….except when it comes to everything else but blogging.

And somehow, I still have stuff to write about. Probably because of this being in my fridge.

I bet you are surprised that more of my blogs weren’t Asian themed.

Well, we’ve survived it. You’ve been a real trooper, bloggite. You have read far more than I expected you to, or expected to ASK you to. Sorry about that.

But this has been really fun. Thanks for taking the challenge with me. And to all my blogmies who joined in on the fun, well done.

I picked up my new camera this afternoon. I was SO excited to have it for the concert tonight!

So here is my tip of the day:
When you buy a camera, buy a big memory card.

Dang. I have a memory card that holds only 9 pictures. I’ll try to make them count. Quality, not quantity….. I hope.

I started to quote the rest of that lyric from “Les Miserables”, but it gets pretty violent, actually. Apparently I don’t mind singing them, but when I write it out, it’s a bit stronger. [that's a whole blog in itself] And something tells me that the FBI would get some sort of red blinking light at the doorway of their “Blog-Stalking” office if I quoted lyrics involving a revolution and blood.

I can’t believe that we only have one more day of NaBloPoMo. It has flown by like a mudslide. Like the end of a mudslide. When it just sorta crawls.

I went today to pick up my police report from the accident. It made me feel yucky how many times they used the word “impacted”. Eww.

We are sitting in class right now. Those of us who even have a drop of technological knowledge are done with all our assignments. Yet here we sit. Because some people aren’t sure what “DOWNLOAD” means. Or “MOUSE”.

I’m getting my new camera tomorrow. Booyah!! So when I get to see Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz again in Chattanooga tomorrow night, the pics should be rad. If they aren’t, we’ll know it was an operator problem, won’t we?

Ok, my friend just peaced out of class. What a disgrace. I’ve made a point of being the FIRST one out each night. Shameful.

I had never even heard of Jackson County when I graduated college. But as I began to look for jobs, knowing I wanted to remain in Athens, KNOWING I didn’t want to teach in Clarke County, I printed off a map and started mailing resumes. And I ended up at West Jackson Intermediate School in Hoschton. “Hosch” rhymes with “push”, just so you know.

Within months, I loved it. I mean, all the boys in my class played on the same football team and the girls were the cheerleaders. It was as Mayberry as I’m ever going to get, I believe. I started to see the web that connected all the people. And as small town as Marietta can be, it doesn’t light a candle to this.

I LOVED my job. My second year in the county, I started coaching at Jackson Co. High School- volleyball and soccer. I’ve written about that before. And honestly, even as I link that blog from May, my heart tightens and my eyes water. My breathing shallows and I know I just have to keep typing. It’s still so close to my heart.

I love Jackson County. I love the people there, the atmosphere, the competition between East Jackson and West Jackson, the roads, the pastures, the schools, the history there. My history there. In fact, I usually cry from Exit 137 on I-85 all the way to 285 every time I leave- which as you local yokels know is about 30 minutes. A large chunk of my heart has remained there and it tears off anew each time I get on that exit ramp.

This is my dearest friend there, Heather. She is the PE teacher at WJIS, which is how we met, and then we coached volleyball together. I adore her. Our friendship is one of those things that reminds why I’m willing to make that drive for just one evening with them. Which is what I did tonight. I left Woodstock after school and headed straight up there for a basketball game- between East and West of course. Heather and her family would be there. A few of my old students would be playing, and the my other favorite family would be there. Tammy, leader of fav family who taught 5th grade with me, is also a dear friend. Tammy’s family and Heather’s family are the nucleus of my Jackson County world. And this photo is at my FAVORITE restaurant- I was so thrilled when it got picked tonight. Mike’s Grill. I’ve always and ever eaten only one thing there- mushroom and swiss burger. I bet I’ve ordered it 25 times. It is just that good, people.

Here are three of my kids that are now in the 8th grade. I wish you could have seen their faces when I walked in- only the girl, Macey (Tammy’s daughter), knew I was coming. The boys were shocked. It ruled.

Let me tell you about Macey. Get this- we memorized a scripture together when she was in my class. Proverbs 13:20. “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” She said it to me tonight. Can you imagine being in 5th grade and deciding to memorize that scripture? Then putting it in to action and remembering it until 8th grade? Glorious. What wisdom. God has a plan for that girl. His grip on her heart and His hand prints on her life are evident. I’m glad I get to watch His best unfold for her.

I didn’t cry tonight when I left Jackson County. And I don’t really know why. I’ve been trying to put words to it, but it’s not happening. It’s not that I miss them less this time, or that I feel disconnected. It’s more that the firmness of the relationship with these two families reminds me that they remember me as much as I remember them. That when I leave, I don’t lose them. It’s been 3 years since I taught there- my freshman players are now the senior captains, my 5th graders are 8th and 9th graders. But when I went back tonight, it felt like I had never left. Maybe it’s the Mayberry-small-town-ness in them. Maybe it’s the love in them for me. Maybe it’s my love for them. But if I had to guess, I’d say it was a mixture of all those things, plus some of the mysterious ways of God, plus good ole fashioned friendship.

As I drove through Jefferson out to I-85, I told God how much I loved those years of my life and how much I love each of those people- Heather, Brandon, Brooklyn [Brandon and Heather's baby, in pic], Jay, Tammy, Macey, and Jase (aka- Jase Jase Crazy Face) [cute fella in pic], my students, my players.

Then, as quickly as I could get it out, God reminded me that He feels all those same things- His best plan for me, for two years, was in Jackson County. And these friends are near and very dear to His heart.

And tonight, that was the only part that brought a tear to my eye.

I’m about to make your holiday heart grow 2 sizes, just like the Grinch. I have a couple of Christmas season must-haves for you. And let me emphasize that I gain not a one thing if y’all get this stuff. What do you think this is? Home Shopping Blog? Nope. Just telling you some things I love in case you are lookin’ for a gift or something for yourself.

First of all, if you have any college graduates, young married couples, or young adults on your list, this is an amazing book for them. I have a couple of folks on my list that are getting this, so let’s hope my list is different than your’s. I’ve told you about this book before. The title is Life. Now. and it goes through and lists 10 different obstacles that try to derail your dreams. And how God calls us to use His strength to be bigger than those things. Heck, you may be 50 and want to read this!! And not only is it great to read through, I bet I have referenced fifteen times since I finished reading it the first time. It is great to keep close to remind you of the importance of going after God’s best for your life and not giving in to the obstacles. HERE is a link to buy the book on Amazon. And I’m serious- anyone who is making life choices (or ever plans to) needs to read this.

Let Them Eat Cake is the novel I finished on my accidental all-nighter. It has been a LONG time since I read a fiction book that sucked me in and relaxed me at the same time. Men may not dig this one too much (I’ll be honest), but the ladies will adore it. It’s an easy read, great stocking stuffer. The content is totally G rated and God centered in a not-dorky way. So even a teen or a college student will enjoy it as much as a 27 year old school teacher or a mom will. You can grab one HERE and then I can have other people crossing their fingers for a sequel with me.

And if you are one of those crazies [that I love being friends with] who loves to grab random cool gifts to give before Christmas, or if you are looking for some new Christmas music, let me recommend the CD Come Let Us Adore Him: A Christmas Worship Experience. I totally love it. I rock it far more than any snowman or Santa song, though I enjoy those as well. But it has some classic songs and some new ones that are BEAUTIFUL and WORSHIPFUL. You can buy it HERE. And I hope you do. Obviously, you can also get it on iTunes.

Last but certainly not least, White Chocolate Peppermint Bark. Oh man. Let me tell you. If people made this stuff all year, I’d have to get taken out of my house with a crane. [For those of you who haven't seen that Jerry Springer episode, I'm saying I'd be fat. Real fat.] It is delicious and super easy to make. Like, ridiculously easy. If you want to make it, HERE is the recipe. If you’ve never had it, please. Enjoy. Just make sure you save me some.

On second thought, don’t. I fear the crane.

P.S- Thanks for your comments and concerns about my car wreck yesterday. All seems fine, though I have a headache and a banged up passenger side to my poor Camry. Would you believe that besides Brad, 2 other people I know saw the wreck! Tell me Marietta isn’t a small town! Pssh!

#1- I wake up on school mornings at 5:30am.

#2- I was unable to fall asleep last night. The last clock check was 4:15am. You read right. One hour and fifteen minutes before wake up time. I take longer naps than that on a normal basis. And just to put the whole experience in perspective, I started the going to sleep process at 10:30pm. Oh yeah, almost 6 solid hours. Glory be.

I got a lot of good things accomplished in my hours of awful awakeness- finished a book that I LOVED (can’t wait to tell you about it). Thought about every thing under the sun. Solved most, if not all, of the world’s problems. Started planning the implementation of said solutions. Prayed. Told some jokes. Read some more. Made shadow puppets with my hands. Whatever.

#3- I acted like a loony bird for the entire school day. I couldn’t remember my students’ names, I said things backwards. And really, the whole day, in retrospect, was in slow motion. The kids thought it was HILARIOUS. It probably was. I don’t know why I wasn’t a jerk- I was expecting to be a jerk. But instead, I was like Bozo the Clown, ready to yuk it up with all the kiddies.

AND THEN….

#4- I got in a car wreck. Or better stated, I got WORKED by a lady at the intersection of Barrett Parkway and Hwy. 41. I’m not hurt at all. It was a bizarrely calm experience. Laugh if you will, but I’ve never been in a wreck so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say or not supposed to say “in print”. So I’ll leave it at this- my car’s getting fixed, thank you kind bad driver woman, and those Kennesaw / Cobb Co. policemen were kind and really polite (and not hard on the eyes). Though not hurt, I was a bit freaked out, and it was nice to have policemen that didn’t try to intimidate me (they usually scare me to death- ask some of my lifelong friends), but really attempted to make the situation right.

The other people in the wreck claimed some injury. And I believe they may have genuinely been hurt. Who knows. But I do know this.

Once more the Lord claimed LIFE for me. There is NO ONE greater than our God. He saw fit to allow me another day to attempt to do His will, to work out this salvation thing, and to glorify Him as best I can.

And I will do that. As soon as I get some sleep.

Today I celebrate two awesome women.

My mama Pamela S. Downs Proprietor. (That’s a little name she has inherited since she opened the tea shop. She will tell you it is “President” not Proprietor, but Proprietor is funnier. So go with it.)

While we are on the subject, ye old tea shop is closing it’s doors in about 2 weeks. So if you are a fan of tea or a fan of 50% off of anything, you should probably stop by.

I think this is funny- I call her Mama. Tatum calls her Momma (which is wrong). And Sally calls her Mommy. Sigmund Freud would probably have a hay-day with that. (What’s a “hay-day” and why do I know how to use it but not define it?)

So happy birthday, Mama. I’m glad you were born. I’m glad you’re my mom. I’m glad we both live in Marietta. I’m about to write a long paragraph about Caroline, but length of paragraph does not equal depth of love. Sometimes it is the things that mean the most to me that I have the smallest vocabulary for. Love you, Mama.

And another happy birthday to notmyreal mom Caroline. Yes, related to notmyreal Aunt Jennifer. A bunch of us got together and made Caroline a gift centered around the word “inspired”. Everyone finished this sentence- “Because of Caroline, I am inspired to….” The answers were emailed to me. It astounded me. People always say “If I could be half the person, blah blah blah”. But my friend David taught me to say this instead- I want to bless twice the people that Caroline has blessed – then her legacy and blessing will have multiplied. And when all these people that emailed me bless people beyond Caroline’s reach, it is jewels in her crown that she will lay before the Father, whom she adores in our presence now, calling all of us to deeper love with God.

And she makes some darn fine cornbread.

Most anything you admire in me is a result mostly of my Mama with some reinforcements from women like Caroline. So someday when my daughters (though I hope for sons) amaze you and astound you with their depth and breadth of knowledge, you will know, as I know, that is has nothing to do with me. It is the grace of God and legacy of women before me.

It’s official. As of today, I have been alive 10,000 days.

It’s a very strange thought. I have known that Bebo Norman lyric (in the title) for years. I have a very vivid memory of singing that song as a sophomore in college driving down College Station Road at UGA. 7 years ago. Roughly 2,500 days ago. Quite a distance from 10,000.

The way my brain is working today is probably typical of birthday thoughts. But you know me, I’m so focused on celebrating myself on July 7th, I really have little time to be reflective. And years don’t affect me the way weirder milestones like this affect me.

This whole 10,000 days thing has me thinking:

What are some things I want to do the same in the next 10,000 days?

What are some things that I want to change in the next 10,000 days?

I actually did sit down and make 2 lists, side by side, answering these questions. I would post them here, but I actually want to be able to show my face in public, so I won’t. I throw you plenty of bones, but you don’t get everything. That’s why I have a journal.

So yeah, there are a handful [big handful] of things I want to do differently in my next 10,000 days.

But who I am on my 10,000 day- I like her. With a few minor improvements, she could really be something.

The main thing this has brought to the forefront of my mind is how I don’t want to waste a single day. Not #10,002 or #24,879 (when I’m 68, just so you know). I want to spend them hanging with the people I love and walking the path that God has set out for me.

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

By waking me up today, the Lord is saying, “10,000 days is not enough. I’m not done teaching you or using you on Earth.”

And I’m okay with that.

Here’s to day 10,000. May I be who God intended. May I do what He planned. May I be more like Him today than I was on 9,999.

Wanna see how many days old you are?

GO HERE. Change the type of clock so that it counts up. Then fill in your birthday. Crazy huh?

So… how old are you?

When I finished blogging yesterday, I planned on going to bed early in order to get up early to shop. Little did I know how my evening, and morning, would turn out….

8:45pm- Marie Claire calls and says, “Hey, wanna go to the 400 outlets tonight? They open at midnight with huge sales.” I consider it.

9:10pm- Katie B decides to go. Says “Be at my house at 11pm.”

10:25pm- I made a ridiculous decision to join them on this excursion.

11:14pm- We join forces, ready to show those Outlet Malls that we rule. We don’t fear you and your Midnight Madness. We defeat you. We own you. ATTITUDE CHECK: Hopeful. We are thinking we will get there by about 12:15am, shop for a couple of hours, and be nestled all warm in our beds by 3am. Sweet.

12:23am- We are about 5 miles from the Outlets. Traffic? Huh. Well, probably just a wreck or something. SURELY this has nothing to do with where we are going.
12:26am- Traffic seems to be increasing. Not a good sign.
1:09am- Seriously. We’ve pretty much identified the fact that this isn’t a wreck. Yes, all these people are going to the SAME PLACE that we are going. Gracious.ATTITUDE CHECK: Doubtful. We can still turn around- should we? Is this really worth it?

1:22am- We finally enter the Outlet area. There are cars everywhere. Parking lot, full. Hwy. 400, full. Restaurant parking across Hwy. 400, full. Oh boy. We decide to turn in to the Outlets anyways. Ashley does a fine job vulchurizing people, intimidating other drivers, etc. But no one will give us their parking spot. During this time, Marie is screaming out the window- “JUST KEEP SHOPPING! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! GIVE US YOUR PARKING SPACE!” (Hence the reason I have no pictures- I was laughing too hard!)

1:38am- Hallelujah. Do you SEE how far away the Outlets are? Yes, we are on the back row and we had to beg for this spot.
2:ooam- Waiting IN LINE to go in Banana Repubic. Yes, in line! A policeman is standing at the door and as 2 people exit, 2 people enter. Ridiculous. And can I politely say that we had no idea this was going to be such an international experience. There were a lot of people who don’t speak English partaking in this shopping extravaganza… which is fine. Just an observation.
ATTITUDE CHECK: So good. We’re pumped to be here.

2:32am- Checking out at the Banana Republic. Bizarrely awake. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. And please don’t judge Ashley’s outfit.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of our systems, on to more shopping….

Did I mention that none of us brought a list or really have anything to buy? Yeah, dumb.

I won’t give you all the details of the rest of our shopping trip, though it was glorious. And long. And we waited in a lot of lines. Most of the jokes we made, that many of you would enjoy, are those late night jokes that may not be funny and I really can’t post on here and still have my blog-integrity (blotegrity?).

3:45am- J.Crew. Our last store. For obvious reasons.
ATTITUDE CHECK: Losing it. Getting tired. Ready to be done. Didn’t we mean to be HOME by now?

At this point, I had spent $10. On one fleece in Gap. Seriously, we drove up 400, waited in traffic, parked a million miles away, waited in line, shopped with thousands of people for a $10 fleece?

Yes, yes we did.

I rarely admit defeat, but I have no choice. Midnight Madness, you win. You always do.

4:17am- In the car on the way home. I don’t even have words to explain what happened here. It’s a little long, dull in the middle, but I feel that it is an honest representation of our mental state. Excuse the poor camera work. [The 420 reference refers to Katie B's home address. I promise.]

ATTITUDE CHECK: Loony. Completely out of our minds.

5:00am- Arrive home.

ATTITUDE CHECK: ZzzzZZzzzZzzZZZzz……

For as long as I can remember [exaggeration], I have made a list on Thanksgiving of the things that I am grateful for. This may be surprising to you, but I’m pretty sure it’s a common occurrence on this holiday. I mean, it’s called THANKSgiving. Give some thanks, yo.

But I decided to switch it up a little bit. I’m going to list things I am thankful for that I was not thankful for last year. As in, new items on my list and in my life. I mean, I could list all the things that you are used to hearing- family, friends, health, etc. I agree- today is a great day to reflect on those things. And I do.

But I want to list things that God has put in my life since November 06.

You with me? Ready? Steady? Go.

1) Jarrett Watkins. The inspiration for this list. I had no idea when he was born that he would end up being the coolest kid in the world. And the fact that he can grow such a mustache. Wowsa. Jarrett’s mama is expecting again and I could not be more thrilled to have #1 for next year’s list already on the way!

2) Breakfast Club. This amazing group of people have impacted my life greatly in the last few months. I could not be more grateful for what God has done for us or more excited about what He is doing in us.

3) Scotland. Yes, I understand that Scotland existed before 2007, but it didn’t mean to me what it means to me now. As we put the team together and plan for the trip in July 2008, I could not be more excited. More nervous. More understanding of my need to fully depend on God.

4) Healthy friendships. At this point last year, I couldn’t say that. There was turmoil and hurt and confusion. But God restores and heals. And He has.

5) My friends that are hanging out in New York City this weekend. It’s not my business to give you the details, but I am thankful to God for what I’m seeing Him do for people that I have loved a long time.

6) The amount of time I get to spend with Kathleen, David, Anne, and the cul-de-sac crowd. It has been really nice. And hilarious. And delicious.

7) Shannon’s encouragement. We only get to talk once a month or so, but I often think of her when I write or get frustrated with my lack of writing outlets. She makes the list because she has somehow talked me in to going to a big deal writer’s conference in California in March. She is selfless in our friendship and I am totally grateful.

Grad school. I don’t know why, I just know that God has a plan that I don’t get. So I’m choosing to put this on the list to say “God, I am grateful for the situations You put me in even when I don’t know why.”

9) Blog 2 Face. This is a really cool group of people that all go to the same church and have blogs. I love having people to communicate with via blogs that know me in real life as well. Because one of these days when the internet kicks the bucket, I’ll still have those friendships.

10) My nonsils. That’s the non-scientific term for the place where my tonsils used to be. I’m glad those guys are gone.

11) This blog and you. Seriously. This week, I hit 200 posts and 30,000 visitors. Are you kidding me? 30,000!! That’s ridiculous. I understand that probably counts my Mom 12, 409 times, but still. I’ll take it. I know I’ve already thanked you (on my blog birthday) but I just want to say again how much it means to me that you take time out of your day to check in with my corner of the sky.

I have loved having an outlet to write and be creative. And call me a dork, but I have loved NaBloPoMo. It’s like someone is giving me permission to blog too much. I had a good friend tell me to blog everyday in December too. Am I am loser for considering it?

I was thinking yesterday about this post, and the last 12 months. I thought, “Man, it’s kinda been like Groundhog year, not that much is different.” But the more I mulled it over, the more I feel like God reminded me that He is always at work.

This is my favorite Beth Moore quote. I pray that this Thanksgiving you will know that even if you don’t SEE Him working, He is. And I thank Him for that. Hallelujah.

“Heaven is replete with angelic activity as God faithfully completes in the spiritual realms what He will release in the visible realms when the time is right.“

There’s two ways this post can go today: serious and not. I think since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we know that will be reflective and narcissistic, today we’ll go funny.

And it will be short. You have been a real trouper through these last two long posts. Though I agree with what you are thinking- they were totally worth it.

So I go to see my grandmother today at the nursing home. We call her Ma. My grandfather is there visiting as well. We call him Colonel. “Because he is a war hero?”, you may ask. And the answer is no. We call him that because he looks like Colonel Sanders from KFC. Don’t believe me? Fine.You know, it’s quasi-bothersome that I have to “prove” everything to you. Remember when you used to just take me at my word? Where’s the trust? Gah.

Back to the story.

So Colonel and I are talking about my cousin Jake starting a job today. Here’s the exact dialogue:

Colonel: “Yeah, Jake probably tried to call my cell phone and tell me.”

Me: “Did you lose it?” [the most likely situation. He is 94 years old.]

C: “Nope, dropped it in the commode.” [More commonly known in 2007 as the toilet.]

Me (cringing in preparation for too much info): “How did that happen?”

C: “Well, I bent over to pick somethin’ up from behind the commode and it slid right out of my shirt pocket. Plop.”

Me: “Did you get it out?”

C: “I got it out right aways, but it was too late. It’s totally dead.”

Me: “Colonel, why don’t you just take it apart and let it dry for a couple of hours? That might help.”

C: “Already tried to dry it. Still dead.”

Me: “How did you try to dry it?”

C: “I put it in the toaster oven.“

An obvious solution. Put a wet mechanical device in an electric heater. As I continued to question this line of decision making, I came to learn that apparently the first minute that a toaster oven is on is quite effective for drying things. Next he’s going to tell me that he keeps his hair dryer in a bathtub full of water because it works better that way. Gracious. He’s like a cat with 9 lives. Except he’s on life #24.

Here’s one more hilarious Colonel tidbit- He was making everyone SIGN IN at Ma’s nursing home saying the date and time that you visited. I found this ludicrous. So I revolted and refused to sign in. Ever. And today Colonel tells me that he finally just took the notepad home because I had single handedly killed his initiative. Somehow, I managed to thwart his efforts completely- I don’t know how I did that- I never even talk to other people (besides family) who go to visit her. Sometimes, I guess I just don’t know my own strength and power of influence. Even over people I don’t interact with or see.

Didn’t I know, he explained, that he just wanted to thank people who came to visit? I gave him the opportunity to thank me in person right then. He didn’t take it.