Friday Fragments - Party Time

Joining up with Mrs. 4444 for Friday Fragments. Come join us.



Anyone else all Christmas music? I have it on in the car and then I have four different Pandora stations playing in my office while I'm at work.

Joyce at From This Side of the Pond started a 12 Days of Christmas Kindness this month. Please join in if you can.



Potluck dinner with my bible study group was Thursday. This was my first try at this and I was quite happy with it. The thing I liked most was that the women were at least in a general vicinity of my age. There are a lot of young people who attend my church so it was nice to be able to be around middle aged women.

Getting my hair done this afternoon so I don't embarrass Whitney at Mom's Day Saturday at school. They are having a tea at the President's house and also her sorority has a little thing planned. Looking forward to seeing her even though she'll be home a week later for a month.

Next weekend is Christmas Spectacular at church. 7 services full of music, dance and entertainment. Last year they had a drum line and aerial acrobatics. This year we have a great dance group that I've seen on tv before on my favorite dance show, So You Think You Can Dance. I'm volunteering at 4 services and sitting and just watching one of them. If you are in Norman, you should come by!

My online shopping orders are finally starting to come in. I still have a bunch more to do but at least I have gifts. I decided to put off buying a tree. I found the one I like but since I'm not putting it out this year, I am going to wait to spend that kind of money. It is at the year-round Christmas store so I can pick it up later and not worry about them running out.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Stockings Were Hung With Care

Joining in for this week's questions with Joyce.

1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.
Growing up my mother made my brother and myself stockings. We didn't have a real fireplace but somehow my parents found a cardboard one. It really looked like a fireplace and it even had a fake fire look to it. So we hung them on that.

I made all of our stockings after Whitney was born. We still use those now.

2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough?
Back when I had bad insomnia if I got three hours a night I thought I was lucky. Nowadays it probably is six total but it is broken up into a couple of three hour spurts. I wish I could sleep like I used to...a good 8 hours straight.

3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?
Complaining about the weather. The weather is up and down. I just need to accept what we have. It is not like I can change it.

4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?
I really could care less. There are so many other "real" news stories that should be covered and instead we get this frenzy.

5. For me, the sound of childhood is__________________.
The sound of a child being tickled. There is something pretty exciting about that kind of a laugh.

6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
I love a good fruitcake. The best come from Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas.

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
Picking out, purchasing and having installed a new back door. I'm a terrible procrastinator and this really needs to be done now.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I took my certification test yesterday. We were given four hours but it only took me a little over two. There were quite a few questions that I didn't know but luckily we don't get points off for guessing wrong. I'm not sure why it takes six weeks to get the results since the test was on the computer. I'm really hoping that I passed.

Monday Quiz About Me

Joining up for a quick little blog hop from Wayne at Touristic.



1. When was the last time you had your picture taken with Santa?

Maybe when we first got married? I'm not sure if we even got a picture of Whitney with Santa. That was just never a big deal for us.

2. Which do you prefer - ham or turkey?

Definitely ham. Yum, yum, yum

3. Do you give more to charity in December?

I think so. I participate in the Secret Santa program for foster children providing them Christmas presents and since that is a December thing, I guess that would be more.

4. Which US City would you most like to visit and why?

New York City. Probably the only major city in the US that I haven't been too. It just seems un-American to not have been there.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Do you prefer clear lights or multi-colored lights for your Christmas tree?

My answer - I've always had multi-colored lights but I'm leaning towards clear on the next tree I buy (which I swear will be sometime soon).

Christmas Decorating at Work

Just wanted to post a picture of the four big trees at work all decked out for the holidays.

This isn't my photo but looks to be taken from the third story. Those are 12 foot trees, each with its own theme.

Friday Fragments - November is Over

So it's the last day of November but I'm still joining up with Mrs. 4444 for Friday Fragments. The end of the month doesn't mean we can't frag!



Here in Oklahoma, you know it is getting ready to be Christmas time when you hear the BC Clark Anniversary jingle. Whitney is doing her part to introduce it to all of her college friends who aren't here. It is just so darn catchy that I end up singing along every single time.

Thursday on my way to work there were a gaggle of geese at the park in the neighborhood park. It was a great way to start the day.

I'm starting to get impatient waiting for my autographed copy of "Cooking with Love". It better get here soon or the love will be leaving.

I had to learn some new software at work this week. There is a reason why I do everything in Excel. I like it. I was never meant to be a graphic artist. I've been working on the advertisement about a symposium we are co-hosting. But the good thing is I get to go to the symposium...in China!

I also have to do some major studying this weekend. My certification exam is Tuesday and while I know a lot, it is the nitty gritty specifics that always get me. I just have to know that stuff for the test so some cramming is in order.

Hodgepodge - Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Yes it is another edition of hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce for this week's questions.

1. With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow? What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion?
I like shiny paper. It doesn't need to have a bow. But I like to coordinate my paper. This year everything will be in shiny blue and silver (bought last year on clearance). I have nothing wrapped because I have nothing in the house to wrap. I ordered a few things over the weekend but they aren't here yet.

2. What is one item on your Christmas list this year?
I just made a list up Monday and I put an iron on it. Practical and not exactly exciting but the iron I have I got in the 80's so I think it is time to replace it.

3. What makes a home?
Love.

4. Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound? If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? Here's a list in case you're stuck.
I always wanted to be be a backup singer. Not sure I have a favorite artist.

5. Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?
Much more red. I like both colors but I look really good in red.

6. True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon?
Good bacon is delicious. I've posted a recipe for cinnamon bacon pasta that is super tasty.

7. Share a favorite holiday memory.
When I was young (aka before the mall) we would go visit Santa Claus in a little trailer parked on a side street. We always got a little candy cane from him.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Our building is slowly being decorated for Christmas. Four 12 foot trees, multiple hanging ornaments, four balconies covered in icicle lights. It truly is a wonderful sight when finished.

Post-It Note Tuesday