10 day You Challenge--Two Songs

Two Songs

I'm probably in the minority with this one, but I'm not really a music person. I mean, I like it, but it's not something that I have to have around me. In fact, when I travel by myself in the car, there is a great chance that the radio is not even on.  This is all actually sort of funny though because Sophie loves music and is taking piano and violin lesson, We know who she will not ask for help if the need arises! Here are a few special ones that I really like.

1. Journey

What child of the eighties does not like Journey??  One of the greatest albums ever is their Greatest Hits album. Angelo and I listened to it all the time when we were first dating.... My favorite songs to this day are "Faithfully," "Open Arms," and "Don't Stop Believing."



2. The Righteous Brothers--"Unchained Melody"

Who doesn't remember the movie Ghost??  It is one of the best love stories of all time. I remember watching it when Ang and I were dating with tears running down my cheeks. Thanks to it, I will always blush when I think of a potter's wheel..lol..."Unchained Melody" was the perfect song for this movie. It will always be one of the most beautiful love songs of all time.

   

10 Day You Challenge--Three Movies

Three Movies

I could go on about movies for days...there are so many that I love. This is one hobby that we enjoy doing as a family. In the summer, we generally go to one at least once a week, depending on what's playing in the Family Movie/Kid Movie genre. I have a particular friend who thinks that we are crazy (hmmm....she knows who she is!), but we all find it really relaxing. Plus, we buy the refillable popcorn buckets sowe can munch away relatively cheap...:)

For the three movies for this post, I've decided to write about my personal favorites, You know, the ones that you can watch over and over on cable whenever you see that they are on...ironically, my three favorites all fit into the same categories--British and romance....sigh...I heart them!

1. Pride and Prejudice

I. Love. This. Movie.  I can watch it endless times, and lucky for me, they play it constantly. Even though I prefer Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 production, I still love watching the 2005 version with Kiera Knightley. The sets are realistic, the acting is incredible, and the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy makes my heart swoon...I'm a sucker for this love story every time...

2. Bridget Jones's Diary

I loved the book, and I loved the movie. What's not to like about a less-than perfect main character who gets the man of her dreams at the end of the movie?? Even though I'm not a big Renee Zellweger fan (my hubby says she always looks like she has been eating sour lemons!), she makes a lovable Bridget...and don't even get me started on Hugh Grant and (gasp--once again) Colin Firth! Who wouldn't want to be in a love triangle with these two?? :)  I don't think it's an accident that I love it so much and that it's a modern-day version of Pride and Prejudice--notice a trend here??

3. Notting Hill

What a great story...a world-famous movie star (Julia Roberts) falls for an average Joe (Hugh Grant)...despite many ups and downs--and a hilarious supporting cast--both find true love. One of the things that makes this movie so good to me is the music...it has some of the most romantic music ever.

3. Love Actually----Ok, ok....I know that I already picked a #3, but I couldn't leave this one out.

Once again, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Kiera Knightley, and a plethora of other top notch actors makes this an adorable Christmas love story. I literally watch it all the time, over and over. Be warned, however...it is actually very risque!

So, as you can tell, I'm actually quite predictable...if you haven't seen these, I highly recommend that you make a date with your television and your couch sometime soon. Don't say I didn't warn you though--they are highly addictive! British accents optional, of course...:)

Ten Day You Challenge--Four Books

Four Books

Really? I'm supposed to narrow this down to four??? Anyone who knows me realizes that is an INSANE concept...therefore, in an effort to be diplomatic, I've decided to take a different approach. I'm going to list four books (or series) that I remember distinctly from my childhood and that had a major impact on my life. My mother never told me "no" when I asked for a book, and as a result, I became a voracious reader (thanks Mom:)

1. The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I started this series when I was in the fourth grade, and I can honestly say that they changed my life. They are the first books I remember not being able to put down. My mother bought me a boxed set, and I literally read them over and over. The Ingalls family became my own, and I grew to love Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, and Carrie. Garth Williams' illustrations added the perfect touch to the stories. I reread these books every year, even as a teenager. I was so proud to pass that same dog-eared boxed set down to Stephanie, and I love that she savored the stories like I did. I can't wait until Sophie starts reading them next year!



2. The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley

As a child, I loved horses and would devour anything associated with them. While some kids adorned their walls with pictures of their teen crushes, I plastered mine with photos of all breeds of horse. The perfect books to satisfy this love was Walter Farley's Black Stallion series. I read them all and would dream that I was riding along side of Alec and the Black. When the movie came out I remember crying with excitement. Horses were my first love, and this series will always be near and dear to my heart.




3. The Flowers in the Attic series by VC Andrews

In the seventh grade I discovered VC Andrews (just saying that gives me chills because I was way too young to be reading her!). Naturally, my hormone-filled self LOVED the series and I devoured every one of them. They were a scandalous series, and I distinctly remember all of my classmates passing the books around behind our teachers' backs. Years later I shared them with my mother, and (believe it or not) she loved them, too! She read all of my ratty old copies! We also read a few of Andrews' other series, but we lost interest after she died and her estate hired a ghost writer. Stephanie loved all of these as well, but I made sure that she didn't read them until well past seventh grade!



4. Forever by Judy Bloom

It's risque, I know. In fact, this book was one of the most controversial novels of its time. Of course, I read all of Bloom's other books (Are You There God? It's Me Margaret was one of my favorites), but Forever was in a completely different category. Gone were the novels about dealing with the awkward pre-teen years. There was actually S-E-X in this story, and I remember reading it with my head under the covers at night because I was afraid that I would get caught! I think that this book is almost a right-of-passage for all teenage girls--I know that it was for me, and I will never forget it.

Ten Day You Challenge--Five Foods

Five Foods

Hmmmm.....how in the world do I answer this? Does this mean my five favorite foods or my five favorite meals? What about my favorite restaurants? I guess that I'll approach it like this...If I knew that I could only eat five foods before I die, what would I choose? Here goes...

...Fillet Mignon with Bearnaise sauce...

...flounder and shrimp made by my hubby...

...my mom's country fried steak....

...bread pudding with banana fosters sauce from O'Hanas in WDW....

...pepperoni and cheese pizza from Basil's in Cherry Grove....

Hopefully I don't ever have to make this decision, but if I do, at least I will be having the meal of my life....:)

10 Day You Challenge--Six Places

Six Places

For today's challenge, I have to describe six places that are important to me. These places are near-and-dear to my heart for one reason or another.

1. UNC-Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) and North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)--These two places go hand-in-hand to me because they represent a wonderful time in my life. Angelo and I started dating when we were both students at these universities, and we spent many happy moments in each place. Even though our schools are rivals, it was so much fun hanging out in each place and teasing each other over which school was the better of the two (there really is no contest--Go Tarheels!). Each town is unique and special, and it was fun discovering them while also discovering each other. I'm so happy that Stephanie is going to State now because it is allowing me to relive some of those special moments.



2. Walt Disney World--Anyone who knows me or my family knows how special Disney World is to us. Ever since my first visit in 1992 with my SIL Vicky and Angelo, it has had a undescribable affect on me. It is as close to a utopia as I can imagine--thrilling parks, impeccable food, and fantasy hotels still have me under their spell even to t
his day. I can't tell you how many people have asked me over the years why we keep going back. My response has always been the same, "If you haven't ever been, then there is no way to describe it." I treasure our yearly vacations, and I am so proud that my girls will always associate this magical place with their childhood.

3. Little River, South Carolina--We have a condo there, so what more can I say??  It is our home-away-from home, and it represents countless lazy hours spent with family and friends. For me, it is also a place associated with my parents, and I cannot help but think of them whenever I am there. My mom and dad were happier there than anywhere else in the world, and what better reason than that do I need to love this place?

4. Dallas, Texas--As a lifelong Dallas Cowboy Fan, it was only a matter of time before Angelo drug me to see his "boys." After numerous trips, I can attest to the fact that "everything is bigger and better in Texas." I look forward to our annual getaways because they are always filled with fabulous shopping, eating, and sports. From the historic Texas Stadium to the the Stockyards of Fort Worth, I will always love this larger-than-life destination. In fact, I could easily see myself living here one day if it weren't for the gazillion degree weather:)

5. Paris, France--Almost three Valentine's ago, Angelo and I spent the most incredible week in Paris. Talk about a once in a lifetime trip??? It was wonderful from start to finish, and I sometimes have to pinch myself whenever I think of it. We did it all: went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, cruised the river Seine, wandered the Louvre, and strolled the streets eating bagettes. It was freezing cold but we didn't mind...the thrill of discovering a new country kept us occupied. We have been to many fabulous places (and have even gone back to Paris), but this first trip was nearly perfect from start to finish.

6. Home-Sweet-Home--Regardless of where I go, there is truly no place like home. It is the place where I unwind, relax, and spend time with my family. It is my dream house but that is only part of the reason that I love it so much. Countless holidays and family gatherings have taken place here and will forever be in my memory. There is no better joy than coming home from a long day at work and simply putting on relaxing clothes and settling into my comfy surroundings. I have traveled everywhere, but the feeling when I enter home is beyond compare.

10 Day You Challenge--Seven Wants

Seven Wants

1. I want my children to become happy, well-adjusted, compassionate adults. What parent does not want this for their children??

2. Not to sound like a sappy, country-music song, but I want to live my live with no regrets--I don't want to one day find out that there is a long list of things that I never got to do for one reason or another.

3. I want to see the world and my own country.

4. I want to be secure in my relationship with God.

5. I want a healthy, happy marriage for life.

6. World peace (hahah...I love Miss Congeniality! However, it is a great thing to wish for...)

7. Black Uggs...swoon....:)

10 Day You Challenge--8 Fears

Eight Fears

Hmmm...you mean that I have to limit it to eight?? Let me work on this for a few hours...:0)

...the death of my husband or children....

...snakes....

...Walmart at rush hour....

...small spaces....

....dying alone....

....little people....[I know that this one is not politically correct--sorry]

...getting wrongly accused of a crime....

....extreme heights....

10 Day You Challenge--Nine Loves

Nine Loves

....eating out....

....clean sheets....

...a good book....

...summer vacation....

...Fall decorating....

...Dallas Cowboys...

...sleeping late...

....Uggs...

...Disney World...

10 Day You Challenging (or the get my butt back into blogging regularly challenge)

I found this challenge on another blog and thought that I would play along. In case you haven't noticed, in typical teacher-on-summer-break fashion, I have been extremely slack...since life is picking back up (and I have a handy, dandy new laptop--thanks Ang!), I'm going to devote more time to my Thoughtful Spot. Here goes....

10 Secrets:

1. Since Stephanie has started college, I have been thinking a lot about my years in school. I loved college (Go Tarheels!), but I don't think that I truly took advantage of my college experience. I wish that I could go back and participate in more activities, go to more games, and simply enjoy the freedoms that youth offers...you know, no bills, no responsibilities, no worries.  I wouldn't change the main things, of course, just make more sweet Carolina memories...

2. I love reality television! I watch several, but I'm almost afraid to admit one of my favorites...it's pointless and trashy at times yet down-right addicting. I will admit that I have been known to watch the marathons on E whenever I can...it's Keeping Up With The Kardashians! (I know, I know....I'm a sucker for it--truly sad..:) As you can guess, I can't wait to watch the "American Royal Wedding" Special in October...lol...

3. I'm pretty sure that I made a mistake when I chose to be a teacher (gulp--this is a biggie, I know)...I started out liking my profession, but over the years, it has become less and less appealing. It's not the students (I actually like the teaching part). Rather, it's all of the paperwork and bureaucracy that makes it almost unbearable. The problem is that I have too much time invested to get another job, not to mention the fact that I LOVE my summers off. What a dilemma.....

4. I'm addicted to my IPhone. Period.

5. I have a novel inside of me dying to get out...I'm sure of it! All I have to do is get the courage to write it.


6. I love to do laundry. I don't know why, but I find it cathartic....Putting it away after I fold it is another story though....


7. I love reading blogs.  I have several that I read religiously. Just recently I read a post that said that blogs are like porn for women...that's a drastic analogy, but I agree with it one hundred percent. I probably have 50 bookmarked on my phone. Is there some type of therapy for this?


8. I get a natural high from planning, packing, and going on trips. Maybe I was a travel agent in another life?  Ironically, I actually chose the travel industry for a career project while in high school...hmmm..maybe I should have stuck with that as a career path instead of teaching??


9. I love sweets and milk before going to bed,


10. I check People.com at least ten times during the day...no major celebrity news will get away from me! lol