Does This Really Exist??

Adam and I watched an episode of The Naked Archaeologist on History International tonight. This particular episode was about archaeologists searching for evidence of Joshua. Throughout the show, the film makers used Lego sets to recreate several scenes - battles; parting the Red Sea; etc. After about twenty minutes, Adam turned to me and said "Are those Biblical Lego sets? I wonder if you could get one of those at the Lego Store?"

Getting to Know You - Christmas Style!

A very dear friend sent me the following e-mail yesterday, and it's quite cute! I actually learned some things I didn't know about myself.


Welcome to the "Christmas Edition" of getting to know your friends! Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Copy this entire e-mail and paste into a new blank e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. It's the season to be cheerful!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper.
2. Tree--Real or Artificial? Usually real, but this year we’re going artificial.
3. When do you put Christmas tree up? The first weekend of December. I really can’t bring myself to put the tree up before then.
4. When do you take the tree down? Anytime before Epiphany (January 6th, 2008 – the first Sunday of the Liturgical calendar).
5. Egg Nog – Yea or Nea? Yumm-o!!! Gimme a big ol’ mug – with a little shot of brandy!
6. Do you have a nativity scene? We have two – one for the living room chest and one for the girls - but we'll probably get another one this year.
7. Favorite gift received as a child? Do I really have to decide?!?!
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Father.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Jillian.
10. Worst Christmas gift? If I named the gift, that person would get their feelings bent-out-of-shape.
11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Mail.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? It’s a tie between A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I love them both equally!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually early November. Since Emily has a November birthday, I get both done at once.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Slab of Beast!!! Unless we are both sick as dogs, I make a prime rib, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and some other yummy stuff.
16. Clear or colored tree lights? Clear.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? I don’t really have one favorite, but I like Little Drummer Boy.
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? I really love staying home for days in my PJs, but we’re traveling to visit Adam’s family in NY the day after Christmas.
19. Can you name Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph.
20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? We open one present on Christmas Eve, and then everything else Christmas Day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that retailers insist on putting out Christmas decorations before Halloween! There really needs to be an amendment saying that retailers are not allowed to begin putting up decorations before Thanksgiving.

I Hate Driving

This year, we went to my Dad and Step-mom's new house in Fort Worth for Thanksgiving, and it was a really nice visit (pictures to come), but the drive - yes, I said drive - there was a pain in the ass! I'm OK with the "once-a-year-drive-to-Long-Island-to-see-Adam's-family" drive, but the 14-hour drive to and the 16 1/2-hour drive home (in the rain, no less) has totally put the kibosh on wanting to go anywhere else for the rest of the year. I'm sure this might change, but don't expect me to want to do this again anytime soon.

Oh, how I love having family in four different states, and having to visit them all!

Strange...

This story was one of the "recommended" reads today on MSNBC.com. When you consider that a funeral in the US today can start around $6,500 - and that's before the cost of a cemetery plot - this makes sense. The whole idea of a home funeral does sound a little weird, but this is how most - if not - individuals were buried until the mid-twentieth century.

Personally, I'm of the school that "if it still works, give it to somebody that needs it and cremate the rest". Hopefully, my family will honor those wishes.

What the ???

So I'm reading through MSNBC.com this morning, and I came across this story. I had to read it a couple of times before I finally got the point of it. Read it yourself, and let me know what you think. I'm thinking that the woman will probably have to eat the paper the lawsuit is printed on.

Friends vs. Southern Friends (Yes, there really is a difference!)

I got this from a nursing school friend of mine, and it is so true!!! Enjoy!!


FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Always bring the food. And lots of it.

FRIENDS: Say "hello."
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Give you a big hug and a kiss - usually more than one!


FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and really mean it.


FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Usually being a starched handkerchief and cry with you. And for you.


FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will spend hours at the dinner table talking, laughing, and just being together. Then do the dishes before leaving.


FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. Most of the time they know you better than you know yourself. For some of us, that's scary as hell.


FRIENDS: Knock on your door and wait to be invited into your home.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!" If you're not home, they'll start dinner and wait.


FRIENDS: Are for a while.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Are for life. And then some.



If you find yourself deprived of Southern Friends, this will serve as an excellent educational tool for why you should look into the possibility of finding some - fast! If you already have some Southern Friends, consider yourself lucky. These really are the best kind of friends one could ask for.

To all my Southern Friends... Thank you for being my friend. I love y'all more than you could know!!!

First Day of School

Tuesday was the first day of school for the girls. Emily is old hat at the "first day" thing, but this was Jilly's first "first day of school". I'm not sure if I'm more excited or more sad about this - my baby is now officially a big girl.

At home, getting ready to leave for the First Day of School. Don't you just love Jilly & her lunchbox?!?!

Emmy's ready to get back to school - and back to her friends. Doesn't she look very grown up?

It's Jilly's big day! Her first day of school!

"Come on, Jilly. I'll show you where to go. You're going to have lots of fun at school today. I'll be there, so don't be scared."

They really don't stay little long enough!