Ten Things

Kim challenged me to write ten random things ~ since I am already up late doing very random things, I thought I would indulge...

1. I just completed an online application for financial aid for a private institution where I work, to allow my daughter to attend pre-school there next year while I "attend" with her, working nearly full time ~ after being sure I would be a stay at home mom soon...all in God's timing, I suppose.

2. My fourth grader just came home with three A's on her report card. I am so proud of her ~ she has never pulled this type of report card. She is also pretty proud. It is a testament to how hard we have been working for several years to get various things under control (focus/ADHD/learning problems). She is even grinning as she sleeps. Go girl!

3. I don't lie, either ~ it is extremely difficult for me to do (Kim never lies) ~ however, I have stretched truth at times, so I can't say "never." Sometimes I wish I could lie, other times I yearn to not even have propensity to stretch truth...

4. I was born in Norway. My mom was at her folks while my dad was on TDY in Vietnam. I got my first passport at 6 weeks old. I still have it.

5. I am very close to my family. I have a brother and sister-in-law fairly local, a sister and brother-in-law in Chicago, a dad and stepmother (mom has died) in Iowa, and an Aunt whom I am close to in Colorado, several cousins in Norway and an aunt, uncle, godfather, and great aunt in Norway. My grandparents and other great Aunts have all died (though two great Aunts lived to 101 and 98 so we have some good genes on my dad's side). My stateside family tries to see each other when possible. We traditionally spend a week each summer and a week each Thanksgiving all together (siblings, dad's family, and kids). My Colorado Aunt joins us sometimes.

6. I have two half-sisters who are 6 years old. My youngest sister is 37. That is 31 years between my dad's kids.

7. We got a Wii for Christmas from my brother. I never thought I would own a Wii. My kids are thrilled, because they never thought so either. :-) I even blogged about Wii this past summer while visiting my sister. My sister-in-law decided to give it to the kids as a family gift this year after she saw how much fun we had playing in a family "tournament" while at the beach one evening last summer (my dad and I against my brother and nephew started it) :-)

8. I just ordered Comcast cable internet...I am excited about it. We have been avoiding it to save money and using dial up for years. Dial up comes due for annual renewal next month, and we found a great "introductory rate for six months" before the full fees kick in. When the full fees kick in, since I will be working so much more (okay, I am being whiny) we will be fine to budget it in. This is a blessing since I do a lot of research for nutrition and health, among other things, online.

9. I love my house. My children sometimes ask me when we are going to move into a "bigger house," and I always tell them that our house is perfect, and if they moved they wouldn't enjoy it because it is all in their minds what they are missing. I find cozy to be nice. I love larger houses. Everyone else in my family owns one (actually, quite larger), but I really have grown to find peace and joy in ours. A rambler suits me just fine. Besides, we have great neighbors and an awesome view out back.

10. I love photography. I am an amateur (very) photographer. God has given me a sense of frame for photos. It is truly a blessing. I have been taking pictures since I was a kid. My mother-in-law keeps trying to get me to submit photos to contests. I just do it for fun. I don't even know how to work a fancy camera or adjust lenses/distances, etc. I play with things till they look right but have no clue. I would love to take a class one day. I probably will when the kids are grown more.

Okay, that is ten. Wow, that was easy (I thought about the big read button they sell at Staples as I wrote that). My mind does wander. :-) Blessings on your day.