::Tagged by Carla::

I was blog-tagged by Carla awhile back, and I'm just now getting to the questions!

*2 names you go by~ Pammie (by my nephew and some co-workers) and La (by a co-worker/friend)
*2 parts of your heritage~ English & a mix from northern Europe
*2 of your everyday essentials~ lip goo & gum (can't leave home without 'em!)
*2 things you are wearing right now~ socks & glasses (among other things, not just those!)
*2 of your favorite bands or musical artists~Michael W Smith, & Elvis
*2 favorite songs~ since it's the holiday season, I will tell my two favorite Xmas songs: O Holy Night, and O Come All Ye Faithful
*2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)~ kindness, & sincerity
*2 truths~I miss my dad, & my favorite color is green (okay I know, not very revealing...)
*2 physical things that appeal to you~ eyes, & shoulders
*2 of your favorite hobbies~ digital scrapbooking, & baking
*2 things you want really badly~ (Gosh, this sounds like I'd die without!) It would be fun to have a 1958 Chevy Corvette, & money-is-no-object travels.
*2 places you want to go on vacation~ Italy in its entirety, & Vancouver/Victoria
*2 things you want to do before you die~get married, & skydive (just once, tandem is fine!)
*2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick~ going to afternoon tea with the girls, & I like yummy, fruity shower gels
*2 things you are thinking about now~a job application, & the pretty pink sunset I see out the window
*2 stores you shop at~ Kohl's, & Lowe's
*2 people to "tag" next~Robyn, & Jill

::The Night Before Jesus::

'Twas the night before Jesus when all through the earth,
every creature was stirring for a new baby's birth.

The people were looking straight up and then down,

to the left and to the right, both in country and town.

Some faces were watching far out in the sky

believing God's son would soon be coming by.

In Bethlehem children were snug in their beds,

with dreams of olives and figs in their heads.

They jumped to their feet and stood straight and tall

and saw thousands of angels and heard angels call.

It sounded like glory, looked bright as could be;

it was hard to believe, it was so hard to see.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear

but glory around them, so loud and so near.

It happened so sudden, it happened so quick.

Was it real? Was it true? Or was it a trick?

More rapid than eagles the shepherds then came,

found Mary and Joseph, and whispered His name.

"It is Jesus, Jehovah, Messiah, the Son,

Emmanuel, the Lord. He is all and each one."

They fell to their knees way down on the ground--

how good to receive Him, the One they had found!

The shepherds saw Jesus, they almost did cry,

for Jesus their Savior had surely come by.

So straight up the hillside their running feet flew,

with their eyes full of Jesus, their hearts now like new.

Far away, Wise Men stood on a roof,

Searching the skies for some biblical proof.

Night after night they hunted with care

for a sign of God's love in some stars way up there.

"There," each one shouted, "out in the east!"

And they mounted with haste their two-humped beast.

One Wise Man with gold had a little round tummy.

The frankincense Wise Man smelled yummy yum yummy.

The gift of rare myrrh had been packed in a can

for Jesus would need it when he was a man.

They were soon filled with questions from head down to toe.

They asked, "Where's the new King?" We truly must know."

They traveled so long and traveled so far,

and followed their hearts and came to the star.

Each face of the Wise Men were grim for awhile,

then slowly each cheek returned to a smile.

They saw that God gave His Son to the earth,

they took up God's gift, putting theirs on the earth.

There was no more to do; there was no more to say.

This was God's world, and this was God's day.

As the Baby blinked slowly while turning His head,

The Wise Men knew then they had nothing to dread.

They spoke not a workd as they headed for home;

They were thankful to God that Christ Jesus had come.

Christ was on earth, and old was like new.

Now people could see what God could do.

When children hurt and old men whistle,

where there are fir trees and dry prickly thistle,

it's the night before Jesus, from ground to the sky,

and Jesus the Brother, will surely come by.

So we know and you know that God is in sight.

Good morning to all, and to all a good night!

Happy Birthday

to my

brother-in-law

Robb!!

(photo is an image of a paper scrapped card I found on the internet--Robb is quite the photographer these days, that I thought it could work as a little visual for my post!)

...given this 10th day of Dec. 2005...

This certificate indicates that I have completed the requirements for floral design school, so I guess I have "graduated"!

I'm doing some part time holiday help at a floral shop--so I'm pleased to gain a tidbit of experience and perhaps a good reference when I need it!

I loved classes--I was eager to go and had lots of fun learning and arranging.

::Blossoms of Light::

For the past week or so, I've seen houses and businesses lit up in all sorts of colors and decorations in anticipation of Christmas--I've even wrapped my balcony railing with white lights to lend a bit of cheer to the area I live in. I really enjoy seeing the various things people string, and then can I ooo and awww (and sometimes eeeuuw!) Tonight, the first night of December, Austin & I met up with Mom, Sarah, Robb, Noah & Lacey to stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens in the preview night (free!) of the annual Blossoms of Light display. Trees, bushes, arches, and fountains are loaded with millions of lights giving the gardens a festive looking landscape. Plenty to ooo and aww at. And plenty of spots to smooch, as mistletoe is hung in many places! It's a cold night in Denver, but we bundled up warm--Noah was sure to let me know he had two pairs of pajamas on under his clothes!--and drank hot cider and cocoa with big marshmallows (a hit with Noah and his Grammie). Fun night--it was good to be out enjoying the holiday atmosphere with family...
(Photo: message on the hillside at the Gardens)