The First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem

Hi! My name is Megan and I'm addicted to...

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Fruit Ninjas - I have my friend T to blame for this she showed it to me the other night when we were at a friend's birthday party. It is a highly addictive game. So be warned but go check it out.

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Once Upon a Time - So the writers of LOST have sucked me in again. I love this show it has great characters, a great story, and a great concept. If you haven't started watching I encourage you to go check it out.

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Teavana - I have always loved tea. I in particular love loose tea. And I have discovered Teavana I love the fact that you can mix teas or just drink them on their own. One of my favorites is the White Ayurvedic Chai and Samurai Chai Mate blend. The nice part is it is nice and light so you can drink it straight, with a bit of sugar, or with cream and sugar. If you are a tea person I highly recommend you check them out.

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Blue Bloods - Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg...give me a moment...ok I'm back. Seriously though this is a well written cop show that includes a multi-generational Sunday dinner. I really like this show and how the family story runs behind the cop story. Apparently Donnie Wahlberg is a clown on set. Check it out.

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Pole Dancing - If ever there was an exercise that didn't feel like an exercise this is it. But it is a great workout! It is also sexy, fun, empowering, therapeutic, and it gives you girl power. I encourage you to take a class near you!

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Yoga - My mom did yoga for years when I was growing up and she's offered to teach me. But I admit as much as I love my mom there are some things that it is better if someone else teaches you. So in November I tried Hot Yoga and needless to say that didn't go so well. But I love yoga so I'm continuing to take classes with the goal of increasing my hold in Downward Dog.

So what are some of your addictions?

Top Ten Favorite Things About Christmas

Working in a church Christmas can get lost and enjoying Christmas becomes trickier because we are running around like crazy people getting ready. So I decided to focus on some of my favorite things about Christmas are...

10 - Giving gifts...I love to see the expression on someone's face when they get something they really love.

9 - Singing Christmas Carols...I love singing Christmas carols of all kinds but my favorites are Angels we Have Heard on High and O Holy Night.

8 - Christmas lights...on Christmas Eve my Mom and I drive around and look at lights. We've added some other nights to our tour as well over the years.

7 - Santa Claus...I love the concept of Santa Claus and for that I believe Santa is real. He just gets some help along the way. Although I've always wondered about the Nice and Naughty list.

6 - Department Store Decorations...I love the decorations at stores because it is always so festive and it puts me in a better mood. Which is usually destroyed by my fellow shoppers.

5 - Christmas Movies...I love watching Christmas movies they help get me in the Christmas mood.

4 - Christmas Parties - I love celebrating Christmas throughout the month. And I love celebrating with my friends and family.

3 - Christmas morning...as a child I loved the wonder of seeing the tree and the presents. As an adult there is just as calm that comes on Christmas morning. All the world is right.

2 - Christmas Eve Service...I love the Christmas Eve service because it reminds us of what the holiday is about and I love lighting our candles while singing Silent Night, Holy Night. There is something magical about  that moment.

1 - The Christmas Story...I never tire of hearing the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

What are some of your favorite things about Christmas?

Top Ten Favorite Holiday Movies

It is that time of year where every character that has ever been written about has a holiday movie. (Shrek the Halls) And some of them I love...some of them I can't stand. Today is my top ten favorites...

10 - Elf - I admit this was a reluctant one for me to watch because I'm not a huge fan of Will Ferrell but I admit I love this movie. Especially the end about Christmas spirit...gets me every time.

9 - The Family Stone - although I find parts of this movie hard to watch I do think it is a great movie for Christmas. The Christmas gift exchange gets me every time.

8 - Fred Claus - this was a cute movie and Paul Giamatti as Santa Claus works perfectly. Along with Vince Vaughn and Kevin Spacey they make the movie. I'm a sucker for the happily ever after.

7 - The Miracle on 34th Street (circa 2004) - I love this movie it is so sweet and cute. And Santa wins!! I love the end when the little girl figures it all out.

6 - Christmas Shoes - This is a toss up between love and hate. I love the story but it is so gut wrenching that it is a tough one to watch. I think Rob Lowe does a great job in this movie.

5 - Christmas Eve on Sesame Street - I watched this on TV every year and loved it. I could relate to Big Bird wanting to solve the mystery of how it all worked to get Santa down the chimney.

4 - Love Actually - When I first saw this movie in the theaters I was newly divorced but I loved the romance represented in this movie. And I love when the Prime Minister goes door to door. But the scene that gets me is when the guy delivers the message to his friend's wife. You want to hate him and yet you feel for him.

3 - White Christmas - I LOVE this movie!! I think it is a great movie! The end with We'll Follow the Old Man gets me every time. As I type this I get teary eyed thinking about it.

2 - A Chipmunk Christmas - As a child I loved Alvin and the Chipmunks (I still haven't watched the new versions) and I loved this movie. Although I love the record recording best I think this movie has such a cool story in that Alvin did something right and ends up almost getting punished for it. But he truly got the meaning of Christmas.

1 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas - I can almost recite this movie. (My husband can recite this movie including the songs) I love this movie because I love Dr. Suess, because I love the story, but most of all I love Max! The scene where he is on the back of the sleigh waving makes me laugh every time.

So what are your favorite Christmas movies?

Teavana

A couple weeks ago Mom and I were supposed to go to the opera but due to horrible traffic we were hopelessly late and decided to go to a mall near the opera house. This mall has a wonderful place called Teavana. I admit our initial introduction was loud and chaotic so I wasn't sure what to think. Sadly it wasn't the customers being loud it was the employees loudly talking to each other about personal issues. And then they had so many employees that I couldn't take a step without a "hi can I help you?" Now don't get me wrong I like attentive employees but seriously this was nuts. I was ready to go when I saw their samples. One of the samples was Chai tea blend of White Ayurvedic Chai and Samurai Chai Mate. I LOVE Chai tea so I had to try it. I loved it so I went ahead and bought 2 oz of each of the teas (you have to buy at least 2oz of tea at a time). The "tea expert" proceeded to try and sell me an air tight container and German Rock Sugar. I appreciate suggestasales but she went slightly crazy on explaining the how and why I needed these things.

I admit I have since bought the air tight containers but less expensive versions of them. I also went back this past weekend bought some Earl Grey Creme Black Tea. I love it too with a bit of sugar in the raw and some cream...yummy!! I'm excited to report there will be one on my side of the water the end of January. I can't wait. So I encourage you to take a moment to check out their website or if there is a store near you check it out!

AUGUST!!!...when did that happen?

I am floored that it is already August. It amazes me how years just seem to fly by. It seems like just yesterday that it was January 1st. I love that time is flying by it means my hubby will be back to me again soon. I hope you take time to enjoy the last month of summer...here are some of my favorite summer things...



State Fairs - I loved them growing up!

Smores...nothing says summer to me like toasting marshmallows over an open flame

The beach..

Fresh Corn on the Cob



Ice Cream



Two of my Favorite Things...

I know...I know I'm a grown woman but who doesn't love How the Grinch Stole Christmas? I love this movie and I love these shoes. So cute!! Converse Tennis Shoes & How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Grinch and Max...so cute

The Whos around the shoe...not sure which is cuter

Fall Favs

I love fall. Here are some of favorite things...

Fall leaves...reds...oranges...yellows

Picture from Houston Baptist University

 

 

 

 Beef Stew simmering in a Crock Pot

Picture from LaaLoosh

Hot Apple Cider

Picture from FreshNest

 Warm Sweaters

Picture from Gap

Fires in the Fire Pit

Picture from Be@ Home

What are some of your favorite things?

Wordless Wednesday - Some of my favorite pictures

We're Tired...so very tired

Us at St. Patrick's Day...I'm Irish...we do it up right

J determined He was really in the Dog House this time

We're children of the 80s we love monster trucks

 Some of J's Favorites...keepin' it real

J laughed so hard he nearly went off the road...he had to get a picture

J made a U-Turn to get this picture...

Etsy Finds

I spend a lot of time on Etsy. I like looking around at what all is out there and I also like reading their articles, especially "Quit Your Day Job." It gives me inspiration. Here are a couple things I've found on there recently that I love.

Old Barn Rescue Company's wall design - "You are my true NORTH"   

Sissy & Jack's "I Give You My Heart - Happy Mother's Day Bracelet"

The Sock Drawer's "Spock Monkey"

Lulu Bug Jewelry's "Dog necklace Smiling Pit Bull"

Lana O'Crystal Handmade Jewelry's "Bare Branch Teal Bracelet"

Friday Favs

Last night we went to a double feature (created by us) of Despicable Me and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Both were great movies but completely different from each other. And both had good messages to them. (I'll elaborate on that another day) But those movies inspired a Friday Favs post.

Favorite Movies....

Princess Bride - "The Storybook Story" I read the book of this after seeing the movie and an unusual thing occurred. I liked the movie better. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It has a great story and great quotes.

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Dirty Dancing - "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" I first saw this movie in middle school and I loved it. I would rewind and watch the end dance over and over again.

 Cinderella Man - A true story about a boxer and his ups and downs during the Depression. This movie was emotional because of the love story but also because of the climate at the time.

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Miracle - I like sports movies. I love hockey. Best of both worlds. No matter how many times I watch this I end up in tears at the end. It is also based on a true story, about the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. It is a great story and a touching movie.

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Star Trek - I am the child of trekies. I have seen most of the original Star Trek episodes, all of the original Star Trek movies, and many of the spin offs. I loved this new Star Trek movie. They did a great job with casting, story, and connecting new to old.

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DodgeBall - I have never laughed so hard in my life. It has a lot of stupid humor but it is funny and it doesn't take itself too seriously. Definitely good for a laugh.

So what movies do you like? Which ones can you watch over and over?

Friday Favs

So I was going to do a post about some of the political things I've observed of late but I decided to go more lighthearted. Here is a list of some of my favorite things in life during the summer...besides spending time with my friends and family.

 A baseball game on a warm summer night. Makes me think of chewing Big League Chew
while sitting on metal bleachers when I was living in Alaska as a child.

 

Ice Cream...it just isn't summer without it. (but let's be real I love it all year round)

A frozen margarita on a warm summer night. With or without Mexican food.

 Fireworks...interestingly enough the best I've ever seen were in the small town of Bangor, Maine.

 The ocean. I could listen to it all day and night.

What are some of your summer must haves or favorites?

Some more of my favorite blogs....

Here is the next installment in favorite blogs...I thought I would do a mixture this time.

Beads for Busy Gals - Elisabeth is my bead swap partner and I have enjoyed getting to know her through email and through her blog. She discusses her life, work, husband's military career, and her beadwork. She makes lovely jewelry in her fun studio.

Just Another Weigh + Baby -Jodi shares anecdotes about her life, work, weight-loss, getting married, and now being pregnant. I enjoy the way she writes because it is entertaining. And she is a fellow motorcycle enthusiast so I gotta love her!

Noodlehead - I found Anna and her blog through Sew, Mama Sew and I'm glad I did. She shares fun stories and pictures about her family, her sewing, and she has awesome tutorials. I bought the pattern for her gathered clutch pattern. (very cute)

Pretty Things - I first encountered Lori at a local craft show. I was drawn to her jewelry and to her bubbly personality. Then I discovered her blog Pretty Things. She talks about life, jewelry, beads, books, and many other things. She is a talented bead artist and writer.

Redhead Recipes - Sarah shares yummy recipes for all sorts of food items. My favorite so far is her German Pancake recipe. And she's a redhead too. ;-)

Some of My Favorite Blogs

I read a number of blogs daily (well I try to anyway) and I thought I would share some of my favorites...here are a few...more to come later...

SoMi Speaks - I enjoy reading this blog because she covers a variety of topics from current events, to running, to her adorable dog. She has a way of writing that makes you feel like she is sitting there talking to you about it. And on Fridays she does a Replay of articles seen around the internet. And when you comment she is always good about replying to you.

Just Another Day in {our midwest} Paradise - I started reading this before J and I got married and found her antidotes about being a military wife of a deployed soldier, a dog owner, and a law student amusing. Now she writes about their home, their dogs, and being a lawyer. She also has amazing recipes (not totally healthy) but amazing.

*Bitch Cakes*: A Neurotic Glamour Girl's Weight Watchers Experience and Fitness Adventures 

- I found this when I started Weight Watchers and her story is very inspiring for someone trying to lose weight. She has had her ups and downs and is very honest about that. It is a great site with lots of great tips and inspiring stories. She also takes great pictures.

marta writes - I started reading her blog when I took her workshop. She has great advice about blogging, crafting as a business mixed in with personal antidotes about her family. She has a great contents page that allows you to search through her archives.