Silly quiz...

I found it on Meredith's blog, and couldn't resist. =P

1. What two qualities do you want most in your future husband (besides being a Christian)? Joy that will last through hardships and love of children.

2. Is there a fictional character you see as a model for your future husband? Mr. Knightley and Mr. Tilney (both from Jane Austen novels... =P)

3. Where do you want your wedding? In my own front yard... I have it all worked out.

4. What are your views on courtship? I've done many long rants/explanations about it, but in a nutshell, I believe courtship a mindset, and that being in that mindset while getting to know a special someone is the only way to end up with the right one.

5. Do you have a purity ring/locket? Kind of... on my charm bracelet, I have a gold heart inscribed with "He who holds the key can unlock my heart." I gave the key to my daddy, as a symbol that until the man God has for me comes into my life, my daddy is the man who protects me.

6. Do you have or want a hope chest? I do have a hope chest. It's slowly collecting things...

7. Will you wear a veil at your wedding? I'm not sure... I'll have to find one I like and that hasn't happened yet. The wedding would not be ruined in my opinion if I didn't have a veil.

8. What kind of wedding dress do you want? I want a modest, short sleeve or sleeveless (NOT strapless), full-skirt dress with no train. I'm not sure if I'll find it or make it, but I always look at the wedding dresses at Goodwill, and if I find what I'm looking for I'll buy it and save it! =P

9. What color bridesmaid dresses do you want? Well, I want a small wedding, so I might only have Sarah as my maid of honor... so I'll let her have whatever color she wants, excluding hot pink. If I have more, I might still let them wear whatever color... I'm not sure.

10. What flowers do you want in your bouquet? That would depend on what season I end up getting married, but I'd like to cut my own flowers and arrange them myself... so whatever is blooming.

11. What do you want to name one of your daughters? I like Celtic names... Moyna, Sianna, Flanna, Arela.

12. What do you want to name one of your sons? Alan, Devlin, Tiernan... Maybe one of my desired traits in a husband should be "tolerance of weird names." :\

13. How many kids do you want? My joke answer is 13... almost everyone who knows makes fun of me. Really, it's "AT LEAST" 13. Laugh, gasp or cajole all you want, that's my desire.

14. What music do you want to play at your wedding? Strings and flute... I would say piano, but I want it in my front yard, so a piano might be too much trouble.

15. Are you a hopeless romantic? I wouldn't say so. I can easily enjoy the romance in anything, but I don't look for that kind of romance for myself. My dream is just to have a simple life with the man God has for me. And then, even the normal things in life are romantic.

TCC First Annual Dads & Daughters Night

This was not the first Father/daughter dance I'd been to. I've been to one that was in a slightly decorated gym, where everyone brought a snack to share, a hired DJ played all the "usual," there was no room to sit, less room to dance, and it was lots fun. Until one night, I listened to one of the songs that was played, and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I wish I could say that one song was all it took for me to want to leave, but it took three reprehensible songs, and then I was ready to leave and never come back. And that's what we did.

I always enjoyed the night spent with my sister and daddy, (even when the songs were horrible) and I missed it this year (it was always around Valentine's Day). Then, just a couple weeks ago, Mr. Finneran announced that he was planning a Christian Community Dads & Daughters night for August 13th.

I was excited about the idea, but I confess that at first, I wasn't too happy that it was going to be right after hours of swimming and water polo. I ended up having to miss water polo to get ready in time (30 minutes might be enough for Sarah and Jessica, but it's not enough for me!) It was worth it. The messy little room at TAC was transformed by Mrs. Finneran, Mrs. Jacob and my mom into an elegant and lovely dining room and dance floor. The fluorescent lights were out and the lighting was provided by candles, soft lamps and Christmas light strands. Pink and white streamers, light pink balloons, beautiful table cloths, and delicate doilies all added a special touch. I could never believe it was the same stark, unfinished and harsh room we'd had our swim team awards banquet in.

Sarah and Jessica, preparing for a picture together...

Sarah and Jessica

We had a meal, Mr. Finneran gave a devotional talk, and then the dads presented their daughters with a rose. Since my mom was responsible for getting the roses, I had seen them ahead of time, and already had my heart set on one that was not quite as bright pink as all the others. When Daddy picked our roses for us, he picked for me the very one I wanted!

My little brothers and some of the other young men were being the waiters, and they were all so cute, refilling drinks and offering more salad, or more sparkling apple cider. Little Torin was especially adorable, he was so excited to be a waiter, so eager to do anything, and very serious about his job.

My brother, Joel, and Torin, "helping" the DJ.

Then the DJ (who played the piano during the meal) cranked up the dance music and we danced. Then we ate cake, and danced some more.

Jessica and her dad, dancing very well...

It was all over way too soon. It was such a special evening, I'm so glad to have the night with Daddy and Sarah back. And the older girls are looking forward to planning an similar event for the dads and moms sometime soon!

Our table...

Sarah, with her lip-like heart candy from the dance.

Our roses... (there were three left over, so the three moms who were in charge of decorating and the six hours of hard work got a rose each as well.) Can you see the difference between mine and Sarah's and Mom's?

It was so nice, I can't wait to do one for the moms!

~Lizzie

"It's cute... not saying I like it, but it's cute..."

- Sarah's opinion of this little arrangement.



I had been feeling sad about cutting Black-eyed Susans because they almost always have little baby buds on the stem that are too low to fit in the arrangement, but too high to avoid being cut along with the main flower. But today I decided to try sticking them in their own little vase instead of throwing them away, and they ended up looking better than I imagined they would!


This is the arrangement of Zinnias that I wanted the long Black-eyed Susans for. (It's kind of blurry, but the flash looked much worse.)

Sarah and I are very excited about Wicked coming to DPAC April/May 2010... but I am beginning to wonder if I shouldn't have a problem with the witches and wizards and magic in Wicked. After all, I rejected Harry Potter because of Christian objections to witchcraft and witches being portrayed in a good light. Glinda is a "good" witch. There is witchcraft in Wicked... flying on brooms and such. Wicked seems more like an innocent story than Harry Potter, but it still centers on witches who are supposed to be "good." I'm very torn. I feel that I should be objecting to Wicked too, but I've heard that it's such a good show, and I have the soundtrack and the music is fantastic... and it's not like I'm a child that could be fooled into thinking that real witches are good just by a show!

Also, J. K. Rowling (a professed witch) has said that she intended Harry Potter to encourage American children to experiment with witchcraft! Wicked is just another Broadway musical: typically slightly cheesy, with no mind-blowing intent beyond being a well-acted and well-sung musical... the witches are just another twist in a thread of musicals with all-too-similar romantic plots. Right? At least I have 8 months to think about it. Thoughts are welcome. =)

~Lizzie

The day of the mysterious package...

I discovered an intriguing plain box outside our door early this afternoon. It had our address, and a return address, but said nothing of the sender, only "P.O. box ****" etc. I picked it up and whatever was inside thumped invitingly... I was hoping it wasn't another delivery for Sarah's new still-secret business, and it wasn't. Mom and I opened it, and inside were Nerf basketballs the size of baseballs, and some plastic and cardboard hoops.


I looked at Mom curiously, wondering if she'd ordered it for the boys, but she was as puzzled as I was... until we read the included letter, which read:

"Dear NERF Hoop Sweepstakes First Prize Winner:

Congratulations on being a First Prize Winner!

Your entry into the NERF Hoop Sweepstakes was selected in a random drawing as a First Prize winner.

The First Prize package is: one (1) NERF WALL2WALL HOOP product and one (1) NERFOOP product. Approximate retail value of each First Prize Package is $23.00.

We hope you enjoy this First Prize package.

Cottonwood Enterprises INC.
Sales Promotion Specialists"

My first thought was: "If this is First Prize, what is Second Prize?" And my second thought was: "Good grief! All the free car, jewelry, vacation and food drawings we've entered in, and we win a NERF sweepstakes?" *sigh* :\

Oh well.

~Lizzie

"From a frustrated customer"

Dear Volvo,
I love almost everything about your cars except for the "new" seat design, which features a head rest jutting forward in a most un-ergonomic position. Yes, I realize it is artistic, but I would rather lean my head back with out getting my neck snapped forward. Also, your seat back support is backwards. It juts out at the UPPER back, and curves away from supporting the lower back. I'm not sure it could have been more badly designed if that had been the actual intent.

Sincerely,
A Would-Be Volvo Lover