Christmas is Near and an Unexpected Blessing

Are you all ready for Christmas? I am but I'm not--if you know what I mean. I'm excited about giving and getting presents and egg nog and all that but I haven't quite finished my Christmas-gift-making/getting. AHHH!!! Before December is over, I need to eat some egg nog ice cream from Braum's! Or else I may go completely mad!

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On another note, yesterdy, I went to Mardel's to use a giftcard I got for my birthday--thank you, you who got me that if you're reading this. I got several CD's, including "Wake Up! Wake Up!" by Everyday Sunday & "Southern Weather" by the Almost. They're awesome!

Something unexpected (thus the title of this post) happened at work today. (Before I get into that, I need to tell you that not only do I seat people but I also help bus tables. Some servers make a big deal about the fact that I actually do my job--that's exactly what they've said, too. Apparenly, not everyone helps like I do.) This one server--who shall remain nameless but still lovely--was so appreciative of me today that she gave me some money! It made me very happy.

CHRISTMAS??? ALREADY?????

Holy toledo! I can't believe we have 8 days until Christmas!!!

I usually have time to have a fairly long countdown--I realized two days ago that I had 10 days until Christmas! Less than two weeks!!! I just can't believe it.

Dad says the reason that that this has happened is that I have other things that take up my life--like a JOB.



Speaking of my job, it's going pretty well--I get paid for one thing, which is pretty sweet. I feel like I know what the heck I'm doing. Also, everyone likes me because I'm very good at my job--awesome! Another thing--the cussing seems to have toned down. I'm hoping it's not because I've been working there so long that I don't really notice it anymore. I really think they're not cussing as much around me anymore. Maybe because they've noticed that I don't cuss.

So, yeah, the job's going pretty well. I believe God has granted me favor with these people.

I'm excited about Christmas--I really love to give and I really love to receive. I love the giddy secrecy surrounding gift-giving in my family. It's so fun! Hannah, Daddy, & me have secrets from mom. Hannah, Mommy, & me have secrets from dad. And Mommy, Daddy, & me have secrets from Hannah. As long as I don't mix them up, I'll be okay. :)

I don't know when I'll post again so I'd like to say that I hope you all get the things that you want for Christmas but that you gain twice that satisfaction out of GIVING.

To end this post, here's a comic strip from Baby Blues. Enjoy!

Hmm...What am I Thankful For?

Alright, I know that Thanksgiving already happened but I'm posting this anyway. There's TONS of things out there to be thankful for but which ones should I post??? Well, here are some things--not in order of importance.

I'm thankful for...

1.) My parents for being so awesome and homeschooling me (and my sister) even though everyone thought they were crazy. They've imparted much of their wisdom to me and I hope to learn much more from them.

2.) My sister for being the best sister I've ever had! She is so helpful and I love having her around.

3.) For a God who is faithful and just and is unchanging, unlike us. He gave me life twice--once when he created me and again when I asked Him to be my Savior. He still works miracles and intervenes for us. He has given me all that I have so he gets an infinity-thank you!

4.) For autumn--the most beautiful, I think, season.

5.) For friends--from the ones I met soon after I was born even to the ones I've met just this year. They've all had an impact on me in different ways--teaching me things, passing on mannerisms and weirdisms, etc. to me.

6.) For trees! They're so beautiful and they help us breathe--which I think is really nice!

7.) The ability to be creative (writing, drawing, etc.). God is creative and I am glad that He created us to be creative, too.

8.) The ability God gave humanity to communicate and create writing through which they can communicate on paper. Books that we can enjoy, that enrich us, and/or books that teach us.

Happy Friendship Day!

Well, Sunday was Friendship Day! YAY!

So, Happy Post-Friendship Day, everyone! I love my friends.

I want to tell you [my lovely friends] that you mean a LOT to me and can't imagine life without you! I love ya!

(I found the above graphics from graphics arcade.)

P.S.

Thank you, Sprite and Mrs. Christy for the comments! You get brownie points! Could some of you other people comment, too? It would make me happy and I might take down the sad picture on the right side of the page.

Happy post-Valentine's Day

Hello, everyone, it's been a while since I've done a REAL post.

Valentine's Day only reminds me of the real Valentine that I may not get for a couple years. *SIGH*

I know, I'm such a girl. What do you expect?

Speaking of stuff, Dakota Fanning and the guy who play her brother in War of the Worlds are SOOO ANNOYING!!! If Hannah and I acted like that--well, we just wouldn't act like that.

Anyways, my mom, sister, and I always have a Valentine's Day [treasure/scavenger?] hunt and that's fun. We usually find chocolate/candy at the end of the hunt. 'Tis fun!

Alright, well, that's it for now.

Well...

It's January 1st, 2008. Guess what I'm about to say...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Can you believe it's 2008 already???

I REALLY can't believe it! It doesn't seem quite right...

Did you do anything fun for New Year's Eve? I'd love to hear about it. We went to a family's house to snack, talk, and watch a movie. 'Twas fun... :)

Have I mentioned how much I love egg nog? I wish I could have it a couple more times a year than just around Christmas/New Year's. So sad... :(

Egg nog

[for John--and anyone else who hasn't ever had egg nog]

Egg nog is extremely sweet and creamy. It's sweeter and thicker than milk. You should try it sometime before they stop selling it. I also suggest drinking it out of your favorite mug and drinking it slowly so you can savor it. :)

P.S.

(Sometimess when people drink it, they put nutmeg on it but I like the taste of it by itself.)

My Christmas Message to You

Christmas is coming!

YAY!!! Christmas is coming!!! It's kind of weird that Christmas is on a Tuesday but oh, well...

I'm still excited! My dad got off early yesterday (Thursday) and won't have to go back until Wednesday.

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Tonight is the CHEER H.S. Christmas party. I'm happy! Not that you care but I'm planning on wearing this green shirt I have with a collar and puffy sleevs and my little, shiny black shoes. Maybe I'll wear this vest that I have over it...I don't know.

Oh, here's something to tell you--yesterday, I applied for a job at Chili's (they're building one by my house) yesterday. I'm going back, to take a "personality test". I'm kind of afraid of what I'm going to be asked. I'm also afraid I won't be able to pick an answer because I can be pretty undecisive at times. Also, guess how LONG the test is supposed to be! 45 minutes to an HOUR!!! Geez, what do they want, my whole life story??? The guy also said that they send off the personality test to this company and they'll tell them whether to discontinue it or not. (I guess that means they tell them whether to hire me or not? I don't know.)

But he was interested in that I can work during the day. He said I am too young to be a server but that I could be a hostess and that they're LOOKING for a daytime host so...I hope it works out! :) Well, I am hoping it works out but I'm...SCARED!!! I hope I'd be a good hostess...I'm just afraid of dealing with people that I don't know.

Oh my gosh--I just realized something--would I have to answer the PHONE??!! AHHH!!!

Alright, well, you probably lost interest in this post a long time ago so...I'll end it now.

PRAY!!!

Happy Ramahanukwanzmas!

I love this song! It's a song I've heard for a couple years now on Glenn Beck's talk radio show. Now, I've found that it's a video, too!

Isn't it catchy? LOL

What I did over thanksgiving...

Well, I had a LOVERLY Thanksgiving! I went to Missouri with my family to where my great-grandparents live and visited with family at their house during Thanksgiving dinner [lunch, really]

That's me and this HUGE dog--an Irish wolfhound, I think--named Finnegan. [He belongs to Uncle Andy and Aunt Debby.] Isn't he gi-hugic??? He was so cool-looking. When I saw him, I imagined him in a huge mansion sitting by a fireplace--good idea for a story, I think...[I don't mean that the entire story would be about a dog sitting by a fireplace but maybe a nice tidbit in a story somewhere]

Later, we went to Silver Dollar City [my great-aunt works there and usually gets us free tickets--Thanks Aunt Audine aka Redshirt! (I used to call her that because I didn't know her real name)]. It was lots of fun but so cold that they had shut all the roller coasters down [I wasn't too upset about it but I know that at least Hannah and Dad had wanted to go on them]. So we just travelled from shop to shop.

Yeah, this has a funny story behind it. I walked into one of the shops and said, "oh, tell me that's not one of those things that you put over your face when you go to sleep!" [see below] Then I showed my mom that there was a hole in all of them. She thought I was hilarious. Then I figured out that they weren't for your face--you're supposed to put the hole around a wine bottle or something. So here's what it'd look like if you did where it--that way you can keep one eye open! LOL

Here's Hannah getting a caricature done. It was so cool! He even drew a halo above her head! LOL He's really good at pulling out a piece of your personality and representing it in the caricature. When he drew it, it looked SO much like her! I kept saying, "it has her eyes!" LOL
The next day, we went to the Titanic museum in Branson. That was SO COOL! [You notice that the outside of the building actually LOOKS like the Titanic.] There were so many picture opportunities but they wouldn't let us use our cameras because of copyright laws. :( They even had the big staircase like in the movie only it was half the size [literally]. I SO wished I could get a picture by it! While I was walking up or down I tried to walk up very lady-likely [LOL] like the lady on the Titanic might have done. *sigh* IT WAS SO COOL!!!

When we first got there, they gave us a pass or whatever paper thingy. On each of ours there was a name of a real person who was on the Titanic, their age, what class they were in [1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class, or crew], and a little bit of their story. At the end of the tour, you got to find out if you person lived or not. I was a 2-year-old who died along with her entire family [we were in 1st class]. My dad was a hero!

We also even got to stick our hand in water that was the same temperature as the ocean was that night so you could feel how cold it truly was. They had a timer on it to see how long you could take it. OMG! It started to HURT because it was so cold!

It was an AMAZING experience. If you ever go to Branson, you should go to the Titanic museum!

Here's all of us that went after coming out

I had a great time! So what did you all do for Thanksgiving?

Countdown to Christmas!

We have 1 month until Christmas! I'm excited! I'm not sure what we're doing for Christmas this year--what are you all doing for Christmas? Do you have any Christmas memories or traditions that you'd like to share? I may offer some later on but don't really have the time right now...


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Happy Thanksgiving!

So today is Thanksgiving! YAY!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

I'm off to Missouri!

What Holiday am I?

Do you think that sounds right?

You Are Christmas

More than most people, you are able to find magic in life's small moments. Traditions mean a lot to you, and you tend to be quite nostalgic. You are a giving, kind person who really understands the true meaning of holidays. You inspire others to be as altruistic and caring as you are. What makes you celebrate: Tradition and a generous spirit At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The storyteller. You like to recount memories with everyone. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Give a gift to everyone you know

What Holiday Are You?

Christmas Quiz [yeah, I know I just did a thanksgiving post...]

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
EGG NOG!!!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
he wraps them...

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
my dad sometimes gets some on Main street and hangs it in between the dining room and living room.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
ha ha...do you mean BEFORE Christmas? LOL It depends, I guess.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
hmm...idk

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child:
egg nog and chips and wolf chili on Christmas Eve!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was told the truth from the beginning--no, I don't feel deprived at all.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
yes, I'm usually allowed to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
lights, ornaments--the usual. ;)

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love looking at it [when it's smooth--oh, it's just beautiful!] but I hate when it gets in my clothes.

12. Can you ice skate?
you know, I've never ice skated...

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
idk...I specifically recall getting really excited about getting the Dear America CD--it was REALLY cool and I'd been wanting it for a long time. I have enjoyed it since.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
EGG NOG! LOL mmm...that it's comforting and relaxing and fun.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
EGG NOG!!!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
having egg nog and chips and wolf chili on Christmas Eve! PRESENTS! LOL

17. What tops your tree?
I think it's usually an angel...

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
hmm...you know, I just really enjoy the secret-keeping part of Christmas when it comes to giving people presents! Maybe I do enjoy giving better...idk...

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
the Carol of the Bells

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
yum

[Some of the little things] I'm Thankful For

-beautiful sunrises/sunsets

-the scent of vanilla

-my family that is always there for me

-friends who are so supportive and that I can have fun with


-good relationships with my mom, dad, and sister

-the good times


-the bad times [that make me so grateful for the good times--not that I enjoy the bad times nor do I really need anymore]


-trees [they're beautiful AND they give off oxygen--what more could you ask for?]


-good health

-comforting/encouraging words


-being alive!!! [Thanks, God!]


-teen game night!

-birthdays and everydays

-gifts [so fun, so fun]


-cool animals to learn about


-history [I'm really getting into it]

-fantasy/science fiction! [LOL] as well as other books


-a house that has running water, air conditioning, heating, and electricity

-pens

-paper

-hugs [from someone you know]

-hopes and dreams

-music [definitely a gift of God]


-beauty in all its forms [the beauty of nature, the beauty of a smile, the beauty of words and music, the beauty of people, etc.]

-POLAR BEARS! [they are so awe-inspiring and beautiful!]

-cameras

-art

-MAKEUP!!!

-SNEAKERS!!

-autumn


-all the other seasons [beautiful in their own way and make me thankful for autumn]



-Rain

-such wise and yet fun parents

-Food

What are YOU thankful for?

Caricature

In the past several years, my family and I have been going to Missouri to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family on my father's side. My great-aunt [aka "red-shirt"--I gave her that name when I was little because I didn't know her real name and she was wearing a red shirt that day] works at Silver Dollar City so she usually gets us tickets so we can all go.

Well, last year we went to Silver Dollar City and they had a caricature artist there. So I decided to get a caricature done of myself. It was really cool and the guy flirted with me so--it was all good. LOL I was was supposed to smile the whole time. But when he was looking down at the drawing, I'd make a weird face, so my face wouldn't hurt. LOL At one point, he caught me making a silly face and said, "I could draw it like that." And I was like, "No!" LOL The booth I was in to have the caricature done, had a clear side that people could walk by and look into. It felt weird because everyone was staring at me.

So I've finally gotten the caricature framed and hung up in my room. I'm happy. :)

Also, I didn't pose with my elbow out like that. I was just sitting there.