Piercings

Why is it that as young girls all we want is to get our ears pierced?!  I had to wait until I was 13. And yes, I say, I HAD to wait. Needless to say, I was not exactly thrilled. (I'm sure my parents would use a different word.) Maybe this is where my lack of patience began...although it was probably much before that.

*So, on my 13th birthday I got my ears pierced.

At 16 I got second holes directly behind the first holes. I had wanted these for a while and my dad constantly said no. I think the words he used were, "Why would you want another set of holes in your head?"  Then Mom decided that she wanted them as well, so I won! I got them done with Mom. I have never been satisfied with the placement of these second holes. Girls you will understand this, boys...bear with me...the second holes are so close to the first holes that I cannot wear two pair of studded earrings...they simply don't fit.


That was 7, nearly 8, years ago...and I have been disappointed ever since. So, for the past few months, I have been thinking about doing it over. Letting the second holes close and piercing them again further back.
Mom was here last weekend. She has the straightest eye of everyone I have ever known, so I asked her to come with me and did it. I remembered it being far more painful, stressful and nerve-racking. It was nothing like that. Piece of cake!


**Here you go Dad - Referring to something as a "piece of cake" is often used to describe a situation that was easy, or required little effort. The idea of cake being “easy” originated in the 1870’s when cakes were given out as prizes for winning competitions. In particular, there was a tradition in the US slavery states where slaves would circle around a cake at a gathering. The most “graceful” pair would win the cake the in middle. From this the term “cake walk” and “piece of cake” came into being, both meaning that something was easy to accomplish.  The term was first used in print in 1936 by Ogden Nash who wrote, “Her picture’s in the papers now, and life’s a piece of cake.” Today the term is commonly used to describe tests at school, or friendly competitions.

Now, holes fixed. Happy to wear two studs. Why didn't I do this years ago?

Skip

With a skip in our step...we carry on. Be it from the forever-altering attack on the Twin Towers 10 years ago, from the anxious wait, or from the goodbyes to the hellos...we carry on.

Thank you to those of you that are skipping with me. To those dear friends if mine that are serving and protecting my country and me. To those of you that have been holding your breath: you can breathe now.

Add a little skip to your step tomorrow..it may just get you farther than your walk...

And let me also remind you: God is Good. His timing is perfect. And His plans are greater.

For now...thats all.

Today a Chef...

Today I was feeling motivated to try something new.  I attempted an ambitious meal, while I was all alone in the kitchen.  My sister and roommate are both experiencing different adventures in other cities at the moment, so dinner is up to me.  I am cooking the best way I know how: in my Bulldog t-shirt, rooting them on from afar, my piggy slippers, and my mom-made apron.  Thanks to this team of inanimate, however important, objects that are supporting me. 

I will now admit that I am addicted to Pinterest.  If you aren’t, too bad; and if you are, I feel your pain.  I keep seeing all these wonderful looking food things and decided that I should try one tonight.  So I have tried these beautiful sliced potatoes. 

I also cooked a stuffed pork chop (thank you Fresno Meat Market) and baked asparagus.  YUM! Therefore, tonight, I will call myself a chef.  I have succeeded in this large overwhelming meal all by my lonesome.  I will also admit that it is spectacularly delicious!!

Now, I did not eat this meal all alone; I would never cook such a large meal for just myself – bring on the popcorn if that is the case.  Greg has joined me for this adventure, though he was sleeping on my couch for the entire cooking process.  To be fair, he had a wonderfully long night yesterday at a Jr High boys all-nighter – where he obviously stayed up nearly all night – doing boy things…I don’t ask questions.  Even he said he would give it an 8 out of 10…pretty good if I say so myself (I’m ignoring that he is biased).

P.S. we have now been dating for 2 years and 7 months…but who’s counting…

P.P.S.  He is amazing and brought me a bouquet of pink and red daisies and roses.  I love him!

Now off to try the dessert...Cake Batter Cookie Bars.  I will let you in on the votes for those later...

To-Day

Many people that know me, tease me for my lack of patience. I am terribly impatient when I know something good is upcoming, like waiting for my mom to arrive in 6 days and to see her again with my dad in one month, when I know a smile will cross my face. I will also admit that I am not to patient when it comes to the person in line that's taking to long, waiting for the restroom, and waiting for an email, among I'm sure, many other things. My response lately has been, "I have no patience for the little things, so that I can save it for the big things." I know this is wishful thinking, because I am not patient with those either.

Today however, while I am waiting with my anxious attempt at patience I was reading a book called "Facing Forward: Poems of Courage". I am blessed to have received this book from my Aunt Nene and Grandma Carol. It was my Great Aunt Elsie's book (many people know her as the Swedish Pancake Queen; it is her recepie that I use when I make them). Anyway, this is her book and I love reading it, I love turning the delicate yellow pages; I hold my breath every time I turn it for fear of ripping another page; I love the way it smells, I love the feeling of the old leather binding (that I have re-glued more than once), I love the way it smells, and I love especially knowing that she was reading it and that the woman of my family have read it also.

I read one poem and here I post my decision for my impatience...at least today's.

To-Day
Why fear to-morrow, timid heart?
Why tread the future's way?
We only need to do our part,
To-Day, dear child, to-day.

The past is written! Close the book
On pages sad and gray;
Within the future do not look,
But live to-day - to-day.

'tis this one hour God has given;
His Now we must obey;
And it will make our earth his heaven
To live to-day - to-day.
Lydia Avery Coonley Ward

So Today, I spend my patience working in the garden and now off to be with friends. I choose to live to-day - to-day and wait to see what will happen tomorrow. Thanks Aunt Elsie for the words of encouragement.

Love

It has come to my attention that this post was blank. Although love can often leave you speechless,that was not my intent for yesterday's blog. Here was what I attempted yesterday.

It is a very special day for my family. It is a day honoring the people who taught me how to love. These people taught me that love is so much more than words alone. As Pooh said to Piglet, "you don't spell it, you feel it."

Love is an open heart, a kitchen closed, holding hands, yard work, deep true conversations, picking the right movie, lists of projects, making tacos, helping each other grow, buying secret gifts, a caboose changing to a house, tongues sticking out, Harley rides with wine in sight, vacations, and my list could go on forever.

Needless to say, it is my parents wedding anniversary. They have been married for 29 years and I have been blessed to be apart of their marriage for the past 23 years. Thanks fornsharing with me. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. I love you both!

P.S. Dad, this means next year is 30...The supposed year for pearls!

GameDay

Ok, I know it has been too long, but here is the deal...I decided to take a Summer Break from my blog. But now, school has started and I am back to work. I will certainly add in my summer adventures as I go through my hundreds of pictures...hehe. So, more on that to come later.

Now, the importance of today. As I said, school has started which means something wonderful starts along with it; Fresno State Football. Today is kickoff and we (we means the Bulldogs, and since I have previously stated that I have Bulldog blood, I can say we...I am apart of the Bulldog family) are playing Cal at Candlestick Park, where the 49ers play.

This game is important for multiple reasons, but it is the start of the first game of my final football season while I am a student. Now, this is certainly not to say that I won't be a Bulldog fan after I officially graduate, but there is just something wonderful about it being My Team while I am a student. Also, we have new unifornms and maybe a few new attitudes, but a new season is a new season. I am ready! We are ready!

I am excited to share the experience of being a Bulldog with my family and friends and football is the perfect way to share it.

Ok, the game is on...on the first run, an interception to which we later scored. Now, there are 7 minutes left in the first quarter and the score is 7-6; we blocked the kick on their touchdown...we are the best in the country about blocking kicks.

So I leave you with this. I am Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, I am gunna be a Bulldog til' the day I'm dead. GO DOGS!