I really do still exist

I don't have Facebook, I don't have MySpace, and obviously I rarely, so very rarely, update this blog.

This year I did not send out Christmas cards, I did make up a poemabout my life and I left my tree in the attic even though I heard it crying out. Priorities do that to you, ya know. At least that's what has happened to me.

I have priorites. For the first time in my life I have decided to literally not sweat the small stuff. I have dust bunnies under my couch and a car with dirty tires (this is not the way I used to be!)
I have sacrificed very little in my opinion for something much better.

I will be a senior when I return to college after my break in January. I have completed 6 fast paced, brain wrenching and incredibly exciting quarters and have only 4 to go. I am in a self-absorbed little insulated world and I am not ashamed.

Next year, I say to myself, when I am a teacher I will get back to doing the things that used to matter to me. But, deep down I wonder if I really will. Maybe instead I let my dust bunnies multiply. Would that be so bad?

So, here's to 2010. It will be wonderful and scary and exhausting. It will be full of moments to cherish and moments I wish I wouldn't have to miss because of my priorities.

It will not be a year of regrets. Priorties kinda do that to ya, they take away any negativity you may feel. Priorites help you realize that there is a point to it all, a purpose to embrace and an ending . On that day you can look at yourself and say... you did it girl!

So, here's to all your priorites, may they shine and lead your way in 2010.

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year. (might be a little while)
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.It may be a story. It may be a joke book, autographed picture of myself, handmade bag, or a little invention of my own! I may create you a blog header or paint something for you with my food. (That would be scary). I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows?
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. Believe me… it may blow your mind!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
Sounds like fun, right?
So, let’s play!

My Friends Book Club

Entering 2009 means my book club is beginning its third year too. It started out as a joke, literally. I was quite embarrassed by the lack of classic literature I had read in my thirty something years and wanted to change that. I told my friend Ruth who also agreed and so the "Two Friends" book club began. It was really an excuse to have a night once a month to gab and snack, but something pretty great happened...we wanted to talk about these amazing books. Another friend joined and we became the "Three Friends" book club , but then her friend wanted to join and well, you can see where this is headed. So, we are now the "My Friends" book club. I make a new flyer every year, so I wanted to share it with anyone that was wanting to start a book club of their own. Each month someone takes charge and has questions readyto move the discussion along. They also research the author and we get a to know what makes them tick. This part has turned into a really great part of the night, some very interesting authors! Here are some of the books we have tackled:

Gone With the Wind Margaret Mitchell
Count of Monte Cristo Alexander Dumas
Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy
Mystery of Edwin Drood Charles Dickens
The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck
A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery O'Connor
Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll
The Sound & the Fury William Faulkner
Pride & Prejudice Jane Austin
Tom Sawyer Mark Twain
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë
Crime & Punishment Dostoyevsky
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson
King Lear William Shakespeare
Wuthering Heights Emily Brontë
Ulysses James Joyce
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe
Brave New World Aldous Huxley
A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008 Poem

Some new additions
Some demolitions
Isn’t that what life is all about?
Keeping the good in and letting the bad out

My kitchen was gutted, my old carpet tossed
1988 Country Blue was all that I lost
Now my appliances fit and have a mod look
I could just stay all day, but then I’d have to cook

My favorite date this year was the sixth of May
Sweet Molly Karison was born that day
She joins her 2 sisters; which makes 3 nieces for me
Button, Zip & Snap- how lucky can one Aunt be

My Nana and I went to Seattle in June, oh what a flight
We got stuck in Atlanta, no plane in sight
But we got to see Molly’s blessing, oh what a treat
She was dressed in white, from her lil’ head to her lil’ feet

I did some soul searching about my future in June
Should I go back to school to be a teacher? I must act soon
So into college I enrolled, I now have 2 quarters done
Working all day and school 4 night a week, it’s actually fun

So after a 24-year crush, what would suffice?
I finally saw George Michael, not once but twice
In Chicago and Atlanta and just 3 weeks apart
A dream come true, luckily I have a strong heart

My family is happy, healthy and strong
I love them even if we don’t get along
Everyday comes with challenges and even some smiles
I wouldn’t change much, except the distance of miles

So as you go about this Merry Christmas Season
Know you are on my mind for no special reason
Except that to me you are someone exceptional
Fun, sweet, silly and a little dysfunctional

OPA!

Greekfest at St. George was great! I have gone every year since living in Knoxville and even back in my Memphis days. It's a kinda funny story actually... Well, George Michael is Greek. Now if you are asking who is George Michael then you don't know me very well. George Michael is a brillant singer/songwriter, albeit a bit troubled, but nonetheless my favorite singer since Halloween night 1984 (that's another story entirely).
So, in order to learn more about George I went to a Greekfest in Memphis back in the early 1990's. I knew George's dad owned a Greek restaurant in London and I wanted to learn about (and eat) Greek food. Fast forward to a couple years later and a lady at Church asked me to come over for dinner. She said innocently, "I'll make Greek food, I'm Greek". Well, Alex and I have been friends for 15 years now and I owe it all to her souvlaki and baklava. So, pick a country you have always wanted to go to, see if any festivals are going on, learn about the culture, food, music, people and you just might convince yourself you're there. At least that's what I do every Fall, but one day I'll get there... ahhh GREECE.

Musical Memories

Music triggers my memory, if I hear a song I can tell you where I was, what I was wearing and who I was with. So, I got to thinking about all the memorable concerts I've been to (not counting the ones I was dragged to). I have tried to have a selction of my favs on my playlist, see if you like them too.
It all started in when I was 11...

1984, Prince & The Revolution, The Purple Rain Tour
1985, Tina Turner with Mr. Mister
1986, Heart with Scorpion
1991, Harry Connick , Jr
1994, Steve Perry
1999, Indigo Girls
1999, Chris Isaak
2000, Creed
2001, REO Speedwagon with Night Ranger & Survivor
2001, James Taylor
2002, Dixie Chicks with Joan Osborne
2003, Kasey Chambers with Robinella
2006, Chris Issak with Tristan Prettyman
2006, Counting Crows & Goo Goo Dolls
2007, Dolly Parton
2007, Nickel Creek
2008, July9, George Michael
2008, July 31, George Michael
2008 Sept 3, Chris Isaak

Finals are Finally Over!

After a 13 year hiatus, I have taken my final exams for my first quarter of school and for the first time in my life.. all A's. I dusted off the old brain and used it for good. It went better than expected (earlier expections were grim). One quarter down and 9 to go!
I have a wonderful family who said all along I could do it and friends who offered support. Thanks so much.