All Painted With The Same Brush

There's been something on my mind lately. And it's been festering, just bugging the crap out of me. I feel like I need to talk about it, even if my post isn't the most eloquent one ever written. I hope y'all can give me a little leeway.

I am a Christian. A practicing Christian. A growing Christian. A loving Christian. A Christian who is often painted with the same brush as all the "Christians" in the world. It is supremely disheartening to be told to tolerate everything else that happens in the world without being allowed to express my views on it before judgement has been passed. And no, not everyone does that. Just as there are those people who will ask questions before deciding that my belief system allows them to put me into a category, I am also one who will ask questions.

I don't think I have all the answers but I won't apologize for my beliefs. (Ask my BFF if you want to talk in worldly labels - she's a "liberal" and I'm a "conservative" yet we are still BFFs). That doesn't mean that I will insist that my beliefs should be yours. I'd love to talk about what I believe with you, but my beating you about the head will do neither of us any good. It will blunt my words and drive you away. I want to be a picture of God in this world and do life in a way that makes others want to also know Him. A realistic picture, as far as my human mind can wrap itself around His ways. I am human and my interpretation of His Word will not always be correct. I'll try to work my way through it with help, with questions and with prayer. But it's not my job to save anyone else. It's my job to express His love and to live in His ways. To love each and every person apart from their actions, beliefs, words and thoughts that I may not agree with. If I try to save someone I am trying to be God. I am not God.

If you're reading this and have something constructive to say, whether it agrees or disagrees then leave me a comment please! If you have questions, leave those too. But please be respectful, the same way that I hope I've been.

Oh Shell, I needed to pour this out.

Sunday Social: Dream Job

Sunday Social!!! This week may just be my favorite topic so far.


1. What is your dream job?

     Oh, a pastry chef! Or a chef! Or a sous chef....nah, forget that. I would love to be able to make money by spending time in the kitchen. You can see some of my cookies here, here, and here. Oh, and here!

2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time?

    I would bake! And I think I would still work. I love being able to help kiddos and their families. I love my job. I would be a little lost without it and I would feel incomplete! I heart ears. 

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

    You spunky showkids, I was gonna be a STAR on Broadway! That was my longest lasting career plan. I fell in love with the stage around 6th grade, started private voice lessons in 7th grade, have an undergrad in Fine Arts and while I passed stage design I can't build you a model scene that involves stairs to save my life. I miss being on the stage at times even now. I don't sing as much as I used to. I haven't lost myself in a role in years. It's a bit sad.

4. What piece career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

     Do everything you can to avoid student loans, because the fact of the matter is we do not make enough to offset what a doctorate costs. It's a fact, no matter what student loan officers will tell you! I guess that's really just good advice for anyone. Um...audiology advice. Be committed to your patients. Be present when you are at work, despite what else is going on in your life or home. Don't half-ass it because the only people that suffer are your patients.

5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work

    Hold on to your hats! Talking around an issue - just say it already! If you can't communicate directly then I have a really hard time knowing what the heck you have a problem with. Overflowing trash cans. People leaving common spaces dirty or not put away for the next person. Being so preoccupied with self that things aren't ready for others. Icing that doesn't come out to the color or consistency it should be. 

Although my number one pet peeve would be bass. Yes, bass as in boom boom boom. If I am in a building and you are driving past, my breastbone and ossicles (or ear bones) should not be resonating. I know that it's job security for myself because you are losing your hearing by being an idiot, but it's that vibration in my bones that drives me bonkers!

6. Biggest Fears

    Being inadequate. Not walking in the Word. Losing DH before we're old and gray and die hand in hand because anything else is unthinkable. Being too self absorbed to see the hurt around me. Not reaching out enough to those who need a hand. Getting fat - it's true, even if it's such a selfish thing...oh wait, that's a self absorbed thing...Dang. 




Next week's questions, which actually make this set my second favorite because I adore Fall:

1. What is your favorite Fall activity?

2. Do you follow a football team? if so which one and why?

3. What is something fun about Fall in your area?

4. Fav Fall outfit staples?

5. Thing you are looking forward to most about this coming Fall season?

6. Favorite Fall holiday? Traditions?

Ay ya ya.....fiesta!

When I think of fiesta I think of The Three Amigos, sombreros, margaritas, pinatas and burros or donkeys. So when Little Monkey's 3rd birthday theme became a fiesta complete with taco bar and chili pepper pinata, I knew that I had to make donkey cookies.

I love to bake. I love starting with flour and sugar and a little salt, add some heat and voila! Cookies! Cake! Pastry! Pie dough...well, we're working on that one. Anyway, there is something magical and soothing about being in the kitchen for me. It's a way for me to pour my love into something that is shared with others. I never keep an entire batch of anything for myself. Pieces and slices and servings are doled out to friends, co-workers, family, DH's coworkers. Anyone. If it wouldn't be weird, I would leave anonymous  baked goods on strangers front doorsteps.

I hum, sing, dance and concentrate fiercely when I'm baking. When I'm icing cookies I end up with hand cramps and a chapped lower lip. I am like a small child concentrating on getting it "just right" and subconciously alternate between licking and biting my lower lip while I pipe and add details.

My kitchen looks perfect when there is disarray such as below...

The end result wasn't as great as I'd have liked, but I will be the first to admit that I am a very large Type A. Nothing short of perfection makes me happy when it comes to what I put out there.  I figure that no one at the party will even notice the uneven blankets when they taste the killer chocolate icing. Oh yeah, no dyed brown icing here....it's chocolate all the way!

Baking is my way of having my dream job for a few hours. Surrounded by baked goods...that's a great job!

Oh Henry

Here's the deal. I think I can't wait to be a mom. But then I see this.

And this...

And some of this....

And maybe a wee bit of this...

And then I realize if I can't even let the vet draw blood while I'm in the room, my future children had better be born with superhuman immune systems...try saying that 5 times fast. I trust that I will be enamored with my own offspring even more than I am with Henry. Babies purr, right?

Then he attempts to scale the walls and I think, I can't wait to be a mom. At least the children won't be climbing vertical surfaces when they're four months old.

Melting

Awhile back I wrote a post that you can see here. I was a little depressed about my 10 15. Sigh. It is kinda like the personification of all my fears...which I wrote about here.

In a fit of desperation I talked to a friend about Advocare. Yeah, the company. Yeah, the one I said  "Why would I want to use something that I have to keep taking?" But I'll tell you what, this stuff seems to work so far! I'm not doing a 24 day challenge because I don't have those kind of resources to use on supplements. I have to make due on a limited budget, so I'm only using 2 products.

Wait for it: I'm seeing changes after 2 weeks.

Honestly at this point I can't say that it's the Advocare that's making a change. But I know that having the motivation of paying for supplements has gotten me into the gym to work harder and faster. I'm guessing the changes I see are a combo effect. I'm eating less - I've always struggled with portion control. And I have more energy so I can get more done during the day which equals less stress. Stress equals holding on to weight and emotional eating for me. Weirdly enough, the skin on my arms has cleared up; I've always had a little rash on the backs of my upper arms that drove me nuts, and it's disappearing!

Part of me wants to believe that it's just because I've finally clicked with my body and even without the supplements, I can lose the weight. But I'm scared that this just isn't true.

Thanks Shell, my heart needed to pour.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Last week was filled with ups and downs. Luckily the ups outweighed the downs by the end of it, so we'll call it a success. But by Friday I was ready for the weekend!

I volunteer with a cat rescue group once a month, and this past Saturday was my day. I usually help get the adoption set-up and then hang out for a bit. I love helping with this organization, even when I wish I was laying on a couch soaking up whatever is on Bravo. But DH and I have this bad habit of double booking ourselves on those Saturdays...this weekend was no exception! So after a couple hours with the kitty cats, we were off to Grand Prairie with friends.

For a cupcake meet. Which has nothing to do with cupcakes and everything to do with cars. Lots of cars.

Outside.

With no shade.

In 106 degree sunny clear skied weather.

Heat stroke hot weather.

Yes, we're crazy.

It was hot, people. Luckily the guys were troopers and went to the car to get the cooler and some books. You read that right, we sat and read in the shade. Girlfriend and I are basically Rory Gilmore.The menfolk ventured out with Powerades and oohed and ahhed to their hearts content. And then we blasted the AC the whole way home to try and cool off.

Sunday is usually a pretty lazy day for DH and I. We try to get to the gym where I pretend that I can still run miles on end without stopping. Why is it that I feel like I've gone 6 miles only to look at the treadmill display and see it's been a whopping 1.5 miles? I ran about 3 before throwing in the towel and hopping on an elliptical for my last 20 minutes.

The side effect of all that running is that I became ridiculously hangry while we grocery shopped. And whenever I get hangry - anger born from hunger - in a grocery store I find it impossible to find anything to eat. In a grocery store. Surrounded by food. I managed to hold it together until we left the store at which point I'm pretty sure I morphed into the Hulk. DH told me later that even when I'm hangry and grumpy he still thinks I'm cute. It's a good thing I'm marrying this man!

The weekend was topped off with The Bachelorette - finally Emily picks the right guy! - and Breaking Bad - I love Mike, love him.

Today it's back to Sculpt class and baking cookies for Little Monkey's birthday fiesta. Not a bad way to spend my Monday!

Have a good one, y'all!!!!

Sunday Social: Handbags

Sunday social this week is all about handbags....something I grew up not caring about a whit. But since then...I care. I don't always know what exactly I care about, but I care. It has my life in it after all!

Favorite handbag you've ever owned

My current Kenneth Cole Reaction bag. I found it at Ross Dress for Less and man did I snatch that up! I tend to use bags for months at a time, so whatever I pay for it I totally get my money's worth. Case in point? The bag before this one was a $25 dollar bag from Charming Charlies and I kept that one for almost a year before finding my favorite cornbread colored arm candy!

Dream handbag you lust over

I don't have one really! There are bags I see that I think are amazing, but they usually just jump out at me while I'm shopping or on Pinterest. The latest was a green leather bag that had a woven effect that was a Steve Madden...again, at Ross. I didn't need it since I'm in love my current bag so I left it for the person who was meant to find it!

Daily essentials in your purse or work bag

Cherry carmex. Work badge and keys. iPhone. Signo pens.

What's in your purse(with pictures)

A bag of liquids from when I traveled last - almost three weeks ago! Just about everything in there is lip stains, glosses and balms. Another bag of meds for traveling - sudafed, cold and flu, water pills, and a random tea bag. Kleenex. Swatches for the wedding. Turquoise and gold bracelets from HauteLook, my iPod. Ralph Lauren sunglasses that are 8 years old...if I lose them I will cry for days.

And my lovely yellow-gold Kenneth Cole Reaction wallet...also from Ross. Sorry, Heather, I know I'm killing you!!!

Closets of the Heart....again

Mama Kat has challenged me this week. It seemed easy enough - repost something that you wrote in July of a past year. I had to reread some of those posts to figure out which to repost. And this one still resonates to a huge degree. Did you know that everything has a resonant frequency where it vibrates with the least amount of stimulation? Apparently my personal resonant frequency has a bit of fear in it. But even more courage.

Originally posted July 2011
Have you ever thought you'd bested some of your greatest fears or weaknesses or flaws or hurts only to have them jump out of a closet at you? Um, figuratively, people. In case you know my fear of closets...the Jabberwocky didn't jump out and grab me last night. Breath easy.

I'm starting to realize that those fears or hurts don't ever leave totally. If you've read this post you know that I believe that we're changed by our experiences. However, changed does not equal being forever damaged. We still have the ability and wherewithal to choose to be different and not be defined by what others have done to us. Even when those actions have directed our steps. It has to be a conscious decision to take the experience and use it for what we need, though.

It's not always easy to do, recognize truth in the face of so many lies and twisted words that we tell ourselves. I had to remember this recently and slam that closet door shut again. I gain strength every time I need to heft myself against that door and it's still rusty hinges. Now if I could only find some proverbial WD-40...

Overwhelmed

I'm totally overwhelmed. I am having one of those weeks where I can't think straight. My mind isn't clear. My head isn't on straight. I'm introspective, introverted and inside myself. And I'm reaching the point where one part of life is starting to bleed over into all my other parts. I'm taking it out on myself and on DH. Neither of us deserve it, but it's the truth.

Why is it that we take too much on ourselves? Why can't we say enough is enough? Why do we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we can't see how what we do affects those around us?

Clearly I'm overwhelmed when I ask more questions than I have answers for and my post is a measly little 2 paragraphs...

Pouring out my heart with Shell

I'm Thankful

So the fantastic Stasha is once again giving me something to think about with her Monday Listicle. This week it's thanks. Wow. It's so easy for us to forget what we can have to be thankful for and focus on the what isn't working for us.

10 Things to Be Thankful For

1. Sculpt class this morning at the gym. People, there was grunting, heavy breathing, sweating, and almost tears. I yawned at one point to try and pop my ear and the instructor caught me. That earned us some extra bicep work. Sorry classmates!!!! Seriously, after Zumba last week I was thinking group classes were not for me. But these women were encouraging, all sizes, laughed and got after it. I can totally do this type of class! As for how hard I worked, it's a little uncomfortable just to type and when I talked to DH earlier, it hurt to hold my cell phone by my ear.

2. DH. I am so thankful that God brought my perfect mate to me in His perfect timing. I had a mini-meltdown yesterday and DH wasn't sure what to do with me, but he knew to ask me what I needed and to reassure me when I confessed some of my fears to him. How amazing is it that I am marrying a man who makes me feel complete, even in the face of my insecurities.

3. Fresh basil and tomatoes on pizza. I made one for lunch and it pretty much rocked my face off. The only way it would have been better was if I had the time and knowledge to make my own crust.

4. My mom who will tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. I called her last night very frustrated about something and she let me vent, let me tell her my thoughts, and while she was sympathetic, there was a mom instinct that kicked in. She told me what she honestly believed was in my best interests both short and long term. She was loving but not condescending. She was honest and didn't talk around the issue so that my feelings were not hurt. I'm so thankful for her.

5. I'm very thankful that even though I forgot to add water to the stuffed peppers, I think I'll still be able to eat them. Just saying.

6. Henry. I love him. This is him in his new crinkle toy. Puppy doesn't know what to do with this.

7. Ross Dress For Less, I am eternally grateful for you keeping me elegant for very little moola. And my SIL for loaning me the killer earrings that were perfect. I'm a little less thankful for the new wedges that were pretty comfortable and then weren't.

8. Cheap nail polish. Wet n wild megalast is pretty amazing for only a couple bucks. I love me some OPI, but at almost $10 a bottle, I generally don't splurge on it for myself.

9. Money in the bank. I know that might seem like a silly thing to be thankful for, but when you go from not knowing how you'll make ends meet every month to being blessed with enough and then even a little extra, dang. That is something I try to thank God for every day. That I don't have to choose which bills to pay or to choose between electricity or food.

10. Lists, links and blog friends who keep me writing, expand my ideas of what my blog can be and how real I can be online. Thanks to many of you.

Sunday Social: Traveling

Sunday Social with Neely and Ashley!

Best trip you've ever been on
Would have to be the cruise since I left as a girlfriend and came back as a fiancee! Beyond that, the best trip was a family vacation to Chautauqua NY. It involved one very cruddy lake house, threats of flights home, panic-fueled rental hunting, a beautiful house on a lake, everything only about a mile away, a broke down care with 7 people and memories that will never fade.

Best idea for a girls weekend trip
Well, I'm thinking OKC in a couple months. I've never done a Girl's Weekend in the past, so this will be a first!

Best idea for a couples trip
Anywhere I go with DH is the best idea. Seriously. We usually go places within driving distance, so the time spent on the drive is always fun. We turn up the music, I get comfortable in the passenger seat and he drive 900 mph. It's great.

Best vacation on the cheap
Renting movies from Redbox, buying snacks at the gas station and cuddling on the couch with the blinds closed.

Place you most want to visit
Italy, someday. We still have family there that I've never met. It would be amazing to visit the church my great-grandparents were married in.

Vacation/Travel necessities
Underwear. We have a genetic flaw that rears it's head at times and bags will be packed without underwear or sometimes not nearly enough of it. Toothbrushes and other toiletries can be replaced pretty cheaply. But underwear? That's not as cheap a fix.

Next week's Sunday Social topic: Purses

Favorite handbag you've ever owned

Dream handbag you lust over

Daily essentials in your purse or work bag

What's in your purse(with pictures)

Two Years

It's my blogging 2 year anniversary....errr, birthday....er, annual celebration?

I'm not really sure what proper protocol is in this situation, but I think presents are warranted. Just saying. Seeing as how that's not happening, I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with my Birch Box in the next day or so. And kitty kisses from Henry. And a kick ass semi-surprise from DH as long as a few things are in our favor.

My wonderful DH reads this here little blog. He sounded very serious earlier when we talked. He wanted to discuss something I had written on here. Uh oh. Do I need to censor EVERYTHING? There's already so much I'm not saying!

He wanted to discuss my #1 on my list from Mama's Kat's link earlier today. Basically that there are a lot of things I want to do still in life, including chef's school. If it all works out, he's sending me to a one night dessert class! I cried, yet again, but this time it was because I am so lucky that he gets me completely.

And if that's not enough to make me realize how lucky I am, I can always look at this picture and remember when I got to try this on. No it's not THE dress. But isn't it gorgeous all the same?

Seven

My roommate and I were talking tonight about how when we're kids all we want to do is grow up. When we're adults we want to go back to being a kid.

Hence, the 7 worst things about being an adult in my world:

#7 No one else keeping the fridge stocked. If I don't go to Wal-Mart on my day off, come the end of the week I'm eating a very weird and unsatisfying conglomeration of things for lunches and dinners.

#6 I can drink three or four cups of coffee before realizing what a bad idea it is. When I was little my grandmother would make us milk coffee...you know a splash of coffee with a cup of milk and about 1/4 cup of sugar. That would make you hyper but you didn't get a case of the shakes that would impress an alcoholic in detox.

#5 No one holds me accountable for all the wasted time in front of the TV or computer.

#4 Changing the cat litter. I love my Henry but he's literally a little stinker. Boy can pee like a champ, but it makes this a chore. I've already been prepping DH for when I'm incubating a wee one some day and this chore falls to him.

#3 Worrying about how I compare to others. Yeah, that one's pretty self explanatory.

#2 Telling the truth is confused with being rude or overly blunt. If I had a lisp, some pigtails and cute shoes everyone would call me precious or funny or insightful.

AND

#1 When I say "When I grow up I want to be a chef or a photographer or a mom or a singer" I realize my window is closing.

Mama Kat's keeping me real.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
Saint Augustine


Forgiveness. Oh brother. I've been thinking a lot lately about this topic. What constitutes forgiveness, what is enough for someone to forgive you, what is outside the realm of expectations. Forgiveness is a two way street I think. There is an issue that causes the need for forgiveness to be sought and offered. When the issue is a big deal kind of thing, the seeking and offering is that much more complicated. Every issue needs to be dealt with, whether it's the off the cuff "That really sucked" or the very involved "We need to hash this out no matter how long it takes". But in the end, the issue cannot dictate the forgiveness or the remainder of the relationship whether marital, parental or friendship.


Should the seriousness of the transgression equal the level of self-flagellation demonstrated? This is an actual question. Personally I don't think so. Sometimes what are the smallest issues cause the most regret and hurt and growth. Sometimes the biggest issues motivate little growth and in retrospect little hurt.


Where I struggle the most is that as a believer I'm instructed to forgive. Not to exact revenge or rules or stipulations before forgiving, but to forgive. Forgiveness isn't blind, it doesn't mean that there should be no learning, no caution following the forgiveness. And I do try to do that. I'm human and will allow my hurt or pain or regret or urge to please to shape my forgiveness and my being forgiven. On the flip side of that though, I do feel that I forgive pretty quickly. 


And as a believer I also trust that I should forgive even when it seems like it's too big of a thing to do. Because if God can have the mercy to forgive me how can I not give forgiveness in the same way? I expect the same from those who I am in relationship with, whether future marital, current parental or current friendship. It's not okay to approach forgiveness of another as a series of hoops to be jumped through, to have a list of things that require improvement first, to keep that issue alive as a reminder to the other person how magnanimous you are to forgive them. That's not what a believer does. It's not even what a good friend, parent or spouse does.


The quote at the top of the post speaks to me. If you don't feel that what was found and saved was worth not losing, then perhaps it should have stayed lost. And if you want to not lose again what was saved, then perhaps hoops, stipulations and reminders of how that person disappointed you should be left on the wayside. Or you may be what is left behind instead.


The post of my heart this week. Shell, as always, I'm pouring out my heart.

Weekend, What Weekend?

It's been quite the week in my life! So if you left me any comments in the last 8 days, thank you so much! And you should have a reply back. I always love getting a reply back, so I try to do that as much as I can.

What in the world was going on that I couldn't get back to comments? Well, there was skydiving last weekend for DH. It's something I would never ever do myself but he loved it and I was so glad to have been able to give that to him for Christmas. When he's happy, I'm happier!

Does anyone else feel like a holiday in the middle of the week is just a tease? I so did this past week. The fourth was a great day - very laid back. DH and I spent the evening with friends, making pizza and watching Bridesmaids - "Help me. I'm poor."

But the best and most time consuming part of the week was my trip home to Da Burgh this past weekend. My godmother was getting remarried and I was so honored to have been there. She and Hubby are off honeymooning as we speak! As always, when I'm home whether for a week or a day there is much family involved. My MIB (Most Illustrious Brother) and SIL were home for the wedding as well which was awesome since we only see each other maybe once a year. My Little Bro and SIL live closer to my parents so I see them slightly more and they were part of this weekends festivities as well.

I do have a question though...why can't I stay awake past 10pm here in the Deep South but when I go back to my parents house my mom and I will stay awake until 1 or 2 in the morning talking and I don't get tired until my head hits the pillow? Also, how about that very long run on and on and on sentence?

There is one last thing I would like to share....

Isn't he a gentleman for not taking back my ring upon seeing me make this face?

Sunday Social: TV!!!!

I woke up this morning, not so long ago, and thought "I can go write my Sunday Social post!" I'm sitting in humid PA and our homestead air conditioner is on the fritz, so what better to do than link up with Neely and Ashley for the Sunday Social??? At least when I'm typing I can pretend that at a hazy 7:49 this morning my skin doesn't feel sticky, my hair isn't curling up around my ears,and I most definitely did not wake up sweaty.

Unlike last week's topic of fashion, which I know almost nothing about, this week is TV. Oh Thank You! TV I know, TV I can talk about, TV I love....to an embarrassing degree. Ask DH...we both love certain shows, but sometimes he shakes his head and wonders what he's gotten himself into from here until eternity.

Favorite TV show of the past?

 It's hard to pick one, but the first that comes to mind is Alias. Jennifer Garner goodness. That girl could run in heels. I always loved that she did all of her own stunts those first couple seasons - I think I read years ago that after a couple seasons someone decided it was too risky? Ironic, no?

 

I loved not only her but mostly all of the characters. I always wanted Jack to just shoot Sloan already! And was Sidney really that great of a super double agent that Dixon didn't trust himself to believe she was crossing them? I still think I need a Marshall in my life. DH comes in a very close second, but not quite Marshall. 

There were a few characters though that I absolutely despised. To the point of almost not watching until they were killed/escaped/whatever allowed them to no longer be on my TV screen. Lauren was the worst of these. Melissa George may be a great actress but I can't stand to watch her. It's like she's talking through a mouthfull of cotton balls! Couple that with her stealing Vaughn and I couldn't do it. I get all riled up just thinking about that story line!

Favorite TV show currently?

Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad. You may have no idea how excited myself, DH and my brother are about this starting next week!! This is the final season though rumor has it (Adele anyone? Now it's stuck in my head.) that they are breaking the full 32 episodes into 2 seasons via a very loooooooong break. I have theories and thoughts about how it will all end.

 

How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory, no explanations needed.

I'm also a sucker for reality shows like Teen Mom - I often think of my own teen moms on a continuum from Maci to Janelle...what kind of technology are they capable of keeping on their kids ears, knowing how to use and not losing. Intervention is also a great show! I get all into the stories of how the people ended up where they are and I always try to figure out if they'll stick with Rehab. I've got about a 50% success rate. Which goes to show that you never can tell what will motivate a person to succeed!

 

Which Reality Show would you NEVER do?

Anything involving eating gross things, jumping from bridges, planes, using ziplines, or any sort of swimming challenge - I cannot swim which is a constant source of derision.

Which Reality Show would you LOVE to do?

The Bachelorette - not because I don't love and adore DH - but because it seems like a no brainer to get some world traveling in for free. The rest of the show is ridiculous, like an 11 on a scale of 1-5 ridiculous. Who the heck falls in love with one person enough to marry them and have it succeed after dating 30 other guys simultaneously in something like a month and a half? Emily, just focus on seeing the world. Even the good guys on this show end up cracking or looking very bad at some point...although apparently this current semi-finalist lot paid attention to the show and related fall-out in the past because they are a very tight lipped bunch. 

TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

 This one is hard! I don't normally feel interesting enough for TV although sometimes I am too twisted for color TV - what movie is that from?? Maybe Monica from friends. I'll a wee bit anal about my kitchen too.

TV character you'd want to date?

Booth from Bones. 

 

I've always loved their dynamic - she doesn't need him to protect her but he wants to while still letting her be independent. He loves her quirks even when it drives him nuts. 

Barnabus

I called home one night in undergrad. And in the background there was a little meow. What??? Last time I checked there was only one cat in the household and she was not prone to little meows. Turns out that a little black fluff ball had decided to make my brother's car his home. My brother was not happy about this turn of events and a decision had to be made. Either the cat had to go or come inside. This little black fluff ball apparently had been abandoned and was so small the family doubted whether he'd make it.

Inside he came and then the naming began. That makes it sound like we have a family Sorting Hat. Not really. He ended up dubbed Barnabus. Or Boo. Or Bubby. Or really whatever we call him. Barnabus is a likable fellow. He will talk to you, he will jump onto your lap at any moment, he'll try to help with the crossword puzzle, he will drool on you, he ticks like a timebomb when he sleeps, he still gets lost in the house 13 years later, he has the diabeetus like Wilford Brimley and he is the stupidest most lovable cat. We often say it's not shocking that his mother abandoned him.

But we can't imagine life without him.

Linking up with Mama Kat!

My Grandmother

Fourth of July makes me think of fireworks, hot dogs and The Star-Spangled Banner. I mean, it makes me think of other things too, but these are the first three that come to mind. My dad's mom, Grandma A, is what comes to mind next. She was a funny lady. Funny in habits, funny in how she said certain words, funny in what she ate - don't get me started on pickled eggs - but one area that she wasn't funny in was how proud she was of her grandchildren.

I was/am a singer. When I was in high school I sometimes would sing the National Anthem at basketball games. Now let me tell you, I only nailed it about half the time. I have no idea why they kept asking me to do it given my poor success rate. The problem for me is that I change key a lot when I sing. A Lot. So while I would sing the correct notes they would be in the wrong key. And I'd change multiple times through the course of this one song. I don't think any other song has ever given me the trouble The Star-Spangled Banner has.

Regardless of my pitchiness, my key changes or my plan bad days, I would go over to Grandma's before the game and sing it for her. Because she always told me how "bee-you-tee-full" I sounded, warts and all. I miss her during all the big moments of life, but especially on July 4th.

Thanks, Shell, for letting me pour my heart out.

A Little Listicle Anyone?

So I'm finding that in this time of running hither and yon that the list and link type of posts are most likely to get me writing! Today I'm linking up with Stasha and Monday Listicles! Please use the link and check her out! I couldn't get the image thingamajig to copy.

10 Questions:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23 and find line 4. What is it?

"...bread I've ever tasted but also a jar of bread "starter" for me to keep..."


2. How many times a day do you say Hi?
Well that depends on how many patients I see and how many people are with each kiddo. So a lot would be a fair assessment.

3. Have you ever worn a uniform?
When I worked in fast food, yes. Can't you picture me rocking the Arby's and Wendy's look? But never for school.

4. What do you think about the most?
Oh definitely food! What I'm going to eat, how bad it is for me, how long I'd need to work out to burn it off, if I'll feel guilty about it after and finally whether or not I'll eat it. An example? I read about McDonald's today in a book and now I'm really super craving it. But I know that physically I'll feel really crappy if I eat it. I wouldn't actually feel guilty since I worked out today. But the physical discomfort afterward is what led me to decide to bypass it and instead I'll have some tilapia and sweet potatoes. Not nearly as satisfying when I'm craving a cheeseburger, but hey, it's what I have.

I really wish my answer had been where God is taking me, what I need to do next for the wedding, how I can better serve my patients, friends, family. But food it is.

5. How many keys are on your key ring?
Five. One for my bedroom, one for the garage door, one for DH's house and one for my parents house. And a car key. And my gym pass.

6. What was the last thing you bought?
A boatload of groceries at Wal-Mart this morning.

7. Are you growing anything these days?
Weeds in the back yard, that's about it.

8. What is under your bed?
Those vaccum bags for moving clothes, a gift box and assorted cat toys. It's Henry's favorite spot to hide his velcro rings.

9. What is most important in life?
Moving forward in God's plan for me. What His desires are, are my desires. Everything else falls into place then.

And coffee in the morning.

10. What is the strangest word you used this week?
Bickerment. DH's version of an argument combined with bickering. We rarely have bickerments, thank heavens.

Sunday Social: Fashion...Uh Oh!

So today's Sunday Social is all about fashion. I know literally enough to fill one fingernail. And my fingernails are currently pretty short. 

What is your favorite store to shop at?

Right now, I totally enjoy Ross' Dress for Less because they have cute summer clothes cheap. And I can't wear anything I buy there to work. My favorite place to shop for work clothes would be anywhere that sells Grey's Anatomy scrubs. I used to love Urbane Scrubs, but the Grey's are super soft and just look better on my body.

If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?

Kenneth Cole Reaction, Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie. I'd settle for being able to easily afford Banana Republic and JCrew though.

Must have closet staple?

Cardigans for going anywhere here in the summer....inside most places is like a meat locker. And Buckle jeans.

Favorite kind of shoes? (brand or type)

Merrell mules. At least I think they're mules. Wait, maybe they're clogs? Mine are about 5-6 years old and are a light brown. I adore them even if they do smell like a barnyard - something about the wool lining...which is practically non existent at this point.

Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find) 

I was in Houston this February for a wedding and so was my best friend. We went shopping at the Galleria and stopped in Ann Taylor. I found the most comfortable amazing sweater. It was on the $9.99 and up rack. Nothing ever fits me or is enjoyable to lay eyes on when hanging on this rack...until that day. It originally was closer to $125 or something ridiculous.

Style you'd love to try?

Any of the cute jean/t-shirt/cardigan/fabulous bag and shoes/amazing jewelry combos on Pinterest. My board is appropriately titled "Style...I Has It In My Head".

Next week's questions:

Favorite TV show of the past
Favorite TV show currently
Which Reality Show would you NEVER do?
Which Reality Show would you LOVE to do?
TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?
TV character you'd want to date?