Today I'm stuck in bed with some sickness that is going around my classroom. I guess it will take a little while to get immune to all that's swimming around in there. To pass the time this morning I watched an episode of American Idol and I know they TRY to pull on our emotions, but this tugged on my heart strings even more than usual. One story made me ball like a baby with about six tears or so. It was so compelling and made me think about what love really is.
There was a 26 year old guy who was wearing a woman's engagement ring around his neck. He went on to tell how he has been engaged to a the love of his life for a few years now. It showed pictures of them dating and a video of the engagement a couple years back. She is absolutely gorgeous…not just a little bit gorgeous, but the gorgeous that sticks with you for a while. In the pictures they are so happy and a VERY attractive couple. They are the kind of couple that are cute enough to post kissing pictures without making the public sick. They seemed so happy and their engagement was perfect, but things were about to change for them.
Soon after the proposal she got in an accident and had a traumatic brain injury. She woke up a month later with results that would cripple her for the rest of her life. She is no longer the beautiful girl she once was. She only has one eye that works and she cannot control her body at all. She has lost her perfect tan and is hardly recognizable. She cannot communicate except for a few short words that are hard to understand. Her body is in a constant jerking motion, but the man is still by her side and loving her regardless of the changes.He is one of her care takers and although he has never been able to marry her, he has stayed with her. He said he made a promise when he gave the ring to stick with her through sickness and in health and he really meant it.
It got me thinking about love and what it really means. I see so many beautiful couples getting married with all these elaborate romantic dates and huge engagement rings that sparkle 24/7. I see movies and tv shows that focus on romance and huge big displays of affection in ways that leave any woman weak in the knees. But love isn't about all that to me. Love is so much deeper, so much more selfless. Love is not what someone can do for you, but what you can do for them. Love is giving and expecting nothing in return. There is so much focus on the icing, and not enough on the cake! Great dates and sparkly rings are not bad things, but they are meaningless when it comes to giving value to love. Those things are just the icing; the perks if you will. But we all know we can't live on icing alone...it would make us sick!
Love is sticking by a person when they are at their worst. This man cleans up the drool from his fiance's mouth everyday. Even though she is not the perfect looking woman anymore, he stands by her side. Even though she can't give any love back, he is still there for her. I would not wish that on anybody, but at the core of my future love life, I want cleaning up my husband's drool not to be out of the question. I pray I can love like that man. What an inspiration he was!
We can't hold on to our looks or our successes, because they can be stripped away from us any day. We can't just "love" somebody because we like the way they look and what they do for us. We can't just love somebody because they impress us. What about the day when they are no longer impressive? What about the day when they are old and wrinkly and you are scrubbing the crusties between fat rolls and wrapping their toosh up in Depends?!
There's gotta be something so much deeper than just these dream dates,good looks, and feel-good emotions. There has to be.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
*Out of Control Elderly!*
There's something that has come to my attention this week that must be addressed! I am in no way disrespecting the aged, but I just cannot stay silent about what I've encountered! The fact of the matter is, I've seen a few elderly people lately a bit out of control! Aren't older adults supposed to be the ones we can trust to have virtue and morality at the center of their being?! They've had time to learn from their mistakes and therefore send wise words our way when we need it the most. Sadly, not all elderly have stayed to this grandmotherly code… I fear some are living the teenage dream we never should dream about in the first place!
It first came to my attention when an 80 year old man "danced" next to me in my hip hop/latin spice class at the athletic club. This was a complete shock to me, especially when he shook with the rest of us. He SORTA shook anyway. In all honesty the man could barely move! I thought he was either an extreme creeper or completely lost. He was the only man in a class filled with women who were 30 yrs. old and younger. What is wrong with this picture?! I didn't know that under the latin spice class the fine print needed to say "no men…especially elderly men, it comes off as extremely creepy to the young girls"
"Elbow, Elbow, Shake it on down!" the instructor screamed as I cut my eyes at the man in a confused state. What is happening here? Am I in the twilight zone?! I sorta did my elbow and shake, but couldn't really handle the situation. There's something about dads and old men that bring shaking down to a place that isn't fun anymore. Besides, Zumba and Hip Hop classes are for women only! We just have a great time, but when men are added it clearly wouldn't be a good thing. "Put attitude into it, ladies!" the instructor said next…all I could think of is why isn't this guy getting the picture? She just said "ladies"! My thinking is he wasn't lost because he did the lasso pretty well. I can't believe I'm actually writing this right now.
Another shocking moment happened tonight when I was having dinner at Luby's cafeteria and riskay club/rave music was playing in the background. "Good Girls Go Bad" was blaring while elderly people ate their cafeteria food acting like nothing was going on! To say I was in utter horror is an understatement!!! What happened to the piano music?!?! What happened to the elevator-type atmosphere?! What happened to nice little old ladies who bake cookies and tell us how cute we are?!?! I don't know if Luby's is changing their soundtrack to attract a younger crowd, but it's not going to work! It's not like teenagers and college kids are like: "Meet you at Luby's Friday night! It's hoppin there!"
I mean...I probably can't take my future kids there because of the unsavory tunes in the background. Is this out of control, or is this out of control?!
It first came to my attention when an 80 year old man "danced" next to me in my hip hop/latin spice class at the athletic club. This was a complete shock to me, especially when he shook with the rest of us. He SORTA shook anyway. In all honesty the man could barely move! I thought he was either an extreme creeper or completely lost. He was the only man in a class filled with women who were 30 yrs. old and younger. What is wrong with this picture?! I didn't know that under the latin spice class the fine print needed to say "no men…especially elderly men, it comes off as extremely creepy to the young girls"
"Elbow, Elbow, Shake it on down!" the instructor screamed as I cut my eyes at the man in a confused state. What is happening here? Am I in the twilight zone?! I sorta did my elbow and shake, but couldn't really handle the situation. There's something about dads and old men that bring shaking down to a place that isn't fun anymore. Besides, Zumba and Hip Hop classes are for women only! We just have a great time, but when men are added it clearly wouldn't be a good thing. "Put attitude into it, ladies!" the instructor said next…all I could think of is why isn't this guy getting the picture? She just said "ladies"! My thinking is he wasn't lost because he did the lasso pretty well. I can't believe I'm actually writing this right now.
Another shocking moment happened tonight when I was having dinner at Luby's cafeteria and riskay club/rave music was playing in the background. "Good Girls Go Bad" was blaring while elderly people ate their cafeteria food acting like nothing was going on! To say I was in utter horror is an understatement!!! What happened to the piano music?!?! What happened to the elevator-type atmosphere?! What happened to nice little old ladies who bake cookies and tell us how cute we are?!?! I don't know if Luby's is changing their soundtrack to attract a younger crowd, but it's not going to work! It's not like teenagers and college kids are like: "Meet you at Luby's Friday night! It's hoppin there!"
I mean...I probably can't take my future kids there because of the unsavory tunes in the background. Is this out of control, or is this out of control?!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
*Trusting in Tragedy*
This break has been a whirlwind of emotions so far. It started out with so much joy and lightheartedness on my family ski trip, but was cut short on Dec. 22nd when we got the call that Anthony and Nicole had died in a plane crash. I will never forget the moment when the world felt like it stopped as my mom held the phone up to her ear in the grocery store parking lot. I remember her face was formed into utter sorrow and I thought to myself "whatever she is hearing now is going to change our lives." That's the thing about tragedy…it changes things.
That raw, shocked feeling that I get when something terrible happens is something I fear the most. I fear it because I know it's going to happen. Tragedy is not choosy and has room for everyone. It's just part of this fallen world we live in right now. Something that has really stood out in my mind and been such a testimony to me is how the family has handled the loss. They have not turned away from God, but have glorified His name in all of this which is usually not the case.
Usually when something bad happens people become bitter towards God and even doubt that He exists at all. The age old questions:"Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a good God then why does He take the ones we love from us?" It seems to me, as long as our lives are the way we want them to be, then trusting God comes easily. The second things go south, we question His name. Why is that?! Why is it that we turn away from the Hope we have in the midst of darkness? Why is it that we turn away from the One who hated death so much that He sent His son to give us an alternative???
Here's the deal…this world is FALLEN. We live in a world where the enemy searches to steal, kill, and destroy. We live in an imperfect place and because of sin many troubles come with it. We were the ones that decided to eat the apple and mistrust God in the beginning. He is not the One who wanted all of these bad things to happen, so why do we blame Him?! Why do we blame Him when He is the One who has brought hope to save us from all of this? If our faith depends on our lives being completely void of tragedy all the time, then that faith is sure to be tested. YOU WILL experience tragedy! That's the sad truth. So if tragedy makes you turn away from God, then there is no solid foundation there. You are obviously believing lies about God and this world, because anything that makes us question God is from the enemy. If I ever have doubts about God I pray away that spiritual warfare, because OBVIOUSLY I have some wrong thinking going on!!! God is GOOD…He hates death more than we do.
He chose to give humanity free will in the very beginning which gave us the choice to trust Him or not. Adam and Eve did not trust God's word, and therefore they ate the apple and death now exists. We didn't trust God then, and we turn away from Him now. He was not the one who chose to bring death into this world…WE WERE. It is not God's fault that these things exist, sin is to blame. Luckily, His love is so strong that He chose to die for us even though we've messed it up BIG TIME.
I know He cries with us. I know He wishes that we didn't have to go through all this. But having a true relationship with us where we CHOOSE to love Him back was worth giving us the option of rejecting Him. He wants my whole heart without having to force me into it. Even though I am the one who chose sin and death over Him, He sent the Perfect Sacrifice to blot out my sin. Now that the Holy Spirit is in me, God cannot reject me, because He cannot reject Himself. When the Lord Almighty sees me, He sees Jesus Christ. What a HOPE that is!!! Even though I am a broken human being, He has chosen to sacrifice Himself to have my heart and give me an eternal inheritance!!! He is the HOPE in the midst of all this darkness!!!!! If everything just went great all the time and no tragedy ever came about, that would mean that we never had a free choice in the first place! Our true relationship with Him was worth giving us the choice to mess it up BAD. You think we have had to experience sorrow?! Jesus Christ was forsaken by the Lord when He died on the cross and bore all our sins and there is NOTHING worse than that!!!! We cannot even fathom the grief! And all of that was because of US!!! Here we are blaming God when He is the only One who has the right to point fingers…but He doesn't! His love is unfathomable.
I for one am thankful that I am the one choosing to fall in the love with Jesus. We can have a relationship that is so much deeper than it would be if He just made us robots with no free choice. Sin and death are around these days, but I'm here to tell you that it's not forever. We should cling to our Savior more in the hard times, because He is the One who is going to give us a way out! He is the HOPE in all of this. I have a day coming when there will be no more tears. One day…all my longings I've ever felt will be satisfied. Death will lose all of it's power and I will live eternally with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and our Lord!!!!
Maybe instead of questioning God in tragedy we should cling to Him more. Maybe it should give us an urgency to share our faith with friends who don't know the Lord personally yet. I am very thankful for my relationship with Christ and the hope that I have in the midst of tragedy that has and will come my way. He promises to be our Strength, our Comfort, and He even says He will work everything together for our good. What a promise. Thank you, Jesus!!!
*It's not the end until all is made right, so don't lose heart.*
That raw, shocked feeling that I get when something terrible happens is something I fear the most. I fear it because I know it's going to happen. Tragedy is not choosy and has room for everyone. It's just part of this fallen world we live in right now. Something that has really stood out in my mind and been such a testimony to me is how the family has handled the loss. They have not turned away from God, but have glorified His name in all of this which is usually not the case.
Usually when something bad happens people become bitter towards God and even doubt that He exists at all. The age old questions:"Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a good God then why does He take the ones we love from us?" It seems to me, as long as our lives are the way we want them to be, then trusting God comes easily. The second things go south, we question His name. Why is that?! Why is it that we turn away from the Hope we have in the midst of darkness? Why is it that we turn away from the One who hated death so much that He sent His son to give us an alternative???
Here's the deal…this world is FALLEN. We live in a world where the enemy searches to steal, kill, and destroy. We live in an imperfect place and because of sin many troubles come with it. We were the ones that decided to eat the apple and mistrust God in the beginning. He is not the One who wanted all of these bad things to happen, so why do we blame Him?! Why do we blame Him when He is the One who has brought hope to save us from all of this? If our faith depends on our lives being completely void of tragedy all the time, then that faith is sure to be tested. YOU WILL experience tragedy! That's the sad truth. So if tragedy makes you turn away from God, then there is no solid foundation there. You are obviously believing lies about God and this world, because anything that makes us question God is from the enemy. If I ever have doubts about God I pray away that spiritual warfare, because OBVIOUSLY I have some wrong thinking going on!!! God is GOOD…He hates death more than we do.
He chose to give humanity free will in the very beginning which gave us the choice to trust Him or not. Adam and Eve did not trust God's word, and therefore they ate the apple and death now exists. We didn't trust God then, and we turn away from Him now. He was not the one who chose to bring death into this world…WE WERE. It is not God's fault that these things exist, sin is to blame. Luckily, His love is so strong that He chose to die for us even though we've messed it up BIG TIME.
I know He cries with us. I know He wishes that we didn't have to go through all this. But having a true relationship with us where we CHOOSE to love Him back was worth giving us the option of rejecting Him. He wants my whole heart without having to force me into it. Even though I am the one who chose sin and death over Him, He sent the Perfect Sacrifice to blot out my sin. Now that the Holy Spirit is in me, God cannot reject me, because He cannot reject Himself. When the Lord Almighty sees me, He sees Jesus Christ. What a HOPE that is!!! Even though I am a broken human being, He has chosen to sacrifice Himself to have my heart and give me an eternal inheritance!!! He is the HOPE in the midst of all this darkness!!!!! If everything just went great all the time and no tragedy ever came about, that would mean that we never had a free choice in the first place! Our true relationship with Him was worth giving us the choice to mess it up BAD. You think we have had to experience sorrow?! Jesus Christ was forsaken by the Lord when He died on the cross and bore all our sins and there is NOTHING worse than that!!!! We cannot even fathom the grief! And all of that was because of US!!! Here we are blaming God when He is the only One who has the right to point fingers…but He doesn't! His love is unfathomable.
I for one am thankful that I am the one choosing to fall in the love with Jesus. We can have a relationship that is so much deeper than it would be if He just made us robots with no free choice. Sin and death are around these days, but I'm here to tell you that it's not forever. We should cling to our Savior more in the hard times, because He is the One who is going to give us a way out! He is the HOPE in all of this. I have a day coming when there will be no more tears. One day…all my longings I've ever felt will be satisfied. Death will lose all of it's power and I will live eternally with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and our Lord!!!!
Maybe instead of questioning God in tragedy we should cling to Him more. Maybe it should give us an urgency to share our faith with friends who don't know the Lord personally yet. I am very thankful for my relationship with Christ and the hope that I have in the midst of tragedy that has and will come my way. He promises to be our Strength, our Comfort, and He even says He will work everything together for our good. What a promise. Thank you, Jesus!!!
*It's not the end until all is made right, so don't lose heart.*
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Body Scan/Thorough Pat Down OUTRAGE!!!!!!
I am on an angry rampage about to run up to the White House myself to complain about these new airport security 'procedures'!!! More like intrusions if you ask me!!!! It goes against everything my mom and dad taught me not to do! It is more shocking and appalling than you think, and seeing the creepiest men in the world wearing gloves and staring at you is NOT OKAY!!!! I am about to tell you my personal story of what abominations I've seen in the Denver airport today! I will gladly send my story off to OBAMA when I'm done! I'm THAT mad!!!!!!!!!
Our day started out pretty good until we went by a large speaker that shouted: "If you choose to forgo the body scan, then a thorough pat down may be involved." ERRRRRRK!!! Say WHAT?!?! My eyes got super wide as I took my place in line. I had seen certain google images of the body scan earlier this week and I feel like my innocence has been defiled. It shows every nook and cranny/fat roll and I'm not sure which one is worse! I have also heard horror stories about the creepers looking at the images and reasons they have been fired. I'll leave it at that. Lets just say there was NO WAY the body scanner was gonna happen for me. Nobody was gonna get that Merry of a Christmas!!!! NOBODY!
So I get closer to the scanner and this overweight man with a scruffy beard about 32 years old is looking at the images with his mouth half open (I wish I was kidding). He is the kinda guy that probably plays video games alone on a Saturday night taking small breaks to email his internet girlfriend named Helga. Not long after I'd been in line he saw me and made eye contact. We held eye contact for a few seconds and I could've sworn he looked a little happy to see me in line. *Insert record scratch number TWO!* No way, hosay!!! The only person I'd let see me in a body scan would be a registered mother! It should be mothers only if you ask me!!! Not a 32 yr. old bachelor creepster! At least shave the creep mustache PUH-LEASE!!!! Is that to much to ask?!?!
So I decided to forgo the scan as I saw my dad step in and make a goofy face. "I want to get my piece of the money if you sell this on ebay!" he said to the security guard who was NOT laughing. Next thing I know I'm going through the metal detector as they pick Molly randomly out for a "thorough pat down". This is where human rights becomes an issue in my mind!!!!
The pat down involves a person standing in the middle of a large room with EVERYONE looking! They touch everywhere leaving nothing without some touchy touchy boomity boomity! Undies are shown, hands are flying, and people are crying! IT WAS JUST WRONG!!!!! I am so so so sooooo happy they did not choose me, because I would have been arrested and someone would have been punched. You will NOT touch me all over in front of an enormous crowd and show my undies! I mean they even stick their hands DOWN THE FRONT OF YOUR PANTS IN PUBLIC!!!!!! I am NOT joking about this!!! I AM LIVID!!!!!!! AND APPALLED!!!! I am sorry I am having to say these abominations on a blog!!!! Believe me, having to use the word undies and front of pants has not been one of my dreams! I am very sad it is has come to this!!!!
I get it…safety first, but this has gone WAY TOO FAR! WAYYYYY too far! Nuhu no way is this okay with me! I hope you all are as outraged as I am, and maybe we can at LEAST get mothers to be these scanners/patters not creeper of the month! And behind closed doors even! It was like completely and utterly outrageous!!!!! What address can I send my complaints to!?!?!?!
NOT OKAY, AMERICA! NOT OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our day started out pretty good until we went by a large speaker that shouted: "If you choose to forgo the body scan, then a thorough pat down may be involved." ERRRRRRK!!! Say WHAT?!?! My eyes got super wide as I took my place in line. I had seen certain google images of the body scan earlier this week and I feel like my innocence has been defiled. It shows every nook and cranny/fat roll and I'm not sure which one is worse! I have also heard horror stories about the creepers looking at the images and reasons they have been fired. I'll leave it at that. Lets just say there was NO WAY the body scanner was gonna happen for me. Nobody was gonna get that Merry of a Christmas!!!! NOBODY!
So I get closer to the scanner and this overweight man with a scruffy beard about 32 years old is looking at the images with his mouth half open (I wish I was kidding). He is the kinda guy that probably plays video games alone on a Saturday night taking small breaks to email his internet girlfriend named Helga. Not long after I'd been in line he saw me and made eye contact. We held eye contact for a few seconds and I could've sworn he looked a little happy to see me in line. *Insert record scratch number TWO!* No way, hosay!!! The only person I'd let see me in a body scan would be a registered mother! It should be mothers only if you ask me!!! Not a 32 yr. old bachelor creepster! At least shave the creep mustache PUH-LEASE!!!! Is that to much to ask?!?!
So I decided to forgo the scan as I saw my dad step in and make a goofy face. "I want to get my piece of the money if you sell this on ebay!" he said to the security guard who was NOT laughing. Next thing I know I'm going through the metal detector as they pick Molly randomly out for a "thorough pat down". This is where human rights becomes an issue in my mind!!!!
The pat down involves a person standing in the middle of a large room with EVERYONE looking! They touch everywhere leaving nothing without some touchy touchy boomity boomity! Undies are shown, hands are flying, and people are crying! IT WAS JUST WRONG!!!!! I am so so so sooooo happy they did not choose me, because I would have been arrested and someone would have been punched. You will NOT touch me all over in front of an enormous crowd and show my undies! I mean they even stick their hands DOWN THE FRONT OF YOUR PANTS IN PUBLIC!!!!!! I am NOT joking about this!!! I AM LIVID!!!!!!! AND APPALLED!!!! I am sorry I am having to say these abominations on a blog!!!! Believe me, having to use the word undies and front of pants has not been one of my dreams! I am very sad it is has come to this!!!!
I get it…safety first, but this has gone WAY TOO FAR! WAYYYYY too far! Nuhu no way is this okay with me! I hope you all are as outraged as I am, and maybe we can at LEAST get mothers to be these scanners/patters not creeper of the month! And behind closed doors even! It was like completely and utterly outrageous!!!!! What address can I send my complaints to!?!?!?!
NOT OKAY, AMERICA! NOT OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
*Survival Mode Musts*
If you know me at all, you know that I do not agree with cold weather. Being cold makes my face blow up to twice it's size for reasons unknown. My hands look like an old ladies and my demeanor is just a little bit grumpy. I am known to hibernate in the frigid conditions and people often wonder where I am. I can tell you right now that I'll be in survival mode with no sign of a cute outfit anywhere. I will be huddled by the fire in layers of bulky clothes trying to defeat the menacing chill. Luckily, I have a list of items that help me fight through the winter and you should have them, too. We are not migratory birds, so we must use a few wonderful inventions to help battle these treacherously cold days. Here is a list of ten items that you should consider this season:
*Survival Mode Musts*
1.) Heated mattress pad- This comes in quite handy everyday of the winter. Fire it up about ten minutes before bedtime and you will have a cozy, comforting place in no time! It's also good for waking me up in the morning, because when I put it on high it literally burns my skin. Yes, I do burn myself out of bed every morning, but this is survival mode and I never said it was pretty!
2.) Blow Dryer- This can be used to warm up those freezing toes after a hard day of making it the few feet from the car to the house. It can also be used to warm up socks as well...it'll be the best thing you ever did for your feet.
3.) Polartec Pants- These are a new item that I have purchased this year, and I absolutely LOVE them. They are made by The North Face and it makes me feel like I'm wearing a cloud. It's a nice way to keep warm and cozy around the house, AND they are stretchy so the guilt of holiday indulgence is less abrasive.
4.) Neosporin Lip Care- I have always had terribly chapped lips, but the new lip care line from Neosporin has given me hope! It heals my lips and prepares me to face any kind of adversity the weather might bring.
5.) OPI Nail Polish: "Ali's Big Break"- This nail polish is perfect for the Holiday season with a beautiful red color and a hint of sparkle. That way, even though you look super frumptastic in all the oversized polertec, you can remember you're a woman by looking at your beautiful nails!
6.) Fuzzy North Face jacket- The North Face has the softest/fuzziest line of jackets that bring comfort and support just by looking at them. When I put it on I feel like I'm in heaven and watching a Holiday movie in this fluffy friend is unmatchable bliss.
7.) Pumpkin Spice Coffee from The Fresh Market- Oh my…this coffee is the best coffee I have ever tasted and it only comes around once a year. You actually have to snag it during the fall season, but I save it for the winter! My taste buds thank me for my good choices every time.
8.) 18oS Ear Warmers- These are the best ear warmers I have EVER had! They go UNDERNEATH my hair so I don't have to go though the awkwardness of those other types of ear warming mechanisms! It is hard to tell that I have them on and they are SUPER warm! My hair day is not messed up at all, either!!! Gene Lockwood is calling your name…I can hear it now!
9.) Fuzzy socks- I never wear socks in the summer, but during the winter they are a MUST! Having them in obnoxious colors makes it all the more fun. The fuzzier…the better! Let's fight cold feet together!
10.) Space Heater- We all know the feeling of getting out of bed and the cold hitting us like a ton of bricks…say no to this horrendous occurrence and buy a space heater! This is winter…not child's play! We need to be armed with the best!
11.) Don't forget your HEAT WARMERS!!! Shake those babies up and you'll feel like a new person! You can even shake them to the tune of "Jingle Bells" to make it festive.
-I hope that you all put some of this on your Christmas list because January and February have never been forgiving. Throw some assorted gloves in there as well and make sure you only ride in vehicles that have heaters in them. Ugg boots wouldn't hurt either!
This is not a joke..this is not a drill…THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED! The Artic Winds have blown and we are now officially in SURVIVAL MODE!!!
*Survival Mode Musts*
1.) Heated mattress pad- This comes in quite handy everyday of the winter. Fire it up about ten minutes before bedtime and you will have a cozy, comforting place in no time! It's also good for waking me up in the morning, because when I put it on high it literally burns my skin. Yes, I do burn myself out of bed every morning, but this is survival mode and I never said it was pretty!
2.) Blow Dryer- This can be used to warm up those freezing toes after a hard day of making it the few feet from the car to the house. It can also be used to warm up socks as well...it'll be the best thing you ever did for your feet.
3.) Polartec Pants- These are a new item that I have purchased this year, and I absolutely LOVE them. They are made by The North Face and it makes me feel like I'm wearing a cloud. It's a nice way to keep warm and cozy around the house, AND they are stretchy so the guilt of holiday indulgence is less abrasive.
4.) Neosporin Lip Care- I have always had terribly chapped lips, but the new lip care line from Neosporin has given me hope! It heals my lips and prepares me to face any kind of adversity the weather might bring.
5.) OPI Nail Polish: "Ali's Big Break"- This nail polish is perfect for the Holiday season with a beautiful red color and a hint of sparkle. That way, even though you look super frumptastic in all the oversized polertec, you can remember you're a woman by looking at your beautiful nails!
6.) Fuzzy North Face jacket- The North Face has the softest/fuzziest line of jackets that bring comfort and support just by looking at them. When I put it on I feel like I'm in heaven and watching a Holiday movie in this fluffy friend is unmatchable bliss.
7.) Pumpkin Spice Coffee from The Fresh Market- Oh my…this coffee is the best coffee I have ever tasted and it only comes around once a year. You actually have to snag it during the fall season, but I save it for the winter! My taste buds thank me for my good choices every time.
8.) 18oS Ear Warmers- These are the best ear warmers I have EVER had! They go UNDERNEATH my hair so I don't have to go though the awkwardness of those other types of ear warming mechanisms! It is hard to tell that I have them on and they are SUPER warm! My hair day is not messed up at all, either!!! Gene Lockwood is calling your name…I can hear it now!
9.) Fuzzy socks- I never wear socks in the summer, but during the winter they are a MUST! Having them in obnoxious colors makes it all the more fun. The fuzzier…the better! Let's fight cold feet together!
10.) Space Heater- We all know the feeling of getting out of bed and the cold hitting us like a ton of bricks…say no to this horrendous occurrence and buy a space heater! This is winter…not child's play! We need to be armed with the best!
11.) Don't forget your HEAT WARMERS!!! Shake those babies up and you'll feel like a new person! You can even shake them to the tune of "Jingle Bells" to make it festive.
-I hope that you all put some of this on your Christmas list because January and February have never been forgiving. Throw some assorted gloves in there as well and make sure you only ride in vehicles that have heaters in them. Ugg boots wouldn't hurt either!
This is not a joke..this is not a drill…THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED! The Artic Winds have blown and we are now officially in SURVIVAL MODE!!!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
*EXCUSE ME?!*
Three major record scratching moments have happened today alone. It's kind of a good thing, because my life was a little even keel for a while there, and that's never good for the blog.
We are getting ready for our family ski trip to Colorado next week, so we ran an errand to Jean Lockwood today. When we got home I was putting up my new ski stuff as dad walked in with a very serious look on his face. It wasn't a mad serious face, but a face was there to tell me some sort of news he'd been thinking about.
"It costs money to bring bags on the plane, so we have a big bag for ski stuff. I'd like for you to only have a carry on bag other than that." ERRRRRK!!!! EXCUSE ME?!?! "Dad! You have got to be joking right now!!! My make-up and hair bag is as big as a carry on by itself!" He started laughing and then luckily mom overheard the news of his bag idea. She said there was NO WAY she could get all her stuff in a carry on. I mean…we are women! Men expect us to look great/smell good AND they want us to save money by only packing a light bag!!! We are not immortal here! Do you think we have magic dust that suddenly brings about great outfits and hair days?! That is a big NO. It takes big bags I tell you…huge ones!
My other record scratching moment came at the lunch table when mom and dad informed me that I will be sharing a little room with my older brother on the trip. I am still terrified from the moments as a child when he had sleep terrors and it's bone chilling to think about what may happen. Not to mention it's just a little bit weird…aren't we a little old for this? Molly, why did you have to go get married again?!
Right after I learned about my new roomie a lady came up to the table and congratulated my parents on their new grandchild! "Are you the pregnant one?!" she said looking my way. "NO!" I replied with a a smile on my lips and a scowl in my eyes. I knew the day was coming when people would begin to think I'm pregnant, I just wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. Why me?! WHY ME?!?!?! ...I ask myself this often.
We are getting ready for our family ski trip to Colorado next week, so we ran an errand to Jean Lockwood today. When we got home I was putting up my new ski stuff as dad walked in with a very serious look on his face. It wasn't a mad serious face, but a face was there to tell me some sort of news he'd been thinking about.
"It costs money to bring bags on the plane, so we have a big bag for ski stuff. I'd like for you to only have a carry on bag other than that." ERRRRRK!!!! EXCUSE ME?!?! "Dad! You have got to be joking right now!!! My make-up and hair bag is as big as a carry on by itself!" He started laughing and then luckily mom overheard the news of his bag idea. She said there was NO WAY she could get all her stuff in a carry on. I mean…we are women! Men expect us to look great/smell good AND they want us to save money by only packing a light bag!!! We are not immortal here! Do you think we have magic dust that suddenly brings about great outfits and hair days?! That is a big NO. It takes big bags I tell you…huge ones!
My other record scratching moment came at the lunch table when mom and dad informed me that I will be sharing a little room with my older brother on the trip. I am still terrified from the moments as a child when he had sleep terrors and it's bone chilling to think about what may happen. Not to mention it's just a little bit weird…aren't we a little old for this? Molly, why did you have to go get married again?!
Right after I learned about my new roomie a lady came up to the table and congratulated my parents on their new grandchild! "Are you the pregnant one?!" she said looking my way. "NO!" I replied with a a smile on my lips and a scowl in my eyes. I knew the day was coming when people would begin to think I'm pregnant, I just wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. Why me?! WHY ME?!?!?! ...I ask myself this often.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
*Update!*
The newest and most important update in my life is that I'm going to be an AUNT! Yes, as most of you know Molly is on her way to being great with child! I am very excited for this new little arrival in our family, and I know it will change our lives for the better!!! I've already been thinking of fun things I'm going to do with the baby when he/she gets older! I wonder what their favorite foods will be, because i'll have to learn how to make it! Maybe they can come to aunt Abby's house and have camp-outs in the living room like we used to do. We would throw up a tent and sleep in sleeping bags inside the house, because camping outside was not our style. We could have smores and I could write stories just for my niece or nephew! The possibilities are endless!!! Oh my goodness….shadow puppets on the tent wall! Yes, it's going to happen.
The good news is that people won't grab my hand to look at my ringless finger to figure out who I am anymore! They can just look at me and see that I'm not pregnant! I will no longer be the ringless one!!! Maybe people can just call me Abby for once!!! That would be a dream! Welcome, baby…welcome.
I know some of you are probably wondering how I am feeling about all this because well…I'm the single twin sister of the girl whose having a baby and married to the man of her dreams. My best friend Kate can be found in the arms of her love as well sending me into many awkward third wheel moments. It's kinda like an elephant in the room, so I'm going to give you word about what's going on over here. I've heard about people having conversations about me, and even got a few worried phone calls this week, so don't act like this is uncalled for. lol I truly appreciate the concerns and I will gladly tell you how I am! I am so so so so soooo happy for Molly and Logan! :) It is super weird that my sister has an entirely different life than me, but I know that the Lord's timing is the best timing. He has everything under control and things are going the way they are supposed to go! How could I not be happy with that? The Lord gives me what I need each day to keep moving forward and do His will. His grace is enough for me! And now more than ever I stand by my convictions of not settling just for anything or anyone. It doesn't matter how many babies Molly has or how many people get married around me, I am NOT going to settle for anything less than what God has for me! If that means I'm single for 30 more years, then that's gonna be the way it goes. Settling is never worth it..it's just false security.
I have students, ninth grade bible study girls, and younger cousins that can see how I react to life circumstances. I am not only reacting for my own reasons, but for the people I love as well. I want to pave the way for new thinking. I want to teach girls that it's okay if they are the last one standing in a group of married girls. I want them to know that being patient and waiting on God's timing is the only way to go. I want them to know that self worth comes from the Lord and can't come from some guy. I know being lonely can be scary, but it isn't worth settling for a quick fix. I want them to know that if their life turns out completely different than they planned, that's okay. If you end up having to pay your own bills..it's not the end of the world. ;)
I'm finding out that God gives us reasons to be and people to love no matter where we are. And if we take life one day at a time, it doesn't feel so harsh. What matters most in life is Jesus Christ. He was there from the very beginning, and He is going to be there when everyone else is gone. When it is all said and done….God still is. I already have what I need to be happy and fulfilled. Jesus Christ is my reason for living, and therefore I can move ahead with strength and confidence no matter what life brings.
The good news is that people won't grab my hand to look at my ringless finger to figure out who I am anymore! They can just look at me and see that I'm not pregnant! I will no longer be the ringless one!!! Maybe people can just call me Abby for once!!! That would be a dream! Welcome, baby…welcome.
I know some of you are probably wondering how I am feeling about all this because well…I'm the single twin sister of the girl whose having a baby and married to the man of her dreams. My best friend Kate can be found in the arms of her love as well sending me into many awkward third wheel moments. It's kinda like an elephant in the room, so I'm going to give you word about what's going on over here. I've heard about people having conversations about me, and even got a few worried phone calls this week, so don't act like this is uncalled for. lol I truly appreciate the concerns and I will gladly tell you how I am! I am so so so so soooo happy for Molly and Logan! :) It is super weird that my sister has an entirely different life than me, but I know that the Lord's timing is the best timing. He has everything under control and things are going the way they are supposed to go! How could I not be happy with that? The Lord gives me what I need each day to keep moving forward and do His will. His grace is enough for me! And now more than ever I stand by my convictions of not settling just for anything or anyone. It doesn't matter how many babies Molly has or how many people get married around me, I am NOT going to settle for anything less than what God has for me! If that means I'm single for 30 more years, then that's gonna be the way it goes. Settling is never worth it..it's just false security.
I have students, ninth grade bible study girls, and younger cousins that can see how I react to life circumstances. I am not only reacting for my own reasons, but for the people I love as well. I want to pave the way for new thinking. I want to teach girls that it's okay if they are the last one standing in a group of married girls. I want them to know that being patient and waiting on God's timing is the only way to go. I want them to know that self worth comes from the Lord and can't come from some guy. I know being lonely can be scary, but it isn't worth settling for a quick fix. I want them to know that if their life turns out completely different than they planned, that's okay. If you end up having to pay your own bills..it's not the end of the world. ;)
I'm finding out that God gives us reasons to be and people to love no matter where we are. And if we take life one day at a time, it doesn't feel so harsh. What matters most in life is Jesus Christ. He was there from the very beginning, and He is going to be there when everyone else is gone. When it is all said and done….God still is. I already have what I need to be happy and fulfilled. Jesus Christ is my reason for living, and therefore I can move ahead with strength and confidence no matter what life brings.
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