What I'm Loving Wednesday #12

Well today I thought I'd link up with Jamie for another edition of What I'm Loving Wednesday, but I realized that I hadn't done my photos of the week yet. So we're doing a combination of both today. We've got a lot to cover!

Today I'm Loving....

1. This guy's idea. During the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, he posted a facebook status that said, "I'd rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria's Secret model." I think that it's so easy for us to get caught up in the world--in things like the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show--and to lose sight of what really matters. I appreciated the reminder. And he's from Baylor, which is Cousin Swiss Mister's alma mater. (Obviously Cousin Swiss Mister may have missed that day in class where he was supposed to learn this....)

2. Volunteering for Make-a-Wish. Last Saturday morning when I had to roll out of my nice warm comfy bed after getting in late from watching rock star friend JoSeth play at the bar, I was not loving my volunteer gig. But about 2 minutes into doing the wish granting interview for a 3 year old with a brain tumor who wants to meet Mickey Mouse, my whole attitude changed. I love being part of an organization that grants such amazing gifts to children who are so deserving. I hope that you'll take time to find a charity or an organization that you are passionate about and to give. Be it time, money, prayers, whatever you can do.

3. My Christmas tree! This weekend I had a free Saturday afternoon at home (shocking these days!), so I decided that it was prime Christmas tree time. For those of you who weren't around my blog 2 years ago, click here to read about why I put up my own tree and send out my own cards each year.
Each year I try and find oranments to commemorate some fun event (particularly travel related stuff) from the past year. I figure that will be pretty cool 20 years from now. This year's big addition is an OSU football helmet with the Bedlam score and date written on it.
I really wanted to find a half marathon ornament for this year, but haven't had any luck. Runners--any ideas?

4. Watching the Ironman World Championships. I tell you what, these athletes are just amazing. I just stumbled upon the World Championships on Saturday afternoon and had to watch. I cried at their stories of inspiration---80 year old men who kept going. A war veteran who lost both legs. The former 300 pound Biggest Loser contestant. The 78 year old woman who was the oldest finisher ever. The man who bet $1 million of food for hungry kids on the race with rapper 50 Cent. It was awesome. And it made me hungry, so I also ate a baked potato. Whatev.

5. Angel Trees. I really hate how commericalized Christmas has become. I think that our society has managed to get totally away from the whole point of the holiday. This year I participated in the one angel tree church and the one for nursing home patients at Wal-Mart. I just can't stand the though of someone not having a gift at Christmas. Blonde Oklahoma Girl wrote the sweetest post about being on the phone while I was frantically shopping for sweat suits, sheets and bathrobes for gifts! If you see an angel tree in your own community, I encourage you to participate. Giving gifts to those who cannot repay us....like that gift born in a manger.....that's what Christmas is all about.

6. Being Fiesta Bowl Bound! For those of you football fans out there, you know that my Cowboys are playing Stanford in this year's Fiesta Bowl.

Well BFF, Cousin Swiss Mister, Mr. Animal House and I all have tickets and we're headed to Arizona come January 2! I can't wait to watch the game with some of my favorite boys and cheer on the Pokes! Oh, and to rock out the new OSU shirt that I bought.....I don't want to ruin the surprise so you'll have to wait until I post pictures on January 3, but I'll just say that it's awesome. :)

Photos of the Week

Theme: Vanishing Points

I had to google this theme to figure out what it was talking about. Ha! It's defined as a photo involving parallel lines that are not parallel to the photo. Um....too much geometry for this girl. Thank goodness for google images--it's where you have a photo that one point in the distance the two lines look to merge together. I took this shot last month in Austin. It's one of my favorites.

Theme: Show Off Your Shot (And Then She Snapped)

I love Christmas tree decorations. I played with some lighting and really liked this shot. Check out all of the other entries here!

Theme: Mahogany (Project 64)

Funny enough, this picture is also from my trip to Austin. I thought that the longhorn on the right was pretty close to the Mahogany color for this week's theme. Check out the other entries at Project 64.