I had to do this...again. LOL

Mindless Fact Monday ~ December 21, 2008

For this week - I will have a Christmas themed "Mindless Facts"...

~ Author Robert May considered the names Reginald and Rollo before settling on "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

~ Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas carols in England between 1649 and 1660. He thought that it should be a solemn day so he banned carols and parties. The only celebration was a sermon and a prayer service.

~ During the holiday season, approximately$220 million of poinsettias are sold.


~ "Silent Night" was written by Joseph Mohr in 1818. He was told the organ was broken the day before Christmas, so he sat down to write a song that could be sung with a guitar.



~ In 1836, Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday. Oklahoma became the last state in 1907.



~ In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorates the first White House Christmas tree.



~ Electric lights were first used in 1843.

~ The actual gift givers are different in different countries: The Three Kings (Spain and South America), La Befana - a kindly old witch (Italy), Father Christmas (England), Pere Noel - Father Christmas (France), Christkind - angelic messanger from Jesus (Germany), and St. Nicholas (Holland).

~ Mexicans call poinsettias "Flower of the Holy Night" - the Holy Night is the Mexican way of saying Christmas Eve.



~ "It's A Wonderful Life" appears on TV more than any other Christmas movie.

Merry Christmas to All!!!!

Happy Birthday Jordan!!!

In light of the fact that today is Jordan's 11th birthday - there will be no Mindless Fact Monday. This is Jordan's life in pictures...
or ones that we could find anyway...

Born 12-08-97
1:08 pm

6 weeks

1st Easter - 5 months old

6 months old

One year old - in one of her favorite hiding places.

One year old

2 years old - helping Auntie Nef cook.

3 1/2 years old

3 1/2 years - my absolute favorite pic of Jordan

4 years - matching with Grandpa

5 1/2 years old

6 years old

Easter - 6 years old...love the 'tude!

Riding on the Chattanooga Choo-Choo - 6 1/2 years old

Playing soccer - 6 1/2 years old

Holding her new baby brother on his first Sunday at church - almost 7 years old. Another one of my favs.

Jordan and Honey - 7 years old

8 years

On vacation with Auntie Nef & Uncle Travis in Ohio - 8 years old

9 years old

9 years

Jordan and Myles at the sheep farm - 9 1/2 years old

At the skating rink - 10 years old

Easter - 10 1/2 years old

11 years old

Happy Birthay baby!!! I love you very much.

Getting in the Spirit...

Stolen from Steph


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? For the family - paper; for folks at the office - bags

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial - just the thought of all those needles all over the floor grosses me out.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually just a couple days after Christmas.


5. Do you like eggnog? Oh.my.gosh - Yes!! Or "Christmas Milk" as we call it at our house.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I got an easy bake oven one year - that little light bulb made the best cakes. :)


7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad - whatever he wants he just gets for himself - ditto for Terrance's brother.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My sister - she always makes great lists.


9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - one from Israel that my parents brought back made out of olive wood.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.


11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of one that was too bad.


12. Favorite Christmas Movie? For the whole family - the Charlie Brown Christmas movie - for the adults - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Just thinking about cousin Eddie with his black dickie under his white sweater makes me laugh. LOL

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually about a month or so ahead - I have been really bad this year.


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes - I received a beautiful cup and saucer last year (I think) and gave it to the kids' babysitter. I told her it was a re-gift - so I didn't take credit for it...and I only did it because I don't drink coffee - or tea - and would have never used it and it was too cute for it to never be used.


15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom’s taco dip - I have to theif Steph's answer on this one...it rocks!!


16. Lights on the tree? Yes.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Clay Aiken's "Mary Did You Know" - he has an amazing voice. As far as a tradional song...I like "The First Noel".


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay in town - but we do Christmas at our house - then over to Terrance's folks - then on to my parents. It's a busy day - but we have a lot of fun.


19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph (of course).

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a fiber optic angel that Jordan just HAD buy last year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We do stockings on Christmas Eve but leave the rest for Christmas morning - it's a new tradition that I am still getting used to.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People that make the season "just" about the gifts...it is about our Savior's birth...and the extra bonus of spending time with our families.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We have several Santa statues that Jordan bought from the dollar store that are on the mantle...that's about our only theme.

24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? I love that we do a non-traditional Christmas lunch - chicken enchiladas & more of mom's taco dip. Yum!


25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I already got what I wanted - a new dryer!! It is soooooo fabulous! And it's HUGE!

Friday Felicities ~ December 5, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ The simple fact that it is Friday...it has been a long week.
~ Our family vacation last week was a lot of fun.
~ My new dryer!!! - that doesn't eat and scorch my clothes.
~ Watching Jordan practice her dance routine for the parade on Sunday.
~ A warm house on these very cold nights.
~ A luncheon at a co-workers house today - it's nice to get out of the office once in a while.
~ My bible study gals - I just love them all...

Link up over at Becky's with a list of what makes YOU happy!

Mindless Fact Monday ~ December 1, 2008

~ A baby octopus is about the size of a flea when it is born.

~ WeathermanWillard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald.

~ The male Narwhal has two teeth, one that grows into a sword-like spiral tusk through their upper lip - up to 8.75 feet long. They are known as the "Unicorn of the Sea".

~ Americans consume the most peanut butter in the world.

~ The McDonald's in New Dehli, India makes their burgers with mutton, as many Hindu do not eat beef.

~ The revenue generated from gambeling is more than movies, TV, cruise ships, recorded music, theme parks and spectator sports combined.

~ Banging your head against the wall burns 150 calories per hour.

~ In 1963, baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry remarked, "They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." On July 20, 1969, a few hours after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, Gaylord Perry hit his first, and only, home run.

~ Crayola crayons have over 120 different crayon colors.

~ The word "Spain" means "the land of rabbits.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ November 24, 2008

Thanksgiving Edition

~ The pilgrims arrived in North America in 1620. By fall of 1621, only half of the pilgrims had survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to have a Thanksgiving feast.

~ The pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, organized the first Thanksgiving feast and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians. These Wampanoag Indians had taught the pilgrims how to cultivate the land.

~ George Washington, and others, wanted to have an official day of Thanksgiving, and proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. Several people did not want it, including Thomas Jefferson, who thought Thanksgiving was "the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard."

~ Abe Lincoln issued a "Thanksgiving Proclamation" on October 3, 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday in November for Thanksgiving. Previous presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify when Thanksgiving would be held.

~ Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be the turkey instead of the bald eagle. According to Franklin, "The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and a true original native of America."

~ In any one year, 250 million turkeys are raised to be eaten. However, 45 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving alone.

~ The average weight for a Thanksgiving turkey is 15 pounds.

~ The heaviest turkey ever recorded was 86 pounds.

~ Israel has the highest turkey consumption per capita.

~ The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving day.

Have You Ever...?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
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 (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
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 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
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
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
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Thanks Steph

Friday Felicities ~ November 21, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ Thanksgiving lunch at the office with all of my work friend/family.

~ My wonderful daughter that got up at 5:00 am this morning to help me make cobblers and peel/cut/mash the potatoes.

~ A weekend ahead...ready for this week to be over.

~ My spiced tea that my sister made me...it has warmed my tummy every morning this week.

~ Family vacation next week!

~ Cool mornings with my kids in their winter coats - looking like little eskimos.

Head on over to Becky's with a list of things you're thankful for...

Mindless Fact Monday ~ November 17, 2008

~ In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world's nuclear weapons combined.

WoW!!

~ The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

~ Guinea pigs and rabbits can't sweat.

~ There is enough water in American swimming pools to cover the city of San Francisco in seven feet of water.

~ Alcoholic beverages have all 13 minerals necessary for human life.

My hubby has been trying to tell me this for years...LOL!!

~ Each year, there are more than 40,000 toilet related injuries in the United States.

I wonder - exactly how you injure yourself badly enough on a toilet that it has to be documented...hmmmm

~ Due to sugar shortages to make candy during World War II, movie theater owners switched to popcorn, which is now the best selling snack at movie theaters today.

~ Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years of age or older.

~ It was illegal to sell E.T. dolls in France because there is a law against selling dolls without human faces.

~ Found on a Batman costume: "Parents: Please exercise caution, mask and chest plate are not protective; cape does not enable wearer to fly."

DUH!!!

5 Things

The rules are to write 5 things under each of the 5 headings:

10 Years Ago...

~ I had been married 4 1/2 years.
~ Jordan was about to turn 1 year old.
~ I had just started a new job.
~ We lived in Mt. Juliet
~ I still had my little black Honda...I miss that car. :(

5 Things on today's "to-do" list...

(((Since it is almost 10 pm - these will look a little odd. LOL)))
~ Take the dog out one more time.
~ Get a drink - I am thirsy.
~ Set the alarm.
~ Take off my slippers.
~ Go to bed.

5 Snacks that I enjoy...

~ Cajun snack mix...the same one that Steph likes. I turned her on to this fabulous snack.
~ Mini caramel rice cakes
~ Twizzlers
~ Popcorn
~ Chex Mix

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire...

~ Pay off all of our bills.
~ Buy myself a bigger car - probably a mini-van or anything bigger/newer than a 15 year old Honda Accord.
~ Give to our church.
~ Travel - Ireland, Greece, Australia - all of those great places
~ Invest the rest and live off the interest.

5 Places I have lived...

~ Oklahoma City, Ok
~ Garland, TX
~ Calgary, AB
~ Fort Smith, AR
~ Murfreesboro, TN

5 Jobs I have had / or still have...

~ Sales clerk at various stores
~ Bank Teller
~ Data Entry at a distribution center
~ Tow Motor driver at same distribution center
~ Accounts Payable Coordinator for Taco Bell franchise.


Thanks Steph - for the tag.

Shaded Gray Daybook ~ November 13, 2008

Outside my Window … It is dark - but...according to Lelan Statum...it will be about 65 degrees today and partly sunny.

I am thinking … That some people need to live their own lives and stop trying to glom onto other people's - namely mine. Take care of your own business!!

I am thankful for … My husband - who realized that he hurt my feelings terribly and is so sorry.

From the kitchen … I need to cook something...I haven't cooked in forever.

I am going … Get ready for work...as soon as I finish this.

I am wearing … Jammie pants and a long sleeved shirt - can't wear my tank tops to sleep in any more...it's too cold.

I am reading... A book my sister loaned me - I think it is called Sunset. I like the concept - but I'm only on chapter 3 and they have introduced about 25 characters - I have no idea who is who.

I am hoping... Angela is feeling better - it is no fun to be sick on your birthday.

I am hearing … The news on tv. It's the only time I get to watch the news.

Around the house … We have implimented a new rule - put your dish in the dishwasher and not on the counter or in the sink - it's working sooooo well.

One of my favorite things … My Bible study - I am loving it and the gals in it.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … Do a little shopping this weekend - not much....you need a lot of money to do a lot of shopping. LOL

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… This is a pic of the kids from Halloween....I know - I'm a little late.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ November 10, 2008

~ A female ferret can die if she goes into heat and cannot find a mate.

~ In Budapest, they control the pigeon population by mixing birth control chemicals with the birdseed.

~ In 1890, Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham and was originally called "Brad's Drink".

~ After the U.S. Civil War, almost 50% of all U.S. currency was counterfeit.

~ The Kraft company produces enough Cool Whip in a single year to fill the Grand Canyon.

~ Only 2 countries begin with the letter "D", Denmark and Dominican Republic.

~ There is a large brass statue of Winnie-the-Pooh in Lima, Peru.

Ok - I have looked high and low for a pic of this and cannot find one...but...I have seen this fact listed in several places - so, although I believe this is true - I cannot support it with a pic...which annoys me... :)

~ A Canadian tour company offers a two-day course in igloo building.

~ The IRS employee tax manual has instructions for collection taxes after a nuclear war.

~ Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel in 1952 - but he declined.