Obsessions

So my blog was tagged as a "fabulous blog" by Whitney. I'm not sure it's really fabulous, but I'll play along anyway and say, "THANK YOU, Whitney!"

Since I was tagged, I must disclose five obsessive compulsive traits that I exhibit. I have no idea what having a fabulous blog and admitting obsessive compulsive traits have in common, but like I said, I'm playing along.......

1. I have a "placement and order" issue. I think I've addressed this before. It has to do with decorating in my home. Or in the arrangement of my classroom. No clutter allowed (with the exception of my special room). If I place a Christmas decoration in a particular spot on my entryway table, I will know if it's been moved or messed with. I'm super particular about how things are arranged on my desk at school or on my kitchen counters or even with my furniture. I'll move something ten times to get it right where I want it. If it's an eighth of an inch off, it's gonna have to be moved. For instance, these trees took about 30 minutes to arrange. They had to be just so! Symmetry plays a part too. The dining room table must be directly under the chandelier and look the same from all sides. The crystal ball at the bottom of the chandelier MUST be directly centered over the table. At school, the Kleenex box must be squarely placed on the microwave. The paper towel holder and electric pencil sharpener must be in their spot. I let it go throughout the day, but everyday after the kids leave, I walk around the room and straighten all of it.

2. Instead of sucking my thumb as a child, I held my ear lobe. There I said it. Stop laughing now. Sometimes, I find myself still doing that. I don't even realize it's happening. It must be comforting? I have no idea. Just say "lobe" and I'll quit. For a minute. Until I forget again.

3. At school, I will write directions, the lunch menu, or the schedule on the board, and if I don't like how it looks, I will erase the whole thing and redo it until it looks perfect. I should've purchased some stock options for Expo markers.

4. I'm a picker: peeling sunburnt skin, scabs, hangnails. There is something gratifying about it. And gross. But luckily, I'm not alone in this strange trait. Right, Whitney?

5. This sort of goes against issue #1, but it's true. I'm a hoarder or more affectionately known as a pack rat. I struggle with getting rid of sentimental things. I think I inherited this trait from dad. This problem is a bit odd, since I hate clutter. But that's what a "special room" or closet is for. You can shut the door! Out of sight? Out of mind! Well, not really. I'm trying to get control of this trait. I'd really like to reclaim that 3rd bedroom from the hoarding abyss. But here's my thinking: I might want that poodle skirt for a costume, not to mention my grandma made it for me. I'll want to pass my dolls and stuffed animals down one day. I'll decorate with that mirror when the room is cleaned out. Oh, I might need that paperwork one of these days. This line of thinking has got to stop. I'm working on it. I did a great job parting with things this summer (my sweet sofa). Maybe next summer will inspire the same attitude.

Now to tag some fabulous blogs. I know Ashley and Andrea have already been tagged, but I'm double tagging them! I'd also like to tag Carla, Amanda, Randi Jo, and Andrea S. All of you are fab! And tag! You're IT!

Christmas Song #2

Candlestick Inn

Kenny's birthday was this week. We had planned on going to Kai all week long for his birthday dinner. Then a few hours before dinner, Kenny texted me with a new restaurant idea. Candlestick Inn in Branson.

If you've ever been to the fountain area at Branson Landing, you may have noticed the bright red Candlestick Inn sign up on the cliff across the lake. We'd always wondered about it, so this was a great opportunity to check it out.

It was FANCY, EXPENSIVE, and TASTY. Make sure you have a fat wallet if you ever go. The view was outstanding, especially at night with all the lights reflecting on the lake. It's pretty romantic too (fireplace, candlelight). Overall, it was great. We decided it was a "special occasion" type place......so it worked out perfectly for his birthday.

Best Christmas Song Ever

I just can't contain it any longer! Christmas is coming, and I am SO excited for: the season (translation: the time off work), the food (I have two cookie recipes I'm excited to make), and the decorating (nevermind there's still a fall display on my porch)! Oh, and the music too!

In the next few weeks, I'm going to share my Christmas playlist one song at a time. This is my attempt to spread the holiday cheer! And since the weather turned more winteresque today, it really made me start thinking about the holidays!

The first song on my list is from Trans Siberian Orchestra. It's called Christmas Canon. I could listen to this over and over......

Christmas Canon (Click on it!)

Sick Days

As I look at a recent pay stub, I realize I have 98 sick/personal days accumulated. Wow.

Well, there's a good reason for that. I don't like calling a sub. I hate being away from work. It's much MORE work to be away from work. Seriously.

But some days you just can't get around it. Like yesterday. I woke up at 4:30 and knew it would be a sick day. I drove to work, fancied up my lessons for a sub, and scheduled a doctor appointment (something else I never do).

The doctor squeezed me in. And the receptionist, upon greeting me, immediately made me wear a mask in the building, due to my symptoms. Yay. At least no one could recognize me now.


There's nothing like having to wear a mask in public, which will melt away all vanity and humble you to the core.

Actually, my nasty, unwashed hair had already done that. The mask served as my disguise. Thank you, receptionist.

The Countdown

I'm super excited about decorating for Christmas this year, but I'm refraining! I'll wait until Thanksgiving break. Until then, I did find a little something to tide me over. The other night I ran to Leola's Christmas Open House. I was in a vintage ornament wonderland! Shiny Bright heaven! I couldn't believe there were all these vintage ornaments in one place! I bought a few, along with a neat jar to put them in............


This will have to do until Thanksgiving and decorating time is here! I'm counting down the days! For now, this makes me smile.

Best Halloween Ever

On Halloween, I attended the best concert ever: Kelly Clarkson. It was amazing. I can't even begin to describe it's amazingness. Kelly has an incredible vocal range and can sing any genre. She interacts with the crowd and is funny! Her band is outstanding! ANNNND the opening acts were even great! It was a great way to spend Halloween..........with a wonderful friend at our favorite singer's concert on the sixth row!!


The first band was named Parachute. We ended up really liking them. Especially the lead singer. They came out in costumes. The lead was dressed as a taco. The rest of the band had sombreros, long mustaches, and festive shawls on. Great music! Nancy bought the CD, and I've already downloaded their songs. Did I mention we really liked the lead singer?

The next performer was Eric Hutchinson. His band came out in costume, but we never really figured out what they were. Lots of wigs. They were good. He's entertaining. Another good show, but at that point we were getting anxious for the main event!

Finally, after two great opening bands, we got what we came for. The first American Idol. Our most FAVORITE singer ever! Kelly Clarkson took the stage! She was everything we had hoped for. She sang her current hits, as well as older hits! We sang all night long, as loud as we could! We stood the entire concert. And danced. And jumped. And screamed.

For the encore, the entire band came out in costumes! They played Thriller and danced around on stage. Then for the last song, Kelly sang "My Life Would Suck Without You" dressed in her Stewie costume.


And last but not least, I recorded a bit of video........shaky, digital camera video, complete with AWFUL sound quality and a stupid witch hat going back and forth in front of me (and some crazy, totally off key person singing along with Kelly).......