Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #12

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that is so popular with weddings that goes, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Well, this week’s challenge goes right along with that!

You really could inserts whatever you want here: something green, something squishy, something metallic, something cheap, something round, etc., but just to keep it fun, see if you can try to make it rhyme!

I’m still a newlywed so I went ahead and did it the old fashioned way.  Here were my something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue from my wedding in September.

Challenge 12: Find your favorite somethings and record a little bit about them!

Something...

...Old

I wore my great grandmother’s necklace.  I’m not even really sure what the center is, but it’s a silver necklace with a diamond in the center.  It’s really pretty and everyone loved it.

...New

Of course the dress and shoes were new.  Plus I bought new earrings.  The girls of course all got new dresses and shoes too.

...Borrowed

Really the only thing we borrowed, was the home where we got married.  It was a very small, private, laid back event, and our good friends Austin and Sue let us use their house.

...Blue

The blue was in my flowers, and on my cake.  And I made all the kids where blue as well.  They weren’t all formal or matchy-matchy or anything, but ya know….it was still a wedding.

As I mentioned, it was very small and informal, but it I still stressed all day to make sure everything was perfect.  And of course it was, I got to marry the man of my dreams! 

So how about you....what are your favorite somethings?

Link up and play along.

Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #11

Perfectly Imperfect

This week’s challenge is another deep thinking one.  The hardest part in this challenge really, is to truly be honest. We are all human, and therefore imperfect. It’s hard to embrace our imperfections sometimes. We want others to think we are perfect, right?  But it’s okay to embrace our imperfections, as much as it’s okay to admit that we’re doing pretty good in other areas as well!
What are 5 things you have (or almost have) perfected? What are 5 things you are far from perfect in?

(almost) perfect…

• Cooking – I like to cook and I’m one of those people that always use a recipe as a “guideline.”  I usually try to customize it to fit things my family likes, like omit onions or add garlic, etc.  I ALWAYS use more spices than most call for.  It seems to me a lot of time, especially those you find on the internet or a church cookbook seem to be a bit bland for us.  I like to bake too, those you can’t play with too much, but my family loves when I bake.

• Making Lists – I’m a list girl.  For one thing, if I don’t write something down I tend to forget about it.  Plus I love getting check something off that has been accomplished, it makes me feel productive.

• Crafts – I love crafting.  I have gone through spurts where I’ll do one craft a lot, then try something else and get all addicted to that, then just stop for a while and not do anything.  But I’ve tried lots of different things, and with instruction I can usually do a pretty good job of it.  Plus I like being able to say “I made that myself.”   Although I can always find flaws in my stuff, most people are always impressed with my creations.  I guess I’m my own worst critic.

• Washing My Hands – I’m almost OCD about this.  I wash my hands at least 20 times a day.  Before I start cooking, after I get home from someplace, after using the restroom, after cleaning.  I don’t know maybe I’m a  germaphobe, but I will say, I hardly ever get sick.

• Cleaning My House – I’m not talking about scrub the baseboards, spotless clean, but I try hard to at least keep everything picked up and presentable.  I cannot stand to leave dishes in my sink, I vacuum twice a week, swish the toilets often and wipe down the sink and counters.  With 2 teenagers, it’s not always an easy feat.

• Yelling – This wasn’t my answer, I asked my kids for suggestions while making this list and both of them said this and didn’t know the other had offered it up.  I do not yell all the time, they exaggerate…but maybe if they’d pick up after themselves once in a while.

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(far from) perfect…

• Budgeting – I make a budget every month.  My problem is actually FOLLOWING it.  It seems to turn out more of a track my spending kind of thing.  I can tell you where all of my money is going….it’s just not always where it’s SUPPOSE to be going.

• Exercising Regularly – I go through spurts, where I will exercise pretty regularly for a while…then I forget, or get busy and there goes my good habit.  Then I’ll go weeks before even doing it again.  I wish this was something I could get addicted to, like lip balm or baseball.

• Listening – I think I’m ADD, and I am horrible at actually sitting quietly and listening.  Someone will be talking to me, and something they will triggers a response and I have a hard time waiting til the end to give it without interrupting.  And if I do wait….I usually forget what it was when it’s my turn.  Or if I’m in the middle of doing something and someone tries to tell me something, I have a hard time stopping mid-task and giving my full attention, then I’ve missed half of the story.  If you know me, I’m sure I’ve probably done this to you and I’m sorry.

• Multi-tasking – I use to think I was good at this….I’m really NOT.  I’ve come to realize that when I’m trying multi-task, none of those tasks are really getting my full attention.  So then one gets partially done, while I start another, then I flip back and forth, taking twice as long to finish….or each is only getting a partial effort and I’m not really giving a good quality product….like that listening thing.

• Calling My Parents – I really stink at this.  They both live within about 15 miles of me, but I hardly see them or even talk to them.  I just get busy doing my own thing and when I get free time, I don’t usually use it to talk on the phone.  I need to start making more of an effort.  I don’t want my kids to grow up and ignore me…treat others and all that.

• Cleaning My House – I have 2 teenagers…it’s an effort to keep the house clean.  And I don’t dust every week or scrub the baseboards.  I have too much stuff in my house, so you run out of places to keep things, or there’s that spot on the bar that tends to collect mail and sunglasses and keys.  There are rooms I try not to even walk into if I can help it (the girls rooms), my closets aren’t neat.  I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever try to sell my house…

What about you...what are your perfect imperfections?

Link up and play along.

Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #10

I’m sure you've all had it happen before. You’re at family dinner and your Uncle starts his story about "When I was a kid..." It usually involves a story about having to walk 5 miles to and from school in 3 feet of snow, up hill both ways!  You roll your eyes and groan inwardly, or maybe laughingly egg him on.  well, now it’s your turn!

This week’s challenge: How are things different now from when you were a kid?

Transportation: There was no seat belt law, heck some older model cars didn't even seat belts, and even the newer ones only had a lap belt.  We used to pile a bunch of kids in the back of the pick up truck and ride around town, up on the wheel wells, you didn't have to sit back against the cab.  We actually rode our bikes or walked almost everywhere we went.  And almost all of my friends had to save up and buy their own cars!

1977 Ford Maverick

Technology: We had 2 TVs in the house, and about 6 channels.  The went off at midnight and showed a colorful striped screen.  We got cable when I was a teenager but all the local stations still went off air by 2AM.  I remember rotary dial phones, but by the time I was in middle school we had a push button.  It plugged into the wall and you had to sit next to it because the cord was only like 2 feet long.  By high school, I talked my parents into about an 8 ft cord so I could at least wander a bit or do chores while I talked.  Cameras were either Polaroid that spit out a grainy pic you had to wave around and blow on to finish developing or some type roll that you had to take to the photo shop to send off for developing and got back like a week later.  We had to GO to the movie theater to see a movie, Beta and VHS movies didn't come out til I was in 8^th or 9^th grade, or at least we didn't have one.  As for video games, we got an Atari for Christmas one year, and had Pong and Space Invaders, or had to go to the arcade.  I had my own stereo in high school, it had a turntable, Cassette player and an 8-track, along with AM/FM radio and these huge speakers.  I wasn't lucky enough to get a Walkman, they were too expensive.

Food: I think school food is pretty close to the same, except they get more choices.  Pizza, Hamburger, Tacos, and usually a fruit, a vegetable and milk.  I mostly took my lunch, my mom would pack me a sandwich, a pickle some chips and a drink in a thermos!  We didn’t have juice boxes to carry.  We ate at home most nights, and when I got older and my parents got more social, I did a lot of cooking.  It was ALWAYS my job to do the dishes at our house, no matter who had dirtied them.

Friends:  We mostly played outside.  When I was in grade school I remember playing tag, hide and seek, football, soccer all out in the yards with the neighbor kids.  We played school, made mud pies and went fishing for crawdads in the creek.  Even in middle school after we moved to a new neighborhood, we were outside.  Usually all day, and after dark.  We pretty much stayed in the neighborhood, and our parents would just open the door and yell so you knew to come home.  Janice had a pool, so we were there a lot too.  I met Janice when I was in 5^th grade, and after a bit of a rocky start, we've been best friends ever since and still talk almost every day.

School: I had to walk to school every day until I was in high school.  Then I had to ride the bus for 2 years, then I was too close, so I either bummed a ride, or had to walk a few times.  I finally got a car during the summer between junior and senior year.  The school actually offered Drivers Ed back then too, it was an after school class. Back then they also offered more elective classes in school, and we weren't required as many core credits.  I did well in school, was pretty much a straight A student all the way through (with just a couple of exceptions).  We had to actually do work in class, and if you didn't finish you had to take it home.  I had to come home and finish my homework before I could do anything else.  Kindergarten was only half days for one semester, and elementary school went through 5^th grade.  Both middle school and high school was 6 classes per day for 6 week grading periods. Oh, and people actually LICKS when they got in trouble and real DETENTION!

Pizza Day

Holidays: I always enjoyed the holidays.  We usually got together at my grandparents house and all the cousins were there.  My mom was always the first one ready to leave.  She still does that.  We ended up always celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve, because my brother and sisters would whine that I got to open a gift early and they couldn't wait, and I think my parents just got tired of hearing it and would rather sleep in.  I always noticed, more so at the big family events, that while everyone else got 2 Christmas gifts to open, I usually got a Birthday gift and a Christmas gift… but they always got another one on their birthday too.  I don’t really remember having very many birthday parties.  Now it doesn't bother me at all, I’d really rather not acknowledge my birthdays anyway.   These days I don’t really like the holidays at all, it’s just too much work and stress and I’d really rather just stay home and watch movies in my PJs.

Sports: I played soccer for several years when I was in grade school and middle school.  I played halfback and we had practice twice a week.  Only the kids on the 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place teams got trophies.  If we didn’t win, we didn’t get anything.  I played because I wanted to, and I had fun and had friends on the team.  I still actually talk to a couple of them!

Highland United

Styles:  My hair was stick straight, my mom made me get a “Dorothy Hamill” haircut and I hated it!  When I got older, I wore it layered and feathered, and had to use a TON of hairspray!  At one time or another I have worn gauchos, parachute pants, neon, acid wash and leg warmers!

80's Hair and Acid Wash

So what's your story?  How have things changed?  Link up and play along.

Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #9

Challenge #9--Make a timeline of your life!

Think of the most important dates of your life and just put them in order! I recommend starting with the dates you know in your head already (even if it’s just a year): birth date, HS/college graduation, wedding, children, etc. Start with the big things—the things that really have made an impact on your life! Next, fill in with the smaller things: moving, jobs, religious ordinances, etc. Obviously, the older you are, the more you will have to fill in!

You can type this in a document, make a scrapbook page of it, scan some pictures and turn them into a slideshow with music and dates on them, or write it in a blog.

(1969): Born in (Irving, TX)

(1975): Started Kindergarten

(1988): Graduated from High School

(1988): Moved to Arlington

(1989): Started with Associates

(1994): Got married 

(1996): Had first child

(1998): Had second child

(2001): Bought first house

(2011): Got divorced

(2014): Got remarried

This is me...to be continued...

PS. I'm totally gonna get a scrapbook page for this up soon.

What's your story?  Link up and play along.

UPDATED;  

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

Last week got super busy and the only reason my Tuesday post went out, was because I had done it the week before and scheduled it to do so...

So here's a combined WILW from the last 2 weeks.  Thanks as always to Rachel and Jodi for hosting.

I'm Loving....that it's OFFICIALLY Baseball season!  - I went to 2 Home Opening weekend games and have had a chance to listen or watch all or part of a every game since, and I'll be back at the park when they come back from this road trip next week.  Of course I'd love it a lot more if we could actually win more than 1 games in a row and actually have a win a streak, and be above .500, but maybe that will be something I can include for next week's post!

I'm Loving....my Lady Banks rose bush - I brought this home as a scrawny 2 foot twig and planted it in the corner of my yard.  It has since grown into a monster, I've had to trim it back twice because it threatens to pull down mine and my neighbors fences!  It only blooms once a year, but then is green and full all season, but I love how pretty and lush the little yellow flowers are when it's in full bloom.

I know I only have 2 things on here, but it's already turning out to be another one of those weeks and I just wanted to be able to play this week!

Link up and play along with us:

Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #8

Addictions...

Everyone has them. Some people are addicted to bad things, some are addicted to good things. Some people won’t admit it, and other’s happily admit it!

This week’s challenge: What are some addictions that you have?

You can focus on one addiction, or you can record all of them. You can make a list of them and tell why. You can take a picture of each one and make a slideshow or scrapbook page of them. You can record in detail what you’ve done to try and stop this addiction, or you can say nothing at all about it. You can laugh about it, or get serious about it. Write a song or a poem about it. It’s up to you how you want to record it!

What are some addictions that you have?

I admit it….I’m addicted to…

Lip Balm – I constantly have to have some type of lip balm on.  It started just at night, but it’s turned into a pretty much every waking moment.  If I even THINK my lips feel dry or tight, I reapply.  If I’m going out, I start with a lip conditioner, then apply color and sometimes even top with gloss.  It’s almost as if I feel naked without it.

Shoes – I love cute shoes!  I cannot pass up a pair of cute shoes, I have them in every style and color.  Many times I will pick the shoes I’m going to wear that day and decide what outfit will match those!  My favorite is heels, the higher the better. I have 56 pair in my closet currently, and have been known to vacuum in them, as well as wear them to the ballpark!

Baseball – My favorite sport!  Especially the Texas Rangers.  Honestly, I don’t even necessarily care who else is playing unless it’s related to the Rangers.  Like I don’t watch the other AL West teams’ games, but do watch the standings and generally know what they are doing and how it affects our standings.  I don’t like the Yankees or the Angels because they are big rivals of my team, I prefer when those teams lose.  I’m still bitter about “Game 6” and the Cardinals are now on my ‘don’t like’ list too.  I have to buy at least 1 new t-shirt every season.  I am a season ticket holder (although just a small package) and usually end up picking up extra games and go to as many games as possible, and watch the rest from home.  I’m not so bad that I DVR them or anything but my DVR does get backed up with weeks of other shows because I’m watching the ballgames live.  Almost always the first thing people will ask me about when they see me, is the Rangers! (after they look at what shoes I’m wearing). ;-)

Studhubs – Yes I admit it!  I’m addicted to my husband.  I’m still a newlywed and I think he’s AMAZING!  We dated for a year and a half and have been married 6 months and have still never had a fight, which most people think is weird.  He treats me good, he loves the Lord, he’s considerate of my kids, even when they act like brats and pretty much spoils me.  Yes, he does have his quirks, but in the end they aren’t that important, and I can’t really ever remember a time where I was treated like such a princess.   I love spending time with him, doing things for him, and really want to do everything in my own power to make him happy.

What's your story?  Link up and share...

UPDATED: Accompanying scrapbook page

Tell Your Story Tuesday...Challenge #7

Have you ever seen a magazine article or an ad with numbers in bold, and then some information that is pertinent to that number? Well, that is the inspiration for this week’s challenge!

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You can do this a couple of different ways. You can make a list from 0-10 (or even to 20!), and think of something about you for each number.

Here are a few things to give you a jump-start:

Places I’ve lived.

Years I was in formal schooling.

Years I have been married/dating.

My age.

Number of children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews/brothers/sisters/etc.

Pairs of shoes/ties/jeans/sweaters/etc. I currently own.

Bedrooms in my current home.

Minutes I spend getting ready for the day.

Traffic tickets I’ve gotten.

Countries I’ve visited.

Boys/girls I kissed.

Years I was/have been in the military.

Years at my current job.

Cars I’ve owned.

Times I brush my teeth each day.

Times I change my clothes each day.

Minutes/hours I spend on the computer/facebook/blog/etc. each day.

And yes, the list can go on and on…!

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This one is actually way easier to scrapbook than just list here, because just a list kind of lost the effect.

What numbers best represent you?    

ME ~ By the numbers...

6 - Months I have been married.

2 - Number of children I have.  I also have 2 step-children

59 - Pairs of shoes in my closet!

1 - Times I’ve been outside the U.S.

5 – Number of accidents I’ve been in.

1 - Childhood friend I’m still in contact with, regularly.

25 - Years at my current job.

7 - Cars I’ve owned.

22 – Purses in my closet, plus the one I’m carrying this month

24 – States I’ve been in/through

536 – Number of friends of facebook, I didn’t even know I knew that many people!?!

What's your story?