TAG! YOU'RE IT!

I got this idea from my bloggy-friend Rachael at Christians in Good Company (Blogspot); she got it from another blogger (Minxy Mimi Unplugged!)

Copy and post this on your blog and BOLD the things you've done so far. It's simply a fun exercise designed to help other readers can get a little insight into who you are and what you like to do. Enjoy!



1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower or seen the Northern Lights
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself anything artistic - musical instrument, drawing/painting, etc
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice, Italy
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar, frogs legs, rattlesnake or candy-coated insects
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (I once kissed a guy who saw George Harrison at a football match!)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in more than one ocean
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

What Time of Day Are You?

I found a silly quiz today called "What Time of Day are You?" Here's what it said about me:

You are a Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary.You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts.All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

Ahhhh! Isn't that sweet! Very encouraging as well! Still I couldn't help but think that I've only become a "sunrise" over the past few years; I'm not sure what time of day I was before that. But it doesn't matter; NOW is what matters, right? And the description above is dead on!



Mind you, this only speaks of the positive aspects of being a sunrise. I wonder if the negative side of my personality would alter what day I am? -- my self-indulgence, my glutteny, my need to be heard and be noticed -- just to name a few. Still, in my quest to become the best that I can and to enjoy the time I'm given to the utmost, I choose to dwell on the positive. The scriptures say:


"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phillipians 4:8


THIS is what has made me into a sunrise -- or should I say "Sonrise"! HE has changed me and continues to do so. His grace is what enables me to not only have the characteristics of a sunrise but to know that my negatives are temporary. I am changed from glory to glory!


So, just for fun -- check it out. What Time Of Day Are You?
http://tinyurl.com/oy3b3

New Year's Resolutions

Remember in late Nov 2008 when I said I'd keep you informed of my Xmas preparations? Well, I lied. I'm sorry. Now --- get over it! December was much too busy (with Xmas preparations) for me to blog. So, please forgive me!

New Year's Resolution #1 -- Don't make promises you may not be able to keep!

Ah, but it was a lovely Christmas though. The house was so very, very festive. It took me 3 days to decorate (and 2 days to dismantle). The girls and I spent 2 days baking goodies (and 10 days eating them ..... and, for me, 6 months of dieting???) I got a really nice Xmas bonus, the kids and I had the house to ourselves, and I had almost 2 weeks off work. I entered Christmas being so blessed!

I awoke early Xmas morning; and while the girls slept, I got the turkey in the oven. Then I sat in the dark with just the tree lights on and drank tea and basked in my happy "Xmas is here" feeling. Silent Night, Holy Night! I thought about God's goodness to me.

The girls were up by 10 am, and after breakfast, there were gifts to open from so many people -- lovely, thoughtful gifts. We were all well-pleased! Seven of us sat down for a most delicious Xmas dinner and some wonderful fellowship afterwards. Then later that evening when my guests were gone, Xmas vacation began. The girls were fairly busy over the holidays, so I spent most of my time reading and relaxing with my usual jigsaw puzzle, glass of wine, turkey sandwich and chocolate box. Every January when I'm feeling (and looking) rather sausage-like, I vow to never do it again. But it really is such fun while it's happening. I went out without the girls for the post-Xmas sales -- another change in my household! But they're changing, so I just rolled with it. I left early, and while the stores just teemed with shoppers, I happily and leisurely meandered and enjoyed my day out. (What a great word "meandered" is!) I came home with some great purchases and had a fun day hanging out with ME!

And I renewed friendships. I talked to my dearest, darling friend whom I'd only just rediscovered this summer, as well as a dear friend from overseas. And an old friend that I thought I'd lost called me and we reconciled; what a wonderful gift that was.

The most important thing I got for Xmas was a further revelation of how to enjoy the important things in life, things like family, friends and making each day count. I consciously choose not to stress out about anything. As an old, wacky friend once used to say, "I was present and lived in the moment!" I arose when I was awake, and I slept when I was tired. I sat and observed my daughters -- how much fun they had together and their obvious love for each other -- and I thanked God for that. I smiled at people and really looked at them when they spoke to me. I savored food -- from the simplicity of one grape to the medley of flavors in my turkey, dressing, cranberry, mayo and lettuce on whole wheat. I smelled, not the roses, but the fir tree. The only real responsibility I placed on myself was to have a merry little Christmas. And it was a wonderful, refreshing 2 weeks.

Perhaps other people learn this valuable lesson at an earlier age. How fortunate they are! I can't help but think how much better it would be for all of us if we could be present all the time. But for me, I'm just happy to be learning and experiencing this now. Better late than never!

New Year's Resolution #2 -- Practice being present!