iPod Meme: Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

I found this on Jenni's blog and thought it looked like fun.  So here we go!

Rules:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing the game.


1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Yesterday's News - Whiskeytown

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Listen To Her Heart - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A FRIEND?
I Need Thee Every Hour - Jars of Clay (Not so much.  Not that I don't like feeling needed by a friend.  But every hour is a bit much.)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her - Simon & Garfunkel (Hm... maybe I should start finding an Emily.)

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Love Me Do - The Beatles

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Happiness Is A Warm Gun - The Beatles (Niiiiice.)

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Livin' On The Edge - Aerosmith

9. WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Ol' 55 - The Eagles

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Generator - Foo Fighters

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan

12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - The Beatles

13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
Revive Me - Jeremy Camp (Yes, I regularly swoon when Josh walks in the door.  Not quite, but close.)

15. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Roxanne - The Police (I hope not!  I do NOT put on a red light.)

16. WHAT WILL (OR DID) YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Getting Better - The Beatles (and it DID!)

17. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Not Dark Yet - Bob Dylan

18. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Outlaws - Joe Purdy

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Dissident - Pearl Jam

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
This I Promise You - N'Sync (Ahh, this one brings be back to 10th grade like no other.)

21. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
For A Dancer - Jackson Browne

22. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Helpless - Neil Young (Comforting.)

23. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Promising - Wilco

24. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Nothing As It Seems - Pearl Jam

25. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Don't Wanna Know Why - Whiskeytown (You really don't.  The list goes on and on.)

26. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
All I Want - Toad The Wet Sprocket

27. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
This World - Derek Webb (Now, where to start?)

28. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Gas Panic! - Oasis (iTunes is about 4 months late on this one.)

29. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana (Here!  I promise!)

Okay, so I did cheat - a little.  Not sure why the randomizer loved the Beatles, but I do so I think it is okay.  And I'm not going to tag anyone.  Still, enjoy.

Random Meme

I got this over email from my friend Chris, and thought it looked fun.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A couple days ago
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING ? Usually, but I wish it were neater sometimes
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Roast beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Not unless Riley counts.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A Lot? All the time. And that increased when I married Josh.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS ? Tonsils - yes, wisdom teeth - no.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I'd love to, but Josh would kill me (he isn't a fan of me doing anything remotely dangerous.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Archer Farms Triple Berry Crunch
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Most of my shoes don't have laces these days. But when I am wearing lace-ups, I don't untie them.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Um, no.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Haagen Dazs Strawberry, all the way.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Smiles
15. RED OR PINK? I used to be pink all the way, but would now actually say red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I wish I were more disciplined.
17. WHOM DO YOU MISS THE MOST ? I can't pick ONE friend or family member! I miss them all.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU (or post it on their blog)? Sure!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Red jammie pants, no shoes.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Archer Farms Triple Berry Crunch
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Mike & Mike in the Morning is on in the distant background.
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Turquoise
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Lavender, fresh brewed coffee, coconut shampoo, a pot roast in the oven
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Lora
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Absolutely
27. HAIR COLOR? Blondish
28. EYE COLOR? Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes. I'm blind as a bat and my glasses are terribly thick. Neither alternative is a good look.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? So tough! I'm craving Indian food right now, but I love a good Hawaiian pizza, stir fry, mashed potatoes, and raspberries.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? WALL-E - and loved it!
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Dark blue, with "Grand Canyon National Park" stamped on it.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter - I like winter clothes better.
35. HUGS OR KISSES? It depends who it is from.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Pie from Grand Traverse Pie Co. (have you GR folks gone there yet? It is TO DIE FOR)
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? About 4 different books. But I need to start All the Pretty Horses for book club next week.
38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water
39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Jon & Kate Plus 8 (it showed them on their book tour promoting Multiple Blessings)
40. FAVORITE SOUND? Someone reading to me. I like listening to audio books.
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, baby!
42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Istanbul (I love it there!)
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Nothing too exciting.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Grand Rapids, MI

And While We're On The Subject of Josh...

I saw this on the blogs of a couple of bloggy friends, and especially since Josh contributed to this blog for the very first time yesterday, knew I had to join in the fun.

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Alone? Premier League soccer, Pro football, baseball, ESPN, or Mike & Mike in the Morning. With me? NCAA football, LOST, The Office, or CSI reruns.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch. The cheaper (more watery) the better.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Rice.

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? A Coke!

5. Where did he go to high school? Whitewater High School in Whitewater, WI.

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? A few years ago I would have said CD/DVDs, but the advent of iTunes, Blockbuster Total Access, and our limited budget have changed that.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Does a Wendy’s Double Cheeseburger with no onions count?

9. What would he eat every day if he could? Pepperoni Pizza

10. What is his favorite cereal? Classic, yellow-box Cheerios. Big time. I have to buy them almost every time I’m at the grocery store.

11. What would he never wear? Anything pink or overly loud.

12. What is his favorite sports team? The Michigan Wolverines, of course! But the Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings rank up there, along with Liverpool (soccer).

13. Who will he vote for? Neither of us have figured that out yet.

14. Who is his best friend? Me, since that fateful time a few years back. His laptop comes in at a close second.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Leaving books around the apartment. It drove my parents crazy, too, when I lived with them. Go figure.

16. How many states has he lived in? Quite a few: Michigan, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arizona, Indiana. But ask him how many houses/apartments he has lived in? It is somewhere in the high 20’s. No joke.

17. What is his heritage? Heinz 57. I'm told that Dutch, English, and Native American at least help to make that up.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Hm… yellow with raspberry filling, maybe?

19. Did he play sports in high school? Yep, basketball and golf. But as a younger kid he was pretty into soccer, baseball, and hockey, too.

20. What could he spend hours doing? Playing video games, either FIFA Soccer or NCAA Football.

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations? Not unless centsports.com counts.

Yes, I'm married to a sports nut. And yes, it has rubbed off on me a little bit.

But my goodness do I love this man, mostly for reasons I haven't mentioned here. I'm incredibly blessed to share a life with him!

Fun on Friday - A Meme

I saw this on Tanya's site, and thought it looked like fun.

10 Years Ago...

I was almost 15, and it was summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school. I was in the midst of driver's training with my cousin, Erin. What an obnoxious 3 weeks of my life!

5 Years Ago...

Josh and I had started to talk on the phone. A lot. I think he even visited me at my parents' house in Grand Rapids (he lived in Ann Arbor at the time) and we talked until 4 am. I was trying to figure out if he had feelings for me that were more than just a best friend, because I knew I had romantic feelings for him! We started dating two weeks later.

5 Months Ago...

We had just returned from our trip to South America. What fun we had in that beautiful part of the world!

5 Things on my list for tomorrow...

1. Head to the Bloomington Farmer's Market (yay!)
2. Watch the Olympics
3. Search for my camera cord (sigh - is losing things like that always inevitable when we move?)
4. Get this place more clean and organized.
5. Take an afternoon nap!

5 Things people don't know about me...

1. I've kind-of gotten into The Secret Life of the American Teenager
2. I burst into Afternoon Delight from time to time
3. I don't like bananas
4. I'm currently putting off housework to do this
5. I used to be really shy

5 Bad Habits...

1. Nail biting
2. Losing everything. My latest struggle = ink pens
3. Putting things off, then forgetting about them
4. Letting the recycling pile up, instead of taking regular trips across town to drop it off
5. Failing to blow dry my hair right after my shower. So I end up with really, really bad hair that I have to go wet down again.

5 Places I've Lived...

1. G-Rap!
2. Bloomington, IN
3. Istanbul, Turkey
4. Ann Arbor, MI
5. Virginia Beach, VA

Monday Morning Meme - With Pictures!

I saw this one at Sarah's last week and new immediately that it was for me...

Here are the directions:
1. Go to photobucket.com.
2. Type in your “answer” to each question in the search box.
3. Use only the first page!
4. Insert the picture on your blog.

1. What is your current relationship status?



2. What is your current mood?



3. What is your favorite movie?



4.Who is your favorite band/singer?



5. Where do you live?



6. Where do you work?



7. What do you look like?





8. What do you drive?



9. What's your favorite T.V. show?



or



10. Describe yourself.



11. What are you doing today?



12. What did you do last night?



(I didn't watch the movie - I actually helped to plan a wedding!)

13. What is your name?



This is pretty fun! Feel free to play along.

Monday Morning Meme

I was tagged by Sarah last week, but haven't gotten the chance to respond until now...

I am: cold.
I know: that I was overly-optimistic when I didn’t pack a coat for the summer. Michigan is still chilly these days.
I want: a bubble bath.
I wish: there was no pain and sorrow in this world. (Thankfully that is still yet to come.)
I hate: arrogance.
I miss: warm weather in Bloomington.
I fear: something happening to Josh or Riley.
I feel: a little queasy after eating too many sour gummy bears.
I hear: Regis and Kelly on TV in the next room.
I smell: doggy smells. Not bad ones. It is just that my “brownie boy” is sitting next to me.
I crave: a good cup of coffee.
I search: for missing keys, pens, papers, phones, etc. All the time.
I regret: certain social blunders. From, like middle school. They still make me cringe to think of them.
I love: to talk.
I ache: in my neck because I think I slept on it wrong.
I care: deeply about my friends.
I always: try to smile.
I am not: perfect.
I believe: Jesus died for me.
I dance: often. And not well.
I sing: often. And better than I dance.
I cry: about once per month. Josh has learned to not try to figure it out. Sometimes I just need to cry.
I fight: with Riley when we walk together. He pulls.
I write: blog posts and emails. Lots of emails.
I win: not as often as I’d like. I don’t like to lose.
I lose: track of time when I’m with friends.
I never: eat peanut butter and jelly together, although I like both separately.
I confuse: right and left sometimes.
I am scared: of finding bugs in my food.
I need: a shower.
I am happy about: being in Michigan.
I hope: for fun-filled summer. The delicious, good-for-the-soul kind we’ll never forget.

I am tagging: Julie. But I'm up for anyone playing along. I like the open-ended-ness of this one.

Its Time For 100 Things About Me

No, it isn't a milestone. Just for fun.

1. I have a very common name.
2. I like hard boiled eggs.
3. But only the white part.
4. I do, however, like deviled eggs.
5. When I'm wearing slip on shoes (could include clogs, flip flops, ballet slippers, etc) I slip off the one on my left foot when I'm driving and rest that foot on the seat. Very comfortable.
6. I love to read, and always have a "to read" list a mile long.
7. I usually go for fiction first.
8. Before I worked for Z I was a bank teller.
9. Then I was an account opener for about two months.
10. Then Z finally caved in and I got a job there.
11. When Josh and I got married, we had all 8 grandparents present. No one had passed away or had gotten divored and remarried. Just eight.
12. Since then we've lost one, Josh's grandpa.
13. We'd like 3-4 kids someday.
14. And we hope they come after Josh is done with school. We're planning accordingly.
15. I have a small immediate family (Just two parents and a brother)
16. I have a large extended family.
17. My mom has four sisters.
18. My dad has four sisters and four brothers.
19. I grew up surrounded by cousins my age.
20. Thankfully, most of them lived nearby.
21. I started to be a coffee drinker when I was 15 and I worked at a drive-through coffee shop.
22. That was my first "real" job.
23. I used to babysit a lot. I loved it.
24. There are several skills I would like to learn:
25. Piano (I stopped lessons at like age 14)
26. Sewing/Quilting
27. Photoshop
28. We plan to take Riley to doggie training lessons this summer. He isn't a bad boy, but he could learn to stick closer to him mom and dad when outside.
29. I'm a very social person.
30. My earliest friend is my cousin Erin. She is four months older than me.
31. When we were both 12, waiters at restaurants would hand her a kids menu and me an adult menu. It used to drive her CRAZY.
32. When I was a teenager my mom told me she would pay me $100 to grow my hair out to "boob level."
33. I tried, but it never got long enough.
34. I met Josh in college, at the University of Michigan.
35. I loved my U of M experience.
36. But I'm thankful Josh chose Kelley (IU) for grad school. It has been great for him.
37. I really like to scrapbook and make cards.
38. I can go a little wild in hobby lobby.
39. I received a bunch of gift cards to Hobby Lobby for Christmas.
40. They're now gone.
41. I'm sometimes tempted to post pictures of my crafts on this blog, but I don't want to seem full of myself.
42. But I enjoy looking at other blogs for crafty inspiration.
43. I'm not good at remembering to bring things with me when I leave the house.
44. I usually am at a loss to find keys or my cell phone.
45. I really like my job.
46. I'm really thankful I can do it in Bloomington and in St. Joseph.
47. I'm curious to see where God leads us next.
48. I have gold ballet slippers. I enjoy them; Josh does not.
49. My brother and I are 3 1/2 years apart.
50. He is younger than me.
51. I've always wanted to get my belly buttom pierced.
52. I enjoy listening to audio books - when I'm driving, doing chores, working...
53. When I was 18 I saw myself getting married in my late 20's.
54. I got married at 21.
55. We had a very pink wedding. I loved it.
56. I have been a bridesmaid once before - in my friend DeeDee's wedding.
57. I love Balsamic Viniagrette dressing on my salad.
58. I could survive on freshly baked bread and butter.
59. I've been on a Lord Of The Rings kick lately. Just finished listening to all of the audio books a couple weeks ago.
60. I'm currently listening to The Hobbit.
61. I kind-of like McDonalds.
62. Especially the Sausage McGriddles.
63. I love BasicGrey paper when I make cards and scrapbook.
64. A League Of Their Own is one of my favorite movies. It has been since age 13 or so.
64. ELF is my current favorite, however.
65. I don't offend easily.
66. I probably tell people TMI from time to time.
67. My first car was a 1983 Mercury Marquee.
68. Keep in mind I was born in 1983.
69. It was a pea-green yellowish color. And some rust spots.
70. His name was Ralph.
71. My cousin drove a junker that she called Henry. Ralph and Henry were friends.
72. I played with dolls longer than my friends did.
73. But I loved Molly and couldn't give her up. She came to college with me. Dressed in Maize and Blue. Granted, I no longer played with her by that time.
74. I still really love the American Girl Store in Chicago.
75. My mom can't wait to bring my as-of-yet-not-conceived daughter there.
76. There and Disney World. Boys can come on that trip.
77. I enjoy playing Settlers Of Catan.
78. I am usually reading at least 4 books at any given time.
79. My husband thinks this (and many other things about me) is crazy.
80. I hope we get visitors in St. Joe this summer.
81. I used to be very insecure. God has been working on me in this area for the last five-or-so years. I have a ways to go, but I'm thankful for the progress that has been made.
82. I went to a private Christian high school.
83. It was big. Christian schools are popular in Grand Rapids, where I grew up.
84. I don't know what kind of school we'll send our kids to.
85. From Kingergarten to 4th grade I went to a public Montessori school.
86. What I appreciated most in 5th grade (when I switched to a Christian school) was that they had good art supplies. There must have been budget cuts in that area at the public school.
87. I love babies.
88. I also love baby names. Just ask my husband. I make him talk baby names at least once a week.
89. I have a hard time grasping the idea of time zones.
90. I love pancakes.
91. When I was little my mom used to make heart-shaped ones for us on Valentine's Day.
92. Oh wait, she still does that!
93. At this point, I don't see myself going back to school for anything.
94. But I'm open to it.
95. I'd like to live in a foreign country for a few years.
96. I like to waterski, but I'm not very good at it.
97. I also enjoy driving the boat.
98. Since I failed the whole half-marathon thing, I'd like to sign up for a 5K one of these days.
99. It would be more my style.
100. I like cottage cheese on my Ruffles potato chips.

Book Meme! My favorite kind.

Here is a quiz that is near and dear to my heart - books! I got it from this blog and would be curious to hear the answers of other bloggy friends (hint, hint). And because The Bible could be included in so many of these answers I'm going to not include here. Just assume I read it and my life has been significantly changed. :)

One book that changed your life. What's So Amazing About Grace or Cold Tangerines. Or The Irresistible Revolution

One book that you have read more than once. Oh so many of them, including the Anne of Green Gables series (the cover actually fell off Anne's House of Dreams), the Little House series, and the Harry Potter series. Pretty much any Roald Dahl, Lois Lowry, Beverly Cleary, or Judy Blume book would make that list, too. Do you get the impression that was I was big re-reader as a kid?

One book you would want on a desert island. A Diary of Private Prayer. And Redeeming Love.

Two books that made you laugh. Blue Like Jazz and Messy Spirituality

One book that made you cry. Where The Red Fern Grows... but surprisingly not Marley and Me, which is why my friend Kendra calls me "dead inside."

One book you wish you'd written. I know Harry Potter is the obvious answer... but I'll have to go with that, too. Most popular books in history? Come on...

One book you wish had never been written. This one was a toughie, but I agree with Sarah about Wuthering Heights.

Two books you are currently reading. Feed (a young adult book recommended by my friend Lora) and Sacred Marriage (which we're reading with some other couples from church)

One book you've been meaning to read. This list could go ON... but includes Dear Church, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Peppermint-Filled Pinatas, Sin Boldly (which won't be out for awhile), Stumbling Toward Faith, I Am The Messenger, more Jodi Piccout books

I have a couple of additional questions to add:

New favorite author: Charles Martin, author of When Crickets Cry, Wrapped in Rain, and one of my new favorites, Chasing Fireflies.

Books you think you should read but have never been able to get through: The Lord of the Rings series. I don't know how I made it through my bookworm childhood without ever reading these. Still as an adult I can't, even though I've #1 watched the movies and #2 Josh owns the audio books. Still nothing.

Books that have touched your life (but you couldn't necessarily say changed your life): Anne Frank, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, Travelling Mercies, Not For Sale, Number the Stars

2007 In Review

1) Where did you begin 2007?

At the Telman's house with the rest of our old small group - Buurstras and VanHaitsmas. We played games and ate a lot, then left there and went to my parents party, which was still going strong until 4am.

2) What was your status by Valentine's Day?

Married. Neither of us have any idea what we did to celebrate.

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?

Nope - but Josh started an MBA program this fall

4) How did you earn your money?

Worked at Zondervan full time through July. They graciously allowed me to go part time from Bloomington when we moved, so I've done that since. Then in September I got a job with the Chamber of Commerce in Bloomington. Two jobs, 20 hours/week each. Then I made some money on the side K-Leading.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?

I visited my cousin Christina there last week when we were in Grand Rapids. Also, I worked with folks from the Bloomington hospital to promote new a new health insurance plan. I had many meetings there.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?

I don't think so!

7) Where did you go on vacation?

Carmel, CA - golf (well, not for me) and other fun

Beaver Creek, CO - ski trip

Chicago, IL - for our anniversary!

Sun City, AZ - to visit the in-laws a couple times

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?

Josh had to get a new computer for school.

9) Did you know anybody who got married?

Yes - Boeve & Erin and Allie & Dan, pretty much all friends from Michigan

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?

Don't think so.

11) What was your favorite event?

Hm... a toughie. There were lots of fun events to go to, but I really loved Christmas this year.

12) Which movie was your favorite in 2007?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

What was the furthest you travelled from home?

Southern California

14) What concerts/shows did you go to?

Josh took me to Wicked in Chicago!

15) Are you registered to vote?

Yes

16) What new person touched your life in 2007?

I can't pick just one, but I'm thankful for lots of new friends in Bloomington.

17) Where do you live now?

Bloomington, IN

18) Describe your birthday:

I turned 24 in Grand Rapids this year. Sadly Josh wasn't around, but I went to work at Zondervan, and coworkers there took me to lunch. Then I went to Mongolian BBQ for dinner with my parents, Ben, and Erin. Julie and Kara also managed to spoil me the next day. Had Josh been there it would have been perfect.

19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?

Work 3 jobs at one time

20) What has been your favorite moment?

Getting Riley - and lots of fun times with him since

21) What's something you learned about yourself?

I don't have everything together. Far from it. I'm a work in progress and need God's grace every day

22.) Any new additions to your family?

Riley!

23.) What was your best month?

Even though it was hard and stressful, August was pretty exciting. We had just started our new adventure in Indiana, just gotten Riley, and I only worked part time for that month.

24.) What music will you remember 2007 by?

I got really into Derek Webb this year.

25) Who would you consider your "partner in crime" through 2007?

Probably Lora - we got in trouble with our out-of-town husbands by staying out too late. Other adventures in there, too.

26) Made new friends?

Yes, and I'm so very thankful. We miss GR people, we have have great new friends in Bloomington.

Christmas Meme

I found this on a few blogs, like this one and this one, and thought it looked like fun. Feel free to play along!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper! Bright and colorful, but not cheesy. And sometimes, if I'm really on top of things, personalized, homemade gift tags.

2. Real tree or artificial?

Artificial. We always had them growing up and it was never my favorite. Our first year of marriage we went to a tree farm and cut down our own. I loved it. Then last year (our second year together) we weren't allowed to have Christmas trees in our apartment. So we bought a cheap fake one from Target. And this year, to save money, we're using our already-paid-for fake from last year. Maybe once Josh is out of school we can go back to real trees.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Some time after Thanksgiving, when we have an open Saturday. We're often travelling right around Thanksgiving, so we can't always plan it for the weekend after.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Some time around New Years, when we have an open Saturday.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes, but in small doses. I don't buy it to have around, since I'm the only one who drinks it and only like about 1/4 C every couple of days. What I REALLY don't like is when people (like my dad) put whisky in it. Gross.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My Annie doll. She is doll that looks like a real baby, and my grandma gave her to me in a bassenette that was filled with real diapers and baby clothes. She still lives in the closet I used as a kid and will be passed along to any daughters that I might have.

7. Do you have a Nativity Scene?

Yes, a Willow Tree one given to us as a wedding present. This year Josh knocked off the head of one of the wiseman. See picture collage, upper left.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Josh's dad. By far. His toys are usually a little out of our price range!

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Josh's mom. We started a scrapbook for her last year and add to it for various occasions. Its fun to make and we always know what to get her!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I don't know about that, but I do know the worst Christmas gift I ever gave... I was in 3rd grade or so and we did Secret Santas with girls from church. I, of course, had forgotten all about buying something, and at the last minute grabbed an ugly picture frame that I had painted myself. I think there was a rainbow involved. And I shoved my school picture into it and pawned it off as a thoughtful gift. Just what ever one wants, right?

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?

Mail, and this is the first year I'm making them myself. I'm about 3/4 through them at this point and R-E-A-D-Y to be done ASAP. It was a good idea in November, and it was fun to put together something cute. But now it is simply tedious work.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

ELF! I've already watched it 3 times this season. My favorite part? When he buys lingerie for his dad.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Usually November. I don't give it too much thought.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Can I only choose 1? Bunket, which I need to learn how to make one of these days. It is a Dutch pastry-type-thing that includes almond paste.

16. White lights or colored lights?

White - I love the way they look on the tree and in our front window. Simple and pretty. Plus, when it comes to the tree we have enough crazy colored ornaments to make things looks bright and cheery.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

In the Christian realm, I love O Holy Night. I was in a children's choir (at St. Cecelia) when I was a kid and my favorite part of that experience was our Christmas concert. We'd each have a candle in hand and light it, one person to the next, while singing that song. It was awesome.

In the secular realm (and I know there is something wrong about this) my favorite is Baby Its Cold Outside. This may be because they sing it in ELF and it makes me laugh every time.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We usually travel. We're on a rotation with our parents where we see one side on Thanksgiving, one on Christmas, then flip flop the next year. It works pretty well. This year we're headed to Grand Rapids to see the Wittes, and went to Phoenix to see the Browns for Thanksgiving.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Don't think so, as I usually include "Dancer" in the list more than once.

20. Angel on top of the tree or a star?

A star I bought from Target a couple years ago.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

It was always CHRISTMAS MORNING (and NO other time!) for me growing up. And sometimes it would snow Christmas Eve and my dad would have to plow and sitting there waiting for him to come home was so painful. Now that I'm all grown up I have three different "Christmas-es" - one with Josh's family, one with mine, and one with just us. We opened presents with the Browns over Thanksgiving, Josh and I are having our special date this coming Wednesday, and then we'll do Witte presents Christmas morning. When we have our own kids they'll have to wait until Christmas morning like I did :).

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

If I say "traffic" does that make me sound really crotchedy?

23. What I love most about Christmas?

So much... getting to celebrate and remember God's tremendous gift to earth. Sharing love and food and friendship with lots of people. Lights, decorations, generosity, and holiday cheer. Angels, shepherds, scared teenagers, and a baby born in the most humble of circumstances... the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Tagged

I've been tagged by Aletha (Pearls Events)

Here are the rules of the game
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

And here we go...
1. I bought a shredder today from Staples.
2. It is lime green :)
3. I'm painting pottery tonight at a local place called The Latest Glaze. For about 5 years during high school and college, I worked on and off at a Grand Rapids equivalent called Naked Plates. The first time I went into The Latest Glaze, I mentioned something along those lines to the owner, and he actually learned the business from my old boss, Laura, who did pottery place consulting on the side. And that was back when I worked there. He probably came into the studio during my shift to learn all about bisque, kilns, and business. Ha!
4. I'm trying to be on a diet. Although what I hope is that I come out even after the holidays are finished:).
5. I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 first cousins. And that doesn't count the spouses and children that have cropped up over the years.
6. There is a headless wiseman on my bookshelf at the moment. The rest of the Nativity is still intact, however. Josh accidentally knocked it over while looking for a book. But that is what super glue is for, right?
7. I love getting Christmas cards and often send mine out early so that people don't forget me. Plus, we've not moved every year since we've been married so it is also a way to remind people of our new address.

I don't think I have seven bloggy friends who haven't already been tagged! Can I still pick
Sarah Baar? And Erika, Kara (You can do it! Highlight this from my blog. Right click and go to "Copy" then open an new blog page in your blog and right click again. Go to "Paste." Then delete any of my words that don't pertain to you) Julie, Sarah, Annette, and Jamie. (James, as your blog is a conglomerate, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments).

You're it!