ABC's of My Favorite Things....

A- Avacados - To think that I used to throw these away! We had a tree where we rented when we first got married. I didn't know what they were - they looked nasty - I threw them away. The landlord (very nice lady) flipped. She showed me how to eat them and I've been hooked ever since!

B- Books - I love books. All kinds. I could spend a lot of money on books. I know you can find most things on line now-a-days, but I just love having a good book in hand.

C- Chocolate - not just any old chocolate, but the good stuff. Mmmm...especially truffles or caramel.

D- Daddy - I am still a "Daddy's Girl" He is such a hard-working, loving father. I could not ever ask for better.

E- Etsy - It is my newest obsession. I'd like to get up the nerve to start selling on there....hmmm?

F- Faith, Family and Friends - honestly...where would I be without these?

G- Gerber daisies - love them fresh, love them for decor, love them in print----love 'em.

H- Happy people - it's contagious, right? So, I want to surround myself with people that are genuinely happy. Now, we all have our rough times, but you know what I mean. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer!

I- Ice cream - Any flavor will do, but during the holiday season it's Dreyer's Peppermint (add a little bit of hot fudge) Wow.

J- Java - coffee------hot, cold, blended, on ice, as a flavor. Whatever. Bring it on.

K- Kits - I have started buying scrap and card stuff by the kit. I like that everything coordinates. No thinking necessary. Save your brains for the reading!

L- Laughter - the throw your head back, let out a snort, coughing on your spit, gasping for air kind.

M- Marco - he is the love of my life. The best daddy, husband, and friend in the world

N- Nachos - have I mentioned food too many times? All the toppings...wait. hold the onions!

O- Ocean - the view, the sounds, the smell, the action, the calm, the wonder

P- Pumpkins - I would have them out all year long if I could. I really do like all things fall. The colors and smell. The chill in the air.

Q- Quilts - I have a few homemade quilts that I've received as gifts. I find this kind of craftsmanship incredible. I love the colors and patterns, and it brings me joy when I look at them or use them.

R- Reading - see the above post under letter "B". If I am not reading a book (currently reading a couple), then I am flipping through a magazine, or reading a blog on-line. Readers are leaders!

S- Scrapbooking - I know this is a shocker. I feel like I have a little of my mojo back since Desiree came over. I needed a kick start back into it.

T- Travel - I love to travel. By plane, train, or automobile. I have so many places on my list of "must visit".

U- USA - Land of the Free. Home of the Brave. My country. 'Nuff said.

V- Visits - I love to have company over and I really enjoy getting a chance to visit with friends and family when I can.

W- Writing - Not only do I like to write in my Blog, but I also like to write. Period. I like my handwriting, I like to doodle, I like to make lists....which is why I also love great Writing Instruments!

X- X-er-sizing - Okay, so I cheated a little with that one! LOL But, I can honestly say that I enjoy exercising now. Really.

Y- Yummy food - food again. Sorry, but I am passionate about my food. I love to cook and I love to eat. I am learning that my matabolism is not the same as it used to be, so I now have to make better choices. I still enjoy finding tasteful and quality foods.

z- Zoo - I am always amazed by God's creativity any time I go to the zoo or aquarium. Amazing.

Friday Find - If I ever win the lottery...

Okay, I guess I would first have to play the lottery in order to win, so let's just say if all of a sudden I was just crazy rich - this is what I'd want. A Scrappin' Shed. Yup, that's right. Not a scrap room, scrap space, scrap basement, closet, whatever.... A Scrappin' Shed. *sigh* Here's a picture of the outside, but you must enter the gallery and keep clicking next to take a look around. Wow.

Oh, by the way, if I ever do get a Scrappin' Shed - you're all invited to come and play! Promise!

Enter gallery HERE.

Wordless Wednesday: The Great Escape!

Brussel Sprouts Anyone?

I have always been curious about brussel sprouts. I think because I love miniature things and they look like miniature heads of cabbage. However, I have only admired them for their looks. I had never eaten them. Then the other day I read Lee's blog and she mentioned her slight dislike for brussel sprouts. I had to find out.

So, today I bought some. Not the fresh ones or the plain frozen ones...I wasn't that brave. I bought the Green Giant frozen box. It already had butter and cheese - so why not? I cooked them in the microwave (another thing I rarely use), I got a fork and dug in.

The verdict? They were o.k. That's it. The small ones were better than the large, they all had a little bit of bitterness. The thing that I did NOT like at all were that the larger ones seemed to expand as I chewed. I felt like I had a big mouth full of leaves. LOL. Anyway, pretty uneventful, but now I can say that I HAVE tried brussel sprouts. =]

SS Bog Challenge #12 - Getting To Know You...

This week's challenge is brought to you by ... ME! =]

Blog Challenge #12 - Getting To Know You

Copy and paste the following section into your blog and answer as best as you can.

You can elaborate (I hope you do), you can post pictures, you can be deep, you can be funny. Whatever you choose -just be honest.

Second part of the challenge - post a picture (from this week) of you at your computer. Don't worry about cleaning up - just post and have fun.

1) Right now I want: Right now I want to eat some of the carrot cake that my daughter made for DH. I have not eaten sugar or any carbs for 2 weeks and I can smell the cream cheese frosting from here. *sigh* Be strong...be strong.

2) I wish I knew how to: I wish I knew how to digital scrapbook. I made a weak attempt, but I am a visual learner. I wish someone could just sit down with me and show me step by step. Ugh. My plan would be to finish scrapping all my photos already printed and digi scrap all the ones waiting in my computer.

3) When I want to indulge myself, I: I usually scrapbook or read. I don't get much uninterupted time around here - so that is a luxury!

4) You’ll never see me: sitting around with nothing to do. I don't understand women that are "bored". Of course, I have met women that are "boring", but that's another story. I always have something to do. Always.

5) A childhood memory that I love: A childhood memory that I especially love is of a Christmas in Colorado. We had just moved there and our things had not arrived from Alabama yet. We did not have any of our Christmas decorations. My dad took us to go find pinecones. All sizes. We painted them and sprinkled glitter all over them. Then he took Coke cans, cut them into strips and twisted them around pencils so that they were in a spiral. We hung those on the tree too. We even strung popcorn and cranberries. My brother and I got an Atari game system. This was the first time they had ever come out with this type of thing. Wow. We were amazed. We knew Mom and Dad didn't really have the money for it, yet "Santa" was able to help them out.

6) 2 things I do every single day: Pray for my family and go online (see my priorities?) LOL

7) Happiest moment of 2008, so far: The happiest moment of 2008 so far started out to be not so happy. We made the decision to move closer to our church. We didn't really have the money or energy to do this, but it had to be done. We found a place, but then found out that we had 1 week to move. In the end, it was the best thing we could've done. God is good. We are way closer to work, school things, friends, and our house is perfect for us!

8) Describe yourself in 3 words: funny, encouraging, energetic (I asked DH to help...I know, that's cheating...) His answers were: loving, energetic, smart =]

9) 2 scrap related goals for this year: Learn to Digi Scrap. Go to an SS scrap retreat.

10) You have $40 that you MUST spend on yourself – what do you do with it?

I would probably go to the spa and get a mini massage or facial or maybe spend time with a Starbucks browsing Barnes and Nobles and purchasing the books I like instead of putting them back on the shelf.

Now, the second part of the challenge: Here's a picture of me blogging. See all my scrap stuff out from Menjiness' visit? I am still scrapping!
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Anticipation...

Two of my dearest friends in the world are coming to see me soon. I am beside myself with anticipation. Really. I communicate with both of them all the time. Mostly on FB, email, or by phone - but I have had the pleasure of getting together with Erin a few times here and there. It's always way too short of a visit though. Melissa....well, I haven't seen her since I don't know when. She was still single and now she is married and has a whole slew of children. (okay, not a slew) We all have 4 children. We went to college together. We sing together, laugh, cry, pray together.

The best part? We are getting together just because. Isn't that cool? I can't believe that we aren't needing to attend a wedding, conference, camp, whatever. Just us. Just because.

Serious sisterhood bonding coming soon! Yes, of course you will be subjected to photos and updates!

SS Blog Challenge #11 April Fool's Day

This one is from Weezie.

In honour of April Fools' Day (or All Fools' Day as it is also known), I'd love to hear your favourite April Fools' Day stories!...do you 'celebrate' April Fools' Day? Why or why not?...what is the best/worst prank you have pulled?...what is the best/worst prank you have heard of others pulling?...what pranks have been pulled on you?...what have your children or other family members done?...do you have any traditions that you carry on from year to year?...have you ever had a prank backfire (been caught in the act, tables turned and the joke ended up being on you instead, etc)?...do you know the history of April Fools' Day?...are there any regional differences or traditons that are unique to your area/country? (I didn't know if there really would be...I mean, a joke is a joke is a joke...but you never know!) ...what is your earliest April Fools' Day memory?...anything else related to April Fools' Day that you can think of, I'd love to hear it!

Well to be honest, I don't think I've ever gone "all out" for April Fool's Day. I can think of small pranks and things that I've said, followed by the old "April Fool's" in my best sing songy voice - but nothing spectacular.

I remember my 4th grade teacher turning all of our desks backwards after recess and the confusion when we all reached into our desks for our spelling books, but instead jammed our fingers into the wrong side of the desk. As a 4th grader, I thought that was briliant! LOL

Today I posted a fake status under my update on Facebook. It said "Sherry is glad that her nose piercing is healing nicely. She can't wait to try out the new diamond stud she bought!" I thought that would raise a few eye brows for some of my conservative, holy roller friends. Instead, the first person to comment was my far away friend from SS, Lee. She told me that I was brave and to be sure and post a picture. I felt bad that she believed it. I had to let her in on the secret. I'm way to chicken to try anything like that!

I think it's all in good fun to an extent. I know people that have taken it way too far and let it get out of hand. I would never want to do something that would scare someone or hurt them just for the sake of a laugh. I love to make people laugh, I prefer that we are both laughing! =D