7 Random Thoughts for Annie

Annie, this is for you and anyone else who may be interested. 1. I really love rap music. However, I really don't want my children to listen to it. So when we moved to North Carolina, and I was so sad to be leaving one of our dearest friends - Ben Pike, I decided that in honor of him I was going to start listening to country. He once told me that he started to like country music while living in North Carolina. So as we drove across the country to our new home in January 2005 . . . I began the transition. Now I too like country - and think of Ben every time the radio is on. Although, I also listen to many other types of music as well. Thanks Ben! 2. I have a passion for furniture. While most little girls spent their childhood dreaming about what their wedding would be like - I was pouring over my mother's Ethan Allen catalog. Dreaming about what baby furniture to pick out, which buffet looks best with which table, which bedroom set looks most elegant and what color comforter should I have someday? Anyway, I also love to refinish old pieces of quality furniture. A few years ago Dakota helped me turn a headboard and footboard into a really beautiful bench. It was so fun and every time we work on projects together I realize that he is truly my soulmate in every way. I love the balance his personality offers to mine. 3. I want to compete in a golf tournament someday . . . maybe in my forties. 4. I begin to miss my little babies about 30 minutes after they fall asleep. In the morning while I have my "Charlotte" time, my heart aches for them to wake up so that we can play again. 5. I would love to turn our garage into a photo studio and zillions of photos of people. I probably need to follow Jen's advice and take a photography class first. 6. I could eat chocolate chip cookies 24 hours a day. I could also swim 24 hours a day (but only if the temperature is right). I long to go camping and hiking again with my most loved boy and our friend Ben and anyone else who would like to join us. I love to play little tricks on Dakota and tickle him until he falls out of bed. I always have to watch a movie at least twice - once to sleep through it and again to actually watch it. 7. I feel like I need a vacation about every six weeks. I have no endurance to just go on with life. I love to take little brakes and forget that there are things that need to get done, places to be, and other people around watching me and my silly family. On the other hand, I thive off of a routine and schedule. I need structure and a clean house. Don't forget that chocolate chip cookie that I need either!

Recommitted

I MUST CONFESS. I stalk all of your blogs and am feeling very depressed about my "talents". I hope Dakota won't read this (which is a moot point because he will, as he is very supportive - one of the many reasons why I am in LOVE with him) because I complain about this to him without end. But really, as I observe your lives I am in awe of all that you can do! Some of you plan amazingly CrEaTiVe activities for you little ones and inspire them to go beyond their potential, some of you draw beautiful cards depicting emotions and events in your life EVERY week, some of you have made quilts that make me gasp and have a sweetness that often makes me weep, and some of you photograph everyday people like they are runway models, and there are others whom I love and admire greatly because of their support and patience. Incredible!! And what is it that I have to offer the world - what is it that I do from day to day that makes me me? Well, I am not sure. But really I love my life! I am so proud of my children and husband, I love this world and all the people in it, and I have a desire to offer some talent of mine to make this world a little better place - to make people smile or giggle a little. SO, until I find what that little something is . . . I am going to recommitt myself to posting weekly on my little blog here. It may not be exciting - but thank heavens for that! Exciting isn't always good anyway. So long for now, and I will see you much, much more often around here.