Randomness

Off the top of my head....

• My feet are killing me. Running is stupid and I have blisters. But i'm not going to be a quitter.
• Sometimes I want to #hashtag everything. Emails and texts...post it notes. Yeah, it's a problem.  
• The song i'm listening to has an oboe in it. Something about the haunting sounds of the oboe speak parts of my heart and soul. 
• It's been an awkwardly rough yet cleansing day. 
• I miss my family. I want my mommy. 
• I've been praying to start dreaming again. God answers quick sometimes. 
• I've been contemplating on a few thoughts to write about via blog, etc. My creative writing juices are starting to flow again. (see above thought)
• I'm thinking it's time to start throwing my "love" parties on unsuspecting recipients. Those were amazing times. I love speaking the Father's heart during those surprise parties. 
• Sometimes....well, it doesn't matter. You don't need to know everything. 
• I love you. I like you. But more importantly, Jesus loves you. 

today...

• my face decided to break out like it was a middle school-er.
• i received my Christmas presents from the Stum-y-Garcia household, so now i have to sit and stare at them. Will i open early? probably not. i was 100% forbidden. Wow!!
• i spoke all evening in a variety of accents. often times, meshed together. and when that occurred...let's just say it more or less sounded like a pirate. Arr, matey!
• i laughed a lot today. then cried some too. it's been a mixture of emotions.
• i just noticed this has been my 2nd worst year--since i've begun--in the bloggy blog world. i over think it. all the time.
• i sing because i'm happy, i sing because i'm free
• i think it's time to start dreaming again
• i just like to smile. smiling's my favorite!

and the randomness goes on...

1. I'm in love with Market Spice iced tea, right now, from Brewing Market.

2. I do not love Brewing Market in general, but there tea is yummy and their barista's are fun. (Yeah, I'm talkin' about you Sarah Norris)

3. Every day this week has seemed like an eternity. For real. It's only 1:45pm and I feel like I've been at work for 100 hours.

4. I'm blogging on my lunch break. So deal.

5. I haven't ran at all this week. Oopsies. I even have a new goal to run more often. But, it's cold in CO in the wee hours of the morning.

6. Speaking of wee hours of the morning, ever since I moved in with my besties, Wilma & Betty, I have been getting up at like 5:30am. Seriously? I mean, seriously!

7. I spent more time at Kaiser this week than I would have liked.

8. I'm dreaming of vacations and beaches and besties and fun.

9. I feel the need to bake. Something yummdiddidlyumpscious. Any suggestions?

10. I'm dreaming of a Utah Christmas.

11. I miss Jenn. I haven't seen her in ages. She lives just a few miles away. Where are you Jenn?

12. Jeg elsker deg.

This is Spencer.
He's making the ice all pretty for J-Dawg and her skating crew.




They never let me drive that Olympia.
Like I'll break it or something?!
Sheesh!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my handy dandy iPhone

this and that

Fall is Yummy!!
I love the colors, the smells, the sounds. Mmmm, I love it all.



To those of you who are wondering...Yes, Tobey is still alive. I've walked him, fed him, played with him, talked in the ooey gooey you're a good boy voice. He made a comeback and ate a full meal, finally, on thursday night.



Though he did go on a food strike again today; and i'm surprised I haven't keeled over dead from the gas that is emitting from his bottom. Yeah, too much information, I know. He really wants his moms back. But honestly, so do I. I really miss my besties; they're my safe place. But I'm glad that they are getting some much needed R&R. They deserve it.

Tomorrow I bake cookies for the Halloween party at the Y. I'm excited about baking. I need some much needed baking and domesticity in my life. I think i'll bake in my sexy heals. Yeah, I said it and I'll do it.

shhh....

I have a secret.
A good one.

Really.
Nothing harmful.
Something exciting.

Very.
I can't say a thing.
I'm sworn to secrecy.

Girl Scout honor.

Pinkie promise.

A couple more weeks.
I'm bursting at the seems.

I have a secret.

Doo-dah, doo-dah!!

i just felt like runnin'

on Sunday i run a 5k

normally, i'd say no way

but it's for a good cause

so i did not pause

to jump right on in

though i know i won't win

unfortunately i'm sure i'm gonna die

or most likely, i'm definitely gonna cry

because on Monday i ran to Africa and back

well maybe that's a bit dramatic as a matter of fact

and my ankles got all blistered and bloody

and definitely the new shoes got all kinds of muddy

all this said

i hope i get out of bed

on sunday morning

or jill will come roaring

because she's my running partner

and i don't want to cross her

how and when will this poem end

here's a good place to put in the word backbend

adios, arrivederci, later, goodbye

now it's time for a little chocolate pie

Take It Easy

"Take it easy

Take it easy

Don't let the sound of your own wheels

Drive you crazy

Lighten up while you still can

Don't even try to understand

Just find a place to make your stand

And take it easy"

Tonight I was on my walk and Travis Tritt came on my ipod as it was on its shuffle mix. And I got super excited, because country music always makes me happy; and always reminds me of my Oklahoma. Yes, Rebecca, I really enjoy country music, you can quit rolling your eyes at me. Anywhoo...I dare say, as I know that you may judge me, I found some deep thoughts for my life in a quick 25 second section of a country song. (Shut it, Rebecca) Regardless of your judgement, as I will just tell you to bite me, the above lyrics stood out for a few reasons and settled nicely into my soul.

I will now break down for you those reasons....

1. I do in fact need to "take it easy" more often. As of late I seem to be a bit, okay a lot, stressed out and more high strung than i'd like to admit. But unfortunately, it's painfully obvious no matter how hard I try to hide it.

2. I tend to let the "sound of my own wheels" drive me crazy. I think, muse, ruminate, ponder, mull over, analyze to death my life and the issues that so unkindly demand the majority of my time. I am having a hard time learning to wait on the Lord. (This is a whole other blog post!)

3. I need to "lighten up while I still can" before I go completely bonkers and need to be admitted for treatment. Me worrying about everything is not going to change the stressors, but I can change the way I have been approaching them.

4. I spend so much time trying to understand everything. So...I need to take heed to Travis' advice and not try to. Some things I'll never understand, so why keep forcing? It's NOT going to happen. I won't understand it all. Arghh!!

5. I need to be more aware of and confident in what is in my power to control. Take things one step at a time. Hence, "Just find a place to make your stand"! I keep focusing on the whole picture, the finished product, the final masterpiece and trying to get the results without seeing the layers of how to get me there. (Thanks Liz! I learned that nugget of wisdom from you!) So then it ends up being a big mess. Not a masterpiece at all. I need to learn to see and walk through the layers.

6. Again, I just need to "Take it easy", let my faith rise and always hope for the best. That's really all I can do.

And that my friends, is how Travis Tritt and country music helped focus me tonight!!

It's really okay Rebecca. Country music is not of the devil.

off the top of my head...

L.A. was fabulous. I miss my girls. I miss the beaches. I miss the relaxation. I'm suffering from the "after vacation back to the crappiness of life" blues.



It's really loud in my office right now. Excruciatingly loud. It thundered or there was lightening or something of that sorts, so all of the swim folk have come indoors to wait it out. Right outside my window where I'm suppose to work. This is not conducive to a working environment.



I'm supposed to be taking a 2 week sabotical from worry and learning to just "wait!" Well, see how that goes.



I hear thunder. I'm supposed to be catching a bus in an hour. I hope the rain goes away.



I am super tan, er I mean super brown, and am burnt in a few places that aren't that fun to be burnt. Yes, the ladies are smokin'! Figuratively and seriously.



I'm proud of myself for keeping up with my blog challenge. Even if some posts are lame. The point is I'm posting.



I'm waiting for Jenn to post a blog. I asked her to an hour or so ago. Where is it Jenn?



It's POURING down rain right now. Creepy rain. Again, I have to take a bus in about an hour. Whoop, whoop for rain!! I got this, right?



Now there's hail. Large balls of hail. Ah, Shitake!!



That's all folks.

my personal *flair*

A friend and I had an impromptu conversation the other day when she was opening my refrigerator (or 'ice box and/or fridge' for you Midwesterners) and was looking at all my 'flair'--as she referred to it--upon the refrigerator door. She then preceded to tell me that my flair helped her learn more about me, merely by what was being displayed.

And yes, I would say, the flair on my 'fridge reveals about 33.7% of who I am and what I'm like; it can't all be mine especially since a few of the magnets reveal my roommate Tasia's personal flair. As you glance at it, those who know me well, know how much I love the Rio. Oh how those margaritas beckon me!! And lo and behold, in the bottom left corner you will find a Rio "marg" magnet reminding me that 3 is the limit. Then I have my favorite quotes to inspire me each day. I firmly believe we should all "dwell in possibility,"--and thank you Emily Dickinson for your friendly reminder. Of course, there are the places I've been and/or want to live; friends who are superstar acoustic playing ninjas; wedding reminders; as well as, the pics of those who are dear to my heart--& my roommate Tasia's of course--and the memories I will treasure for years to come.

(Obviously not all of you are on there; yet rest in the fact that I still absolutely adore you and more than likely you are hanging elsewhere in my home.)

I think the magnet that describes the me I desire to be most accurately was bought for me out of the blue by my supervisor at work. She said when she saw it, she immediately thought of me. And when someone tells you something like that before handing over the trinket they found that * best describes* you from their opinion they've formed of you, you smile and hope with all your might that its not something crass or tacky, and is close to who you believe you are. Then there's that fear that of "what if how I see myself doesn't line up with how other's see me?" ::insert biting knuckles here:: I know, I know. I'm psychotic at times but these are the things that run amuck in my head. But alas, I loved how she saw me and I feel it's an accurate description of me; or at least, the me I try to be.

And, YES, I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world. I wholeheartedly do. At least in my wildest, full of faith, livin' on love and in the goodness of the Lord dreams...I, my friends, can change the world for the better.

Ever since this conversation with my friend about my 'fridge flair, it made me start to notice the 'flair' we, or really I, have in other places of our lives. The way we dress, the foods we choose, the social activities we participate in, the issues we fight for, where we are passionate, to name a few. Basically, all the many ways in which we identify who we are. And it made me start to take a good look at myself to make sure I'm accurately presenting who I am and who I want to be. And trust me, I know that because my lack of patience, my grumpiness, my neurotic anxiety at times, my sensitivities and yes, even how high strung I am when life is falling apart all around me...my flair is not always what I want to give off as my personal representation. Nor is it pretty, loving or becoming. Which in turn made me ponder more about how I'm presenting myself daily, because the most important thing I want to have portrayed is that I'm loving and that I love ALL. I mean, I have love tattooed on my arm for goodness sake. My seal and mantra that is permanently placed upon my arm to remind me that above all I am to love. And though there are days that I fail miserably, I still make a point to make sure I am putting forth love above all else. Yes, even when its a challenge. And I may not have it all down right now, but that's okay. As long as I keep striving forward and reminding myself to love, passionately and unashamedly. Eventually the who I know I am on the inside, will be who I portray on the outside. And when other's see my *flair* they will know that above all, I LOVE.

nothingness

This weekend I did nothing. I didn't realize how much I needed to do nothing, and also to be left alone, until the opportunity presented itself to me this weekend. I did get to hang out with the lovely Jenn for a bit to catch a movie on Saturday; but other than that, I spent Saturday morning, evening and all day today doing NOTHING. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I overdosed myself on reading, perusing the DSW website (as I have a LARGE gift card that is ready to be spent) and watching many Hallmark Channel movies. All while enjoying nut thins & roasted red pepper hummus. Of course, when I needed a more substantial meal I would whip up a scramlette that even the Huckleberry wouldn't mind serving to its many patrons. Mix in some dr. pepper & rum and you have what I call a fabulous weekend.

I can confidently say that ending the month in nothingness is what I call much needed, and quite near perfection.

So long January. Bring it on February.

Nostalgia: Ba de ya - say that you remember

Tonight, after Glee, I spent this evening baking cookies and listening to Earth, Wind and Fire, the Temptations and many other of my Motown favorites. Music has always been my stress relief. I love ALL types of music. Coming from a large family as mine, we all have different tastes in music. Which, fortunately for me, has given me an incredible eclectic mix of music to enjoy 24/7. Ever since I was an adorable wee child....I remember my dad and I would put on his records and then I would sing and dance around the house. I normally would have him in hysterics as I would do the Motown steps as if I were a Pip, Temptation or Four Top. I've always been quite the entertainer.

Tonight I'm wishing my dad was with me here in Colorado because I would put on a show for him for old time's sake just to see him smile like he used to. I loved my dad's laugh. It brings me joy just thinking about it. So...The last few days I've had "September" in my head by Earth, Wind and Fire. What's a girl to do? Well, I'll tell you. Tonight I put the music on, baked cookies and danced around my house. Obviously, Tasia is not home tonight. I have to introduce this side of me to her in baby steps. I'm not sure she's ready to dance around the house with me yet. Kate was a pro at it. Kate gets me and my ways. Of course, Kate is a lot like me. After all, we did devise a song about a wacky religion we created, with Jamie McGowan's help, called the Norma's. As well as, songs about Spam and other randomness. (Man, I miss Jamie & Kate!) And with Matthew B we expressed our love for green beans in many a facebook video. Plus, Matthew would dance with me around the house or wherever we felt the need to express ourself in such a manner. So, see, I'm not sure Tasia is ready for this quite yet.

BUT, I digress....Basically, I'm left home alone tonight to my own devices and I've decided to take a walk down memory lane and bake comfort food. It's so healing for the soul. It's been a rough week emotionally for me and I needed to escape and unwind. I believe I accomplished what I was aiming for this evening.



"SEPTEMBER" by Earth, Wind and Fire




And a more creative version that has been circulating around by Pomplamoose




I'll admit that I was dancing as free as the Grandma was in the latter video!! That's right.

Ba duda, ba duda, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, baduba

just because

this makes me smile (thanks to Hope for sharing with me):




and this made me giggle: