Monday, March 3, 2008

100th Post & "Favorites" Giveaway

1. I was born and raised in L.A. – that’s Lower Alabama, ya’ll!
2. I love being from the South.
3. I love going home to visit.
4. I don’t think I could live in my hometown again.
5. People often mispronounce my name, Alana (uh-LAN-uh)
6. I tell people it’s like Atlanta without the t’s.
7. I don’t like to correct people - it drives my friends crazy so they correct people for me.
8. I like having an unusual name.
9. I love hearing my children say my name.
10. My parents didn’t give me a middle name when I was born.
11. When I turned 18, I petitioned the court for a middle name (not as official as it sounds – I basically signed a document and had it notarized)
12. I chose my mother’s maiden name.
13. I know #’s 10-12 may sound silly, but it's tough growing up in the south with only 2 initials to monogram on things!
14. Especially when said initials are AA – as in Alcoholics Anonymous.
15. Both of my parents taught at my high school.
16. I never skipped a class.
17. Until I went to college.
18. I attended The University of Alabama.
19. I planned on majoring in Accounting.
20. One night I had a dream . . . . angry numbers holding mean calculators were chasing me through the quad.
21. The next morning I switched my major to Elementary Education. It seemed safer.
22. After 2 1/2 years, I realized I was doing too much of #39 and went home.
23. I graduated at a local college with a degree in Elementary Education.
24. I love college football. Roll Tide!
25. I put pepper in my ketchup.
26. I consider ketchup a vegetable.
27. I was very thankful when they discovered the benefits of ketchup and lycopene.
28. I was 22 years old when I took my first plane trip.
29. The trip was to Washington, DC.
30. It was the day Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead died.
31. I was visiting my friend, Ilene for 10 days.
32. My parents bought me a round-trip ticket.
33. Within weeks I had a job and a place to live.
34. I never moved back home – a lot of people lost bets on that decision.
35. I still have the back-end trip of that ticket.
36. I met my husband, Bob, at a President’s Day Party.
37. Yes, people do celebrate President’s Day.
38. We had our first kiss at a party on Saint Patrick’s Day.
39. I enjoy a good party. And a cold beer.
40. I don’t get to go to many parties anymore.
41. Between pregnancy and nursing, I rarely have a cold beer anymore either.
42. Bob and I were married 3 1/2 years later.
43. We were married on the hottest day of the summer in Alabama.
44. I didn’t care. It was my wedding day.
45. I insisted on taking our puppy on our honeymoon with us.
46. It was not a smart decision.
47. I taught for 5 1/2 years.
48. I have my Master’s Degree in Educational Technology.
49. Now I am blessed to be able to stay home with our children.
50. We have a 4-year-old little boy, a 2 1/2-year-old little girl, an 8th month old baby boy, and two beautiful girls in heaven.
51. We lost our daughters, Ellie and Kate in a car accident in December of 2003.
52. I miss them terribly. I know I will be with them again.
53. My loss and grief do not define me.
54. God’s grace is sufficient and sustains me.
55. I was baptized in a southern Baptist church when I was 13.
56. I think I just got what that means about 4 years ago.
57. I have never had a cup of coffee.
58. I am addicted to Coca-Cola – real Coca-Cola.
59. My goal is to break my Coke addiction starting April 1st.
60. I have an obsession with pillows.
61. I can’t sew, knit, or quilt, but I envy those that can.
62. I lost my grandparents way too early.
63. I miss not having them in my life.
64. My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. It was written by Harper Lee. Harper Lee was a Chi Omega at The University of Alabama. I had an opportunity to meet her when I was in school.
65. I was a Chi-O at The University of Alabama.
66. I liked the book long before I knew this fact.
67. I have a hard time opening presents in front of people.
68. My husband’s family is very generous and gives lots of presents at Christmas.
69. I’ve learned to like opening presents in front of people.
70. I like doing the laundry.
71. I don’t cook much, though.
72. I am convinced I can clean my entire house with a vacuum cleaner.
73. I like most types of music. Except Jazz, it makes me anxious.
74. I live in Maryland.
75. I love all things crab – except the picking part. I think you have to be born here to appreciate the ritual of picking crabs. Sort of like being from the south and loving boiled peanuts!
76. I love naps. I am very sad my little boy no longer does.
77. I thought recycling was a little silly, until I had children.
78. I am trying to make “greener” choices for our family.
79. My husband inspires me to make these choices. He is a very smart man.
80. I often relapse into my old ways. For example:
81. I watch way too much TV.
82. I forget to turn off the lights.
83. Sometimes I run a load of laundry twice because it has soured over night.
84. On occasion, I throw away a glass bottle because I’m too lazy to rinse it out. (sorry, honey)
85. I am a work in progress.
86. At times I can be selfish.
87. I am a person who wants things.
88. I don’t ever remember a time in my life when I didn’t have everything I needed.
89. I am trying to learn the difference between “want” and “need”.
90. As a tween, I had posters of Kirk Cameron on my walls.
91. I fully expected him to show up at my door and sweep me off my feet.
92. I love hydrangeas, dogwood and magnolia trees. I know, typical southerner.
93. I have wonderful friends.
94. Most of them live too far away.
95. I was a cheerleader in high school.
96. Our mascot was a cougar.
97. I love everything about the beach.
98. Snow skiing terrifies me!
99. I am a homebody.
100. If you’re still reading this list you deserve a chance to win a few of my favorite things I’ve written about here on my "blawg” like, this toothbrush, a copy of Calm My Anxious Heart, Wrap -n- Mat, Stubby Pencil Studio cards and more!

Just leave a comment on this post anytime this month (March) to be entered into a random drawing. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you! Thanks for taking the time to visit and please feel free to come back anytime!

41 comments:

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

YAY!!!! Congrats on your 100th post! WOO HOO! I have so enjoyed getting to know you in the past few months. You really have inspired and blessed me in so many ways.

And of course, I have to say it, "What is this that morning sunshine gilds with golden beams? 'Tis the pin of Chi Omega, emblem of our dreams."

:)

I enjoyed your 100 things! I feel I know you even better now, and I love knowing how to pronounce your name. I admit, I was saying it like "uhLAINuh." Thanks for the explanation.

LunaMoonbeam said...

100!!! Wooho! (My baby is on my lap saying, "ba! ba!" I think that means "congratulations you rock". We're still waiting for the translators to show up.)

Great to learn so many things about you!! South Ala has a soft place in my heart. Go Butler!

Tara said...

Congrats on your 100! I really enjoyed reading it. I'm glad we have been able to correspond like this even though we never knew each other that well in Dothan. We sure are going to miss your brother, Katherine, and Zeke when they move back but we know how much they love it out there.
Tara

Karin said...

Congrats on your 100th post! Enjoyed reading your list-- even though I don't know you.

The Nester said...

well, add me to the list from a fellow home body

Amy said...

I got so wrapped up in your 100 things that the giveaway took me by surprise. Thanks for mentioning how you met Harper Lee. I was wondering how you pulled that off after reading your comment on my post.

WHEN I win the giveaway you can email me. I know you have it.
-Amy from Memories and Musings of a Mommy.

Anonymous said...

BRAVO! That was incredible to read. The monogramming bit had me laughing out loud. After years of living in Pensacola, South Texas, and Louisiana - yes - I do even monogram my bathing suits - with a teeny tiny monogram! Congratulations on your 100th post, Alana...I say you deserve the coke, and the beer! Cheers!

laurel said...

I enjoyed your 100 things! Congrats on your 100th post. I hope I win your give away! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi! I discovered your blog a few weeks ago, and then I "lost" it. I'm so glad you commented on my blog! Congrats on the 100th post... indeed a milestone.

Kristen said...

I feel like I know you so well, which is remarkable since we've never met! Congrats! on 100 posts!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 100th post.

I liked your entry on a greener easter basket.

S.B.
http://bethriftylikeus.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Alana, I enjoyed your 100. It's a great way to learn more about ourselves and each other, I think. Best wishes to you all as you prepare to welcome the new baby!

Kimberly said...

congrats on 100! Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the 100th! And thanks for visiting my blog. I was in Maryland this weekend for my church's women's retreat. Beautiful place.

Anonymous said...

Great stuff! You've had a very interesting life so far. I also live in the DC area (I'm a native). ;)

Alana said...

Congrats on your 100th post!

I don't like to correct people when they mispronounce my name either!

Also love Coca-Cola. LOVE it.

But HATE boiled peanuts. Blech.

I lived in Tuscaloosa for a year just out of college which is where I first tasted boiled peanuts. Seriously...blech.

Enjoyed your list!!

Marsha said...

Isn't it funny how much one can enjoy the 100 things lists of people we don't know and likely will never meet? I kind of feel like they're a unifying force in the world, bringing disparate people closer together by laying out our shared human experience.

Either that, or their just plain fun.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 100th post. I love crab and boiled peanuts. I can so relate to running a load of laundry two times because it soured.

Meryl said...

Alana,

Congrats on your 100th post! Ilene shared your blog with me and I love it! I don't want to win anything but I did love that out of those 100 things I knew at least 30-40 of those things about you! Hope you are doing well!

Meryl (Rosh) Rindsberg

Anonymous said...

wow! How long did it take you to develop the list of 100? Amazing...I think I will make my own list for fun:)
Susan

Shane H. said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I'm here by way of 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party. I'm off to look around a bit.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 100th post. I found your blog this week from Works for me Wednesday and I really enjoyed this post.

I look forward to reading more.

Jessica

Mocha with Linda said...

Enjoyed reading these. Loved reading TKMB in high school many moons ago.

Unknown said...

Great list. I have done similar lists... aren't they fun?

Steph said...

Congrats on your 100th post. I really enjoyed reading your list.
Roll Tide!

iamwedge[at]hotmail.com

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

wow. i learned a LOT about you.
i'm so very sorry for the loss of you daughters. :( i had no idea and i can't even imagine.

i should do a 100 things post some day. congrats on your 100th post.

"I can’t sew, knit, or quilt, but I envy those that can." that's me too! ;)

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Alana, You have a nice site here. I'll be back again later.
It was nice learning about you. It's great to meet other people from Alabama. What town are you from? I grew up in Hartselle near the Huntsville area, but my husband is from the Mobile area, so we came down here after getting married, and a couple of months ago we moved to Baldwin County.

Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama said...

Hey Alana! I found you and your blog through a comment you left on DC Metro Moms awhile back. So random, I know! Congrats on your 100th post. MCPS misses your talent! :)

Unknown said...

I am truly so sorry for the loss of your daughters.

I'm excited to say we have a lot in common. : ) Ketchup is considered a veggie in my life, too. I have a huge ketchup collection and I post about ketchup regularly :)

My mom's name is Elana. It's pronounced the same thing but with an E. She hates her name. I like it. I do like it with an "A" better :) Too funny about the "AA" initial thing.

I agree with you on the vacuum thing, too. It's my favorite chore and I do it every day :)

I had Kirk all over my walls, too. You MUST check out my post from last week about the Sassy magazines :)

I adore hydrangeas, too. So does my hubby. We just moved here and have been considering climbing hydrangeas. Do you have those? I'd like to order some and just take a chance with them even though I live in Illinois...

Loved that post. Come visit me!

Natural Louisville said...

I'm already a big fan of this blog -- loved your list on the 100th post. We share alot of the same blogs on our blogroll. So I'm sure I'll see you around again soon!

Michelle said...

Nice post, congrats on #100! That was such fun to read, and probably for you to write too! I believe I did a 100 things post a few years ago, I think I'll go back and look it over and see what I can learn about myself, hehe. Have a fun party week, stop by my blog if you get a chance, we're partying like it's no one's business over there :)

Theresa N. said...

You have a lot of favorite's. I think it just shows how Happy you are with you life. Congrats on the 100th.
Theresa N.
weceno@yahoo.com

Superdumb Supervillain said...

congratulations! woo!

La Mama Naturale' said...

100 posts, definitely deserves a celebration! I so relate to the Kirk Cameron crush. LOL! Too funny. Great site- will be visiting in the future. I too, am an eco-mama! I hope you'll consider stopping by my site as well. www.recycleyourday.webs.com/lamamanaturale.htm

Happy 100th!

Favorite Aunt! said...

Wow -- just like reading about me!! The initial thing, mispronouncing my name, CO-COLA!!! But, I do prefer a good, cold martini to the beer!!

I don't need a prize -- just some pictures of those sweet babies!

All my love!
Andrea

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your list, but #51 brought tears to my eyes. I can't even fathom what you went through. I admire you for being so strong about it. I'll be back to read more!

Kathleen W. said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I came across your interesting blog via Tackle It Tuesday and will definitely add you to my blog list. Also, two things we have in common: my parents didn't give me a middle name at birth either, and I am also pregnant, actually overdue by 2 days right now. Good luck to you!

organicmom said...

I found your blog last week and absolutely love it! I look forward to receiving your new posts. Thank you for the green tips. I can't wait to get my recently ordered wrap-n-mats!

Theresa N. said...

Congratulations!! I can see by reading your 100 we have a LOT in common. I want list which ones:)
Theresa N
weceno@yahoo.com

ikkinlala said...

Congratulations on 100 posts!

CanCan said...

Hmm, I didn't even know I missed a contest.
I just love reading 100 things posts!

I wanted to say "hi" and that we have a lot in common! I am an Alabama almost-native and I went to UA for a year before transferring to another in-state school.