thoughts for monday

This morning I decided to kick Monday in the backside. Like hit it with so much productivity that Monday didn't even see it coming. And you know what? It worked. Take that Monday. You rocked.

Positive energy is fo-real. So are bright red heels. And from here on out I will remind my down-in-the-dumps-wallowing-self that truth. It sure is a great one.

Also, let me just announce to the world that as I'm surround by sweat-pant wearing coffee guzzling students buried in books that say advanced physics on them and laptops with 6 cords streaming out of both sides of the poor thing,  I am thanking the good Lord that I'm not a student anymore. I mean it. Life really can be grand on the other side of it all. Though I won't deny missing the adventure of it all.

On a completely different but somewhat related note, my entertainment tonight is sitting across from me, tossing around seminary books and simultaneously humming along to every random song that comes on the coffee shop shuffle. Fascinating man I tell you.

series #642 {episode 3}

Hey you! It's that time again. This is one of my favorites, I'd love to read your version! Link up below. And have a flipping fantastic Monday for Monday's sake.
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My favorite tree is old and wild. It surpasses the lifespan of my great-grandfather...oh if those limbs could talk. I approach it's base with curiosity and  awe as it stands there, holding it's ground. It's trunk stretches high and wide. What dignity. Under it I am safe, pulled in close by the embracing branches and shadowing leaves. Below my feet it's roots spread far, bursting to the surface of the earth that can no longer hold them under. They are crooked and sure. For ages the tree has stood. Through storm and sun it has thrived from the blessings of mother nature and now it gives back with all it's glory and wonder and strength. My favorite tree is old and wild. 

counting to 40

If you're like me and you didn't grow up with Lent being a tradition in your family, then maybe you have a hard time being convinced of observing it now. I was always felt like I was "off the hook" for giving something up when everyone else seemed to be making sacrifices.

Well, we get older, and wiser {I hope} and begin to wonder what the big deal is with this Lent thing. After reading up a bit on the tradition and history of it all, it started to intrigue me. And I wanted to be part of the club.



This next forty days until Easter is a time of reflection, repentance, and a remembrance of the One who came to wipe sin away. Clean the slate. I don't know about you, but I definitely need a time like this. I need time to examine my own life, what I'm doing, my choices, my passions, my struggles...everything. And surrender.

Our sacrifices during this time are a way to remember the one to which we surrender. The Provider, the Sustainer, the Redeemer. Greater than all our sin, greater than our struggle and our need to justify ourselves with worthless stuff that doesn't last. To give something up is a brilliant way to see God move into that empty spot you just made and delight you with His presence.

I love the idea of doing this as a community - with your family, your close friends, your church, your spouse. We were created to be with others and encourage one another in the faith. What a great time to start.

This season I'm giving up complaining. And yes, I've already failed miserably at this which is totally the point because it reminds me of how imperfect I am, how terribly human it is of me to make mistakes and be negative about my life that's pretty darn great right now. So here goes...forty days of recognizing the Debby Downer in me and making an effort to stop it. 

What are your thoughts on Lent? Are you giving anything up this season?

tuesday is tomato tomahto

Tuesdays can be kind of challenging. Especially in adult world. Can I get an amen? BUT. We're looking at the bright side of things this year. SO. Here's why today, Tuesday, was so brilliant in such an ordinary way::

1.  The sun was so bright I almost ran off the road. But I love the sun so that makes it okay.

2. My car got to go through the wash today for the first time during this salty season we're having.

3. I bought a new pair of black heels after work. 

4. My roommate's date got cancelled tonight so I get to hang out with her. 

5. A client at worked called me Betty Crocker over the phone...because I'm the one who bakes all the cookies. Just another Tuesday.

What makes your weekdays spectacular?

experimental salve

Raise your hand if you were never taught to make anything by hand. Yep. Me too. I was recently gifted   a fun book on making home remedies for almost any ailment you can think of. When I got to the page on how to make your own salve (for small burns, cuts and dry skin/lips) I thought, hey, this doesn't look like rocket science. Let's give it a whirl.

So here, ladies and gentlemen, is my first attempt at making my own salve. I'll have you know it was successful and I even documented it.

You should also know that I was a bit of a co-op virgin before this experiment so my time in the "essential oil" isle was prolonged significantly by the fact that I had no idea what the H I was
looking for. Moving on.

Step 1::: grate up some beeswax

Step 2::: Heat it up in a measuring cup in some simmering water and add in grape seed oil and whatever

              essential oil you want.

Step 3::: Once it's all melted and mixed together, stick 'er in the fridge and let it cool to a paste. 

I ended up storing this stuff in a cute glass jar and using it for chapped lips and those tiny cracks in your skin that happen when it's like -23 degrees outside. It's making this winter a little more tolerable. 

Hooray for February! We are making seasonal progress, people.