Dear passenger who is sitting next to me...

I just want to take a few minutes to apologize to you. I feel horrible that what you thought would be a relaxing flight to Maui was probably not anything close to that and that it may have turned in to the longest day of your life.

You see...my husband I were flying together today for the first time ever. We've been together five years and married for almost four years and we realized at the airport that this is our first trip together where we would fly to our destination. We are big cruisers and when we venture out on one of those vacations we usually drive to the port in Galveston and set sail from there. So, today was a big deal for us, and well...I was excited and a little bit hyper.

Anyway...I couldn't decide what I needed out of my bag the first few minutes and I'm sorry that I kept bending over to pull up my huge carry on from the floor to my lap. You would think that after doing that ten times in less than 3 minutes, I would know what I needed to pull out of it, huh? And...then, please forgive me that once I decided to pull out my iPad and play on that for a while, that I realized I also needed my reading glasses and my wireless keyboard, too. I got bored playing games and decided I wanted to blog. And...well...when I opened the Blogger app, it wouldn't turn sideways, and I couldn't get it situated in a way where you wouldn't see what I was writing. I'm kind of private when it comes to my drafting process, but please don't take that personal. I didn't want my husband to see it either...at least till it's published.

Anyway, then they started the movie, and I wanted to watch it. I thought it might calm me down a little bit. I don't fly very often, and the anxiety of that coupled with the excitement of being on the cusp of vacation was a lot for me to deal with. But then...the movie was boring. It was sci-fi, and I don't really get in to those kind of movies, and I was feeling restless. I was so glad that they decided to start bringing us our drinks. My mouth was a little dry so it was perfect timing.

Then, my husband started acting silly and making fun of my a.d.d. and that made me laugh. Those are the times that I really want to capture, so when I tried to take a picture of me and my man, I am SO sorry that I spilled my drink and it splattered all over you and it was keeping you from getting your equations done. You seem very smart.

Well...after my sweet husband got us all cleaned up and got back with another cup of ice for me, we were hungry. I'm so glad that we thought to buy a sandwich before we got on the plane. Did you hear how expensive those sandwiches were? Ten dollars!! Good grief. I hope they were good. Anyway, that is why I had to get back into my carry-on bag on the floor.

And finally...I cannot even express to you how sorry I am for trying to adjust the cover on my iPad. I forgot that I had another flimsy cover on it underneath the big case. And I really had no idea that when I pulled it out of the big case that the magnetic strip on the small one was going to
detach from the iPad and that it was going to fly in your lap.

I'm so glad you were able to fall asleep and that you are finally resting. If you sit next to me on our way home, I promise to take a Benadryl. But one more thing. I'm sorry, but I have to go to the bathroom.

Sincerely,
A.D.D.

P.S. Aren't you glad we don't have any kids?

Tidbits of trivia that may...or may not...be interesting

Happy Friday to any and all who have dealt with a week and are glad to see the weekend! I am one of those. Definitely.

I've always heard it said that the day you don't learn something is the day you die. Now...I don't really believe that because...well...I'm still here! And I'm fairly certain that in the 40 something years that I have walked the planet, there are some days in there where I learned nothing new.

Anyway.

Today, I walked away with two words that I've either never heard...or...that I've totally ignored because I didn't know what they meant. I tend to black out when there's something I don't understand. This could be why I start to hyperventilate when I have to figure out how much tip to leave. I was blacked out during a good portion of my high school and college math courses.

Where was I?

Oh yes...my two new words. Humonguloid. I can only give the sentence it was used in because there is no definition in Websters, which I believe makes it a non-word. But that means nothing in our present time because really....'Google'...well that used to be a non-word. And the person who used it has this amazing ability when he's talking to use words in a way that makes you understand exactly what he means when he uses words that might otherwise make you black out.

'Dude, that thing was humonguloid!'. I think it's safe to assume that it was a contraption of large proportions and maybe a little bit odd in nature.

And then there was tedium. It sounds like tedious and, therefore, makes me tired. But the person who used this word is brilliant and that is all I know about her except that she is an author, and she used it in her writing.

"For the nerds out there who care about this kind of tedium..."

I'm definitely a nerd, and because I was highly interested in what she was writing about, I am definitely interested in this kind of tedium.

And finally the trivia. James (as in Jesus' younger brother) was named after his grandfather and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel - Jacob. And in that...I'm highly interested and will not be blacking out.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Clouds

If I've heard her say it once, I've heard Beth Moore say it a thousand times. "What if we did it? What if we believed what God's Word says about us? What if we did what He says in His word to do when we are weary and need rest? And what if we did 'consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds' (James 1:2)"? What if we did it, y'all? WHAT IF?

I don't know about you, but I am ready to find out. The other has never worked for me. Ever.

So...the reason I'm writing this tonight is because...out.of.nowhere...a cloud of sadness just darkened the door of my heart and caused tears to roll down my face. A cloud that has loomed over my life for many years. And as you may...or may not know...it's the cloud of the inability to have children. And tonight...I'm ultra aware that it serves to threaten my faith and rob my joy once again. And...well...I'm not doing it anymore. God has written His name all over my week and He has shown me over and over that He works everything for the good of those that love Him. And this...THIS...is not going to rob me of that peace. Nope. Not going there.

And as I write this, I'm also aware that everyone has a cloud or two that moves in ever so often that threatens your peace and joy or paralyzes you with fear. And if you are reading this, I urge you...when the rain comes...to move swiftly into God's Word and find out what He has to say about it. Quote scripture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. He will be found by those who seek Him. The door will be opened to those who knock. And those who ask will receive.

What have we got to lose? What if, y'all? What if?

It's Not About Me...

Well today has been a crazy day, and I must say, one that took a turn I never thought it would take. Let me back up a bit.

Over the Christmas break, I was doing what I do best on my days off. Sitting on the couch. And as I was parked there in my element, I was surfing the internet and catching up on many of my favorite blogs. On one of them (Lifeway All Access Blog), I ran across a post that was promoting a video contest called 'My Abundance' Video Contest. And when I read about it, the thought entered my mind to enter it and see where it might go. But like so many times before, the adversary rolled in and started telling me that I would never win a contest like that and that I was crazy to even entertain that kind of thought and that nobody...NOBODY...would vote for me.

Sound familiar to any of you?

But because of many things I learned last year, I decided that I was going to do it anyway and not give way to things that go against what God says about me in His Word.

2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:13
2 Peter 1:3
Colossians 3:12
Romans 6:22
John 15:16
Proverbs 31:25

Just to name a few.

So...a couple weeks ago, the deadline was approaching quickly for submitting an entry, and my windows of time for getting this done were getting smaller and smaller. But...the day before the deadline, I finally had some time by myself to create the video and submit my name for the contest. The little amount of time I had to get the video done, though, did not afford me the luxury of doing any video editing. So there was no music and I was not able to add anything fancy...which...is a hard pill for me to swallow. Usually, if I'm creating a video, I have to make it good...or what's the point of making it!

When I went to enter the contest online, it gave me two options for logging in: either with my Facebook account or with just a regular login. Well...I took all the precautions to make sure that this would not end up on Facebook because, well...I didn't want anyone to know. Because then if I lost the contest, it wouldn't be any big deal. I hadn't even planned to tell my husband. So, I logged in with the regular login, closed my computer, and went on my merry way.

An hour later.

I logged on to Facebook to see what was up with all my friends. And to my surprise, there is my video plastered across my wall. Sweaty and horrified, I just said, "oh well...I will just delete this little post." And...well...I could not delete it. When I tried to find the little button to delete my post, it was not there. I could not find it. And it was not going away.

So...today some of the Lifeway speakers and authors hosted a live webcast to kick off the Abundance series for 2012, and during that hour would be announcing the 4 runners up and the first place winner for the video contest. And while I was working, I decided to listen in. And as they revealed the runners up, I was more and more convinced that I would not win because...I mean it...y'all...these videos were good. And the quality was excellent. And they had music. And the sound was good. And on and on. So...at the end when they announced that the grand prize winner was me, I sat frozen and sweaty all at once.

And then I cried. Because He reminded me once again today that it's not about me, but everything to do with Him. He has a plan and a purpose for me. And He does for all of us. And y'all...He just wants us to get out of our own dang way so He can do His thing!

And here is my little video.




Have a blessed day.

Blank

I am completely blank today and I can't think of anything good to write. Now that means one of two things. 1)I lead a terribly mundane and boring life or 2)I lead a terribly mundane and boring life. And since I can't decide which of the two it is, I will just be random in this post...which isn't too far from what normally happens around these parts.

1) The Superbowl. Both the NFC Championship game and the AFC Championship game were on in the background today, and I did not watch much of either. I did not really care who won since the two teams that I root for did not make it to today's showdown. However, since it seems like the Patriots are always in the Super Bowl, I decided to root for the Ravens. But I did not root loud enough. And since the Giants came to Dallas and ate our lunch, I decided to root for the 49ers. And this could be the reason I'm blank today. Because this is the day that nothing has gone my way. Let me know who you would like to see take home the Super Bowl win and I will do you a favor and root for the other team.

2) Yesterday I ran with my running buddies at 7:15 in the morning on a Saturday. And we ran 5 miles. And I'm not gonna lie. It was hard y'all, and it kicked my hiney. So I guess next time I do a long run, I won't snack on a cheeseburger at midnight the night before. I'm guessing that could have been the problem.

3) I don't want to go to work tomorrow.

4) Look at this. That's banana and peanut butter dipped in chocolate. I'm guessing I'll be trying this sooner than later. Click here for the link to the blog with the recipe...

Source: nomnomnomblog.com via Christine on Pinterest

5) Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad.

Have a great week.

IPhone Dump

So I was playing with my Animoto app tonight on my iPhone and it seems to work pretty well. I closed my eyes, flicked the camera roll up and down, and randomly chose 12 pictures. And here they awhr...

Beware of Beets

It is January 17th which could only mean one thing. Well...two. Two things. Ok. Three. American Idol starts this week and since that is one of the reality shows that I indulge in, that makes it blog worthy! And...the Super Bowl. That will be coming soon and the only reason I'm excited about that is because of the buffalo dip, chips, and other football food I get to stuff into my face. And after this last weekend I know I will enjoy it to the fullest.

You see I attended a fitness retreat in Austin with my lovely sister, Patti, over the weekend. And I am not even joking when I tell you that I worked out more in the 28 hours I was there than I did in the last full quarter of 2011. Oh my heavens, y'all...Mamaw's hurtin a little bit! And not only did the amazing trainer work our hineys off, she made us cook and stir and chop and mix and poach and bake and steam our own food. And there was no meat. Or potatoes. We had kale, fennel, beets, butternut squash, tzatziki, and some other stuff I can't spell or pronounce. And when I saw the menu I immediately wanted buffalo dip and fritos with a side of pizza and a diet Dr. Pepper for good measure. Much to my surprise, though, everything we consumed was delicious...and I got to bring the recipes home and now my darling husband gets to enjoy kale, fennel, beets, butternut squash, and tzatziki right along with me. And here is the first recipe I tried for dinner last night.

Roasted Beet Salad
with Walnuts, Goat Cheese,
& Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette

Beets
1 bunch medium beets (3ish)
1 tbsp evoo
Preheat oven to 425. Wipe/scrub beets clean and trim stems down to one-inch. (Leave tails on). Place beets on foil and drizzle with olive oil; wrap foil around them to form a packet. Place on rack in middle of oven until tender. (About 1 hour). Done when knife enters easily. Let cool. Peel skin off beets and chop into 1/2 dice.

Salad
Mixed greens
Goat cheese
1/2 c walnuts, coarsely chopped

Vinaigrette
2 tbsp honey or agave nectar
1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp minced shallots
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6 tbsp evoo

In a small bowl, whisk together honey (or agave), Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, shallots, salt & pepper. Add oil in steady stream.

Mix all together and stand in awe of your delicious and healthy salad. But beware of the beets.

Brad loved it y'all! But we also had a garlic herb rotisserie chicken so I didn't make him eat just salad.

Oh and the third thing...I'm going to Hawaii sometime in the near future!

Enjoy your January 17th.

January 12

Today was a wonderful day. A day that I get to participate in a celebration every year. A birthday celebration that is. A celebration of an individual who rocks my world and has done so since I was in third grade. I expect that he will continue that even in to old age. It's my husband, Brad, who celebrated another birthday today. He is now my same age and that...well...that makes me do the happy dance. (I haven't heard that phrase in a while. Is it out of style? If so...I think we should bring it back!)

But anyway...we got to celebrate. Celebrate. We enjoyed some delectable food, munched on engaging conversation, and gave it all up for some - oh my heavens - tiramisu. And I don't even like tiramisu. But y'all...this stuff was worth some words! And while that was wonderful it is not the kind of celebrating I'm referring to. What I'm talking about is the kind of celebration that sparks a flame deep down in your soul that you can't quite put your finger on. It's some kind of feeling that goes so deep you might actually explode, but there are no words you can find that adequately express it. And it wasn't just me. The birthday boy experienced it too.

Feelings like that don't happen very often. And I'm guessing that as more time passes in our marriage the more often that will happen. Who knows. We're still newlyweds. But I'm also guessing it doesn't just happen. It's something that takes work. And some grueling work we have definitely done. And tonight was pay day.

He's someone who makes me want to be a better person, and I'm grateful that I get to journey this life with him. Happiest birthday, B!

Calling Matt M

I'm not even joking when I say that I'm already bored with this season of The Bachelor. I don't watch much tv in the first place, but I do allow myself to indulge in a few goofy prime timers like American Idol, Celebrity Apprentice, The Bachelor, and...well...I'm pretty sure that's it. Most of my friends talk about all the shows they watch religiously and I try to sit down and watch stuff so that I can contribute to conversations about tv watching but my ADD gets the best of me and I return to my digital addictions like Pinterest and Facebook and Words with Friends and Hanging with Friends. But anyway - now I've only watched two episodes of Ben and the girls and I slept through one of them. They have one more chance to keep my attention and if they fail, I will be done with them. That is until the Final Rose and After The Final Rose.

B's iphone was terribly out of style and he desperately needed an upgrade. I mean he was still sporting the iPhone 3. You know...the one that doesn't have a video camera or work with the newest software and runs at a snail's pace. Yes...that's the one. So he upgraded today to the iPhone 4S...the one with Siri. And here's how his first encounter with her went down...

B: remind me to call Deanna tomorrow.
S: Calling Matt M.
B: what will the weather be like tomorrow?
S: Calling Matt M.
B: will I need an umbrella tomorrow?
S: Calling Manni Y.

Siri, you are expensive and you stink!

In other news...the training is going well and my training sisters and I have decided to run the Hot Chocolate Run in February. It's a 15k. Eeeek! We get a sweet jacket though! Take a looksie if you want.

Have a happy Wednesday!

They had no example

The most peculiar thing happened to me today, and I gotta say, I don't know what to say. After work, my training schedule said I was supposed to run 3 miles and then do some strength training. But that didn't sound like very much fun and I didn't want to...and...because I'm a slacker . I could go into all manner of reasons why my not working out is justified because I've worked out and run every other day this week and I'm doing a long run on Saturday with my training chicas, but I don't really want to get into that because I might get sidetracked. Anyway. So, I came home, changed out of my work clothes into something way more comfortable than those dang shoes I wore today that I swore last time I'd never wear again, got in my car and drove to Target. I walked around for thirty minutes searching high and low for something I wanted and/or needed, and y'all, I left empty-handed. I found nothing. Nothing. I'm not sure what is up because that is the first time that has ever happened in the history of me. I must be going through a mid-life crisis. That is all I can think of. And if this is the extent of it, my husband will be elated.

But. That is not the reason I'm posting today.

Because of the implications of a new year being a fresh start and what not I decided to start a new bible study. I mean...what better way to kick off a new year, right? So, I purchased Beth Moore's newest study - James: Mercy Triumphs. It's so good. SO good. As all of hers are. Her daughter, Melissa, helped her with this study and has written many articles about James, the Lord's brother, that delves deeper into the study.

But yesterday after I finished my homework, I read the article that followed the lesson where she discusses a chapter in Acts, which is the topic for the next lesson. For hundreds of years, the Israelites had God right there telling them what to do and where to go and how to live in order to take possession of the land in Caanan that He had promised to them. He laid out very plainly for them the laws for living that they must follow in order to be cleansed and forgiven. It's what they knew. It's who they were. And the laws. Oh the laws. And customs. Well that's what they came to depend on for guidance. And then after the death of Jesus Christ, they had no example. The Gentiles were now also graced with the gift of the Spirit, and the early church was trying to figure out the specifics of uniting as the body of Christ. Figuring out what holy living would look like for everyone was the task at hand. Melissa writes, "Suddenly the early church was experiencing something unprecedented in salvation history. They had no example to follow." She goes on to say that "instead, they had to walk in the Spirit and improvise as they encountered new problems and conflicts." It was a new way of living for them and, I'm guessing, difficult to grasp.

I imagine that they felt much like I do some days. As someone who grew up in church and learned Bible stories and verses and knows the golden rule, I often feel like I should know what to do when messy circumstances or conflicts arise in my life. So often I feel that as a Christian I should just be able to do the right thing and say the right thing and that the fruits of the Spirit should be obvious to all who cross my path. That living by faith should come natural and easy. But that isn't the case because I'm human. And flawed. As the pillars of the early church were. I'm fairly certain that there were times when Peter and Paul and James and all those guys stared in the face of a sticky situation and just wished that God would just tell them what to do. But their purpose was much bigger than those moments and they knew it. My task at hand is much the same as theirs was...to walk in the Spirit and improvise as I encounter new problems and conflicts...moment by moment...one day at a time. If I knew what to do and where to go and what to say and how to handle all my situations, I wouldn't need Him.

And y'all...I can live without the stuff from Target. But He is just something I can't live without.

Another Countdown

I really can't believe I am just now posting about THIS topic. I mean...really. I guess I've just been consumed with the holiday festivities like decorating and parties and shopping and cooking and baking and family time and gift giving and undecorating and Pinterest and Facebook and complaining that our school district made us work on a NATIONAL HOLIDAY that our upcoming trip to Maui just slipped right out of my blonde little head.

Anyway y'all. We're goin to Maui!! [Insert excited scream!]

Brad came home not long ago and said, "Well...I have some news that I think you might like. Our company won a trip to Maui from one of our vendors and they want to send us." And, well, I was just a little excited about it. So...in a matter of time...of which I will not reveal on the internet...if you need me, you might find me...

here...at the swim-up bar with my new friends in the swim suits...

or here...on the beach...

or here...taking a break from the sun with a book in my hand...

and probably not here...but maybe...

but MOST DEFINITELY here...enjoying my humuhumuluke'anai massage

But don't worry, y'all. I'll probably take a few minutes while I'm there every day to update my status on Facebook or Twitter or post the day's adventures on my blog. I might even pin something on Pinterest!

Yippeee! My white legs are ready for some sun.

Goodbye. Hello.

2011. I'm bewildered...as I am every year...that it's over already. My mom always told me that I shouldn't wish my life away because it goes by so quickly and that I should enjoy my life now. She was right...as I'm finding that she was right about everything she told me.

It handed me life on a silver platter and I was fortunate to experience many firsts in 2011...

I painted my first masterpiece. Well...ok...there might be other adjectives more appropriate like...like...ummm...like... Well, my brain is still on vacation so I will just stick with masterpiece.


I ran my first half marathon ever. With my sister. In Austin, TX.

I started a shoe business. Wore my first pair of 4-inch heels. I closed a shoe business, and that's a story for another time!

Whoa Nelly! Those are some high heels y'all!

I became a great aunt for the first time to this darling. You might remember her face since I've posted a few times about her!
And...I memorized 24 Bible verses this year for the first time ever...to which I might say was a most powerful tool that walked me through many circumstances and days in 2011. It is a tool I will continue. Here is the list.

Brad and I enjoyed another year of walking with the Lord, mercy, grace, learning, good health, laughter, family, friends new and old, wonderful jobs, progress in many goals, and each other. If I haven't said it in a while, he has been and continues to be a God-send to me.

So goodbye 2011. I enjoyed the growth.
And hello 2012. I welcome you with this truth...

apart from Him I can do nothing
(John 15:5)

but...

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength
(Phil 4:13)