Oil Spills and Fish Gills

Today at the Bizzle I was jazzed to hear how all of my coworker's kids did on their first day. They were nervous on monday and it seemed like tuesday would bring some sweet stories. One of the ladies was telling me that her kindergartener was told to draw a picture of his favorite animal. So he drew a fish. Swimming in a sea of black. When the teacher asked him why the water wasn't blue, he replied, "because of the oil spill".

What is this world coming to?

RUNNER RUNNER RUNNER!

So last week I went for a little run right as it got dark (Mom and Dad don't worry-it was a stressful day and I needed to stretch my legs). So as I was running down a beautiful stretch of residential road, a group of cyclists was heading my way and they all started yelling "Runner Runner Runner". Well I got a little intimidated but thought it would be funny to just yell back "Bikers Bikers Bikers!". I was really happy that the whole group started laughing and didn't throw rocks at me or run me off the road.

I think next time I'll shoot for rollerblades..."Rollerblader Rollerblader Rollerblader" just sounds gooofy...

When love wears thin...

I have the pleasure of living across the street from one of the sweetest couples in Austin. In their late 60's Mr. and Mrs. Brown have lived here forever. They are constantly on their porch and I try to make a habit of spending a little time with them each week. I think they have a lot of wisdom to share, or so I thought...

Last week I was early getting ready for a little date and took a glass of water to catch up Mrs. Brown. I told her how excited I was, that he was a good guy, kind and handsome and yes, he was picking me up like a gentleman. In trying to gain some wisdom from my sweet neighbor, I asked her what her advice was, how she and Mr. Lewis had remained in love for all of these years. Her response?

"Well I think patriotism is the key"

WHAT?! I almost laughed out loud! It was followed by-

"And make sure he doesn't lie, like on his income tax returns and things like that."

Okay, I think that will be my last time really trusting the advice of Mrs. Brown. Never on my list of husbandly qualities is patriotism on the top.

At my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago, I asked my grandma the same question. She responded with much more eloquence. She told me that they lived by the motto that it was going to get tough sometimes and it would be hard to love each other but that "when love wears thing, commitment kicks in".

I see that every day as she cares for my grandfather who is dealing with some health issues. She is so committed to him that love isn't an option-there is no way that she can't love the sweet, sweet PawPaw that she married.

Through all of this research, I'm quickly learning that love is sweet, that it is lasting that sometimes it's a choice. I think I'll choose love.

Handstands.

Dave and Teri were in town this week and I was yet again reminded of how blessed I have been by these incredible people. They are so much fun and love each other so so much. We had a blast eating (and drinking), playing cards (and Meixcan train) and just telling good, rich stories.

Teri and I spent a day at the Springs and a day at the Resort (Lifetieme). I was reminded that last time we swam together she told me I was too old to do handstands in the pool. WHAT?! Is that possible? Will I soon be too old to skip or perhaps eat a snowcone? I do think this time in life holds a large area of gray. My married friends sometimes seem like they are leagues ahead of me-saving for vacations and buying homes. While a group of my friends still partake in city league sports, others are contenplating babies.

Either way, I'm still doing handstands in the pool (Teri turn the other way!).

Be the Change...

Wasn't it Ghandi who said we should be the change we wish to see in the world? Today on my super hot run down Elm, there was the sweetest quote on the pavement, "Be the Love you're looking for." I thought about that for a long time today and it raised a few thoughts/questions-

1. What am I really looking for?
2. Am I even attempting to be the quality and character of the person that I'm looking for?
3. Is he looking for me?!
4. I really started to ponder if this works for Christians. How sweet if I could be Christ to others as I'm seeking Him?

Anyways, I think from all of these posts you can definately see that I live in a unique neighborhood...

LIVE SIMPLY is another phrase I'm trying to adopt in my life. Because of that my blogs will be more farspread and brief. I'm just hoping that Cooper starts his own blog so I can have more to read in my down time...

PLEASE?

Tennis Courts and Cargo Shorts

So one of the goals of 2010 is to get better at tennis.

Let me fill you in a little bit about my tennis career. It all started when I was 7 in tennis lessons at the Rochester Hills Tennis and Swim Club where I was pretty good at Dungeons and Dragons (this really cool game where you throw tennis balls-mind you throw-not hit!). I then joined my brother and father for an occasional game on sunday afternoons where they were awesome and I was klutzy. Joe went on to compete at state where I ended up whacking my Dad in the head while he threw me tennis balls. Fast forward to now-I have been trying to play and get better to come back and show my Dad and brother that I have similar skills to Kornakova. So Eric and I have been playing and trying to find various courts around town. Well tonight after work I head to the gym and ask the guy at the front desk, "do you have to have a special membership to use the tennis courts here or can I use them whenever?" The guy stares me down and makes me repeat myself. After explaining myself, he says, "I have no idea what you're talking about there aren't tennis courts here." I continued to argue and tell him that they were right next to the pool. THEN I realized it-those tennis courts are at the Lifetime in Colleyville Texas, definately not here. I felt like an idiot! I guess I have a few things besides tennis to tackle.

While I was working out I realized that there are a few things that plague me-

1. Why do guys think its okay to wear cargo shorts on the treadmill? Doesn't that cause chafing? Perhaps a little heavy for shorts?
2. How can I go to the gym at all hours of the day and see the same tan superfit people? Do they have jobs? How are they able to afford and spend that much time at the gym?
3. When was it decided that long socks were cool on girls? Seriously four girls tonight and I just kept thinking how hot it must be and how much they looked like Baby Spice.

Clearly I have some issues at the gym but hopefully I can take some of this aggression out on the courts.

Uncontrollable laughter in Inappropriate Places.

2010 has provided a wonderful memorial weekend. Benton and Laura got married and I have had some great R&R over the past few days in the 817. BUT before I hit on memorial weekend...let me tell you about Laura's wedding.

Cake and I were "honorary attendants" which means we walk down the aisle but sit in the front rows. Well Benton's grandma was sitting right behind us and at the beginning of the ceremony, she starts hacking...BAD. Like quite possibly swallowed a cat before walking down the aisle. Well it was not that funny but Cake and I got to giggling, well not just giggling but that uncontrollable, one person starts one person stops, grandma starts hacking, we are crying and trying to contol it, but have no chance because grandma starts hacking laughing. I feel horrible that I don't remember a thing from the ceremony but I will certainly never forget it either.

It reminds me of a time in high school where Drew was trying to convince me that he was part Indian (or Native American, whatever) in government class as the teacher started her lesson. Well I wanted to know what percentage...so Drew passes me a note in the middle of class that reads 1/152. Well I think that is ridiculously funny that that small of a percentage counts, so we start giggling like little girls and get in major trouble, which just makes us giggle more. As annoying as it is, I think there is a sweet joy that comes from uncontrollable laughter.

But only if it's in inappropriate places...

Afros

This week we celebrated Amy's 24th Birthday, and let me tell you it was one of the best birthday parties I've been to in ages. EPK came in town, and we dressed 70's and rollerskated in a very urban part of town. As I began my skate in my huge afro wig, I realized that it may not have been the best choice for the evening. All of the little kids were making fun of me and it was as hot as hades. Needless to say-next time I'll stick with a braid.

Austin is definately become home. This weekend was sweet confirmation of the great friends and incredible city I live in. Amy's birthday, Sand Volleyball and Barton Springs make for a great start to a great summer. BA and I watched Garden State last night and there was a great quote that stuck out to me-

" Maybe that's what family is- a group of people that miss the same place."

Maybe that's why college friends stick. Maybe we all just miss the sweet times we had at Baylor. Regardless I'm having a blast making memories here for the time being.

Exciting Children and Agassi

I just finished Andre Agassi's Biography. Great book, check it out. Anyhow, I was telling the house that I was reading it and totally botched the "Agassi" pronounciation. Like Bad. I've been getting grief about it like crazy and now I have the amo to get BA back.

We were running late to an awesome dance recital and were stuck behind a bus. BA told me how she doesn't get how some buses say "Watch for Exciting Children". What?! Exciting children...more like exiting children BA. I still can't get over it!

Life in the 512 is awesome. I'm working on my tennis game (Thank you very much Agassi), work is delightful and my opening day of Barton Springs may be this week.

If only I could have more exciting children in my life...

One man;s junk is another man's treasure...

Two years ago Brian felt led to start a network based on Acts 4:32

(All of the believers were in one heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had).

After a lot of prayer, planning and petitioning he has made this a reality through a web site called Acts of Sharing. It launches tomorrow and is super user-friendly. I think you should check it out right now. Catalogue your junk and who knows? It could be another man's treasure. Either way, you get it back.

1000 Things

I am obsessed with the Post Secret Phenomena. A few years ago a man named Frank sent out a ton of blank post cards and asked people to mail in their secrets. There was a huge response. Some secrets are funny, others sad, many just gross...but he updates his blog every Sunday for you to check out some new ones (www.postsecret.com). It's kind of become a sweet Sunday practice, to slow down and just read people's secrets.

Well today he had a link to a little trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_HkH8huuzA&feature=player_embedded

There is a book coming out called 1000 things. It has 1000 simple joys. Wordless apologies, bakery air, rain on a hot sidewalk, etc. How sweet is that? BUT here's my question-what if his favorite things don't ring true? For example- I can't smell. So anything involving the smell of a fresh apple pie won't be joyful to me. I think I'm going to write my own book- 1000 Things that don't involve smell...or cats.

A few things that would be on my list-
1. Changing Seasons
2. Really cold, crisp watermelon
3. Sitting on the porch with sweet friends
4. Reading a book in bed that you can't put down-to the point that you can barely keep your eyes open.
5. A song that takes you back to a great moment in your life
6. A cold shower after being sun burnt, dirty and exhausted from a day on the lake.
7. Being Reunited.

I got to catch up with Anne this weekend. There is something so sweet about low maintenance relationships. That peace (rather than guilt) that you don't have to call every week to know their thinking about you. I am overwhelmed by how gracious God has been in giving me incredible friends.

I only hope He's done the same for you...

If you lived...

There is a house on tenth street that I run by a few times a month. On the side of the white clapboard house reads

If You Lived

I always try to finish the sentance. If you lived quitely no one would hear you. If you had really really long hair would it get caught in the door? I could go on forever. BUT today the man that lives there was watering his yard. I stopped and asked him about it. He told me that it was supposed to read: If you lived here you'd already be home. He started painting and kind of liked it as is. I found it very intriguing. I want to start asking people to finish it, compile a whole list and take it to him. So please start pondering...

In other news, Sandra Bullock is in town and Cooper had a birthday.

In the age old tradition-

Cooper D is one hell of a guy
I could sum him up in a poem but won't try.
He's the only one that reads this blog
Record breaking triathlon he will log.
You may catch him listening to Elton John
Or maybe even talking to Taylor's Mom.
Caring for others he does so well
Living with the Bonnie boys and cats he gels.
Not to mention he can ball on any court
and don't even dare him to wear jorts.
For Jesus Christ he carries a torch
I wish he would move onto my front porch.
Sorry I'm late on this little rhyme
With you I wish we could spend more time.

Peace out A town...

Population Control and Dope Ham

As it gets warmer and I get more and more grateful to live in the great state of Texas. I was sharing this sentiment with BA the other day. We were talking about how grateful we are for those who suffer in those other states through the cold, wind and rain. BA just kept saying how she wishes should could thank all of those Yanks for population control. I agree with her. Maybe we'll start writing thank you notes to everyone up north.

Easter in Dallas was great. Always a joy to be with the family, Sheridans and Lisa (Joe's sweet Girlfriend). After our dinner we were so so tired. You know how Turkey has that chemical that makes you tired? We are spectulating that we ate Dope Ham. I know it sounds far fetched-but seriously it had to be dope because we were all so so sleepy.

Anways, we survived it and were lucky enough to have room to stretch out and just be grateful for those northerners...

Las Peliculas

I have been given so much grief at work for not seeing a plethora of movies...Super Troopers, La Bamba, Friday, Star Wars, etc. I was telling BA about it and we have decided that there are certain people that love to watch movies. Erin would watch One Fine Day every day like three times a day. Her family looooved to watch movies together on breaks and that was a source of bonding for them.

My family however was a bit different. Our Christmas breaks were filled with intense games of Mexican Train (in which we had to say- I HAVE ONLY ONE LEFT!), summers were filled with intense pool basketball games and wall ball off the back of the house was a must.

One of the things I love most about my Dad is that he plays tennis every sunday against our next door neighbor. Every sunday without fail, when I call he tells me that he either got creamed or destroyed "public enemy number 1".

I don't think there is any point to this post, except to defend those of us that don't get your movie quotes. I don't know the "cough cough, merman" or "Luke I am your father" but I can sure as heck make a pool basket from the third step left side and destroy you in a game of Spades.

Game on movie people...

There's a Mermaid on the Dance Floor

Yesterday I had the joy of going to my first Zumba class at the Y with Amy. I learned a few things-
1. I am the most uncoordinated dancer ever.
2. Men actually attend Zumba dance class.
3. The Cotton-Eyed Joe is still alive.
4. Said men have much more coordination than I.

It was a great workout and we had a blast dancing...but Amy said one of the funniest things I've heard in a while. Here's how it went down-

Sean King's "Shorty fire burning on the dance floor" came on and I told Amy that this song came on all of the time while my family was in Cabo last year. Any preceeds to tell me that makes sense to play that song in Cabo because it's about Mermaids.

"Someone call nine one one there's a mermaid on the dance floor" was what she thought he was saying.

I don't know how mermaids get on the dance floor but I think it's considerate of Amy to think to call 911 if they were on the dance floor.

All that to say-I think someone should call 911 when I get on the dance floor...it's that painful.

Broomsticks Sir?

Life at the HEB has been quite a trip the last few days. Not only are we dealing with passover and all that comes with working at a kosher store, but I have the lovely pleasure of getting to sling groceries all day with the witty grocery manager Robert. I follow the poor guy around all day and pester him with questions, try to help but usually end up messing up everything I touch...but that's true in my real life as well.

The other day the dude hands me a broom and says "here, go park your car". Clearly it took me a little bit to figure out that he was calling me the Wicked Witch. Anyways, I got over that only to be called "Sir" twice yesterday by little old ladies.

Again HEB is always source of some good laughs...besides Baylor 809 funny of course.

Speaking of which they did the sweetest thing. The Bearathon was cancelled due to bad weather and when I got in from Waco I found the Rocky song playing and a huge finish line to cross in our living room. Man they are awesome!

All that to say, I'm going to go get my broomstick's inspection done.

Time...did you know Hootie is black?

Working 50 hours a week, making a serious effort to maintain friendships, actively seeking Community at the Stone, and now trying to train for a tri has left me wondering if I am really spending my time the way I was meant to spend it. I'm rereading Donald Miller's book, Through Painted Deserts and I really got to thinking about life...

"It's a living book, this life; it folds out in a million settings, cast with a billion beautiful chracters, and it is almost over for you. It doesn't matter how old you are; it is coming to a close quickly, and soon the credits will roll and all your friends will fold out of your funeral and drive back to their homes in cold and still and silence. And they will make a fire and pour some wine and think about how you once were...and feel a kind of sickness at the idea you never again will be. So soon you will be in that part of the book where you are holding te bulk of the pages in your left hand, and ony a thin wisp of the story in your right. You will know by the page count, not by the narrative, that the Author is wrapping things up. You begin to mourn its ending, and want to pace yourself slowly toward its closure, knowing the last lines will speak of something beautiful, of the end of something long and earned and you hope the thing closes out like last breaths, like whispers about how much and who the characters have come to love, and how authentic the sentiments feel when they have earned a hundred pages of qualification. "

Am I living the life I was meant to live? Is working at HEB the best the Lord has in store for me? Am I restlessly discontent or at a sweet peace with what He has provided? I guess that is a bigger question than what I'm willing to divulge on my blog...

As I ponder this passing of time, I am reminded of a classic song by Hootie and Blowfish who happened to have a huge concert my sophomore year at Baylor. One of the girls on my hall loved Hootie and her mother came down for the big event. We started talking and I was very surprised to find out that Hootie is black. All of those years rollerblading to Hootie in Michigan and I had absolutly no idea what the man looked like. Fast forward to today and the man is a country singer! Who knew?!

I guess this wisdom is something that can only come with the passing of time...

Las Langostas

We are in full swing at HEB! Thanksgiving is upon us and people are buying things like crazy. Today I had the privilege of helping out the seafood manager by picking up some lobsters for him. I had to go all the way across town (45 minutes) to pick up a box of live lobsters. Now, anyone that knows me is aware that I am up for a challenge, but I was a little weary of having live lobsters in the car for 45 minutes while I trekked across town. I was eager to get going on this endeavor but let him know that I was bit nervous that the langostas would be crawling about the tracker and throwing a party in my backseat.

So I head out ready to pick up my new found friends only to get texts from Mr. Seafood telling me that music upsets the fellas. I told him to rest assured, my sweet singing would put the lobsters at ease, perhaps facilitating a nap. I got stuck in traffic and it was taking me so long to get across town that Seafood got a little nervous that maybe me and my amigos had stopped for happy hour. I was laughing so hard picturing a handful of lobsters and myself sitting at a bar drinking dos equis, but of course they would have a hard time handling a bottle since their claws are tied together. .

So I pick up the guys, and head back to my store. I get stuck in traffic and keep making eye contact with the drivers around me, which tickles me to think that they have no clue that I have a HUGE box of live lobsters crawling around in the backseat.

I guess today was a success...new friends, happy hour and some fresh seafood to kick off a crazy thanksgiving week.

All that to say, if you are in the grocery store and frustrated this week, remember, one of your friends works in a grocery store and it's not as easy at it looks.

Peace. Love. Langostas.

Musac

So today I was invited to have cocktails by one of the nice young gentleman baggers at HEB. After politely letting him know that I couldn't grab cocktails (or margaritas or appetizers, because he asked all of those), we started talking music. He asked what I was into and right now Jay Z is at the top of my list. I was a little nervous that he may think me a poser, but his response? "I respect you so much more now".

Music is such a funny thing! I have been listening to Delilah on my way home from work every night and it cracks me up how her choice of songs is so off from what I would play. I always guess that a Celine Dion or Phil Collins song will be up,but it's always completely random and never captures what the person has told her...it's like she just has songs that she wants no matter what the occasion.

Steve made a very valid comment the other day...have you ever seen a picture of delilah? You will lose all respect for her (if you ever had any to begin with) if you just check out her website.
When we were little kids there was Delilah and then there was a man that used to do a night time show "Pillow talk" he had the LOWEST voice I have ever heard! I think about it now and it just seems creepy.

Okay enough of that...back to JayZ and Celine.

Yahtzee!

Once again I am caught in the crosshairs of a prank war. Junior year of college, our house got into a major prank war with Drew's house, where I came home to my car on blocks, found Henry the rat in my bathroom (Cake's besty) and got upper decked. Upon graduation, I thought prank wars would be an extinct art. Au Contrar.

We are at it again on Baylor Street. I have found my underwear frozen in the freezer, BA has come home to a seran wrapped room, and yesterday we got Bethany back. We changed all of the names in her phone to different names. Her Dad now calls as Tiny Dancer and boys are Latin Lovers. It was BAs idea and I think it genius. I think it may be dying down, this prank war, but I'm open to great pranks for my arsenal.

Yahtzee.