Scariest Halloween Memory

The only thing I ever liked about Halloween when I was a kid is that I got lots of candy.  Dressing in a costume was sorta fun, but it was really all about the candy. 

In all honesty, I have always been fearful of people in costumes.  Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny?  Forget about it!  Our family had several shoe stores located at malls when I was young, and when I saw Santa walk past our storefront to go on his break, I would make sure I was waaaay at the back of the store, just in case he decided to come in to browse for a pair of shoes.

So you can see why Halloween would be all about the candy for me.  It became more like a reward of survival for trudging out into the dark night with all those maniacal people who wanted to jump out and scare a poor, defenseless girl just to get a laugh.

In hearing the buzz around the blog community about Halloween movies and candy and parties, I remembered the scariest Halloween memory I have.  Just to think of it now, it still ticks me off.

I don't remember how old I was.  Maybe 12 or 13.  I was probably in junior high at the time.  Halloween was approaching, and for some reason our Baptist church put on a haunted house every year.  (I really don't know why.)  Anyways... while I was in band practice, a couple of people dressed like ghouls opened the classroom door and came in.  They started wandering around the room and getting in people's faces as some sort of promotion to go out to the haunted house.

I don't recall how close one of those costumed people got to me, but I was utterly and thoroughly FREAKED OUT!  I was actually angry.  I felt angry at whoever let them come into the classroom.  I was angry at my band director for not kicking them out for interrupting our band practice.  I was stinkin' mad that our church even had a haunted house.

You have no idea what a relief it was when they finally discontinued putting on that haunted house.  It's possible it was the very next year because I don't remember it after that time.

What's your scariest memory?  Do costumes bother anyone else?

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or in a Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter

It's December 31st Already?

It was thrilling to see so many new visitors yesterday.  And since some of you were curious to know what my dog Dixie was doing that was naughty while I was trying to record my video, let me just tell ya.  She was trying to chew her way into the box of White Fudge Covered Oreos.  Then she started chewing on the crocheted wreath.  She was probably just acting out in jealousy because the camera was not focused on her.  She is such a ham!

I have only watched a handful of videos at Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee because I had a full day elsewhere.  It will probably take me the rest of the week to visit everyone's blogs.

I just realized that it's December 31st, and I haven't yet done any reflecting over 2008, at least not in writing.  I really wanted to do that.  Bummer!  Well, there are still some hours left in the day.  Maybe I can squeeze that in somewhere between work, meals, a music practice, studying, and preparing some type of food for fellowship after church tonight.

If you don't hear from me before the clock strikes midnight, I wish you a Happy New Year.  I'll catch ya later... in 2009!

A Love Affair Revisited...Again

*This was originally posted on Nov. 9, 2007, but I think it's worth a reprint.

Hoo, buddy! Did I have a special surprise this morning. Everything happened as any other typical day in my life this morning. I managed to get out the door a little early in order to go grab a Starbucks as I headed to the church. I had raspberry mocha on my brain... nonfat, of course.

But as I entered the store and rounded the corner I saw that everything had changed. My eyes were met by an array of red and green. YES!!!! The Starbucks menu has changed for Christmas! You may think, "What's the big deal?" But to me, suddenly all was right with the world at that moment. I can now order a Peppermint Mocha at the special price. It's on the menu! Sure, I could order that year-round, but I've been saving it up for the Christmas season because it's all part of the holiday experience. Once January rolls out of here, I will refrain from ordering until next year. So I'm savoring the beauty of this day as it marks the first Peppermint Mocha of the season, and I have included a picture of this momentous occasion.

I adore the Peppermint Mocha. There is nothing else like it in the whole world. It is a tantalizing, perfect blend of chocolate and peppermint mingled together to create a beverage like none other. (sigh) I need a moment.....

Okay.

I first fell in love with this Starbucks creation last Christmas season. I happened to stop over at some friends' house, and they were headed out to have some coffee. So I tagged along, and they introduced me to the phenomenon that is Starbucks. I had never been. It wasn't a real high priority on my list, and I wasn't even sure I would like it. I am very picky about my coffee, and I have never liked flavored coffees. Well, since we were there, I figured, "I've got to fit in. I better order something and choke it down just to be sociable." I chose Peppermint Mocha because a friend had mentioned that it was really, really good, so I figured it sounded like it might be okay. I got my mocha and sat down with my friends. I took a drink... it was love at first sip! From that moment on through the entire conversation, it was as if it was just me and my Peppermint Mocha. I don't even remember what we talked about. All I remember was the Mocha.

So that's how it all began. By the way, I got so excited over it this morning that I forgot to order nonfat. Oops!

A Thanksgiving Memory

I remember celebrating Thanksgiving when I was in Kindergarten, and if I remember correctly, each of us was to bring in a vegetable to be used in a Thanksgiving stew we would get to eat at noon.  I remember as the stew cooked throughout the morning, the aroma of it wafted through the air.  I could hardly wait to eat it.  Whenever I smell stew, my mind goes to that memory.  Even when it isn't Thanksgiving.

For art class we made hats and tops out of construction paper and paper grocery bags to look like Pilgrim and Indian outfits.  I doubt this craft has gone out of style, even after 30 years.  Here I am modeling my pilgrim ensemble.  I also had an Indian ensemble, but I liked this one better. 

Don't you love the dress I'm wearing?  It was a long prairie-type skirt with an apron.  That wonderful applique at the bottom was classic for the time.  I was totally into Holly Hobbie, Little House on the Prairie, and anything having to do with that prairie look in those days.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends, making memories of your own.  Try not to eat too much pie!

It's the 4th of July but...

It hasn't been the most thrilling holiday a girl can have around here.  Right now I'm sitting on my front porch alone.  Seems like I should be out with friends or family, fishing or playing or doing pretty much anything else.  But I'm blogging. 

Yes, I got to sleep in and take a paid day off from work, but still....  Rich has to work 10 - 6 today, so I'm home alone.  Unless you count the cats and the dog, and I don't think we should.

I went for a run this morning, but let's not talk about it.  It was hard, and that's all I'm sayin'.  Then I tried to do that bike thing, ya know, the physical activity I've had a craving for?  But we're not gonna talk about that either because...well...I only rode half a mile and my knees already hurt.  So I'm not talking about it.

I treated myself to Taco Bell for lunch.  I had a craving for a burrito supreme, so I went with it.  (Pretty much knocks out the running, huh?)  I even ordered a Diet Pepsi just for kicks.  That probably sounds ridiculous to you, but I only drink pop about once every 3 months or so because I think it upsets my stomach.  Yep, I'm livin it up Liz-style!

Anyhoooo...

Then I came out here on my enclosed front porch because it's a comfortable temperature, and there's a nice breeze coming through.  I decided this would be a good place to groom the dog, which is an event all in itself.  Grooming is one of those things that Dixie has a love-hate relationship with.  She loves it when I say the word "brush".  She gets a gleam in her eye, her ears perk up, and her tail starts to waggin' while following me to where we keep the brush and the grooming spray.  Then she spends the next half hour running away from me when I try to brush her with the brush.  If anyone can explain a Sheltie to me, have at it.

I bought meat to grill tonight, and I had every intention of grilling before today.  Now I'm sensing more of a need to just get out and do something, so I can get a holiday feeling.  Why am I so much about the feelings?  I think my husband still owes me a dinner from a week ago that we never had.

I guess I'm going to try and read a book now.  Those library books are due in a few days, and I've hardly touched them.  And if you're a regular around here and know about my whole library books thing...you can STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES AT ME NOW.

Have a nice holiday.  Hope your weather is as gorgeous as it is in Indiana.

My Valentine's Gift

I realized after February 14th passed that I never showed you what Rich gave me for Valentine's Day. He did get me candy, some Dove truffles. He also got me this ...

A Starbucks Mug!

What a guy!

Nothing But The Best For My Sweetie

Tonight we were on our way home from church, and the girls we always give a ride to were chattering away in the backseat. They started talking about Valentine's Day. One gal said she hoped her mom would give her some chocolate. One of them was sharing that her mom had gotten her a Valentine's gift, something that she's wanted for FIVE YEARS. (She was very dramatic.) The other two asked her what she got. She said, I won't find out until tomorrow. So finally I asked, When is Valentine's Day? Is that tomorrow? Rich was like, Yeah!

Uuuuh...I thought it was Friday. Obviously I've really been paying attention. But the good thing is that I saw a commercial for Walgreens tonight, and they advertise they have everything I need for my valentine. I'm so glad there's one right on the corner across the street from where I work.

Christmas With the Family

Well, folks, I managed to get through every Christmas practice, church fellowship, and family gathering by indulging in only ONE sugar cookie. I can't believe I did that! People said it couldn't be done (people=ME), but it really can be. So to celebrate such a feat, I devoured an entire package of Oreos today.

I'm kidding.

Really.
My family had our traditional "Finger Food Christmas Eve". That's when we gather on Christmas Eve at my parents' and eat... well... finger food. Shrimp, meatballs, BBQ smokies, cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, little pigs in a blanket. Stuff like that.

In my earnestness to stay true to my First Place commitment, I prepared (or attempted to) several low-sugar low-fat treats like no-bake cookies (2 kinds), rice krispie bars, and a pecan and graham cracker thingy. Would you believe that NONE of the recipes were any good?!? Totally inedible. Translation = YUCKY! I really tried. :(

I took my guitar this year, hoping to sing carols with my nieces and nephews. I wasn't sure if they'd be game because we've never done that before, but they were great. They named a song, and we'd all sing. Dad sang as he passed through the living room. Mom was singing from the kitchen while she continued to prepare the food. It was a really nice thing, and I'm glad I did that this year.

Another enjoyable part of the evening is when I got to give my sister her gift. This was the big surprise of the year. Since I took up crochet this summer, she thought that I would be crocheting her something. I totally threw her for a loop, though, and I made her a no-sew fleece throw. She's been wanting one for a looooong time. There's a story behind that. There is a lady at church who has been making these fleece throws for several years for every new baby that is born into our church. They are THE treasured gift at every baby shower. We all sit with bated breath, waiting to see the throw unveiled and find out what motif she used for the new one. Every time Kathy sees one she says, Hey, when am I gonna get one? They are so warm and soft and snuggly good. We've heard of some new dads who steal the coveted baby fleece throw from their infant and to cuddle up in front of the TV. Can you imagine? So somehow during the weeks leading up to Christmas it dawned on me that I should make her one. So I did. And that was the big handmade gift issue I had last week. They're not as easy to assemble, if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

I only took a couple pictures, and none would be worth sharing. My sister, though, had some fun ones that her hubby took. My favorite out of all of them is a picture that my niece *K* took of me. She's 6 years old and may have a career in photography in her future. I think she captured my best feature... my cheekbones.

Best-Laid Christmas Plans

I guess it's about time for another Christmas memory, having taken a few days off from this venture. I'm starting to wonder how many more of these I can post. Some of my memories may be a tad uninteresting to anyone who doesn't know me personally...and maybe even to those who do know me personally. I probably would bore you to tears. But I digress.

I remember one particular Christmas - I don't remember how old I was - when I decided it would be fun to go looking for the presents. If I had to guess, I was probably 10 years old. Now in order to understand the humor of my idea, you must know that I was the "good" daughter, meaning my sister was known for sneakiness and mischief. (Sorry, Kath.) It was totally out of character for me to go sneaking where I knew better than to be going.

I knew where Mom hid the presents. Up in her bedroom closet. I don't remember how I knew that, but it's not like we never went in their room. So how could that be such a big secret? But you see, this is evidence enough that I was known as being the good girl because they assumed I would never go up snooping in the gifts. My sister would be much too short at the age of 5 to reach the shelf in the closet.

So I dragged a chair into their bedroom and got it situated for the best access to the presents. Then I went and got Kathy and told her to stand on the chair and tell me what she could see. So you see, I was NOT the actual one snooping. She was. My plan was brilliant because I had not stood on the chair, and I had not looked through the packages. Yes, it was brilliant... unless you forgot to make a solemn pact with your sister that required her death upon divulging any information to the parents.

She gave us up! And yes we were threatened with the, "We're taking all your presents back, and you're getting nothing for Christmas." I don't remember if we got spanked for this offense. Most likely we did because it was a pretty big deal, especially for ME. That was the first and last time I went snooping for gifts. Really, it was.

I'm Singing Tonight

We're getting ready to go to our church's Christmas banquet tonight. It's at a dutch-themed restaurant/bakery/gift shop, and they serve fried chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes & gravy, and a different flavored slice of pie at each place setting. It's very enjoyable!

I will be singing with my bosom friend J as part of the program. I sing lead, and she sings harmony and plays the guitar. She's written a song especially for the occasion. We've been memorizing Romans 8 together, and many truths from that scripture passage are in the song. We agreed to make it the theme of the song when we were conferring on the songwriting process. It's about the glory of Christ that is being revealed in us now as we are being sanctified, but also the groaning that all creation has in waiting for the full glory that will one day be revealed when Christ redeems our bodies. That's possible because of the hope Jesus brought to us when He chose to humble Himself to become a baby born in Bethlehem, that He might one day die on the cross for our sin, so we could be reconciled to the Father.

I guess that's what will make it very special for us. Not only did J write the song, but it's written for us...it speaks our heart.

I'm looking forward to a fun evening. Maybe I'll have some pictures or something to share afterward.

Holiday Ponderings

I can't believe Thanksgiving Day is a week away. This year has flown! Of course, as my mind prepares for the holiday it quickly rushes on to thoughts of Christmas.

I've been playing Christmas music on my Live365 station in the office today just to kind of get myself ready. There's something about the familiar songs that brings a hundred memories rushing back, and it gave me an idea. I thought it might be fun to fill my December blogs with all my Christmas memories. A few have come to mind that I think are fun enough to share, and I would love to have 25 days of blogging. I don't know how realistic that is. Can I come up with 25 Christmas memories? I'd enjoy trying!

So I'll start brainstorming and see what I can recall from the 35 Christmases of my life. Then I'll start writing on December 1st.

Yeah, I like the idea...