This one was hard! I don't like having "favorites" because I feel like its so forever-defining. If I tell you my favorite movie is The Princess Bride, you'll always remember that (assuming you care enough to remember) but what if it changes? Do I have to constantly keep my favorites updated? Suddenly something I've given you to define me by is no longer applicable, but you only get to refilter if I keep you updated. I'm not sure its fair. I'm not sure it makes sense.

As for the stocking mentioned in the video, I don't feel like I explained myself very well. Growing up, everyone had a version of the stocking I shared except me. My Grandma made them until she passed when I was nine. That was when it was first clear to me that I had been skipped over. My uncle had a son who was only two when she died, but he got one. The babies mostly stopped coming around after that, but people were getting married, and those new people got stockings. I thought I had made it clear to my aunt that I didn't have one, but everyone else seemed convinced that I did have it.

My mom did a great job of helping me build my Christmas stocking collection (I have one for every year I'm alive), most of which sits in storage because we both have relatively transient lives. After another one of my aunts died, I brought it up again, and my mom made sure I finally got my stocking, 25 years after the fact.

I always put a huge amount of power into those stockings; having one to me was akin to being apart of a club. It was a club I knew I belonged to, but I didn't have my membership card. Everyone let me in, but I always felt on the outside of it.

Now that I have the stocking, I can see that its just a stocking. Just another one of those things I only use once a year, most of which are sititng in a storage bin, in a state I haven't lived in for years. The power I gave it seems diminished; its just a thing. But it is still a thing I coveted and so I can not treat it like it means nothing. But I know I'm just as a part of my family now having the stocking, as I was with out it.

Of Giants Big and Small

Abigail was young, foolhardy and not a bit bashful. Her sister Charice was the quiet kind; quiet and mischievous. Together they made reality from dreams, climbing mountains, becoming princesses and building castles in which to live out their days. Abigail would rescue Charice from the dark watchtower, never missing an opportunity to slay dragons or defeat the Giants. 

The Giants were most displeased by these games. Abigail and Charice practiced for hours in secret how to execute a proper ambush. After a battle of wits and sword play of epic proportions, the sisters had finally conquered their very first Giant. As the Giant lay dying he said, “One day you’ll be a Giant and you will be defeated, for you showed no mercy to my kind.” The sisters merely smiled at each other conspiringly in only a way sisters can and continued slaying their childhood monsters with renewed vigor.

Time passed and games of conquering monsters turned into more lofty goals of ambitious careers, exciting vacations and beautiful men. Both girls breezed through college. Charice, who wanted to continue playing like her childhood never ended explored the ocean and made friends with the sea creatures. Abigail stopped along the way to as many parties and excursions as she could find. The thrill of seeing the world was the ultimate game to her.

In Paris, Abigail realized she could touch the top of the Eiffel Tower. In Rome, she stood over decaying arenas and smiled down upon the ruins. It was only when she returned from her trip to Paris that she remember the conquered Giant’s parting words. With a gasp, Abigail knew the end of her reign was near. 

In her hand, the pregnancy test confirmed a child would be on the way.

(Challenge from Blees Completed.)

I couldn't find a tiny story to go with this. Do you have one?

Having issues resourcing Flower Girl by Categuystevens: http://www.hitrecord.org/records/1079368

I am dying to go somewhere exciting for Spring Break. Probably won't happen though. I'm poor.

Went on a 5k run last winter. It was -5 out. Suddenly my eyelids felt very heavy.

Melted Bear Ice Sculpture, Anchorage, Alaska.

While waiting for the bus last spring, I had myself a little freak out. A little cussing is involved. Also, moose appears further away than it actually was.