Tribute to the one and only mom I ever get.

My mom is an amazing person. She loves, laughs, and lives like it's going out of style. It's no wonder that I'm a happy person. She just wears off on people.

And, as always, beautiful as ever...
My mom and I love books. We found this little bookstore in Juneau, Alaska and we had to stop in and look. Wouldn't it be fun to own one of these? My mom, of course, bought a book that she thought that I would enjoy so that she could read it an then give it to me. I mean, who thinks like that? All mothers, or just my own? She's too giving, too caring, and too loving, and I am too lucky!!

She LOOOOVES pine cones, which I think is so cute. At Christmas she always has a stash about the size of a 5 gallon tub full of them and she bakes them (to get the bugs out), spray paints them in all kinds of festive colors, or usually just gold, and decorates with them, gives them away...whatever. But, I think it's cute that she loves them so much. She found these tiny little baby pine cones in the Yukon territory in Canada and she smuggled them back across the border. 

It's funny how some of my favorite pictures aren't the smiling ones, but the ones that capture people in their natural setting and often the little ways I remember things most in the past. This picture immediately takes me back to amazing family vacations and attempting to watch a movie and mom falling asleep after 5 minutes--every time.

Love her smile.
My mom might have a heart attack if she knew I posted this picture, simply because she wouldn't ever want people to think of her as materialistic or vain or anything like that. In fact, this car was a very special birthday gift from my dad and she hardly drives it because she is afraid of what people might think. It was a SUPERHUGE surprise, and she deserves it more than anyone I know. She is so selfless, giving, caring, loving, and never EVER thinks of herself before another person. I can't imagine anyone more deserving of such an generous gift. I'm sooooo happy for her. I think she might still be in shock! She looks dang good in her new BMW!
I know it's a bunch of gush, but sometimes I'm just overly appreciative for certain qualities in my life, and I have to give recognition where thanks is due. Love you mom, even though you may never read this.

What if...

Today I sat down to dinner with Sarahbeth and we talked about how marvelous pens are, how much we love The Glass Castle, and how seriously awesome it is to have amazing friends. We decided that Oklahoma really is pretty cool, although we'd both maybe prefer Colorado. :)

Then of course we had to go buy a few new pens, talked about how dirty some public bathrooms are, discussed feeding dogs Cheerios or just plain cheese when they run out of food from responsible pet owners like me, and then laughed about picking our favorite sport teams based on location or color instead of any kind of skill.

I can't imagine many things better than some seriously great quality girl time with a really great friend like that.

Also, so vain but got new bangs today---AGAIN. Wow, I just love to cut hair off don't I? And yes, I posted a pictures of MYSELF on MY OWN BLOG!!! :) I'm so into myself. Really.

Now seriously, I want to say that I'm so thankful this week for so many countless blessings in my life. I've been reminded to trust. I've been reminded that today is such a gift and there is no time to waste waiting for something better to come along, because what if it doesn't?

Life so easily turns into the WHAT IF game. What if I had a different family? What if I picked a different major? What if I was good at basketball or what if I had a perfect face? What if I was taller? What if I had more money? What if I had better parents? What if I had a more understanding wife or husband? Would life really be better? Do you really think so?? Why are you worrying about a past that you cannot change?

ENOUGH. It's possible to WHAT IF yourself out of your mind--cause I've done it. And let me tell you, I'm the last one on the planet that has a reason to ever say those words. Think of all the wonderful things that you have learned from your life that others may not have had a chance to learn because of their different circumstance. Maybe learning to be thankful for your life is a new thing, but God made you just as he thought you should be--perfect. You have a plan and a purpose, and only He knows it. So stop looking back and wondering, because in the process, you're missing the now. Maybe someone out there is thinking, "What if I had a friend that understood what I'm going through?" and maybe, just maybe, that person is you.

pump me up

Several new things in my life that pump me up:

My mom is superwoman. I think she needs her own home show. She's a genuine Martha Stewart. She was here for 4 days and she showed me how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, biscuits, and lemon meringue pie from scratch. In her spare time, she did my laundry (no I did not ask her to!), hung new curtains on my windows!, and pretty much walked my dog, made my bed, etc... It did not used to be like this, but I like it! I love coming home to Baked Salmon with pasta and split pea soup. Days just seem a bit sweeter when it's all done for you!!

I got my hair cut today. New bangs. Not sure how I handle them yet, but I'm sure they'll wear on me. After Sarah cuts my hair, she always says, "you don't seem too nervous about your new hair" and I always say, "because you always cut it so dang well!" Hey, it's true!

Mini has taken ownership of our bed. I think we have a problem.

It's so hot outside that my sweat evaporates when I walk outside, so I have prefered to stay indoors as long as possible today. We're running 4 miles at 8:30pm and I am dreading the heat more than a Chemistry test. Sickening.

Jonathan made an awesome new wedding trailer for Rachel and Andy. He posted it on his website if you want to check it out. It's pretty sweet, and of course, he has much more on the way.

I love the color green. It's so...FRESH.

I'm trying to organize receipts, it's like a new hobby or passion, or okay--just a necessity of life, but I'm trying to get excited about keeping track of money. Woohoo receipt receptacle!

Love my friend Andrea.

Was excited about taking a cake class but not sure the status of the class considering my friend and her life plan has changed since we signed up together. Good for her though! Way to follow her dreams. I'll learn to make cakes on my own. I only have to impress Jonathan anyway, and he loves me regardless, so that's a cinch.

Purple is marvelous. I recently discovered how much I liked it when everything I wanted was plum colored. It's funny how everything in the past year is practically purple and I am just now realizing it.

Sundays should be called Slowdays.

Anyway-- everyone reading...write something on your blog. Add a recipe. Tell me a story. I want to read about you too. I'll share some awesome cooking tips I learned this week in my next post. How bout that? If you want to know more of my secrets, you'd better come over and get some pie yourself.

peace

Library

Today's best snack? Cinnamon graham crackers and a glass of milk.

I just went to the library to check out a few more books and recheck some great ones that I'm almost finished with, and of course, Steve is working. He sees me walking in the door and says (so loudly that I'm sure the woman in the far back corner in the magazine section can hear), "Michelle!! How ya doin little Misses?" Well, I have to say that yes, I love the greeting, but the attention from all the strangers I could do without. "Why ya gettin' so many books today? Bored?" 

"Nope. Just going to Alaska! Gotta have something to read when you're on vacation, or it's not really vacation, right?"

"Right-O. I'm so glad you told me that, so I can think of you all next week when my shirt sticks in the hundred degree weather." Steve is like 50. 

"Bye Steve." I laugh. How could I help it?

"Bye!"

Got to love the library.

Well, I'm proud of myself for running for three consecutive weeks now in preparation for a half-marathon that seems an eternity away (but I'm sure will be here any day now). I've been surprising myself with my self-motivation and feel as refreshed as a cold pear in lime jello.

I'm also going to be a little blatantly honest and say that I'm irritated at my recent case of ridiculous acne. Hello, I'm 23!!! Why didn't I go through this at age 15? Anyway, I don't know what to do about it, obviously, considering that I've tried the dermatologist, every topical medication known to man, and all of the other crazy things like not eating chocolate. I'm just going to say, oh well, it's just me, and this too shall probably pass, or else I'll just live with it happily considering I don't have much say in the matter.

I watched My Sister's Keeper on opening night. Fabulous movie. The young girls were fantastic little actors. Not sure if Cameron Diaz was the best fit for a mom in that movie, but I wasn't necessarily disappointed at all either. What would have happened if they had casted a real mom celeb to get more of the raw and real emotion? I have to admit, I'm not really a movie crier most of the time, but my shirt was a bit wet after this one. Go see it (if you take your man, he'll need a prize for enduring).

It's a Green Olive day

Watched some golf today. Should have washed the car but decided against it because it looks pretty clean. That's a bad reason, but it's still a reason. Washed the dog with Jonathan after we discovered poop completely covering the side of her head after leaving her alone in the backyard for an hour. She jumped the fence (although we keep thinking we fix the problem, we own Houdini, so I give up) to roll in another friend's poop before jumping back over the fence and bring it inside the house. :) Keeps life interesting! Watched The Devil Wears Prada, always a good one--although it makes me feel completely inadequate of walking out the door in any kind of clothing in my closet. Ran 2 miles with Jonathan and lake Hefner. We waited until 8:30p.m. because it was far too hot and humid to run during the day. Well, I mean, for Jonathan maybe it would have been okay, but I'm a little out of shape, and I at least require a cool breeze and a temperature below 90. Anyway, that was successfully fun!! We unsuccessfully got a snocone at Shimmers on the way home because I guess it closes at like 9 on a Saturday night. Went home and cooked some Olive Cheese Mounds that are by the way, so so good. If you like green olives, let me know and I'll hook you up with the recipe. It's seriously amazing. Started a new book. I love the library. I was thinking just the other day that when I get 3 new library books, I'll read them in like 5 days, but if I buy 3 books at Barnes and Noble, I might finish like one or two of them in a year. Why is that?! I think it's because I know that I own them and I can read them when I have time...I just never find the time. When it's a library book, I feel pressured to finish them so I don't have to check them out again. Free and efficient. Have to love the Library!! Found the most awesome blog ever today. "Thankful Paul" commented on my last post and you should check out both of his blogs. Seems pretty awesome. I'm going to start praying for him. Anyway, Grace and Peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2CsG_DHeq4

Listen to it. It will change your life.