Let The Joyous News Be Spread: December

 The last month of the year has finally come! The Last challenge that I have to get done! Let me tell you this whole year has been totally nuts and I am so happy that I am almost done with all of it! Not that that year hasn't been fun, it has, but it's been very stressful trying to get everything that I needed to get completed done. I am very thankful for everyone who has helped me to get to the end of the year and able to finish all of the challenges that I have tried to complete in the last few years. However, it's been a wonderful burden that I am ready to change up a bit. So, let's get started with the last challenge of 2022.

December 28th was National Card Playing Day. So, I did a little cheat with the movie this year. I ended up choosing a move that is based off of a board game. I chose to watch the movie Clue.

Based off of the very popular board game, Clue is very much a cult classis that has done nothing but grown in popularity over the years. The movie starts out with several guests arriving at a mansion but they are all given the different names to go by for the evening. In a crazy turn of events the person who invited them has been murdered, followed by the cook, house cleaner, and some other attempts of murders that happen over the next few hours. The house holds secrets of it's own. The survivors are forced to go through the house and find clues to see who murdered all of these people, and with what weapon, to catch the culprit, and have them arrested before they get away. 

I will say, I totally understand why people love this movie so much. It's witty, silly, nonsensical, and just insane to watch the whole way though. The cast is amazing, and the best part is that this film really was a mystery in that of it's self. Apparently, when the movie was first released there were three different endings. There were three different characters that could have done the murder. Since there were that many endings, they were released separately. So, you could be in one city and have one ending that one that was released somewhere else. I don't know of many movies that would even consider doing this but I am sure it was a lot of confusion, and arguments, that happened because of this. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when people found out that there was more than one ended and then trying to see the film somewhere else to figure out the other endings. 

So, for National Card Playing Day I was going to play like Solitaire the make this work. I am usually so insanely busy during December that I can't hardly add anything to by plate. So, I really going to try very hard to make it very easy on myself. However, things ended up working out much better than I could have thought. 

So, this was something that ended up happening kind of last minute, but we had a impromptu game night on the 28th. So, I didn't have to make anything easy for me, I just had to go to Jeannie's house and play games. The game we ended up playing was one called Ransom Notes. It's where you are given a crazy prompt and then you have to use all of the million words to makes and answer. It's like Apples to Apples but a little bit harder. I will say that this is not my favorite game to play in the whole world, but it's still very fun to play. I didn't like it because I am not super fast at coming up with witty sentences with the words that we are given. I can't make stuff up like that. I really wish I was better at that but I am not. Everyone else was very good at this game. It's one of their favorites and will for sure be added to the rotation of what we will be playing for future game nights. 

With this, I finally have finished the normal yearly challenges that I have made for myself this year! I can't believe how fun, and totally stressful, this who year as been! I am thankful for all of the people who have helped me to make these challenges happen. I am so happy that I was able to complete all of these this year and I can't wait to see what is going to come around the corner. 

  

Follow The Yellow Brick Road: December

 We finally made it to the very last Discovery of Knoxville post! This post if going to be slightly different because we are not really going to be talking about a certain, we will be talking about one person but we will get there. We will be talking about the filming of the movie happened in Knoxville. 

Following Vic Edwards down memory lane. Growing up in Knoxville and making his was to California to become a movie star. He confronts his fear of the future, the regrets of the past, and what he needs to change to figure out what he wants out of the rest of his life.

When I found out a few years ago the a movie was going to be filmed in Knoxville I thought that it was just a few scenes, and nothing more. However, Knoxville was really a star in the film as well. In almost every scene of this movie I can tell you where it was filmed. I can say I walking down the street, through the halls, or sat in the seats in the buildings the we see in the story. I know Knoxville has been used a place to film before but not in the way, and not to some of my most favorite places in the whole world.

 While The Tennessee Theatre was used a hotel (that through me off a lot I am not gonna lie), The Hotel Manager was played by Cylk Cozart, and is a Knoxvillian actor who has 30 credits to his name. 

I loved this film! I think that it was one of the best films that I got to see this whole year! I just loved the fact that Knoxville got to be highlighted as Knoxville and not as another city, or another part of the country. I also loved the small speech the Burt Reynolds says about Knoxville because I don't think I could have written something better about Knoxville if I tried. I really love the fact that we got to see the city I love the most and this film gets to go down as part of Knoxville's movie history. 

So, here is what I didn't really realize until I go to this point in my journey. The last part of the year long adventure through Knoxville this section was basically just a few neighborhoods. So, there isn't really much of anything to talk about except for one place and that would be Sharp's Ridge. 

This beautiful area of Knoxville is near Fountain city. The Ridge is a wonderful place to sit and watch the clouds roll by. You really get to see the whole city and all of the lovely nature that surrounds it. The Ridge was dedicated as a war memorial in 1953. 

I will say that I am so happy that I got to know my city a whole lot better this year. I will say that getting to all of these places in a years time was a very hard task, and one that I would do totally differently if I could go back. I will say I want to visit these places again and have more time to enjoy them, because I didn't get to do that to the extent that I wanted to. I will also be taking people who are also interested in history that will also love visiting these places. Knoxville has so much to offer that most people don't know what history lies right under their nose. I would recommend playing tourist in your own city. It's a great way to go to places that you would not normally travel to or even know that is there. 

What Ought To Be: December

 1. Closer in Faith: So for the end of the year I know that I am not where I am supposed to be by any stretch of the imagination. However, I am working out some stuff and I have to say what I really need to do is be more forgiving of myself. That I really need to not beat myself up when/ if I get behind. That I know that, rationally, that God is not going to stop talking to be when I stop talking to Him. Like If I fall behind that when I do come to Him he is not going to sit at His Throne and cast me off just because I got scared and stopped talking to Him. That is one way that the devil has tried very hard to do in the last few years is keep me in "I'm never going to be able to come to God in the way that I want to" state of mind. I know that I know that I can always come to God not matter what I am feeling in that moment. However, shame is always the one thing that keeps me from wanting to go to God. What I think I need to focus on in the coming year is the I need to not "get closer" it's "Defeat Shame". Always running to God in the midst of my shame, instead of hiding. I can't hide from God anyways, He always sees me and knows my heart, so trying to hide something from the One who things can't be hidden is an impossible task. Trying to keep up with it is slowly killing me and I know it. I need to start bringing my shame to God first, have Him help me and forgive me, and then I can work on the rest of my relationship with Him. 

2. Lose 50 Pounds: So, mom and I have given up for the year. We are just too busy to even try and I have fallen totally off my morning routine so I don't want to go. We will pick up again as some point. 

3. Cook Better: So, I will say that I have enjoyed cooking a whole lot more this year. It's still not my favorite thing to do. However, I think that the reason I dislike it so much it not because of cooking itself. It's because I don't have the time to do it. I feel like when I only have like four hours from the time I get home to going to bed that spending 30 minutes to and hour cooking is such a waste of my time. If I had more time after I would gladly cook more often. However, in this season of life that is just not something that I can enjoy to the fullest right now. Hopefully, one day I will be able to have more time and have life scheduled more around food. 

4. Dress for Success: Seeing as I am writing this in April of 2023 (However, I will be back dating it because that is who I am as a person), I will say that I have enjoyed putting more thought into what I wear. 2022 has shown me that I don't have to go all totally out in order to feel good about what I am wearing to work, church, or just in the day to day. It has help to show me that what I wear is actually helpful to my day. I know that I can't be super productive if I am wearing pajamas all day. That by putting thought into tomorrow helps set up what I want to accomplish tomorrow. That also insure that even if tomorrow ends up being crap, I will still look good. 

5. Speak up: I will say that I feel this is the one that I have enjoyed growing in the most. I feel like that I have been more outspoken about the things I want to do or don't want to do. That I have been able to say my opinions and I have cared less about what people have thought about my opinions. I won't be rude in the things that I say but I feel more confident in the things that I know or asking if I need more information. I will say I feel less bogged down be my own thoughts of matters or events because I was able to say that I felt, or wanted, in that moment.  

7. Look People in the eye more: This one is just going to be what it is. I understand the importance of looking people in the eye but I am still working on it. If I am honest it will be something that I am working on the rest of my life. 

9. Style: 

I got that brown jacket at Walmart, and that is the last uncomfy outfit of 2022. I got lots of compliments but I think it was just ok. 

10. Creativity: I am not gonna lie the only thing that I have really been able to do is just be helpful in other things that they want to be creative in. I really like creative problem solving and I feel like I have been able to do a lot of that in the last few weeks. So, working my brain in a different way has been wonderful and a little freeing for me. 

11. Spoiling: I did buy one thing that made me really happy and that would be The Princess Bride Cookbook. Alaina and I are going to have to do one of them soon!

12. Peace: So, peace is a little off because of the fact that I have not been coming to God. I know that is my biggest problem and one I am going to be working on. 

If I Stay is about a young girl who is trying to figure out life in the midst of her impending death. 

I didn't realize what this movie was about until I started to watch it. However, It ended up being a really good. I thought it was sad, sweet, and really showed the sometime having the confidence to endure hard things is just as important as dealing with how you feel about yourself.

Moonstruck is a 1987 film about two very unlikely people falling in love. 

So, this one did not hold up for me in the way that I was hoping. This is one of those movies that I have heard about for forever, and I had a very different expectation for this movie. I really didn't care for this movie at all! I don't know what I was expecting but this was not it at all! It's not one that I would be singing it's praises for. If you like oddball movies this might be more of the movie for you.

Toad in the Hold With Sauteed Peppers was the meal. I am not going to lie. I was so hungry, and excited, for this meal that I totally forgot about taking a picture for this meal. The was like the last bit and I remembered. I loved Toad in the Hole and I was so happy that the last meal out of the book was an easy one to make!

The Champagne Cocktail was ok. Not my favorite things but it was there and fine. 

As much as I loved doing this project, I am so glad that this is over. I have been running around like a crazy person for the last few weeks. So, I'm glad that I will have some free time without having to do this big of project again. I will be cooking out of this book again for sure because some of the stuff in here in delicious. 

Let The Joyous News Be Spread: November

This is the month in where I am very thankful that I have friends that are willing to do crazy fun things with me. November 18th was National Princess Day!

The Princess movie the I was able to watch with my friends on this wonderful day was Disenchanted.

When happily ever after becomes a little to real a magic spell tries to make everything magical again. However, things don't end up as magical and they think.

This movie was ok. It was cute and fine but it didn't live up to the original. The sequels rarely do, but it's still a nice movie. I just had fun watching it with my friends.

So, for National Princess Day we kept it simple. Just dressed up like Princes and Princesses..... I did buy everyone crowns....

Again very thankful for friends who are willing to be silly with me!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road: November

 We are getting to the end of the line here folks! There have been so many wonderful places that I have visited that I don't think that I would have ever seen before. However, Let's talk about a classic film that I would like to think that almost everyone has seen before It's A Wonderful Life. Specifically, we are going to talk about Lillian Randolph who plays Annie. 

Lillian Randolph was born December 14, 1898 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Now there is not very much on how long she was here in Knoxville before her family moved up north to Ohio and Michigan. Ms. Randolph didn't do too many movies, but she also started her acting career later in life. The first movie she was in she was almost 40. She did do lots of radio and tv in her career and she helped many up and coming African-American actors while she was living in Hollywood. One of which to note is Lena Horne. Her most well known roles where that of Birdie in the Radio Show turned TV Show The Great Gildersleeve and Daisy on The Billie Burke Radio show. Her role of Annie is one that will go down in history. It's A Wonderful Life is an all time classic film that get re-watched every year by millions. It's one of those rare movie that get passed on from one Generation to the next and it's still just as fun to watch it as it was the first time experiencing it.  

I am not going to spend too much time on this movie. I know that it's going to come up at least one more time on here in the future. Also, I know that I have talked about it before. It's A Wonderful Life is the story of a man who longs for a different life and then finds that everything that really matters is right under his nose the whole time. 

Now, watching this movie was a bit of  slap in the face this time around. I really like to think that most of the time I live in the present. I don't like to spend too much time in the past because you can't change the choices that you have made. You can only manage the consequences of your past actions. I try not to think too much of the future because it can go one of two ways. You can either get so focused on the things that you have planned coming up that you don't live in the moment that you are in, or you day dream about what your life should have been, or why you aren't where you thought you should be and just end up sad. The later is what George Bailey finds himself doing in this movie. It's also where I have started to find myself in this season in life. Walking around acting happy and going through the motions of life but really upset that it's not where I wanted to be at. You think too much of what should have been you start thinking about all the wrongs in your past. Weather they have been done to you or you did yourself, you think about how if you could change something you would be where you want to be. 

I have learned enough about life so far to know that being stuck in places like this in your mind wastes so much of you being in the present. If life was always to look like how we wanted it to be, how we dreamed it could be, we would find it way more dull that what it is. Part of the beauty of life lies in maneuvering in it's consequences. I know that there are a number of things that are going to be happening in my life over the next few years that I can't believe would ever happen to me. Things that I have never told anyone where dreams of mine, or hopes I dare never to hope are actually going to be happening. They would not have happened if life turned out how I thought it should have been. They would not only ever remained unnamed dreams, lying only the deepest depths of my heart, if I never dared to step off the path I thought I was meant to walk. I know that it sounds like that I gave up on dreams on that original path. I never really thought of what life would be like if the biggest dream in my life was never met. However, I haven't given up on it. It's still very much a possibility that I pray still happens. However, My currently reality, the life right now, is so much better than I could have dreamed of. It's a life that I would have never considered if I let myself stay on the "safe" path. The path that went from one point to another in a straight line. 

The thing about straight lines is that it's the shortest distance between two points. That's why you are supposed to zig zag when you are being chased, because it makes you harder to get caught. If I had walked the straight line, if I had followed the pretty path, would my unspoken dreams have died? Would they have ever been known by anyone other than me and God? I have learned that just because I zig and zag off the path that I was originally on doesn't mean that I won't cross that path again. It doesn't mean that the pretty path is no longer there. The original dreams are still on that path but I had to cross some other paths to get the most out of life before walking down that path again. I have walked next to that path a few times since stepping off of it. Considering to walk it again. Thinking that I could have what I wanted all of these years but knowing it would not be as fulfilling  as I know I wanted it to be. The two to three times that I have placed a foot on that path it has always been met a stumbling block. Recently have just been me wanting to get back on that path and run as fast as I can to the shortest way to the finish line of that dream. The stumbling blocks have made me zig and zag on the path until I find myself jumping off the path again. I have also learned that the original path is never out of sight. I have explored more being off that path, and looking around of the other parts of life instead of just the end goal. You gather more experience and wisdom exploring what's around the path and staying on it. 

Exploring around the path also allows you to travel along other's paths easier as well. You get to help other on good paths, or help them off of bad ones. The ones that are lost and only with you exploring for a little bit walk away with stores of your time together. Some people you find that your paths are parallel to yours and you spend much of your time together. You get to learn what you missed on their path to you so far and see what is coming and get the chance to go with them. The life is wonderful in all parts in and around your path. We like to think that the destination in life is the dreams you accomplished, the people you meet, or the money you made. In reality the destination of life is not a dream... it's death. The only thing we will leave behind in the life is a legacy. It's going to be the stories that other people on their own paths will tell of you. The legacy of life is made wondering off the path that is placed before you. The path that you only deemed to end when you are finally "happy" "fulfilled" "accomplished" or "enough". Is that way people who are on the "pretty" path and only ever on that path seem to be unhappy? 

George Bailey was forced to zig and zag off the path. He wanted to travel and see the world. He was so focused on meeting the dream on the pretty path that longing to get back on the path so much that he missed what was around him. He missed out of all of the joy and wonder being off the path he set before himself that he almost missed out on the rest of his life. he learned to finally feel free from the path and just look around at where he is at. To see where daring to walk off the path brought him to. 

I apologize that was a tangent that I didn't think that I was going to go on. Let's get back around to the crazy paths I had to take in Knoxville this month. 

Avery Russell House

This really terrible picture is that of the Avery Russell House. it was used during the Civil War as a hospital. It was also around this area where most of the Battle of Campbell Station was fought. 

Farragut Museum and Admiral Farragut Statue

This is the museum for the country of Farragut. The statue is that of the man for whom the county is named. 

Not a very long list I will say for Discovering Knoxville. However, Knoxville is a very big and history little city. We only have one more section of Knoxville to see next time! That not true there is always more to learn but for the purpose of this book there is only one more section left. 

What Ought to Be: November

 1. Closer in Faith: We are back to things not being where I think that they should be and not being caught up. 

2. Lose 50 Pounds: Mom and I stopped going to the gym. We haven't cancelled or anything crazy like that but we stopped because of the holidays and it's just been insane. We are going to start going again next year after the fast is over. 

3. Cook Better: It's only been the TCM meals. I haven't stopped cooking totally but I haven't been home basically at all this month unless it has been to sleep. If I have had time to get anything it's been a snack. I don't even know when the last time I went to the grocery store was. I doubt I will be getting anything to restock before the end of the year because of the fast in January. No sense in having all that food go to waste. 

4. Dress for Success: Still haven't cared. I made attempts when I have had things to do after work that I have wanted to put a good face forward on. Other than that I haven't really cared and I'm great with that. 

5. Speak up: Oh I was a chaperone on the youth trip this past month and let me tell you I had a lot of speaking up that I needed to do. I love those teens but they are still teens you know?

7. Look People in the eye more: Working on it and still not caring

9. Style: 

I think this is not my favorite. It's not my least favorite. I just haven't found a way to make it work for me. It's fine. The mushroom shirt is still the worst one though! 

10. Creativity: I have to say with Christmas coming up and decorating that is the only place that I have had time to be creative in. I wrapped the presents and then made my apartment super Christmasy. It was exhausting but worth it!

11. Spoiling: The one thing I did get myself was I pre-ordered The Princess Bride Cookbook. I saw it online and I had to get it. 

12. Peace: I doing ok over all. There have been a few things that have done stuff to effect my peace here recently but I know that I will be ok. That's the thing about life is that you are not always feeling how you want to feel. 

A cynic get thrown into a world that is nothing but a romantic comedy that is only rated PG-13. Not into love and thinking that nothing is really happening in her real life she finds the false one what is missing in the real world.... self love.

Look, this movie is great. I saw it when it first came out and I have loved watching it every single time since. It's hilarious and it really kind of shows what I have been doing this whole year. That feeling good about yourself can really change the life you live around you. Sometimes, we are the ones that keep us from being happy or going further in our lives. 

A group of friends that come together to celebrate the life of a friend that they lost to suicide. 

Look I thought that this movie was very boring. It took me like 3 days to watch it. I know that it was supposed to be really good, and it had a wonderful cast, but it was just blah. 

I had to make and apple pie for this movie. Fun fact... I hate apples. So, I went to my parents house and made it there cause I know that my dad would want to eat it, he loves apple pie. My brother and one of his friends were over at the house and they tired it as well and they really liked it. I doesn't look the prettiest but I did the best I could. I would make it again for an event or if someone wanted to try it. I did try a bit.. still don't like apples but the crust was good and the sugar coating for the apple was great as well. 

I only have one more movie and one more recipe to make! As much fun as I have had I am very much ready for this challenge to be over. It's been a lot! However, it looks like the last meal is easy and going to taste so good!

 

What Ought To Be: October

 1. Closer in Faith: I tried to keep up with the Bible. This time of year is a rough season for many reasons. I know that's not and excuse and that everything would be easier if I kept up with what I want to do. However, I am still proud because I have lasted a lot longer that I have in the past. 

2. Lose 50 Pounds: Ok, so we are not adding to the weight problem at least. Mom and I are still going to the gym but it's been hard. We have a problem of that it's starting to get cold in the mornings and we don't want to go. I haven't been eating out of ordering in like crazy so at least that is something. 

3. Cook Better: Other than the TCM cookbook stuff I haven't really been cooking. I have been so busy that it's been on the backburner. I really need to like find some stuff that I am willing to cook. The problem is that it just takes so much time to get everything prepped and cooked and then eaten and clean up. It's easier just snack than to cook. 

4. Dress for Success: Truth be told I haven't cared much this month. There have been a few times that I have actually put forth the effort to get stuff done but honestly, I haven't really cared. 

5. Speak up: I feel like this one has been the most consistent growth this year. I have felt better about giving my opinions on things and just speaking my mind about things that are happening. I know that when I found out that Alaina and her family were going as the Wizard of Oz for Halloween I did asked her if I could join. I went as the Wicked Witch of the West and had a great time walking around with the kids getting candy. 

7. Look People in the eye more: This one is back and forth. Most of the time I avoid the eye contact because I am too busy to remember or too tired. However, It's getting there. It's a skill I still need to learn to perfect. 

9. Style: 

So, I think this is the only thing that I bought outside of my comfort zone that I have not been able to come around on. The color is not good, the sleeves are giant mushrooms on my arms that I can't figure out if I like or not. I am not sure if I'm gonna wear it again. We will have to wait and see.

10. Creativity: I did have to get really creative when it came of my Halloween costume. Everything was very last minute but I was able to make myself look like the Wicked Witch of the West just in the nick of time. 

11. Spoiling: So, I bought myself some fancy pens this month. I really like fountain pens and I found that you get disposable ones. I have really liked using them at work. I got a bunch of fun colors and it's just a fun thing to have. 

12. Peace: Nope, none of the really this month. Like I'm starting to feel anxious about life, and all of these crazy things that are happening. The end of the year is going to be here before we know it and it's just the begging of the crazy I know it. 

Life of the Party is about a mother who is sending her daughter off to her last year of college. At the same time her life is falling apart because he husband is leaving her and she is trying to figure out what she is going to do. She realizes that she was only one semester away from her college degree. So, she enrolls at her daughter's school and they both are in their last semester together. However, everyone one is in for some surprises as everyone is getting to discover who they are. 

I really enjoyed this movie. I wanted to see it when it first came out and just never really got the chance. Melissa McCarthy is always awesome so watching her being in any movie is always fun. 

 The night before everyone leave to go off to college and start their lives in 1950s America. 

I'm not gonna lie this is the start of the not so great movie that are coming up. There is a reason that movie that are in the 70s-80s that I am not really into. Most of them are very dry and boring and I really have no interest in watching them. The fact that this whole month is just movie I have already seen and hated I'm not looking forward to them. 

However, I made a hamburger and it was really good. Is it good enough for me to go ahead and say that I am always going to get a hamburger from now on? No. I am still under the impression that the only flavor that really comes from a hamburger is all of the stuff that you put on top of it. I will say that the one thing I will not be doing again is using yellow mustard. I have never liked yellow mustard and I don't think there is going to be much that changes that. I might try some other kind of mustard but I regret putting it on the burger. The boozy shake was good too but honestly I would rather just have one without the alcohol. 

Look, I'm gonna make this short and sweet. Both of these meals were basically the same thing. Once was a sandwich tray and the other is a sandwich. So, I saved some money and did two for the price of one. Also, if you want my thoughts on these movies go and find where I had to watch them before. I still stand by those statements. 

Cheer to better things in the next month right?