25 Things you may not know about me

I have a friend that has a 100 things list on her blog (hey Shannon) but I think I may have trouble coming up with 25 let alone 100. I'll give it a shot. Let's see if I surprise anyone.

1. I love to read cookbooks. Yes read them. Sometimes I cook from them too but mostly I read.
2. I hate socks but as I age I have to wear them more often than I care to because my feet freeze.
   
3. I like to pop zits.
   
4. I cannot properly make anything that requires rolled dough. I have a severe handicap when it comes to rolling dough.
   
5. I cannot make puffed wheat squares to save my life, they are either hard as rocks or do not stick together. I can make just about anything else but not something as simple as this.
6. I have a love affair with purses but in these past years I rarely buy them. However, I drool over them and spend much time looking at them in the stores.
7. I have a card problem. I've been better the last 2 years with no Winners nearby to raid on a regular basis. I used to clean out the clearance rack of stationary very often. I love note cards. I love paper. It makes me happy to open my metal container that stores them all. I can kill some serious time in a Hallmark store or any store that has paper. I love to go to scrapbook stores to drool over the paper but I can't scrap to save my life.
   
8. I love wine and could drink a glass daily but I don't.
9. My favorite sweet treat is white chocolate almond bark.
10. I have created a cookbook of all my favorite recipes. It is on the computer but I have not made a hard copy of it.
11. I played alto saxophone for 6 years. I also played organ.
    
12. I used to speak fluent french but I can barely keep up to a bilingual speech in parliament anymore.
13. I did my first income tax return at 12 but my dreams of becoming an accountant were crushed by my Math 10 teacher. Thanks Mr. Tucker. I've struggled with math ever since.
14. I'd love to run a B&B one day.
15. I am not a cat person at all. I don't even like Garfield. Bling Bling Kitty is the only exception but she is mostly human.;)
16. I cannot stand for anyone to touch my belly button.
17. I hate to vacuum.
18. I collect nativities and Christmas angels.
19. I have a bread problem. I love great rustic breads but my body doesn't love them. I've gotten a handle on it but I yearn to eat a loaf of dark rye or sourdough every now and then.
20. I love cheese. I have not met a cheese that I didn't like. mmmmmmmmmm .... Cheese!
21. I have zero tolerance for out of control children and no respect for the parents that have created them. Yes I know mine are not perfect. Trust me I'm far from perfect as well. I also know some children have special issues. I just have no tolerance for wildness and disrespect.
22. I have really good discernment. I can see things in situations or people that others don't see. If I had to rate my accuracy it would be in the 94% range.
23. I was born with black hair. It fell out when I was a few months old and came back blonde. Now it is whatever color I feel like which is mostly red with various highlights and lowlights.
24. I hate driving. In a perfect world I would have a chauffeur.
25. I want to write a book on parenting/being a wife one day.

That was hard. There is no way I could do 100. Can you do 25?? I'd love to see your list.

Be careful this can be addicting!

Change

Winter is coming. So far the snow has not been sticking. Today the wind was bitter cold and howling. Everyone was complaining but we are pretty lucky to not have snow. I hate this limbo time of year. I love autumn, all the colors, the beautiful weather and especially getting back into routine after a summer of freedom. Then comes late October and November... the trees are naked save for a few tenacious leaves hanging on for dear life, the ground is brown, the plants have been pulled or have gone into hibernation, the wind is bitter and the sun spends more days hiding than coming out to play. It is the gray, gloominess that gets me down. As much as I dread the cold that comes with the snow I appreciate the blue skies and sunshine. Right now I'm deprived of the sun and it's making me grumpy.

While I'm waiting for the season to change I'm going to try to change my attitude about this time of year. I really want to hide under the covers until the sun starts shining again. I don't feel like doing my daily chores or being around people. But I'm going to do my best to push through this mini season of gloom and look forward to the season to come.

Looking forward and making some changes:

1. Change blog template, this seems bright and happy to me right now.
2. Stop being in denial that the year is almost over and Christmas is almost here.
3. Get back on track with my exercising. I've done really well and lost almost 20 lbs since September!! I'm feeling great but I've been slacking on my exercise. I need to stay motivated despite the gloomy gray clouds.
4. Stop making excuses and call to volunteer with the local organization to help families in need this Christmas.
5. Get my gift list sorted out.
6. Make my baking lists.
7. Plan date night.
8. Finish my 100 list.
9. Find something to wear to the Christmas Gala.
10. Start decorating.
11. Blog more regularly.

That should be plenty to help me focus on the good stuff and stop wallowing in the blah of this limbo non-season of gray.

Remembering Thoughtfully

November 11th marks Remembrance Day or Veteran's Day in North America. I encourage you to take a moment of quiet reflection and prayer out of respect for the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Remembering Thoughtfully....

Men waiting anxiously

Soldiers fighting fearlessly

Search for freedom endlessly

Death toll mounting daily

Blood flowing continually

Women and children crying hopelessly

Civilians dying needlessly

Orphans searching desperately

Heroes are made unexpectantly

Praying for freedom and peace eventually.

By Kodiak, Age 11 © November 2006

I've been really trying to apply this to my life. Today it has proven to be more difficult than other days. I'm only human right? I'm posting this to remind myself to let it go. If you are interested in getting these daily pearls of wisdom than you should visit HeartMath.