I like words. Throughout the day, as I am working and listening, I often hear words used and think, "Was that correctly used?" Or sometimes, I'll make a comment and then wonder if I used the right word to convey what I wanted.

Thank goodness for the Dictionary application (Mac platform). I love it. I keep that puppy down on my dock and click on it anytime I'm in question. All I have to do is type in the letters and an instant definition and thesaurus function pops up.

I know, I know... that's usually the way dictionaries work. Little things fascinate me. :-) I just like to continue to learn and be accurate in what I think I know.

Another interesting feature that I have in my widgets is the 'Word of the Day' deal.

Today's top ten will list 10 very interesting words that I have discovered throughout this process. I know the definitions, and some of you may, too. However, your job is to pick a word you don't know and give me a definition. NO cheating! It's similar to Balderdash... giving a creative description may just make you the winner. ;-)

1. Guttersnipe
2. Alfresco
3. Labradoodle
4. Subfusc
5. Maelstrom
6. Gimcrack
7. Amalgam
8. Chortle
9. Mizzle
10. Hullabaloo

Good luck! Love you all! T

Last week’s post painted me as cautious in my activities at best, and unadventurous at worst. This week’s top ten will balance those two extremes out a bit.

Following are the top ten things that I would do. Some, perhaps I have done, and plan on repeating in the future. Others speak of “what dreams are made of” in my world.

1. Order Dessert
Every time. There’s always room. And if there’s not, this is where planning takes place. You must order light and eat less, because chocolate cake and caramel sauce almost always tastes better than meat and potatoes.

Ok, so maybe I’m not that extreme. But, whenever I go out, I’m not above thumbing through the dessert menu, if only to see what my options are.

2. Write a Book
It’s always been a dream of mine and a life-long goal, so even if I’m knocking on the publisher’s door at 75, I won’t be disappointed. I’m not really concerned about when this happens so much as that it does happen. In fact, I’d rather wait until later in life, because if I keep getting wiser with my years, then my book will be smarter, more charming, and full of more stories and testimonies.

3. Karaoke
Can’t say that I’ve ever done it… officially (unless belting out songs with friends behind closed doors counts). But I think it could be oh-so-fun.

4. Hike
A recent interest. A few years ago, this would have never crossed my mind. To me, it was always in the “outdoorsy-types” category… only for those who strap very heavy backpacks to their back sides, sporting the best hiking boots and running up the rocky mountain side while chugging from their water bottle.

However, a few late trips have proved that this activity is very enjoyable. I have hiked beautiful mountains in Colorado and Arizona, and among high points are great exercise, wonderful photo opportunities, enjoying God’s great Creation, and reaching the top with a sense of accomplishment, gazing across the land for a breath taking view.

5. Travel to all 50 States in one trip
I have a running joke with a friend that if we are both not married by 30, we will get in a car and take a giant road trip across all 50 states, stopping along each state line to get a picture. I don’t think she knows that I am completely serious. I’m going to show up at her house on January 2, 2016 with my car packed up and ready to go.

Anyway, I believe we should leave a lot of moments open for spontaneity in this life, because spontaneous fun is most often the best fun. And even though this may be labeled as pre-meditated spontaneous fun, it would be a memory worth making, for which I am sure.

6. Travel to other Countries
Another fairly recent interest. A few years back, I wasn’t too crazy about the idea of running over to other countries and experiencing culture shock. However, as my hobby in photography has risen, I see travels like these as an amazing way to capture some once-in-a-lifetime images. Beyond that, the opportunity to learn from other cultures and become educated about historic events, a variety of people, and a plethora of landscapes sounds so appealing.

7. Hot Air Balloon
This is questionable. I’m pretty sure it would be an amazing experience, but I just know that I would have a bout of doubt before boarding the basket attached to a giant balloon. Yet, my excitement would probably overrule any nervousness and I’d be up, up and away.

8. (Sail) Boating & Biking
What came before the motorcycle? That’s right. I saw a bank sign the other day that read, “Tired of rising gas prices? Come see us for your bike loan.” Aside from being a great form of exercise, it’s a “stop-and-smell-the-roses” approach that doesn’t require a motor and is faster than walking.

Boating– either by sail or speed boat. I’ve done both and enjoy them immensely. I mention this mainly because last week I talked about not really enjoying snow boarding/wake boarding, but I might point out that in order to keep a wake boarder happy, it’s imperative to have at least one or two other bodies on the boat… and sometimes it can be helpful if they don’t want to steal a whole lot of water time.

9. Re-Vamp a House, Business or Shop
I’m not exactly TLC, and quite honestly, I’m not handy at all. My grandpa was, and my brother is, but I must have missed that gene. However, I see many adorable shops and old-fashioned homes with vintage looks or even bright & bold décor, and it sends my brain rolling. Someday, it would be quite an accomplishment to take a blank canvas and turn it into a work of art. I would be outsourcing a lot of the handy-man work if it was a project which had a huge need of it, but the rest I’d love to handle.

10. Spread the Word
I believe the good Lord has placed within each one of us the ability to do this in different ways. Most of us have talents in which we can share, but a lot of us may be placed in situations where our unique personalities and backgrounds can be of use. It is my goal to always be consciously aware of this fact and not waste a single opportunity or moment to share by what comes most naturally, and even sometimes, in times when it may be unpopular or stretching.

Love you all. T

As the saying goes, “Never say never.” Yet, the point I wish to get across with this top ten is that these are among the top activities that I would rather not do. It’s doesn’t mean that I won’t, but I’d really rather not. Call me unadventurous, boring, or lame… but at the end of the day, I’d like to still be walking on two feet. Note that some of these events are something that I have tried and did not walk away doing cartwheels for, which is why they’re on the list.

We all obtain that zippy, excited feeling of “adrenaline” that rushes through us in different ways. Most of us end up going out and doing something daring… something that could quite possibly push us close to the seat of death without actually killing us. This adds to the “rush.” However, I am of the type that tends to avoid these sorts of activities. I would just as soon let you be the one who jumps out of the plane or climbs the giant rock, and I’ll stand on the sidelines and cheer you on and take your picture.

If you are of the crowd who loves all of the activities that are in my list, then that is wonderful. It takes all kinds, right? We need the ones who aren’t afraid of adventure and who are willing to walk out on the limb a bit, or else nothing would get done in this world.

Here’s the list. Some of these aren’t actually what you would call “knocking on death’s door,” but also ideas that don’t strike me as the world’s most interesting.

1. Sky Diving
Even thinking about it puts me into a panic. The idea of falling out of a plane that is thousands of feet up in the air is not something that I wish to explore. We were born on the ground held down by gravity, and I don’t mind keeping it that way.

2. Roller Coasters
Or any amusement park ride, really, aside from the Ferris Wheel. Too fast, too uncontrollable, too dizzy. Plus I LOVE to eat, especially at carnivals, and so I like it that the food stays in my stomach. Whenever I go to amusement parks or my much-loved town Pumpkin Festival, my favorites are among standing in line with friends and holding coats/purses while they enjoy the rides, taking pictures, walking through tents, and eating elephant ears and cotton candy.

3. Storm Chaser
When I was little and there was a tornado outside, my dad would always be up and down the stairs in a tizzy, checking out the conditions of the sky. I would be cowered in the corner with a book over my head, praying to the Lord that the house would not get sucked up into the sky. However, the thrill of the storm allured my dad. I could never understand it. I loved the weather as a kid, and still do—I’m not above checking the weather section of the newspaper or visiting www.weather.com, but it’s usually to check the UV index or when it’s next going to be sunny. As I’ve gotten older, I can understand how interesting and intriguing storms can be, but I’m still not signing up to go chase one.

4. Snow Boarding, etc.
I’ve done it a few times. I am actually quite partial to the trick skis. However, gliding down a mountain on some sort of square or rectangular device at high speeds with icy snow and cold wind in all directions… especially when I remain the uncoordinated klutz that I am… is not my favorite of all times. If there’s a big group going snowboarding during the winter season, I’ll go. Who can pass up the road trip, the camaraderie, the memories, and the hot chocolate you can get in the lodge? However, this makes the list because it’s one of those sports that you can get quite daring with, and I must say if I never went snowboarding/skiing again, I wouldn’t miss it.

I may be in trouble after writing this as half of my readers are hard-core boarders!

4. Race Car Driving
Or going really fast in cars. Another very fast activity. Not necessary. Ok, I might do this if I had a very long, long, straight road in which I knew no obstacles would be before me. Take the thing up to 150 and see how I felt. But under any other circumstances, I would be thinking about what the consequences would be if the car sped out of control or hit something.

5. Doing Donuts in Parking Lots
We’ve all experienced it. Sometimes on accident. Or, some of us think it’s fun, when the snow starts falling, to drive into a vacant lot and slam on the brakes, and see what happens. Not me. I’d rather make a snow angel.

6. Motorcycles
I think they’re great. It actually makes me happy when the weather starts getting warmer, and all the guys get out the old bike and go for a spin. I also feel very sorry for the bikers who get caught in the rain. Yet, somehow, I don’t desire to ride on one. If I ever become persuaded, I’m sure it would be fun, but another activity that may send chills up my backside.

7. 4-Wheeling
Same thing as motorcycles. If I never ride on one again, I won’t be sad. But if the chances arises, I think they can be fun.

8. Deep Sea Diving
Another thing that seems to panic me by just thinking about it. My thought the entire time would be, “What if my air ran out, what if my air ran out, what if my air ran out…”

9. Hunting
I’m too noisy and restless. Besides, although I’m not some huge animal activist, I don’t really believe in shooting the innocent creature just because he happens to be walking by and I want to hang him up as home décor. I think it’s a fine sport for those who enjoy it, but I most likely never will. Now if the name of the game (no pun intended) was to photograph the deer, that, I could do.

10. Ice Fishing
Not too fond of the regular kind of fishing, anyway, and then when we add polar temperatures to it, I lose all interest. I might be caught sitting in a boat someday amongst a small quiet pond, a blue sky as my backdrop and a fishing pole in hand. I love the thought of a silent afternoon in calm peace with the sun shining down and fish swimming on under me. Yet this is just on a sunny afternoon on a lazy summer day… not a week-long trip devoted to braving the icy weather and frigid atmosphere just to bring in some underwater creatures.

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There it is! Perhaps next week will be about activities that I do enjoy, so you don’t all think that I am the most uninteresting and unadventurous soul walking on the planet. Now it’s your turn. If you are a risk-taker at heart or simply just dig a lot of the items on my list, share a story or a thought!

Love you all! T

I have always had a feddish with names. I used to sit around and make lists of "baby names" that I loved. Weird? Maybe slightly, but we all have our quirks. Find below a list of some of the most unique names that I like, and vote for your favorite!


1. Penelope
2. Grayer
3. Beatrice
4. Milo
5. Phinneas
6. Eloise
7. Ceil
8. Evita
9. Liam
10. Ingrid

Love you all! T

It was a typical Monday.

Surprisingly enough, my Mondays at work always go by quickly. You would think that after an incredibly long 3-day paradise every weekend, putting in a 10-hour day would be torture. Today was fine, though, because we are so busy with High School Track Events. I love being busy.

Anyway, tonight I had to go to the grocery store. Now, I LOVE food. So going to a store that is centered around that particular subject should be fascinating to me. Sometimes, it is. But never in the beginning. It's like a monotonous chore that you know you have to do, but you don't want to. Yet, whenever the doors open and I enter into the food land with shelves on all sides of me, handing me cookies, breads, cereals, chips, and candy, my mood elevates. My first stop is always the fresh and sparkling produce section. I love all of the fruits and vegetables that are spritzed with beads of water. My only tip is to never go to this store while hungry.

Last night, I told my sister that sometimes I crave carrots and she thought I was entirely weird. I don't know why. I suppose that the majority of Americans crave carbs and munchines, snacks and sugar. I will fully admit that there's never a wrong moment for chocolate or a grand old dessert, but usually when I'm hungry, apple slices and peanut butter or carrots and bananas sound soooo good. What do you crave? Better yet... those of you would have had kids and have been through a pregnancy or two, what is the weirdest concoction you have craved?

This week, I'm staying with Heather while she dog sits at her aunt's house. Now. It's the running joke that I will some day grow to be an old "cat lady." I absolutely love cats... they're the best. They are furry and aloof, and keep to themselves unless they feel otherwise. Dogs, on the other hand, cannot keep our of your path. They sniff, drool, chew, bark, and destroy. And they smell. The only dogs that I can handle are the big ones... the ones that you can take on a walk, the ones that weigh more than you, and the ones that could actually protect you. Now that's a DOG.

Anyway, this dog we're watching is fine. I'm mostly just here for moral support, and because I love Heather. Well, and, this house is about 5 minutes away from where I work, so I get to sleep in an extra 30 minutes every morning this week. :D

Alright, that's a wrap. I'm hungry... craving a bowl of cereal...and tired. Love you all.

T

Since I failed to include "Hiking with Heather" as a top ten choice, here is an exclusive story on the item.

Last Sunday, I accompanied Heather to a park in Peoria. If you recall, it was a beautiful afternoon... mid-60's with just enough sun to warm you in the sunlight. Granted, most of the hike consisted of hundreds of blooming trees on all sides that were bringing forth greenery and flowers, so it was pretty shady. I love this time of year; it's like an explosion of happiness after a long, gray winter.

Anyway, Illinois needs no mountains in order to provide an adequate hike for the average hiker. All you have to do is drive on over to Peoria and hike up the inset steps that cover the wooded area where we walked. It was great. We both got smoothies from Smoothie King and then hiked our hearts out. Actually, I told Heather that getting smoothies was a prerequisite to my coming on this trip. I love the fruity blended ice.

Our next project is walking Grand View Drive. It's a nice walk with a lot of very unique homes to observe along the way. I'm not sure if we'll be so lucky this year, but I'm hoping that we get a couple of weeks of that perfect 80 degree weather before the humidity strikes.

Below are some pictures of our adventure. Heather, I hope this makes up for leaving you out of Top Ten. It's better, really.


Love you all! T

If I'm back, I'm back. That means to stay on top of the Top Ten Tuesdays! Who could forget?

As Spring is now in the air, let's focus on that. Look at each one of these as not just a "favorite time of Spring," but moreso as a "moment in time that captivates the beginning essence of Spring" that you love so much. Pick the one that speaks to you!

1. Seeing the first baby green leaf spring out of a twiggy branch on your favorite tree
2. Closing your eyes and letting the warm air from the sunlight toast your face
3. The "fresh rain" smell
4. Hearing the tweet tweet tweet and sing songy whistle of the first birds back
5. The morning you wake up and see the "red bud" (looks more like purple to me) trees exploding with vibrant colors and flower
6. The first day you can slip on shorts and flip flops... and not be cold.
7. The ringing of the sirens and darkening of the sky as the 1st tornado warning twists into Central IL
8. The first contact of taste buds to icy, vanilla Dairy Queen delight (let the true Mortonites shine!)
9. The lightning/thunder storms with wind, gray sky, and fast-moving clouds
10. Sighting all kinds of deer and thinking, "At least now I can hunt without freezing to death."


Ok... Spring into Action... and vote!

Love you all! T