Joining the Crowd

It started with Lindsy, then Suzy followed suit, and NOW I too get to join the ranks of those with a squirrel living in my attic. Or, that’s what I hope it is. My first experience (though I didn’t realize it at the time) was right after I moved in and I something woke me up at 5 a.m. I figured it was just the house creaking because nothing else I could think of that could be up there would be making that much noise. But come to find out, though small, squirrel’s can sound quite heavy when walking on the beams above.

Since the first incident, I hadn’t really heard anything till Tuesday night. At 12:43 a.m. something wakes me from my sleep and I sit right up in bed. I had been dreaming that something was coming through my ceiling. I knew I heard something, but after a few minutes, thought maybe Melissa had just gotten up for some reason. It took me a little bit to get my heart to stop racing so I was just laying there waiting to go back to sleep when I heard it again…something climbing up my wall and moving above me. I could even tell when it moved from the rafters to the insulation. No doubt there was something up there, but there was nothing I could do about it at the moment, so I went back to sleep.

The next day, I pondered what to do about my unwanted, non-rent paying resident. I wasn’t going up in the attic, that’s for sure. I’m scared of the attic. And really not just may attic – any attic. The only way I will even consider entering an attic is if it has the pull down stairs. I’m not sure why that makes a difference. Maybe I feel that if it’s just a crawl space in the ceiling, than it really wasn’t meant to be entered (and for those who have seen The Grudge, no jokes about creepy Japanese kids who live in the attic).

I finally decided to plug in this thing I had in my old garage that puts out ultra sonic noises to keep the mice away in hopes that maybe it would work on the squirrel. So far I haven’t heard anything the last two nights, but I’m not getting my hopes up at this point. I think as long as he doesn’t do anything destructive in my attic, I might just let him be!

December Observations – 2005

Here are some things that have crossed my mind this holiday season:

1. There is only truly one “Singing” Salvation Army Bell Ringer. Many of you know which one I’m talking about. I usually see him at Wal-Mart on 33rd, but he does move around some. My first thought is always, “what a freak” but at the same time, he’s not too bad and really cheerful. Puts all the other Salvation Army Bell Ringers to Shame. On that same note, I was at Gordman’s Monday night and their SABR was trying, but it wasn’t the same. His two biggest down-falls 1) he can’t sing and 2) he was singing something I think he wrote. Not a Christmas song I have ever heard, and after all my years in choir, I’ve heard and sung them all. If they had an American Idol, Salvation Army Bell Ringer Edition, he would be on the ones who didn’t make it episode.

2. I was so impressed that this year, I had not seen a single decorated car. I really had hope that my fellow Oklahomans had finally realized how STUPID it is to decorate your car for Christmas…then I went to Sonic. There as a Lexis (yes, a Lexis) at Sonic with magnets that looked like Christmas lights stuck to the side of the car. As disappointed as I was, at least I still hadn’t seen a car with a wreath tied to the grill. Of course all hope was lost when I went to Kohl’s and saw as car, sitting in the parking lot, with a very sad looking wreath tied to the grill. PEOPLE!!! Just say NO!

3. I have not once heard the Hippopotamus song this year (except for the day Wanda Neel was whistling it at work). It’s just not Christmas without it. What’s the deal?!?

4. I am a Christmas slacker this year. I’m so sorry to everyone I normally send cards to, but haven’t. For those I usually give baked goods to and haven’t. And for those of you I should have done something for and didn’t. My family is lucky to get gifts this year. Why? 1) I just moved a month ago and I haven’t had the time to do anything and 2) I keep having to write $45 checks to the warranty company because little things keep breaking (did I mention I need to replace a shingle – this might just have to be a episode 1 of the “Stacey’s Home Improvement Video Diary”). By the way, I caulked all my own down stairs windows the other night. I don’t know if I did the most profession job, but the caulking is clear and there is no longer cold air blowing in my window.

5. This really isn’t about Christmas exactly, but I thought it was funny (at least my Aunt Beverly has gotten a good laugh about it). Anyway, when I moved in with Jeana, our condo already had a washer and dryer, so since Suzy had just built her house and needed a washer and dryer, I let her “store” mine for me. Well, what I thought might only be a year or two ended up being five. When Melissa decided to move in with me, she also had a washer and dryer she didn’t want to get rid of, so I just sold mine to Suzy since she was already in possession of them anyway. Okay, I tell you all of this to preface this story… until Thursday, I hadn’t had a washer and dryer in my house. Yes, there were plenty of people that would have let me do laundry at their house, but there never was a convenient time. So, with the exception of going over to Jason’s one afternoon a few weeks ago to wash jeans and towels, I haven’t done laundry in 5 weeks. My Aunt Bev’s comment was, “you have a LOT of clothes!” My response was “No, I have a LOT of underwear.” Some things can be recycled (depending on how long you wore them and what you were doing) – but not underwear. I never really knew how many pairs I had, but I officially have enough to last me 37 days if I’m really desperate (40 if I resort to swim suit bottoms – which 2 former roommates who will remain nameless have been known to do). I know you’re glad a shared, but I just thought this was really funny.

Okay, I’ll spare you any more of my thoughts on life till after Christmas (that’s always eventful). Have a Merry Christmas!

My Quiz

Yeah, I was feeling left out. So here is my quiz...

Stacey's "I Sure Get Hurt A Lot" Quiz

The Christmas Quiz

I decided to just post this instead of sending out like I was instructed. =)
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1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate w/ whipped cream and chocolate chips

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Both. Once he just parked it in the garage.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights only

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Well, kind of. I hang it on the door knob, so it’s kind of hard to stand under it.

5. When do you put up your decorations? As soon as I can after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatos and Green Bean Casserole

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? My brother and I always had this thing about wanting to be the first one up. Thing was, once I got a little older, I didn’t want to get up too early, so after he went to bed (knowing he slept like a log), I would change his alarm clock so that it wouldn’t go off till after I had mine set to go off. That way I could still be the first one up!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think it was when I found the empty box for my gift from Santa hidden behind the garage. Matter of fact, that box was for my baby doll carriage that my brother ran into with his bike a few months later and broke the wheel. I never got to play with it again!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not always. Just depends on everyone’s schedules. Even growing up it would change. Sometimes one, sometimes all, sometimes not till the next morning.

10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? Sugar Cookies, until Santa became diabetic – then he got veggies.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Only on Christmas!

12. Can you ice skate? I used to be able to. The last time I tried wasn’t too pretty.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Nothing really stands out. I’ve had a lot of great gifts though (and some really random ones).

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? The Christmas sugar cookie!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I love to drive around and look at Christmas lights.

17. What tops your tree? Nothing this year (nothing Christmas at my house). I don’t think I own a tree toper.

18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas

20. Candy Canes? They’re pretty, but rarely eat them.

What We Believe

A few of my "blogging" friends got this same email, but I thought the quiz referenced would be interesting to take. Here is the story itself and below are my results.

What We Believe

by Chris Stinnett

From the very beginning of the Internet, there were strange sites found. At one time, from anywhere in the world, you could log on and discover how many cold sodas were in a particular vending machine on the second floor of a building at UCLA. Now, of course, things are much more sophisticated—or at least, flashier.

For example, at a website called BeliefNet, you can take a quiz to discover what religion most closely matches your beliefs. Just navigate here and you can take a 20 question quiz that will reveal your basic faith structure. (Of course, they note at the top of the quiz that they are not legally liable for the ultimate fate of your soul!)

I couldn’t resist. I logged on and took the quiz, submitted the answers and found that I am: 100% Eastern Orthodox, 100% Roman Catholic, 95% Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant and even 88% Seventh-Day Adventist. Apparently, I am more in line with Orthodox Judaism (74%) than with Liberal Christian Protestants (70%), and better suited to Islam (65%) than Mormonism (63%).

This is a spiritual counterpart to early computer dating. They examine your existing beliefs and match you to a group that will mirror your convictions. Of course, this is exactly backward to the impact our faith should have in our lives. God expects to change our faulty thinking and confused beliefs so that we learn the truth and live in actual righteousness with Him.

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4 NIV).

Jesus calls us to become humble, not childish. We must accept the fact that our understanding is limited. We accumulate convictions and beliefs that are based on false and incomplete knowledge. We need to have convictions that are based on fuller facts And that is what God offers us in His word.

When we hear the truth of God’s word, our false beliefs and shallow convictions are challenged and confronted by the truth. From that moment, we must choose whether we will accept God’s word and change our lives or remain in our former ignorance and reject Him.

What we already believe is not important. What we come to believe on the basis of God’s word is crucial. The work and ministry of the church must reflect God’s call for holiness, not America’s call for comfort.

We must gain and hold a faith based on the truth of God’s word. He accepts responsibility for the fate of our souls!

My Results:

1. Eastern Orthodox (100%)
2. Roman Catholic (100%)
3. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (99%)
4. Seventh Day Adventist (95%)
5. Orthodox Quaker (83%)
6. Orthodox Judaism (79%)
7. Islam (71%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (66%)
9. Hinduism (63%)
10. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (61%)
11. Sikhism (56%)
12. Jehovah's Witness (51%)
13. Bahá'í Faith (50%)
14. Liberal Quakers (42%)
15. Reform Judaism (39%)
16. Jainism (34%)
17. Unitarian Universalism (32%)
18. Mahayana Buddhism (25%)
19. Theravada Buddhism (25%)
20. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (25%)
21. Scientology (20%)
22. Neo-Pagan (19%)
23. Nontheist (18%)
24. New Thought (16%)
25. New Age (11%)
26. Secular Humanism (8%)
27. Taoism (8%)

One Word Responses

I received this email from a co-worker and so I decided to send it out myself and post the responses on my blog. Feel free to add your own if you like.

“Describe me in ONE WORD...just one word! Send it to me only then send this message to your friends and see how many strange things people say about you! This could be fun! Just hit reply and send me my word back. Then forward this message on to your friends (including me) and see what they say about you! INTERESTING!”

Thoughtful
Random
Safe
Tenacious
Mature (2)
Christian
Unique
Unlucky
Quirky
Fun

Now, some of my friends have failed to respond. Does this mean that their “one word” isn’t a nice one, but they’re too nice to tell me what they really think? Hmm…

Always Makes Me Laugh

There is one item used in home improvement that never fails to make me laugh. I crack up every time I ask our maintenance guy if I can borrow it. Know what it is? It's the "stud finder!"

For those of you unfamiliar with what this is, it's a device you used to find the studs in your wall so that you know where to best anchor nails. You run it across the wall and when it comes across a stud, it lights up.

Works on men too, I have found. I once ran it past our interns (in the Seth, Bart & Jeremy days) and it didn't light up at all!

I think I might need to ask for a stud finder for Christmas!