Happy Little Trees

This blog will be temporarily out of order for a brief period of vacation.

Until that time, here's some random pics to view. If you want to blog a story about them (using all pics in sequential order), go for it. The best post wins a $5 Starbucks gift card. Ciao.

1976 Reese Witherspoon (actress)
1975 Beth Richards (superstar)
1972 Elvis Stajko (figure skater)
1959 Matthew Modine (actor)
1952 Bob Coastas (tv news and sports reporter)
1948 Andrew Lloyd Webber (composer)
1936 Glen Campbell (singer, actor, host)
1931 William Shatner (actor)

1. Good hair days are usually good days. The great curly or straight debate can keep on, but I have the right to choose my own hair for the day.
2. Just when I think I’ve got my life all planned out, usually things change. And change is okay. But requires a heap of prayer time.
3. I now understand why MTV VJs are usually “let go” once they hit 30. Adam Curry, I miss you!! You were my favorite!
4. Make-up is a good friend to me.
5. My life still has meaning and purpose even though I might be the only one single and childless from my graduating class of 1993.
6. It’s okay that my job does not match the major listed on my diploma.
7. Nothing is impossible with God. Don’t freak out.
8. It’s important for me to look at the majesty and intricacies of nature and appreciate it.
9. God hears me. And it’s important for me to be still and hear Him.
10. Times when I am most dissatisfied with life, are times when I am wrapped up in me, and not God.
11. I love to laugh, and find great joy in making other people laugh.
12. We usually all need help at one time or another. It’s sometimes stressful to be a one-man show.
13. I’ve got so much more to learn about God, life, other people, love, and myself.
14. I need friends and family. I’ve been so blessed by them.
15. Birthdays are fun days. :)

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

1.Scrub bathroom with Comet, and spray Tilex where needed.

2.Wash dishes and put them away—don’t just leave them drying in the sink.

3.Sweep up all red hair dust bunnies and shine a few spots on the wood floor.

4.Dust entire apartment—or just places where you can write you name in dust.

5.Lower Windex level since last visit either by dousing bathroom mirror, or emptying a bit into sink.

6.Dust off all other cleaning supplies she purchased during her last visit and make last weak attempt to figure out how to use them.

7.Throw away handy pre-moistened dust cloths and “Swiffer Wet” cloths that have dried up under the sink since mom purchased during her last visit.

8.Hide all personal journals from 2000 to present.

9.Stock the frig with Diet Pepsi.

10.Make a space for her suitcase.

11.Have remote handy and channel preset to HGTV.

12.Don’t forget to pick her up at the airport!

Today is my mom’s birthday. She’s 60. Whoah. That’s a chunk of change!

I wish I could e-mail my mom, and make you e-mail her, but she’s a Renaissance woman. And doesn’t have an e-mail.
Since you probably don’t know my mom, here’s her story:

My mom was born near Owensboro, Kentucky, and my Uncle Gordon had to trek through the snow to find the doctor (so legend says). At the age of 15, she moved from the third largest city in Kentucky, to the third smallest city. That’s where, at the age of 16, she met my dad. She married my dad at the age of 18, had her first child at the age of 19 (teenage pregnancy!), and then my brother at 21, and she thought she was done. She and my dad moved 13 times all around the state of Kentucky, before finally settling into their beautiful farmhouse estate in Dundee. They had to move because of an unexpected surprise (“Well, we wanted you after we saw you!”) of me being born to my mom when she was feeling really old at the age of 28.

My mom has had a few jobs, but has spent most of her life serving the community, church, and her family with amazing devotion. She’s the busiest woman without a fulltime job that I know. She’s been known to do crazy things sometimes like mow the lawn with a flashlight, put on wigs to go undercover, and vacuum at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. She doesn’t stop. In later years, I think I’ve figured out that my mom carries the family gene of something called “A.D.D.”

My mom loves to laugh and is always smiling. She likes to sing everything she says. And she likes fluffed hair and Aqua Net. She likes to shop, but just because she needs stuff. She loves to talk. She loves to decorate houses and “detail” cars to cover flaws (with creative uses of stickers and ducktape). She’s not scared to kill bugs. She loves to watch movies. She’s a very hard worker (it makes me tired to think about it). She also is “Grandmother Judy” to six grandchildren and the favorite mother-in-law to two.

Growing up with my mom was like being part of a comedy series. I was her sidekick for many years. She didn’t believe in babysitters, so I had to—I mean--got to--go everywhere with her.

Mom, Happy Birthday. I love you very much and even though it scares me that I stand like you and sometimes things pop out of my mouth that are from you, I love you love you love you.

I've told quite a few of my single lady friends this story (in more detail of course).

My friend, Stephanie, has a beautiful love story about how she and her honey-bunny met. Brief synopsis: They met as kids, kept in touch by letters, and later starting dating again. All those years when praying for God to bless her with a husband, she prayed, Brian or better. Well, ladies, Stephanie married Brian, and she now lives happily ever after with Mr. Crazy Irishman.

I love this picture. Stephanie, we will all keep praying for you! :)

1.Sammy Davis, Jr. was on my bus today. He was dressed in a black suit, white patent leather shoes, had a gold hoop earring, Ray Ban jazz sunglasses, and a white cabbie hat. He was telling a crazy story to the lady across from him reading a book, but she couldn’t understand him because I think he forgot his teeth this morning. I really don’t know why he had a toothbrush in his hand. Maybe that was part of his story.

2.While standing at the sink in the work bathroom, I noticed a sweet lady’s pedicure and almost screamed. She had hot pink tootsie nails that hung over the toe about an inch on the big guy that went to the market down to about ½ inch for the little guy that went wee wee wee all the way home. How in the world would you wear sneakers with those monsters?

Today I experienced the first part of verse 2 through news from friends within a period of an hour. First, I heard about a death. And then I heard about a new baby on the way. One moment, I’m at my desk crying because of the unexpected death of a friend’s husband, and the next, I’m laughing with excitement because a dear friend is expecting a bambino.

Life is so precious. So hard. So miserable. So joyful. So fun. God help us. God love us. Teach us to treasure life and live it to the full. Moment by moment.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I just ran into my friend that is a reporter. She came to my work to do a story. She saw my Obi Wan outfit.

We were checking out other people's outfits that we wished we had. And somehow in the midst of all our fun, we both became the backdrop to the focus of the news.

So, I might be on TV looking very much like Forrest Gump in the back of a newsclip, but I'll really look like Forrest Gump dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi wearing an Annie wig.

I am dressed like Obi Wan Kenobi today. Things like this happen to people without washer/dryer access in their homes.

I’m wondering if I’ll have any Star Wars fans subconsciously make a pass at me.

I did my taxes last night. I get a refund. YES!

I guess I can either pay on my credit card, or buy myself a necklace from Tiffany's.
Since I'm mature and almost 32, I'll pay some $ on my credit card.

My baristas are back. I was so glad to see them! Funky Glasses Guy waited on me. Today I was wild and ordered something new. I got a Tazo One-pack Honey-Sweetened Green/Passion Mix. Wild, I tell you.

The other baristas offered me new suggestions for the upcoming hot weather. Like the tea above, but with a squirt of syrup in the tea. Or changing my regular Soy Chai Latte to a frap. See why I love these guys?!

I feel like dancing today. I’ve been going around the office doing dance moves, but nobody is really noticing.

Last night at Young Life, the Spring Break crew came, and we wound up dancing a lot. We had so much fun. I found out about “krump” dancing, and I think I’m going to try it next time I’m in a dance-off.

Maybe I can bust out moves like that when I go on the cruise.

Another cool move is when you pretend you unzip somebody's brain, try it on, think a bit, and then put it back. I almost wanted to take notes, but decided that might not be cool.

I heard that UK was in the NCAA tournament, and I got so excited, I started watching ESPN. I didn’t think they would make it since they lost the SEC. ESPN had a show totally devoted the NCAA tournament called ESPN-U. Of course, they want you to contact your cable provider and spend $69.99 to get the package for tournament time.

Kentucky has three teams in the tournament: Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, and UK. My alma mater is Western Kentucky, which sometimes does get to see some tournament play if the stars are aligned right that year, but not this year. Even so, out of the three teams playing, I would cheer for UK, then Eastern Kentucky (because they’re kind of like an underdog), and then maybe for Louisville. Maybe. Depending on the suit Rick Pitino was wearing. And I also cheer for whoever is playing against Duke.

On ESPNU last night, we went over “Bracketology.” My homework assignment is to print out my bracket and make predictions. Things don’t appear to look too hopeful for Kentucky since they might have to face Kansas if they advance, but you never know what can happen during the tournament.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/2229129?MSNHPHCP>1=9232.

Oh! If you want to be a UK fan, too, read this from the UK Athletic website:
Sunday’s bid is the 48th all time for Kentucky, which is an NCAA record. The 16-straight appearance is the third longest active streak in the nation and fifth all time. Arizona has the longest current run with 23 consecutive trips and Kansas is second at 18 straight. North Carolina’s 27 straight bids from 1975-2001 mark the all-time record.

Kentucky has won seven national championships, been to 13 Final Fours and 28 Elite Eights, including two in the past four years. Last year, the Wildcats earned an eight seed in the tournament and beat UAB in the first round before falling in the second round to UConn.

The No. 8 seed marks the second-straight season the Wildcats have earned an eighth seed. Prior to that, UK had not been seeded as low since 1987, which marked the only other time Kentucky has been seeded eighth. In 1987, Ohio State pulled off a first-round upset in Atlanta, marking the only time UK has lost in the first round in its last 21 appearances (including vacated 1988 appearance).

They're a team you can proudly support, year after year.

Perhaps I'm reaching the edge of my weirdness.

My Med-Center Starbucks team was different today. I missed Scruffy Skinny Guy and Husky Smiley Man. All the familiar faces were gone. I hope this is just a fluke. I hope they're all back next week. This much change can't be good for the customers. The old crew knew us (me, Homeless Man in Comfy Chair, Lady Who Always Reads, Drug-Rep, Bald Dude, and Smoking Orderly). They smiled and were happy to see us. The Starbucks experience wasn't the same without our regular team.

I've been trying to catch up on Season 2 of LOST, and I just finished watching the last episode last night. DO NOT TELL ME ABOUT SEASON 3!

Sayid told Jack that he thought Michael had been compromised. Sayid was right, because he has jedi-like intuition. He told Jack to play along, and not tell anyone. As usual, Jack broke down and couldn’t keep his secret. He always tells what he should not tell. Immediately, I lost my crush on Jack. Before, I had Jack picked out to be my LOST crush, but now I’m thinking Echo or Jin. Or maybe Hurley.

It turned out okay, and Jack probably did the right thing by telling them. But he’s been getting freaked out in the episodes I’ve been watching, and his decisions aren't as wise. He's too fueled by emotion. It could just be the island and all the stress, so maybe I’ll like Jack again. Who knows what will happen in Season 3…Okay! Maybe you do, but remember: DO NOT TELL ME ABOUT SEASON 3!

Well, I went to the rodeo--stinkiness and all

I went with my close friend, Lisa. This is a picture of us on the escalator going up to our VIP seats.

After we got situated, the aliens landed.

Then Sheryl did cool tricks with her arm showing us her impersonation of a hummingbird flying.

Sheryl Crow is cool.

I'm trying to find a leather vest and cowboy boots and a Les Paul so I can be like her.

I'm always late. I was born late. I stay up late. I wake up late. I have been known to be early once in a blue moon, and when I am, I expect lots of praise for it, but not so much that I am embarrassed and feel patronized for my normal lateness. It's just part of being me. And if you're my friend, I apologize in advance for my lateness.

Pretty much everyday, I'm late for work. But because of my lateness, God has been blessing me with some great conversations with my best bus friend (who is also always late). She's from the Middle East and was raised as a Muslim, and now, she's married to an American. She keeps asking me lots of questions about Jesus. And today, she told me that she wants to know more about Young Life, so her daughter can learn about God. Right now, her family is not practicing any type of religion, so she feels like her daughter doesn't know what she should believe.

Please pray for my bus conversations and for this lady and her family to find the one true God.

It's comforting to know that God can use my faults in mightier ways than the things I think are my strengths. Those moments kind of feel like I'm on autopilot or something, but I know in my heart/soul/mind that they're divine.

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You know what they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

As much as I’ve lived this quote about me being a Texan: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”—Hamlet
I think I am a Texan. I’m going to the rodeo on Wednesday courtesy of a friend with big-time Houston connections. I’ll be getting free food and drinks and free tickets. Yee-haw! I’m going to the rodeo!

I can picture it now. Sheryl Crow is up on stage. Her voice echos from the mic, “One of my back-up singers has laryngitis…Anybody out there want to help me out?” The spotlight scans the area, and by a miracle, stops on me. I’m like a deer in headlights. Somehow, I make my way to the stage as the crowd parts like the Red Sea before me. Sheryl lends me a hand as I hop on stage. I sing back up and do a fabulous job even though I’m a bit nervous. She gets my e-mail afterwards, and we become fast friends sharing tales of woe about curly hair and Texas-frizz. She offers me some high-end gel samples from her stylist and begs me to stay at her ranch in Austin and bring all my friends anytime I want.

It’s going to be great.

Thanks for the tickets, friend!!

I suffer from spray-tanorexia.

Not as dangerous as its melanoma-causing cousin, but socially embarrassing.

This is the best I can come up with to get me through the weekend:

I have a precious co-worker that kind of serves as mother and chef of the office. I’m trying to eat better, and everyday, I have to refuse something else.

Monday: Deer sausage
Tuesday: Breakfast tacos
Wednesday: m&ms
Thursday: Starbucks

Estimated calories saved from just saying no:

M: 300, T: 250, W: 100, R: 320. TOTAL: 970

On some occasions it’s easier to say no than others. Like on Bambi Day.