TOP TEN LIST

Cheers to 2014,
I know I will love you more than 2013!

After several solemn weeks of blog posts, I decided that we are in need of a little levity to finish out this bear of a year entitled “two-thousand-thirteen.”  I won’t miss you, 2013, (even though God was faithful in all your “unluckiness,” so there!)

So, how about a Top Ten HWIL/HWIH to recap this year?  Yes, I do believe I can give you some random Loves and Hates in no particular order.

Here’s what I HATE:

10.  Alexis spilled milk on her jacket today and then Abigail sprayed a tester of men’s cologne (“Skulls and Roses”) on her wrist.  She said that she only squirted it once, but since I am still smelling (and tasting) it, I am pretty sure it was half the bottle.  Seriously.  With the rotten milk and cologne stench, 2013 is leaving with a smelly bang.  

9.  Mud.  (It’s surrounding our new house like a mote.)

8.  Being hit in the head with our Christmas tree.  Yep, let’s just say that I was holding the Christmas tree stand while Bill pulled the tree out of it and I may not have crouched low enough to avoid the low flying trunk, dripping water, as Bill heaved it towards the door.    

7.  The calories and fat in my favorite ice cream.  After going to Jeni’s approximately five times in one week, I may have gained a pound or four.  Why oh why are all yummy things so fattening!?

6.  First world problems like the fact that since Bill and I switched cars, I no longer have the vehicle with seat-warmers and this thing which tells me the temperature outside.  Now, I have no idea if it’s 32 or 42 degrees.  It’s so hard for me.

5.  Our bestest friends in the world live far, far away and we don’t get to see them nearly enough.  That is all.

4.  NO GARBAGE DISPOSAL IN THE RENTAL.

3.  The fact that I am pretty sure I spent more time reading FaceBook than actual book-books this past year and I can feel my brain getting smaller because of it.

2.  Unreliable Internet.  (Another First-World problem, I know, but I still hate it.)

1.  During a recent appointment with my gynecologist, we discovered that we live in the exact same neighborhood.  Oh, perfect I thought—I can’t wait to run into you at Burger Up or Frothy Monkey.   We can just hope he won’t recognize my face.

Here’s what I LOVE:

10.  My girls make me smile every. Single. Day.—spilled milk, smelly cologne, and all, I love them so much my heart hurts.

9.  NEW HOUSE!  BLUE HOUSE!  YELLOW DOOR.  It may be surrounded by a mud-mote right now, but soon enough, the drawbridge will be down and we will skip across the threshold and sing and hug (and kiss our realtor) and do cartwheels and have people over and never, ever move again.

8.  Our simple Christmas in the rental was low key, lovely, and easy.  I will never forget it (even after being knocked unconscious with the tree trunk, what?)

7.  Jeni’s!  I will love you ‘til the day I die.

6.  My husband switched cars with me because the heat was broken in the Volvo and we didn’t want to pay to fix it (long story).  But he’s the best for giving me the Rav-4 and selflessly driving that freezer of a car to work every day.  (At least the seat-warmers work, Honey!)

5.  We got to see the Petersons, the Allees, and the Maciceks this year*.  All were fun, memorable (alligators, broken glass, and the cup song!) visits that filled our hearts with joy.  So thankful!   *We were supposed to see the Stoltes too—but a true tragedy kept us away…here’s hoping I get my Julie-fix in 2014!)

4.  The Rental.  A perfectly-timed blessing in which we stored all our stuff and lived quite comfortably in it’s quirky wall-papered, green tiled rooms.  It was so darling, we hardly noticed the lack of a garbage disposal, except when we did, EVERY day.  But!—that’s okay.  We love you anyway, you dear “Urban Bungalow”, you!

3.  Staying in touch with friends on FaceBook and utilizing the social-networking giant to promote my very first book release and signing.  At least it’s good for something!

2.  Writing.  I love writing and I love that the internet, (when it’s working,) allows me to share some of what I’m experiencing with you, dear Readers. 

1.  Nashville!—I love this town and the fact that we’ve been blessed by so many dear, wonderful, supportive, caring friends here.  This past year was NOT easy, but so many of you stepped up, helped out, and encouraged us more than you can ever know. 

Happy New Year everyone!

Isaiah 43:16-19

16 Thus says the Lord,

Who makes a way through the sea


And a path through the mighty waters,

18 

“Do not call to mind the former things,


Or ponder things of the past.

19 

“Behold, I will do something new,
 Now it will spring forth;
 Will you not be aware of it?
 I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.