Standing Tall

Today is Bill's birthday.

The first born of B.T. and Carlene Hanna.

Look how well he represents his family.

Leading by an example of kindheartedness,

he is first in line, then Glory, then David,

then me and Tom.

Bill really is a very nice person.

I hope he has a very nice birthday.

I know, come to Rockport!

1.5%

Do you know there are recommendations/guidelines for what percentage of your yearly income you should spend on housing, groceries, utilities, etc.? For instance, when I was in college it was recommended that consumers allot 25% of your income on housing. Since that was a long time ago, I know that percentage has been increased. After a little research (Googling) I found that it is now recommended you spend 30 - 33% of your yearly income on housing.

Today I heard on the news that Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) recommends you allot 1.5% of your yearly income on Christmas expenses. Those expenses include: gifts, cards, postage, increased grocery costs (Spice Tea, Cookies, Divinity, Fudge, Chex-Mix, that Peppermint Bark stuff), travel expenses and pet boarding expenses. I like CCC because they remind consumers of all the things we don't think of in an effort to help us prevent indebtedness.

So I did the math and I think I can spend $225.00 on Christmas this year. The problem is I don't have $225.00. I should have done the math in January 2007 and then put $18.75 in savings for this purpose every month prior to December 2007. Sadly, I didn't do that.


But that's OK, I have ideas in my head/heart and I have PLENTY of gift wrap. we've already started.

Glory's Birthday Blog

My sister and I share a few things in common. The first is our compulsion for white shirts. Put either of us in a pair of khaki pants and a white button down and we are ready for ANY occasion. People I know refer to it as "my uniform" but people Glory knows take it one step further.

Last year everyone at Glory's works dressed up as GLORY for Halloween. They donned blond wigs, glasses, neutral slacks and white button down shirts. The sign of authenticity was Starbucks cups and coffee stains on the front of their shirts. (Hanna's are dribblers).

My sister is the recipient of the most sincere form of flattery....imitation.
I am proud of her, her life, and her antics.......Happy Birthday Golly!

Love Languages

There is a book out and in it the author proposes that we all demonstrate or receive love in one of five different ways. I haven't read the book, but all the young newly marrieds I know seem to read it, so I hear things.

Let's review what I know about a book I haven't read....shall we?
The five love languages are:

1. Quality Time- if this is your language, then you love spending time with people..."quality time"....whatever that means (you can see this isn't my language).
2. Physical Touch- hugging, touching, squeezing....the idea makes me want to run for the hills.
3. Words of Affirmation- you need to hear you are appreciated and special and important.....what a wiener.
4. GIFTS - bingo! You got it. I love gifts. But what is cool about people who receive love through gifts is the gift doesn't have to be grand. In my case, if you gave me a roll of TP, and said "Here, I got this for you." I would feel the love.
5. Acts of Service - I like this one too. HELP ME! I was having trouble deciding between this and gifts, then I learned you could have a primary love language AND a secondary language. Since this is my secondary language, I have decided to add Acts of Service to my Needs and Wants List (2008). You are so welcome.

So there you have it, the five love languages. If you want to tell me you love me effectively then buy me something, or help me out with the laundry and heavy lifting.

But more than that, I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands to yourself.

Catherine’s Wishes and Wants List 2007

Note: High Priority Items listed first.

J. Crew City Fit Chinos in size 2Tall - Thank You Jerry and Marsha

A Year’s Supply of any of the following:
Folgers Classic Roast Coffee - Thank You Anne and Seth
Laundry Detergent (Tide with or w/o Bleach or Gain)
Paper Towels - Thank You YL for the leftovers from the Fish Fry
Cat Litter (Tidy Cat)
Crest White Strips
Northern Quilted Bathroom Tissues - Thank you Cecelia...I was getting desperate!
Easy Macs - Thank You Bootsie and Lesa

Gift Cards at the following in order of importance to me:
H.E.B. to purchase items mentioned above - Thanks Mom!
Starbucks - Thank you Helen, Julie, Cecelia, Jerry and Marsha, and my favorite Barrista Ashley
iTunes - Thank you to everyone who gave me a Starbucks card because I took the cards into the store and used them to buy the Starbucks cards that had the free iTunes downloads on them......I can't believe they let me do it. Now I have 24 free downloads and counting.

A Gift Certificate at:
Bealls (we have one in Rpt) for Clinique foundation and mascara
Radio Shack (ask for Chris at 361-729-1751) so I can buy:
1. iGo Auto ($29.99) - Thank you Seth and Anne!
2. A32 Power Tip for my Razor MV3 - Thank you Seth and Anne!
3. iGo Power Tip A61 for my iPod
4. A Motorola Razor Clear Shield to protect my new free Razor mV3 phone
5. A clear shield for my iPod, but they are out of stock right now.

Presents of Interest
New Black Pumps to go with the fancy new clothes Glory got me.
A “Plug-In” room freshener from Bath and Body Works (heard they were great).

Birthday Philosophy

I have a very definite birthday philosophy that I wish the world would adopt. So, knowing you won't go back into the archives and read what I wrote regarding birthdays last year, the teacher in me feels it is time for a review.

• One day is not long enough to celebrate the life you have been given. It was for that reason I celebrate the Twelve Days of Catherine, starting on November 1st and ending on my actual birthday, the 12th.
• By dragging out your birthday, you are doing your friends a service. No longer are they pinned down to one day to pat you on the back. They have 12 days (in my case) to do something. Pick a day my friends....it's all good.
• Enjoying your birthday is your responsibility. It's all about attitude....or should I say gratitude.
• Have humble expectations. Don't dream up wild birthday wishes that no one can fulfill. Learn to acknowledge the life you have been given as "the gift". The apostle Paul wrote that he "learned" to be content whether he abased or abound.

With this review in mind I would like to say that today I am filled with inner birthday struggles. The Young Life Annual Fish Fry is also scheduled for November 12th. I don't mind sharing the night, after all, what a great night to have 200 of my closest friends in one spot for dinner. The problem lies in the fact that every day leading up to the Fish Fry I am responsible for coordinating all the little details that go into pulling something like this off. UGH! When am I going to find the time to coordinate all the little details that go into the 12 Days of ME! It's enough to drive the most stable person crazy.

Now you see my dilemma. I feel like the kid who's birthday is December 25th. My heart goes out to all you holiday babies. So this year during the 12 days of Catherine I am really being tested. I'm having to walk the walk in spite of the circumstances.

That being said, "the review" was for my benefit. God bless me.

On the First Day of Catherine

The government gave to me my Medicare card. I applied for it two years ago and got it in August (of this year). It became effective today. So on the first day of Catherine I took it down to Dr. Haun's office and got a flu shot.
The accountant told me the bill was $30.00 but when I whipped out my card she said, "Oh, then it doesn't cost anything."
I took a picture of my Medicare card to share with you but then I realized it had my social security number on it. I didn't feel posting that information on the enterweb would be prudent.