Do You Believe in Angels?

After spending over 16 years in Catholic schools, attending church every Sunday (up until about 5 years ago) and even serving as a Eucharistic minister, I still struggle with faith. How do we know there is a Heaven? How do we know God has a plan for us? Where are the water-to-wine miracles? The elementary answer I've always gotten is that you just have to have faith.

But what exactly is faith and can it be defined? The older I get, I'm starting to see that faith is different for everyone. People use faith to deal with all different types of things--death, sickness, troubled times. And sometimes faith is just an everyday thing that people have.

I can't say that my own faith is rock solid. It's my nature to question things. But my faith has grown much stronger since my grandma, a faithful believer, passed away close to 5 years ago. Among other things, I listened to Vince Gill's song Go Rest High On That Mountain as a way to comfort myself. It's a beautiful song and these lyrics specifically made me happy:

Your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Because that's how Grandma made an entrance.

And now, almost always after thinking about Grandma, I hear that song. It's happened at home, in my car during rush hour (which is weird--a 15 year old song that is slow and sad is not typical rush hour music) and at work. It always causes me to stop and smile. So that's my faith. That she's somewhere, still in-tune with her family.

I ran across this article today and think it's a wonderful example of faith. Whether people say it's true or a sun spot or a doctored image or scientifically not possible, who cares? It gave this mother reason to continue to believe. And that's the great thing about faith. It's what people do with it that counts.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28364813/?GT1=43001#storyContinued

Go Ahead. Make My Millennium.

As I've mentioned before, I tend to eavesdrop. Don't get me wrong, it's never malicious. But if I hear something amusing enough, I file it away. And today, ladies and gentlemen, I got a gem.

I was in Victoria's Secret during my lunch hour finishing up some Christmas shopping. Minding my own business, of course. Well, that's not entirely true. Let's be honest, I also love to people watch. And let me tell you, Christmastime at Victoria's Secret is the perfect place to people watch. Women are hastily trying to find the perfect sexy outfit. Men won't look at anything or anyone for longer than 2 seconds. Lots of nervousness. But the absolute best is when a couple shops at Vicki's together. Perhaps women see it as a way to get some guidance as to what is super sexy. And maybe it gives men license to linger a little longer than they normally would. The couple I saw today was a perfect case study to support this theory.

The woman, in her late thirties, was practically running from item to item, holding them up for her husband to either support or veto. At first, he stayed about two steps behind her, but eventually began going off on his own. He actually started picking stuff up and offering suggestions. Hands out of pockets and touching lingerie. Amazing. Pretty soon, it was like he owned the place.

After awhile, they made their purchases and were headed back my way in order to leave the store. I guess he was still on the Vicki's natural high because he was still pointing stuff out and making comments. As soon as they passed me, he stopped, pointed at a pair of pajama pants and said "Huh. Those look like somethin' Beetlejuice'd wear!"

I did some investigative research and really, can you blame him?

The pants in question.

Beetlejuice.

So I guess the moral of the story is to take your man lingerie shopping with you. If you don't, you'll end up paying $98 dollars for a pair of sexy pants that will make your man think of Beetlejuice when you are trying to get down to business.

Just a bit of advice. That's what I'm here for folks.

My First Meme

I was tagged to do a meme by Netter, and while I love this kind of stuff, the directions say I have to complete it and then tag 5 more people. Sadly, I don't have 5 blogging friends to tag. So, if it's okay to break the rules, I'm just going to tag my big bro over at Jacob's Field. I'd love to tag my mom, dad and even Anonymous (just to see how this generation's Scrooge gets through the holidays), but they are all blogless. Until you guys get in the game, I'm going to have to make an effort to make some more blogging friends!

1) Wrapping paper or gift bags? Hmm. For Christmas, mostly gift wrap. Any other time of year? Gift bags.

2) Real tree or artificial? Real tree. Love the experience of going to pick one out with P. We've got some pretty good memories--like last year, for instance, when the guy at the tree farm lost his razor blade trying to cut twine out of our tree. I located said blade a few days later when I got a flat. Only P and I would manage to run over it in the vast space of a tree farm. Then there's our first Christmas together when we went to a u-cut farm and it was so hot P had to take off his shirt while cutting down the tree. I didn't mind though...

3) When do you put up the tree? Usually after Thanksgiving.

4) When do you take the tree down? When it dies? Seriously, sometimes not until the end of January. We like it!

5) Do you like eggnog? YES!

6) Favorite gift received as a child? A Barbie pool seems to stick out in my mind.

7) Hardest person to buy for? This is a tough one. Probably Mom, but just because her b-day is a few days before Christmas!

8) Easiest person to buy for? Wow. This is a tough one too. Has to be a tie between P and my brother. With P, you can't miss with fishing, boating or golfing stuff. With Frank, you can't miss because he tells you EXACTLY which gift card he wants.

9) Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we got one from P's mom for Christmas a few years ago. I love it, but it's not like the one Mom and Dad had growing up. Mom and Dad's has removable pieces and a hay loft. You never know who Frank and I would put up in that loft. A camel? Check. A wise man? Check. Baby Jesus? Check. Hey, we were kids!

10) Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't know. Probably underwear or socks.

11) Favorite Christmas Movie? Tough, but it's GOT to be It's a Wonderful Life. I just love it!

12) Favorite Christmas song? White Christmas by Otis Redding.

13) Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually both. Might change when we have kids though!

14) Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. Two words: rice cooker.

15) Favorite ornament theme or color? I really like the look of white lights with gold trim, but it's just not as fun as the old school colorful lights! I remember Dad putting them up every year--seeing them always reminds me of Eastland Drive!

Quick Poll Results: SN Readers Like Eggnog, Hate Quick Polls

Seriously people. You hate my polls don't you? Since I was one of the SIX replies (somebody had to get the ball rolling), thanks to the five of you who took the time to take the poll. I sincerely appreciate it. We'll get to the double digits eventually!

Gone Baby Gone

Earlier this year, one of the restaurants in my little town made the evening news by catching fire and temporarily shutting down one of the main state routes in Ohio. The restaurant, a BBQ joint with the best pizza in town (yes, you read that correctly), didn't burn to the ground but sustained enough damage to close. We wondered what would happen until a For Sale sign appeared under the word "FIRE" on the side of the building.

Months have gone by and nothing has happened. I thought we were destined to have an ugly, empty building to look at--and no more pizza at that! I was a bit surprised to drive by late last week and see half of the building missing, a dump truck in its place. I'm not sure if someone bought it and is planning to rebuild, but by the very next day, the building was gone. The only reminder it once stood there is a row of artifacts lined up against the back fence: a deep fryer, tables, chairs, bar stools, a kitchen sink.

Oh, and a mannequin. Yup. Pale skin, shiny black hair and a fierce hot pink strapless mini-dress.

I don't remember seeing this mannequin used in the restaurant for any purpose, so I'm at a loss for where she came from. All I know is that when I passed by later that night, she was gone. Still there were all the tables, chairs and bar stools. But that mannequin? Gone baby, gone. I should mention that this particular day was one of the coldest Ohio has had all year. It also snowed somewhat unexpectedly. So someone trudged out in the snow and cold to cherry pick the best find in the bunch. I only wish I had gotten a photo. Wonder where she is tonight?

Quick Poll: Do You Nog?

I probably shouldn't admit this, but one of my favorite things about Christmas is eggnog. It's so tasty and has such a unique flavor that to me, it's Christmas in a cup. To my mom's side of the family, it's more than that. To them, it's not complete without fresh nutmeg, rum and a huge punch bowl. To each his own of course, but I prefer mine naked--no liquor, no nutmeg, just pure deliciousness.

I'm curious to see where you stand. Love it, hate it or never tried it? Take my poll to the right.

And to my fellow eggnog lovers (wherever you are), I've got three words for you: McDonald's Eggnog Milkshake.