Stephany Writes

Categories: Recurring Series

Another List for Friday

One of these days, I’m going to think of a catchy name for this. I was thinking on it a few days ago and thought to myself, “Oh! How about Five on Friday?!” And then I realized how familiar it sounded. So…yeah. Still thinking.

  • My grandma went in for a PET scan last week. Her last 3 have been clean, although on her last one, they found a spot of something on her lung. Since the doctors didn’t know what it was, they weren’t too concerned. Well, that spot has grown and is now cancer. Boo. There is good news, though. The cancer is small and treatable. It’s only 10 millimeters long and she’ll have to have surgery to remove it, and then take a chemotherapy pill. (Yes! A pill!) Luckily, the chemotherapy won’t be as strong as it was her first time around so she won’t be as incredibly sick and weak as she was before. Still, it’s scary and I’m not very happy about this!
  • I’ve run into a big problem this week: lunch. I’m not a girl who likes to skip meals. I like to eat and get extremely cranky and weak if I don’t get my nourishment. But I didn’t seem to schedule enough time between work and classes and my internship to have time for lunch. The two days I’m having the most trouble with are Tuesdays and Thursdays when I go straight from work to a class and then have about 30 minutes between the end of class and the start of my internship. Only I have to use that time to change from Preschool Teacher (i.e., uniform, no make-up, messed-up hair) to Professional Intern. It doesn’t leave a lot of time to eat lunch. I know I need to start scheduling my time better, because this can’t continue! A busy girl needs food!
  • I’m really, really interested in buying my own domain. And I want to move this blog over to WordPress. I talked to two girls about it and am fairly certain of how to make the switch. But I need your help! Who would you recommend me buying a domain from? I’ve only really heard two names thrown around: Go Daddy and BlueHost. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE give me some ideas! I will love you forever and ever, amen.
  • Well, I’m now a freelancer for my school’s newspaper. I was really upset I didn’t make it on as a full-time staffer but this is probably a better situation for me. As a full-time staffer, I would’ve had to write 2 stories a week but a freelancer only has to write 2 stories a month. It’ll probably be much easier to handle, but now I have to think of something to write about! Yikes!
  • Also, for all you football fans! GO COLTS this weekend! I’m not too picky on the NFC Championship game because it would be great to see Brett Favre in another Superbowl but then the Saints deserve a Superbowl trip, too! Both are extremely great football teams and I’m looking forward to a good game! (Although, I could care less about a good game with the AFC Championship game. I just want the Colts to beat up the Jets!)
Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (vol. 10)

Another edition of Ten on Tuesday! Also, Chelsea is having another (and final! For now!) giveaway where you could win adorable labels for your mail! I don’t send out much snail mail but these labels are enough to make me want to! Head on over to her giveaway post where she has FIVE ways to win. And she’s picking 3 winners this week!

1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?

I was probably the biggest fan of The Baby-Sitters Club you could ever meet. Funny thing is, I’ve only babysat maybe twice in my entire life. But I loved this series because of the characters. After just reading the first novel, I grew close to Kristy, Claudia, Mary-Anne, Stacey (who was sophisticated. Can I just tell you how much I loved that word when I was eight?), Mallory and Jessie. And then Dawn was introduced and later Abby. I loved these girls and felt like they were my closest friends. A part of me really wants to re-read the series!

2. First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).

OK. This is weird to admit. And I’m taking the adult theme a little far, maybe. But when I was in middle school, I was over at my dad’s house one weekend and didn’t have anything to read. So he found a book of my grandma’s to read. Only it was an adult book, as in adult themes. As in, kissing and sex and naked bodies. I devoured that book and probably read it 3 or 4 times in the next few weeks. It definitely wasn’t a book a 13-year-old should be reading and, honestly, I don’t know why my dad ever thought it was a good idea for me to read it!

3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).

I would have to say The Notebook. I never read the book but loved the movie so, so much that I’m a little scared to read the book. I know books are usually better than the movies but still, this movie was so good! Also, laugh all you want, but The Princess Diaries. Books were AMAZING and the movies were cute as well.

4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.

Hm…can I say Leap Year? I just saw the movie so it’s fresh in my mind. And I thought it was such an adorable chick flick and can’t stop thinking about it. Man, this is a bad answer. Moving on…

5. Worst book you’ve ever read?

There are so many! Mostly, those corny chick-lit/romance novels that are so cheesy and use stupid words that nobody uses anymore.

6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.

Twilight. The Harry Potter series. And most of Emily Giffin’s books. I only really liked Something Borrowed and Baby Proof. Her other two haven’t really done anything for me. She takes so darn long for the story to get started and my attention span just can’t stay with a book until Chapter 12, when everything really seems to get interesting.

7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum for a fun, pleasure read; Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy to keep me centered; and The Bible because it’s a pat answer that I should write, right?

8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?

I don’t know about everyone, but one book I would recommend to any girl to read is Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy. It’s such a radical book that transformed the way I thought of God and a relationship with Him. I’ve read it multiple times and I could read it again and again. I love it.

9. What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?

I read a lot of trashy romance novels. You know the type: guy meets girl, guy kisses girl, guy takes girl’s clothes off, guy and girl have sex, guy and girl realize they’re in love with one another, guy and girl get married and live happily ever after. There’s no literature value to it but it helps me escape. Ha!

10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?

Refer to Question #8. I can’t talk enough about this book! It really transformed my life. The main message of the novel is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, whom she calls our Prince. And the book focuses on how much God loves us, pursues after us, and desperately wants a close, intimate relationship with Him.

Categories: Recurring Series

A List for Friday

  • My first week of the semester is done. It’s been exhausting, exciting, and extremely stressful. Monday was horrible, Tuesday was fantastic, Wednesday was tiring, and Thursday was lovely. Luckily, I was able to get into the Tuesday afternoon class which is the best news of my week. I’m excited about this semester! I think I’m going to learn so much about journalism itself and where I fit in the journalism world. And I’m going to be tired. Very tired.
  • I have applied to become part of my school’s newspaper. I don’t remember how many staff writers they’re hiring, but if I don’t make the staff position, I can be a freelance writer. It was really nerve-wracking to be in the meeting and hear people throwing out story ideas. Newspaper journalism is not somewhere I want to be but I think it’ll be such a great learning experience and also give my confidence a boost.
  • I really, really want to redesign my layout for this blog. I know exactly what I want my blog to look like but I’m not HTML-savvy at all and have no idea how I would even begin to create my own blog layout. Any tips?
  • The first week of my internship went really well. I didn’t do much this week but some amazing opportunities have presented themselves for next week. I really think this internship is going to help me have some belief in myself. I can’t wait to get more involved with the company!
  • My weight loss efforts really stalled this week. I’m so upset with myself and I just want this year to be different and for me to finally start living a healthy lifestyle and drop the weight. I just need to stop making excuses. That is what this whole week has been – excuses. And it’s really hard to start each week, worrying about when I’m going to fail. Not if, when. It’s such a sad mentality to have.
  • I’ve been doing fairly well on achieving my monthly goals. After my utter December failure, I’ve been really focused on them. I’ve started running and have made two brand-spankin’-delicious meals in the Crock-Pot. (Well, I made one and my mom made the other.) I’ve been working towards credit card payments and loved all the comments about paying them off. My balance on the cards are $300, $500, and $3,000 so it’s not going to take me long to pay off the first two. I’m hoping I can get them paid off by June. The third credit card is going to take a while to pay off but I will do it! Somehow, someway. Unfortunately, I’m still having trouble “finding” time for God. I don’t want to make it leftover time, as in “OK, God. I finally have time to sit down and talk to You! What’s up?” I want it to be meaningful and it might require me to fast something (i.e., TV, Internet) to make this time meaningful. And my 101 in 1,001 list is coming along fabulously. I have set aside some goals I want to start accomplishing soon, have a few in progress, and even got to complete my goal of getting 20 comments on a blog post! It’s happened TWICE! This excites me immensely. IMMENSELY!
Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (vol. 9)

Another installment of one of my favorite features: Ten on Tuesday. If you complete these questions on your own blog, head on over to Roots and Rings to link up! Also, since we’re talking about R&R, she’s having another awesome giveaway! This time she’s giving two lucky readers their choice of adorable calendars, be it a wall calendar or a desk calendar! Go here to enter.

1. Are you usually late, early, or right on time?

I’m either super early or super late. I hate being super early and I really hate being super late. I always get extremely tense when I think I’m going to be late somewhere but I’m almost never on time for anything.

2. What is your middle name?

Marie.

3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone?

Yeah…I’m not going to answer that.

4. How big is your bed?

It’s a queen and I love it so, so much. It’s my favorite piece of furniture.

5. What are you allergic to?

Once, I took a dose of Nyquil and immediately broke out in hives and got so, so hot. I went to bed, thinking I would meet Jesus during the night but nothing happened. Since then, I’ve been way too scared to take any more Nyquil, or even Dayquil. I don’t know if I’m really allergic to this but I could be, so it kinda counts.

6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?

I turn off my alarm and take the dog out. And if I don’t have an alarm, I still have to take him out. And sometimes he sits on my head and licks my face until I get up and take him out. He’s quite the persistent little dude!

7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?

Growing Pains, even though I only started watching the show once Disney Channel start showing reruns. It was such a great show and I probably saw the entire season 3 or 4 times. My brother was 100% Mike and I was 100% Carol. Best. Show. EVER!

8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?

I want to! It’s not for another 6 years so I’m hoping to be a lot more slimmer and successful. The class I graduated was extremely small so we were a close-knit group, since we didn’t have a normal high school experience. I still keep in contact with a lot of them and some of them are oodles and oodles more successful than me already. But I can’t wait and think it’ll be fun!

9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?

My dad asked me this question once, when I was taking a psychology class. And I swear I thought of this question by himself. Naive little thing I am! Anyway, according to Merriam-Webster, a sound is “the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing.” So if there’s no one around to hear it, then no, it doesn’t make a sound.

10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention? (You know, since sliced bread…)

The Internet, of course! I mean, it fulfills all your needs: entertainment, news, recipes, tutorials, TV shows, movies, etc. There is nothing better than the Internet, I tell ya, nothing!

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday – Holiday Edition (Vol. 8)

1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?

Putting up decorations usually depends on our financial situation. Whenever we can afford to go out and buy a tree, that’s when we start decorating. It’s usually the first weekend in December. I love having all the Christmas decorations to look at for the whole month and the beautiful smell of a Christmas tree to greet me when I walk through the door.

Typically, New Years Day is when we take down our Christmas tree. I find New Years Day to be so depressing. Yes, it’s the start of a brand-new year but everything feels so final. Another year has past, the holidays are over, and there’s not much to look forward to for awhile. A new year is exciting, don’t get me wrong, but I love the holiday season so much that I hate waiting around for it for another 11 months.

2. What do you do to simplify the holiday season?

Tough question. I don’t think I feel the same stress as other people do for the holidays. The biggest stress is making sure all my online orders are delivered on time (and right)! This year, I only ordered from 3 stores and have all my packages. We’re pretty low-key for the holidays. We decorate, but we don’t go over the top. This year, we didn’t even put outside lighting. (But I do have a snowman/Santa Claus snow scene cling-on’s rocking on our glass doors.) I don’t attend many Christmas parties. And Christmas Day is pretty easy and relaxing, just opening gifts, spending time with family, and playing games.

3. What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?

We don’t really need to do much reminding. I know what Christmas is about and my family knows what Christmas is about. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, buying gifts and stressing out over holiday parties, I know this season is about so much more than a Christmas tree and perfectly wrapped presents. It’s lovely getting and giving gifts. I’m not going to deny that. But the true meaning of Christmas is about Jesus and God sending His only Son for us, to take my sins upon His shoulders and ease me of the burden.

4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

Ha…I just went through this entire question in the novel I wrote yesterday: Christmas Traditions Through the Years.

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

I love the fact that we wait until Christmas morning to open all our presents. I love this tradition so much, I get a little sad for people when I hear they open their gifts earlier. I love the whole anticipation and excitement surrounding Christmas and gift-giving. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have any presents to open (or for someone else to open) on Christmas Day. Now, I realize Christmas is about a lot more than just the gifts but gift-giving is a big part of Christmas. You can’t deny that fact!

6. Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the tradition?

Of course! We even put out milk and cookies and one year, “Santa” wrote us a letter! Santa Claus was such a magical part of Christmas. I miss the innocence of Santa Claus. When I was in 2nd grade, I was told the truth about SC by friends in my class and was told I was a “baby” for still believing in him. It’s just so incredibly sad when you find out Santa Claus isn’t real, especially when your classmates have to tell you!

7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

I love using the Nestle Tollhouse recipe for chocolate chip/M&M Christmas cookies. Yes, it’s something you can make any time of year but I save this recipe for Christmas because I end up eating half the batter when I make it anyway. They are delicious!

We also make sugar cookies and cut out shapes with them. Then we decorate with icing and M&M’s. Those are good but I still go back to my old favorites.

8. How do you take your egg nog?

I don’t really drink egg nog. I’ve only had it once and it was super sweet. And since my mom doesn’t like it, we never buy it. I would like to try it again so maybe I’ll pick some up on my next trip to the grocery store! (And that may be your answer to the question!)

9. What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?

My mom asked me this question last weekend and honestly, I didn’t have an answer for her! To be honest, there are two brand-new songs out on the radio that I just can’t get enough of! “You’re Here” by Francesca Battistelli and “How Many Kings” by downhere. Both have amazing messages and both are Christ-centered, which I love. I’m not really a big fan of new Christmas songs, because they’re usually shallow and super boring. But these are amazing.

I do love “The Christmas Shoes” even though it makes me cry every time I hear it. As for a classic Christmas carol, probably “Away In a Manger.”

10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?

Never! I live in Florida and the past few years, we’ve had 80-degree Christmases. And since it’s all I’ve ever known, it’s not really a disappointment for me. We’ve had a few years of cold Christmases (in the fifties – and yes, that’s FREEZING!) but never a white Christmas. It would be very interesting to experience a white Christmas but for now, I’m fine with having a Florida Christmas.