Thanks to everyone who entered to win a ticket to A Woman Inspired’s online conference about organization and creativity. Random.org picked #1, which was Hillary @ The Other Mama!

If you’d still like to check out this online conference, tickets are very reasonable. You can register here!

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You all, I am FRIED. My bad mood just got worse and worse today. My morning started with Annalyn waking up an hour early, then moved quickly into news that a client had blasted me for a small mistake that I’d already apologized for and offered to fix by emailing my bosses about it. And then I ended the evening by backing into a truck when leaving my friends’ house after what had been an otherwise lovely visit.

So. These links are about as random as can be, and I don’t even think I can offer you much explanation. Please just know I’ve been collecting them all week, and for various reasons, I think you need to know about each and every item. Enjoy.

• Shelly began a series about intentional parenting, and I can’t wait to read her insights. She’s a wise lady who is raising teenaged girls, and since I know I’ll be there sooner than I think, I am trying to soak up as much of her knowledge as I can!
• Have I mentioned I love Chuck, the TV show? Yeah, just a few million times. Well, it turns out that the actor who plays Chuck is a Christian. I love that.
• Matthew Paul Turner, an author, blogger and husband of a fellow (in)courage writer, spent the last week in Uganda with World Vision. Read about his journey in Uganda Week.
• Shaun Groves is amazing. The work he does – and the passion with which he does it – for Compassion blows me away. And he’s doing it again, bigger than ever. Stay tuned for more info about the benefit he’s planning for Haiti.
• What do you do when you see homeless people? I always feel weird and end up doing . . . nothing. Jenn has a great solution and detailed instructions: Keep care packages for homeless people in your car, including items like toothbrushes, hand warmers, water bottle and more.
• Did you read the Babysitters Club books back in the day? Apparently, they’ve been out of print for a while, but they’re coming back and there’s a prequel. I might have to read that!
• If you’re a blogger and you’re not reading Savvy Blogging, check it out now. These ladies are offering up honest, realistic and so very relevant advice, and everyone who wants to improve their blog should be reading every word. I know I am. 
• And I’m over at (in)courage today, talking about a time (not the only time, believe you me) I got in trouble for rolling my eyes. You don’t want to miss this one.

That’s all folks. Have a good weekend!

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I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today I heard both “You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty and “But It’s Alright” by JJ Jackson (which opens with the line, “You don’t know how I feel.”).

Because honestly? I don’t think anyone knows how I feel right now. My poor mom tried to talk to me tonight and struck out every time she opened her mouth. Because there’s not a right answer. There’s not a quick fix.

It won’t help to tell me to be grateful for my many blessings. It won’t help to encourage me to share my feelings honestly. And please, for the love of all pity parties, don’t recite Bible verses that I have memorized, too.

Because you don’t know how I feel. You don’t know how it feels to be me.

(Although I realize you might be picking up on the fact that right now, I’m feeling a tad grumpy.)

I was disappointed today. Big time. I pursued an opportunity, and it didn’t work out. I’m not even that upset about the specific opportunity; I’d already figured out that it wasn’t the best thing for me. I’m just thoroughly discouraged about my entire life.

That’s not really better, is it?

My mom even said, “This isn’t the life I wanted for you either.”

Ah! She wasn’t being mean or critical; she was just acknowledging some of how I feel. I think. I don’t even really know how I feel.

I do know that I have a good life. I know God is in control. I know the people of Haiti have it way worse, and I should shut up. I know. But knowing isn’t helping. Nothing is helping right now.

By the time this posts, I’ll probably feel better. Or maybe not. Maybe it will take a road trip and day of family chaos fun to cheer me up. Maybe the sun will show its face after a thousand years, and that will help.

You know – the sun will come out tomorrow, so don’t worry, little Annie? Yeah, maybe that will do the trick.

I don’t know. You don’t know. And that’s where I’m at today.

I think I’ll go listen to some more Tom Petty and consider one of life’s great questions: Why does this straight-laced, goody-two-shoes girl love druggie music so much?

What kind of music do you listen to when you’re feeling discouraged?

(I really wanted to say “feeling bummed out…man…” right there. Mainly because I think I’m funny. Please, don’t tell me otherwise. Or at least wait until the sun comes out.)

P.S. I’m linking up to Sarah’s carnival at Real Life Blog.

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One thing this blog is good for is keeping me from doing the dishes after dinner keeping track of what I’ve done over time. Thanks to the excellent record-keeping I’ve done here, I can tell you that last year, I watched 40 movies (including seven holiday movies ranging from saccharine to Splenda).

I’ve thought about it, and I decided that I don’t feel bad about it. I haven’t counted, but I’m sure I read more books than that. And after all, I’m pretty sure somebody out there is relying on my movie reviews. (No? What? Oh, sorry, I can’t hear you, lalala!)

Now that we’re well into 2010 and have settled somewhat comfortably into the year, no longer limping from our brand-new-gotta-do-it-this-time workouts and coming to a tentative agreement that we’ll call it twenty-ten, I’m going to do a little recap of my 2009 viewing accomplishments.

Not the regular movies, because we’ve already gone over that. And not the holiday movies, because I’m serious: I’m talking Lifetime and Hallmark movies here. No need to rehash that. Nope. Today I’m going to tell you about the old movies and TV shows I finally got around to watching.

The ones that everyone else and their little brother who was too young to watch them have seen.

First, the movies:

Matrix: I watched this one over Labor Day with college friends. And I have to say, I still have not gotten over the fact that I hadn’t watched it before. I really liked it! It was weird and complicated, but thankfully, our friends have seen it a million few times, so they knew how to answer all my questions.

Flashdance: One night when nothing else was on TV, this was. I’m glad I finally saw it, but I can’t say I loved it. I liked it – and the soundtrack, of course – a lot, but Dirty Dancing, Step Up and Save the Last Dance are in no danger of being knocked off the top of my dancing movies list. (Don’t you have a list like that?)

Say Anything: I read an article about 2009 being the 20th anniversary of Say Anything, and I thought about how ridiculous it is that I haven’t watched it. And after I rented it, I have to say: I still think that. How did I miss this movie? It kind of reminded me of my own high school romance, if you can call it that. And I had a brilliant post written about how Mark was just as sweet as Lloyd Dobler, all ready to share with you. Except – it was only written in my head, and it just never made it to paper/screen.

And now, the TV:

Freaks & Geeks: I know I already talked about this one, and I wish I wasn’t too lazy to link to those posts. But regardless of my linking lethargy, I loved this show. Big, huge, redundant thanks to Triple and Chelley for giving me the entire season on DVD. I anticipate another full viewing this summer.

Veronica Mars, season one: Next to my beloved Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars is one of my all-time shows. But I actually didn’t start watching until the second season. Watching season one (in one fell swoop over a weekend. Yes, I was quite productive, thank you.) just made me love the prematurely canceled show more. I never really understand where Logan was coming from, what happened to Lily or why we cared about Duncan. And now? Now, I get it.

Arrested Development: I’ve made a big mistake. I’m kidding! The only mistake I made was not watching this show sooner. After watching all three seasons (thanks to Hulu and my local library), I can see why fans are still lamenting this show’s treatment by Fox. Dry, dark and sarcastic – this smart show was hilarious!

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, season one: I read a lot about TV. [Insert mock gasp of surprise here.] And all my favorite critics name Buffy as one of the best shows of the 90s, the century, the whole forever of television history. So over the holidays, when nothing was on except Rudolph and Nick Lachey, I thought I’d see if it was available on Hulu. And it was – for only three more days. I’m sure you know what I did next. Yep, I watched the whole first season (minus a couple episodes in the middle – a girl has to sleep, you know!) in three days. I liked it. But I don’t need to watch the other six seasons. I mean, six seasons! That’s a big commitment for vampires. And, like the last three Twilight books, I just don’t care that much.

Better Off Ted: Ohhh, this is a good one. And a sad one. Because it’s actually still on, at least for a couple more weeks. But from what I hear, ABC is burning off the remaining episodes of season two, and then the show will be kaput. It’s too bad. A dry, dark comedy about the absurdities of the workplace is just my sort of thing. (Obviously, I have a thing for dry and dark. Hm.) I’ve been watching on Hulu, but you might see it pop up over the next few weeks on ABC.

And now to move on: if you’ve been wondering about my spring TV watching schedule, well, you might be weird. But I’ll tell you about it anyway. I have several shows I’m watching live, but I’ve discovered the convenience of watching several others online. And a handful I’ll tape and watch over the weekend with Mark. Here’s the rundown:

• Watching live: Chuck, Life Unexpected, Castle, NCIS, The Good Wife, Glee (when it comes back on), and Bones (taped, but still watching it that night).
• Watching online: How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Community, The Office and 30 Rock.
• Watching over the weekend: Chuck (yes, again), White Collar, Psych and Burn Notice.
• Show I want to watch but have no idea when: Parenthood.
• Show I’m watching on DVD: Firefly.
• Casualties of having a life and trying not to let it be ruled by TV, despite this ridiculous post: Big Bang Theory and Grey’s Anatomy. And possibly American Idol.

{Insert sad face here.}I never said it was going to be easy, people. It’s about sacrifice, you know.

So – have you watched any TV shows on DVD? What are you watching this spring?

This post will be linked to Things I Love Thursday. Because, obviously.

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• My laundry has multiplied, migrated and is taking over my bedroom floor. That’s the door I shut when anyone comes over to visit.
• Last night I had to boil pasta in the microwave because all my big pots were dirty, and I couldn’t put dinner off for the hour it would take to get them clean.
• I have a big Rubbermaid box full of photos, some in plastic bags, some in envelopes and some just stacked precariously. None of them organized into any sort of system.
• Two days ago, I finally mailed my last Christmas card.

Have you been there? Has your life ever looked – or does it look now – like a big, fat mess? Do you wonder why you just can’t get it together?

Maybe I’m the only one. But I suspect a few of you might know exactly what I’m talking about. And in that case, A Woman Inspired’s next online conference is for you. And me. For us, really.

A Woman Inspired – Nurturing Creativity & Efficient Living will take place January 25-29, featuring speakers such as Laura of OrgJunkie, Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer, Meredith of Like Merchant Ships, Jennifer Schmidt of Beauty and Bedlam, Tanna Clark of Organizing Solutions and Erin Chase of $5 Dinners.com.

Without leaving the comfort of your home (or, you know, paying for a flight and hotel), you will learn how to:

• develop your God-given talents and gifts
• push past creative blocks
• further your education in the area of your choice (at no cost)
• be more productive
• be more focused
• let your light shine!

Each day, you can log in and listen to amazing speakers share the lessons they’ve learned about organizing your complicated life and harnessing your natural creativity. Each day features four sessions, and each session is an hour long. You can tune in for all the speakers or pick the ones that best suit you. And all you need is your computer. No cocktail dress or skinny jeans required.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’ve got some good news for you. I’m giving away a free ticket!

All you need to do for a chance to win is leave a comment, telling us one way this conference could help you. Random.org will choose a winner on Friday, and I’ll notify the winner by Saturday. For more information about A Woman Inspired, visit the conference website.

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