Ordinarily Extraordinary

For the Elves in my Life

It's that crazy time of year again. Lots going on. Lots of Christmas cards and photo order to deliver. This past week was a bit stressful also with my mother-in-law having emergency surgery. She's doing okay and recovering slowly, but wow how that can throw your plans and schedule off kilter. I'll be back soon to catch up my photos of the day and share some other things.

So I've heard the question "what do you want for Christmas" a few times recently from a tall elf in my life. So I thought I'd just post some of my wishes here on the blog. I truly need for nothing, but to help an elf out I'll post a few things that would make me a little giddy. 

This lovely would make me giddy with scrapbooking excitement.

Either this or this would be a dream.

A couple of these would be nice to start the year with.

And a couple of these would make a great stocking stuffer.

So what about you? What's on your wishlist this Christmas?

Nemo, Nutcrackers & a Christmas Tree

November 27, 2009 - My sister and mom came for a visit. My sister brought her dog  Prince with them so Nemo had a friend to play with for the day. She loved every minute of it although I'm not sure how much he enjoyed it.

Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Unpacking the nutcrackers for the Christmas season.

Sunday, November 29, 2009 - I finally got the lights strung on the tree and the ornaments put on it. I'm the only one who ever decorates the tree and I always dread it, but I do really enjoy it once it's all done.

Yesterday & Today Workshop

More pages from my scrapbook I'm making in Ali Edwards' Yesterday & Today workshop at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

This first one was from week 5. I've had it done, but had completely forgotten to take a photo of it while doing the others. And the last one is from Week 8.

For Week 9 we'll be documenting a day in our life. I plan to do that tomorrow.

I am really enjoying this workshop so much and am so happy I have caught myself up. I really wanted to set a goal of completing this workshop and so far I'm on track. It's not been easy considering Fall is the busiest time of year around here. All layout designs are by Ali Edwards.

Some photos of me.

I'm rarely in any of our photos. I've been working on my Yesterday & Today Big Picture Scrapbooking class by Ali Edwards and for week 8 I needed several photos of myself. So for the past few days I've been making an effort to get more photos of me. So my photos of the day are of me this time and today's is courtesy of my son. A little cropping in photoshop and I've got a pretty decent photo of myself.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - Doing some Christmas shopping in our downtown and decided to try a reflection photo.

Thursday, November 26, 2009 - I handed over the camera to the Squirt to get some photos of myself. He didn't too bad of a job.

The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado

With his latest children’s book, The Tallest of Smalls, Max Lucado introduces us to Ollie. Ollie lives in Stiltsville, a town of the too smalls and the too talls. The town of Stiltsville filled with people of every shape and size of course has a group designating themselves the “in” group, deciding who’s in and who’s not by handing out stilts every evening at 6.

Of course all Ollie wants is a pair of stilts, to be part of the in crowd, to feel tall. What he discovers is that being part of the “in” crowd and being tall isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. He becomes a perch for birds while all the while trying to keep balanced. After falling he learns that knowing Jesus made him and loves him means so much more than someone else thinking you’re cool.

Max Lucado brings us another one of his wonderful stories reminding us how important each of us is to God.  While my favorite Lucado children’s books remain “Hermie” and “You Are Special” The Tallest of Smalls brings a very similar lesson. It is a lesson that we all need reminding of every now and again. That no matter how small, alone or left out we feel we are still tall in God’s eyes.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me with this book to review.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

More from Yesterday & Today

Just sharing two more layouts from the Yesterday & Today class by Ali Edwards at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

A Sunset, A Puppy, A Tree & A Kitten

Catching up on my photos of the day.

Friday, November 20, 2009 - I stopped on this hilltop on the way to visit my mom Friday afternoon to get a shot of the sunset.

Saturday, November 21, 2009 - My parents' neighbors have a new puppy. Isn't she adorable?

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - Squirt's train table at his grandparents. He loves playing with his train set when he visits.

Monday, November 23, 2009 - My favorite tree is shedding its leaves. I hate to see the winter coming, but I love the pretty leaves surrounding the ground beneath the tree.

November 24, 2009 - He loves his kitten and his kitten loves him.

For my Daddy: Breaking News Update from Home

Okay. So maybe it's not big breaking news, but it is news.

Rachel & Tom have a new dog. Yes, I know. Not that big of news really.  Except the fact that it's a "kitchen dog" as Rachel calls it.

Yep. They have a house dog. Can you believe it Pop? (For those reading my dad is on active duty overseas and Rachel & Tom are my parents' neighbors. The fact that they have an indoor little dog is quite newsworthy if you know them.)

Rachel's ready to give her away and Tom is in love with her. She's a Pomeranian (not sure I spelled that correctly) and is named Foxy because, well, she looks like a fox don't you think. Your grandson is smitten and would have brought her home if Tom had let him. And I might have even let him she's so adorable. She even does tricks to get her treat.

The Blind Side

I posted this trailer a few months ago. You have no idea how excited I've been for the past week knowing I could finally go see The Blind Side.  And it did not disappoint. Watch the trailer, but make sure you have tissues handy even for the trailer.

Sandra Bullock delivers an amazing performance as Leanne Tuohy, a wealthy, priveleged society wife and mom whose life as well as her family's life is changed by Michael Oher, a homeless orphan. And who knew Tim McGraw could act!

I can't begin to disect this movie into the many reasons why it is such a great movie.  A few innuendos and curse words aside this is an amazing movie that we should all take to heart. Amazing things can happen if we are open to not just helping those in need, but loving them as well. Inspiring and also challenging, The Blind Side is a must see.

I only go see maybe 2 perhaps 3 movies a year. Most of the time they aren't worth the money for me. The Blind Side however is worth every penny. It's one I wouldn't mind paying to go see again. Yes, it is that good.

Now if I can just find the music from the movie. :)

Click here to see the trailer.