I'm So Not

Paxton's napping…I have some alone time…and thanks to my new schedule, I'm pretty caught up on work.

So I felt like I should carpe the hour and write something.

"SOMETHING"

But really, I saw this post recently at Kelly's Korner, and thought it was fabulous. She listed all the things that she is absolutely sure she's Not -- Not a good hat wearer, Not scheduled, Not crafty -- and her acceptance of said Nots. I read her post and realized a couple things: one, we should be friends; and two, there are a lot of things I'm Not as well. Some I've accepted…and some I really need to work on.

So today's post will be a direct rip-off and copy of Kelly's post.

Here we go:

1. I'm Not Original. I wish I didn't have to copy someone else's idea for blog posts.

2. I'm Not Confident. I wish I could just throw on jeans and a t-shirt without having to try four pairs of jeans and three shirts to find the set that covers my flaws best.

3. I wish I didn't care so much about number 2.

4. I'm Not a Cook. I wish I could whip up something fabulous for meals without having to consult hundreds of meal plans and cookbooks for ideas. I know my family is tired of tacos, pasta, chili and some kind of chicken.

5. Okay, I have to take that one back. I don't really wish that. I'm totally okay with being predicable in the kitchen.

6. I'm Not Crafty. I don't have the motivation to make scrapbooks or photo albums. One day, my kids will sit down to an external hard drive and reminisce about their childhood. I'm so 3008.

7. I'm Not a Necklace Wearer. I see hundreds of adorable necklaces all the time - in stores, online, on people - and want them so badly. And then I purchase them. And then I realize I'm not built to really pull off a good necklace. Especially a chunky one. I love the idea of them, but when I try it out, it looks hideous.

8. I'm Not a Good Phone Talker. Really, unless you're Greg, it's business or it's your birthday, I'm just not going to talk on the phone. It's not personal at all and I promise I still love you. I'm just terrible with the phone these days. Horrible. Deplorable, really. And if Jesus' return is imminent and I do answer right when you call me, I'm going to try to get off in about 10 minutes. I think it's because I spent all of high school on the phone, and all my words have run out (verbal ones only, obviously). That and the threat of losing service for no good reason in the mountains has made phone conversations no fun.

9. I'm Not a Good Thank-You Noter. This is worse than the phone calls, and I know that. I have such, SUCH good intentions. Every single time, I do. But somehow, I will forget to just sit down and write the thank you. I'll mean to…I'll think about it at midnight…but in the light of day I can't get it together. Maybe because I'm not from the South originally and it's a very Southern thing? (To which I know I'll hear the "no, it's an etiquette thing.") But growing up we just didn't send or receive thank you notes. Ever really. Unless it was a job interview. Or maybe it was my family? I JUST DON'T KNOW. Either way, I try to work on this every single holiday and birthday. I do. Especially because I really don't want my kids to have this affliction. Please grant me some grace here. I promise I love you!

9. I'm Not Secure. I wish I didn't worry so much about what people think about me. I don't worry as much any more about what people think about my work…or my writing…or my home…or even my (lack of) cooking. But I worry still about what people think about me, and mainly all the superficial stuff like:
   - Do people think my teeth are too yellow?
   - Do people think I've gained weight since I ran the half marathon a year ago?
   - Do people think I'm too sarcastic?
   - Do people think I'm spiritual enough?
   - Do people wish I'd get collagen and botox to fill up the stress wrinkle between my eyebrows
     because it scares them?
You get the idea. It's straight up EXHAUSTING. But I'm totally insecure. That's no secret. God and I are working diligently on this, I assure you.

10. I'm Not Dressy. Yous guys, I'm so incredibly comfortable in yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If you see me in jeans and boots or any kind of heel, it's a big deal. I'm trying to be a little more "put together" for days I go to choir, or for small group or what have you. But I'm not comfortable when you see me like that. My favorite day of the week is what I like to call No Makeup Monday. It's a welcome relief from a weekend of events, church and non-tennis shoe attire.

What is it you wish you were…but aren't? Don't leave a sista hangin', my homies. Give it up.

Favorite Things

I've been suffering from a wicked case of writers block. There's a post I've been trying to write for over a month now, but it's just not coming together. It's. So. Frustrating. I've tried just forcing it finished, but it falls so flat that I can't even pretend I tried to be artistic with it.

In the meantime, I read a post that was filled with the writers favorite things (a la Oprah), and others had linked up to it, and I got so excited reading them! I figured it would be fun to totally copy that idea, while trying to get rid of this brick wall I keep slamming myself into.

With Christmas looming, I thought maybe some people were stumped at gift ideas for friends or family. Below are ten of my current favorite things to help jumpstart your gift buying.

(And just because they're on this list doesn't mean I have them.)

(It just means it would be a favorite thing if I actually had it.)

(HINT and HINT.)

(Just kidding.)

(Maybe.)

Oh, and I tried to keep each of these to under $50.

'Cuz, you know. THE ECONOMY.

1. For The Coffee Lover. This is gorgeous, ingenious and guaranteed to be a hit with your favorite coffee snob. You can find it at Anthropologie. Cost: $42 for the maker and $8.50 for the filters.

2. For The Hostess. You have that friend, I know you do...who always has the fancy cheeses out when people come over. Cheeses with names you don't know how to pronounce properly, like "gruyere." This is the perfect gift for her, from Uncommon Goods. Cost: $42.

3. For The Mom. These stackable rings are fabulous. Personalize each of the three rings with an initial - say your husband's, son's and daughter's? Come in antiqued bronze or silver from Red Envelope. Cost: $49.95. 

4. For Him.  If your man travels even just a little bit (and going overnight to a championship football game counts), you can't go wrong with gifting him with this gorgeous, buffalo hide dopp kit from the Sundance Catalog. It's rugged, manly and kinda pretty, really. Bonus - when he's away, he'll always think of you every time he shaves and brushes his teeth. Cost: $48.

5. For The Young Adult. I die for these boots. Seriously. And every time I go to ModCloth to buy them, they are out of stock. (And yes, I'm quite aware I'm nowhere close to "young adult" any more, but I'm pretending.) These rock. And because they have yet to remove them from the site, I'm guessing they'll be back in stock soon. Cost: $59.99 and worth going over the $50 mark.

6. For The Tea Drinker. Or coffee drinker. Or juice drinker, too...let's not discriminate. These beautiful mugs from Anthropologie come personalized with an initial. Buy one for a friend or an entire set that spells out their name. Guaranteed to brighten even the grayest of mornings. Cost: $8 each.

7. For The Traveler. You'll experience a wee bit of pride each time you whip out your passport in this monogrammed, saddle leather holder from Pottery Barn. Get the matching luggage tag and people will wonder why you're flying coach. Cost: $29 for the holder, $8 for the luggage tag.

8. For The Rainy Days. I saw this umbrella about 15-20 years ago at some store in Seattle and never bought it. And I'm not kidding when I say it's haunted me since. I want it so badly. How could you not smile in the midst of the storm with this? (There's a sermon in there, people.) It can be yours now from Urban Outfitters. Cost: $38.

9. For The Hat Lover. I'm a lover of a good hat. And I wish I had the guts to try one of these Target hats in real life. I think they're awesome. The big issue, sadly, is that none of my clothes match these styles. But I adore them. Cost: $14.

10. For The Cougar. And I'm not talking older women chasing young men. I'm talking about those who live and breathe all things Washington State University. There's an anticipation in the air, my friends, over our newly-appointed head football coach, Mike Leach. And this is the perfect gift for a Cougar, male or female. And if it has to take over for your spouse's UGA flag, so be it. Cost: $27.95.

So there you have it! A complete gift-buying guide for all your loved ones. If you've got some great ideas you want to share, comment below and leave a link to the item. PLEASE.

Happy Christmas and merry shopping!

25 Things to Be Happy About

Over a year ago, I posted about a book that I love. I'm still looking for my copy in my old boxes; I know I kept it and that it's just a matter of time until I find it. And when I do, I'll take a picture to show you all the random highlights and markings from that book.

I won't re-hash the original post -- you can click the above link (or this one) to read it. But I decided that today would be a good day to make another list. It's been raining here for about 24 hours (Lord, send it to Texas though, please!), and it's just too tempting to let it reign over my mood.

(Get it? Rain? Reign?)

(Sigh.)

So instead, we're going to make our own sunshine...just a random, stream-of-consciousness list of things that make you happy. They can be big, they can be little; it's not a Thanksday list, and no explanations required. Just a fun exercise in remembering things that make you smile.

Won't you join me?

Here are some of mine:

- a fully stocked fridge and pantry
- empty garbage cans
- turkey bacon
- kids sleeping soundly in bed
- an organized and clean playroom
- a bowl full of grapes already removed from the stems, washed and ready to eat
- lazy days that include naps
- not needing an alarm clock
- comments on blog posts
- empty laundry baskets
- fruit ninja scores over 400
- finding exactly what you're looking for when you're not looking for it
- a joyful heart
- Kindle books for $2.99
- running
- listening to my kids sing worship songs with me in the car
- laughing until you cry
- sleeping for 10 hours
- the first cup of coffee
- brave teens
- laughing because you're so excited to crawl into bed
- painting your toenails a bold new color
- passports
- finding a few extra dollars in a coat pocket
- remembering what made you fall in love in the first place

So what about you? What are some things that make you happy? Don't think too hard about it, just start typing and share. Someone could use a smile today, I'm sure of it.

"God bless you and keep you,

God smile on you and gift you,

God look you full in the face and make you prosper."

(Numbers 6:24-26, MSG)

That's How I Roll

I caught myself doing something today that I typically never think twice about. But for some reason today, it occurred to me that it’s really a bit odd. Then that got me thinking about all the other things I do that are probably odd, and realized I have quite a few random idiosyncrasies. And for reasons unbeknownst to me, I’ve decided to share them for the amusement of you three readers.

For your entertainment (or complete boredom):

1. If eating Skittles or Jelly Beans (not Jelly Bellies, or Starburst Jelly Beans...just your classic, regular Jelly Beans), I always have to eat all the orange first, then yellow, then red. Green and purple are next, but I don’t really enjoy them.

2. I cannot have so many emails in my inbox that I have to scroll down. To have that many creates high blood pressure and stresses me out. (Just for kicks, a good friend of mine randomly calls or emails me and simply tells me a number. It’s always the number of emails in her inbox. There have been times I have felt like I suddenly developed asthma and feel the need for an inhaler. I once sat on the phone with her for 30 minutes while she read me each email and I told her to either file it or delete it. It was Email Intervention.) (I should contact TLC about a series.)

3. When washing baby bottles, I have a specific order I follow of bottle parts. And I silently count them while I wash them.

4. I talk out loud to myself. Often. Hello, Self!

5. Even if I hate the book, I will read the thing until the bitter, bitter end.

6. I’m constantly playing with my hair. If I’m not twirling it, then it’s in my mouth. I’m not chewing it, per se...but then again, that’s probably arguable. If it’s in a ponytail and not in my mouth, then I am repeatedly running my fingers through it, braiding it, letting it go, and braiding it again. Even as I type this, my ponytail is in between my teeth. (I’m sure the Psych students are dying to get their hands on me.)

7. I can’t be still. Greg can sit on the couch and watch TV without moving a muscle. I’m either up and down every few minutes, or playing with my hair (see above), or bouncing a leg, or what have you. (Again, hello Psych students, call for an appointment.)

8. I wake up with some song in my head every. single. morning. At first I tried to be all super-spiritual about it, and thought God was trying to tell me something. But when you wake up with “Blame it on the Rain” by Milli Vanilli, that theory loses a bit of its oomph. (To schedule a session, please call 555-...)

9. I really can’t be productive at home unless I’m dressed with my shoes on. And not flip-flops, because they make me feel lazy. If I really want to get some stuff accomplished, I have to have on my sneakers all laced up. Then I can work, clean and cook like the wind. While talking to myself out loud and snacking on orange jelly beans. (And yes, I called them “sneakers” to which Greg always replies, “Okay, MeMaw.”)

10. Not a fan of taking a bath. Probably partly because of the sitting still thing (see #7), but also because I love for the bath water to be really hot. However, after seven minutes of sitting in the really hot bath water (not five and not eight, a solid seven), I’m too hot and uncomfortable and want out. I hate being hot.

Okay, that’s it. My Top Ten Ways to Know You’ve Lost It Before Age 40.

Don’t leave me hangin’ out to dry. I showed you mine...now you show me yours.

I Keep on Fallin'

It’s the most wonderful time of year. I’ve been waiting 9 months for it to arrive, and it has. Fall is back. Here’s how I know:

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks
2. Labor Day is over
3. I’m wearing long-sleeves in the morning
4. I want to put up all my open-toed shoes and shop for boots
5. Pumpkins are out at the Farmer’s Market
6. Butterflies accost me everywhere I go
7. I want to be outside all. the. time.
8. The Pottery Barn Kids catalog has adorable trick-or-treat bags
9. Jaana is planning her costume already
10. Leaves are starting to turn here in the mountains
11. The sky is a much deeper blue
12. The earliest tee time at the golf course just moved up to 9 am
13. Hot coffee in the afternoon sounds better than iced
14. College football has started

Speaking of college football, we had a great weekend with Greg’s family. On Saturday, his parents kept the kids while Greg and I went to the University of Georgia football game with his brother and his wife. It was a glorious day for many reasons:

1. The Bulldogs won by a landslide
2. It was only 80-degrees in Athens, which was God’s way of saying, “I love you so much, Monica!”
3. The Dawgs had scored 31 points before the end of the 2nd quarter, so Greg actually enjoyed the game and there was no yelling, screaming or otherwise naughty behavior
4. I was able to just sit for 3.5 hours!
5. I got my first Pumpkin Spice Latte (with soy milk and an extra shot!)
6. Since the boys were in such a great mood after the game, Kristy and I were able to sweet-talk them into taking us to the outlet mall on the way home, and we sped-shopped like nobody’s business.
7. And I got some new fall clothes and actually enjoyed trying things on. Working out 6 days a week is starting to pay off, praise Jesus!

I just know I’ll actually be able to wear my new sweaters to all the Fall Festivals and not die of heat exhaustion. I’m excited to experience the entire season here in the mountains from the very beginning until the last little leaf falls off the last tree.

Now if Starbucks would just bring back the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, Jesus could come and I’d be ready.

Happy fall everyone!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

About 15 years ago, I got the book 14,000 Things to be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer. The book isn’t a narrative or a story, just simply a stream-of-consciousness list approximately 700 pages long of random, uncategorized things to be happy about. Whenever I was feeling blue, I would pull out the book and highlight things that made me smile. The book contained wonderful little gems such as:

1. -the cool underside of a pillow
2. -riding in the basket of your bike
3. -construction paper
4. -Kennebunkport, Maine
5. -french cuffs

I’ve been a tad stressed lately. My dad’s getting ready to move back to Washington permanently, Jaana’s about to start 1st grade (when did that happen??) and we’re moving into another place this week (which as of this moment is only 90% confirmed). And with the fears I’ve had coupled with the stress, I finally hit my threshold and had a mini-meltdown yesterday. I gave myself permission to have a pity party (with streamers and party hats and balloons!), then had some good prayer time and a long run. As the song goes, “even in the hard times, even when I feel pain, I’ve made up my mind I’m gonna praise him anyway.” My outlook improved considerably.

As I was running, that old book came to my mind, and I decided to accentuate the positive and try to move that rubber tree plant with some high hopes. I started mentally listing the things that make me smile, and decided this would be a “Merry Monday” posting of sorts. So, lists part deux...away we go!

1. -a sudden gust of wind during a long, hot run
2. -the sound of Paxton laughing at Jaana
3. -a good sports bra
4. -lemons, fuji apples and red seedless grapes
5. -date nights
6. -a full tank of gas and a clean car
7. -nude toenail polish
8. -an unexpected & encouraging message from a friend
9. -Greg bringing home flowers
10. -not being in Egypt anymore, Toto
11. -girls’ weekends
12. -fried green beans with wasabi ranch from Cornucopia
13. -stovetop espresso makers
14. -the way Jaana says “yo-gret” and “ord-a-ment”
15. -blog entries by Beth Moore
16. -family members willing to drive up at a moment’s notice
17. -olive tapenade
18. -going to the grocery store at 7 am
19. -“Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder
20. -school and office supplies
21. -sharing inside jokes with Greg
22. -Hilton Head Island

Greg likes to call me Silver, because I will find the silver lining in whatever situation we’re facing. The first words out of my mouth whenever something negative happens are usually, “Well, at least...” And when there’s good news and bad news, I always want the bad news first so we can end with the good. So I’ve vented my fears, had my pity party and now I’m ready to eliminate the negative!

So what about you? What are some things that make you happy? Let’s end today with a smile.

“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face.”

(Prov 15:13, MSG)