Quote of the Day: 7.5.11

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4

Really?

Within the past week God has shown me 4 majorly sobering realities. The first was the destiny of my future child. He began showing me things after a very important intercession session on May 22. Me? Birth a child? I am REALLY hearing my child’s destiny before he is born? WHAT??? In the words of Marty McFly: “Whoa, Doc, this is heavy”.

Another reality concerned the magnitude of the importance of choosing my husband. It’s not just finding a cutie patootie that would be super nice to me and a great dad for our kids. He REALLY has to be the right father for my children. He will also be the LEADER for our whole family. I can’t do any of the dad jobs, I can only do the mom jobs. That child won’t be THAT child unless he is THAT man. Kind of big, right.

Then only a few short days later the third reality hit me: The pastor of my church won’t live on Earth forever. He will move on to his new life in Heaven with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and all the believers before us. Sounds great, right? Ok, come back to this planet with me now. ONE OF US WILL BE THE LEADER!!! REALLY??? Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends but WOAH!!! I assume our pastor’s son will be the next pastor but that’s a lot of responsibility for our generation as a whole too. I know this might not make sense but just follow me. I didn’t have the “luxury” of knowing all my pastor’s flaws before he started the church. However, I DO KNOW the dirt on my friends and I am CERTIANLY aware of the TOTAL depravity of my own life. I have thought about us as being leaders before but I had not actually pictured it WITHOUT SAM. What??? Can this even happen? Yes, absolutely. Sam is not our Jesus. Jesus has been appointing and anointing leaders for centuries now but this is US. WHAT??? In an undisclosed about of time from now my generation will be the leaders. WE ARE THE NEW US. Life just got REAL serious REAL fast.

The last event and by far the biggest perception altering news in my life took place the next day. I received a call from my mom that something had happened to my brother. She reported that he was ok but the reality of the severity of the situation was almost unreal to me. The night before this experience I woke up in the middle of the night with a horrible feeling about my brother. I don’t remember the dream that caused it but I remember praying a short prayer that any and all curses and evil plots concerning my brother would be broken in the name of Jesus. Picturing shrapnel being removed from my baby brother’s body makes God’s divine protection REAL to me. God is amazing.




After I text my pastor to tell Him I received, via text, the most powerful confirmation of my life. It was one of those moments that you know you will never be the same again. God is POWERFUL but He needs ABSOLUTELY ALL OF US! My mind started blowing up about all the things that seemed huge the day before but now seemed absolutely pointless. My hands are shaking as I type this. God’s power is REAL. I know I keep using that word but it is just SO REAL to me now. I began praying further about all the dreams I have had in the past few weeks. I even called some of the people I have been dreaming about to tell them the dreams. I believe more than ever that God is giving me these dreams because He is wanting the powers and plans of Hell to be broken on this Earth. I can see the similarities in young David’s destiny and my generation’s destiny. I want to be used at maximum capacity so God’s Kingdom can be known. But in my situation I am both David and the on-lookers. I am like the on-lookers in the sense that I look at myself and say, “Her??? REALLY???” Sometimes I think, “I am the worst candidate to be a vessel to fulfill God’s plan’s.” But if I can be used, I want to be used more than anything. Which brings be to the similarity between David and me; I know I am inadequate but SOMEBODY has to do this. And I can attest that regardless if I fail or succeed I will keep showing up for the job. If grad school taught me nothing else, it taught me that thousands (of grade points) may fall at my side me but nothing can get in the way of me and God getting what He wants. Nothing.

There is only one thing left to say: “Let’s finish this thing.”

Wishlist Wednesday: I Just Need To Iron The Kinks Out

I don't currently have an ironng board of any sort. I iron my clothes on a towel or my toilet seat lid. I love this one because it goes on the back of a door. The bigger versions are just too much of a hassle for me. So this is one from Target that I have been eyeballing for a while.

Prayers For Lucy

Dear Fellow Believers,
Please join in the agreement that this sweet little girl will be healed in the name of Jesus. May our Father, our Healer, touch her with His healing power right now and my her test tomorrow be a report of this healing from Jehovah-rophe.

"God is Jehovah-rophe. This name means 'Jehovah heals.' God alone has the remedy for the healing of mankind. The Gospel is concerned with the physical, moral, and spiritual healing of all people. Exodus 15:22-26" per The Navigators

Wishlist Wednesday: Large Wooden Spool

I want to make my outdoor table out of one of these jems. I love it.

Start From The Start

The best way I know to get where you want to go is to really assess your starting point. Today, as I was reading a book about Agape love I began to assess my reality in comparison with the Word of God. The results were to be desired but the prognoses is promising.(smiles)

1 Corinthians 3:4-7:
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, it does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

My reality compared to 1 Corinthians 3:4-7:
I am rarely patient, I am sometimes kind, and jealous quite often. I brag even when I when I am only half-way successful and I am completely arrogant when I am fully successful. I often act unbecomingly. I almost always seek my own. I allow myself to be provoked. I have a bank account of others wrong doings; with a pretty high interest rate. I rarely rejoice in unrighteousness and I do love the truth but I don’t bear many things. I believe some things but doubt the others. I will hope for things for a while but then lose hope. Then I will try to hope again. This cycle is exhausting. I endure at a moderate level.

My Swap Meeting

I had a pretty interesting Easter this year. I didn’t get to go to church in the morning because my mother and I were flying home from Georgia. On the plane I began crying and did not finish until the duration of the trip, both flights. I pulled a tank top out of my carry on and used it to wipe my tears. I tried tissues but my need surpassed their performance ability. As I was coming to the realization of my complete and total depravity a portion of a song titled Trading My Sorrows, sang by Darrel Evans, keeps replaying in my head.

“I'm trading my sorrow.
I'm trading my shame.
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord.”

I have hit an impasse in my life. There is one area that I have done all I can do. I have even tried to “fake it ‘till [I] make it”. After so long, you just have to conclude that you are just faking. So, as this verse keeps replaying in my head I began to correlate the similarities in my current personal life inventory and the components of the transaction in the song. It looks to me that I am a superb candidate for this offer. I have an abundance of sorrow from my own shortcomings and my accounts of shame are of tremendous proportions.
By the grace of God we land on time. (It had been thundering and lightening the majority of the day in OKC.) I told God I WAS getting to night service and we were going to do some swapping. I was running a bit already and then my car battery died. I laughed: No dead electronic is going to stop me. I figured that it would still be dead in three hours, so off I go in my mom’s tricked out ride. Upon arrival I greeted a friend, set my belonging in the back, and made a bee line to the front. The way I saw it I had a business transaction to conduct. If my Father wanted these things HE COULD HAVE THEM! They are just poisoning mine. Similar to AIDS, they are not killing me themselves but they were monopolizing all my resources and energy. They leave me with no room to endure ANYTHING else as evidenced incidences like snapping at my mom for not getting a good photo of me on the bungee jump thing when she AND another person got great photos of my brother. It sounds silly when I type it but this is my reality. I can not even handle small things like this.
So I stood there and cried again. I kept asking God, “What can you take? What can I give you?” He was faithful to show my a few scenes rather quickly. It is my belief that He would like these things gone just as much as I do. I was more than happy to hand these circumstances over because I had glanced at them in my heart before and I have never seen anything so disgusting before in my life, either in the natural or my mind. NEVER.
Praise God for the Easter Miracle and looking forward to the joy of the Lord in my life.

Quote of the Day: 4.25.11

"I don't follow my dreams. I chase them down and make them give me everything they've got"
-Shala Peeples

As you probably already know I like to dance to my own beat. Things are done a bit differently in my world. One of the things I take the most pride in are "my holidays". They are technically holidays for everybody but I like to recalibrate the importance of each holiday as I so desire. When it comes to April 22 I ,as M|A|R|R|S would say, "Pump Up The Volume". I love Earth Day. It is in my top 5 days of the year. Most people make resolutions once a year but I make them three times, New Years, my birthday (my new year), and Earth Day. This helps to keep me focused on the fact that we need to be CONTINUALLY resolving to better ourselves. This year I have a only one resolution. To me it will be huge because it will require that I make extra trips to... wherever you take this "stuff" to recycle. Maybe my first resolution should be to find out where one would take these items to be dropped off. Hehe. Just kidding.

Drum roll, please.

I RESOLVE TO RECYCLE GLASS AND ALUMINUM.

Here is a list of past Earth Day resolutions:
Recycle paper.
Plant flowers.
Use reusable bags at stores.
Pick up trash every time I see it and I can wash my hands shortly after.
Never litter.
Repurpose as many items as possible. (I try to be careful not to become a hoarder though. Hehe)

Love Don't Pay The Bills or Get You Free Stuff, But Coupons Do

So the past couple of weeks I have been trying to get things together for my family to come see my place after my graduation. No biggie right? Doing it without spending money? Quite the challenge. Bring it on!

Step One:
Find an awesome coupon from Target and purchase what your doctor makes you buy regardless of possession of said coupon.


Step Two:
Walk around the store stopping only at clearance sections. When you find perfectly good pillow cases that are only marked down so low because the package is torn yell, "BINGO" and put them in your basket. (Like, anyone was going to save that beautiful, precious packaging before someone came and ripped. Shesh.)




Step Three:
Go look at the other pillowcases just to give yourself the satisfaction of knowing you are getting such a great deal JUST because the packing is ripped. Yep, still there.


Step Four: Keep walking because you still have two bucks on that card, baby.


Step Five: Stroll to the women's department. When you find a $2.00 tank top in your favorite shade of pink yell, "BINGO" again and put it in your basket. Pay no mind to the people staring at the crazy lady yelling, "BINGO". They are just jealous of your terrific deals.


Step Six: Pay your $.85 of tax and be on your merry way.

So People Say... "Extreme"

Here is a real life quote from my bestest camp friend Amber Schultz:
"If you are not and Shala and you try to give her advice then it's not going work for her. It's not extreme enough."

Why thank you Amber, I think you're pretty extreme yourself.

Wishlist Wednesday: Could You Just Hold This For A Second?

I have been thinking about posting some of the outfits I wear on my blog. My BFF thinks I should so that's really all the "go ahead" that I need. It doesn't take much to win me over. So, to do that I need this beauty.

Monkey Business

Some days you just have to kick your feet up and laugh.

So People Say... "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"

While listening to music in my freshman art class in high school my art teacher looks at me and says, "This is your song".

True story Sinclair, true story.

Hit Me With Your Best by Pat Benatar:

"Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
That's O.K., lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, lets get down to it!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don't You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!


You come on with a come on, you don't fight fair
But that's O.K., see if I care!
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I'll get right back on my feet again!


Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don't You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!


Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place."

So People Say... "You Know Who You Remind Me Of..."

I don't really know how to describe myself when questioned, however, sometimes there are conversations that are able to pinpoint exactly what I am trying to communicate. Here is one.

Me: "I use to love [Glee] but now it's too agenda focused for me. It makes the characters a little inconsistent. But a lot of people tell me Rachel reminds them of me. That could be taken two different ways but I choose to take it as 'well, she is the best'. I think Rachel would take it that way too. Thus further validating their point."

Julie: "LOL, I'm quite sure she would. She's my favorite character. I do get what you mean about their agenda though."

Patient

Sometimes you just have to get right to the point.

Mirriam-Webster's 4th definition of patient.
"Patient: pa·tient adj. \ˈpā-shənt\- 4: steadfast dispite opposition, difficulty, or adversity"

Rewind: 8.22.10

Almost 8 months ago I started driving home to go to church in Shawnee. Here are some quotes from "my homecoming service" on 8.22.11. It really set the tone for the next season in my life.

“We have to live with thankful hearts. Just make a commitment, a covenant with God today, ‘I will not go through a day not being thankful.’”

“Thankful people are active people.”

“Thankful people are people who want to bless others.”

“Every person has an inheritance.”

-Daniel Matthews
.CLICK HEREto find this amazing message in it's entirety.

My Thoughts On Golf

So here are some of my thoughts on golf... ok, just my thoughts on the players. (Stuff like this may have been how I got the nickname "T.V. Guide" as a child.

Since watching the Masters last year with the guy I was dating at the time I have come to love Phil Mickelson. Not because he is a stellar golfer (which he is) but because he has two daughters and his wife Amy had cancer but is in remission. That family dynamic endears them to me. They needed a win that year. Plus, I was just happy to see someone besides Tiger win. As far as I'm concerned he can just start "winning" with Charlie Sheen. Bubba Watson has ADHD and apparently uses the hyperfocus attibutes of it to excel in his game. Automatic love. I am so glad to see someone besides Bam Margera put a face with that disorder. And Nick Watney is just plain cute.

This is what happens when my employer sets my home page MSN.COM.

.

Wednesday Wishlist: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, Who's the Fairest One of All?

It's this mirror, it is the fairest. This is a mirror from Pier1 that I have liked it for a while. But that was just it, I just LIKED it. Untill, I saw what Sara from August Fields did with it. The moment I saw her Master Bedroom was like my first day of eighth grade. You know what I'm talking about, when the cutie pootie from the year before stands before you showcasing his total transformation into the class hottie. What those three months did for that cutie is what this blue wall did for this mirror. I am now completely in love.

Quote of the Day: 4.5.11

This is my quote of the day...Maybe the quote of my lifetime.

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat.
I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
Dr. Seuss

Wishlist Wednesday: Chalkboard Paint

This week I just have a small wish. It is to make the chalkboard that I have wanted in my house since they day I moved in this place. I just need a bit of regular paint and this special chalk board paint. Hopefully, you will be seeing the finished project on this blog soon. But for now here is my wishlist item of the week.

BEST GROUPON EVER: 53 % OFF EBAY

CLICK HERE

Quote(s) of the Day: 3.28.11

Today has been one of those days where you look at circumstances in your life and say' "enough is ENOUGH!" For me, this feeling has been a long time coming. It "came to point" last night in my dreams. In the dream I was supervising children at my old high school. I told the children to go get on a large mat. One of the "tweenage" goth girls told me no. I was angry that she disobeyed but I thought, "well, she's not bothering anything so I decided to just leave her there and go help the other kids. As soon as I woke up I knew this dream had spiritual signifigance. Her black-lipped smirk was repulsive. I knew it was time to really press harder into God to remove some of the things that are blocking my destiny. It is time to really clean the sin out of my life even if it isn't seemingly hurting anything right now. It has to go so that the love of Christ can come and take it's place. Then a fight rose up inside of me to quit hoping and waiting that certain situations would line up with God's will for my life. I have decided that I am going to take back those parts of my life so that I can present them to God as gifts for Him to use as He needs. As I was formulating a plan to do this a song popped in my head: Don't Rain On My Parade from the Broadway musical Funny Girl. So, I decided I would share a few qoutes from the lyrics with you. I hope they lifts your spirits as much as they did mine.

"Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter. Life's candy and the Sun's of ball of butter. Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!"

"Don't tell me not to fly-- I've simply got to. If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you. Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?"

"Nobody, no, nobody is gonna rain on my parade!"

Wednesday Wishlist: These Boots Were Made For Walking... er...Probably Not, But They Are Still Fabulous.

Are these not the cutest? I have the shorter shafted ones in "grey" and in that case when the Fossil company says "grey" they mean taupe but they are still awesome and I now I want the taller ones in black.

"I Don't Know Much About Being A Millonaire, But I Bet I'd Be Darling At It": The Blog About My Purse

Today Whitney from The Glamorous Life of a Housewife challenged her readers to answer the question; "What's in your purse?" Challenge accepted.

The Purse


The Contents


Pulling the stuff out of this purse was like watching the clowns exit the clown car. It just kept coming out and coming out.

First, we have the evidence of my undying love for Fossil products: my wallet, my pill case, and my... I'm not really sure what that other thing needs to be called. At first it was for my medicine but then it became like a second wallet/coupon holder hybrid. Whatever it is, I love it.

Second, we have a selection of different mini documents: A receipt from Whole Foods (or as Matthews calls it "Whole Paycheck"), a receipt from Akins, two business cards, a receipt from my bank, flower shaped post-its, and a list of directions of stuff to buy and stuff to do per Whole Foods Employee.

Third, eye shadows that were supposed to get put in my make-up bag in the car but never made it.

Fourth, my favorite pencil.

Fifth, my cell phone.

Sixth, the necklace I wore to church Sunday. I put it in my purse when I spent the night with mom so I wouldn't lose it.

Seventh, the three items I bought today that I stashed in my purse to save bags- conditioner, pro-biotics, and a supplement. Never mind the fact I have 75 reusable bags in my car. Actually, I have no idea how the conditioner got in my purse because it WAS in a reusable bag when I left Aveda, oh well.

Eighth, the most adorable coupon holder EVER!

Ninth, a random crusty penny. Have a ever mentioned I hate pennies, well now you know, pennies and Wal-Mart.

Last and least, three unmentionable products that will remain unmentioned.


The Smile "Guarantee-er"

I wanted to use this moment as a shameless plug for the only item in my purse that makes smile EVERY TIME I read it. There is no cuter coupon holder in the world than one that talks about being a millionaire. I have decided that every coupon holder that I will ever carry after this one will have this quote written on/inside it until the day my bank statement has at least 6 zeros falling in line after the first number. (Well... at least the bank receipt above is a deposit slip. That is a step in the right direction.)

CLICK HERE for an awesome giveaway from Remodelaholic.

For Japan With Love

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Wishlist Wednesday: Twist and Shout For Fitness

I love the idea working out while doing something I love. In the ten years I worked in childcare I jumped at every single chance I got to "out hoop" the kids. We would have hooping contests that would last until there was only one champion standing. I won some and lost some but I loved every minute of it.
This week I saw this article with Marisa Tomei sharing one of her fitness secrets, Hula Hooping. The secret is a weighted hoop to add resistance. The article also gave helpful tips to maximize your Hula Hoop workout. It looks like so much fun. I just have to try one.

Best Song Ever!

I know that people, including myself, always say: "This is the best [blank] ever". I have had 340* best days ever. There have been 879* moments that I have told my best friend, "That is the funniest thing I have ever heard you say". I have declared that 121* foods and 743* candies were my "favorite". But I believe that this song Pressing On by Relient K is the best song ever. No matter how old I get or where I go in life this song speaks to my spirit. My favorite lyrics are everchanging. God has used this song 508* different ways to speak to me. In both good and bad times it gives my mind the realignment it needs. It reminds me that things come and go and that life has highs and lows but at the end of the day it's God that is walking with me. It's message is timeless: Just keep "Pressing On".



*Actual numerical values may vary.

Dining With Friends

Every Sunday after church I go to lunch with some of my church friends. I never know which friends it will be but almost every Sunday I can find at least one person just as hungry as me. It is usually a group of 4 or more. We often go to nice restaurants, my favorite is a Chinese place called Sunrise. However, this Sunday was a tad different. We went to McDonald's. I hate McDonald's. Correction, I wish I hated McDonald's. I wish I didn't want to eat 20 chicken nuggets in a single setting. I wish my taste buds did not know the pleasure of their freshly salted fries. I wish that the McChicken sandwich was $1,000 dollars instead of 1. I wish they didn't have adorable little toys inside a smiling box. I wish my desire to devour these delicacies was as low as my energy level after I eat them.

However, I have to give it to McDonald's in the fun department. What other place can you eat your food and then teach your Superman to "cut a rug"? Not Sunrise, that's for sure.
The Superman twins sure do like to "MOVE IT, MOVE IT".

The ABC's of Me.

I stole this from Whitney at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife who stole it from from her bestie Amber at Three Meals & a Baby. Both blogs are excellent reads. Check them out.

Ok, now back to moi.

A. Age: Twenty-Nine.

B. Bed size: Twin, but I only use about 3/4 of it.

C. Chore you dislike: Both dishes and laundry are the bain of my existence. However, I don't think I would hate laundry so much if I could do it at my house so I guess dishes take the crown.

D. Dogs: ...should be watched while at public parks so that they do not poop where kids play.

E. Essential start to your day: Cute outfit.

F. Favorite color: Strangely enough I think it's gray even though technically it's a shade.

G. Gold or silver: Silver, everyday and every way.

H. Height: 5' 3 1/2"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I'm doing good to play the radio. However, in my life I have learned two songs: Mary Had a Little Lamb on the flutophone and Row, Row, Row Your Boat on a piano type playground toy at McDonald's.

J. Job title: Counselor

K. Kids: I know a few. :-)

L. Live: In a quaint little house between the two "awesomest" feature in Tulsa, Brookside and The River Trail.

M. Mom’s name: Momma

N. Nicknames: Peeples Court, Sha-Sha, T.V. Guide, and Total Embarrassment.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Went I was born and I slept there once when my Pa was in the hospital.

P. Pet peeves: Baby strollers in Victoria Secret(it's not big enough), moving my stuff, and pointless noise.

Q. Quote from a movie: "She don't what she's doing." "She knows exactly what she's doing."

S. Siblings: 5 younger sisters and 1 widdle brudder.

T. Time you wake up: Forty-five min. before I need to leave if I have to wash my hair 30 if not.

U. Underwear: A certain company always sends coupons for free pairs. I get those.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Any one that has been put in a can.

W. What makes you run late: Mostly misplacing something or loosing track of time

X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, spine, clavicle.

Y. Yummy food you make: Tacos.

Z. Zoo animal favorites: The giant tortoise at the zoo. I love him.

Quote of the Day: 3.12.11

"It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it."
W. Somerset Maugham
English dramatist & novelist (1874 - 1965)

So You're Telling Me There's a Chance

I am a "hope-er". Cancel that, I am an "expect-er". I expect that if there is a job or opportunity can happen to only one person that it might as well be me. I know that this is a very unique way of looking at things. It doesn't make sense statistically but luckily I never did well in math anyways. Think about it. Moses was one guy. God didn't hold a "captives release-er try-out". There was no "Hebrew Idol" for him to showcase his water parting skills. Nope, just one guy, one Holy plan. Abraham, Mary, David, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Hannah, Daniel, Isaiah... the list goes on and on: One person, one Holy plan. Just in case you aren't encouraged yet let's look at Saul/Paul. He was SUPER BAD when he was chosen by God. But God asked, he said yes and his life has been an example of God's EXTREME transforming power for generations.
It really doesn't matter what subject in my life is in question I figure that if God wants me to have something I'll get it. More importantly, if God wants me to do something He will supply me with the tools for us(me and Him) to complete it. There have been many times in my life in which my situations happened like that, "BOOM!" something just fell into my life. I didn't earn it or even deserve it but it just so happened that God knew I would do what He wanted done with it.
I am in a time of transformation in my life It all started with a desperate need for a Fresh Start. I wanted to clear the sin out of my life so that He could dwell with me again. Getting sin and it's "employees" out of my life has been a bit of a challenge but fortunately God can hear my desperate little voice even in the holes I have dug for myself. I am so thankful that He showed up even when the only words I could think to pray were, "GET IN HERE".
The main point here is, "God has a plan for EVERYONE. Even if the chances look slim. I expect to be used by God not because I am super awesome but because He is super awesome.


"What are my chances?"
"Not good."
"You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?"
"I'd say more like one out of a million."
"So you're telling me there's a chance... *YEAH!*"
-Dumb and Dumber

Wishlist Wednesday: Load 'Em Up

The first ever Wishlist Wednesday item is a Electric Washer and Dryer Combo.


Since I have moved to my current residence I have not been able to do laundry at home. I pine after the days I can do one load of laundry at a time. My current laundering process happens one of three ways: I take way too much to my mom's house, I take way too much laundry to my BFF's house, or I take way to0 much laundry to a place I call the Laundro Bar. (See the common denominator.) The latter is a place I found by accident. It was a laundromat that advertised free wi-fi. They forgot to mention the stereo-typical Honky-Tonk scene on the other side of the room. If you know me you know that I am not going to let things like beer, pool, and a jukebox full of oldies get in my way. I was not about to load 6 loads of laundry BACK into the car only to be reloaded into another disgusting communal wash house later. I found this place to be no more or no less disgusting than the others except for the fact that one dude was smoking nearby as I removed my Sunday Best from the washer and another guy was offended that I took his clothes out of the washer: "I'm sorry but those of us who are remaining sober don't have time for you to finish that beer, Sir. Actually that's not true. This place is cleaner than my old laundromat even adding smoke to the equation.

Just in case you cannot visualize the horror of doing laundry 6 loads at a time this should clear it up for you.

A New Kind of Tired

I am so tired today that I actually picked up my phone and put it to my face to "talk to God". I also tried to unlock my house by pressing the unlock button on my Nissan key fob.

I think it's time to say good night.

Best Blog Post Ever

Sixty-one, I couldn't have said it better myself.

It's Finished!

Here is what I have been working on for the last few days. I am so glad to have it finished so my art room will have some color on the walls.Sometimes I can hear the other rooms mocking her, "Haha, we are decorated and you are not. Nanabobo!"
"Fear not sweet art room, you have been delivered."


Check out that awesome full size locker on the right. It's ok if you want to be jealous. Hehe.

30 List… Check.

A few weeks ago I was having dinner with a substantially younger friend of mine. He and I were reflecting on the next biggest milestone in my life, turning 30. He shared with me a series of events that another friend of his sought to accomplish before he turned 30. He called it a “30 list”. It is similar to a “bucket list” but death is not the deadline (pun intended), the deadline is one’s 30th birthday. I instantly became a tiny bit sad because I did not make a 30 list. Due to current financial difficulties I doubt it would be emotionally wise to create a list that I could not complete on account of being one step above an orphan.

In the last few days I have been reading blogs about two other “bloggers’ that have reached this brilliant age this week. One of these bloggers created a modified version of the 30 list. She challenged herself to do something new for thirty days. It is very exciting to read her daily adventures as she reports them on her blog. The other blogger created a list of the most monumental stuff that occurred each year in her 20’s. I really loved that idea. These ideas really put me back to the thirty list idea.

Then, out of the blue it hit me: “How do you NOT have a 30 list. YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU HAVE EVER WANTED TO DO!!! Baby, you have a 30 list:”

Learn how to overcome bullies… check.
Learn how fix my hair by myself… check.
Overcome my fear of talking to people… check.
Jump off of a huge cliff into water… check.
Be on a Student Council… check.
Win a soccer championship… check.
Pass Pre-algebra… check.
Be in a dance recital… check.
Become a Lifeguide… check.
Learn how to snowboard… check.
Be a better snowboarder than the boys in my youth group… check.
Become a leader in my youth group… check.
Overcome fears concerning public speaking… check.
Become a cheerleader… check.
Win ribbons for my photography... check.
Become photography editor for my high school yearbook… check.
Pass Algebra 1… check.
Pass Algebra 2… check.
Get out of high school without earning a C… check.
Get a job working with kids… check.
Learn how to dress for my body type… check.
Pass College Algebra… check.
Win an intermural soccer championship… check.
Get a Bachelor’s degree… check.
Learn how to follow God better… check.
Completely transform every relationship I have… check.
Go camping with my friends… check.
Fly on an airplane… check.
Teach myself the art of decorating cakes… check.
Go canoeing and sleep by a river… check.
Get a cruiser bike and ride it on Riverside… check.
Go to an OSU football game… check.
Rent a perfectly posh little house in Mid-town… check.
Get my own art room… check.
Get a Master’s degree… check.
Sell something I made in a store… check.
Get a job as a therapist… check.

The only things I can think that I have left to do are:

Learn to sew with a machine.
Become Debt free.
Have a booth at Mayfest.
Visit Time Square.
Learn Spanish.
Go surfing.
See if anyone wants to sign up to be a family with me.
Buy a house.

I think I should let the last 8 space themselves out over the next 40-50 years. (smiles)

Rewind: Small Wonderful

When I was a child I had a favorite show. As I have already explained that I have an obsession with robots of the 80's persuasion it should come as no surprise to you that Small Wonder was the show I lived to watch. Proper Bully etiquette states that in an attempt to ruin a person's life one should try to ruin all her favorite experiences for her. My bully decided that my new name should be "Small Wonder". He went on to define his reasoning: "Because you are small and you 'wonder' around the room." I had no success in my attempt to inform him that the problem that haunted me in my everyday of my life was described as "wandering". Nope, the "Small Wonder" train had left the station and several of my classmates were on board. Being small was no walk in the park either but by third grade I had learned there was absolutely no point in defending my honor in the height department.
Here is a visual of the "awesomality" of "Small Wonder".

Fast-foward 10 years. During a group therapy session at a camp I attended, it was a camp for "peer-counselors" I disclosed that my childhood bully mocked me daily with "Small Wonder, Small Wonder". Then, from the back of the room, an amazing upperclassmen "hollered"[1] one of the top 10 best things ever said to me in my life. This was not just any "ole" senior. This was one of the few, very few, seniors I respected. She was very established as a person. She wasn't flighty or pretentious. She had a poise I adored. She stated, right in front of God and everybody, that she thought I was "Small Wonderful". It's amazing how one statement can redeem a entire event. It can and that day it did.

When attempting to think of a name for my "brand" I wanted one that would be a secret code for God's redeeming plans. I was reminded of the way that God used the words of another to transform bitterness into joy inside my heart. That was that... and now you know.

Batch 1

Batch 2

[1]"Hollered" is an Oklahoma word for talking really loud. It is the volume of yelling but contains no disdain.

Dashing Through the Snow In My Polka Dotted Boots... To Ida Red We Go

As you may or may not know one of my life goals was to sell my greeting cards in a store. The most wonderful store in in all of Tulsa made my dream a reality. Ida Red, "Tulsa's Rock'n Roll Boutique", took my first batch quite a few months ago. When I spoke to my friend who is employed there he informed me all but one had sold and I could bring more into the store. I was so excited to make some valentines to sell. I decided that I would drop off my creations on the 1st. The store was closed on the 1st due to "Snowmageddon 2011". The 2nd and 3rd told the same tale. Then, I caught wind they would open on the 4th to sell Cain's Ballroom tickets. I knew this was my chance. I suited up again and ventured out into the winter wonderland that was once known as Mid-town. I got there just in time to catch another friend closing up shop. I dropped them of with him and left with the greatest joy in my heart.Batch 2: Delivered.

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

I hadn't been out of the house for 3 days so I asked my neighbor if he would accompany me to Whole Foods. It was so nice to get out of the house.


On the way home from the store I spotted Sonic in all it's neon lit glory. It was so cold and I knew that burger would be so warm. I think you can tell how happy I was to have ordered one.

Lovin' This Blog And This Giveaway

Mrs. Darcy Giveway

Please copy the scrpt below and paste it into the "magic window" because I cannot seem to master the "link" concept. Thank you and good luck!



http://thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com/2011/02/mrs-darcy-review-and-giveaway.html

What Is a Cutie Patootie Anyway?

When you need to know what something means, what something REALLY means, there is one place to look. That place is Urban Dictionary. I thought I would share with you my favorite defintion so far.

"1. cutie patootie-
Someone or something so cute that the word cute itself has to morph into something cuter, thus cutie patootie was born.
OMG, [Shala] is such a cutie patootie , it makes me wish I was her Hubby.
Syn: cute patootie, cuteness, cuter, cutie
by Hubby65 Oct 7, 2008"

I am a firm believer in morphing words so that a greater credit can be given to the situation. Some people might describe this as "making up words" but not me and Urban Dictionary. We help words "morph" to achieve their greatest potential.

It's High Time We Celebrate

Most single women hate Valentine’s Day. They seem to feel left out or cheated somehow. Not this one, no way. Valentine’s Day is my favorite official holiday. It is only second to July 22, my birthday, which is not an official holiday, YET! (We don’t know what my life holds so never say never.) This girly hears single ladies crying and whining about not having a date or not getting flowers on this day. I look at this day and say this is the commercial holiday to celebrate the most AMAZING concept that has ever been invented. I say take my money, give me your overpriced pink and red trinkets and let’s party.

Starting off I have already received two Valentine’s this year. The first was a handmade card from Sara, she made her debut in my blog a few posts ago. The second was a Valentine’s package from my dad. This is the first Valentine that I recall receiving from my dad so I am very blessed by that. I also got an official invitation from my grandmother to be her Valentine this year, which I accepted.


As if those things were not enough let me share with you other acts of love that I celebrate on this day. My mother is number one. She had me less than a month after she was 18. This means when she was 17 she had to make some really, really tough choices. She knew what would be best for me and she began making sacrifices accordingly. Her love for me has never changed. No matter what happens our love remains strong. I rejoice in these things this time of year.

Second on the list to celebrate are my “Grandestmother”, my “Greatest Aunt Carol” and my precious Aunt Terri. They helped me and mom so much in those first years of my life. They also sacrificed a lot to give me a great life. I know these three ladies will always love me and help me whenever they can.I thank God for them.

I also rejoice in the fact that my dad adopted me when I was 2. One parent adoption is such a blessing in a person’s life. It creates a seamless structure to a family. I love my dad and I am very thankful that he choose to give me his love and his name.

My family is huge and I praise God for all the redemption that He has given us. I have met my biological dad and his wife when I was 20. I love them very much. Having them in my life has been wonderful. Meeting their daughter, my youngest sister was surreal because she is my only sibling that has ever looked like me. I love her.

My dad married a woman five years ago that has two daughters. I love having all of them in my family. My dad is happier than he has ever been. Watching them grow together is beautiful. Add that to the list of things to celebrate this holiday.


My mom has a husband that is perfect for her. Every year together their love for each other seems to grow stronger. He and I are also becoming closer. After 14 years of knowing each other we are finally learning how to communicate. That is certainly something to celebrate.

All together I have 6 siblings and one sister-in-law. We are almost all completely different. Our one common denominator is that we all try our “darnedest” to be the best we can be. We all work to be the best at whatever we do. That is something to celebrate in this day and age. One thing is for sure I cherish them all. Every one of them brings a unique element to my life. I love them for that.

I also thank God for my Ma and Pa. They have been together for almost 70 years. I think that celebration needs no further articulation. Plus, Pa always tells me how pretty I am and Ma always brags on the strawberry shortcake that I made for her.

Let's be honest here, when a person has a family structure like the one listed above and sings praises while describing it there is another celebration in order, Jesus Christ and his redeeming gifts. My life has had many, many trials but God always finds a way to bring glory to every situation. He makes all things new. It’s pretty simple. He changes things and He does what He says He will do. There is no greater feeling of love than that from the one that IS LOVE. He is worthy to be celebrated every day. I love Him. More importantly He loves me.

So maybe I won’t get flowers from a Cutie Patootie this year but that doesn’t mean I’m short on love. I think it is best articulated in one of my favorite movies, Love Actually: “If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.”