...with actions and in truth...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

A few things I love...

Kate Winslet-- While watching the Golden Globe Awards right now, I am reminded of how wonderful I think she is. She is beautiful, an amazing actress, and she seems incredibly kind. I would like to be her friend.

Tim Tebow, Florida Gators, National Championships, etc-- you get the picture. It has been a great year for my team (other than the Ole Miss game which I am glad I didn't have to see since I was in SA). I have had thoughts the past few days of doing a blog soley on Tebow but you all know how much I love and admire him already.

Weddings-- I know a lot of people dread going to weddings or "wedding season" but I love them. I don't think I have ever been to a wedding that hasn't made me cry. My friend Bryce got engaged this past week and I am so excited to watch her plan! I also just saw Bride Wars a few hours ago which is why I am sure weddings are on my mind right now.

Music-- I am not much for silence. I know there are times when we need it but I have music of some kind around me all the time. When I wake up, I immediately turn on my itunes. When I get in the car, I turn on the radio. When I get to work, I turn on Pandora. I know I'm not the only one here. Everyone loves music.

Movies that stay on my mind for days-- My favorite kinds of movies are the ones that end well and make me think. I recently saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and it has been one of those movies. Growing backwards...I have lots of thoughts about that. If you've seen it, then we can talk.

Award shows-- I grew up watching every award show with my mom and criticizing all the celebs on what they're wearing. We were pretty good at it- just call us Joan and Melissa! Isn't that what those shows are really all about anyways?? :) I wish she were sitting with me right now so I could tell her that I want a necklace like Christina Applegate is wearing for my wedding. And I would tell her that I can't believe Demi Moore just did that to her daughter!

My Cat-- Yes, she is crazy. Yes, she eats her hair. But I love her. I didn't leave my apartment at all yesterday, but before you all gasp and think I'm pitiful, let me just say it was quite wonderful. We laid around (Sophie and I) and watched movies and just vegged. She is perfect on those kinds of days.

The idea of actually being able to finish the half marathon (running)-- I have decided that I am actually going to try. I may not be able to run the whole way but I am sure going to give it my all. The Music City Marathon is on April 25th and I will be out there with tens of thousands of people. If I cross the finish line at all, I will be proud.

My future-- I have no idea what it looks like but if I follow God's plan then I know I will love it.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ouiser Boudreaux

To say that I love that movie Steele Magnolias would be an understatement. This movie brings me so much joy no matter how many times I've seen it...which I'm sure is way over 100 times. Everytime I watch, I laugh harder and cry more than at anything else. I can watch it no matter the time of day or the mood I'm in.

I love every actor and character in the movie but Ouiser Boudreaux, played by Shirley McClaine (total nut in real life, I know) is by far my favorite. Maybe thats because she is the character in the movie that is most unlike myself that its like a breath of fresh air. Yes, yes, I know Ousier is a mean, old, crotchety woman who hates most people and life in general-- but everytime I watch her tell M'Lynn that Drum is "a real gentleman. I bet he even takes the dishes out of the sink before he pees in it," I can't help but fall in love with her!

If you know the movie, then you know there is a part at Shelby's funeral when M'Lynn is breaking down and Clairee offers to let M'Lynn hit Ouiser to deal with the pain. In Clairee's excitement over her idea, she shouts that they'll make t-shirts that say 'I slapped Ouiser Boudreaux!' (I hope you remember this scene-- if not, go watch it right now!) Anyway, I want that shirt more than anything. I got online tonight thinking that surely I wasn't the only one with this idea and that I could find one easily. But so far I have only found one company that sells it and its not that great. So, I think I am going to have my own made. I have lots of friends with artistic talent that can surely put a design together for me. (*cough, cough*- Arley, Amy, Seth, Amy-Jo...)

I have also decided that I am going to be Ouiser for Halloween next year. Usually I like to keep my costume a secret but I am too excited about this one! I still am trying to decide which scene I am going to try to emulate but I think I have decided on the one where she comes into Truvy's wearing overalls and carrying a bag of tomatoes (you know, the track lighting scene). Classic.

Now, go...watch...enjoy.

Friday, January 2, 2009

The thing I hate most about the mall...

...is the smell of Abercrombie. You start to smell it about about 5 stores ahead and you keep smelling it the rest of way. I absolutely can't stand it!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Welcome 2009!

I am beyond excited for 2009's arrival tonight. I have been anxiously awaiting for it to come since it Jan. 1 2008. The length of this past year has seemingly been way more than 365 days and I am more than ready to see it go. I will chalk this year up as one I would like to forget. I lost three loved ones this year and it seemed to just be a year of tragedy in our family.

There have been a few wonderful things that I want to take note of though...

In June, two of my sweet LifeGroup girls made important decisions. One of them was baptized at Summer Camp and one accepted Christ that same week. It was a time that I felt God's powerful movement that I had been missing in the first half of the year (not because he wasn't moving, just because I was not looking for him.)

In August, I got to go to Guatemala with our 20 of our students to do ministry to Guatemala City. I never thought Central America was a place that I had any desire or passion for. But I knew as soon as I stepped off the plane that I was going to love it. So many great things happened that week and I was so glad to have the privilege of watching our students step way, way out of their comfort zones and teach the Bible to kids their own age through an interpreter! It was a great trip!

September was the big one for me. For years I had been wanting to go with our church to South Africa. The word "excited" does not even capture a glimpse of how I felt leading up to it! I was so thankful that my friends and family supported me to go- financially, prayerfully- in every way! I learned so many new things about God and his love for people. I loved seeing how he works on the other side of the world just as well as here. Its one of those ideas that you always believe is true, but can't quite grasp until you experience it.

I am so thankful for those experiences that carried me though this "year to forget." I will miss Dad, Annabelle, and Grandma forever. I pray that God will allow our family to heal and make it through 2009 in one piece and that he will continue to bring moments and opportunities like the ones above.

See you never again, 2008. You will not be missed.

Friday, December 26, 2008

I have the cutest parents in the world.

John got his first iPod for Christmas and now he's hooked. We've had to shout at him all day because he walks aroud the house with it on all the time.