Growing up

So today I made a big step in growing up.
well, maybe a medium step.
I dropped off an application to work at a bank... yes, a bank.
and yes I am still currently blonde, and use my fingers and toes to count, but they have calculators.... right?
And then again having dark hair never really helped matters much.

I also had to give up some of my hipster ways.... including my nose ring.
I almost died.
I also never exaggerate.
But seriously, I cant remember the last time I ironed a pair of pants.


This is how I felt, minus the classy lipstick.

Sorry.

But seriously, these are hilarious. I can't resist.

Viva Roma!

Have you ever wished you had the time and resources to go see the sights of Italy? To see all the grand buildings and marvelous paintings? Well you can! From the comfort of your very own chair, couch, bed.. whatever you happen to be sitting on at the moment, you can see all the great works of the masters of the Renaissance!

See for yourself!

For a breathtaking view of  Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, click here for a virtual tour : http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.htmlst peter’s basilica

If you would like to see an in depth study of one Michaelangelo’s famous sculptures that is, “David” click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaHSgbsjjnI&feature=relatedSistine Chapel

If you’d rather travel to Saint Peter’s Basilica click here: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/vr_tour/index-en.html

Ministry of Silly Walks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w

A Honest Look

Take an honest look inside your heart. Is Christ at the center of your affections? Is He the Sun around which all the planets of your life revolve? How often do you get caught up in the things of this world and just live moment by moment. Does it feel like a rollercoaster? Some days you wake up


eager to serve Him and do the right thing and on others, it's always the last thing on your mind?

When you go to bed at night and you think back through all of you actions of the day, how many were dictated by your love of Him and your reliance on His grace, or how many were just plain and simply for you?

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "Christ is not at the center, my ways wander," to 10 being "Christ is at the center, I try to follow all His ways,"
What number are you. Really.
Yes there will always be fluctuations, but what is your overall desire?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 86:11-13
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Grenade -- Bruno Mars

Here's a cover of a splendid song by a splendid artist! With a splendid friend who has a splendid voice.

I'll just say it again. splendid.
ha ok seriously here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS1CAo3I6D4

enjoy! :)

Posted post

"Hi, Hello, this is the Department of Redundancy Department, on your left is the ATM machine, but be sure to enter your PIN number irregardless of your habitual habits."

Original Title

I couldn't decide what to call this post, but clearly I came up with something original.
Anwho.... 
This says it all.

And this is my top favorite blog. so. many. cool things.

even better than my own, as much as I hate to say it.
but there I did.

so check it out, and then come back to your friendly neighborhood blogger. ;)

That Awkward Moment When:

You realize, that for all of Disney's dazzling creativity, they can't come up with an original fairy tale.

Video Coming Soon!

I've been furiously working on a song to share with you lovely people, so check back soon.

While you're waiting, look at this picture.















It should keep you busy for a while.





If that doesn't work, here's another:

And some more:

...and that's enough for now, go back your work, breakfast, laundry........Facebook, whatever.

Mischief

A small mischievous part of my heart wants to compose a song entirely out of popular ringtones, and specifically the iPhone one. It will then go on to be wildly famous and be played on the radio, every restaurant, and place of gathering, just to throw people off their rockers. Can you imagine the hilarity? The song comes on and every single head in the room will look down to dig in their pocket, purse, or manpurse, and then look back up, mystified.

one day.

Ironic? cont.

I know it's humid outside, but I  just saw a seagull fly outside my window.

Who says Nebraska needs an ocean?

Ironic?

A few days ago, I headed to the gym. I became increasingly frustrated that all the open parking stalls were so far away from the doors.

Better than a Snuggie? I say YES!

There's not a whole lot to say.... just take a look at these pictures.

Penguins may live in the frigid snowy lands of Antarctica, but these furry little guys will keep you toasty warm all night!

Panda faces. What more could you want?

Do you dream of sleeping in sushi? Wish granted.

Have you always felt like there was a leopard inside you that was dying to get out? Well, hide no more friend, hide no more.

Unleash your inner rock star... while you sleep?

Coffee in the Morning

  As always, the aroma gets to me first. So brown, so comforting, it is a sensory experience like no other. When I pull open that door to my favorite local coffee shop, it wraps itself around me like an old friend and stays with me long after I have left. Today, on this early Saturday morning, there is a sense of semi-organized chaos. Nearly all the tables and chairs are occupied by various people. On the left, in the corner, is a tall young man with tousled hair hunched over his MacBook, typing languidly. If his face is any indication, the contents of his composition are mind-numbing and boring, perhaps a dreaded research paper on tapeworms. Every few minutes, he looks up at the entrance. Whether he is expecting someone, is seeking to break the boredom, or is anxious to leave, I know not which, but imagine it to be a combination of both. Directly across from this long legged hipster are two high school girls, evidenced partly by the (lack of) length of their shorts and the corresponding weather outside, but mostly by the sweatshirts they proudly wear, emblazoned with their school colors and logo. They speak extensively and emphatically of meaningless things: "crazy hard classes" (but not meaning the physical density of the classes,) and "lame teachers"  (nor the mobility of their professors) and of course who likes who, how they know, and what "everybody" thinks of that, not generalities, names, as well as descriptions of physical appearance are sure to be thrown around with tasteless freedom, as they sip on their stereotypical frappes. Thankfully, they are soon ready to leave and divert their short attention spans elsewhere. Sitting in the two couches directly across from me, an older couple partake in their customary black coffee and scones, evidently gaining no small amount of pleasure from the weekly ritual. Few words are exchanged, they are comfortable with each other and with silence, content to share tidbits of information they gather in the newspaper they share. Nearby, in lowered tones another couple share their plans, their hopes and dreams for the future, across a small table. They must be either newly engaged or married, indicated by the pronounced, adoring stares into one other's eyes, broken only by the numerous glances of the woman to her lately decorated left ring finger. A small family enters with their two young children who charm the cafe with their big brown eyes and little voices. Both must be under the age of 5, the younger one perhaps 2, and the older close to 4. After taking in her surroundings, the small girl breaks her fast and her silence simultaneously, loudly expressing her delight at have a donut and milk for her first meal of the day, and her little brother adds his thoughts on the matter by babbling and cooing to his parents' delight. Their added noise however, goes unnoticed in the other layers of harmony. The sound of clanking metal pitchers, along with the calling of drinks by the baristas and the mindless articulations and communications of those waiting in line at the register all come together to form a beloved and familiar melody as I write. It forms a cozy background of familiarity that melds in to one song: the sound of coffee in the morning.

Tweets you can twitter at

Along with being a (magnificent) self pronounced "Professional Scribbler, Warbler, and Ivory Tickler,"
Josh Groban quite often has delightfully witty tweets that I thought warranted sharing.
To see for yourself follow that link... 
or just read some of them here:

---- -- ---- --- ---- --
"Gyro from a corner street vendor- 4$. The warmth of a chorus of grease covered angels singing "nom nom nom!" down my esophagus- priceless. "

Upon finding a name twin:
"Crazy find in the NY Times! Congrats Josh! http://t.co/tMAol7B"

"Even when talking to myself I lose focus and ask to "repeat that last part"

How come as a "classically influenced pop singer" I don't get to lash out in song at the haters the way rappers do?

Not incredibly witty, but I appreciate the sentiment:
"I need a cup of coffee. #focusplease


Oh empty hotel ice holder. You tease. #warmdietcokeagain


I'm so tired I'm seriously contemplating putting my head down on this bag of unopened potato chips and sleeping on my kitchen counter.

 Soon after his latest tour dates were announced:

"You crashed the sites!! :) It's cool, my label is switching away from the AOL dial up CD-ROM they seem to be using so it should be fixed soon."

After Christina A. anthem fiasco at that one football game...
"And for those warning me to practice, make no mistake, I WILL forget the words.... then make up other words that feel equally patriotic."

"HEAVY, a show about obesity on A&E is sponsored by Sargento cheese snacks. #uncouth


"Tokyo, I love you but there's an eye in my soup."

Fact:

 This is neither a thought, nor a musing, nor an escapade. It is as simple as the title states, a fact.
If you ask me a question, my opinion, or request an action of any sort while I am listening to this artist and most any other music, there is a 98% chance I will either:
A) Not hear you, **
B) Hear you, but not make the mental effort to translate the sounds of your mouth to meaning, and then promptly forget you ever spoke,
or, with the other 2% left
C) Hear you, but not make the mental effort to translate the sounds of your mouth to meaning, then 10 minutes later, remember that someone was talking to me about something, sometime ago.



** note. eye contact is not a factor. I could be staring straight at you, but you should not see this as evidence that I am paying any attention to you.

Squirrel Madness

If this doesn't make you laugh, you're probably dead. Put down your  milk, beer, champagne, or whatever you're guzzling, swallow, and then click here.

Thought

Can a goldfish can come close to understanding the depth, and power of the ocean? In the safety of a little bowl, ceaseless waves have no meaning.
I serve a God I cannot understand, never fully comprehend. But the God who spoke the universe into being sent His son to die for me. I owe him my life. Every moment, every breath is His.

A Cosby Sweater

Strands of yarn all twisted together
all those colors in pattern, not making any sense
So iconic, so nostalgic
So reminiscent of family vacations in an old hotel room

They danced this way
They danced that way
And every which way.
They all had their problems
But every 30 minutes, they were all resolved



Oh Mr Huxstable.
Just one look was all it took to send us into a fit of giggles
Just one  blank stare
Just one half grin

And sweet little Rudy with that little tiny face and the big attitude. She knew her mind and let everyone else have the pleasure as well
Good ole Theo could always be counted on for a laugh
Denise and the other sister, they were cool too.
Mrs H kept the peace, held down the fort, and loved her man.
This fictional family, so very different from our own, yet so much the same.






Then came that little red button, so equally loved and hated, depending on the moment.
It was pressed for the last time, the lights turned off, and all was dark, all was silent.
Yet in our minds echoed the lines we had repeated, and laughter had we shared.

Good clean fun, that's all it was. That's all we wanted
How we all enjoyed those long summer nights that always seemed so short.

Catscapade

I found a little surprise in my laundry basket today

... normally I would be less than than thrilled, but look at that little face.

love.him.

I am stunned and speechless.

  This does not happen very often, but after watching one of the many videos from the tragedy in Japan, I don't think there is anything anyone can say. The is destruction is like something out of a movie, but 10 times worse. Here is the 10 min clip. It's unreal how fast their world has been turned upside down by that one life giving element: water.
  Most of us have no frame of reference for what these people are going through. Here in the Midwest there is little fear of our homes being swept away by an ocean. But though I cannot understand, my prayer is that through this catastrophe, Christ's name would be magnified by the believers still living there. Who, even in the face of losing loved ones and their entire livelihoods, can still be at peace in the knowledge of His sovereignty. I pray that they would remember they are not of this world, that in this momentary affliction they would look evermore longingly towards the eternity promised to them by their gracious and compassionate Savior. That these suffering men and women would be a blazing testimony to those around them of the hope that they have in Christ. That they would boldly share one of the few things left in their possession, to those without hope who have nothing. I pray that they would take advantage of every opportunity to love one another in word and deed, bearing with one another.

I think of the last half of Romans 8 -

 Christ Jesus is the one who died―more than that, who was raised―who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


I also pray for those who do not believe, that they would see the futility of putting their hope in the things of this world. That these events, along with the Holy Spirit, would open their eyes to their own mortality and the fragility of life.

Music Video for the Day

Brendan James has a voice that sounds like his broken soul, and he makes exquisite use of octaves and harmonies.
watch this and never be the same.

Exercise

Fact:
If I tell my legs to run on a treadmill and then do 50 lunges, they in turn, will tell me that they are incapable of walking down the stairs without collapsing, and will force me to meander around like a drunk hippo.

Thought:

this is the 8th post.

I've posted more in one evening than I probably will for the duration of this blog.


Ridiculous.

Hairscapade... I mean Escapade.

Due to it's length, and also the length of time that has passed since I washed it it, my hair has gotten quite fluffy, and this is a 30 sec look into the hairstyles available to me.

Musing:

Life has been so very busy lately, and a few nights ago, this came to mind, maybe one day it will turn into a song.

What would I give for a moment of clarity,
To live in the moment, not gasping for breath in an ocean of doubt.
Spinning before my eyes
The weight is pulling me down.
Down, down ever further

I am Alice in a terrible wonderland,
I recognize nothing
Always chasing, but never finding
Peace peace is all I want,
is all I need
Yet from the source i flee
Why do I run from the only solution? Would I reject the Truth that sits on my shelf
With pride I declare my independence and relinquish my soul. I am my own master and the captain of my ship.

But I cannot live this way
Oh Jesus!!
I run headlong from Your leading
and ever flee Your grace
Show me your mercy,
Show me your grace.
No one deserves it, least of all me!
Bring me to my knees
To your throne of majesty

How can a God like you, so holy so mighty, forgive a wretch like me!?
I will never comprehend your love, but in it's depths I am content
and I am safe.
Show me your mercy
show me your grace
take my heart
and give me yours

Just take the day moment by moment
Pausing for breath won't slow you down
It will let you survive
Set your mind on things above and the things below will fall into place

Context.

 A very dear friend of mine pointed out today that there is a very fine line between "vintage" and "old lady"

Truer words were never spoken.

If you're having a generous moment, you can feel free to buy me this.

but never this. ever.

Elastic

Fat pants keep me sane. Ladies, you know what I mean.

Bothersome butter

Unfortunately, despite the name, Petite French Cakes make you neither French, nor petite.

They do however, consist almost entirely of butter, and thereby are utterly delectable.

Expresso? NO!

Despite having worked at a coffee shop for almost 2 years, every single time I write or type the words 'coffee' or 'espresso', i always spell them this way first: coofee, esspresso, and then have to go back and change it.
Ridiculous.
Obviously there are other words too, but those are the ones that come to mind at present.

Mini madness

I have a weakness for anything mini.... especially small coffee mugs and espresso cups. Little paintings, tiny baby shoes, you name it.

This, however does not apply to skirts, paychecks or ice cream bowls.