31 Days of Reading Well: Day 13

Posted on October 13, 2011 by vanderbiltwife

I am going old-school today with a book meme I’ve done twice: once in 2006 and once in 2008. I thought while I have a bunch of bibliophiles gathered for this series, I would do it again. And maybe you’ll do it, too, and share it with me? Or at least give me your response to one in the comments?

One book that changed your life: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. I’m forever amused that this first came into my hands via my editor at The Religious Herald, the Southern Baptist newspaper in Virginia. Because, well, it’s Anne Lamott. There is cursing and she can teeter on the sacrilegious. But the advice in this book is so spot on when it comes to writing, and I love her way with words.

One book you have read more than once: Oh, a lot. Most recently, I reread Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman.

One book you would want on a desert island: The longest book I could find so it would take up the most time. The Passage? Outlander? (I haven’t read that one, but I know it’s long.)

One book that made you laugh: I remember giggling reading The Help.

One book you wish had never been written: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is this year’s winner for Worst Read category. I wish I had that time back … plus it is SO weird it haunts me a little.

One book that made you cry: Well, besides The Saving Graces and Owen Meany? There are a lot of books that have made me cry. Heaven is For Real, this year.

One book you are currently reading: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – I am reading the epilogue!

One book you have been meaning to read: How long do you have? I’ve actually done of lot of reading “what I’ve been meaning to read” the last few months: The Help, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Kitchen House, The Paris Wife. One book I think I would really love is The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma.

One book you wish everyone would read: Heaven is for Real. I’m pretty sure I even wrote a post about that …

Your turn! Answer one or all in the comments or in your own post. Looking forward to reading them.

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The Pieces That Make Me

Posted on July 11, 2011 by vanderbiltwife

I am from 70s yellow tupperware, from Captain Crunch and Bob Evans.
I am from the blue house with blue shutters, painted with friendly hand, wooded, with fluffy purple carpet.
I am from the dogwood tree, the oak that fell during Hurricane Isabel.

I am from jingle bells and jiggly thighs, from Hunt and Wasson and long last name music teachers love.
I am from stomach pains and green thumbs,
From are you sure you want to wear that? and no waking up until 7 on Christmas morning.

I am from Jesus is the answer, and unBaptist Baptists, and falling under water while the words of Isaiah hang in the humid air.

I’m from Germany and Dayton, lima bean casserole and sauerkraut,
From the soldier who swiped Nazi flags, the ones who ran the oil company, he who detested the mean town boys on their fancy bicycles.

I am from cloth-covered albums, ones labeled with the names of 15 grandchildren, from an old violin and a beloved trumpet, from the treasured only son perished in a hospital room, from Silent Night tears.

I am from loss and love, little and plenty, and it carries me to where I go.

Apparently this was a long-forgotten meme that has been resurrected (I found it via Mary on Jennifer and Stephanie‘s blogs). It’s based on a poem, and you can find the template here. If you decide to post one, please leave me the link in the comments!

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#7Links Challenge: A Good Linky Round-Up

Posted on July 27, 2010 by vanderbiltwife

Recalling past events–or past writings–can be fun, scary, or just plain painful.

Today for Top Ten Tuesday, Amanda shared this 7 Link Challenge from ProBlogger. I couldn’t resist checking it out and filling it out myself. It’s always a wake-up call, however, to read old posts. I know not all mine are formatted correctly. I am sure some of my links are broken and pictures are gone.

And my writing? Well, obviously the blog matured from “just me rambling” to “oh, people read this?” to “perhaps semi-useful to others.”

Here are some good backlinks you might like to visit, especially if you’re new to Vanderbilt Wife.

Since I hate posts without a picture … here’s a gratuitous picture of me. (My new Twitter profile pic, so you can recognize me!)

Your first post: Accidents Happen, But Accidents Like This Only Happen to Me.

To be fair, this wasn’t really my first post. I am pretty sure I had one or two preceding posts that were about my weight. After a few months, I decided I really didn’t want to share that with the world. (Although now, I do talk about it a little more freely.) It makes me laugh that this, my very first post that still exists, outlines what was basically the most embarrassing moment of my life.

A post you enjoyed writing the most: Books are the quietest and most constant of friends.

I always, always enjoy writing about books. It is my nature to talk about books and recommend them to, well, nearly anyone I meet. I believe my great passion for reading makes me a much better writer.

A post which had a great discussion: Helpful Grammar Hints for Bloggers.

Pre-Before You Hit Publish, this was my first foray into teaching a little grammar. I was thrilled to see it resonated with many, some offered objections, and some learned a thing or two!

A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written: Legalism vs. Authenticity at ScottCrews.com.

I wish I were a little braver, sometimes, and a little more intellectual. I still remember this awesome post.

Your most helpful post: I Think This Officially Makes Me a Mommy Blogger.

I truly consider my blog as a place where you can discover that NOT EVERYONE HAS IT ALL TOGETHER. In fact, I think very few people do; I am just ready and willing to admit that I DO NOT. This post was not easy for me to write, but I feel like it resonated with many women.

A post with a title that you are proud of: Trash Bag Dresses and Drama Queens.

What can I say? I’m not the most inventive titler.

A post that you wish more people had read: Family for a Purpose

Sometimes I try not to just talk about Libbie’s whining and how to make muffins.

If you decide to do this blog write-up, please leave the link in the comment so I can read it and visit some of your past treasures.

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Getting to Know You Sunday

Posted on April 11, 2010 by vanderbiltwife

Ran across this blog through the Ultimate Blog Party and thought it would be fun to do a little “about you” thing since it’s been awhile! So here, for your pleasure or for you to ignore, are 8 random questions and the answers.

1. What color do you wear the most? Hmm. Probably black or blue. I think I wear a lot of different colors–mostly bolder colors, I’m not much of a pastel person.

2. Would you rather have $10,000 dollars or a dream vacation? Usually I would say a dream vacation but with our whole lovely house situation, I would probably take $10,000 right now. Anyone offering it up?

3. Do you have a weird, quirky or unusual habit? I really want to put a comma in that sentence, is that unusual? I am sort of a grammar freak.

4. I really need to start……….? … keeping on some sort of cleaning schedule.

5. What was the first blog you ever read? I think it was probably Jen’s at Photo Grove, although I didn’t read it regularly at first. I think I had read hers and my friend Sam‘s before I started mine.

6. Do you collect anything? Pigs, antique books, table linens, more books, cookbooks, and ideas for writing. And perhaps clothes for my daughter (mostly acquired through hand-me-downs, consignment sales, and Goodwill.)

7. How old were you when you had your first kiss? 17. I guess I could be embarrassed about that, but I’m not, really. I wish it had been with my husband. I’ve only kissed one other boy besides him.

8. Do you text/twitter while driving? No–it’s illegal in Tennessee first of all, plus I don’t really text much in the first place. And I can’t Twitter from my phone.

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Blogging about Bloggers

Posted on June 8, 2009 by vanderbiltwife

Saw this nice meme over at Heather’s blog and thought I would chime in as I don’t have anything important to say today (after posting three times last night!).

A blogger who makes me think (and I love it): Adventures in Babywearing

A blogger who makes me laugh (A LOT): Ministry So Fabulous

A blogger who has been known to make me cry (in a good way): Bring the Rain

A blogger who says things exactly the way I would (totally gets me): Giving Up on Perfect

A blogger who makes me think about the big wide world outside of my comfort zone and inspires me to action: Pensieve

A blogger who should really hurry up and write a book already: BooMama

A blogger who makes me want to move in with her (because I know she’d understand me AND make me laugh): OhAmanda

A blogger with photography skills that knock my socks off: Evie

A blogger who I must check out daily: I stay pretty up-to-date on my Google Reader, but I always click over right away when Like Merchant Ships has a new post

A blogger who makes me want to eat her food: The MawMaw

A blogger who could pretty much convince me of anything: Kelly’s Korner

A blogger who should win one of those big fancy blog awards for being one of the best: Love Well

Blogs I quietly stalk: PostSecret, My Charming Kids

A blogger who’s a faithful commenter and genuine encourager all around the blogosphere: Like Merchant Ships, Will Blog for Shoes

A blogger I MUST one day meet: Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect!!

A blogger I want to take parenting classes from: The Secret Life of Kat

Bloggers who are real life friends: The MawMaw, Steph, Megs, Bring the Rain, misKELLany, Photogrove

A blogger who has become a true friend: OhAmanda

A blogger who got me hooked on blogging & challenged me to be better: Pioneer Woman, Mrs. Fussypants

Is There Anything You Don’t Know about Me?

Posted on April 7, 2009 by vanderbiltwife

I worry that sometimes I am too much of an open book on this blog. It’s funny how in the blog world I feel freer to be my true self, confess real things, things I might not even tell my real-life girlfriends. (Although they might read it here. And somehow that’s OK!)

Things have been a little heavy here recently, so I thought you might enjoy a break from me ranting about being a working mom and take five minutes to read some random things about me.

A – Age: I’ll be 27 next month. For some reason, 27 sounds a whole lot more like 30 than 26, and that scares me!

B – Bed Size: Queen. I love our bed. Mmm, sleep …

C – Chore You Hate: All of them? Mostly I hate vacuuming/sweeping/anything that involves trying to keep the floor clean and devoid of crud. Although now without dog hair it looks a little better than it did.

D – Dad’s Name: Christopher. I wonder if he was named for someone. I don’t know. Dad?

E – Essential Start Your Day Item: E-mail? Yes, I have a sickness.

F – Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother…although I also love The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Project Runway, and Top Chef. And Jeopardy.

G – Gold or Silver: I’m more of a silver jewelry person, although I insist on wearing gold jewelry with brown clothes. My wedding rings are white gold.

H – Height: 5’3″

I – Instruments You Play(ed): I can plunk out stuff on the piano due to two years of piano lessons.

J – Job Title: Production Editor

K – Kid(s): Our darling Libbie, five months old and sweet as can be.

L – Living Arrangement: 1200 square foot condo outside Nashville. Small, but just right for now. And it has a big kitchen and pantry!

M – Mom’s Name: Donna

N – Nicknames: Jessie is my nickname (for Jessica). I always wanted a better nickname but no one ever gave me one.
O – Overnight Hospital Stays Other Than Birth: Not that I remember. I may have stayed overnight when the dog tried to rip my ear off, but I don’t know.

P – Pet Peeve: simple grammar and spelling errors, people who giggle continually

Q – Quotes You Like: the quote on my work email is: “Every human being has value. This is the basis of all healthy relationships.” –Mr. Rogers

R – Right or Left-Handed: Right.

S – Siblings: One younger sister, Auntie Roo aka Ashley. (See?? She had a nickname! How come I didn’t?)

T – Time You Wake Up: The alarm goes off at 5:30 on the weekdays. I’m usually up around 6…maybe. And on the weekends, whenever Mr. V makes me get up. And of course, this doesn’t count the baby’s night wakings for sticking the paci back in or a nursing session.

U – Ultimate Dessert: funnel cake with ice cream and cherry pie filling. Oh, King’s Dominion, I do miss you.

V – Vegetable You Dislike: raw tomatoes (although yes, I know those are really a fruit.) Do olives count as a vegetable? I don’t really know where they fall.

W – Ways You Run Late: Not getting out of bed early enough.

X – X-rays You’ve Had: spine x-rays for scoliosis; arm/shoulder when I was in the car accident; hip when I passed out at the Y in the shower (um, have I ever told y’all that story? It’s really not much of a story. Just the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me.)

Y – Yummy Food You Make: I love making yummy things! Some favorites are beef stew, crockpot BBQ pork, pasta, oh, anything. I like to bake too. Check out the recipes I’ve posted here.

Z – Zoo Animal: elephants, goats, sea lions…love cute animals!

If you fill this out, leave a link here and let me know so I can see it!

Busy Working Girl

Posted on February 4, 2009 by vanderbiltwife

Well, eventually maybe I’ll have enough time to write a new post. I have two posts very fully developed in my head but life has been insane! Here’s my “25 Things About Me” meme from Facebook to keep you entertained for a minute. Unless you already are my Facebook friend. Then sorry.

1. It’s 9:50, and I am usually asleep by now. Even in college I almost always went to bed by 11. With the baby I feel 8:30 is an acceptable bedtime for us all.
2. I love the color purple. Not the book, the color.
3. I read A TON. I’ve read 70-95 books the last few years.
4. And I rarely reread anything anymore, although I used to a lot.
5. I like to think we named Libbie “Elizabeth Jane” partly because Elizabeth Bishop and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning are my favorite poets, and Jane Austen is of course a favorite.
6. Although really, she’s named after my grandmother.
7. It really bugs me when people spell Libbie’s name with a Y, even though that’s how I wanted to spell it originally.
8. It takes me forever to go to sleep at night.
9. I would love to have 4 kids, or maybe even more.
10. I LOVE my job. The hierarchy and environment is not always perfect, but I love what I do.
11. Adam and I can quote from nearly every episode of How I Met Your Mother.
12. I really only watch a few TV shows: How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, and Project Runway or Top Chef, they alternate being on.
13. I really want to be a chef or a food critic, but I don’t feel like I can because I don’t like tomatoes, olives, raw onion, or spicy food.
14. I love dill pickles, but I only ate them once the whole time I was pregnant. They were gross to me WHEN I was pregnant. Strange, huh?
15. There was a rainbow but no rain on our wedding day.
16. I love blogging and get really excited when I get more hits. I’m hoping that someday my blog will be more popular and maybe even make money. Who knows?
17. I love hearing people’s stories. Everyone has an interesting story to tell.
18. I’ve never really doubted God’s existence.
19. I love to try new recipes. I love to cook in general. I would love to teach people how to cook.
20. I am addicted to blogs. I have a ton on my Google Reader that I read every day.
21. And I am a compulsive e-mail checker.
22. I have absolutely no taste when it comes to decorating. I wish someone would do it for me. And then keep it clean.
23. I love doing the Sunday crossword puzzles, even though I could never finish them on my own.
24. We get the Sunday paper and never read it, just dig out the ads and the crossword.
25. I was 100% shocked when Adam proposed–especially because it was in front of a VERY large crowd of people. I was 20 when we got engaged and 22 when we got married. Also, 2 is my lucky number and he proposed on 2/22.

A Fun Little Meme

Posted on January 16, 2009 by vanderbiltwife

To cut back on all the serious that has been going on here lately!

To find your ROCK STAR NAME take your first pet & current car:

Buttons Ion

To find your GANGSTA NAME take your favorite ice cream flavor and your favorite cookie:

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip

YOUR DETECTIVE NAME? Your favorite color and favorite animal:

Purple Pig

Everybody wants a SOAP OPERA NAME, so take your middle name and the city where you were born:

Lynn Dayton

Want to know your SUPERHERO NAME? Just add the word “The” plus your 2nd favorite color, and your favorite drink:

The Green Cherry [Coke]

Your NASCAR NAME. Take the first names of your grandfathers:

Lowell Arthur

If I ever go into WITNESS PROTECTION you can find me with this name. Your mother’s & father’s middle names:

Jean Paul

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME? Just take your 5th grade teacher’s last name and add a major city that starts with the same letter:

Thompson Tuscaloosa

Of course, if you find me in witness protection I will assume it was because you were using your SPY NAME. Add your favorite season/holiday to your flower:

Autumn Lily

Tell your kids their CARTOON NAME by taking your favorite fruit, an article of clothing you’re wearing right now, now add “ie” or “y”:

Peach Bootsie

And lastly, your ROCKSTAR TOUR is heading across the northeast…it’s called

(“The” + Your fave hobby/craft, your fave weather element + the word “Tour”):

The Reading Light Clouds Tour

Time-Wasting Activities

Posted on April 3, 2008 by vanderbiltwife

Because I am a major procrastinator and I know EVERYONE want to know EVERY SINGLE DETAIL about my life, here’s another one of these things.

Rules: you can only type one word for each question.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2.Your significant other? Adam
3. Your hair? psychotic
4. Your mother? tomorrow!
5. Your father? working
6. Your favorite thing? reading
7. Your dream last night? insane
8. Your favorite drink? icey
9. Your dream/goal? writer
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your ex? who?
12. Your fear? pain
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mom
14. Where were you last night? church
15. What you’re not? normal
16. Muffins? yum
17. One of your wish list items? maid
18. Where you grew up? Virginia
19. The last thing you did? typed
20. What are you wearing? socks
21. Your TV? enough
22. Your pets? chester
23. Your computer? works
24. Your life? pleasant
25. Your mood? fair
26. Missing someone? always
27. Your car? Saturn
28. Something you’re not wearing? heels
29. Favorite Store? cheap
30. Your summer? cruise!!
31. Like someone? hubby
32. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? recently
34. Last time you cried? yesterday

Sixty Things and Six Things

Posted on February 13, 2008 by vanderbiltwife

It has been a crazy life lately. I have not been home to blog! So in lieu of me actually writing something someone might read, here is everything you ever wanted to know:

60 Things You Possibly Didn’t Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
grocery bags, my black pashmina, crumbs

Question 2 was yucky so it’s been deleted.

3. What’s your favorite curse word?
I don’t curse. I just scream instead.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Jesus, Max Lucado, and…it’s still early. (And yes, seriously.)

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
singing in chapel at work

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
working, like I should be

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
probably still be at lunch with Lee

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
I said something to Claude about the music this morning.

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
I like all ice cream that doesn’t involve marshmallow. Butter pecan and chocolate chips are a few basic favorites. I also love pumpkin ice cream!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
black cherry carbonated water

12. What are you wearing right now?
black pants, black camisole, red sweater

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Panera bagel

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
No. I am not allowed to have any new clothes unless I lose weight or get pregnant (self-imposed rule).

15. When was the last time you ran?
I ran to Carolyn‘s office to get a bagel, does that count?

16. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
Ummmm…the last five minutes of the Superbowl?

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
Brian at work

19. Ever go camping?
yes, we used to camp a lot when I was a kid and I loved it. We caved too!

20. Do you have a tan?
Hmm, no. It’s February. But I plan on getting one in May!! (On cruise…and then losing it by going to Colorado.)

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
No, and I don’t drink soda anymore.

25. What did your last IM say?
Given it was probably sent in 2005, I have no idea.

26. Are you someone’s best friend?
I think I am Mr. V’s best friend.

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Coming to work, and then going to a hockey game with kids from the place where I volunteer.

28. Where is your mom right now?
At work, I suppose. Dreaming about leaving for HER cruise!

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
a wall with an ugly painting on it.

30. What color is your watch?
I prefer to not know what time it is.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
koala bears

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Not right now…

33. What is your birthstone?
emerald

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
usually the drive-thru…don’t do much fast food

35.How many kids do you want?
4

36. Do you have a dog?
yes–Chester the Terrible.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Tammy, last night.

38. Have you met anyone famous?
My husband and I determined when I met Max Lucado yesterday that he’s probably the most famous person I have met. I’ve also met Claude King of Experiencing God fame (see aforementioned Claude who works with me), and Todd Smith from Selah. And the guy from the Charade Brigade on a really bad Nickelodeon show…but at the time it was super exciting cause he was hot.

39. Any plans today?
Working. Going to lunch with Lee. Going to church.

40. How many states have you lived in?
Four: Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, and Tennessee

41. Ever go to college?
yes–I am a proud University of Richmond Spider.

42. Where are you right now?
in my office

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
having to work. and Chester.

44. Last song listened to?
no clue. I did listen to the radio on the way in but it was too early to concentrate on songs.

46. Are you allergic to anything?
not allergic really, although I have pretty bad reactions to clams and whole peanuts.

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
black boots

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
women who have it all together

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
I highly doubt it!

51. What time is it?
9:35 a.m. I thought this was 60 questions about me?

52. Do any of your friends have children?
yes.

53. Do you eat healthy?
I try to, but it doesn’t work very well.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
edit

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
No

56. Do you use the word ‘hello’ daily?
Um, probably.

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
26

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
no

60. How did you get one of your scars?
I have a nice scar that is still red on my upper left arm from my car accident. A piece of glass from the shattered window found me.

Yeah, sorry, I didn’t read all the questions first. This was boring.

Six things you actually might not know about me:

1. My favorite color is purple (sorry, Carolyn). In our house in Richmond, the walls of my room were purple and I had silvery-purple carpet. For a whole year in high school I think I mostly wore purple. Or maybe that was eighth grade.

2. I love, love, love to cook, almost to the point where it is therapy. Often I think about going to culinary school and then I remember that I don’t like any good “foodie” things: olives, raw tomatoes, raw onion, eggplant…

3. I am always unnaturally cold. I often locate the nearest blanket when I enter someone’s house for future reference. I am forever saying, “Yes, I am cold, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually cold in here.”

4. I was a Chinese minor in college and studied abroad in China, but I am horrified of speaking Chinese to anyone now for fear I will be so bad and sound so stupid.

5. If I could quit my job, I would want to work at the place where I volunteer and run around kids every afternoon. It’s an awesome ministry. I am really not a desk job kind of person because I have a very short attention span, and I would love to work more one-on-one with people. But I do love what I do and that makes up for a lot!

6. A lot of times, I narrate my own life likes it’s a book. “She goes to the refrigerator, swings it open, and sees the massive amounts of outdated food starting back…” Yeah, shut up.