2 on tuesday: santa, i've been a good girl...

today i'm linking up {for the first time!} with andrea from my chihuahua bites for...



today's question is . . . what's on your christmas wish list? what do you hope to receive from santa? 
money is pretty tight {when is it not??}, so i feel a little guilty about listing what i want. and, unfortunately, my husband is not very good at surprising me with things. i'm not a fan of surprises anyways, but when it comes to gift giving, well, that's a different kind of surprise {i mean, it's not like showing up at my front door while i'm still rocking my jammies & bed head at 3 o'clock in the afternoon}. actually, he's not good at buying me gifts period. i give him a list. he gets what's on the list {within reason}. but, this year i've been dropping hints...a lot.
first on my list:

{longchamp le pliage medium shoulder bag in orange...or graphite}i'm half-tempted to buy this now because bloomingdale's is having their friends & family sale until the 13th which means an additional 20% off of this bag {and i'll get 6% cash back if i shop through ebates}. decisions, decisions...
next on my list:

{small gold pave ring by pandora}i love this ring. i know i won't get it. not right now, at least. it's a bit out of our price range, unfortunately {yeah, a $440 ring isn't possible with our budget}. but, i'll be happy with any piece of jewelry. i still miss everything that was stolen and it's my goal to try and replace each missing piece...even though i know that isn't going to be possible.  
the remainder of my list?
yeah, it's not too exciting. i'm certain i'll receive a pandora charm for my bracelet {from the kids, of course!}. i also want some new baking supplies {new muffin tins, silicone mats, a kitchen scale}. oh, and a new garage door opener would be nice. yeah, totally serious about that. but, honestly, i'll be happy with a few things that come from the heart. besides,christmas isn't about the presents, right?? 
so, what are you hoping for this holiday? let everyone know by linking up with andrea.

two desires.

i have two desires - one is bigger {much bigger} than the other.

desire #1 {the really big one}:  i would really, really, really like to go back to school.  i've been tossing around the idea for a while now.  do i finally complete the masters in elementary education that i started years ago?  do i go to school for something - graphics, business administration, ? - to make myself more marketable at my current job?  or, {the prospect of this is the most meaningful & exciting to me} do i further my geographic education & work on a masters in that field or a closely related one? 
decisions, decisions. 
the really crummy thing about fulfilling my desire of going back to school for geography is that there are no universities in my area that offer anything geography-related at the graduate level.  not. one. school.

but, if anyone finds a program in my area or something in a similarly related field/discipline, please let me know.*

desire #2:  this isn't nearly as stressful or time consuming as my first desire.  i just need to entertain that creative outlet in me that has been neglected for far too long.  i also need to do something with all of the seashells i've collected along the way.  i have two 5-gallon buckets full of shells.  some whole.  some not.  some big...very big.  some not. 

wreaths.  jewelry.  picture frames.  art. 
whatever they end up being, they will be beautiful.

---

what are some of your desires?

{both pictures are from we♥it - which has become my latest obsession...or at least it seems that way}

*i think i found what i've been looking for and i am excited.  i have two programs to choose from - one local, one online.  i have two professors to meet & chat with - both local.  and, i have dreams of eventually uprooting my family out of our "not-so-comfort zone" {because, let's face it, there's just too much bad ju-ju here with all that has gone on} and moving to a town with a university that will allow me to achieve a masters degree in geography that i want so badly.  like my friend, john, said to me, "never rule anything out."

MY WISH

Jade Goody's very public battle with cervical cancer and Natasha Richardson's tragic death have left me wondering...

Both women are/were mothers. Both women love(d) and cherish(ed) their families. Both women will leave/left behind a loving spouse. I think it's safe to say that Jade Goody has come to terms with her terminal illness and is doing everything and anything she can to preserve her memory for her two young boys. Natasha Richardson never really got the chance to do that for her sons.

Life is precious. It's taken away at a moment's notice. I think as a mother both women touch my heart in very different ways, but one thing is for certain - how would I want my children to remember me...what do I want for my children...what kind of legacy will I leave behind? I can't think about this without getting emotional. All of the "what if's" aren't something that I normally tend to think about, but here lately I just can't help but to.

So, this is my wish for my children:

• To be honest and capable individuals
• To have an open mind
• To love with no boundaries
• To have unwaivering faith
• To make a difference
• To never give up
• To be fair
• To know that they are loved
• To be a friend to all
• To be compassionate and empathetic
• To cherish each day as a gift
• To never forget that family is forever
• To dream big

It's not a complete list. I think the list is constantly evolving. As my children grow older, their needs and wants change and my needs and wants for them change, too. I certainly hope that my children will never have to face the same situation that Jade's boys are facing or that Natasha's boys are going through. But, should something happen (God forbid) I truly hope that my children realize that I will never be gone from them and that my memory will live forever in their hearts.