It's all about "meme"

Ok so (just like everyone else) I never do these things. But alas, it is (almost) the Christmas season and I'm in the mood to spread a little joy and share a little bit of myself. So, enjoy or ignore, as you will.

(Props to my friend Penni at 'Martha Martha' for sharing her answers and bringing a smile to my face)


1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? first of all, I don't drink egg in any form and if you can tell me what a nog is, we'll talk. so basically what I'm saying is hot chocolate WITH marshmellows (the little kind)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He always wrapped them at my house in wrapping paper that looked suspiciously like moms.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White all the way. Hey, I'm from Louisiana, it's the only way we can have a white christmas.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I'm a newly wed, who needs mistletoe :)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My cousin's rotel, ground meat and cheese dip. Yummmy.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Waking up at the crack of dawn and trying for the next hour to get my big brothers to wake up so we could open gifts.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I woke up in the middle of the night (because what kid is really sleeping sound on christmas eve anyway) and saw "santa's little helpers sneaking out to the living room and eating cookies on the way.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, with extended family.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? our tree is 10 inches tall, no ornaments this year.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? hate it mostly (being as I never saw it growing up) but love it when it gets me out of work.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Faith like a child.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Um...not sure.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My whole family, cousins and all, going to Christmas Eve Mass together and then gathering at my parent's house for food and presents and lots of laughter.

17. What tops your tree? nothing but usually an angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Interesting question.... My answer would be too long but JPIIers..you get me.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? What Child is This.

20. Candy canes: I don't like pepermint flavor very much but I have nothing against the shape :)

21. Favorite Christmas movie? I agree Penni, It's a wonderful life, hands down. Although Charlie Brown Christmas is a close second. Linus' speech gets me everytime.


Ok somebody else do it!

spent...

I am beyond tired. Work is fun and enjoyable and even fulfilling in many ways but man am I exhausted! I just got home and am leaving again shortly to babysit (my other job). Luckily the baby goes to bed early and I can spend the rest of the night relaxing. Lord give me sabboth on a Thursday!

How is everyone else's week going?

Work and Rest

I just slept until 8:30...are you kidding me? I forgot what that felt like. Wondeful. Although, I've been having a soar throat for a couple days and I just sneezed up something that I suspect to be illegal in atleast one country. I guess I'm sick. Oh well. I have a free day!Mostly. Save for the laundry that needs to be done and the hockey game I'm supposed to monitor tonight, not a care in the world!
It sounds like I'm complainig but I'm really not. I really like my job and I think next semester will be even better when i get to teach.
There is however, this ongoing struggle in me about time. I have a fear that I'm losing it, that there's not enough and when I HAVE to do things there is a whisper of aggrivation. "Life's to short" and all that ya know.

"The Christian finds in human work a small part of the Cross of Christ and accepts it in the same spirit of redemption in which Christ accepted his Cross for us. In work, thanks to the light that penetrates us from the Resurrection of Christ, we always find a glimmer of new life, of the new good, as if it were an announcement of "the new heavens and the new earth"88 in which man and the world participate precisely through the toil that goes with work" JPII Laborem Exercens

Ok, so I see the meaning and the "new life" and when it comes down to it I have to be thankful that I have the ability to work, and now the opportunity to work. But alas, I'm human and i forget the very blessings that give me the voice to curse them. Just two small months ago I was pleading with God for meaningful work and now i have it and I enjoy it. Silly me.

But right now I have a day off and I'm going to enjoy it....

...Waiting

It's sort of what Advent is about isn't it? So, as the seasons change and my template follows suit I have returned from my long break in blogging. How faithful I'll be now is unclear but I'm here right now.....so lay off! Just kidding, I've missed writing and I've missed all of you (and my fantasy that people actually read this thing). In any case, I have alot to say so.... a short summary of the past month and a half....

1. I got a job!
...which is partly the reason for my absence. Those job thingies take up alot of time and while I'm not entirely sure I like that part I do for the most part enjoy what I do. I am *ahem* the Director of Student Activities at a local high school, which basically means that I'm in charge of clubs and events, prom, service projects, some campus ministry and whatever else nobody else wants to do. Next semester I get to teach as well and that I'm REALLY looking forward to. So far, I wake up early, stay late and lose the good majority of my of my weekends to this job. Good thing I like kiddos....

2. We didn't move...
though we thought about it and seriously considered getting a bigger place. Alas, my dreams for 'space' have been once again put aside and we will concentrate on paying off serious debt so that kiddos of our own can come sooner :)

3. Family...
is very very important to me and most of mine are women who I both love and who drive me crazy. One of those women (my cousin) who is like a sister to me, has moved here to Denver and now lives only 6 blocks away. It's nice to have her around.....ALL the time:)

4. Family problems...
are something that I've never dealt with well, this is no exception. My dad has been diagnosed with a neurological disease that is dibilitating and fatal (in time). We aren't sure how long he's had symptoms or how many years he will be functional. Consequently, the disease is genetic and I now have a 50/50 chance of getting it as well.......have my prayers for a way to sanctity been answered? We will see...

5. Talking...
has become something that I'm doing more of. No, I'm not blabbing to random people. I've been given some good opportunities to share the blessing of an education that I've been given. They aren't necessarily paying gigs but who cares...they're a ball and it keeps me (sort of) fresh on all that I've learned.

6. Marriage...
has only gotten better at the 5 month mark (today) and I think I just might renew my lease for another 5 :)

and....thats about all really. Some sad, mostly good and, i hope, all of God.

Hubby has a retreat to attend this weekend and since I have some school responsibilities tomorrow afternoon and Sunday morning i can't attend. That means I have a weekend (or atleast a Saturday) of quiet time! It's not that I wan't to be away from him, I just need a break from the hustle and bustle (who the heck came up with that phrase?) of life. A day of walks, movies and quiet time alone might be just what the doctor ordered.

But for now....since Hubby has discovered that the 5th season of 24 has come out on DVD, I must retire to my bed with a book to escape this never ending terrorist attack....argh.

How is everyone else? (pssst... this means leave me a note..)