Random Dozen: I'm BACK!

1. What was the last song you listened to? "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin...which is funny since it's the song that was on when the alarm went off! I thought, "I don't wanna' rise this morning, Lord!" But I had no choice and I'm up.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything? Hmmm...the day after I got my family room couches, which I had BEGGED DH to get, I couldn't stand them! I felt like I was swimming in a sea of burnt orange. I even called my friend, E, over to help me get over it, cause I knew I couldn't tell DH! She helped me accessorize and all was well. Here we are several years later, and I still like them.

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing) Our move to our last church appointment. I wasn't happy. I went down with my arms crossed telling God, "You can't make me like this." And I was literally in the door for five minutes before HE uncrossed my arms and showed me it was going to be a good thing! It was! We were there for five years and I can honestly say it was one of our BEST appointments.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon? I watch it most years. I suppose Garfield is one of my favorites.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately. I suppose it's Natalie Grant's song "There's No Such Thing as Perfect People". I love these words in the chorus: "There's no such thing as perfect people/There's no such thing as a perfect life/So come as you are, broken and scarred/Lift up your heart-be amazed, be changed by a perfect God!" I love it.

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating? Interesting question. I suppose the only thing I can think of is playing games on Facebook. I don't really have anything else I can think of on here.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to? ALL of it! I love T'giving food! Probably my favorite is cornbread pudding.

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book? My favorite book as a child was the story of Helen Keller. Since I read children's books for a living, I'd be hardpressed to find a favorite. My kids at school tell me, "We know! We know! It's your favorite!" everytime I sit down to read one.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.) I collect Nativities. I have more than 100 of them around the house during the holidays. I posted a photo tour a couple of years ago...of course we've added some since then. Here is "Nativities 101" and "Nativities 102" if you'd like to look at them.


10. Gift bags or wrapping paper? Honestly last year I went back to wrapping. I love the convenience of the bag, but I love the look of the wrapped gift!

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day? My brother and I would walk home from our school...probably a mile. We watched all the after school shows which included reruns of Gilligan's Island. I don't remember which other shows were on, but we loved that one!

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish?? Yes, yes I do. In fact, I get kind of sad that the "catch and release shows" catch a fish...traumatize it and then put it back for sport. I'm sure there could be some serious analysis of THAT!