2010 Summer Bucket List

run barefoot through sprinklers | spend a day or two on the beach with my toes in the sand, the breeze in my hair and a good book in my hand | sip on fresh squeezed lemonade | go to an outdoor concert | sing louder | make homemade ice cream | smell the fresh cut grass | climb a tree | watch fireworks and play with sparklers | kiss under the stars | dip my toes in the pool | visit the farmers market often | go to a festival or fair and eat funnel cake | take the dog for a run | make a dinner entirely of fresh veggies from the farmers market | wear cowboy boots with a cute summer dress | ride the masterblaster at schlitterbahn at least 5 times in one day | do more living | take a boat ride | go fishing with my dad and son | go for a long hike in a beautiful place | hold hands with someone special | watch an outdoor movie | go to a baseball game and eat hotdogs | eat something new and unexpected | wear out a pair of flip flops | rid my house unnecessary junk and have a garage sale | go shopping for new unnecessary junk at as many flea markets as possible | drive with the windows down and sing at the top of my lungs | give more love | do cartwheels on the beach | eat popsicles | fly a kite

Catching up...again

Blog neglect. That's what it is. Plain and simple. I've put you on the backburner and I need to apologize. Grovel, in fact. On. my. knees.
Oh loyal readers...my sweet community of five, can you please find a way in your heart to forgive me?

I'm feeling as if we have this conversation frequently.

Without further ado, let's just catch up a little, shall we?

This somewhat asmathic boy wasn't feeling well one day, so we made a trip to see our favorite pediatrician.

...and on the way out of the office, he spied this winged, talonned, and injured predatory bird that captured his heart. Captured. his. heart. After begging for a chance at rescuing the winged, talloned, injured creature we spent no less than an hour tracking down a rescue group, gathering supplies for subduing and transporting the bird, and attempting to lure the sweet little thing into the makeshift crate. Only to be mesmerized by his beauty and grace as he flew to the tallest branch of a nearby tree.

Apparently, as the sweet lady from the rescue explained, he may have just been a little shell shocked from flying directly into a paned window moments before we came upon him. But, rest assured he would be just fine.

It's crawfish season, y'all. Spicy, tasty, juicy mud bugs, ready for the eatin'.

And there is no better date night, than crawfish and pool with a 13 year old boy.

He's a shark. Don't ever let him fool you. He'll leave you high and dry. Except maybe when he's had a cold beer or two. Oh, wait. That's me.

This insanely good looking group made their way to a local carnival in hopes of fidning some quality entertainment on pieces of equipment that are taken down, put together, taken down and put together again, taken down; put together (you get the idea) and moved from location to location by the most qualified of all traveling carnival peoples you have ever met. Don't let the fact that they are missing a few teeth fool you. They are absolutely the most proficient ride putter-togetherers you will ever come across. 

Does he meet the height requirement?

 

We even put our lives in their hands on this one. Call me crazy, but it was all kinds of fun. I promise.

But this. This was pure heaven. Melt in your mouth goodness. Good thing I made it through that ride without meeting my sweet Jesus so I could savor one more of these in my lifetime. 

A road trip ensued that entailed much in the way of laughter, good tunes, wine, food, and navigational assistance of all sorts. Plus a little dancing in the streets. No road trip is complete without that.

Now go forth and dance in the streets. It's an exhilerating experience that you will never forget. Imagine the possibilities if everyone just stopped occasionally and danced in the street?

Cheers,

Sweet Child of Mine

25 Things I want to tell you, my love.

1. Jesus loves you very much and you were created perfect in His image.

2. Be careful about the friends you chose.

3. Things will be what you make of them. We all have a choice about how to respond to our circumstances.

4. There are times for reactions and times for responses. Be sure to carefully and thoughtfully respond when it is required, rather than react.

5. Dating is for finding your wife one day.

6. Toast is just better with butter on it.

7. Chew your food with your mouth closed.

8. Never wear white socks with black or brown shoes.

9. Pray about it and then chose.

10. Always remember your restaurant manners.

11. Tomorrow is a new day.

12. Chocolate in the form of warm, gooey brownies is near to perfection.

13. Buy her flowers.

14. Learn to listen. And listen for when you should reply.

15. Part of being responsible is doing what you are expected to do even when no one is there to make sure you do it.

16. Find something your passionate about and be passionate about it.

17. Life isn't always easy, but rewards will come from your committment to perservere.

18. Sometimes you have to go to your room and find a smile and then come back.

19. We only have one body, so take care of it.

20. Read often. It's the least expensive journey you will ever take and you can do it anytime and go anywhere.

21. Please, please, please don't smack your gum.

22. Embrace your family.

23. It's like medicine for your soul to escape from the daily routine of life every now and again.

24. Gaurd your heart.

25. Be purposeful and authentic always.

With all of my heart,

A fun place to hang out

I found a fun place to hang out. A blog with little post it note "thank you's."

I love "thank you's." Especially this one.

Would you like to hang out with Leah too? You can, right here.

My "thank you" for today....

Dear Co-Worker,

Thank you for being so passionate when navigating through the voice response system on your speaker phone today. You have filled my afternoon with pure delight as your "no's" escalated to "NOOOOO's" and your "Yes's" became " YESSSS's"

Best,

It's About Time

Let me set the stage for you. Although the setting is of little importance, I just feel like telling you what I'm doing.

I'm propped up on some pillows at the coffee table in a hotel room, stuffed from the pizza and salad I ordered, working away on 'homework' from the training seminar I am attending, and watching One Tree Hill on the CW. Which by the way I never. ever. watch.

I'm not sure I have ever seen so much drama in one TV show. It's been a while since I've watched them, but feel certain that daytime soaps don't even roll through the intense emotional ups and downs as this show.

Take a look for yourself.


Just as I was contemplating how the CW has single handedly contributed to the escalation of emotional drama in our teenagers and young adults, thus corrupting the entire dynamics of relationships in the future and ultimately statistics such as divorce rates, single parenting, cohabitation, blah, blah, blah....the most refreshing and ironic commercial appeared.

Behold a moment of truth. One that is so full of truth and honesty that I can hardly stand it. This commerical is quite possibly the best thing I've seen on TV in my lifetime.


Thank you, Kotex. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Cheers,

Dance Party Anyone?

Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

HANSON | MySpace Music Videos

Monday on a Friday....

...is it possible?

I arrived downtown this morning and parked my car in the garage on the seventh floor. Took the elevator down and walked across the street to the tunnel access that leads me to my office building. Jumped on the elevator and rode up to the 21st floor.

Settling in my desk, I realize I forgot my glasses in my car. So, I hop the elevator back down the 21 floors to the tunnel. Which I follow to the street that crosses to the parking garage. Walk to the garage and get on the elevator to the 7th floor where I parked.

Breathe a sigh of relief that the glasses were actually in the car. Lock up and return. Down the elevator to the first floor. Back out of the garage, across the street, and to the tunnel. Up the elevator I treck to the 21st floor where I enter my office and proceed to move on with my day.

By the time, no less than 35 minutes have elapsed. All to just settled in at work and logged into the computer.

Outlook opens and up pops a message from a co-worker.

Subject:: Ur car


Message: Inside lights are on

Back to the elevator for the ride down 21 floors to the tunnel. Through the tunnel to the street access to cross and enter the parking garage. Up the garage elevator to the 7th floor where my car is glowing in the dark of the garage.

Turn the light out.

Proceed to the nearest elevator to go back down the 7 floors to the garage exit and cross the street to enter the tunnel which takes me to the building elevators where I head back up to the 21st floor.

Time elapsed now nearly 1 hour. Are you tired yet? I'm exhausted.

So glad I chose to wear the heels over the flats today.

Graphic from someecards.com.

Happy Friday,