Musician's Widow

Yesterday, I took the picture on the right and posted it on Twitter with the caption that these are three things that bring me joy: My husband, coffee and Texas A&M University.

I think asked my followers for three things that make them happy. I only got a few responses, but they were all great!

They were:

SadieCass
@niseag03 My camera, my characters (writing), my family. #joy

AggieAnne04
@niseag03 Max, Chris, and leaves on the trees again. :)

AllyInLA
@niseag03 Cupcakes. My dog. And vacations.

LOVE all of those answers!

As I finished my work day, I kept chewing on my own answer. Things that bring me joy. Just thinking about it brought me joy!!

So I have to share even more things that bring me joy… I can never list ALL the things, but I can sure as heck list more than three!

65 Things that Bring me Joy (In no particular order and certainly not a complete list!)

1. My husband
2. Coffee
3. Texas A&M
4. My parents
5. All of my family
6. My nephew’s determination
7. That message I saved on my phone where my niece says she loves me
8. Dr. Pepper
9. Texas
10. Nashville
11. Music
12. Sunshine
13. My cat
14. God
15. Rainfall
16. Cooking
17. Writing
18. Photography
19. My friends
20. Babies
21. Weddings
22. Pedicures
23. Fields
24. Lakes
25. Taking a drive in the country
26. Facebook
27. Laughter
28. Seeing others find their joy
29. Page design
30. Pasta
31. Beer
32. The Grand Ole Opry
33. My life
34. Flying
35. Cameron Yoemen
36. Peanut Butter
37. Chocolate
38. Twitter
39. Holidays
40. Reading
41. Helping others
42. A job well done
43. History
44. My truck
45. My degree
46. Pizza
47. Aggie Muster
48. Words With Friends
49. Bluebonnets
50. Sushi
51. Toe socks
52. Blogging
53. Cookies
54. Being responsible
55. My cowboy boots
56. Snow
57. Barbecue
58. My wedding ring
59. Printer’s Alley
60. Getting a letter in the mail
61. Flowers
62. Concerts
63. Aggieland
64. Red roses
65. Love

Now it’s your turn… what are some of the things that bring YOU joy.

I saw a challenge on Get In The Hot Spot to “write a blog post on your own blog about how you don’t fit in or what makes you unique.” (Blog post: 35 Ways I Don’t Fit In — Its really fun, go read it.) I know I’ve had my moments when I’ve felt like I didn’t fit in, so it certainly made me chew on what my own list would contain. So many things I feel are unique to me aren’t that unique when I really think about it… but I’ll give it my own shot. (However, due to today’s time constraints, my list will only be 20-items, versus 35.)

1. I truly over think things. Like this list. Am I truly unique in this or not? I constantly try to see both sides of any issue, and I always want to be way more prepared than necessary. It’s never lead me astray to be over-prepared, but it’s also kept me from taking many days where I just “let it all go” and “live in the moment.”
2. I looked forward to turning 30 since I was 18. I feel like my 30s will the best decade ever… and yet I am in total denial that I am now 30. Go figure.
3. I’ve been in three wedding parties, not counting my own. And I will be in one more coming up.
4. I love to plan parties. I will fuss and whine and complain while I do it, but when its over and done… I can’t wait to start planning the next one.
5. I can’t understand anyone driving without a head’s up to what is going on around them. I seriously can NOT wrap my brain around the idea of not looking ahead to anticipate what is going on, not making note of whats coming up behind them, and who is merging beside them. Similarly, basic traffic laws are not something I forgive being ignored easily. I can understand we all make mistakes (heck, I’ve made plenty myself! I am NOT perfect at ALL.), but seriously… some things aren’t mistakes, they’re flat out blowing off the law. Driving is something I love to do, but that I have very little tolerance for stupidity within it. People who forget that the vehicle they are driving can also kill someone need to just hand over the keys and stop driving…
6. My husband and I are 13 years apart in age… and it works just fine for us. I married my best friend. THAT is what matters the most.
7. I drove a Ford Taurus for a year or so in high school. Otherwise, I’ve always driven a pick up truck, and I don’t see myself changing that any time soon. I’m a pick-up girl! (Specifically Ford Trucks!!)
8. When I was about ten years old or so, I told my parents I wanted a red and white pick up truck. When I was in high school, I got a red and white pick up truck.
9. When I was in elementary school, I said I’d be in the flag corp/colorguard. When I got to high school, I was in the flag corp/colorguard. (LOVED IT! One of the very few things I truly miss about high school days.)
10. When I was a child, I said I’d go to Texas A&M University. In 2003, I graduated from Texas A&M University.
11. When I was in second grade, I said I’d been a school teacher…  I’m not a school teacher.
12. I like to let my hair down and have fun, but I’m also keenly aware at all times of what is going on around me. I don’t like letting my guard down and giving off any appearance of myself that is not accurate. It happens, but it super rare.
13. I truly believe that sometimes you really do have to hit rock bottom to make an even larger leap in success.
14. I think the Golden Rule applies in all things, even though it seems to be a lost value today.
15. My parents own a bookkeeping and income tax business, and while I’m far from a fan of math… I truly enjoy working for them. I wish Nashville was a lot closer to them to work there more regularly, and I am grateful my husband is supportive of my at least going to work for them full-time through tax season.
16. I still look up to my big brother, and I forever admire him and my sister-in-law’s parenting skills. They’re kids (my niece and nephew) are amazing, and that’s a huge testament to their parenting skills.
17. My biggest fear in life is letting people down. Specifically myself and my family. However, it applies to everyone. I know I can only do the best I can do, but I still have this horrible fear of letting others down.
18. Pet peeve: if its something in grammar and writing that you learned in third grade, don’t do it wrong now. Specifically, it is not 15$ its $15. Do it right, people. Seriously.
19. I’m a total wimp when it comes to pain, and yet I’ve been told I have a high threshold for pain. Yeah, I don’t get that either.
20. I admire so many people, and I want to be just like them “when I grow up.” Or I want them to like me as much as I like them. However, I also know I can only be me and I refuse to be anything else. So I embrace unique me and hope that is enough for everyone else. Because I refuse to change or compromise my beliefs just to be “popular.”

With Valentine’s day a week away, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about love. Who I love. Things I love. What IS love? It’s a yearly trek of the brain and heart that this Hallmark Holiday brings me to take.

The other day I was struck by how many things are also things I “hate.” Things like:

I love/hate technology. Technology has brought about the ability to do things with ease. You can do more in five minutes today than our ancestors could do in a day. Technology and the internet has brought me friendships I’d have never had otherwise. It, ultimately, led to my meeting my husband. It’s given me knowledge and views of the world that would never have happened otherwise.

And yet, within that… technology has at times lead to families no longer sitting down at the dinner table together every night (instead opting to eat at the computer or TV). I spend more time trying to make my laptop work than I spend doing my job some days. I have found myself so reliant on my computer to be able to pay bills (again, something I LOVE being able to do!) or keep up with what I have to do each day that if I lose electricity or internet for more than a day or two… I’m up a creek!!

I love MDA/American Cancer Society/American Heart Association, etc. I hate that they have to exist. I am forever grateful for the things MDA has done for my nephew. I look at all the good all these organizations do to raise money to find a cure for all kinds of diseases, etc. and I am SO thankful. I love the people to spend their lives trying to help others.

I hate they have to exist at all. It’s not my place to ask why or question God’s plan. But I think its natural to look at those stricken by muscular dystrophy, cancer, heart disease, etc. and go, “WHY!?!”  I see someone struggle, and it hurts my heart. It makes me angry to see someone have to fight so hard to live.

I love music. I hate the music industry. I love music. Love. Music. I love that my husband loves music and is able to make a living making music on the road. I love all my musician friends. All the songwriters. The melodies that define our lives. Country. Rock. Jazz. Pop. Classical. I love it ALL.

I hate the “industry” side of music. The side that says all that matters is the dollar. The side that crushes dreams of the truly talented to promote those based on looks or age. The side that will look at someone and say, “You’re too old.” or “You just aren’t hip enough.” even if that person is the one who has a talent that no one can match. It makes so sense. It’s left me cynical.

I love to cook. I hate doing dishes. Thankfully, hubby doesn’t mind doing dishes. And then there’s that magical thing called a dishwasher. So. There’s that at least.

I love being much more money-savvy. I hate what I’ve had to go through to get there. I have a much greater respect for money these days, and I am better at budgeting than I’ve ever been in life. I am more grateful for what I have than ever before. I see hidden costs and expectations that I didn’t see before. I know the difference between want and need. I hate the struggles we had to go through recently. When I’ve told people I am broke, I am not just saying that. I can prove it. Legally. I hate that. But I love the reality check it gave me, making it not so bad.

I love snow. I hate how it shuts things down.

I love football. I hate obnoxious fans.

I love my cell phone. I hate making phone calls.

I love alone time. I hate being lonely.

I love to travel. I hate packing.

It’s all checks and balances I suppose. We take the good with the bad, ideally focusing on the good over the bad. I know I look at the things I love as things I love, far stronger than the things I hate.

What is on your love/hate list?

Due to a serious lack of inspiration, I thought I’d share a short list of things I am looking forward to watching on TV. Especially because in the grand scheme of things… I really don’t watch much TV.

Today
Texas A&M vs Baylor — Battle of the Brazos

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition — The episode where they build the school here in Nashville! Can’t wait after having driven down the interstate and I saw it being built. SO COOL!

Backstory: Rascal Flatts — I am 99% sure this is the special that SHOULD feature a few of my photos taken of the Fiddle & Steel. *happy dances in excitement*

Wednesday
Throwdown with Bobby Flay — Bobby vs. Pioneer Women. I’ve only just recently discovered PW, and I’m already in love with it. So I seriously can’t wait to see this one.

Other shows I am addicted to: (yes I said I don’t watch much TV… must you be such a stickler for details?)

Ghost Hunters — Just because its FUN

Paranormal State — Just because its FUN

Undercover Boss — Seriously, if you haven’t watched this show, you are missing out big time. Gives me so much hope!

Chopped — Because sometimes I pretend I can cook like a real chef.

What Not to Wear — Everyone woman should watch this show. Don’t roll your eyes. They make great points, make big changes for people, and I’ve learned a lot about fashion from them.

Hoarders & Intervention — Guilty pleasures that make me more aware of all sorts of things.

Pawn Stars & American Pickers — It’s like Antiques Roadshow on steroids. Or Crack. It depends on the episode.

Past all of these shows… anything is fair game. News. Family Guy. Anything. Just don’t ask me to get addicted to a show that makes me watch EVERY week to keep up with the story line. I just don’t have that kind of time or patience.

What’s on your TV-list?

We’ve officially entered fall, my favorite time of year. I love this season more than the rest for so many reasons.

Fall is…

• cool temperatures.
• warm colors.
• pumpkin patches.
• corn mazes.
• Oktoberfest… both the festival and the beer!
• birthdays galore (including my own!).
• Pumpkin Spiced Latte and Carmel Apple Cider at Starbucks.
• Football!
• festivals and county fairs.
• open windows during the day.
• hot chocolate at night.
• Halloween and Thanksgiving.
• Columbus Day and Veterans Day.
• trick-or-treat!
• turkey and dressing.
• chili, stew and cornbread.
• sweaters and scarves.
• hayrides.
• tailgating.
• laughter and new memories.
• the best time of the year!!!!

Welcome to Friday, August 13, 2010. Yes, folks, its Friday the 13th.

So in honor of the day, a look at the number 13.

• Taylor Swift’s lucky number. [mtv]
• The first of the teens.
• A movie that came out on March 13 of this year. [imdb]
• If written too close together, can look like the letter B.
• A public media provider based out of New York City. [THIRTEEN]
• A chapter of bankruptcy in America that lets its filers reorganize their debts. [US Courts]
• Number or original colonies making up what became the United States of America. [Wikipedia]
• Comes after 12 and before 14.
• Number of players in a rugby league team. [Wikipedia]
• Number of cards in each suit of a deck of cards. [Wikipedia]
• Is a prime number.
• A bakers dozen. [Wikipedia]
• File that refers to a trash can. [Wikipedia]

There’s thirteen references to the number thirteen.

Do you have any fun 13 facts to share??