The Love Project

So, as anyone within a ten foot radius of me in the last month well knows, I’m a huge advocate of asking God how much He loves me. I must sound like a little kid to Him, constantly asking Him “Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?”. “Hey, me again. Do you love me? Ok, just checking.” Ummm, insecure much?

Yeah, I totally am painfully insecure, and am not a person who realizes she’s loved easily. Even when people will tell me that, tangibly, to my face, as in the case of my amazing bestie K, I often think it’s more lip service, and something we say like “I’m American, therefore I’m Christian”, than the real thing. For instance, “I love you Trin” translates in my brain as “I put up with you, cuz we’re friends. And you’re just ok”. But what does it really mean to be loved, wildly loved by the Creator of this universe? That’s something I’m still discovering, through the beautiful relationship my Heavenly Father has cultivated with me.

I ask Him all the time to remind me He loves me. And sometimes it’s through pink sunrises and Newsboys songs that He answers me. Sometimes it’s through His word, like being reminded that “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17 or something). Other times it’s an inescapable feeling of peace and being cradled in the palm of His great big hand, like one of those Anne Geddes pictures of tiny babies dressed up like vegetables and what not. Usually that happens as I’m falling asleep, and I have to tell you, there’s nothing better to fall asleep to. At all.

But this past weekend, a speaker at a retreat I was at shared something that at first I thought was totally cheesy, but has been on my mind to do today. I’m gonna call it “The Love Project” and I’m totally ripping it off from her.

Here’s the 411 on The Love Project. Every day I’m going to write a different post-it note to myself, with one way that God shows me how He loves me. This is great, because I just got a brand new pack of super-bright, Caribbean color-schemed, Super-Sticky Post-It notes. Thank you Jesus & 3M. They're the classic 3”x3” size too. I do get a little fanatical about my office supplies, I’m not gonna lie to you.

So, Thursday I did my first one. My first TLP note, and I dated it and in my heart, I said “God, what’s one way I know you love ME?” And I wrote down “Pink sunrises and the perfect Wreck from Potbelly”. Come on let’s face it, I’m not always the deepest.

But I know that for the next few months, or years or however long this goes, I will have plenty of fodder, plenty of stuff to write down. Here’s a few that come to mind, to get me started:

• Ummm, helloooo.... He died on the cross! Dur.
• He didn’t just stay there, but He rose again, and is making a place for us to be with Him forever.
• And I’m pretty sure it’s gonna rock.
• He Reigns by the Newsboys
• Pink Sunrises
• Jeremiah 31:3&4 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.”
• The smell of babies’ heads.
• Chloe, when she smiles at me. That baby has an amazing, light up the room smile.
• Every time Celia asks me to have another sleepover at my house.
• Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
• A hug from M – she really means it & holds on tight.
• Glee songs
• Romans 8. All of it.
• Falling asleep to tears as I know He holds me (see cradled in the palm of His hand reference above)
• Hearing from K that she’s still my best friend and biggest cheerleader
• The perfect Campfire Mocha, with lots of marshmallows.
• Knowing that He does not deal with me according to my transgressions, but has given me a huge heaping measure of grace and mercy, beyond what I could ever deserve, ask for or imagine. I am sooooo not punished like I need to be. Whew.
• Just stopping to think about it all. His love, that is.
• Going to the MIA.
• Art in general
• Colossians 3:12-15 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
• Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Michael Buble…. And the knowledge that if God has a husband for me, I just haven’t met him yet. Look, God supplies all my needs according to His riches in Jesus Christ, so if I really needed a husband, well by golly, I’d have one already. Till then, I’m not sweating it …. I just haven’t met him yet, or ever, but either way, good song, great God.
• Being called “kid” or “kiddo”
• When people guess my age, and they get it wrong, thinking I’m younger than I am. Ok, I’m vain, I know. But I can thank God for good aging genes, can’t I? There’s joy in being content with what God made you look like. Yeah, I want it to be better (skin care product freak, getting back to the Y!!), but I thank Him when I think of looking 5 or 6 years younger than I really am, and only having one grey hair.
• Defying Gravity, or for that matter, a good Aria.
• All Creatures of Our God & King.
• The way Caravaggio painted Christ.
• Laughing with T - well, really just when T laughs
• Shivers when I worship
• Tigers – and not the kind you find in your bathroom, but just the way they move and their soft orange slinkiness
• Snowflakes – the big, crystalline kind
• Loaded Potatoes – the girls, not the food
• Fireplace fires
• Finding money in the back pocket of my jeans.

There’s more y’all. Lots more. And maybe some of this is a stretch. I mean, Glee songs? But, the point is, there are just some things that bring me joy, and make me stop and thank God for them.

I know that He could have given us a world of grey nothingness. No beauty. No sunrises. No tigers. No snow days, No Caravaggio. No light, no bright, no music, nothing that was beautiful or awe inspiring, or even that just makes us smile. But our God is, among other things, indescribably beautiful. And He delights in making beauty and watching us enjoy it. He loves music, and joy, and smiles, and all good things. He has created a lot, and said it was all good. He gave us the ability to smell, to feel (touch), to taste, to hear, to see. I acknowledge that He’s got an amazing sense of humor, probably rocks out to the songs of the saints, and adores babies and puppies. How awesome is He?

And that makes me love Him – as Stephanie Smith sang, not for His wonders, but for who He is. I am crazy in love with a God that loves life that much. And you know what? I’m pretty sure He loves me too.

Back By Popular Demand

Here are a few more hilarious websites to amuse yourself with during the day. You know, cuz I never do that.


http://www.sverigessamstasida.se/ryskalekparker.php This is basically the world’s scariest and creepiest and saddest children’s playgrounds. Fun – I totally would take my kids there if I had any! And then listen to them quietly sobbing in their beds at night.


http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/16784 Playgrounds From Hell. Or the former Soviet Union.


http://www.engrish.com/ If you’ve spent any time in Asia, you’ll recognize the awesome signs and half-baked signs.


http://www.theonion.com/content/index One of my favorites, whether in print or online. Of course it claims to be America’s Finest News Source, but I believe that’s only true since the Weekly World News went under.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208913/The-poodles-transformed-pandas-horses-snails-creative-grooming-dog-shows.html One of the best examples that people who breed dogs have too much time on their hands (sorry Sue, I didn’t mean you!)


http://crappytaxidermy.com/ In case the poodles weren’t enough


Like Mental Floss http://www.neatorama.com/ is just kind of random fun stuff.


For anyone who hasn’t seen the hilarious movie Fanboys yet, you may not appreciate this site. But for those down with driving cross country just for a chance to break into Skywalker Ranch, enjoy this article http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/07/star-wars-for-your-mind-heart-and-soul.html


Last week I posted about the Building A Better Man website, which I was only able to halfheartedly endorse…. This one’s much better trust me. http://artofmanliness.com/


And because I’m not just one of the guys, or even close, I’m going to admit that one of my all-time favorite girly sites is Southern Beauty, which is written and edited by a bunch of Southern Women. Now trust me, nobody does Beauty like Southern women. Naturally strong and resilient by nature, their fortitude often applies itself in shellacked hair, shellacked nails, head to toe matching accessories, flawless makeup even in 102 degree weather with 70% humidity…. there is something so appealingly OCD about the studied beauty of Southern women. There is part of me that embraces my boho, neo-hippie roots, embraces the way I rebelled as a teenager into the perfect, argyle wearing Young Republican, but there is very little in me that is truly a Southern belle inside. I can only read, and learn and wish. http://www.sobeautymag.com/


Well, that’s it for my more current suggestions. Over and out good buddy.

Mad Props

Ok, as we all know by now, sometimes during the day, I am less than challenged or stimulated with a constant flow of responsibility. I’m ok with this. Because my lenient schedule allows me ample time to peruse some of the more interesting and humorous websites out there. Here, is my top ten lists of things that amuse me daily, in no particular order:

1. Awkward Family Photos – I can only hope to find a man willing to recreate our love story in awkward knee shelf and back hug photos. The irony that would ensue!

2. LOL Cats – Cheesy, yez, I knoe. But something bout dat weird LOLCat languages haz me hookd. Thar’s even LOLCat languages generador dat I often type mah emails into, 4 amuzement an 2 confuse mah coworkerz. Sadzly, spell check katchez me evry tiem.

3. Don’t Even Reply– I almost peed my pants yesterday reading some of these responses, such as Insulting Parrot and Horse Farm and Special Wife.

4. People of Wal-mart – Because beauty is all in the eye of the beholder.

5. F*** Yeah, Neil Patrick Harris – NPH, wherever he can be found. Awwwesoooome!

6. Stuff Hipsters Hate - Like... “Sobriety: Hipsters know their ABCs: Adderall, Booze, Coke” or “Other Subcultures” or “Washing Their Hair”.

7. Stuff White People Like – Like ….. “Camping”, “Vespa Scooters” and “Girls With Bangs”.

8. Celebrity Baby Blog – yes, I do stalk celebrity babies, I know, I know. But with such cuties as the Stefani-Rossdale boys, Suri Cruise (she’s such a little doll!), and of course the Jolie-Pitt clan out there, I can’t resist.

9. Furry Puppet Studio – maybe it’s my obsession with Jason Segel and the fact that he’s making a puppet movie, or maybe it’s just how fantastical and tactile and detailed they all look. Nah, it’s Jason Segel.

10. New Math – think of it this way …. Store Manager = Employee + Neck Tie. Or, Dowry = Marriage + Door Prize.

Potential Runners did include Hot Chicks with Douchebags, but sadly, it’s blocked most of the time. There are rip-off websites that provide me hours of trainwreck stupification. You don’t want to, but you just have to look. Oooh, that gelled hair, I think I just threw up in my mouth. Mom, where’s my protein ma??

You know what really bothers me about these people though? The proliferation of HC’s & D-Bag’s suing the makers of the book “Hot Chicks With Douchebags” for slander, libel and personal trauma. You’re a douchebag! You wear Ed Hardy. You’re the bimbo that overtans, overbleaches and overhangsoutofherclothes that’s plastered to his arm. Get over it. Don’t sue the makers of a book for calling you out on your ridiculous behavior and meticulously sculpted facial hair or Tara Reid worthy implants and embarrassing you in front of all your friends. Just get some class, a real job and put your camera away. Urgh!

There was also If I Had To Choose, which basically gives you two choices and you have to choose which you’d eliminate from the waking world. Such as “Arrested Development or Seinfeld?”, “We Will Rock You or We Are The Champions?” and “Lloyd Christmas or Ace Ventura?”. Nice.

There’s always the blog “Just A Guy Thing: Building A Better Man”, which I might recommend to my male audience, though sometimes I look through it just to see if they’re getting it right. They aren’t. There’s Church Sign Maker, which let’s you put whatever text you want into a church’s marquis sign. But sometimes their server freezes up. And then there’s also (crazy random admission) Rock N Roll Bride, which is basically goth wedding pictures, but classier. It’s where I got my idea to have my entire bridal party wear Converse at my (prolly never gonna happen) wedding.

I also read other people’s blogs, write in my own blog (such as right now, a few minutes before I get to go up to the mall for lunch), and look for cool, new blogs. Productivity has never been so high!

Yeah, But I Bet She Gets Her Butt Kicked In The Sandbox

Things I Love Right Now

Being a woman

The hair, the breasts, the skin, the ability to procreate. Wow, we are the luckier sex!
























"Leave the guns, take the cannoli".

Well besides the Godfather & Italian culture, just cannoli's in general.
Ummm, cannoli.











Men who will fight.

Is there anything more attractive than a man who's not afraid to stand up for something?











Red

The color of my room, the color of my favorite lipgloss, the color of pomegranates.





















Sundresses.

They bring me back to my childhood, to memories of dresses that my mom made me. I want those dresses again!





















Summertime

And the livin' is easy.
















The Girls Next Door

Ok, so they're kind of ditsy. But they're so cute & well meaning, and they love Hef so much. It's actually pretty cute!

Wacky Holidays II

Well, in a ginormous fit of irony, today is actually both National Hairstyle Appreciation Day and National Honesty Day.

So I have to be honest with you, I don't really appreciate your hairstyle!

What's The Truth Part II

Ok, so on another note... a guy friend of mine told me today that he is fed up with girls using the line "I'm not interested in dating anyone right now, I'm finally happy on my own." and then turning around and within weeks, nay days, dating someone. Other than them.

So sorry mon frère! It could be a line. But you know what? I kind of wish I was dating someone right now. I am happy on my own but life could be a little less boring if there was someone nice to share all that with. But, hey, since I'm not, guess what? I'm happy single too. Less drama this way, and it's cheaper too.

So, see, sometimes girls just need to fess up. Next time a girl uses that line on you, you should tell them I said so.

Off To Camp

Is it that time already? Time for the Hope All-Church Retreat? It seems like 2006's was a million years ago, and yet, I know it rolls around pretty quick.

So this year I scored, and instead of having to plan all the Children's Activities & Curriculum, I get to work with Steve Rentz on all the fun stuff - the Free Time Activities. We've got some bang up ideas planned, like Jenga with Consequences, Nighttime Capture the Flag, and a lot of game tournaments. Plus, Steve got us a Karaoke machine and one of those Gladiator jousting inflatable doohicky's. WOW!

Is it sad to say, though, that I just want to bring a book up there and relax? I am so tired, from working at the bakery, and planning this thing, and all kinds of other stuff that still is going in with Hope. The introvert in me doesn't even want to be around people. Being in a crowd of people, asking questions, wanting to talk and hang out, is the last thing that sounds appealing to me. I have become accustomed to just having a lot more quiet time, time to myself, lately. And that's how I like it.

YIKES!

Well, in any case, my wonderful small group is going, and I don't mind hanging out with them one bit. Or the Baileys, or Skreins, or Kirst and the kids. Oops, that's supposed to be a surprise. Hehehe.

Well in any case, I better get going. I have to go clean out my trunk so there's room for us all today, and then get to work. It's going to be a busy day!

100 Things. We're Wrapping This Up!

Ok, who knew that writing 100 Things You Didn't Know About Me would take a year? I guess I didn't. Thanks Brooke, for the heads up!

So, here goes nothing. My best attempt to get 'er done in one post. Just 50 to go. (Cute pup huh? See #'s 88& 89)

100. I'm a commitment-phobe. Yeah, you heard me, I'm afraid of commitment.
99. I like cold pizza more than the warmed up stuff. I'll eat it for breakfast any day.
98. I could live in bed. Read there, write there, sleep there, watch TV there. My bed is my favorite place. All those pillows!
97. I'm afraid of being judged. Even writing #98, I'm afraid of what people are going to think.
96. I have a black thumb. I can't garden to save my life. I kill all plants.
95. I like earthquakes. I mean, I grew up with them, and I don't mind them that much really. I like to feel the earth move beneath my feet.
94. I love roller coasters, but I'm a little chicken at first.
93. As with roller coasters, and a lot of things, I'm a little chicken at first. But once I actually do something I'm afraid of, a couple times, say two or three, I gain courage, am ok with it, and can do it over and over again. I just need a little patience, and a little time.
92. But if there really is something I've tried, and I can't do, for fear or phobia (swim with dolphins, rock climbing walls), any "motivation" to try to get me to do it will only piss me off. Seriously, your persistent asking is doing nothing more than annoying me, and making me feel really uncomfortable, so stop already and respect my decision!
91. I've was in love with the same guy for the last two years, and we don't even talk anymore. He breaks my heart.
90. I wish I came from a different family.
89. I want a dog, real bad.
88. I had a dog once, his name was Milford. One day while I was at work, my grandpa took him to the pound, without me knowing, because he was an asshole, my grandpa. When I got home from work, and found out, I cried inconsolably. Then I called around to every pound in the city, and when I finally found him, two days later, it was too late. He was already put down.
87. When I have kids, I will never treat them the way my family has treated me.
86. I have a hard time seeing God as a good father. Wonder why?
85. Yet, I know He loves me. I have no doubt that nothing will ever tear me from His hand.
84. It's one of the few points in my faith I can cling to with complete assurance.
83. Other things, like church involvement, or my call in ministry, I'm not so sure of.
82. I hate feeling trapped. The minute I feel trapped, I want to run, long, hard and wide. RUN!
81. When I think of running, I think of small towns in middle America. And road trips.
80. I like country music. But not all of it.
79. I know all the words to Baby Got Back, and sing along whenever it comes on. Heeehee
78. I don't trust a lot of people.
77. I once dated a man 17 years older than me. We still talk and are great friends. He understood me like no one else.
76. Now all I seem to meet are younger guys. Mrs. Robinson Syndrome.
75. I have seen the Gypsy Kings in concert four times.
74. I can salsa dance, but rarely do.
73. I adore garlic.
72. I once laughed so hard I peed my pants..
71. I'm afraid of becoming a diabetic.
70. I used to tan, a lot.
69. I've always wanted porcelain skin, however.
68. I think Jennifer Connelly is the most beautiful, talented woman alive.
67. I adore Brittish men. Clive Owen. Paul Bettany. Hugh Grant. Hmm, maybe it's just the accent.
66. I used to nanny, for a family with six kids. One of them had cerebral palsy.
65. I sometimes speak with a funny accent when no one's around.
64. Sometimes I do it around choice friends.
63. I am bad at keeping in touch with people who move away.
62. I have over 40 pairs of shoes.
61. In times of crisis, I become paralyzed, and can't speak or scream.
60. I've been mugged three times.
59. I've been to every mall in every town I've ever lived in.
58. In my cell phone, I give my student loan collectors code names, so I know it's them when they call.
57. I love board games, and can get extremely competitive.
56. Sometimes I lie.
55. I just want to be adored.
54. Seriously, I do. By a man who will treat me like a princess, and love me faithfully.
53. I have no tolerance for infidelity. It is the one sin in marriage I could not get over.
52. I trust in God, that He has a plan for my life that is His absolute best for me.
51. If it never happens, I will believe that His will is sovereign, and that He is worthy of my praise.

Post Script

P.S. I can't believe the pity party I was having on the way home tonight. I have a confession - I stopped and bought a pack of smokes, and had one on the way home, singing to Sheryl Crow, singing my heart out and smoking because I was searching for something that would allow me to both rebel and console. URGH! I feel gross! What was I thinking? I wasn't. I was thinking of him. Not myself, and that's what got me into this mess in the first place. Stupid girl!

100 Things 33 1/3

Oh yes, we're not done yet.
(Picture at right? See #43)

50. I love Iron Chef. Even Iron Chef America. Food TV in general, but really, just Iron Chef.
49. Gimme glasses instead of contacts. They're so sexy! Guys in nice glasses weaken my knees. Now I only wish I could find mine.
48. I'm a Food Science geek. Alton Brown, Harold McGee, come on, I love those guys (speaking of sexy).
47. I'm going through a rest period in my faith. And I completely trust in God to see me through it.
46. I wish for heaven a lot sometimes. There is nothing here on earth that means so much to me that I wouldn't trade it for being in heaven right now.
45. The only thing that could possibly sway me is having children. I want twins.
44. I love older sounding names. Hazel, Henry, Mabel, Oliver, anything "antique" sounding.
43. I would love to live in Spain someday. Or Italy. But in the countryside.
42. But I am horrible at learning other languages.
41. I bite my nails. And I ravage my cuticles. But if I have acrylic nails on, I leave them all alone.
40. I am a horrible morning person.
39. I love taking naps. I try to every day, but sometimes I can only squeeze in a few a week. Sad.
38. If I don't get enough sleep, that's when I turn into a bear. It usually takes three or four days of not getting enough, but once that final sleep deprived point hits, I'm inconsolable.
37. I could be happy on a farm. I don't need the city to live in, I could do just as well in the country.
36. I'm anal retentive about spelling. I can spell just about anything, and take great pride in it.
35. I don't really like romantic comedies. My favorite movies are Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and The Godfather.
34. The only two romantic comedies I own were considered flops in the theater - Laws of Attraction & Win A Date With Tad Hamilton.
33. Sometimes God wakes me up in the wee early hours. I think He knows it's the only time He can get my full attention.
32. I'm prone to spiritual attack through nightmares. I have had them since I was a child. I can remember, with detail, my first one.
31. The only household chores I like to do are laundry and ironing. I love ironing.

Whew! I'm halfway through. This is more of an undertaking than I thought. Check back soon for the other half (maybe the better half??).

100 Things. Part Deux.

There are a lot of things I could go on to tell you about me, but here are the ones I'm willing to let you know. Continued.

(For help with the picture, see #16)

30. I try to limit my interactions with really needy people.
29. I'm super shy, and an introvert. Really, I am.
28. My biggest fear is growing old alone.
27. My second biggest fear is sea animals. Sharks. Orcas. Dolphins. You name it. If it lives in the sea, I'm afraid of being eaten by it.
26. I hate warm weather. I'll take the cold any day.
25. I say "hate" a lot. I don't mean it like abhor. I just over use it to mean "greatly dislike".
24. I have the habit of conforming whatever I think is attractive in a man to match the last guy I dated. For instance, ever since I dated Jeff, I think Steve Mariucci is hot, because he reminds me of Jeff.
23. I never flirt with guys I'm friends with. It causes too many problems. But if I like a guy and we're not at the friends stage, I can flirt like no one's business.
22. Insincerity is the trait I deplore most in women.
21. Loyalty is the trait I admire most, in women.
20. Chivalry is the trait I admire most in men.
19. Superiority is the trait I deplore most in men.
18. I think I'm a good catch. I have my issues, but all in all, I can make someone pretty happy.
17. I have a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Oh wait, these are 100 Things You DIDN'T Know About Me.
16. Ok then, I have really stinky feet. Heehee.
15. I'm a voracious reader.
14. I'm stubborn & rebellious. If you tell me I have to do something, I'll make sure to never do or do just the opposite.

100 Things About Me

In the great words of Babbling Brooke,

"Jacob did it. So did Girl With an Alibi, Evercurious, and True Jersey Girl. And I, being the follower that I am, have now done it as well. Yes, I've succumbed to the 100 Things You Didn't Know About Me post."

I've been reading Brooke's blog for a while, she is great! She is intelligent, lively and well spoken, without being a bore. Come one, the woman's current crush is Gerard Butler (300 Butler, not Phantom Butler - ish!@!), how bad can she be?

So, drawing inspiration from Brooke and her co-horts, here are
100 Things You Didn't Know About Me, in a post. Thanks Brooke!

(Wondering about the picture? See #1)

13. I hardly ever wear matching socks anymore.
12. I was born and raised in Glendale, CA. (Outside of Armenia, Glendale has the largest Armenian population of anywhere in the world.)
11. Growing up, I used to want to be a fashion designer.
10. As a child, I would entertain myself for hours drawing and cutting out paper dolls and clothing for them.
9. Julia Child is my culinary heroine. I used to watch her show on PBS all the time as a 8. I secretly believe that my life would change drastically if I just lost 35 pounds.
8. I think I know deep inside that it's probably not true. The drastically part at least.
7. I can't fall asleep without a white noise maker of some sort. I prefer birds or wind.
6. I like to cuddle.
5. I don't feel 32. Cuz I'm not yet. But I don't feel 31 either.

Ok, this might take me a while. I'm ready for bed, I have to be at the bakery early tomorrow morning. So, maybe I'll do ten a day for the next week, see where I'm at, take it from there. One last one....

4. My favorite store of all time is Nordstrom. But not because I'm a snob with impeccable, expensive taste, but because....
3. Nordstrom reminds me of my adolescence, when my Grandma Dee and I used to shop there and then have lunch in the Nordstrom Cafe. It was the last thing we did together before she got sick and died.
2. I miss her more than any other person in my life - and wish that she had lived longer so that I could hear her say she's proud of me and that she loves me.
1. I'm a huge comic book geek. Seriously.

Something Pretty

Here are some things I think are pretty.

My nieces, Emily & Becky (they get their flawless style from their aunt, me)

The beauty of flowers - their graphic starkness and their lushness





























The romantic promise in a European street

Jake Gyllenhaal

Ummm, freedom!

The Herdle gals!

Spring Showers

A Red, A White & A Good Laugh

So, here are three of my favorite things:

My favorite white wine - Conundrum, a white varietal, that I first tried on my 30th birthday at Zeno's in Uptown. It is one of the smoothest, crispest white's that I've had, and though it's about $27 a bottle, it's worth every drop. Pairs great with herbed chicken, salmon, and pears.

My favorite red wine - Toasted Head's Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm not a dry red person, the more tannins, the less appealing in my book. But this Cab is fruity, jammy, rich with chocolate and leather, packed with lots of intense berry aromas and a smoky, oaky, woody undertone. It is by far, one of the best red's I've tried!!

I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it!!!!

Last but not least.... The Career Builder Chimps. I miss those guys. I mean, come on, what's better than monkeys dressed like humans. Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? But those CB Chimps, they had sass! Real spunk! They were your worst work nightmare, and they didn't care. I loved them! Bring 'em back CB, bring 'em back. *sigh*

So yeah, this post is totally random. But still, a little insight into some things that make me smile, when I think of them. Some more cultured than others. But what can I say? I'm a monkey kind of girl at heart!

Could be worse, I know someone who has a celebrity crush on the caveman from the Geico commercials. Creeeeepy.

Oh yeah, and I went sledding yesterday

So, the Herdles have this old 4 seater, wooden, antique tobogan. Pretty much the coolest thing to hit snow in a long time. That puppy was swift. We caught air a few times, and now my bottom is SORE!

I'm Grumpy & Sleepy. I Sound Like A Dwarf

Or, as I heard them referred to this week "Primordial Dwarfs". Huh??? All I really want is a Grande Soy Extra Hot Chat Tea Latte

So I started this new job at the Franklin Street Bakery. Good God are the hours going to kill me. Women were not made to wake up at 4:30 to be at work on time. That's why it's called Beauty Sleep. Yes, that's right 4:30 in the AM. Oh mylanta, how will I ever do it???

So the nice thing is, on the first day my boss told me that I could sample all I wanted to get a taste for what we serve, no limit. Sweet. So that day the girl who was training me hooked me up with soy chai latte during my shift, and then sent me home (or rather, to staff meeting at Hope) with a box of about 8 different pastries. But today, the other girl who was training me didn't offer me anything at all. Do I ask? I don't want to seem like I'm in it for the free pastries, but I sure as heck am not in it for the crap-awful hours!!

I am going to be napping like Fozzie the Bear at Thanksgiving for the rest of the semester, I can just tell you that right now. Well, off to bed, 4:30 rolls around MIIIIIIGHTY early!

It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth and wisdom. - Aristotle.

What the heck did he ever know??

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West   Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz