Hoedown Throwdown

I know I'm a complete loser, but I really want to learn the Hoedown Throwdown!

Life is too short...

...for sissy sippin'

http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/2536/No-Lidders/f=s1&s=no%20lid

Snail Mail

Today was the best day for snail mail EVER! I didn't get any junk mail. Rather, I received my OK tax refund check and tickets to a Boston Red Sox game. YIPPEE!! :)

It's the little things in life that make me happy..

Serious Eyebrow Skillz..

FOLF-ing with the FAM-ily

Momma, Hughy, Tony, and Daddio posing with their discs at hole 9.


Such determination!

(L) Even though he's in the stream, he's actually a FOLF superstar! (R) Look at that great form!

Group huddle - what a fun afternoon!

Truth Be Told

From the mouth of an 8-yr old boy: "Girls are just SO sensitive."

This coming from the one boy in class that had several tears later on in the day.
Now that's the REAL truth, eh ladies?! :)

The Black Sheep

There is one in every family. You know, that one member that is just a bit off and different from all the others. The one that is darker than the rest. The odd one. That notorious black sheep.

In my family, that person is me.

There are numerous ways in which I differ from the whole, but the most significant disparity can be witnessed in the social arena. All my family members thrive and excel in social settings. Conversation comes easy and they are all comical and enjoyable to talk with. I, on the other hand, am extremely socially inadequate and often create awkwardness. Small talk is my worst nightmare.

Recognizing I am the black sheep is one thing. Overcoming my black wool is a whole other ball game. But lucky for me, I have 8 other people to learn from! My first great teacher: Michelle. She is queen bee in the social realm and thus the person I am most different from. We’re like night and day. Salt and pepper. Plaid and stripes. See:



Cuteness aside, I have serious work to do, skillz to hone.

A trusty Google search supplied me with 50 unique conversation starters. I took these questions and practiced conversing with Michelle, aka my first great teacher. I also took down her answers so that I can study them. You just wait.. I’m going to be a small talking expert in NO time.

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
Oh the Thinks You Can Think
If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be?
Home Improvement. JTT fan. Love to be his brother. Or family matters. I would never be the most annoying, but I would really stand out.
What's the longest you've gone without sleep?
Worked for 17 hrs in a row….ended in a bike accident.
What's your favorite Barry Manilow song? I
slands In The Stream (Duet with Reba McEntire) LOVE her.
Who's your favorite Muppet?
Animal
What's the habit you're proudest of breaking?
Not flushing the toilet (used to really scare me)
What's your favorite Web site?
http://www.mythbusters.com/
What's your favorite school supply?
Trapper keepers. You could put EVERYTHING in those. Lots of good secret pockets for treats too.
Who's your favorite TV attorney?
Stephanie March
What was your most recent trip of more than 50 miles?
Red Lodge
What's the best bargain you've ever found at a garage sale or thrift store?
Roller shoes
Where were you on September 11, 2001?
Billings, MT
What's your favorite tree?
Tree of life
What's the most interesting biography you've read?
Anne Frank
What do you order when you eat Chinese food?
Oriental salad, I love nuts and fruit
What's the best costume you've ever worn?
Coke can
What's your least favorite word?
Soggy
If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
Michigan (first four letters are the same)
Who's your favorite Care Bear?
Sunshine Bear
Describe something that's happened to you for which you have no explanation.
Times I’ve wet the bed
If you could travel anywhere in Africa, where would it be?
Somewhere civilized
What did you have for lunch yesterday?
Pickles, salsa, gogurt
Where do you go for advice?
Webmd
Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
Neither, HELLO I’m a linguist genuist
Have you ever been snorkeling? Scuba diving?
Yes, swam with the scary dolphins in Australia
Have you ever been stung by a bee?
I don’t think so (but I usually don’t feel pain)
What's the sickest you've ever been?
Peanuts and heart burn puking 1991
What's your favorite form of exercise?
Breathing hard
What's your favorite Cyndi Lauper song?
Girl’s just wanna have fun
What did you do for your 13th birthday?
Spent it in Chicago with my birthday cousin twin
Are you afaid of heights?
No, bravery award 1984-2009
Have you ever taken dance lessons?
Yes, Hip Hop!
What's your favorite newspaper?
Tidbits
What's your favorite Broadway musical?
Hairspray
What's the most memorable class you've ever taken?
Bear safety certification class (most useful as well)
What's your favorite knock-knock joke?
Little old lady who, didn’t know you could yodel
What's your favorite commercial?
Those free credit report singing commercials
If you could go to Disney World with any celebrity alive today, who would it be
Jim Carey, we would giggle all day together and hopefully get married in magic kingdom
Do you prefer baths or showers?
Showers, why would I want to lay in my own filth just to lose all my skin lasticity.
Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?
Never
What's your favorite breakfast food?
Oatmeal
Who's your favorite game show host?
Bob Barker
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Physical SP: flying. Mental SP: reading minds
Do you like guacamole?
Of course and I’m REALLY good at making it.
Have you ever been in a food fight?
Ew
Name five songs to which you know all the lyrics. (Better yet, sing them.)
I’m a Barbie girl, pledge of allegiance, Lord George knew my father, Jesus loves me, Can you feel the love tonight?
What's your favorite infomercial?
Any one with Chuck Norris
What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
Giant Drop, 1997
What's on the cover of your address book or day planner?
Who owns those? I’m way to spontaneous to plan anything
Have you ever taken a picture in one of those little booths?
Yeah

Purple, just for you MML!! :)

Spring has Sprung

It's been a while since my last post.. and I'm always amazed when I stop to realize how quickly time flies! I mean, can it be SPRING already?!

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love Winter. Snow makes my heart flutter, and I love drinking a hot beverage while watching it fall peacefully from the sky. I also love it when my cheeks and nose turn red from the frigid air. And wearing leggings under my jeans. I just simply LOVE Winter. But as much as I love Winter, I am always happy and thankful when Spring comes. There is just something so refreshing about the change of seasons.

One of the zillions of FANTASTIC perks of living in Montana is that I can enjoy the coming of Spring while continuing to hold on to glorious Winter. All I have to do is take a drive up to the mountains. It is a dream come true!

Case in point: Last weekend I took a day trip to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness with some friends to fulfill my life long desire to snowshoe. Meanwhile it was sunny and warm in Billings. Perfection! I just don't know how people live in other places. And furthermore, how in the world did I survive living in Oklahoma for SO long?! Well, cause I had awesome friends, duh! :)

Below are a few pictures from my INCREDIBLE snow-shoeing adventures. Enjoy!

(L) Entering the Wilderness. (R) Water, ice and snow all living together in harmony!

Pictures just never quite do justice.. but check out that majesty!

Utter bliss - we LOVE snow-shoeing! :)

Food for Thought

I came across this thought in an article I read the other day...

God isn't a priority in life.
God IS life.
He isn't more important than your family anymore than air is more important than your shoes.
I don't prioritize breathing.
I breathe so that I live.

26 Things You Probably Don't Know (or Care) About ME!

This is from Facebook...

Well, I have finally decided to complete my list. And just like I add an extra pinch of sugar when I make Kool-Aid, I added an extra random fact to my list. Here goes nothing..

1. I have two ears just like you do. The difference: my two ears don't match. My grandma used to tape down my "sticky-out" ear when I was a baby. And my junior high band teacher called me "Dumbo." Nevertheless, I have never been embarrassed of them. Rather I am quite found of my mismatched ears.

2. Microsoft Excel was my very first EBay purchase. I absolutely LOVE making spreadsheets.

3. I love winter so much and wish that it would snow every single day. I think it would be awesome to get around town via snow mobile. Or whip out the snow shoes for an afternoon stroll.

4. I am extremely picky about what kind of toothpaste I use.

5. One time a complete stranger loaned me his truck for a couple of weeks. It was a fairly awkward situation.

6. I can type really fast. I always had the most WPM in my keyboarding class in high school and I get compliments on my speed almost daily from various people I talk to on the phone at work. I think it might be my superpower.

7. The longest I have gone without a shower is 14 days.

8. If there was one thing I could change about my appearance, it would be to elongate my neck. Long necks are so beautiful.

9. I don’t give courtesy laughs. (Go ahead, call me a humor snob.) I do, however, giggle when I’m nervous or feeling awkward.

10. I love grapefruit and green beans. And thaaaat… about covers it for healthy foods. I much prefer meats, breads and potatoes. And Dr. Pepper.

11. I love getting text messages.

12. Currently I am memorizing Romans 12.

13. One time I came home for lunch to find a turtle outside my door. It was the cutest little baby turtle I had/have ever seen. I took him to PetSmart and found out that he was a Red Ear Slider. I proceeded to buy him $70 worth of luxuries – aquarium, heating lamp, basking rock, the works. And I gave him a beautiful name, Herman Daniel III. But when it came time to clean his tank, it was over. I set him free and got rid of his stuff.

14. I am not an animal lover. Mostly because of the odors they produce and the messes they make.

15. I have an exceptional memory when it comes to names and birthdays. And I like it when people remember my name and birthday.

16. I am a very shy and introverted person. And maybe a bit socially awkward. But Jesus loves me and that’s all that matters. :)

17. I don’t believe for one second that there is such a thing as “falling out of love.”

18. I am adventurous and absolutely LOVE to travel. The next stamp in my passport will be obtained in Switzerland. And the main objective of my trip will be to yodel in the Swiss Alps.

19. I love numbers. Their constancy puts me at ease.

20. Chapstick and lip gloss are essential items in my daily life. And there was a time when I couldn't go to the store without buying a new flavor. Thankfully, I have overcome my obsession.

21. Camping is my all time favorite activity. I love everything about it. Well... except maybe the mosquitoes. I tell ya, it's rough having such sweet blood!

22. I graduated over a year ago (for the second time) and have no intention of pursuing another degree in the near future. This is the longest I have been out of school and I'm afraid that I'm slowly digressing in my intelligence. So, I've decided to keep my mind sharp by teaching myself to play the piano.

23. Reality TV is my vice. I just can't get enough of shows like The Bachelor and America's Next Top Model. Don't judge me.

24. I am a bit of a perfectionist but FAR from OCD.

25. I can relate to Lucy Eleanor Moderatz.

26. I am neither a night owl nor a morning glory. I am at my best in the late-morning and early afternoon.

Snowzilla

Absoltuely. Love. It.



















The. End.

Office Obsession

Soooooo......I pretty much have an unhealthy obsession with The Office. For the past three weeks I have done nothing (aside from eat, work, exercise and sleep) but watch seasons 1-4 in their entirety. That's 64 episodes, 26 hours, 34 minutes and approximately 1.3 million laughs. But, who's counting?

Blogger Bliss

There is nothing that warms a blogger's heart more than knowing that his/her blog is a worthy read. Today I received not one but two compliments! First, a good friend from college told me that I was a good blogger and that I have encouraging thoughts. And second, Katie, a friend and fellow blogger, was thoughtful enough to give me my very first blog award! My little blog heart is boiling! :) This is just the encouragement I needed to start blogging again.

Thank you!

And now it is my turn to recognize the bloggers I appreciate and look up to.

Kari

BLOCKS

Ashley

Amy

Jamie

Katie

Erin

Kassi

The rules that accompany this FANtastic award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who was so thoughtful for giving you this award by linking their blog to this post.


2. Put the logo on your blog or post.
   
3. Nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude/gratitude.


4. Link your nominees to your post.


5. Comment them to tell them about the award they've won.

Dear God

I love Jonathan's affirmation: "You did the right thing." Too cute! I have a few more of these letters, but I'm saving them for another post. So, check back soon!

Baby, it's Cold Outside

-13 °F

Feels like

-27 °F

After work this evening, I experienced something very strange. I was breathing in through my nose (not the strange part), and each time the moisture would freeze causing my nostrils to stick. It was such a weird feeling!

Yes, it really is that cold.

I once heard that people from the north have an extra layer of fat (insulation if you will) that is necessary in order to survive the frigid winter weather. Growing up in Montana I don’t remember ever thinking it was that cold. It was what I was accustomed to and I was fully equipped with my fatty insulation. Unfortunately, I no longer have that insulation. I’m pretty sure I sweated it off that first summer I spent in Oklahoma. And now that I have moved back to the Great North, my body is once again acclimating. And let me tell you, it’s rough. I am FREEZING all the time. Hence, the items on my Christmas list this year.

It does look like it is going to warm up as the week goes on. The high temperatures are above zero, and that is, well… positive news!

All I Want for Christmas

YOU! But since I can’t have you, I will settle with the following (more realistic) wish list:

1. Long-Johns (matching shirt and pant set)
2. Running Tights
3. Leggings
4. Cuddl Duds
5. Warm Socks

Do you catch my drift?

Ha! So PUNNY, I know. I just crack myself up! :)

The REASON for the SEASON

is JESUS! Thank you for the gift of AMAZING GRACE!

Reinforcement

You’ve gotta get your name out there
If you ever wanna be “Miss Lair”
The advise of a friend
Who recommends
Not to solely rely on prayer

Yes, that's right. I recently had a converstaion with a friend who teaches in the local school district. He informed me that it took him 4 years of subtitute teaching before he got a job. It's all about who you know. So needless to say, I left our conversation feeling very anxious and uneasy. I want so badly to be a teacher, but I refuse to indulge in the politics of the education system. So, I guess I’m doomed?

Luckily, I didn’t fret for too long. I quickly remembered that God is in control, he has a perfect plan, and will provide me with an opportunity to teach when the time is right. And while I really REALLY hope the opportunity will be provided sooner than later, I need to trust that his timing is perfect. Which is a whole heck of a lot easier said than done, of course!

Then, the reinforcement came in full force...

1. I received an email from the teacher I student taught with a year ago. She writes, “I hope the teaching situation works out for you. I believe God has something very special for you. Waiting is hard, but God’s blessing are worth the wait.”

2. The Bible Gateway daily verse: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

Conincidence? I think not! God is aware of my fickle nature and my continued struggle to trust him completely. And he provided me with immediate reinforcement that I so desperately needed. GOD IS GOOD.

P.S. I'm not a poet and trust me, I know it. :)

In the Eyes of a Ranger

The unsuspected stranger

Had better know the truth of wrong from right

Cuz the eyes of a ranger are upon you

Any wrong you do he’s gonna see

When you’re in Texas look behind you

Cuz that’s where the ranger’s gonna be

I grew up watching Walker, Texas Ranger. Walker, Trivette, and Alex Cahill were all included in my weekend entertainment. I looked forward to watching them kick butt and fight crime each week.

So naturally I have a fondness for Chuck Norris. But even so, I don’t fully understand the recent obsession with him. I mean, you Google him name and a bazillion sites come up. It’s absolutely INSANE! Who knew a roundhouse kick to the face could bring such fame!

The best site you’ll find out there is the Chuck Norris – Google Search. Check it out. It’s pretty stinkin’ hilarious!

Jennifer Needs...

...a smack daddy (is this the same thing as a sugar daddy?)

...to play by 'the rules' (whatev, I ALWAYS play by the rules. It's a proven oldest trait.)

...to give birth in the next week (to WHAT exactly?!)

...a mortician (YIKES! Hopefully not anytime soon!)

...Help!

...a shave (that's what Super Shave Shower Saturdays are for!)

...Facebook (indeed. It's how I keep in contact with my friends who all live so FAR away!)

...a cane (come on, I'm not THAT old.)

...to loose some weight (i'm working on it.)

...your support (yes please!)


Thanks for the fun post idea Miss Strawberry Ruckus!