Feeding the hungry

The eve before the snowstorm, I bought a birdfeeder. And some birdseed to fill it. There's a neighborhood of sparows and cardinals living in the woods behind our apartment, and I wondered what they would eat once the snow (some nine inches) more than blanketed the ground that is their snack bar.

Because it was an inexpensive purchase, a good portion of the seed fell out as I was attempting to hang the birdfeeder off the deck.

And this is what that did.

It doesn't take much to make me happy.

Christmas classics

During this season, I can't help but look back on the things that remind me of the wonderment I felt as a child ... a certain kind of cookie, a holiday carol, a nostalgic ornament or a classic movie.

Here are some of my favorites (movies), almost all of which I must watch during the season.

Hope some of these stir something in you!

"The Christmas Toy"
This 1986 made-for-TV Christmas special centers around a playroom full of toys, including Rugby, a self-centered tiger, Apple, a sweet-natured curly-haired doll, Balthazar, an aged teddy-bear, and Mew, a catnip toy mouse, among others. My favorite was Mew. The toys come alive when no one is around. On Christmas Eve, Rugby learns that he will be 'replaced' by a new favorite toy, and is determined to get inside the box of the new toy. Rugby and Mew go on an adventure to the living room, where Rugby opens the box of Meteora, a She-Ra-esque doll that causes havock. When Rugby and Mew go back to the playroom, Mew lags behind, and becomes frozen, just like the cute little clown doll, Ding-a-Ling. Tha'ts what happens when a human finds you out of the playroom.




"Miracle on 34th Street"

I love the parade scene and the journey the little girl makes to believe in something.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas"
Aside from the songs, I love when Linus reads an excerpt from the Christmas story.


"A Muppet Family Christmas"
The Muppet gang is joined by the Sesame Street cast (and even a few Fraggles!) at Fozzie's childhood farmhouse on Christmas Eve. A blizzard outside keeps everyone in, singing songs and watching home vidoes of the Muppets as babies, as Miss Piggy tries to get there. I laugh hysterically when the Swedish Chef thinks that Big Bird is the turkey dinner, and then later goes after a rooster who is flirting with Camilla, the love of Gonzo's life.



"A Muppet Christmas Carol"
Because I think the black and white version is too serious and a little creepy. It's hilarious when the rats get Bob Cratchet (Kermit) to ask Scrooge for another heap of coal for the fire.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas"

A take on the famous poem by Clement Moore, the story opens on the night before Christmas, but the reading of the poem must be stopped when two creatures in the house begin to stir: family men Mr. Trundle and Father Mouse. Their restlessness stems from the fact that Santa is angry at the residents of Junctionville, returning all their letters without even opening them. The reason? Somebody wrote a letter to the editor of the paper saying that he doesn't exist. In an attempt to fix the situation, Mr. Trundle, a clockmaker, comes up with a plan to lure Santa into town with a clock that will sing an enchanting song at midnight. When the clock doesn't work on its first test, the townsfolk lose all faith in him. Turns out the cause of all the trouble is Albert, a book-smart young mouse who thinks he knows the truth about Santa Claus.

"White Christmas"

This is the only non-cartoon movie on my list. I LOVE the dancing, the innocence, the costumes, the songs ... I wanted to be Judy, one of the sisters, just so I could dance and wear the twirly dresses, especially in this scene:



And this one. I wish I was as leggy as she was.

Update

I got offered a job today! Hooray!

It's only been three weeks. I feel so blessed. I never actually pictured myself at this particular place, and because it's my former competition newspaper, it's even more amusing. It feels like I'm sticking it to the company that thought it would be better off without me. Just a little friendly competition ...

The pay is a little less than what I was making before, but we will be fine. It's just enough where I know I still need to rely on God to provide for us. He has shown me he has had a plan from the minute I walked out of my former employer's doors.

I start Monday, something I'm a little bummed about because I have enjoyed the time over these last weeks when I could read, clean, bake, and work out in the middle of the day. I tried waking up at 8 in the morning this week, and felt like a zombie! But, the sooner I get a paycheck, the better. And I get Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off, in addition to Christmas and New Year's days.

I am extremely humbled: after I accepted the offer, it was revealed that the company had recieved some 80 resumes and from reporters from well read daily newspapers.

And they chose me.

I'm extra thankful that God placed me in a job so quickly, especially since it feels like the area around me is crumbling.

Thanks for all of your prayers!

More than you wanted to know...

I wouldn't think about doing this, but it was put out there by my friend at Confessions of a Newlywed. Since I need something other than reading, working out and holiday baking to do, I thought, why not? Here goes:

1. I have no hometown ~ I'm an Army brat.

2. I am a complete perfectionist, from my writing to how everything is arranged in our apartment. Nothing can be out of place, not even slightly

3. I am extremely indecisive.

4. I never liked my middle name as a child. When I found out it was my grandmother's name, that changed.

5. Like my dad, I'm a sweet-aholic. I'd pass up salty chips for a cookie any day.

6. I hate being cold ... and I almost always am.

7. Sometimes I feel that because I moved so much for the first 18 years of my life, I have a really crappy memory.

8. I used to want to live in the White House. It still facinates me today.

9. I love, love, love coffee.

10. My favorite two flowers are hydrangeas and calla lilies.

11. I want three houses: one on the beach, one in the mountains and one near a city, maybe Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.

12. I am terrible at math.

13. I have a permanent retainer along my bottom five teeth.

14. I have to wear a retainer each night for my top teeth ... but only do so maybe once or twice a week.

15. I have no desire for children yet ... not because I'm not ready, but because there is still so much I want to do with just my husband.

16. I played the piano until I was in college. Then I stopped, and now my fingers find the keys a little foreign.

17. I really like my feet and toes ... and I get lots of compliments on them!

18. I will try almost any food, except those that are slimy, like mussels and clams.

19. I love shrimp!

20. I dont eat foot that touches or food that is mixed.

21. I love pampering myself ... or being pampered.

22. I take really good care of my skin.

23. I rarely burn.

24. I really wish I could be crafty. I have good aspirations that usually fall through.

25. I love getting snail mail, espeically Christmas cards!

26. I can't wait to get a house so we can get a golden retriever!

27. I regret not writing the children's book my dad and I talked about, detailing the crazy adventures of our second golden retriever, Blazer.

28. I always thought I would work in a big city, with some plush office.

29. I would love to work for a magazine -- such my writing style.

30. My only best girlfriend is my mom. I tried a few times with others, but got hurt too much.

31. I love to sleep in.

32. I used to hate red wine and now I can't get enought merlot or pinot noir.

33. My first alcoholic drink was watermelon pucker during my freshman year of college. Yuck.

34. I really dislike local news.

35. I have no problem having our one-day children believe in Santa Claus. But not the Easter Bunny. It didn't do me any damage.

36. I desperately want to visit Italy.

37. I have dreams and goals that only few understand and respect.

38. I think you should be allowed to have any aspiration and be loved for it regardless.

39. I want to take my mom to Martha's Vineyard.

40. I think Food Network chefs have some of the coolest jobs.

41. I don't think there is anything wrong with expensive taste.

42. I don't get this 'green' movement. It's suspiciously trendy.

43. I still can't figure out when to use 'who' and 'whom.'

44. I love wrapping presents.

45. I love elegance.

46. I laugh easily.

47. My grandmother is a saint.

48. I had a guinea pig named Squeaker in junior high and fought with my brother over cleaning his cage each week.

49. I have mastered two dishes: spinach artichoke dip and pumpkin cheesecake.

50. I love Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and Z Gallerie.

51. I'm a great listener.

52. I want to be a better encourager.

53. When I met my husband, I thought he was loud and obnoxious.

54. I didn't fall for him until five months later when I realized I was wrong -- except for maybe the loud thing.

55. I love Italian and seafood.

56. I don't really have a favorite restaurant.

57. When I was secretly searching for the stone I wanted in my engagement ring, I fell in love with the Asher cut.

58. It was so rare that my husband had to go on a very big search to find my very unique diamond.

59. I wasn't happy with my hair on my wedding day. And my veil fell out before I even got dressed.

60. I share my birthday with Flag Day, the Army's birthday -- and I joke that my dad just took out the 'r' to get my name.

61. My family means the world to me.

62. I think that trying to blend families (in-laws) can be one of life's biggest challenges.

63. I would love to eat orange and yellow peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapefruit and pineapple every day.

64. I think that I honed my writing skills from being a pen pal for so many years.

65. I loved "Anne of Green Gables" and read every book. And saw the movies, too.

66. My first secular concert was Shania Twain. My good friend took me our senior year of high school.

67. I grew up listening to Christian music and never, ever regret it. The concerts were a blast.

68. I want a house with a wrap-around porch.

69. One of my dreams is to learn to ride a horse.

70. I love make up (Artistry is all I'll use) and can't leave the house without something on my face.

71. I love cereal. I have to have it each morning or my entire day is off.

72. I really enjoy Thai food ... especially Pad Thai. Yummm.

73. I love rain at night. So cozy.

74. I could live in skirts and dresses.

75. I'm uncomfortable moving away from my parents.

76. I don't really like talking on the phone.

77. I really wish I was just a few inches taller, especially so I can find pants that fit.

78. I can be a bit of a crier.

79. My first car was a cherry red Oldsmobile Alero. I got it my junior year of college. And got three tickets while I had it.

80. I love the opera, but I'm otherwise not very artsy.

81. I only like dark chocolate.

82. I don't like to make phone calls about a problem with a product, etc.

83. I'm a cleaning freak ... it's de-stressing.

84. I would love to open my own coffee shop.

85. I enjoy watching children's movies ... especially those from my childhood.

86. One of my biggest flaws is my procrastination.

87. I would love to learn to ballroom dance. Usually, I'm a wallflower.

88. I find my best outfits when I shop with my mom -- she always know how to find great deals.

89. I'm afraid of squirrels.

90. My dad was sent to the first Gulf War and then was in the Pentagon on 9-11.

91. I think there should be an age limit for driver's liceneses.

92. I cannont stand this global warming farce ... um, snow in Lousiana? Hellooooo!!!

93. I'm a homebody.

94. For the first time, I got up at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving this year to go shopping. And I would totally do it again.

95. I think 'thank you' cards are an important afterthought.

96. My husband has the biggest heart.

97. I love taking pictures, espeically of nature.

98. I wish I had enough money to feed and clothe those in need.

99. I want to go on a mission's trip.

100. I don' t know what I would do or where I would be if I didn't have my relationship with Christ.

More decor .. because I'm bored.

These are some of my Department 56 Dicken's Village pieces. I have about 13 quaint, detailed, lighted shops, taverns, toy stores and even a gazette. My mom began my collection when I was in ninth grade and they are my favorite thing to put out each Christmas. I especially love the little townspeople. They have so much character. This year, I got an early Christmas gift from my husband: the saddlery. The girl on the house actually moves around in a circle! I wonder if she ever gets dizzy ...

Deck the halls

Some of our Christmas decorations:

A new chapter

At the end of the day yesterday, I was coldly told that I was being laid off by the small, family-owned company that I spent almost five years with. It obviously came as a complete shock and I admit I did a lot of crying the entire drive home and throughout the night. That's the worry in me that I know God is going to cleanse me of through this whole process. Thankfully, I have some pretty stable people in my life, including my husband and parents, who can see the bigger picture.

I have been praying for the last three years that God would deliver me from that particular place. Granted, there were aspects I enjoyed -- mainly the amazing people I worked with in the communities I covered, and the girls I developed lasting relationships with in our little cubicle area.

But for the most part, I was quite miserable. I dreaded each new week and I didn't like the employee I had become. There, I felt lazy, prideful ... even rebellious because I had grown so tired of the pettiness, the lack of professionalism, the backstabbing.

I felt very out of place there last week, and Sunday night, realizing that I only had two stories to turn in for deadline, I had this overwhelming dread come over me. I prayed that God would either renew my mind or deliver me. And at 4 o'clock, he did the latter. Finally. It wasn't the way I envisioned leaving -- I always thought I'd be walking out door by my choosing.

I know deep down that this is a huge blessing and I know that God is going to take care of us. I am trying to realize the excitement of what he has in store for me just around corner. To even fathom that He has a bigger plan for me is amazing. I know it is going to be even better that what I've ever experienced.

When I woke up this morning, my husband had left my Bible open on the bathroom sink to Jeremiah 29:11, and a note of how excited he is for me. He's probably relieved that I don't have to spend evenings at dull council meetings, stressing out over low story counts or doubting my abilities.

I visited the umemployement office this afternoon -- I could barely find a parkng space -- and I now understand the worry that can grip those who have lost their jobs, especially those who don't have a spouse's income to fall back on.

Before I began searching for jobs, I wrote an email to my closest contacts over the years, about 25. I let them know what happened, how much I have enjoyed working with them, that I don't know how their areas of the community will be covered, and of course, asked if they could keep their eyes and ears open. I have gotten immediate responses in the past hour, and they have let me know that I was valued, I was appreciated and I will be missed. I'm overwhelmed by their kindness.

I have also recieved notes from friends offering up ideas and prayers. It means a lot.

I know that this is an important time in my life. I know God is going to be really changing me, growing me and giving me some time to renew my mind and my heart and evaluate what path I will embark on next.

Keep me in your prayers!