Why I'm in a Great Mood on Monday:

Reason #1:  Even though I had to get up while it was still pitch dark outside on Saturday morning and go run, I beat my goal!! KK and I had a slumber party on Friday night (circa 1995) and woke up to freezing temps the next morning. It was COLD at 6:30…so we walked to Starbucks and then stole a cab to get to the race. I had no idea it would be SO packed. There were people everywhere! Overall, I ran a 10:50 mile and finished the whole course in 33:37. Not bad for not running in almost two weeks! KK performed her duty as distracter perfectly and talked the entire time while I sweated it out.

 My only complaint is that the course was entirely too small for 12,000 people to run at once. At one point we were running on the Shedd Aquarium lawn. I didn’t eat anything before hand (except a Apple Spice from Starbucks) so my blood sugar dropped pretty low right after the race. Fortunately, they had plenty of chocolate fondue and hot chocolate ready! I wish I could eat that after every run! In all, it was a great race. Definitely motivated me to start running more and beat my current time!

Reason #2: My mom & Lex are in town!! YAY! I love my momma and was excited when she wanted to come up for my uncle’s play reading. My parents have had Lexie for about a month now. It’s extremely depressing to not have her around all the time. However, being her mother, I have to put her best interests first (even if she is "just a dog"). With me, she’s locked up four days a week in her crate from 8am – 6pm and went to daycare one day a week (of which she was terrified.) By the time I get home from work, it’s dark and she gets a quick walk around the neighborhood before we lounge around or I head out to some other plans.

With my parents, she gets to sleep in till whenever, she has a backyard to run around in, my parents are home most of the time (perks of working for yourself), she has our family dog, Pache, to play with, AND my mother sets up play-dates for her with other little dogs. No joke. Looking at this, it’s really no comparison that the best place for her is with my parents. I can still have her back whenever I want and can travel home as much as I want to see her. She still sleeps with me when I’m home, but the best thing for her right now is to be there. Her life is better. It absolutely kills me to type that because she is my baby and she’s a big part of my life.

I miss her every day, but right now, my mom and dad need her more. They love having her around and have been spoiling her beyond reason. At any rate, mom & Lex are here through Wednesday spending time with Uncle Drew & I. Very exciting. I see lots of shopping in my future.

Reason #3: Speaking of shopping: Before we went to the play reading last night, we stopped off at the shiny new Apple Store in Lincoln Park. I’ve had a craptastic PC for the past three years and it’s been a special hell trying to fight with it. I was just going to look into which one I’d want, but ended up walking out with this beauty:

                                             

 Oh yes. It is mine. It will be my new boyfriend. Not really, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be obsessed with it for quite some time. Plus, the Apple Store will take my old PC and transfer EVERYTHING over to my new boyfriend – er, Mac. It feels good to be a Mac. I can’t wait to get home and open it up! So very exciting!

Reason #4: Finally, this pretty, married lady is back from her honeymoon!! YAY! I know it was only a week, but when you literally email/talk to someone every day, it’s a long freakin’ time not to hear from someone! She was definitely my first email this morning…I can’t wait to see the pictures from Cabo and the wedding!

Tattoos - Do?

I’m normally a pretty tame person. I don’t have any tattoos and outside of my ears, the only thing pierced is my belly button. And to be really honest, the only reason I did that was because my ex-boyfriend told me it’d make a whore. Seriously. Word for word what he said. So, in order to prove him wrong, I did it. We broke up. Thank goodness. And guess what!? It didn’t make me a whore…quite the opposite, actually.

I digress. My parents originally told my brother and me when we went to college that if we got tattoos, they wouldn’t pay for school. This was enough to scare the bejeesus out of us. Around my junior year, they recanted and said we could do whatever we wanted. Awesome! Landon went right out and got a very tasteful tattoo on his shoulder blade. It’s a cross with a dove that represents some of his favorite Bible verses. Good for him.

I, on the other hand, didn’t want to get anything that didn’t mean anything to me. I also wasn’t ever really sure where I would put said tattoo. This is a very important decision. If I put it anywhere on my torso, it would stretch out when I have kids. If I put it on my shoulders, it would show in my wedding dress. I was told that if you got it on your lower back, it messes with a possible epidural (not sure if this is true or not). So, I just decided not to get one for the time being.

Fast forward about seven years. I’m out at my favorite bar in Nashville – The Stage. They have the best in-house band on Saturday nights – The Lewis Copeland Band. The lead singer’s tattoo catches my eye. It’s hard to see in the picture below. It says “blessed” but the “b” and the “d” are treble clef music symbols. I loved it. Not only because it was different, but because it meant something personal. I didn’t really think anything else of it, but just that it was really creative.


Credit: here


I wasn’t about to run out and copy his tattoo or anything, I just liked it. It stuck in my head. I have a really hard time remembering how blessed I truly am. Even though my life isn’t perfect, I’m so dang lucky. I started thinking that maybe I would get a “blessed” tattoo on my left wrist. Not big or anything, but tasteful and something I could cover up with a watch if I wanted to. I liked the idea, but if I’m going to get something permanently put on my body, I’m going to love it.

I was at home a while later helping my mom unpack in the new house. My mom is like me. She has a TON. OF. STUFF. So much that I didn’t know she had most of it. Well, I was unpacking a box and came across this:

Seriously. It’s a little sign that says “Blessed” in an adorable font. I didn’t know my mom had this, but took it as a sign (pun intended) that if I were to get a tattoo, this is what it would look like. Simple, tasteful and meaningful…and easily hidden. Everything I wanted.

So, now I’m just being chicken. I don’t really like needles, but I love this idea. Now I’m asking you all – do you have any tattoos? What and where are they? Do you like them? Does it really hurt that bad? Do you regret getting it? I’m so very curious to hear your answers!

"Gettin' Married"

One of the commenters from my "Planning" post directed me to this video.  It's so perfect :) 

**If you are a gettin' married or havin' babies...please do not take offense.  Sometimes single girls feel this way and it has nothing to do with you :) **

My Life...on another blog

I found an amazing blog post that perfectly describes my life...with pictures, no less.  The hysterical Allie at Hyperbole & a Half makes perfect light of my lack of responsibility.  Whenever I have a bad day, this is where I go to laugh. 

Here's my favorite post:  This is Why I'll Never Be An Adult.  Seriously one of the best blog posts I've seen in a while!  She's a definite favorite in my Google reader :)

25 Things

**I did one of these a while back on Facebook.  That one was pretty lame. 

This one is slightly less lame.**

1. When I have more than two drinks, my Southern accent comes out. I have no control over this, but people in Chicago think it’s hilarious.


2. I can hear a song one time and sing it back to you. Memorizing lyrics is my talent

3. I can still do the splits, reach 8 inches past my toes and touch my head to my feet…backwards. That’s what 10 years of gymnastics will do to you. These also make for great bar tricks.

4. I absolutely suck at team sports. Anyone who’s seen me play kickball can attest to this.

5. I talk to my dog. Sometimes, she answers me.

6. I speed read. Due to this, I’ve actually read the same book twice without realizing it until later.

7. People in Tennessee call me a Yankee because I'm from Indiana, but people from Chicago call me a southerner because I'm from Indiana.

8. I'm terrified of a lot of Disney movies. The main ones are Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Lady & the Tramp, and Bambi. For some reason I have horrible memories of these movies and absolutely refuse to watch them.

9. I still have bad dreams about the “Kiddy-Napper” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. That guy scared the crap out of me as a kid, but I still love the movie.

10. My Google Reader is full of wedding photographers and Mom’s of Multiples Blogs. I don’t know why I find both of those so fascinating.

11. I have recently learned that I cannot and should not dance in public. People can take pictures of it…and it’s not pretty.

12. I'm obsessed with music. Any kind: Broadway, Country, Pop, 80s, Classic Rock, ect. When I hear a song, it takes me back to the place I first heard it. I always have music on and usually sing in the shower & the car. 

13. I hate shopping for clothes. I love shopping for shoes and home décor.

14. I’m happiest when I’m near water. Any type: Ocean, Lake, Swimming pool…whatever.

15. I’m a big believer in going with your gut. It’s nearly impossible for me to ignore mine.

16. I love my huge family. My little cousins are adorable – all 23 of them. It is so much fun to watch them grow up.

17. I took piano lessons for 10 years and can absolutely not play anything. I desperately wish my parents wouldn’t have let me quit.

18. The only living thing allowed in my apartment (besides me & my roommate) is my dog. Plants don’t stand a chance with me. It’s a disaster.

19. Sometimes, my favorite thing to do is nothing. I love just laying around the house in my PJs and snuggling with Lexie.

20. I love DVR. I hate commercials. Currently, I’m addicted to: Glee, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Law & Order SVU, & Brother’s & Sisters.

21. Caffeine makes me go insane. I’m not allowed to have iced coffee and be around people…I literally bounce.

22. I refuse to settle…for anything.

23. I thought I’d get married at 25 – I’m rapidly approaching 27 and am shockingly ok with the fact that I’m nowhere near being married.

24. I didn’t drink beer all throughout college. I do now…and love it.

25. It’s really hard to think of 25 things…plus, I’m at work…I should probably go get some work done :)

Planning - It's What I Do.

Isn’t it funny how life never turns out the way you expect it to? In high school, I thought I’d graduate college, move to Chicago, meet the man of my dreams right away and get married at 25. Then naturally, after two years, I’d have kids, quit my job and stay home with them to be the ultimate homemaker. Sounds pretty perfect, right?


Insert sarcastic laughs here.

Obviously, my life has turned out nothing like I thought it would. I moved to Nashville after college – a place that wasn’t even on my list of places to move. I did a job that I wasn’t crazy about for more than three years. I did meet a guy right away – but unfortunately, it wasn’t the right one. Since I’m rapidly approaching 27, I clearly didn’t get married at 25…and I’m not anywhere close to getting married. I don’t have kids and Martha Stewart would be embarrassed by my homemaking.

To be honest, when I compare the difference of where I thought I would be and where I actually am, it makes me a little depressed. But then, I look back at the past four years and think of what I would have missed if my life had gone according to MY plan. I never would have lived in the South…which means I wouldn’t have met Jen & Stacia – who are now more like sisters than friends. I wouldn’t be “Aunt Linny” to an adorable Babykins. I wouldn’t have learned to stand on my own two feet. I never would have learned my limits with relationships and wouldn’t be able to see the beauty in starting over. I wouldn’t have my perfect puppy, or the job experience I needed to get where I am. And most importantly, I wouldn’t have learned how to forgive or about God’s never-ending grace.

So, while it can be disheartening to compare my life to MY plan…it’s the opposite when I compare it to God’s plan. I needed to take a detour to see how amazing my life really is. As much as I love to plan things (um, I do it for a living!), my plans pale in comparison to His.

God’s plan for my life is perfect. Mine is not. End of story.

He knows who I’ll marry and at what time…and when it’s right, it will be right. He knows where we’ll live, how many kids we’ll be blessed with and what kind of life we’ll lead. Once I started realizing this, it became so much easier to be happy with where I am in life. My life is never going to be perfect – but it’s through the imperfections that I learn more about myself, God and grace. I think that’s a pretty good trade-off…

“The struggles make us stronger and the changes make us wise.

Happiness has its own way of taking its sweet time.

Life ain’t always beautiful, but it’s a beautiful ride.”

~ Gary Allan

Floods

I found this on a random blog and it hit me hard with all the flooding in Nashville.  It's such a beautiful point of view, I thought I'd share it.

"Pick A Road
[originally posted: June 30, 2008]
 You know the Robert Frost poem about two roads diverging in the woods? It's been popping into my head a lot lately and makes me wonder if it may be how God works with free will.

 I know, it's scary to think about how my brain works, isn't it?

 Bear with me. I've been watching a lot of news coverage about the horrible effects of the floods around my area. At first it was a constant state of urgency about the water levels and people needing to evacuate different neighborhoods. One news station was running solely on generators and kept apologizing for the fact they hadn't showered in three days because they were in the heart of the hardest hit area and had no running water.

 To be honest, that part of the tragedy was easier to watch.

 Now we are hearing about the long-term effects. The contamination. The waste. The ruined homes. The plans to demolish. The homeless. The jobless. The exhaustion. It breaks my heart. And somehow, so many of the people interviewed talk about the hope they feel, the resolve to rebuild and make their lives strong again. You can tell it's at the core of who they are, because it's their instinct to believe in hope even when their eyes are so very weary.

 There was recently a news piece about a church community that had lost their building, and another faith denomination had offered their church as a place of worship. The interviewer was asking different people about their situations and how their faith has pulled them through. Some people said they knew things were going to be ok and they couldn't make it without their faith. Others just simply said they didn't know how God could do this to them. And I think it's a valid question; when you talk about God having a plan for us... then wouldn't the bad stuff be in His plan as well? But that question lacks a key component: free will.

 Free will means that stuff is going to happen. We make choices every day that affect the outcome of our lives. We choose where to live. We choose who to marry. We make decisions about our education or having children or where to have dinner. People with more power in society decided where to build towns and levies and infrastructure.

 And then it rains.

 I don't think God looked around this Earth and decided one day to mess with the people of Iowa. I think all of our decisions and our ancestors' decisions came together with a natural rain and it created an opportunity for a flood. Free will. Stuff happens. Could God stop it all? You bet. But He promised us He wouldn't. He gave us free will and the opportunity to make ourselves strong again.

 That's where the poem comes into play. (I told you my brain would take you there eventually.)

 I think in front of every person who is hurt, God lays out paths in front of them... roads, if you will. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, but they are choices for us to make. You can rebuild your home, you can move away, you can relocate to higher ground. And whichever road you choose to walk down, I think God is on it making sure you see the potholes you could fall in, the pebbles you could trip over and the sunshine that could warm your face through the trees. In every instance, I truly believe He is putting the possibility of blessings on your path if you're willing to reach out and take them.

 I'm not so crazy as to believe any one of the roads will be easy. You might choose a road of self-pity and despair for awhile, but eventually you'll stumble on a blessing that will make your path smoother. It's not about God making sure bad stuff never happens. It's about the fact that He holds us when it does. That's what dad's do best. They don't stop you from trying new things. They don't tell you not to take any chances. They cheer you on when you choose to try. They tell you that anything is possible. And when you mess up, when you fail, when you fall... a dad picks you up, brushes you off and wipes your tears away. Then he tells you to try again.

 The flood victims are in the stage where they need to be brushed off and their tears wiped away, but I believe with my whole heart that there will be roads diverging in front of them, and God will be there cheering them on as they try again. Because that's what fathers do."

"But It's My Heart I'll Follow This Time."

I remember watching the CMAs and hearing this song performed, but never remembered to download it.  I finally remembered and am now flat out addicted to it.  It's on repeat in my car, iPod and everything else.  I <3 it.  For some reason, it just speaks to me.  Probably because I just left Tennessee to follow my heart.  At any rate, check it out.  (And Daughtry too...that guy can SING.)