Hello, Gorgeous!

Today I was treated to these beautiful blooms. It's the third time this orchid has blessed me with its sunny flowers. It gives me a sense of hope.

Sunshine

Today as I look outside at the melting snow, I dream of warm sunshine.

Too Far Gone

I was in the grocery store the other day and saw this on the rack as I was paying for my food:

This is seriously shocking! I don't necessarily want to give any more attention to this girl, but this upset me greatly. I think we all have things that we don't like about ourselves or secretly dream of improving, but taking it to the extreme and then being celebrated for it is repulsive.

My daughter is only five years old and therefore she still looks up to fictional animated characters, but I fear for the future when she starts looking to vapid Hollywood as role models. Especially since she is a natural performer and loves to feel glamorous at her young age.

This Heidi Montag person, who as far as I am concerned isn't famous for anything of value, actually said in an interview that through her ten cosmetic procedures she had discovered that beauty and confidence really does come from within ... but that she is so glad that she had all the surgery. This is just a reminder that I need to teach my children to be confident in who they are. That they are beautiful children of God. And that they are immeasurably valuable to me.

There Were No Clear Winners

I watched the Golden Globes on Sunday night. I don't watch necessarily to see who will win best director and best drama because rarely do I actually see the movies that are nominated, but I LOVE fashion! I am eager to see what lovely things the ladies are wearing on the red carpet (and yes dream about what I would wear in their situation).

I can sadly say that I wouldn't want to wear most of the dresses this year. What a disappointment to say the least. To me it looks like all of the designers thought it would be fun to stick various ruffles, Brillo pads and wings onto the gowns. Perhaps they were confused and thought that massive amounts of frills and glitter were in. I say ick!

Let's start with the beautiful Kate Hudson. I hate everything about this ensemble except for the bracelet: The clunky shoes are hideous; the dress - though a great color for her skin - is too structured, like she is wearing a calla lily and tissue is falling out of her bust; and I don't like the tassel earrings.

Drew Barrymore's hair looks nice and her makeup is stunning ... but the sea urchins sticking out off her hip and shoulder are quite unfortunate. This dress would have been so beautiful without those things. They actually sort of remind me of vintage flocked Christmas tree decorations. So sad.

Poor Tina Fey. She didn't win for her role as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock (although she really should have) and she REALLY didn't win best dressed this year at the Globes! I actually gasped when I saw her shoes with the over-sized bows and the busyness of her dress coupled with the tea party skirt was just so wrong. I know you are a funny woman, Tina, but this look gets no laughs from me.

Noooooo! Oh, Nicole ... this is ... this just ... you know in the movie Cinderella when the mice make a dress out of thrown out sashes and beads? Well, it looks like they made one for Ms. Kidman as well. Let's just stick a bunch of random bows all over the place and call it Haute Couture! Sigh. Well, the color is pretty at least.

There are so many looks I disliked that I can't show them all. And I won't show Mariah Carey because I would have to do some serious editing on the "golden globes" she had hanging out of her dress, if you know what I mean! But there were some looks that were alright.

I'm not really a fan of Penelope Cruz but I am a fan of this dress. She's confident, her hair is lovely and she isn't over-styled.

Of course I adore the red. This dress on Cameron Diaz is simple, shows off her height and is nicely symmetrical (which defies this year's trend). The only thing I that I don't like the dark and chunky shoes which I will forgive her for as she didn't offend me with her ensemble.

Though frilly and asymmetrical, I still found this dress quite inspiring. The ruffles are less pronounced and close fitting while the color is a girly shade of pink. The jewelry is just right and she looks radiant. Her hairstyle isn't as elegant as I would prefer, but since it was raining that night I will cut Emily Blunt some slack.

I realize that these gowns cost thousands of dollars each. Many of them are considered to be high art. I respect the amount of planning and design that went into each dress, and I appreciate the colors for the season (black, red, pearly pink and white). However ... most of them were just too weird for me and I truly hope that the Oscars don't disappoint.

Edible Jewels

The pomegranate has always been an exotic fruit to me. A bit mysterious and stunningly beautiful, they always pique my interest when I pass by the boxes of them in the grocery store. I can recall the first time I ate one, no one had explained to me that you eat only the seeds -imagine my surprise as I bit into the spongy and bitter flesh!

Having recovered from that first experience, I now have no fear when cutting into one of these alluring fruits. Last night as I was preparing a fruit salad, I had the joy and struggle of dropping each of the seeds into the bowl. Every seed, or aril, looks like an uncut and unpolished ruby. Oh how I would love a necklace with such jewels dropping down off of chains of gold and silver.

Going back centuries, I am fascinated by the role they have played in ancient culture and religion. For example, did you know that they are a symbol of fruitfulness in Judaism? I've even heard it suggested that the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was actually a pomegranate and not an apple. Well, considering that the Garden of Eden may be modern day Iraq, that makes sense - but can you imagine Eve partaking of a pomegranate? Standing next to the tree as the serpent looks on ... trying to eat of the fruit? As I ever so inelegantly cracked open one of these babies last night, causing it to "bleed" all over my kitchen counter, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that possibility.


Beliefs and theories aside, the pomegranate is just plain delicious. I think it requires a little patience when eating one. But then, to be patient is to be fruitful. And these fruits are certainly rewarding.

Twilight Schmilight

Good grief! It seems that EVERYWHERE I go there are posters, t-shirts, cardboard cutouts and advertisements for the Twilight Saga! Just on Saturday we drove 70 miles to go to the nearest mall, only to be accosted by images of pale faced vampires in every store.

Now to be honest, I have read the first book, part of the second and have seen the movie Twilight, but really ... I didn't think it all was worthy of all of the fuss. The storyline is admittedly interesting, but the writing is quite juvenile in my opinion. And not to mention whiny. No joke, for four and a half pages the main character drones on and on about feeling numb one minute and then feeling an aching around her broken heart. Blah, blah ... nightmares and screaming ... blah, blah ... excruciating memories ... yack, yack ... the cold rain mixing with fresh tears ... yada, yada, yada. Yeah, a bit of a downer to read and it has left me with nothing to like about the sniveling Bella Swan.

So I have to ask myself, is this series of stories just the latest phenomenon to hit pop culture? Or will the fascination with teenaged vampires and werewolves endure?

I have read blogs where knitters knit a pair of "Bella mittens" and take them on a Northwest tour of Forks and Port Angeles, photographing said mittens in front of the high school where scenes from the movie were filmed. Cardboard cutouts of the characters from the movies keep getting stolen from Nordstrom stores. I have even seen that there is a CW television show about ... what else, teenaged vampires. When will this madness end?

Well, I guess I must think back to the late 80s when New Kids On The Block saturated the airwaves and decorated bedroom walls all over the country. That lasted a good four or five years, right? Sigh.

(Of course, if I were asked if I plan to see the new movie New Moon, I would have to say yes. But only after it came out on DVD! 'Cause I'm not standing in line for a $15 ticket to see this, uh film, but I confess that my interest is mildly piqued. Mildly.)

5 Things I Like About This Town

I have to start off with a confession: my original thought was that I would write the "5 Reasons This Town Drives Me Crazy". But, I feel that I have been complaining a lot lately and so instead I am going to stop being so negative and recognize the good things in where I live.

The truth is I am very grateful for my life. I have two beautiful children, an amazing husband, a lovely home and we don't live too far from most of our family. But my struggles began when we moved here, away from the world I knew. And in many ways I still miss that world I knew, which makes the last five years of living in this small Southern Oregon town a HUGE adjustment. But during this period of adjustment I have found that this place does have it charms.


1. Wildlife

This area is known for its birdwatching opportunities, and I can see why. It is not unusual to see groupings of pelicans floating on the surface of the lake, or loons roaming the wetlands. I find great enjoyment from watching a covey of quail pecking around in our neighborhood, with the babies following their mama in a neat line. There are frequent sitings of deer roaming around and I have even watched an entire heard frolicking around the golf course at my fitness club! Watching them play and scrounge around for food is surely entertaining. We have hawks, vulchers, and even gulls (that seem to particularly like to scavenge around in the Wal-Mart and K-Mart parking lots! Hmmmm.) Dragonflies love this area with midges as a constant source of food and ladybugs are abundant.

2. Locally Owned

When I think of my favorite places in town to shop or eat, I realize that they tend to be locally owned establishments. The bagel shop, the bakery, the delicious Italian restaurant and the yarn store are all not a part of a national conglomerate. They are run and owned by people who have lived here for some time, saw a need and filled it with their expertise, hard work, and personal investments. I respect that, and do what I can to support it.

3. Free Parking

With the downtown being as small as it is, there is free parking! It is rarely difficult to find a place to park and walking down Main street is fairly pleasant. Plus it gives ample opportunity for practicing parallel parking.

4. A Great Place To Raise Kids

That's what everybody told me when I moved here anyway. And I can see that there are a lot of things for little ones to do with the many parks here, the dance studios that offer ballet and tumbling classes, and the city-wide Harvest Party at the fairgrounds every year. There is a really good church community here with various places and opportunities to worship, and church leaders frequently come together to pray for this town. And there are different kinds of schooling choices from private schools, Christian schools, home school, as well as public.

5. Big Blue Sky

I live in "Oregon's City of Sunshine". It is a treat to look out my window and see nothing but blue for most of the year. With the exception of this very unusually wet June, it doesn't rain too much here. We get thunderstorms, snow storms, occasional torrential downpours, and stunning sunsets. I have invested in several pairs of sunglasses, as well as snow boots and heavy coats for the first time in my life. It is fun to go sledding in the winter and camping in the summer. Plus my favorite flowers grow here in abundance. Brilliant poppies grow wild on the hillsides and lilac bushes go crazy in the month of May.

Whew! I admit that I feel better about keeping things positive. Now that I have all of this written down, I'll have to visit it from time to time to remind myself that it really isn't that bad.

She Says "Totally" Way Too Much

My daughter threatens to give her aunt a smooch!

My little sister. Well, I have two so I should say my littlest sister. Except she isn't that little - today she turns 25. Needless to say, I am in shock, but mostly because that just means I am now truly old. While I am reeling from that concept, here are some things that make me think of her:

Duracell / "totally" / coffee / Bon Jovi / hangin' with the niece and nephew / long red locks / dimples / more coffee / Denver / fun jewelry / blue Toyota truck / mad barista skillz / C & C Music Factory / music editor / "... Adorable" / "Good job Gee, good job!" / American Dream Pizza / music editor / "Where did you get your red hair ...? / watching The Sandlot ... about a million times! / holding my newborn daughter

Happy Birthday to you little sister, I love you!

My son seems quite happy perched in her lap.

Wish Flowers

My daughter calls dandilions "Wish Flowers". It's amazing what is considered magical to one person is a nuisance to another. I was thrilled to get this photo ... and even more thrilled that she wasn't "wishing" anywhere near my yard!

Five Things I Learned From Martha

Martha Stewart is a wealth of information. She has teams of people at her disposal to research, invent, and advertise. Whether you like her or not, you can't deny that she is the go-to person for great homekeeping, cooking, gardening and crafting tips.

Here are my top 5 awesome things I have learned from her:

1. How to clean a copper pot

This actually does work! Cut a lemon in half, dip it into coarse salt, and rub it on the exterior of your copper pot. It removes a lot of the tarnish, although a professional cleaner is needed for it to really shine.

2. How to make your liquid dish soap look pretty

Fill an olive oil decanter with your favorite dish soap. I've been doing this for years and not only does it look nice, I end up using less soap as it dispenses slowly, like olive oil would.


3. What the chrome bowls under electric coil burners are really for

They look like fancy drip catchers. I used to line these with foil to avoid having to clean them so frequently. The truth is, they reflect the heat from the coil burners and therefore should NEVER be lined with foil. As a result, I do clean them frequently in the sink with soapy water.

4. Kitchen shears

I don't know why it took me so long to realize the value in a pair of kitchen shears! I love to use them for cutting up chives, bacon and for opening messy food packaging. I used to keep my shears in a drawer along with my other utensils, but now they have a place of honor with my knife set.

5. How to be like Mary and not like Martha

This may be an odd thing to have learned from the queen of perfect. I am a perfectionist myself -I want things to look perfect, I want to be perfect and I struggle with knowing that I am far from perfect. But I am learning as a believer to be a Mary instead of a Martha. I am trying to slow down, listen, and sit at the feet of Jesus instead of worrying about how to impress Him (and others). I have a long way to go as I just know that if He were to come to my house, I would struggle greatly with not trying to rush around in a panic to cook and clean and, well ... appear to be perfect. He would see right through that! So while Martha Stewart is the queen of perfect, I don't have to be. Besides, Martha has a whole company to do things for her, I just have little ol' me.

Now I must resist the urge to fluff up the slumpy pillow on my living room couch ...

An Earl Grey Kind of a Day

It has been raining so much the last few days, which is a bit surprising since I live in "Oregon's City of Sunshine". They have been the kind of days when you just want to curl up with a cup of Earl Grey tea and a blanket.

It is so easy to find reason to complain about the rain; but it is also easy to see the good that comes of it. It encourages cozy days spent inside. It is cleansing. It helps things to grow and it enhances the beauty around us. And, oh how I appreciate a good nap on a drizzly afternoon.

These gorgeous blooms were taken on a particularly dark and wet day. Isn't it amazing how water brings out the vibrant colors of nature? I love how the grayness of the backdrop allows the bright hues of God's creations to really pop!

The Oscars According to Me

Ah, the hoopla. The glitz. The glamour! That is pretty much why I love to watch the Oscars every year, because the truth is I have rarely seen any of the films that get nominated for Best Picture. I am not an avid follower of Sean Penn's acting career. I don't see Brad Pitt movies just to see Brad Pitt in a movie, and I think the last movie I actually saw in the theater was U23D back in March of last year.

I made it a point to watch the Oscars this year, not only for the fashion, but for Hugh Jackman! He did a great job hosting and I love how he can sing and dance, and look dreamy in a tuxedo (don't worry, my husband knows all about my little crush on Mr. Jackman, besides he has a few crushes of his own!) I think it is refreshing that someone who plays Wolverine in the X-Men movies, with his sideburns and muscles flying about everywhere, can sing and dance with so much charm and charisma. But, enough about Hugh ... because I'm sure I could write much more on the topic ...

Favorite Moment

I admit it, I misted up when Heath Ledger won the award for Best Supporting Actor. I wouldn't necessary say I have been a "fan" of his, but I think his death was sad. When his family went to accept his award and mentioned his little girl Matilda, I got a little teary eyed. I saw The Dark Knight and I have to say that his performance was incredible. I'm glad that he won.

Tense Moment

Personally, I could care less about "Brangelina" and the break up of Brad and Jen. But, along with everyone else I imagine, I was paying close attention when Jennifer Aniston went up to present the award for Best Animated Film with Jack Black. The camera kept close to Angelina Jolie to see her reaction to Jen's jokes. She pity laughed. Brad pity laughed. How weird, what an incestuous world. I'm glad I am not a part of it. I will say, that I thought Jennifer looked much more beautiful than Angelina, she was like sunshine to Angie's darkness.

Best Win

I was glad to see Kate Winslet win for Best Actress. I haven't seen The Reader, but she has always been an excellent actress in my book. Plus being nominated so many times it was good to see her win. I loved how she mentioned practicing her win in front of the bathroom mirror with a shampoo bottle when she was eight years-old. It made her relatible. I do wish to have a talk with her about her dress though, yuck!

Best Dressed

The fashion is what it's all about for me. Apparently it is for my daughter too, whom after seeing the beautiful gowns being strutted down the red carpet, she went upstairs and put on her favorite (Christmas) dress, and started singing and talking into her microphone as if SHE was at the Oscars. It was priceless! As for me, I would love to get all dressed up and show off a beautiful creation. Here are a few of my favorites from last night (although I am sure some conflict with the fashion expert's assessments):

Anne Hathaway was born to wear an evening gown. This dress with the shimmery paillettes did not disappoint. I love that she didn't wear a necklace, it would have competed with the gown.

The thing I love about this dress is the color. That poppy red is a favorite of mine. I like the cut of the gown and think it is youthful, however I feel that it overwhelmed Amanda Seyfried. Someone more statuesque like Nicole Kidman could handle it a bit better. Her hair and makeup looks beautiful.

Gorgeous. Appropriate. Elegant. I would, however, would have liked to see a little pop of color on Jessica Biel. Maybe a red bag or emerald earrings. Other than that I give this look an A!

A few more Best Dressed shout-outs. I guess I am loving the red and the pale dresses this year.

Worst Dressed

I was disappointed this year with a lot of the choices. It seems that there was a lot of tulle and beading and weird shapes. And why can't anyone wear a dress that actually fits their body?

Oh dear. Reese Witherspoon you did disappoint me. This dress is sooooo ugly! All of the beading and draping. The blue and the black together looks weird. I don't care who designed it, I just wonder why you chose it. Not. Good.

Let's have a show of hands ... who is sick and tired of seeing Beyonce in another fishtail gown? It seems to be all she wears and the black with the gold ... bleh!

Why would someone with a high probability of winning the Oscar for Best Actress wear this on the big night? While it isn't offensive, it's just uninspiring and dull. Kate Winslet should have dressed more like a princess the way Penelope Cruz did. Yawn.

These dresses, while not horrible, are considered misses in my opinion. There is just something odd going on in all of these ensembles, whether it be the color, the hairstyle (Sarah Jessica Parker for example) or the details on the gowns.

I think the award season is now officially over for the year. That gives: Hollywood a year to make movies I'll probably never see. Celebrities a year to hook up, break up and mess up with each other several times over. And fashion designers a year to design gowns that I will pick on once again in 2010.

A Day to Celebrate ... Not Solitate

My mom and I when I was 3 weeks old. 1976

These are just a few things that come to mind when I think of my mom:

Franklin planners / chicken and rice / Quincy / red / pansies / breakfast at Elmer's / at the birth of grandbabies / crochet / Red Rose tea / mother/daughter trips to the craft store / Volvo / amethyst ring / red chili enchiladas / pens, pens, and more pens / Moleskines / cone headed 'Dancing with the Stars' / green Jell-O alien eyes / colorful coffee cups / long phone calls / yellow macaroni and cheese spoon / true stories about stepped on white Keds and dogs who drive cars / Strand / Fossil wallets / three lovely daughters / Rosebud lip salve / making up cool words like "solitate" and "sneedling" / HGTV / perfect handwriting / B & R platter / a comfy bed for sick kids / The Shed / my friend / Mamaw

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

My mom and I in 2006. I had a cute kid of my own on his way when this was taken!

The World-Wide Day of Wonder

My sister in her senior portrait.

On Facebook someone asked my sister what is so special about today and she jokingly responded, "The World-Wide Day of Wonder". The truth is, today is her birthday. Here are a few things that come to mind when I think of her:

Candy / peacocks / Aphrodite / basil / painting / Boulder Tea House / "Bobber" / American Dream Pizza / artichokes / long locks / Ireland / kitty cat sweaters / poorly performed cartwheels / art supplies / little girl mullets / opal pendants / rainbows / ferns / Zooropa / hanging with the niece and nephew / avocados / Arabian Nights / saffron / Hellgate jet boat excursions / sunset pink nail polish / silver VW Beetle with leopard print seat covers / Farsi / Lee press-on toe nails / Paddy McGinty's Goat / silver / Yogi tea / prisms / "Fernessa Star MacPhisto"

Happy Birthday little sister, I love you!

My sister and I on January 3rd, 2009.

A Day of Thanks

With Thanksgiving coming up in less than a week I can feel myself starting to get excited and almost revert back to being 10 again. I love this holiday. I love the feeling of home, being with family, and of course the food! I also love that the Christmas season starts the day after and no one can stop me from playing Christmas music and getting the house ready to decorate. And even though all of these things are wonderful, I think I should focus on what Thanksgiving is all about, giving thanks.


Here are a few things I am grateful for, big and small, and in no particular order ...

The hot cup of tea I can enjoy whenever I want.

My husband. My rock. My best friend. I don't know what I would do without you. You have seen me at my worst and taken care of me in sickness and in health. You care about your family and live your life with integrity; something I admire very much. The Lord truly blessed me with you.

Our home that keeps us warm, dry, safe, comfortable, and for the jetted tub that sooths my aching muscles.

Facebook. It has helped me to connect with those that I have lost contact with over the years. It's a great place to see how friends are doing and how much their families are growing.

My mom, who is my friend and my confidant. Not only have you given me life, but you have given me stability, safety, guidance, a shoulder to cry on, friendship and most of all your love. You are compassionate and nurturing, and you have taught me the importance of family and faith.

Digital cameras. We take so many photos in our family now that we don't have to wait until film is developed to see if there are any worth keeping. Correcting red eye and cropping is so much easier in a digital format too.

My dad. I have so many good memories of you from you taking me to see The Return of the Jedi in the theater, to teaching me how to ride a bike, to hopping on the earliest flight you could get to come meet your newborn grandchildren. You have such a big heart and love your family with all your might, and you have taught me about patience and hard work.

My sisters. Whom I both love so much through all of the ups and downs. I am grateful for both of you and pray for a close and lasting friendship amongst the three of us. I think of you often and have so many fun memories of growing up together.

My creativity is something I value so much. It keeps me striving to learn, to try, and to do. I may not be good at everything, but I know that I am good at some things and I love the feeling of excitement when I complete a project I am really proud of.

My babies. I can't remember what life was like before I had my kids ... quieter definitely. I am thankful for your sweet dispositions, your eagerness to learn, your blue eyes, your heart-melting smiles, and your infectious laughter. I am so grateful to be your mother. You have truly changed my life - for the better.

Gracie and Rangi. I am thankful for Gracie whom we have had for the last nine years. She really is a good dog and companion. And for Rangi who loves nothing more than to sit on my chest and purr; I'm glad she is a part of my life.

Being an adult is great. Sure there are a lot more things to stress about, and while being a kid has its perks, I love that I can stay up late and eat ice cream for dinner if I want to.

Friends are a blessing. Friends are family that we choose for ourselves. I am thankful for all of the friends I have had over the years. For the good times and bad. For the support. And for the laughter and tears.

My blog. I was inspired to write a blog after reading my friend's post on a lost loved one. I saw it as a great way to not only update friends and family on the happenings in Kellyland, but I have found that it is really an outlet for my expression. I have discovered that I like to write, and I am much better at getting my words down on paper (or in this case the computer) than I am verbalizing my thoughts. Thank you Heather for being an inspiration!

My In-Laws. I don't really like to refer to my husband's family as in-laws, because to me they are my family too. You have welcomed me with open arms, and have shown me so much kindness and generosity over the last ten years. I don't feel like your daughter-in-law or sister-in-law, but just your daughter and sister. Thank you all for your love.

Christmas lights. Cashmere. Fig candles. Chocolate. Music. Each a delight to my senses.

My Lord and Savior. I made commitment to follow You twenty years ago. It was a November day, I was twelve years old and in a very troubling time in my life. I know that without You guiding me and shaping me into the person I am today, I would be very different. I would be bitter. I wouldn't have the amazing life that I do now. You saved me that day as You did when You died on the cross for me. Thank you Jesus.


All of the things I am grateful for are too numerous to count; this is just the tip of the iceberg - but all are very important to me. I am truly thankful.

There Once Was a Man From Gildersleeve ...

My dad and I, sometime in 1976.

A few things that come to mind when I think of my dad ...

Gildersleeve / Big Alex and Little Alex / mustache / three lovely daughters / the Oldsmobile / golf / black and orange / Kenny Loggins / Miagi / black and gold / Harry Chapin / playing Puff the Magic Dragon on the guitar / Peter, Paul and Mary / Go BEAVS! / Coca Cola / shrimp cocktail / Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl / breakfast at Elmer's / meticulous car washing / A Horse With No Name / lemon drops / Angus / ham and eggs (over medium) / Outback Special / farmer's tans / Back to the Future / falling asleep during movies / orange high-top Converse tennies / Daddy/Daughter dates to the Cinnabon / getting "ears lowered" / meeting newborn grand babies / black coffee / Peepaw

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

My dad and I, 32 years later in 2008.

The Red, White and Blue - But Around Here It's Mostly White

This is what it looked like in my neck of the woods on Election Day. Oh, where has Fall gone?

Boy am I glad this day is here - the day when America votes. I may sound very patriotic by this statement - and while I do care about our nation and it's future - I am mostly glad this day is here because now there will be no more annoying political ads. No more opinionated e-mails filling my inbox from people telling me how I should vote. And no more 24 hour news coverage of the election. McCain, Obama, Obama, McCain ... I will be glad when it all dies down.

I live in Oregon and here we mail in (or drop off) our ballots; so I voted days ago. I like the convenience of voting from my own home even though it appears more patriotic to go to the polls and stand in line to vote like most of the country. But what can I say, I like that I don't have to pump my own gas too. It was actually a good thing that I already voted because when I woke up this morning, the town was blanketed with an inch of snow; this would not have been a motivating factor to get me stand to in line outside to vote (although I would have done it if necessary).

This is my front walk ... and what is left of October.

So while the snow is beautiful (and not entirely welcome as I am not yet ready to let go of Fall), I would like to look at it as symbolizing a new beginning for our country. I hope the Lord will give America a clean slate ... and that whomever ends up running this hurting nation will help to make it great again.

Things I Would Like to Know ... Just to Name a Few

I would like to know...

why it's currently 74 degrees in my house and I am freezing cold.

how I can spend so much time cleaning the house, and it never looks like I do anything.

how other moms cope with incessant question asking from their children.

why jean makers assume that if you have long legs, you must have wide hips too.

if I will get to go to France someday.

when U2 will come out with a new album.

why people care what Paris Hilton is up to.

why organic food is so expensive.

if I will ever have a day where I feel no pain.

if we will ever get a Target in our town.

if Steve Carrell will ever cease to be hilarious.

why I can't remember what life was like before I had kids ... and how I spent my time.

What Does it Mean to be Friendly?

Going back to yesterday's post on how foreigners view Americans; I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be "friendly". Some synonyms for this word include neighborly and warmhearted.

I wonder if I am friendly. Or rather perceived to be friendly. I think I am friendly, but I realize that the fact that I tend to be quiet and reserved may make me come across as snooty or closed off. That is not me. That is not my intention. So then I have to change that, but without trying too hard or being fake.

So it is my goal to think of ways to be more neighborly and warmhearted. Simple things like holding a door for someone, taking grocery carts back to the cart return, or even just saying "hello" as I pass by someone is a great way to start. And nurturing the friendships that I have is equally important. I found this prayer from a book on inspirational thoughts that I want to share:

Father, through my face may your beauty shine,
through my voice may your praise be heard,
through my hands may your works be extended,
through my life may your love be over all. - author not cited

Along with friendliness is good customer service; something that I think is dying out in this country. It will ruin my day if the checker at the grocery store is snarky. I make it a point to ask how they are doing, strike up some conversation and have a positive attitude. If you are a checker and I ask you how you are doing today, honestly I would rather hear you tell me "fine" than listen to you complain about getting up early all while slamming my eggs into a bag. If I ask for "paper" instead of "plastic" please don't act like it is a tremendous hassle for you. And furthermore, if I am having trouble in the UScan because the scanner is not accepting the bar code on my items, please don't berate me in front of everybody. These frustrations stem from real experiences. I think that if a person is paid to provide customer service, a pleasant attitude is part of the job.

As one who loves the Lord I am making it my job to be a light in this world and show friendliness to others. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions on the subject ... I promise I won't be snarky toward you!