Gimme a break, gimme a break. Break me off a piece of that _____ _____ _____.

I do NOT have a crush on Andy Bernard! I don’t. I’m serious.

However, I love (LOVE) a capella music. Every year, we buy one Christmas CD, and last year’s purchase was the holiday album of Tonic Sol-fa, a four-man a capella group from Minnesota.

So, based on my love for the a capella, you might – like Chelley – assume that I love Andy Bernard from The Office. After all, he is quite the vocalist (see this video for proof, and thanks to Chelley for the link).

But I don’t. Okay? So quit.

I have possibly found Chelley’s future husband, though. Actually, I’ve possibly found her 10 potential future husbands. And their names are Straight No Chaser.

(Thanks to Peter Shankman for bringing this group to my attention!)

Maybe you all have heard of this 10-man a capella group that started at Indiana University back in the 90s? Apparently, the group had a reunion a couple years ago, put video of their old concerts up on Youtube, and almost immediately went viral.

Straight No Chaser sings fun stuff like “Teen Sensation Medley” and “Sitcom Medley,” serious (?) stuff like “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and holiday stuff like “The 12 Days of Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells.” But beware! Once you get started watching these videos, you might just get hooked and lose an hour and a half of your life.

Or maybe that’s just me. (But don’t even tell me you don’t like this one.)

What about you? Do you like a capella music? Do you own a pitch pipe? Are you actually a member of a barbershop quartet?

Edited: I finally found their website. I must have been crazy or blind this morning. Here it is, with a full history on the bio page.

Believing God

I ordered this devotional by Beth Moore, and I can’t wait to start it. Her Believing God study was one of the best I’ve ever done, so I know reading a snippet each day will be encouraging and possibly just as life-changing as the study.

I’m not ready for Christmas and certainly don’t want to wish away my days…but I can’t wait for January, when I get to start this book!

What's your favorite Bible study or devotional or class or learning experience?

Attention, Blog World! Photoqueen Needs Your Advice.

I said to Mark, "I'm looking for a picture where Annalyn looks real innocent."

He said, "Good luck. You might need to go back to the beginning."

So I give you innocent Annalyn - also known as sleeping Annalyn.

Really, she is a sweet girl. But she's also full of spunk and personality. That really came in handy when she was born almost two months early and needed strength and determination and will just to, you know, live. So I'll never be sad about her feistiness. However...

However, as she is transitioning from innocent babe to willful toddler, I'm not sure how to teach her to be a good girl. A sweet child. A well-behaved kid.

This morning, the three of us were snuggling in bed and Annalyn kept playing with Mark's and my hair. She's always liked doing that, and it's kind of cute. Until today, when she decided to forget how to be GENTLE (which we've taught her in regard to cat hair and human hair) and to start YANKING.

It hurt, okay? I know she's little, but it hurt.

We tried speaking sternly. We tried distracting her. We tried smacking her hand and then even spanking her bottom. (Please, if you are anti-spanking, don't lecture me. Just give me tips on alternative discipline!) NONE of this worked. I'm not even kidding, she just looked at us and giggled her head off.

Apparently, hurting Mommy and Daddy and getting in trouble for it is high-larious.

So...advice? Anyone? Please?

"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

Quote from Abraham Lincoln

Happy birthday to my friend, Amber! You can call it your second 29th birthday all you want, but you have to tell me know how it feels to reach this landmark. (Please…tell me I’ll survive my day coming up!)

Six years ago, I quit my job and moved to Lawrence to start graduate school. I enrolled as a full-time student and a graduate teaching assistant, and it was one of the scariest things I’d ever done. Thankfully, God knew I’d need a friend and sent Amber to Lawrence at the same time. For that one semester – the five months that seemed so long, but was really such a short span of time – Amber was my bestest friend. She was the only person who knew what I was going through with teaching, with classes, with the crazy people in our program. Without her, I might not have made it.

Amber and I were so much alike that we just gelled from the beginning. I already told you that we started talking because she noticed my “hey, I’m a Christian” fish ring. So right away, we knew we had our faith in common. But we also had similar small-town roots and strong Type A personalities with perfectionist tendencies. (Correct me if I’m wrong on that one, Amber!) The best part is, though, that my friend, Amber, is funny and smart and sweet and considerate and still, even six years after I abandoned graduate school and Lawrence, one of my dearest friends.

You might want to call her Dr. Amber, though. Because unlike me, she stayed in school. And this year, she earned her Ph.D. and is now a professor at James Madison University in Virginia. I know she’s making a difference in her students’ lives, teaching them and mentoring them and encouraging them, just like she did at KU. Because she’s awesome like that.

So, happy birthday, Dr. Amber. I love you and wish you a happy, happy 29th! (That’s two “happys” for your second 29th, you know.)

Buy More Books.

We all know the world is suffering a recession right now. Banks and the automakers are asking for bailouts, and retailers are shouting in pain, even as we enter the month-long holiday frenzy. Publishing, struggling with ever-changing technology and media, is not immune, though some have said before that books are recession-proof.

So I guess it should not be surprising that this week, the largest Christian publisher, Thomas Nelson, was forced to lay off about 10 percent of their workforce. Reportedly, Random House, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Borders are suffering this week, too. This, of course, saddens me for the individuals whose lives are being affected. It's easy to read a story about the economy and think about the big picture; it's more difficult to allow myself to think about the people behind the story. The people who don't know how they'll pay their bills or feed their families or ever retire. I'm sad for those people, because I've been there and could someday be there again.

But I'm also sad for the publishing industry, this world of books that I so want to be a part of. (Even if I ended that last sentence in a preposition.) I'm sad for the company that kindly gave me an informational meeting in October. And to be honest, I’m concerned about what this means for my future career possibilities.

So, as you go about your Christmas shopping, I urge you: Buy More Books!

** crickets chirping **

What? Are you remembering my confession that I prefer to check books out of the library? Or thinking that we could probably make arguments to buy most any product as a way to boost the economy? Or do you think that we shouldn’t buy anything this season and save our money under the back porch or the guest bed?

Okay, okay, these are all valid points. Well, maybe not the hiding the money thing. I don’t know how well greenbacks hold up when under dirt. I realize I’m not exactly the poster child for supporting the publishing industry, a sad hypocrisy when compared to my love of books and desire to work in editing. But I’ll have you know that both Photobaby and my grandma are getting books from me this Christmas, and my niece and nephew will both receive a Borders gift card. So, I’m trying here.

What about you? (Seriously.) Do you think books are good gifts?

A book is a gift you can open again and again.
~ Garrison Keillor

Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas.
They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.
~ Lenore Hershey

Ode to a Beverage

I didn’t know it at the time, but October 10 was a sad day. Apparently, though I’m just learning of it today, Coors stopped producing Zima two months ago.

Some of you may be alarmed or disappointed to realize that even though Jesus turned water into wine, I prefer an occasional malt beverage over the grape drink. Well, actually, a grape-flavored malt beverage would be okay.

Regardless of the fruity flavor of the drink, I do appreciate Zima and its kind for two reasons. First, it doesn’t taste a bit like alcohol. Second, it comes in a bottle that looks a little bit like it might contain beer.

It’s not beer, though, and that was likely part of its problem. Though the drink was reformulated in 2004 to contain even more alcohol content than most beers, it has been seen since its birth in 1994 as a “girl drink.” As a girl myself, I don’t mind that. But as a company whose customers are largely male, well, that’s a problem. As Slate put it, “To Coors' horror, Zima proved most popular among young women—a demographic that, while generally fond of getting tanked, just doesn't have the same thirst for hooch as its male counterpart.”

It’s true. A couple of those babies, and I’m done. Not “tanked” done, but finished with the fruity drinks. I like my sweet, but even I can’t handle more than that. Kind of makes my stomach hurt.

Now, I’ve never been picky. I have drunk more Smirnoff than Zima, but mainly because it’s more readily available. And probably cheaper. I really don’t like paying for drinks. But when Mark, Smitty and I visited the Coors brewery a few years ago, I highly enjoyed my sample that tasted strangely of orange soda. And a couple summers ago, when the three of us went to a concert with my brother and his now-wife, Zima was also my drink of choice.

So, in honor of the drink that was mentioned on shows ranging from Buffy to Friends to Gilmore Girls to The Simpsons, but has only managed to get 406 names on its petition, here is an ode.

Oh, Zima, the world’s first malternative
You were fruity and sweet and divine
Tasting of orange pop or Kool-Aid with fizz
With more alcohol content than Bud Light
You got a bad rap as girls’ drink, so light
Not beer, not a wine cooler, what are you
Smirnoff Ice is just an imitation
Bottling alcopop tasting of Sprite
It’s too bad they sold more bottles than you
Your absence will be felt ‘cross the nation.

[Disclaimer: I am not a poet. And I know it. However, you should know that just for you, my faithful readers and friends, I researched the ode. Turns out, most odes are quite long. Mine’s not. But it does attempt iambic pentameter and follows the ababcdecde pattern as suggested. So, there's that.]

Here We Come A-Waffling

Some people wait all year to watch Frosty or Rudolph. Others look forward to the Grinch. (Okay, I like that one, too.) But my favorite Christmas special is A Claymation Christmas Celebration starring the California Raisins.

I've found that when I talk about this holiday musical delight, most people haven't seen or even heard of it. For those unfortunate folks, you're in luck today. You can buy the video on Amazon here, or you can check out my favorite songs below:

We Three Kings
Carol of the Bells
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (by the Raisins themselves)

What's your favorite Christmas special?

Previews. Movie Previews.

On Saturday night, Mark, Smitty and I went to see the latest James Bond movie. It was only right that we see it together, since long, long ago we began the tradition of watching Bond movies together.

Just kidding. That’s not actually true at all.

However, one brisk night two years ago, as we sat in a booth at Perkin’s eating some delightfully fried food and discussing the recently released Casino Royale, we decided to go see how Daniel Craig pulled off Bond. That night. Right then. At 10:00.

What can I say? We were younger then.

This time, we’ve been planning for months. Planning around Smitty’s school schedule, Mark’s football schedule (no, not for a team he plays on, for the team he roots for), and finding a babysitter for Photobaby. At one point we were even going to see an afternoon movie. While it was still light out (and tickets cost just $5)! But finally, we decided on Saturday night after Thanksgiving.

So, Mark took Photobaby to his brother’s house, and I dragged my flu-y self into the shower. Smitty arrived on time, bless her optimistic heart, and watched a little VH1 while I finished getting ready. Then I wrote down several movie time options on a Post-it, and we were off to the movies. Well, really, we were off to eat dinner, a process that involved a lot of this. Finally, we picked a place and made our way to the theater.

[Side note: As evidence that Mark and I were, indeed, sick, you should know that we split a hamburger and waffle fries between the two of us. And neither one of us could even finish our half. And we turned down spinach-artichoke dip. Yep, we were sick. But after all that planning, nothing was getting in the way of our movie date!]

The movie was pretty good. Not as dark (or violent) as I’d feared after reading reviews. But also not as good as the Bourne series, in my mind. An interesting point, actually, that I would compare it to the Bourne Identity movies. Because one of the reviews I read noted that while Bond movies have traditionally been light, quippy films full of pretty girls, fancy cars and innuendo, the Daniel Craig Bond is dark, dangerous and quite similar to Jason Bourne. But that’s okay – I didn’t expect greatness, just a good time. And enjoy the movie we did.

But what I really want to tell you about are the previews. Oh, the previews! I have never gone to a movie that showed so MANY! Don’t get me wrong – I love previews. I was just shocked that they took up 20 minutes of my movie time! Here are the ones I can remember and my impressions:

• 2012 – Visit our gimmicky website, and oh yeah, the world is ending. (IMDB shows a lot of famous faces in this movie, but the preview didn’t show a single one. Who knows…?)
• The Day the Earth Stood Still – Keanu Reeves is [SHOCKER] an alien, and oh yeah, the world is ending.
• The Spirit – Black and white comic book looking movies are fancy. Made in the same fashion (and, I believe, by the same people) as the 2005 movie, Sin City.
• Angels & Demons – Sequel to The DaVinci Code. Wonder if my church will do a sermon on this one, too.
• Bedtime Stories – Adam Sandler, light. Fanciful movie for kids that involves gumballs falling from the sky. Actually looks cute.
• Fast & Furious 4 – Also known as Faster and Furiouser. At least by me. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker star in this movie that, I admit, I will probably watch more than once on cable.
• Valkyrie – World War II movie starring Tom Cruise the Crazy. I was actually glad to see this one. It looks good, even though I think Tom is insane in the membrane. Like Mark said, it’s like Mission Impossible, the Hitler version.
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop – Chubby guy beats the bad guys. Well, I can’t say for sure, but I can kind of see this ending coming. Stars Kevin James, who is usually funny, that Chuck & Larry bit aside.

See what I mean? That’s a lot! We might have seen one for Benjamin Button, but I’m not sure. That movie creeps me out, so I may have blocked it from my memory.

Seen any good previews lately? What upcoming movies are you looking forward to?

Post-Thanksgiving Diet

Call it food poisoning. Call it the stomach flu. Call it an ingenious post-Thanksgiving diet. But please, just don't call it for dinner.

ha. haha.

That weak laughter? It's about all I can manage on Day Three of the stomach yuck.

Looking on the bright side, though...I'm pretty sure I've lost the 10 pounds I surely gained between last Monday and Friday!

Tell me more, tell me more.

Whew! Was November the longest month ever or what? No? It was just me? Well, I’m glad I shared many of the things I’m thankful for with you. It was a good exercise in gratitude, plus it gave me an excuse to tell some of my stories and show you some of my pictures. But if I ever needed more evidence that despite my penchant for brilliant ideas, I’ll never make millions because I lack follow-through, well, this was it. But I followed through. I persevered. And now I’m finished.

(Not done. My mom always told me, “Dogs are done; people are finished.” Is that true? Anyone else heard that one?)

Now, I can write about anything I want! I can go days without posting! I can learn more about you all instead of boring you with my stories!

So, on that note, I’d like to know TEN new things about each of you. Post it in the comments or on your own blog or both – I can’t wait to learn about you guys! And to make it fair (and because I love me a good list), here are ten things about me:

1. I sort my M&Ms by color.
2. I have a blonde streak in my brown hair – a birthmark, not a salon accident.
3. I sang at a country opry once in high school. I did not wear sequins or boots.
4. I hate whistling. And the flute. And really, I’m not too fond of sopranos. (Sorry, sopranos.)
5. The first TV show I was addicted to was, “Life Goes On.”
6. I don't like the taste of coffee or alcohol. I can't even stand coffee-flavored ice cream. (However, a good malt beverage or fruity "girl drink" can be tolerated.)
7. I am terrified of trains. The phobia began when the terrible machines played a starring role in my childhood recurring nightmare. The graphic train safety video and presentation in 4th grade didn't help either.
8. I am constantly applying chapstick and/or chewing gum. It's because I'm (sadly) a mouth breather, thanks to year-round allergies.
9. I love magazines. And here's how I read them: first, I read the last page. Then I start on page one and devour it front to back. No skipping around. No aimlessly flipping through. Front. To. Back.
10. I hate cherry-flavored food (Starburst, Skittles, pie). But my favorite drink is Cherry Coke. I have no explanation.

Okay, now it’s your turn!