baby in a corner.
17. I know all the words to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. Be nice to me or I'll sing it.
18. All other responsibilities fall away during Shark Week.
19. My favorite color and my favorite song are one in the same: Green.
20. I would like to become fluent in Spanish. Once I had a dream in Spanish. I'm positive I conjugated all of the verbs incorrectly.
21. Psalm 121 is my current favorite chapter of the Bible.
22. I've got funny stories galore, but I can't tell a joke to save my life.
23. My nephew, Landon, makes me all mushy and giddy inside. He also compels me to do stupid things like chase him around on all fours with Cars slippers on my hands.
24. Laurie Notaro's books make me laugh out loud.
25. I have ridden 112 miles on my bicycle in one day. I hope to top that this season.
1. My very first bike was a bright pink Schwinn with a white banana seat. My dad bought all the components and built it for me by hand.
2. As a kid, I loved making molasses taffy with my Grandpa. The feel of hot taffy sliding through my small, buttery hands is tied to my memory of his face.
3. In third grade I won a spelling trophy. I still have the trophy. Oh, and I can spell words backwards.
4. In fourth grade I won my first writing award for a poem about the Earth. That meant I got to attend the Literary Festival where I sat in on classes by real authors. I entered the contest and won each year through my junior year in high school. The Literary Festival was by far the coolest day of the school year.
5. I make a mean balloon animal. I learned how to make balloon animals in preparation for a missionary trip to Mexico when I was 15.
6. I married Terry when I was the ripe old age of 19. He was 23. I count it a real blessing to have grown up together within our marriage.
7. When I was 30, I attended the NCWP Summer Institute and it's enhanced every facet of my writing, including how I foster a love of writing in my young writers.
8. Every July I spend a week volunteering at a Youth to Youth conference with a few hundred of my favorite teenagers. It's a fantastic week and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
9. A newly hatched dragonfly once landed on my nose in front of 40 first graders. The feel of the dragonfly tiptoeing on my nose along with the squeals of delight from my little ones will always make me smile.
10. When I got married and changed my last name, I moved my last name to the middle so that I would always be connected to my brothers. You should see the looks I get when people ask what my middle name is. I guess Wheeler isn't a popular middle name, especially for girls.
11. I watch Gilmore Girls every weekday. Oy, with the poodles already!
12. I play electronic Yahtzee almost daily. My husband currently holds the top score and my jealousy is palpable.
13. I once visited a town in Eastern Europe that is home to many, many storks and their monstrous nests. It was terrifying.
14. I'm a Mac.
15. I have a huge laundry basket of cards, notes, and special things written by my loved ones. If I ever have to evacuate my house, it will be one of the first things I grab.
16. I love the movie Dirty Dancing. My copy of it lives on the floor in the corner of my living room behind a chair because my husband insists on proving that he puts Baby in a corner.
17. I know all the words to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. Be nice to me or I'll sing it.
18. All other responsibilities fall away during Shark Week.
19. My favorite color and my favorite song are one in the same: Green.
20. I would like to become fluent in Spanish. Once I had a dream in Spanish. I'm positive I conjugated all of the verbs incorrectly.
21. Psalm 121 is my current favorite chapter of the Bible.
22. I've got funny stories galore, but I can't tell a joke to save my life.
23. My nephew, Landon, makes me all mushy and giddy inside. He also compels me to do stupid things like chase him around on all fours with Cars slippers on my hands.
24. Laurie Notaro's books make me laugh out loud.
25. I have ridden 112 miles on my bicycle in one day. I hope to top that this season.
January 8, 2009
The Friday Fairies
I love, love, love Fridays. Yes, I get that everyone loves Fridays because the next day is Saturday, but that's not what I'm talking about. The Friday Fairies descend on me. Several types of Friday Fairies will you make harbor vast amounts of jealousy for my Fridays.
1) The Evil Wardrobe Fairy, who convinces me I have nothing to wear Monday through Thursday, is nowhere to be found on Friday. It's school color day. I don't have to think about what to wear. I pick a green shirt/sweater/blouse/top/whatever and throw it over a pair of pants. Done.
2) The Coffee Fairy (aka my principal) provides coffee and goodies for staff in the staff room Friday mornings. I don't always make it in, but I like knowing it's there. On cold mornings he sometimes stands out by the parking lot and gives hot chocolate to parents. Yes, he is real. Yes, I know how lucky I am.
3) The Writing Fairy magically makes everything click. Most of my students have finished up assigned writing pieces and are now working on self-selected topics. It's great to see them putting all the lessons to use.
4) The Parent Volunteer Fairies flit into my class. One makes all of my copies for the next week. The copy room is nuts on Fridays and he saves me oodles of time. Three more come and lead math games in the afternoon. Yes, I'm lucky. And I'm spoiled. And I know it.
5) The Little Lunch Fairies visit. Friday is Lunch Bunch. This is lunch in the classroom with my kids. Time without agenda just to be with them and hear about what's going on is a precious part of my week.
6) The Housekeeping Fairy sneaks in every other Friday. I come home to a sparkling clean abode. She even puts my shoes in rows.
7) The Sleep Fairy comes early. Friday night usually means time with my hubby. Bad TV, a comfy couch, and me drooling on his shoulder as I drift off to sleep at 9:30 is bliss.
Hope your Friday is full of visits from all the best fairies!
1) The Evil Wardrobe Fairy, who convinces me I have nothing to wear Monday through Thursday, is nowhere to be found on Friday. It's school color day. I don't have to think about what to wear. I pick a green shirt/sweater/blouse/top/whatever and throw it over a pair of pants. Done.
2) The Coffee Fairy (aka my principal) provides coffee and goodies for staff in the staff room Friday mornings. I don't always make it in, but I like knowing it's there. On cold mornings he sometimes stands out by the parking lot and gives hot chocolate to parents. Yes, he is real. Yes, I know how lucky I am.
3) The Writing Fairy magically makes everything click. Most of my students have finished up assigned writing pieces and are now working on self-selected topics. It's great to see them putting all the lessons to use.
4) The Parent Volunteer Fairies flit into my class. One makes all of my copies for the next week. The copy room is nuts on Fridays and he saves me oodles of time. Three more come and lead math games in the afternoon. Yes, I'm lucky. And I'm spoiled. And I know it.
5) The Little Lunch Fairies visit. Friday is Lunch Bunch. This is lunch in the classroom with my kids. Time without agenda just to be with them and hear about what's going on is a precious part of my week.
6) The Housekeeping Fairy sneaks in every other Friday. I come home to a sparkling clean abode. She even puts my shoes in rows.
7) The Sleep Fairy comes early. Friday night usually means time with my hubby. Bad TV, a comfy couch, and me drooling on his shoulder as I drift off to sleep at 9:30 is bliss.
Hope your Friday is full of visits from all the best fairies!
December 18, 2008
My Christmas List
No, this isn't a list of stuff I want. I don't want anything, so that would be a really brief and completely boring list. No, this is a different kind of list. Christmas vacation is less than 20 hours away and this is my list of things to do on vacation. It's not a list to ooh and aah over. There's no skydiving or marathon running, but I'm darn proud of it anyway.
1. Wear my pajamas until the last possible minute everyday. I think I'll alternate between the snowman ones and my flannel One Fish, Two Fish jammies. I fully plan on topping them off with my fuzzy pink robe and disgusting slippers. Totally hot.
2. Go to the used book store and grab an armload of books to read. I'm in the middle of Ghost Trails about a girl who cycled the Iditarod. How cool is she? Next on my list are Gilead and Love In The Driest Season. Obviously I need more than that in my stack. Any suggestions?
3. Eat breakfast for dinner. I love brinner. Cheerios and bananas, veggie omelets, sweetmilks, waffles, Terry's vanilla pancakes. It's all good no matter what time of day.
4. Start another burrito streak. I could eat a burrito every single day. In fact, I once did for more than forty days in a row. My favorite burrito includes black beans, refried beans, shredded cabbage, avocado, sour cream, and a sprinkle of cheese. Delish. I heart burritos.
5. Ride my bike. A lot. This weekend I'm riding up to beautiful Igo. Who knows where else I'll ride. It doesn't matter.
6. Go to the movies at least three times. On my list are The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, Seven Pounds, Yes Man, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Looks like I'll have to buy a ton of Sour Patch Kids.
7. Watch all of my favorite Christmas movies, including Love Actually, While You Were Sleeping and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
8. Sit in the hot tub and read without dropping my book in the water. History is not in my favor. If you've ever borrowed a book from me, chances are the pages were all wrinkly and fanned out from a dunk or two. This is why I buy books instead of checking them out from the library.
9. Get rid of as much stuff as possible. Terry and I take great pleasure in making a mountainous pile of stuff for UCP. If we haven't worn/used/watched/needed something for a year, it's out. Exceptions are memorabilia, our wedding china, and books. If you come over to visit, I suggest you don't stand still for too long or you might be accidentally tossed into the pile.
10. Write. The thought of having two weeks in a row when I can write whenever I want is making me giddy! I'm home alone and I just giggled out loud at the mere thought of it.
Now it's your turn. What's on your list?
1. Wear my pajamas until the last possible minute everyday. I think I'll alternate between the snowman ones and my flannel One Fish, Two Fish jammies. I fully plan on topping them off with my fuzzy pink robe and disgusting slippers. Totally hot.
2. Go to the used book store and grab an armload of books to read. I'm in the middle of Ghost Trails about a girl who cycled the Iditarod. How cool is she? Next on my list are Gilead and Love In The Driest Season. Obviously I need more than that in my stack. Any suggestions?
3. Eat breakfast for dinner. I love brinner. Cheerios and bananas, veggie omelets, sweetmilks, waffles, Terry's vanilla pancakes. It's all good no matter what time of day.
4. Start another burrito streak. I could eat a burrito every single day. In fact, I once did for more than forty days in a row. My favorite burrito includes black beans, refried beans, shredded cabbage, avocado, sour cream, and a sprinkle of cheese. Delish. I heart burritos.
5. Ride my bike. A lot. This weekend I'm riding up to beautiful Igo. Who knows where else I'll ride. It doesn't matter.
6. Go to the movies at least three times. On my list are The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, Seven Pounds, Yes Man, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Looks like I'll have to buy a ton of Sour Patch Kids.
7. Watch all of my favorite Christmas movies, including Love Actually, While You Were Sleeping and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
8. Sit in the hot tub and read without dropping my book in the water. History is not in my favor. If you've ever borrowed a book from me, chances are the pages were all wrinkly and fanned out from a dunk or two. This is why I buy books instead of checking them out from the library.
9. Get rid of as much stuff as possible. Terry and I take great pleasure in making a mountainous pile of stuff for UCP. If we haven't worn/used/watched/needed something for a year, it's out. Exceptions are memorabilia, our wedding china, and books. If you come over to visit, I suggest you don't stand still for too long or you might be accidentally tossed into the pile.
10. Write. The thought of having two weeks in a row when I can write whenever I want is making me giddy! I'm home alone and I just giggled out loud at the mere thought of it.
Now it's your turn. What's on your list?
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