David Cook, the American Idol from Kansas City, is flipping the switch at Thursday’s Plaza lighting ceremony. But he’s not performing. Isn’t that weird?

For 9 1/2 years, Mark and I had a bedroom full of hand-me-down furniture, including the full-size mattress we slept on. It was crowded. And not at all resembling the Pottery Barn catalog. But it was functional and free.

Then a couple months ago, I was running late for church, so I drove separately while Mark went ahead with Photobaby. On my way there, I heard a commercial on the radio for a furniture store that was closing and holding a big sale. Well, actually, a HUGE sale! (Imagine that being shouted in radio announcer voice.)

So on a whim, we drove across town to the closing store and checked out the their furniture with slashed prices. About an hour later, we were the proud owners of a new bed frame, mattress (queen size!), dresser, chest of drawers and side table. Just like that!

Well, there was a bit more to the story, including negotiation and calculation and consideration and…well, figuring out if we could really afford it.

But the end result is that I now get to sleep on a big, comfy bed. And I’d gotten so accustomed to our old, small, not comfy bed that my new bed feels like a fancy hotel bed (like the one Photobaby is rolling around on in the picture). So, now, every time I get into bed, I can’t stop myself from saying, “Ahhhhh….”

Hope that’s not too much information for you. But I just can’t help it – I’m thankful for my new bed!

What’s your favorite piece of furniture? Are you pro-Pottery Barn look, or anti-Pottery Barn look?

I have to come clean. I’ve let my friend, Smitty, down. In a moment of weakness, of desperation, of boredom, I rented “What Happens in Vegas.” I know, I know. It looked wretched. And it starred Cameron Diaz.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends;
they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,
and the most patient of teachers.
~ Charles W. Eliot

Have I mentioned that I love reading? Oh, just a few times? Well, then, you won’t be surprised to know that I’m thankful for books. After all, if it weren’t for books, I never would have learned that…

• Magic exists, and good trumps evil. (Chronicles of Narnia)
• When standing or eating in a field, cows all face the same direction. (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
• Fried worms are chock-full of vitamins. (How to Eat Fried Worms)
• Old desks and closets always have secret compartments. (Nancy Drew)
• Murder may always be wrong, but sometimes it’s understandable. (A Time to Kill)
• Pigs can’t look up. (Encyclopedia Brown)

Books have played such an important part in my life, from walking uptown to the tiny town library in the summer to check out the next Trixie Belden book to avoiding chores and hearing my mom shout, “Get your nose out of that book!” to earning pizza with the Book-It program to my first job shelving books at the next town’s library. And hopefully, someday soon, they’ll play a big part in my career!

I’m thankful for books.

Do you prefer to check books out of the library or buy them? Do you love the smell of old books, or think that musty paper is gross? (I’m sure you could guess, but I’m a fan of musty paper.)

Seven years ago, my cousin invited me to a Creative Memories party. She sold the scrapbooking products, and even though I was broke and had no business buying paper and stickers, I went to spend time with her. While I was there, two things happened.

I realized my cousin is a good salesperson. And I began scrapbooking.

I’ve always loved taking and collecting photos, and I had journals, albums and even a few scrapbooks from years before. But this type of scrapbooking was purposeful, creative and addictive. And I haven’t stopped doing it since.

I’m happy to say that my scrapbooking style has changed since that day I glued a few graduation pictures and a purple border on a page. Since working at Archiver’s part-time, I’ve even started getting fancy and using ribbon and (I can’t believe I’m saying this) stamps and ink on my pages. I have more paper than I could ever use, more projects than I could ever finish, and more stacks of photos than I can get organized.

But I love it. I’ve even tried to make a business out of it. (You can see a few books I made – and hoped to sell – below.) I’m glad that didn’t take off, though, because this way, scrapping is still a hobby. Still something FUN. I’m thankful for scrapbooking. It’s a way to preserve and honor memories, but also a way to connect with other women and spend time with friends.

Do any of you scrapbook?