The Post About 10 {Graces} on Tuesday

I’m surely not alone this week in taking a deep breath and considering those things for which I am grateful.

Here are ten for 2009.

1. Microwave/Toaster Oven: It’s a hybrid. It provided for me when the gas company decided to halt my gaseous flow this summer simply because I didn’t mail them a check. They’re so particular.
2. J-O-B: First, I have one. Plus, it became even better with an itty bitty promotion and new view of the taco truck down the street that sings its siren song over me daily.
3. Sudafed: When I had the influenza, this purchase-behind-the-counter miracle was just that.
4. Kara and Caryann: My two besties are oddly fabulous. One is trying to raise two young special boys and the other is trying to romance one special boy.
5. Butter: Bakers kept telling me it is the Holy Grail. I finally decided to embrace the churned goodness. My coworkers are better for it.
6. Green Pom Pom Slippers: My gas company can try as they might, but I have these. I don’t need ya stinkin’ heat.
7. Mom & Dad: They’re kinda great. In that way where you get ginger ale when you’re sick and your new sink gets magically installed.
8. Recycled Bags: This was the year when I completely converted to keeping the earth a tad tidier. And ticking off every cashier at the less-than-tidy Mal-Wart.
9. Bugs, My Phone: I previously mocked those who cradled their iPhones close to their chest. Hi, my name is Jamie and I’m a cradler.
10. God: I poked at His chest a bit this year and He let me. Then He asked me where I was when He created Mount Everest and I calmed down.

Bonus Jonas? You. It’s so nice to write and have the occasional reader. Thank you for checking in and chasing a few rabbits with me…

So let’s hear it. What gets your thankful going?

{image: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.45

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I've got football on the brain. My favorite, the University of Alabama, is ranked #2 in the nation. They're two games away from playing in a national championship. Unfortunately, they must play the #1 team, Florida, in that final game. Too much talent in that darn SEC. If you too have downs and penalty flags flying, then I have the book for you. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis is a brilliant outline of the left tackle - a quarterback's best defense in any game. But it's also the tale of one particular left tackle, Michael Oher, who was homeless living in the Memphis ghetto and found himself adopted by a loving family and courted by football teams across the country. P.S. It's also a movie, out this weekend.

Watch
I'm afraid I might find myself in a similar situation in a few years if I fall and land on my back. HOW ADORABLE IS THIS?

Listen

One of the first cassette tapes I ever bought at the tender age of 14 was Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson. I would play Miss You Much when I would think of my middle school crush who'd just moved to Indiana. I'd fast forward to Black Cat when I was angry at the world and this song, Rhythm Nation, when I wanted to change it. And, of course, there was Escapade for those times when you wanted to be dancing down a dusty alley in a generic Middle Eastern town wearing a double breasted black suit.

The Post About Finding Forever Families: Adoption

I'm all about pulling some heartstrings today...


A 6-year-old little boy who found his forever home this year.

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day, a day of celebration of adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care.

Tomorrow, more than 4,500 children who were without a family will now have a place to call home forever.



If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about adoption, you can visit Heart Gallery Alabama which highlights the children available not only in my great state, but can link you to children legally free for adoption across the country.

"There are no unwanted children, only unfound families."

{image: Heart Gallery Alabama}

The Post About a Mother of a Birthday

Not only is this a month of aging for myself, but my Mom hit her own milestone.

She's 60-years-young. I know she won't mind me divulging her age since she doesn't look a day over 45. Or is it 35? Mom - what was I supposed to say?

To celebrate, I copied an idea I've seen several places - 60 gifts.

I would be fibbing if I didn't share that wrapping all that bounty wasn't a bugger.


My Mom's a quilter from way back. She tried to pass on these skills to me. But I never understood the difference between a "bias" and any other word in the English language.


Sewing emergencies for me include hot glue or masking tape.


One memory I have growing up is listening to my Mom's albums. There was mad dancing to the Ray Coniff singers and B.J. Thomas. What?


It will be all raindrops falling on Santa's head this year.


I expect my Mom to use this Mr. Dramamama pen when doing all things administrative at her job. A promotion would soon follow.

Mom - I'm glad you were born.

{images: Jamie}
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P.S. Jamie's Rabbits now has a fun little Facebook Fan Page where all fans will be rewarded with special giveaways and bonus Rabbit chases... The first contest winner according to www.random.org was #20 - Rebecca Sitzes. She is the winner of a $15 Amazon gift card. Congrats!

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.44

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

Chuck Lorre produces some funny television - including The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Dharma & Greg, Cybill, and Grace Under Fire. As with most production companies, there's always a "vanity card" at the end of an episode with some sort of company logo. Starting with Dharma & Greg, Chuck Lorre started changing his vanity card with each new episode. You'd have to freeze frame it to catch the hilarity, but you can now visit his website and browse through the archives. One of my personal favorites is #243.

Watch

While I was on my deathbed last week, I watched an ENORMOUS amount of television, including TV found on the web. After 14 straight episodes of 30 Rock on Netflix Instant Viewing, I decided to see what Mr. Netflix would recommend. My rental history of petticoats and angst led to a suggestion of North & South. Not the US version of "hate vs. heritage", but the BBC delight. And I mean delight. It's probably the best British period piece I've ever watched. And as a Jane Austenaholic, that's saying a lot.

Listen

Carrie Underwood has always been one of the few country artists I've liked. Even when she's following the classic formula of bashing up her cheating boyfriend's car. She released a new album this week, Play On, and I love 70% of it. Particularly, Undo It and Someday When I Stop Loving You. This song is a lovely cover of Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home. Let the condemnation for the word "lovely" begin.

The Post About Making Over the Rabbits

I'm older.

Now I'm even older.

Time is rushing by me in a blur. Soon I'll begin to eat dinner before the sun sets and turn on my car blinker for absolutely no reason.

And I will resist all change.

So now's the time for change.

Jamie's Rabbits has a whole new look. One I sorta love. Especially since I'm not responsible.

Many thanks to Ellie and her crazy fabulous team of one at Rainy Day Templates who exfoliated and botoxed and spray tanned my home on the interwebs until it had the "boldness of a much younger woman" (...name that TV show FTW...).

So what do you think?