Contending for Cordate Day

In which I climb atop my small, wobbling soap box and passionately defend my favorite holiday.

So I've kinda always loved Valentine's Day. See, my family didn't really give gifts on Christmas. We chose to use that time to focus on Who Christmas is really about. But when it came to Valentine's Day...... whoa Nelly.....that was our Christmas. These days we actually do more with Christmas than we used to, but Valentine's still one of my favorite holidays.

Now, it's not the presents that really get me going for Valentine's Day, just like it wasn't ever really presents that did it for Christmas. Now we all know what Christmas is all about (at least we know it with head knowledge). But do you know what Valentine's Day is about? Sure you could go the historical route. The death of Christian Martyrs. And perhaps even some go with the pagan holiday route. Maybe you think it's all about a improperly clothed child caring a deadly weapon. But isn't about something bigger? Isn't more about the people you love? Or perhaps the Person that loves you the most? Trust me- I'll dig into this deeper with my other rants. They're kinda entwined.

And now, the other rant of mine for Valentine's Day. This may be mostly aimed toward single girls out there but can apply to everyone. Here's the thing. Maybe I'm one of those non-conformist, who does the exact opposite when someone tells you to do something. I admit, sometimes that's not a good thing. But, seriously girls. Do not buy into the marketing of Valentine's day. It's not about romantic love, passion, or being in a "significant" relationship. That's just so they can sell their hallmark greeting cards. I've seen a few posts on facebook along the lines of wishing they had a guy for Valentine's Day and that they guess it will just be them and their dog again this year. Honestly I hope you love someone other than your dog. If you have no one else to that you love (i.e. parents, siblings, family, friends, etc.), then you need to get out more. I've never been in a relationship, so perhaps it *is* the best of times to be with a guy for Valentine's Day. But perhaps, even those married girls put too much stock in their guys coming "through" for them and delivering the most romantic day ever. (gag me now) But let me tell you girls, I'm always with a Guy every day of the week! And this Guy doesn't need a special day to remember to tell me that He loves me! He has shown the greatest love ever! We can't comprehend this love. So be strong! Resist the marketing ploy that you must be "in a relationship" for Valentine's Day. And singles: DON'T WEAR BLACK! (Perhaps no one does this any more, but there was a thing once that single girls were to wear black for "singles awareness day" on Valentine's Day. Honestly, if you are one of the girls that would wear black, I'm pretty sure we all are aware of your singleness just by your attitude.)You are loved by an eternal God that should have you wearing the brightest of pinks ever.

So this Valentine's Day remember the two greatest commandments (Luke 10:27): Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love thy neighbor as yourself. And We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Use this as a time to draw closer to a God who showed the ultimate gift of love, and in turn, take time to show that love to those God has placed in your life for a reason. (which could be a great number of people- "whose is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29))

And just so you know, I do love my dog and will most certainly be doing some cuddling with her on Valentine's day, as well as trying to steal kisses from an adorable 2 1/2 year old boy. :)

Proudly wearing pink on my soap box,

Ti-Ti

Consorting with a Canine

first time meeting Saabreen

A while ago I posted on Facebook what I've learned from Saabreen being in my life.

And it got me thinking how much more I could put on that.... and then next thing you know, I felt a blog post coming on (it's kinda similar to a cold coming on- sneezing, headache, scratchy throat..... you know....)

So I over the past few weeks I have compiled a list of 50 things I have either learned about life or things about Saabreen.

1- All food is her food- whether it's on the table, on the the dash of your car, or in the very reachable hands of a 2 year old.

2- Never yawn without covering your mouth.

3- Crayons must taste amazing.

4- If potty training a puppy is this hard- don't ask for my help training your child.

5- Don't try to exercise with your dog- not even running (unless... you like the feeling of an arm coming out of socket or a sit up full of slobber).

6- Gravity works harder with a cone of shame on.

7- There is nothing quite like cuddling with your puppy in front of a fire with a good book.

8- Saabreen cheats on staring contests.

9- Bree has perfected the look of innocence.

10- No matter how much you love someone- picking up their poop is never fun or easy.

11- Saabreen's hugs are almost as good as little kid hugs.

12- If at first you don't succeed- try again when mom isn't looking.

First night at her new home

13- Saabreen makes a good excuse to get out of most anything.

14- If it is pink (and squishy), it must, therefore, belong to Bree.

15- Praying is a great time to get a drink.

16- When mom gets her mean voice on........... run.

17- Saabreen is super easy to blame for something gone wrong or missing.

18- I call her my kangaroo bunny.

19- Saabreen never laughs at me no matter how horrible I look.

20- And I thought I was lazy when I was tired.

21- Bree is very confident in herself- she is convinced that everyone simply loves her and is dying to get hugs and kisses from her.

22- Spend enough time with someone (Bree) and you start to look like them... or vice versa.

23- Even if you do something in a corner- someone still finds out.

24- Chewing mom's shoes= the longest time out in history.

25- Scary/jump scenes in movies are even worse when your dog jumps.

Saabreen's first Christmas

26- You can tell when she's leaping in her sleep and when she's just running by the twitching of her paws.

27- Apparently I'm not the only one that *loves* Dove chocolate.

28- Saabreen has learned- very, very quickly- that mom is not a morning person.29- "Gentle" means kisses.

30- When mom has a cold- no one sleeps well.
31- She tends to need to ask my permission to obey someone else. (i.e. when Mike is helping train her to stay, she has to look to me for approval first)

32- I always know when I put too much perfume on when she sneezes three times.

33- It is possible to watch people at the top of  the stairs using the mirror at the bottom of the stairs.

34- Mom's pillows are warmer.

35- If mom starts talking really nice and in her "wittle cute lovermuffin" voice......... run.................. it probably means it's bath time or something equally as unpleasant.
36- Saabreen is the ultimate bossy butt..... even with dogs twice her size.

37- Why eat dog treats when you can get human food?

38- Saabreen is one of the few people that can make me smile in the morning.

39- The dog in the window likes to play and loves Bree kisses.

40- It is possible to run too fast down the stairs.
41- Saabreen will find the most annoying place to lick you when you are grumpy- such as your ear.
42- Never make eye contact when in trouble, then you can pretend that you don't hear them- even if they are one foot away.
43- Blowing your nose is pretty scary.
44- It's annoying when I do my devotions late at night- at least so Saabreen tells me -because I apparently talk out loud.

first official photo shoot

45- Tissues, paper towels, napkins, and an entire roll of toilet paper are way too much fun to tear up.

46- Bree is kinda like a bagpipe- the more you squeeze the more the noise comes out.

47- And I thought I slept weird.

48- Saabreen will actually whack you if you tickle her feet.

49- Simple math:  Just bathed clean white fur + chocolate milk + blue cotton candy ice cream + 2 freshly markered hands + lasagna + 1 cup of cherry pop + 1 sand box + 2 muddy days + brightly colored kid lip gloss + 1 Nathaniel + 2 sisters to help =  1 multicolored Bree + 1 longer bath time + 1 hand hitting a forehead

50- Bree blends in with the snow..... quite well.

My kind of New Years kiss...

And this was all learned in just 10 weeks....... wow- how time flies.

Loving my Sabreenser girl,

Ti-Ti

Completed Construction

Yes- it's here.

Finally.
My parents renovations.
Although those people most anxious to see it have most likely already seen it.....
So if you are the select few that haven't seen it...... What in the world are you thinking????? COME SEE US!!!!!! ;)
Until then, here's some pics. (If you want the total effect- here is the before/during post

http://trbrockmann.blogspot.com/2011/06/bonkers-current-state-of-affairs.html )

I think my third favorite thing added would be the kitchen sink.... super deep, trendy, has a hot water dispenser (yay for no more microwaved hot water), and has a super cool water sprayer that I have yet to have a water fight with..... April fools anyone??? (*insert evil laugh here*)Taking down the railing really opened up this whole area... even with a couch sitting there.Not much was done to this room but I shared it to be consistent... basically just painted and rearranged.Probably my favorite thing put in...turns on when Naomi or Nikki says "on". It's true. Now that's true magic..... (ssshhhhhhh) Sadly enough this is probably my second favorite thing... i don't know.... it's just kinda a nice relaxing place to do laundry and I love the big high shelf for folding (and it's on hinges for easy access to the back of the washer and dryer)My fourth favorite would be that sink and counter..... it's more modern than I would have thought my parents would go (hehe- watch me get in trouble for that one...) and I love it. The counter is sparkly. The sink is pretty deep with divots and let just face it- photogenic. And the counter height seems to be taller than what we had before.So there you have it. Now you know why the kitchen makes me feel like baking all the time. And yeah- the whole kitchen is probably the grand prize winner for my favorite item. It feels like there is so much space and room to move.
Hhhmmmm speaking of baking........ I think it's time to visit my mother..........

Feeling another baking post coming on,

Ti-Ti

Commencement to Cooking in 2012

Okay so I decided- it's a new year- it's time for a new letter. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but every one of my post titles has started with "B". I've decided to go alphabetically on to "C". Yes, yes, I know I forgot the "A"... but...well.... oh, well. ;)
So to start the new year right- I give you another baking post.

Pumpkin Cream Trifle So- this is a bit of a late post... I did it around Thanksgiving, but pumpkin is for all seasons of life.
I made this for a potluck at church so I did everything before hand for easy assemblage (cool word, right?) for Sunday morning. You can't make a Trifle too early- the cake gets mushy.

These are both needed things- Starbucks White Mocha and a recipe.
We start with the spice cake.
While you do use box spice cake mix you don't really follow the box directions.
Add one package of Cheesecake pudding mix. The recipe actually calls for Vanilla pudding mix but all I had was Cheesecake flavored.
Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 vegetable oil.
and 3 eggs
and 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Add one cup pumpkin puree (You could make your own but well.... it's easier to just used the canned version)
Pour this into a lightly grease pan and cook in a 350* oven for 45 to 50 minutes.
And that's really the only cooking that this takes. Next we mix together the cream stuff. And yes, I tend to not wash out my dishes if I can get away with it. In this case, I can because it will only give the cream a bit of color and variety..... and well.... I can.
This is super easy-
cheesecake pudding mix 2 cups cold milk
and 2 cups whipped topping(or, you know... a couple big spoonfuls) Then you just keep this in a container until you're ready to put it together.

Assemblage (yep- it was so cool I had to use it twice)
Cut the cake into about 1 in squares.
Layer the cake on the bottom level.
Then smooth a layer of the cream on top of this.
Add butterscotch chips
and Heath pieces. (I was going to put nuts in this but... kinda forgot and then... well... didn't feel like getting them.)
Keep layering until dish is full. Add butterscotch chips and Heath pieces on top for decorations. I also added carmel whipped topping (the kind in a can) but this melts off pretty quickly, so only add it right at the end.
And there you have it.
Here's the full recipe in case you want to make this yourself:

1 (18.25 oz.) spice cake mix
1 (3.4 oz.) vanilla (or cheesecake) flavored pudding mix
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup water
1/2 vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Mix ingredients together and pour into lightly grease 9x13 pan. Cook in a 350* oven for 45 to 50 minutes.

2 cups cold milk
1 (3.4 oz.) cheesecake flavored pudding mix
2 cups whipped topping
Mix together until smooth. Keep refridgerated

Butterscotch chips
Heath pieces
Layer these with cream mix and cake.

Trying to catching up with posts,

Ti-Ti

Bucket List

Did you know that a bucket list will tell you a whole heap of things about a person? It's kinda like reading the secret journal of a dreamer.

So I've been saying, "that's on my bucket list" a lot lately and got to thinking.... do I actually know everything that's on my bucket list? Hence the reason why I've decided to write a blog with most of my bucket list on it. Perhaps it's something like new years resolutions of sorts. Or maybe it's just because I like to dream. Or maybe it's just me being the little old weirdo me. I'm sure it's not complete and will most likely change or grow in the next 2 hours, but at least I have most of it written down now. And by the way, they aren't in order of doing them.....

TI-TI'S BUCKET LIST:

1- Go skydiving at least once.
2- Bungee jump from a bridge.
3- Visit Ireland or Scotland with a "model" and my camera.
4- Visit Australia for the accent.
5- Go inside Big Ben.
6- Get something(s) from Tiffany and Co.
7- Eat a pastry at a small outdoor cafe in France while wearing a french scarf and boots.
8- Fly (or co-pilot) a plane.
9- Ride in a private jet with the ginormous seats.
10- Drive a Z3 or Z4.
11- Drive over 100 mph for more than 5 minutes.
12- Learn to ski.
13- Learn a "Jane-Austinish" dance.
14- Stay in an English cottage for a week.
15- Go to a concert (such as a Buble', Groban, Steven Sharp Nelson, etc.)
16- A secret one. (Hey- everybody has to have at least 3 secret bucket list items that they don't share with everyone.)
17- Have my own photography business. (like with an actual studio and building)
18- Learn the cello.
19- Drive/ride on a fire truck.
20- Ride an elephant.
21- Go hand gliding.
22- Visit an orphanage in Africa.
23- Climb to the top of the fire ladder.
24- Learn sign language.
25- Film a (mock) music video in a field of wild flowers.
26- Another secret one.
27- Jump on a moving train.
28- Go on a cruise.
29- Name a star after me.
30- Do a newborn photography shoot.
31- Be in the delivery room when my future niece or nephew is being born.
32- Go on a missionary trip out of the United States.
33- Teach a photography class.34- Spend the day with a trained chimpanzee as my companion.
35- Win a photography contest.
36- Go to a Beth Moore Seminar.
37- Go to a Broadway show.
38- Have a photo shoot with an old row boat. (rather Anne of Green Gable-ish)
39- Another one of those secret ones. (like I said- 3 or so per bucket list)
40- Adopt from another country.
41- Ring the bells in an old church.
42- Develop film in a dark room.
43- Go to the moon (or outer space- far enough to see the earth and then turn off the gravity thing and float ;)).
44- Highlight my hair with an outrageous color.
45- Have a plaque put on the pole I knocked down.
46- Meet someone famous. (like my cello hero- Steven Sharp Nelson)
47- Buy a house.
48- Have a closet just for shoes.
49- Write a complete novel or devotional.
50- Listen to Chuck Swindoll preach in person.
51- Have a song dedicated to me.
52- Learn to drive stick.
53- Shoot a gun.
54- Meet Nick Vujicic. (If you haven't heard of him- you should look him up.)
55- Ride on the back of a motorcycle.
56- Visit an island with a private beach just for me.
57- Get in a cab and yell "follow that car!"
58- Ride in a hot air balloon
59- Be in a flash mob.
60- Have these words written on my headstone: "Beloved daughter, compassionate sister, adoring aunt, and devoted friend. Who loved her God first with all her heart, lived her life with the excitement of a puppy, and saw the world through a camera lens."
TI-TI'S COMPLETED BUCKET LIST ITEMS:

61- GET A PUPPY- yeah, the one with the goofy grin. No, the other goofy grin. (who is currently alternating between trying to help me type things out and licking my face-probably because I just had a candy cane- and snoring and twitching in her sleep)
62- Try "exotic" food such as calamari or sushi.
63-Read through the Bible in a year.
64- Go to Disney Land and World.
65- Have a nickname.
66- Dance in the rain/splash through puddles. (this one's been done a ton.)
67- Ride a horse.
68- Wear super tall/very barbie-ish shoes.
69- Start a traffic jam by looking and pointing at nothing on the side of the road going up into the mountains.
70- Go to Washington, D.C.
71- Be in a play, bigger than a little skit.
72- Learn an instrument other than the piano.
73- Put my feet in the Atlantic and Pacific.
74- Plead guilty in court. (I just had to add that one.)
75- Have my own office/largish cubical.
76- Put someone in my trunk and drive away.
77- Sing in Handel's Messiah.
78- Get Italian shoes.
79- Start a fire.
80- Be snowed in significantly.
81- Be in a silent movie.
82- Ice skate outdoors.
83- Stay in a beach house.
84- Go trick-or-treating.
85- Have an article of clothing from another country. (Irish scarf)
86- Stay up all night.
87- Do an engagement shoot.
88- Become an aunt.
89- Be a maid of honor at least once.
90- Fly by myself. (you know- not pilot, but ride. Hey- this is a big thing, people.)
91- Start a blog.
92- Learn CPR. (But I was like 10 so I probably need a refresher course.)
93- Prank call someone and have them believe me for a good long while.
94- Go to camp at least once.
95- Release a bunch of balloons into the air.
96- Get on the President's list in college.
97- Ride in a convertible.
98- Get paid for my photography.
99- Direct a play.
100- Get my own car.
101- Have texting like a normal person.
102- Wear a hoop skirt.
103- Read a book a week for a year.
104- Hehe- a secret one. ;)
105- Become a one-time-volunteer sidewalk performer in Disney World.
106- Ride in an old car.
107- Sing a song in a different language.
108- Have a photo shoot in a coffee shop.
109- Dance at a wedding.
110- Ride in the back of a police car.
So there you have it. My list of things-to-do-before-I-kick-the-bucket and my completed list. It took me 2 weeks to complete this blog because I kept thinking of things to put in. Like I said- it will most likely change in the very near future. I way too adventurous and ADD to have this stay the same. But all that being said- I'm kinda weird, ey?

Have a merry New Year!

Dreaming big,

Ti-Ti

Brushed Aside

Sometimes I think that the month of November is rushed through. People start listening to Christmas music (don't even get me started on that one. I kinda, sorta have a little tiny bit of a firm rule about that. But don't worry. If I happen to get in your car while you are listening to a silly radio station that is commercializing the Christmas season and hoping to make an extra buck by playing Christmas songs an entire month early, I won't hurt you..... too bad..... if you run fast), rushing to get all their shopping in, counting the days (or sometimes even shopping days) until Christmas, planning all the parties for December, start baking or planning what they will bake, and on it goes. It seems they not only forget that there is such a thing as November but they also forget what November is all about.So there's something that I randomly did in the month of October (very randomly) and have decided to do every day in the month of November. In a happy notebook (covered with snoopy, a rainbow, and a flower with the words "dream big" on it), I've started recording what I like to call "Smiles from God."

You know, those sometimes little things in life that we often think, "Aww, that's cool. It makes me smile." Those sometimes bigger things in life that we often think, "Wow, I've never seen that happen." Or even those sometimes middle things in life we often think, "That was neat. Don't see that too much."

Did you ever think that these things are God's way of cheering you up, letting you know that He was in control, or simply telling you to stop being so stubborn and negative and start to be thankful for the little things?

And so for the month of November, I'm going to be writing something everyday that I am, or should be, thankful for.

Here's my completely random list from October to help me illustrate my point (hopefully now that I'm going at this hard core, I'll be more organized about it..... doubtful)

10-11-11~ Free coffee at 3 Coffee & Roastery. [Thanks Ben.]

10-19-11~ Lovely lady telling me I always look put together on a day that, well, let's just say I don't feel "put together." [sometimes that feels like everyday.]
10-22-11~ Dollar found next to my lost phone at the park. [no, not my dollar. That'll teach me to complain about loosing my phone again.] 10-28-11 ~ That awesome moment with a friend when you shout the same thing with the same tone and then burst out laughing and realize how neat it is that you both geek out about the same things. [like finding a store in a big city after looking for it in the wrong spot for 15 minutes and then deciding to move on to the next store only to find the one you were looking for is right next door.]

10-26-11~ A snow day with my mom, just chilling by the fire. [I love my mommy and doing nothing with her.] 10-27-11~ Finally bringing my car into the shop for an oil change -nervous about the cost- and with coupons and bringing my own oil- end up paying only $9.00. [less than half of what I thought it would cost]


Told you it was random. I'll probably post another blog about this maybe at the end of November, beginning of December. I'm sure my "smiles" will be so random as to be amusing.

And you know it's kinda funny. Mike mentioned something a few Sundays ago about how we see God's "Mercies Anew" and how that played out practically in our lives. I guess this is my answer to that question... and I even thought of it before he talked about it.

You should join me.


Thankful,


Ti-Ti