Challenges, Tags, and "Huh? It's Not Christmas!"

I've been tagged twice and challenged once, and since I've not been in much of a blogging mood this week, I figured I'd take care of them all in one, fatal swoop.

Tag #1 via Jenny:
Post the 6th picture in your 6th folder. Lucky me...mine was one of my favorites AND I'd been looking for it, everywhere! (It was out of place, so thanks, Jen for helping me find it!)

This is one day old, Eli, on his first Christmas, the day he came home from the hospital.

Sheri, Karen , Alison --tag! You're it!


Tag #2 via Caren:
Grab the nearest book.Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST. Tag five other people to do the same.

Alright, so I'm not 100% sure how to handle this challenge because technically, the closest book to me is "The Story of Little Babaji" (yes, Mom R, we're reading it...again!), which doesn't have 56 pages...well maybe it does, but they're not numbered and I'm not going to count (I'm sick, so how about a little grace?) So, in turning to a random, middle-ish page...here goes

"'Oh, please Mr. Tiger, don't eat me up and I'll give you my beautiful little Purple shoes with Crimson Soles and Crimson Linings.'

But the Tiger said, 'What use would your shoes be to me? I've got four feet, and you've only two. You haven't got enough shoes for me,'

But Little Babaji said, 'You could wear them on your ears.'"


"The Story of Little Babaji" is one of Norah's (and my) favorite library finds from this year (Once I got past the fact that about 90% of the sentences in this book begin with "And" or "But"). It is the classic story of "Little Black Sambo", as originally told by Helen Bannerman in 1899, but the names/setting have been changed to make it politically correct. The illustrations are by Fred Marcellino and they are fantastic! Norah can quote the entire book, word for word. I highly recommend it to anyone with small kiddos.

Tara, Camille, and Deminy, you're up next!


Now, for the matter of that challenge. Sheri has requested that her fellow blogging friends post some "sparklies" (bright spots in life in the midst of all the "bad news" out there). I generally try to make the Robinson County Post a pretty happy place. Since it is my journaling effort for the kids, I'd just as soon they remember more good than bad, but sometimes, I admit, the bad needs recording too. However, today's request is for sparklies, so here we go...

1. Fall is here! There is a different feeling in the air. Yes, it's cooler, but you can feel that anticipatory excitement of the upcoming holiday season, too...and anyone who knows me well knows that Christmas is my favorite time of year!

2. We're having a crock pot brisket for dinner! That means practically no work on my part, but a delicious, tender main course that Jason will love! Each summer, my crockpot gets lonely and forgotten in the cabinet, but as soon as that fall air hits, I am reminded of her tasty fares, and back out she comes, simplifying my life, and satisfying our dinnertime appetites!

3. I have really been enjoying my role as a wife and mom. After two years of the "Stay at home Mom" title, I've gotten better about actually staying at home. Some of the chores that I used to consider drudgery (cooking, loading/unloading the dishes, laundry, etc.) are less offensive than they were before--and if I'm being completely honest, I enjoy most of them, and look forward to them most of the time. I credit this change to God--who else could give me a good attitude about cleaning the toilets?

4. So many babies are on the way! (Not in Robinson County, mind you!) I can think of at least six of my friends and family who are expecting, and if that isn't a sparkly, I don't know what is. I am awed every time I consider the miracle of the creation of new life...and it's even sweeter when that new life will soon become a part of my and my children's circle. To think that the baby growing within a good friend's womb may very well be the best friend, college roomate, or even spouse of one of my own kids is a happy thought.

5. I saw my sister this week! I have missed Amanda so much since she and Trae were married this summer and have been so busy with work and newlywed life in Austin. (And with gas prices as high as they've been it's been harder to see them) However, I loaded up the kids and Mimi and we all saw AA on Monday, while enjoying the fringe benefits of the outlet mall in her backyard (literally) As an added bonus, the kids now have some warm winter clothes (thank you, Jason, for funding our mission!)

6. Speaking of gas prices...anyone notice how quickly they're falling. Sure, it's not the .97/gallon I paid once, in high school, but it's still worlds better than two weeks ago, and I'll take a price decrease, any day!

7. Gramps and I are working on yet another original, costume for Halloween, and I'm always happy when I get to be a little creative! The current project is for Eli, and if it is as cute as I am envisioning, I can't wait to unveil it! (Norah, on the other hand is being a little wishy-washy as to what she wants to be, so I'm waiting until E's is finished before I ever START hers!)

There you have it, seven sparklies. And if you've made it through this entire post and are still reading, then as a reward for your long attention span, consider yourself challenged as well. Shine on! (And keep in mind that sparkly acknowledgement doesn't have to be a one-time thing!)