Best holiday EVER is this week! And it's my first T-day at home in two years... so looking forward to some family time, cousin/grandparent time, and then to the lovely and uplifting festivities of this coming weekend. :)
The ladies' Bible study last Thursday was on our finanical responsibilities as stewards... and less than an hour later I completely disobeyed the impulse buying warning. I stopped at Wal-Mart to get some yarn and saw a Dean Martin CD on sale for $6.88. Oh, man... I love Dean Martin. He reminds me of freshman year when the FC forensics team competed at Western Kentucky; we ate supper at Coach's parents' house as DM played in the background. Good times.
I have a horribly annoying habit of listening to a new CD over and over and over and over and over until I finally get utterly sick of it. Then I put it away for a year, find it, and then the whole cycle begins again. So, since DM was re-introduced to my life on Thursday, I was still listening to him on Saturday when wefour drove to Manhattan. And one of the songs is the (apparently) notorious "Standing on the Corner"... which Sewell Hall mentioned when he talked about Jesus's command not to lust in our hearts. Ironically enough, that's one of my DM songs... and Heidi had just deemed it one of her favorites. So for those of you who had no clue what Mr. Hall was talking about during the lecture, or if you wondering why we three had developed quaking- shoulders-and-sputtering-coughs-of-laughter syndrome mid-sermon, that's why. :)
That is certainly the way I listen to music, or the way I DID listen to music when I was younger and a song could transport me to unutterable heights of emotion. Now I listen to audiobooks, classical music, and only occasionally the transporting song or cd.
I'm the same way when I get an album (lucky for family that doesn't happen very often) but then again I've learned that I can borrow a CD from the library for 3 weeks at a time... 9 weeks if I can renew it :) So I have a tendency to "listen to it while I can"
Listen, after 12 weeks of debating whether or not special-interest groups help/harm the democratic process, or whether or not "right to bear arms" means you can carry assault weapons or just means you can wear bear-skin sleeves...I think a break is in order. ;p
NO - I actually ate the king-size Hershey bar in two sittings. And no again, I don't buy things I won't use just to increase savings. But I do buy them if I can give them away or make money off them. For example, I made $1 buying a bottle of Gatorade at CVS on Thursday. You know I don't drink it. But I made $1 on it, and I can give it to someone who will - like you!
1. Establish continual prayer as a habit
2. Continue to read my Bible daily, while learning to meditate on it more
3. Learn how to make homemade salsa 4. Bike-ride through Germany and the Czech Republic
5. Plant daisies in a flowerbed
6. See the northern lights
7. Redeem the time wisely
8. Stop biting my nails during scary movies
9. Pay off my college loan in 9 months
10. Teach a child how to read
11. Drive through Maine in October
12. Drink my first Starbucks cappuccino in New York City 13. Help someone else realize that history is an exciting story
14. Publish a children's story
15. Get married
16. Hang up my clothes in the closet at the end of each day... rather than dumping them on the dresser
17. Have 3-5 kids
18. To be ready for every good deed
19. To be in a speech competition just one more time
20. Live so people will be happy to have known me
21. Make homemade bread twice a month
22. Lose 10 lbs... while eating my homemade bread twice a month
23. Remain steadfast in the doctrine of Christ
24. Smile more
25. Develop the courage to wear hats more often
26. Sew my own wedding dress
27. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
28. Have a library in my house
29. Learn how to ride a horse
30. Own a black lab
31. Drink tea in England 32. Learn how to type correctly
33. Save enough money to visit Prague again
34. Walk around on Canadian soil
35. Test drive a manual mini-cooper
36. Go on a camping trip once a year
37. See a Broadway play 38. Drink 8 glasses of water a day
39. See my grandchildren
40. Learn how to reupholster furniture
41. Eat at a Moroccian restaurant
42. Make a quilt
43. Be more ladylike
Ya...I know! I remember thinking when 18 was like "grown-up". crazy,huh? As for your list, I can totally see you accomplishing #15 & #17. If there's one thing I remember from meeting you for the first time it's that you had this innate nurturing/motherly nature about you. So no problems there. We just have to find a guy who's worthy of you! =)
Good list Laura, but I agree with everyone else scratch off #20 & #43. I love #13.
I want to do #42 - one day.
I apologized to the AAA guy for having to come up on such a cold morning just because I wanted to be warm when I got into my car. He said he already had severarl calls for the same thing.
Hi dear daughter :) I like the responses you are getting to your list. I'm working on my "Scaling Down" mission statement, but a list like this would be a good exercise too. I saw it on April's before. And Micah remember, she is a "stay-at-home" nanny! She has lots of computer checking in time.
I've been thinking lately about aspects of #29. And thinking I miss having horses. Our barn would work. We have rye planted in the front field which would be good bedding. Now there is hay, some fencing (maybe a bit more clearing), and oh yes, the horse(s).
You should TOTALLY do it! Dying my hair a little red has been on my life to-do list for years and years, and I'm so happy I finally got up the courage to do it. It's more subtle than it looks in that picture and will wash out... so I'm not a true "wild one". ;) And, yes, I knew exactly what you meant when you said that.
For all you kids out there, this is why that "never talk to strangers" story really is true...
I'm going to blame Sunday night's happenings on the fact that I beat 10 people at Spoons on Saturday. Hmmm... actually, this story starts WAYYYY before Saturday. Like years before.
Let's just get this straight: I think of myself as a fairly cheerful person (most of the time -- catch me when I haven't had tea in awhile and I might cry) and one my pet peeves are people who don't smile. Ever. It frustrates me. It's like fingernails-on-a-chalkboard-Ray-stretching-gum-teeth-rubbing-against-Styrofoam-rag-floating-in-the-dirty-sink annoying. So, as a personal challenge to myself, in high school I started playing a game with waiters/servers/gas people/cashiers... anyone who unconsciously qualified. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't do it to be a better person; I'm not that nice. I guess it's that competitive streak in me... can I beat this person at his own game? It's stupid, really -- I'll admit that right up front. And not only is the "game" silly, but I have the feeling that when I "win" it's because my competitor forfeits due to a sense of embarrassment for myself... and gratitude that she isn't me.
But I'm not going to think about that.
Game Rules: -- My competitor must be grumpy, frustrated, sad, or bored. In other words, he/she can't be smiling or happy.
-- I have to be EXTRA nice and sweet and friendly -- anything! -- in order to make that person smile by the end of our conversation/exchange/check-out at the grocery story.
-- I win if I make the person smile; competitor wins if I haven't succeeded in the above.
So, after a simply wonderful weekend with some simply wonderful studies, people, sermons, and drives, I think I just proved to myself how stupid and dangerous my "game" is. And how naive I am. I'm laughing at it this morning, but last night it was creepy. And I have the feeling my dear father won't be chuckling by the end.
After worshipping with the saints in East Orange, Megan and I dashed back to Washington for Tim's study, and then I headed to the W's house (minor detail: it's getting cold here -- the Xmas lights that are suddenly appearing everywhere *feel* right when you step outside, even if there is no snow); I decided to use the freezing temperature as an excuse to stop at the rather rundown Dunkin Donuts in Hackettstown for hot chocolate at 9.45 PM.
Inside it was just me and the rather elderly (yes, 50-something can look elderly) Arabian-looking gentleman whose friendly employee tag announced his name as Hussein the Shift Leader. He seemed kind of sad and lonely working by himself, so... let the game begin! With a big, friendly smile plastered on my face, I placed my order and asked how his day was going. The following is what happens when Laura's game goes out of control:
Hussein-the-50-something-Arabian-Shift-Leader-at-Dunkin-Donuts: You been here before? I see you here before?
Me: (Thoughts: Awww! The nice old guy remembers me -- I wondered if I "played" with him before?) Maybe -- I've been here perhaps twice.
H: I remember you -- you have baby-face, nice smile.
Me: (I'm not sure how to take the face comment, but the smile part is essential to the game, so I think I might win this time) Oh, well, thank you... is that my hot chocolate? (points to drink he just placed on counter)
H: Yes -- I make it special! For you! (He SMILES)
Me: (MWUAHAHA! I won! And now he's friendly. Double points for Laura!) Thank you! I hope you have a great evening!
H: Thank you. You nice person... you live here?
Me: (Poor old guy doesn't have anyone to talk to -- I'll be extra nice and chat a little) Yes, I live a few miles away.
H: Where?
Me: Ummm... above I-80.
H: You look young. How old are you? You have job?
Me: (I bet he has kids my age back in his country and misses them) Yes, I just graduated from college and take care of kids.
H: You teacher?
Me: No, not yet, but hopefully soon!
H: You from here?
Me: (Okay, so this conversation is definitely taking longer than I want... I'm going to start making my way to the door) I just moved here from Pennsylvania.
H: So, you American? You have American boyfriend?
Me: (Okayyyy... so this is getting a little too personal. If he says he has a son, I'm out of here. Actually, I should just get out now.) Ummm... no. Well, it was nice talking with you and I hope you have....
H: (interrupts) You wish you had boyfriend?
Me: (Alarm bells start ringing... this is NOT part of the game!) No! No, really, I'm GOOD. Well, I hope you have a great...
H: You come back? You come back... see me? I work night shifts -- I remember you.
Me: (Is he thinking of HIMSELF? Okay, I'm officially creeped out now.) Oh. Well, great. BYE. (begins to walk out door)
H: (calling) I work night shifts -- stop by and visit soon!
Moral of the Story: Perhaps I should retire gracefully from my game before it's too late. And remain nice, but not over-friendly. And perhaps -- no, *definitely*! -- refrain from ever frequenting that DD again.
Nice...;p - by the way, did I offhandedly hear you comment about my "stinky" old navy sweatshirt? You know, most everyone in Washington thinks that I only wear ties. ;p
creepy. I don't know why, but it reminds me of the time I went to a discount card store (which I used to go to every week to copy my time card for my employer next door to said card store)... I had been working at Hanover Direct on the phones (got fatter) and as the guy was giving me change he said something like 4 or 5. I didn't get it at first. I thought he was talking about the change for my purchase. Then when I realized he was asking if I was 4 or 5 months pregnant! I just pretended I didn't understand & left. That was sad. He creeped me out (prior to this visit) so I guess that's why I was reminded of that story. I'm glad you're okay. Stay away from that DD!
The Extreme Makeover that was near our house won't be on TV until January. I'm hoping that by tomorrow the road-block will be taken away so I can drive by it on my way somewhere. The family came home Friday but the road is still blocked. bummer :)
aaaaaah! laura! aaaaaah! i must advise you that old men are not necessarily kind and grandfatherly. scary people get old too! they can be any age. be safe!
Aaah!! Unfortunately, I know exactly what you're talking about!! I do the same thing! And have definitely had creepy encounters like that as a result. I've pretty much narrowed down the Friendly Game playing to females only, especially since getting married. Even encounters with non-creepy males can go waaay wrong when you're being overly friendly. :-/
Absolut[ely|belle ] in agreement with those smart sounding folks. I didn't show this story to dad yet. He couldn't have handled it the last couple of days!!!
I'm not sure about that either - I know Emily is wanting to see the girls that afternoon, so I imagine she is taking her car... I am probably going to drive up to my grandma's house and leave my car there, then drive with them into the city. If Emily does go to Newark, and then to Fairlawn...we could stop in Lyndhurst, which is just off the highway we take to get to FL from Newark and get my car...this is really way too long for a comment.
I have less of an idea on the second question. Even if Roger/Tim don't have classes, I'm sure the Spanish congregation will meet still, and Joe will still have his Mark class. So...in either case, probably just spend time with the girls or whoever if there is no 5:00 class.
lol - sorry. I was planning to leave my car in Lyndhurst (grandparents' house), go in to NY with my grandparents...then go to Newark with Em (I haven't talked to her about this yet), and pick my car up on the way to Fair Lawn from Newark. Make sense?
As far as room - a lot of my family is going, so there's lots of room, I think. Emily probably has room, too, but you can check with her. ;p
so you're telling me I'm "near normal." Uh - thanks. And now I read your post and find that I'm "elderly." Thanks, again. And all those times that you've smile so pleasantly when talking with me, did you win? And did I lose? Anway, as an elderly, not quite normal, person, I'll be sure to refrain from asking about your romantic relationships. The post was hilarious. I read it out loud to Libby. And yes, I'm guessing your Dad is not thrilled, but hopes you learned a lesson!
Today was a great day -- I accomplished one thing I've wanted to do for the past 1.5 years, and another that's been bugging me for the past 1.5 months.
--- I ordered a Canon A590IS camera. I'm pretty psyched -- my last one disappeared between Chatlos Library and Henderson Dining Hall.
--- I (FINALLY!) cleaned my car. Emphasis on "finally." It's not vacuumed (and won't be until Thanksgiving) but at least everything is organized and/or cleared...
...which reminds me -- I have 4 copies of AAA's DC/Maryland/Virgina maps. Anyone need one?
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