Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Ok...I have to write some words today, but next Wednesday I promise all you'll get is my salutation.

First, I must give credit where credit is due...I did not come up with this idea on my own.  I follow a friend's blog and she had it there.  (Check it out).  I loved the idea and I've been waiting for an opportune moment to start it here.

Without further ado or any more words...I give you Wordless Wednesday.



Yours affectionately, 
A.H.

Tuesday Topic - Christmas Trees

I'm going to be starting two new institutions (for lack of a better word) into my blog.  And because I love alliteration they are going to be called Tuesday Topic and Wordless Wednesday (but more on WW tomorrow.)  On Tuesdays I'll write about something that has been on my mind and ask a question...sometimes I'll write alot, sometimes it will just be a quick line and then a question for you.  Sometimes the topic will be frivolous (see below), but sometimes it will be serious.

I'd love for you to respond either here or on Facebook.  Let me know if you are having trouble commenting here...I'm thinking of changing over to WordPress...it is very easy to post comments there.

So...for this Tuesday Topic I want to talk about Christmas trees!!  Our tree has always been artificial, I know some people would only be happy with real, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  It is decorated all hodge-podge with decorations my siblings and I created when we were kids, I think one of my favorites is the angel I made whose body is a colored tissue.  There are also precious ornaments my family has collected over the years and all different colored glass ornaments.

Every year we decorate our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.  There is usually ample complaining, but I think the whole family thinks it is worth it once the tree is up.

So here are my two questions for you...

Real tree or fake tree?

Do you have any tree trimming traditions?


Let me know!

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Video of the Week - Christmas

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the music.  Of course I start listening to it whenever I want.  If you see me in the middle of June and it looks like I might be mouthing the lyrics to Baby It's Cold Outside or All I Want for Christmas is You...don't be surprised.  Just smile and nod.

So...it was really hard to pick my favorite Christmas song to put up here.  I picked one of my favorites from this year.

Enjoy.



What is your favorite Christmas song this season?

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Video of the Week - Christmas

I really meant to come back with this on Monday, but due to car trouble and a list of homework that spans several pages...it is coming a bit late.  Nevertheless...Here is the first Christmas blog of the season.

I love Christmas...what to know why?  Well...there are alot of reasons.  I think most people can agree on the important reason, but most of the ones I share with you...aren't all that important...most border on silly (What?!? Silly?!? Me?!?...I know, something new and different right?)  Like today...this week's videos are an excellent example of one reason I appreciate the season...Christmas episodes of television shows are usually first rate.

Example A: Phoebe's Christmas Song  (Sorry you have to got to YouTube for this one.)

Example B: Bones (The Christmas episodes of this show are hands down my favorites.)



Example C: The Big Bang Theory (You'll have to go to YouTube for this one too. BUT WAIT...just a little background first...Sheldon got gift baskets at varying prices...his plan is to excuse himself, check the price of Penny's gift and then come out with the appropriate basket. Ok...now your good.  Go ahead.)

See they are great.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming

Hello All,

So between my massive amounts of homework and the upcoming Thanksgiving break, I haven't/won't have alot of time time to write.  So...I'm taking a short hiatus from blogging.  Come back on the 27th for a Christmas countdown.  I'll tell you about some of my favorite things about the holiday season and there will be a give-away or two also!

See you on the 27th.  In the meantime...enjoy your Thanksgiving!



Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Video of the Week - 90's TV For Kids Edition

It is good to be a child of the 90's.  We some of the greatest kids shows and in case you think I'm wrong...which I'm not...I'm going to share theme songs from three of my favorite shows when I was a kid.

Enjoy!

First up...Reading Rainbow.  I always wanted to be one of the kids at the end of the show who read a book and got to share it with everyone.



Second...Bill Nye the Science Guy.  Consider this...



Last, but not least...Wishbone!!!  My favorite reading dog.  My sister had a stuffed animal Wishbone...he came with two different costumes...I was pretty jealous.



I had to cut myself off at three...I had a hard time not including The Magic School Bus, Arthur, Pepper Ann, Duck Tales, Ghost Writer, Doug and Home Improvement (I know...not actually I kids show, but it is too good to leave off the list).

So...what was your favorite kid's show from the 90's???

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Now I'm a Storyteller

Last year I took a class called Storytelling.  Now...my life is a little bit different, a little bit better.

In high school I was shy and hated, to the core of my being, talking in front of any thing that could be described as a crowd or audience.  I shook, spoke to fast, and my voice started heading toward a pitch that only dog's are be able to hear.

In the last month I have led a meeting of my professional student group on the subject of storytelling. And on October 28th, I told "La Muerta, Godmother Death" at Bloomington's annual Festival of Ghost Stories. Both of these events went well...my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, I spoke at an understandable pace, and my voice stayed low enough for human ears.

Now, I'm not saying the storytelling alone is responsible for these changes...but I do know that two weeks ago I got up on a stage with spotlights and told a story in front of an audience.

So...what is storytelling?

Not acting.
Not memorizing.

It is sharing a story and the images of that story with an audience.
It is a long standing tradition.
It is a skill I will continue studying and sharing with others.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.