50 Things

I was talking to someone the other day that had been to one of those **very expensive** **self-improvement** seminars and she was laughing because she said the most valuable thing she got out of it was how much she humored herself when doing the seminar assignment.... "In ten minutes or less write down 50 things you would like people in this room to know about you." I thought that sounded fun, so I'll skip the pricey enrollment fee and the time spent sitting in the chair and throw it out here for the world to read:

1. I am 5'9" and love it.
2. I didn't begin loving it until I was about 25.
3. I am interested in just about anything for a little while.
4. I have a hard time focusing on one thing for very long.
5. I probably would have to be treated for A.D.D. if I were in school today.
6. My favorite class in elementary was reading.
7. In Jr. High it was English with Ms. Crovesier.
8. In High School is was Speech and Drama with Mr. O'Brien.
9. Until he bilked me out of a role in the play my senior year & then I didn't like him any more.
10. My favorite class became World History and Current Events.
11. My favorite flavor is grape.
12. Followed closely by mint-chocolate.
13. My favorite color is black.
14. My best wardrobe color is purplish-blue.
15. I don't own anything in my wardrobe that color.
16. I generally hate talking about politics, but I am political.
17. I am a conservative.
18. I like George Bush.
19. I wish Bill Clinton would **go away**
20. And take Hillary "Hilda-beast" with him.
21. And Jimmy Carter, too.
22. Ronald Reagan was my favorite president.
23. I've been keeping a list of books I've read since 1996.
24. So far the total is 308.
25. The most I've read in one year is 52. The least is 3.
26. I recently changed hairdressers.
27. It's really expensive to stay a natural blonde.
28. I am trying to get back into running.
29. It is very hard.
30. I have run two marathons - Atlanta and Chicago.
31. They seemed hard, too.
32. I like watching TV.
33. I have it on nearly all the time when I am at home.
34. And I'm not afraid to admit it.
35. I've had one broken bone in my life - my right thumb.
36. My left thumb is double-jointed...I can bend it in all kinds of neat ways.
37. I think my son's left thumb is, too, but can't tell for sure yet.
38. I do not like the taste of cilantro.
39. I love salt.
40. I drink several beverages a day.
41. But I rarely finish any of them.
42. I still remember my first dorm room number- 3013.
43. When I was little I wished I had long blonde hair.
44. And was Italian.
45. I have never been fishing.
46. Or camping.
47. And I don't think I want to go fishing or camping.
48. I love making lists of all kinds of things.
49. And I thought this list was pretty easy.
50. It took me 8 min. 47 sec.

Until next time,
Jill

First Annual Norwood Family Fall * Fun * Fest *

In keeping with our Family Mission Statement we hosted 50 people at the 1st Annual Norwood Family Fall Fun Fest at our home last Saturday. We were blessed with great weather and a gathering of friends old and new.


Face painting, apple bobbing and pumpkin decorating were the anchors of the event, along with some good food and drink. Adam sampled his first cookie....for about an hour!








The kids got a great lesson in immediacy and urgency. Doug was with Bay at his soccer game, which ran long, and Kendra, Adam and I did errands that took longer than expected. This left us with just over an hour to set up and prepare the lawn and house for the party. For someone who is a self-imposed slave to a schedule at times, this was a bit unsettling, but all turned out well in the end and we hope that everyone had as much fun as we did.

Until next time (enjoying the memories)
Jill

Fall Fest: Decorated for Fall

If you're like me, you like to decorate your house for every holiday. Over the years I have acquired quite an arsenal of decor. I've purchased most of it myself, but some of the most treasured things that I display year after year are gifts. Today I thought I'd share some pictures of our home, decorated for fall.



One thing that gives me great joy are my collections. I collect pumpkins, snowmen, and santas. Each season, I enjoy a little bit of "Christmas morning" as I unwrap each collected thing. This fall as I set out my pumpkins I has special memories of the place each was purchased, or of the person that gave it to me.

This pumpkin plate in the picture below was made by my mother. She used it for years as I was growing up, and now I use it in my kitchen.


And...here's a shot of my favorite little punkin' with some of my pumpkin collection.

Until next time, (happy decorating!)
Jill