h-i-L-a-r-y

Thanks to April for finding this juicy tidbit:

For any Patriots out there expecting a little one and seeking the appropriate name, we should inform you that "Hillary" has taken a plunge in popularity. Based on information from the Social Security Administration, after peaking in 1992 at number 131 among the top 1,000 girls' names, the name "Hillary" had dropped out of the top 1,000 by 2002 and 2003. It stood at 982 in 2006. Indeed, the name fell out of favor even faster than Ebenezer (Scrooge) and Adolf (Hitler), both of which took more than 30 years after their unfortunate associations to lose their place among the top 1,000. Hillary, though, accomplished this feat in a mere decade. She also holds the title for fastest drop in a single year—295 places. In fact, around our humble shop, we're tired of hearing her name at all and have opted instead for the Harry Potter name-avoidance technique: "She Who Shall Not Be Named."

I'm reading!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have started reading a book from my list to the right: A Place on Earth by Wendell Berry.

I find his writing captivating. He guides you through feelings you've felt but never articulated (I should say, "feelings I've felt but never articulated"). It's about the small town of Port William during World War II. I'm on Chapter 4 and have been getting to know some of the folks who are waiting for their soldiers to come home.

More later.

Yay!

whew

That black background was oppressive.

I cooked Austin Soup, corn bread, and Banana Bread last night. I felt very accomplished, and even though I cleaned lots of dishes while the food was cooking, there were still a ton of dishes left after we ate. I'm not sure how that happens. Anyway, I think they're still in the sink.

The soup and corn bread came out very nicely. The B Bread needs some work. Banana Bread Pudding?

We have a fireplace at our little apt., and fortunately, Trey enjoys building fires. We didn't have any tools for the fireplace, though, so we had been using some old bamboo tongs that we didn't need in the kitchen. These had served us well, until last night. Last night, the tongs caught fire in the line of duty and Trey sent them on to their inevitable fate.

I am having a chocolate craving. eep!

random

My blog should reflect the season.

Yesterday between lunch and a client's appt. at 2, a little spider made a web in my water cup. I didn't realize this until I lifted the cup to my mouth and felt a strange feeling on my nose (that type of feeing you get when you march between trees in the woods and find yourself smothered in sticky, whitish strings, except this was just that feeling on my nose). I left spidy alone for a whole day, but when he didn't wise up by this morning, washed him away. Now I check my cup before putting it to my lips.

Someone crashed in front of our building. I didn't hear the smack, but my co-worker notified me. I rushed out to look since I wasn't driving and couldn't be accused of rubber-necking.

I love my husband.

Tuesday night I cooked!!! For real!! We had pork loin with spicy appley sauce (the sauce is amazing!), asparagas, roasted and seasoned potatoes, and hot rolls, all with a little glass of Merlot each. It was fun. I'll probably try to cook again. But tonight we're having left-overs.

I am surrounded by paper.

HO

HO

My new initials are just in time for the holidays! Though, I don't know that I want to be so closely identified with a fat, white-bearded, old man. The jolliness I can handle.

Trey has pointed out that I complain about my circumstances a lot. I'm sure none of my dear readers have noticed such a thing *wink*. And so I've been reflecting on this, and realizing that if I spend so much time thinking about all the things that are "holding me down" they will, in fact, hold me down.

The sermon Sunday night was on Phillipians 4 when Paul says to rejoice in all things, pray without ceasing, and give thanks for all circumstances. I remember Aunt Melinda once exhorting me to always thank the Lord for our circumstances because He is working out a good purpose in whatever is going on, however negative it seems to our eyes. I don't think Mike heard that conversation, but I think both Mike and Aunt Mo preached that scripture to me. And thanks to my husby for gently applying it to my daily walk.

I feel like this is deja vu; didn't I go through this realization before? Anywho, I'll have to focus on what's in front of me instead of the failings of the past or I'll get stuck back there, too!

Hooray for scripture! and husbands! and aunts! and pastors!