Whoa, Nelly

I hurt my neck Monday. I believe the technical term is "tweeked".

Or at least it is over at urbandictionary.com. (Don't go there to verify, though. Apparently "tweek" also means a variety of other, mildly horrific things which I refuse to divulge in this merry & bright holiday season.)

And you know what my injury forced me to do?

Something unfathomable. Unthinkable. Ridiculous. Something I definitely didn't have time for.

It forced me to slow down.

I took a very hot shower, slowly (no complaints.)
I slowly picked out the most comfortable, work-appropriate outfit & shoes (my feet thanked me.)
I had to slowly turn around to back my car out, or to check for oncoming traffic (you're welcome, people I didn't hit.)
I moved more slowly at work and could enjoy more Christmas music from my desk (fa-la-la-la-la!)
I got a last-minute massage appointment because the chiropractor was out of the office (gee, if you insist.)
And once I got home, changed into the favorite sparkly sweatpants, and sat down; I didn't have anywhere else to go. I went through Eric's homework slowly and deliberately, examining the answers he got wrong to see if I could figure out why, and admiring & praising him for the purple stars & stickers adorning the tops of the others. I sat next to him while he read, and patiently discussed birthday treat options for his class. I got to watch his reaction when I offered "ice cream cone cupcakes": first, his eyes lit up and he started listing the kinds of ice cream he wanted, and then his eyes & shoulders fell when he said, "But, Mom, you can't have any." He knows I can't have ice cream and his sadness at this thought enveloped me with the loving mystery of having a child that loves/knows/cares about me so much that I cross his mind when he's thinking of birthday treats.

I was able to describe exactly what ice cream cone cupcakes are and all is again right with the world.


Mommy & Eric


Today, I feel tons better and have donned high-heels and sparkles yet again. But I started the day off with Christmas music, sat and read my book during my lunch hour, and practiced my Christmas choir songs while watching my glittery snowflake sway from my rearview mirror. I also sent Sean a text that read: I don't want a bunch of silent pressure on this special holiday. I just want it to be nice. And I really don't want you stressing over there. I will try to think of something I would truly like [to receive].

I'm also relishing the fact that I get to go home in a few hours, turn on the prettiest white Christmas lights on the prettiest tree, and maybe take my my baby to a movie, even though I should {probably} be wrapping presents.

It is impossible every day, with the way we and our days are wired, to make the time for some things...to slow down and just absorb & enjoy...but it is always possible sometimes.

Gangnam (Blogging) Style

Raising my blog from the dead has given me an interesting perspective. Mostly on other blogs.

Because I know how I feel after I compose something, I am compelled, obligated even, to read posts written by others. To take advantage of the window they've left open to their heart and mind. And I am never disappointed by what they allow me to see, whether it's a photo of their favorite sneakers or a summary of a recent trip or something far more insightful. It is personal and, because of that, it is beautiful.

But I spent a good chunk of my drive to Jerome & back last night thinking about what "windows" I leave open and the view I leave others to absorb. I came to a couple conclusions about what you will typically NOT see when looking out my windows:

1. Shooting stars
2. Thought-bubbles full of hearts
3. Lists of things that inspire me
4. A yellow brick road
5. Neatly-place road signs reassuring me that I'm on the right track
6. Fluffy woodland creatures living in harmony with their natural predators
7. Bucket lists, goals, motivational phrases, and the like
8. Vanilla-scented anything
9. Wisdom for the ages
10. Unicorns

And while I appreciate the opportunity to enjoy those views from others' windows, I have come to terms with the fact that those things just don't do it for me. It would be unnatural and uncomfortable for me to write, let alone for you to read. You'd be able to tell my sincerity was left out of the equation. Can you imagine reading something I wrote without being able to detect a trace of metaphorical eye-rolling?

Alas, here I sit, with one eyebrow perched high on my brow in assumed skepticsm. And we are all comfortable again.

This is me. The girl with quips that are more suited for demotivational posters than for fortune cookies. With facial expressions that end up embarrassing you more than her. With the uncanny ability to make those I love laugh, even though they're upset. With the desire to love fiercely, but not in a rose-colored, candy-coated, vanilla-scented (bleh) "love is all we need" kind of way; but in an in-your-face, Imma own this, do it and do it well, grammatically correct (so help me), work-at-it kind of way.

And both views are wonderful and necessary to be appreciated. One is read with a sigh of optimism and blind hope; the other with a sigh of exasperation and a hint of whisky. One just as valid as the other.

On that note, mind if I borrow your unicorn? There's a new place down the (yellow brick) road that's supposed to have $5 buckets of vanilla-scented alcohol called "Shooting Stars". Word on the street is they inspire you to obey all neatly-placed road signs and help you avoid running over fluffy woodland creatures. But parking's crazy.

Day 12 | 5 Attractive Faces

I wasn't entirely sure how to approach this post simply because I have a handsome man of my own.

If you're a woman, you know how being attracted to a man goes way beyond the physical level. Without the emotional connection, a pretty face is appreciated much like a picture of a tropical beach you'll never actually spend time on.

That being said, here are 5 "tropical beaches":

Gerard Butler



Bradley Cooper



Channing Tatum



Paul Walker




Robert Downey Jr.

 *This post is strictly a personal assessment. No nervous giggles, tears, exaggerated gasps, or wistful gazes were invested into this post.

Challenge | Kiss & Catch Up (Days 8-11)

Ever have those times when you know you've been quite busy, but when someone asks you what you've been up to, you can't think of a single extraordinary thing to tell them besides the mundane? Suffice it to say, I've been busy doing...life, apparently.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy Campbell's Janelle Soup, condensed for richer flavor.

Day 8 | What I Ate Today
This topic seems exceedingly boring to me, so I'm not going invest much time. At some point, throughout the day, I will have consumed plain yogurt w/grape nuts, a handful of grape tomatoes, a couple sweet peppers, gourment almonds and/or cashews (click here for mind-blowingly good munchies), and a Dove peanut butter/milk chocolate square or two. Days can vary with the addition of Cheez-its, Luna bars, oatmeal, turkey sandwiches, or left-over Buffalo Wild Wings. Also? Water, but never nearly enough.

Day 9 | Importance of Education
Very. Like, a lot. Tremendously. Silly question, really.

Day 10 | 10 Songs
Here's where I admit that I do not own an mp3 player of any kind. I used to use my sister's when I would run, but I stopped doing that some time ago (...and, by sticking it in my sports bra strap, I managed to sweat all over that poor little device...and it's gotten farther with me than 98% of my serious relationships...but that's just between us, k?) So, I have no "shuffle" button to push to create a mysterious & cultured aesthetic for you to absorb about me via lyrics & notes. However, I like The Beach Boys, Soulja Boy, Miranda Lambert, Beyonce, The Supremes, Toby Mac, Hunter Hayes, Britney Spears, some 50 Cent, classic Christmas songs, and the occasional Justin Bieber jam. Deduce what you will.

Day 11 | My Family
Oy. Where do I start with this bunch? There are 7 of us: Dad (Pete), Mom (Annette), Me, LoriAnn, Traci, Michael, & Shelley. I am the oldest at 29 and Shelley is 13. And we are a loud, rowdy, sarcastic, ridiculously good-looking, hilarious bunch. Just ask us. Oh, and we love each other fiercely. My family is so solid, it's hard to explain in this day & age. The amount of support is immeasurable. Such different personalities, but each one necessary to make us whole. You should "holiday" with us sometime. You'll never want to leave.

Day 7 | 5 Pet Peeves [Not Really]

If we're friends on FB, you already know that I'm fuming over here about a doctor's appointment I had in May. There are 2 other prominent issues wrapping themselves around my heart like barbed wire at the moment. And the last thing I need is to focus on 5 other things that bug me. I may address them later, but for now, I need to redirect my heart and mind. I need to find a safe, soft place to sit while I delicately try to disentangle the barbs; while I'm open with the Lord about how heavy my burden feels right now. Gratefulness won't remove it, but it might tie a few lime green and orange balloons to it and lighten the load.

The ABC'S of Thanks - Inspired by Finding Joy

A - Autumn, as warm as this year's has been.

B - Boy clothes, toys, sounds, hands, love...my baby boy.

C - Christ's mercy and love for me...good golly.

D - Dairy, the place I belong, learned life-lessons, ran barefoot; where my heart will always call home.

E - Eric.

F - Faces. Familiar, silly, furry, messy. All of them.

G - Girlfriends. There are a few of them out there who continue to help shape my world.

H - Heat. Whether it's the weather outside or the air blowing in through the vents.

I - Instant gratification. So good.

J - Joy. Being able to feel it.

K - Kiwi Loco. (Frozen yogurt.) 'Cause I can't have ice cream.
L - Laughter. It's my favorite.
M - Music. I have it playing all. the. time. It lights the dark, fills the negative space, makes me dance.
N - New friends. I've made a couple lately and have already been blessed by them. I hope they know that.
O - Originality. I love thinking of new design layouts.
P - Please. The word can move mountains.
Q - Quiet-hearted. Yes, I think I made that up. But I think you get it. I'm trying to be more like this.
R - Romance. To be made to feel special. Does not require extravagant acts.
S - Seven. As in, how old Eric will be in December. As in, how many years I've had to freak out about how old he's getting.
T - Tequila. Sometimes, a couple margaritas with treasured people is a perfect, priceless gift.
U - Ugliness. It makes you appreciate beauty. The messy makes you appreciate the clean. Life.
V - Vacations.
W - White Christmas. The magic of a snowy holiday morning.
X - eXamples. Good or poor, lessons are taught through them.
Y - Yes. So much opportunity awaits us with that word.
Z - Zinfandel. God bless it.




Baby boy