Friday, January 29, 2010

Wherein Forrest proves once agan that he is a natural blonde...

In an effort to cut down on chronic speeding problems and the not so chronic crime rate, the Hendersonville Police Department parks empty patrol cars along the bypass and at random gas stations.

Last week Forrest, Cammie and I went to Thornton's (our friendly neighborhood gas station / mini-mart) to rent a movie from the Red Box. There just so happened to be a patrol car parked near the Red Box. Taped to the driver's side window was the following picture:

I found it amusing as did Forrest. I said "that is hilarious, a picture of Barney Fife". Forrest grabbed my iphone and hopped out of the car to snap a picture of the picture. When he climbed back in, he said "that is so funny, but that's not Barney Fife, it's Don Knotts".

Yes Forrest, it is.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Today I..

*had the strangest thought upon waking. I was praying for Mark to have a safe trip and a safe return...when it occurred to me that if he ever died we would be without health insurance. Of course I woke him right up and asked him what I should do in that event. "Buy a personal plan" he answered. "But who will help me pick one out" I whined. "Google" he replied.

*stayed home while Mark drove the girls to school...a special treat that only happens when he is leaving to go out of town.

*had brunch with Mark at Cracker Barrel. I half listened as two older women across the aisle from us complained bitterly about another woman and then I prayed that God would help me to be more compassionate and merciful.

*drove Mark to the airport and kissed him goodbye. Poland is a loooooooong ways away. I definitely get a little whiney when he has to leave the country for a week. Then, I thanked the Lord for Mark's job and the opportunities and the lifestyle that it affords us. And, I also thanked God for a husband that works hard. Being thankful changes my perspective. It's hard to whine while giving thanks.

*went to Rivergate Mall. I removed my handgun from the console of the car and placed it in my purse. Rivergate Mall weirds me out.

*bought a cleanse from GNC. While checking out, the guy in line behind me noticed the box in my hand. He helpfully told me that it was a great cleanse. In fact, he had just come off of the same cleanse himself. I told him that I had never tried this particular cleanse and I hoped that I would notice a change in my energy level and sugar cravings. He assured me that I would. He also shared "that there will be a distinct difference in your stool. You'll be amazed". Greeaaaaaaat! Good to know! I adore talking about stool with strange men in vitamin stores. Have I mentioned that Rivergate Mall is a weirdo magnet?

*might have stopped in Journey...which may or may not have resulted in three pairs of shoes. (If it did result in three pair of shoes, they would have all been on sale and two pair would have been marked down to 9.99....).

*finally went grocery shopping. Without coupons. Which meant Super-Walmart. Yuck.

*had an encouraging conversation with my bestie...if only she were moving back to Nashvegas...

*let Forrest drive the BMW home from school. It was only a tiny bit scary...and not one single bad word escaped my lips when he hit the brakes too hard, turned too wide or almost swiped the Yukon while parking in the driveway.

*broke a nail trying to grab Winston's collar as he lunged past me and out the door...followed by Marley. Good times.

*hope that I sleep well tonight.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Random...

-The online class that I registered for is going really well. I have created more layouts in the last three weeks than I completed in all of last year combined. There was one little snafu with some online photo ordering that put me behind a week (which was quite frustrating as I was determined to NOT fall behind). One of the scrapbook blogs that I read recommended an HP-B8550 for large format home printing. I found it online for 50% off and my ever indulgent husband told me to order it. This printer makes me a happy girl.

-Speaking of my little husband...he leaves for Poland on Tuesday. I don't love that his job is requiring so much travel lately...but I do love that he has a job, so I will not complain. Okay, I may complain, but only a little.

-Parenting a teenager is difficult.

-Growth Groups begin on Wednesday and I am super excited! I love Growth Groups, I love what they do for people and for our church. I love that I have a pastor who was willing to take the risk and invest in relationships in the church.

-Sunshine and warm weather cannot get here fast enough. Spring is my fave.

-Someone needs to go to the gym, yes she does.

-Forrest will be 16 in 6 weeks. Eeek!

Hmmm.....that's all I've got.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Dear Al Gore,

I know that you have a home located less than 20 minutes away from my home. This means there is a distinct possibility that you have already caught the local news. On the off chance that you are aboard your private jet en route to some remote destination on a reforestation project in an effort to offset your massive carbon footprint, I thought I would help you out by posting the following link:


http://www.wsmv.com/news/22117066/detail.html


Now, I realize that near record lows may be an inconvenient truth for you, but look on the bright side...you can relocate some of those poor polar bears to Belle Meade Boulevard if necessary!


Sincerely,

A fellow Tennessean that happens to be freezing!

Monday, January 4, 2010

"Let go..."

Last year I chose "better" as my word of the year. How did it go you ask? Hmmm... let's see...I'd say it went about as well as my word of the previous year which was "discipline" (please, hold your laughter).


For the last few weeks I have been mulling over my word of 2010. Today I had an epiphany of sorts. I was on the phone with a friend, describing a step that I have taken in an effort to let go of some of my perfectionist tendencies. When I said the words "let go", I swear the sun shone a bit brighter.


Here are somethings I'm working on letting go:
-toxic relationships
-past hurts
-past failures
-worrying about what other people think
-perfectionism that paralyzes
-clutter
-bad habits
-negative thoughts
-worry and anxiety over people and situations that I can't change
-fear of failure
-pounds (of course you knew that would be on the list)
-worry about falling off of all of the wagons I'd like to stay on


For the first time in a really long time I feel hopeful and excited about the days ahead.