Indo Changes

June 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Tonight I was outside around dusk sitting under a tree.

Just thinkin’.

I do that sometimes. :)

Actually, while I was thinking, I was trying to catch lightning bugs, too, without actually getting up and chasing them, but only a few came within arm’s length, and I missed them. Bummer. Since they were clearly avoiding me, I just sat and watched bats fly over my head. Ok, not a lot. But there were batS…plural.

I know it’s goofy and not very relevant to life as I now know it, but seeing those bats and watching with fascination reminded me that living overseas has made life different from what it once was.

For starters, it cracks me up that I can watch bats with. fascination. And those bats kinda made me miss Indo, too.

So pardon me while I take a little jaunt down recent-memory lane.

Tomorrow some of our dear friends are making the long trek back to the States after nine years in Indonesia. It’s bittersweet for us, and we’re not even there going through it. They are some of the last friends we have left at the school and are also the last real tie we have with our pembantu, Ibu Sari.

It’s crazy how a place changing so much can make my heart bleed.

I grieve what was…and what was so wonderful. A time we can’t have back but one that will be etched forever in our hearts. It brings an ache and longing for heaven and with it a hope that we will see our beloved house helper and her family there, too.

You can pray for our friends to have a safe trip and a great summer in the gool ‘ol U.S. before they begin their next big adventure on another continent in about six weeks. Seriously, I know they’d appreciate your prayers a lot.

You can pray that Tobin and I find a way to keep intentional communication going with Ibu Sari and her family. We still have a good friend at BAIS who is a national, and we know he’ll help us out however he can. It will just be harder than it was before.

So much going on in my mind and on my heart…and it may only make sense to me, but it’s where I am tonight.

So thanks for reading. :)

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends, Indonesia, where I am

Saturday Chatting

June 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Hey there, friends.

So I’m definitely in a chatty mood today. In fact, I talked so much today I think I drove my hubby crazy. Maybe a good Father’s Day gift would be earplugs?!

No, seriously.

Sometimes I get in those spurts where there’s SO much swimming around in my head that I can’t talk enough! I just have to process it ALL! Whether or not the person on the other end of the conversation wants to hear it or not.

I believe that’s a characteristic of the classic ENFP.

I don’t have anything earth-shattering to share tonight…just what He’s doing.

God has really been challenging me lately to just soak up the NOW and the blessings that come with it. To wake up in the mornings ready to embrace the little things that make up the wonderful in a day.

Like today…which started with a 5k run. It was a tough run for everyone…I’m suspecting that the 70+ degrees so early in the morning had a lot to do with it. My usual running partner and I were at different paces today so I ran most of the time alone, and it was good. The running path we use is mostly shaded and just…pretty. It really is a nice run if I have to be working out. Just me…processing sometimes-aloud and talking to God. :) And as a bonus, there were no chipmunks falling out of trees today! (Did I tell y’all about that? I’ll have to go back and look. ;))

I headed home, and it was such a gorgeous morning and our backyard is shaded until afternoon, so we spent most of the time outside. Tobin ran out and picked up some breakfast, and we all ate out on the patio and enjoyed Mae and her exuberance. (And her attempts to steal my Diet Coke. Yes. Because that IS what I drink with my breakfast on Saturdays. :))

We spent about an hour with Mae in the pool after lunch, and that was really fun, too. She laughed and splashed and repeatedly threw the diving rings for us to grab for her. Just good times. She is at such a curious and busy, but FUN age, and I’m truly trying to enjoy each moment.

Even the ones involving sprawled-on-the-floor temper tantrums. Because she IS almost two.

Golly…in five days.

Sniff, sniff.

And there were other joys…naps, time to read a “fun” book, pizza for dinner, a walk through the neighborhood to visit and chat with some of our friends, bedtime stories and songs, and a sweet reminder.

Tonight, as Mae and I were singing He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, God have me a glimpse of His Love and Power…things that I needed to be reminded of. Sometimes situations seem out of our control, and all we can do is place them in His hands. And, really, that shouldn’t be my last resort, as it so often is. I should trust His Love and His Power enough to give it all to Him.

That’s so hard, but something I definitely needed to think about tonight. :)

I am extremely blessed.

Remind me of that if I ever forget it. Ok?

G’nite friends. Thanks for being here. :)

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, family, friends, just life, Maelie, random, running, Tobin, where I am

A Lesson From a Dead Daisy Plant

June 8, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

A couple months ago I planted daisy seeds in a cute, little tin pail.

I had originally wanted to put several plants in our backyard, but being indecisive, I-don’t-know-what-I-want, ME, a plan was never really made. Plus, those who know me understand that planting anything or keeping flowers/plants alive? I don’t really do that so much. (I just need HELP so if any of you who have a green thumb wanna offer some assistance…well, you know where to find me.) 😉

But I was browsing in Target (shocker, I know) and happened to wander through the dollar section. There was this uber-adorable little pink-and-white tin pail on clearance for probably a quarter and then a little tiny package of daisy seeds.

And right there, in the dollar section, I decided that I was going to grow myself a some daisies. :)

I figured it couldn’t hurt to try, though the fact that I purchased my supplies in the Target Dollar Section probably speaks something about the success of the project…keep reading. 😉

So my awesome hubby filled up the little pail with dirt for me, and I planted the seeds, plopped that little pail on my kitchen window sill, determined that I was going to have some pretty daisies.

Lo, and behold, several days later those seeds started to sprout!

I am pretty sure I got very excited at the sight of green poking through the dirt. Like possibly do-a-little-happy-dance-around-the kitchen excited.

Maybe that happened. 😉

For almost two months the green kept growing taller and taller…and I kept hoping to see that little sign that there was a flower about to appear…

But, alas…

In a moment of frustration a few days ago, I finally pitched the plant outside, giving up all hope that I’d actually get A. DAISY.

I didn’t technically throw it…I just placed it out on the back patio, knowing that Maelie would find it and play with it. (Which she did.) 😉

That “daisy” came up in a conversation today, and as I was thinking about it later, I wondered something.

What if I’d been willing to wait longer? I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever grown flowers. I. Don’t. Know. how long it takes for that to happen. I just had “the way it should be” in my mind and let that be my Truth.

Sometimes I’m that way with life. (Or maybe more-than-sometimes…)

I have it in my head how things should be…and I often forget to consider that God’s ways don’t always look like mine.

There are times when He asks me to wait. I think back to a year ago when we were still waiting on our house. He had it all planned out for us, but in that waiting, He taught us a lesson in trust.

I’ve had to wait for other things in life, too. We all have. But He always shows His faithfulness…the kind of faithfulness that makes me wonder why I ever doubted Him.

That poor little daisy “plant” could have been pretty, I think.

But I never consider something that becomes a reminder of Truth a complete waste.

Sig

Filed Under: encouragement, just life, what I'm learning, where I am

It Rained Today

June 5, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

I remember the first time I had to say goodbye to a friend.

I was about six years old, and my good friend from the neighborhood was moving with her family to Texas. I was young, but I remember so much about that day…including the amount of rain that fell.

And we’re not talking from the sky.

She and her family left early that Saturday morning. I sobbed as I watched them drive away…and I never saw her again.

Over the years there have been other goodbyes. Friends have come and gone, hearts hurt, more tears have fallen…because that’s what happens with life and comings and goings.

Our time in Indonesia taught me much about saying goodbye…because it happened all the time. People…friends, students, teachers…were always in transition. And though I am generally an emotional person, I had to learn to control the amount of rain that fell.

I couldn’t let every single goodbye devastate me. And at a not-so-young age, I finally found some way to properly grasp saying goodbye.

One of the most valuable life lessons I took away from our time overseas was the concept of RAFTing. Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewell, Think Destination. As we faced many goodbyes of friends who left us and then became the ones who were leaving, these concepts helped us end one chapter of our lives and look forward to the next.

Today I said goodbye to a friend.

When I woke up this morning and realized what day it was, I was briefly tempted to just text her a goodbye, apologizing that I never made it over. Then I caught myself.

We live less than five minutes away and Maelie and I had nothing on our schedule for the day.

So we had no excuses.

Added to that, the one thing that has stuck with me through all the goodbyes I’ve said is that friends need to know that they are valued and loved. They need to be affirmed. And, whenever possible, they need to hear it from us. In person.

So I texted her, we figured out a time, and Maelie and I stopped over.

We ended up staying for over an hour…just talking, catching up a bit, laughing, talking about the future…and crying.

It was good to let the rain fall for my friend, this woman who was part of a group who gave me community when it was my turn to be the new girl. We bonded over Iowa talks and park get-togethers and late, summer-night workouts. She always had a smile, was such an encourager, and I truly value her friendship…even though it will now be across hundreds of miles.

It rained today.

It rained tears of thanks and sadness and JOY all mingled with the hope that we have in our Father.

And though it rained, it wasn’t really a goodbye kind of rain. It was that I’ll see you…soon kind of rain. And I will.

Goodbye, my friend. I will miss you.

 

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, encouragement, friends, just life, remembering, where I am

Feeling…

June 4, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Awake. Another late night workout. Hoping my body decides to fully crash earlier tonight than it did last night. However, my daughter has been sleeping in lately. That’s always good.

Entertained. (But only slightly.) There’s a family of skunks living under our front porch. I’m not sure how to process this information other than do my best to avoid that area at all costs. Yep…not really diggin’ the idea of bathing in tomato juice or whatever concoction is necessary to kill the stench.

Slightly Jealous. Apparently, in the middle of kindergarten graduation at BAIS (our school in Indo) yesterday, a 6.1 earthquake hit. My first thought was, Cool! Then, Man, I wish I could have been there! I’m not sure the kindergarteners thought that, though…but it does make for a memorable graduation ceremony!

Thirsty for Coffee. I’m gonna be a good girl and NOT tonight. Ya think that could potentially hinder my sleeping ability? I want some zzzzz’s too badly tonight to risk it. I’ll just drink an extra cup in the morning. :)

Frustrated. Trying to figure out what to do for Mae’s birthday. June is busy, and I know not every year has to be a big shindig, but I want to do something for her. I’ve got about another day to figure out…whatever it is I’m figuring out…and then get some plans going. Can we say “procrastination”? Ugh…I’m disappointed in myself.

Encouraged. I’ve just been reminded over and over lately that God wants to hear the things on our hearts…even if they seem small. I’ve tried to be intentional about talking to Him throughout my day, and it always makes me smile to see a way He’s answered something.

Hopeful. It wasn’t a great day with parenting and my napless wonder of a daughter who decided that screaming bloody murder for an hour was preferable to napping. :( We rarely have days this bad and they are never consecutive, so I’m hoping that tomorrow will be a good day. ‘Cause I love her and on the days she’s oozing sunshine…well, there’s not much that’s better. :)

Sad. Not too sad, just wondering what’s going to happen with a particular situation in life right now. It has the potential to change some things for us. Nothing earth-shattering but definitely makes me think, Oh. With a kind-of sad face.

Thankful. I say it all the time, but I am truly thankful for the Grace that has been given to me…the Grace I need but don’t deserve…that Grace that has changed my life. I love that it never ceases to amaze me. I’m thankful that He keeps amazing me with all He is. That’s cool.

Tired. Maybe. :) Gonna try for some sleep. G’nite, friends!

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, where I am

Running, Half Marathons, and Chocolate Love

June 3, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

So this is that post where I plop down at the computer after 9 pm. The coffee is brewing (really…it sounded too good :)) and I went for a run far too late tonight. When I work out late, I’m up until all hours. It’s really not always a good choice.

I’ve been wanting to extend the length of my normal run for awhile now, but for some reason that extra lap around the park always seemed like more than I wanted to deal with or push through, and if I’m running in the morning, it requires getting up seven minutes earlier. That’s a lot of minutes early in Mel’s sleepy-world.

Today, though, I was itching to get out of the house and burn off some of the way-too-big bowl of chocolate/peanut butter ice cream I had yesterday. And, I was feeling good ’cause I treated myself to a nap this afternoon while Mae took hers. (I think it was about two hours long.)

And it was glorious, just in case you were wondering. 😉

So tonight I tacked on the dreaded .8 miles to my usual 2.8, and you know what? It wasn’t that bad. It was actually good. I mean, the last half mile was tough and I was dripping and panting and sweating through my tank top AND T-shirt, BUT…it was good.

I almost let it enter my mind that I could be ready for the half marathon in September that I’d been considering until my knee decided to do funky things. We shall see. If a friend wanted to join me…you know, hypothetically…I might be persuaded to actually follow through.

Why is it that women always have to do things in groups?

Guys are, like, all manly and (insert deep, gruff voice) I-can-do-this-better-by-myself.

I don’t work that way. At all. Maybe it’s just that things are much more fun with friends, and adventures like half marathons are far more tolerable with a good buddy willing to suffer along with you. Yeah. :)

So, all my friends…any takers?! You know you want to. (And if you don’t want to run, I know you’ll want to come cheer for me as I totally kill myself rock the half.)

😉

Enough about that.

I’ve been on a huge chocolate kick lately.

I realize that stating that is comparable to letting you all know that I have two eyes.

No, really on a chocolate kick. I kind of can’t stay away from it. In fact, I’m headed to Target sometime tomorrow to try to find a couple new protein bars that have a good dose of chocolate in them and don’t taste like cardboard…quite a tall order to fill. But maybe that will curb the magnetic force that seems to be pulling me to the Ghiradelli bag multiple times a day. Golly. I’m gonna need to start running 12 miles a day just to burn it all off! Ugh.

But, seriously, isn’t chocolate just SO good? I think it goes with everything. With oatmeal at breakfast, with coffee after that, with Diet Coke all day long (that’s my favorite combo)… I’ve even been known in recent years to spread Nutella on bread and call it a sandwich for lunch. Oh, that sounds good. I need to stop talking about chocolate.

I’ve been really challenged in the last few days to spend time looking for little pieces of JOY in each day, and it’s been so good. Today’s joys? Lots of ’em. :) Seeing friends at church, my favorite pizza, playing frisbee with my hubby, cuddles and giggles with my girl, a visit and chat with a friend, a nap…it really was a great day. Lots to be thankful for.

Well, it’s late…and even if I’m not tired, I should probably try to get some sleep. :)

Love to you all, my friends. Hope your weekend was wonderful!

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, coffee, friends, just life, Maelie, running, where I am

Through Leaves

June 2, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

The sunshine is back. That’s very good news. :)

And it was one of those days…just sunny and nice enough to be comfortable but not warm enough for my standard summer outfit…shorts and a tank top. (I tried but was way too cold.)

So I settled for jeans and my current-favorite black warm up jacket over that tank top, grabbed my guitar, and plopped down into my favorite chair out on the back patio while Maelie played this afternoon.

I strummed for a bit, worked on a few new chords, quickly lost my patience for learning anything new, put my guitar down, kicked my feet up, and stared into the trees.

I love the feel of the full-on sun on my face. I’m not the bronze-obsessed girl I used to be, but I still love a little color and the sun’s warmth as it beats down on me. Unfortunately, because of the time of day it was, all I could have were the little strips of golden sunshine poking through tree branches and leaves.

It frustrated me for a minute, but as I kept my eyes fixed on those leaves, it hit me.

While I might not have been getting the sunshine I wanted, what I had was still beautiful.

Life is kind of like that. We have this expected idea of all that is beauty and good, and it’s all we want. Today…it was worth it. To let go of my desire for sunshine and to see the beauty, instead, through the leaves.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, encouragement, just life, where I am

So Many Blessings (Pt. 38)

June 1, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

You know those lists of blessings that I post about once a week?

Now that I think about it, it should be time for another one soon. Maybe I’ll add it at the end of this. :)

This is why I write them down…

Often, when those lists are compiled, I’m not having a great day. It’s my way of looking beyond the things that don’t necessarily make me smile to see the beauty and love surrounding me. A way to choose that JOY that I so desperately desire in each day. A way to find the small things that truly make up the big moments in life.

If I were making a list today, I would probably sit for quite awhile and think about the week. It’s been up and down, definitely…but taking that time to reflect makes me thankful.

One of Maelie’s favorites lately is Veggie Tales, and she almost daily requests the episode, Madame Blueberry. It’s a lesson in thankfulness, and while I’m getting sick of the story…the message is something that’s good for anyone to hear.

Things don’t make us happy and money doesn’t buy a fulfilled life. It’s all about being content with what God has given and choosing JOY in all things.

As Maelie watched that episode tonight before she went to bed, I felt myself tearing up at the end (I know, I know…over an animated movie. Golly, Mel.) when Madame Blueberry says that she finally figured out what she wants…A happy heart.

Because a thankful heart IS a happy heart.

As I think through life and marriage and Maelie…that’s my prayer for us. That we will learn to be thankful no matter what He gives…and that thankfulness will produce JOY in all circumstances.That we’ll have happy hearts and be able to soak in the many blessings that surround us.

God is so GOOD. Even if things in life are hard, we never have to look far to see the goodness He’s showered down.

Here are a few for today. :)

:) A spur-of-the-moment date with my hubby and daughter tonight…one where she sat still in a restaurant, colored on her kiddie menu, ate her dinner, and didn’t cry or fuss. We had a really good time together.

:) Afternoon naps.

:) Friends that make me smile.

:) Cookies (or just a cookIE) for breakfast.

:) A random day to wear my combat boots again.

:) Cute, little-girl clothes from a rummage sale.

:) Reading new books and being amazed at how much my girl is soaking up.

:) Being reminded of God’s perfect plan again today.

:) Weekends and summer and hopefully some warmer temps on the way!

:) Polka dots and stripes and flowers.

:) Hugs. I love hugs.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life, uncategorized, what I'm learning, where I am

Lessons From a Walk in the Valley

May 31, 2012 by · 2 Comments

Before you start reading this, please know that it’s not directed at any one person. It’s just me talking, sharing life, thinking thoughts aloud…while drinking coffee ’cause I promised you all a coffee date, didn’t I?

:)

I even brewed the coffee late at night because I have this idea in my head that words come out easier when there’s caffeine involved. I’m not sure that’s far from the truth at all. :)

Staring out the window on this last-day-of-May afternoon, it’s cloudy, gloomy, and rainy. And? COLD…40’s in May?! REALLY?!?! I’ve got socks on, a running jacket over my shirt, and the sweater that my sweet friend literally gave me off her back over of all of that.

I’m cozy. Really.

But a person is not supposed to be COZY on May 31. More like hot…or at least warm…and in shorts and a tank top. 😉

Ok, not sure where that tangent came from. Down to business. Remember, this IS how I write. I joke for a bit before I get to the deep stuff. (Do you think that’s healthy? I’m not convinced. Just sayin’.)

So you may have noticed the lack of depth in the things I’ve been writing lately. I seem to go through those spurts, and after almost a year and a half of continuous blogging, it’s finally starting to NOT freak me out anymore. Because I know my words will be back eventually.

Life just feels like a long-stretching valley right now. There are little joys like pool-splashing and hugs from friends and bits of encouragement here and there, but lately, more down days than up.

For someone who is generally happy-go-lucky, fun, and full of spunk…that’s hard.

I wish the days were always sunny and that the smiles came easier and that I felt my purpose was being fulfilled and that am someone.

I don’t want to talk about the big D word, but sometimes I think we shove it under the rug, hoping that if we ignore depression that it will just go away and life will be rainbows and cupcakes again. (Hey…you know me and cake. I had to throw that in!)

I’m not talking about this to make you feel bad for me. Don’t. It’s life, and we all have those days even if we don’t want to admit it.

Honestly, it bothers me that Tobin and I are coming up on a decade of marriage…and our lives still don’t feel settled.

On the outside, it looks that they are. We bought a house we love. We have a car. Two, even. We are parents to the most amazing little girl the world has ever known. (Ok, I’m biased. ;)) But she is pretty wonderful. We have two golden retrievers who mean a lot to us. We’re surrounded by friends in this community who have loved on us without knowing how badly we needed that love. And we are blessed in those ways and many, many more…Beyond. Measure.

But it’s often that those things buried or hidden behind closed doors are what tear at a person’s heart and being the most.

It isn’t that I’m not happy with Tobin. We love each other and have chosen to stick things out while holding hands…despite many, many differences that could have driven us apart. And while we love big, we also disagree big…and that’s no secret to people who know us best. It’s personality type, partly. We really are the poster children(?) for the saying, Opposites Attract. And I guess I find it frustrating…and in some ways hurtful…that we are still battling through things after almost a decade together. I feel like we should have this figured out by now.

We’re aware of it, but it’s hard to know what to do about it. Just giving each moment to our Father, trusting that He is always Good.

I’m also struggling with parenting. I adore Maelie, and she is the sunshine of my day. Completely. But sometimes her almost-two-ness is just insanely in-my-face, and my normally decent amount of patience comes crashing down. It can be easy to let those moments discourage me for days, though she is the picture of forgiveness and love. Those times sure don’t bring out the best in me as a mommy, though, and I hate that because I love her and want the best for her.

And along with parenting comes the question that I don’t want to hear…that I don’t always have an answer for. Are you planning to have more?

Here’s the thing. Though I’m sometimes tempted to give the snippy reply, I wasn’t planning to have one, that’s not really how I want to respond.

The truth is that Maelie is a blessing we can’t put into words. After that adoption mess and struggling with pregnancy, I had started to think it might not happen for us. And when it did, I told God from the beginning that I knew He would help me be satisfied with whatever He gave.

I truly am. I just love the JOY that is my little girl SO. SO. MUCH. And if she is our only child here on earth, that’s ok. It’s more than ok…it’s amazing.

But it still hurts to think about more kids, which seems like a direct contradiction of what I just said. I can’t explain it, but some of you get it. There are what ifs and maybe somedays that creep in sometimes and cause my mind to go to places it shouldn’t.

I believe fully in God’s perfect plan, and clearly this bubbly, sweet, wonderful girl is the part of the plan He’s chosen to give us at this moment.

And part of walking through this time, this valley, is learning what He has for me. Growing in the Grace He has given. Honoring Him on days that are less than easy. Choosing JOY.

I’m really trying to grow through these days that are challenging and remind myself that God gives us times that are tough to remind us that He is our Help and our Comforter and our Hope and our Healer…and so much more.

It’s been a blessing to reflect on all He is…and who I am in Him.

Really, a sinner saved only by Grace.

And because I can’t leave this post on that kind of note, and because I’m a little wired on caffeine, here are a couple fun things.

Well, I think they’re fun. 😉

First up…a photo. Yes, I am a dork and took a picture of myself. 😉 Here’s the haircut. It’s actually more choppy than it looks. But since it’s after 10 pm and I just washed it, it’ll look better once I sleep on it…yay for a haircut where bedhead actually works to my advantage! :)

And, for some reason I thought you should know that I bought a shirt at the rummage sale at our church for $.50. It’s orange. It’s cute. And though I rarely wear orange, since it’s cute, I’m going to wear it tomorrow. Did I mention it’s cute?! I don’t have a picture of that, but maybe I’ll take one for you all. (Or have someone else take it ’cause I don’t want to be too dorky. ;))

Thanks for listening, for loving, for being here…even if I act like a dork sometimes.

Grin. :)

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, coffee, encouragement, hair, just life, Maelie, marriage, what I'm learning, where I am

Rummage Sales, Memorial Day, Buying Coffee, and Hair-Chopping

May 29, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

So I’m sitting here this afternoon, twiddling my thumbs.

Almost literally.

Mae is down for her nap, and it’s hot outside. And while I could go soak up a few rays…which I still might do…I’ve got a pretty boring afternoon stretching out before me.

I spent the morning helping set up for the rummage sale at our church/school. If you are in the area Thursday-Saturday this week, you should pop over to the school gym, find a few treasures, and support this awesome school! We love it, and our Mae doesn’t even go there yet! :)

I’ll be hanging out there off and on during the week helping when I can, but it’s tough with the girl. She’s not in the sit-still-and-stay-out-of-everything phase…at ALL. (Really, when are they EVER?) So she won’t be joining me this year. :)

We had friends over last night for a Memorial Day BBQ. It was really fun…to just talk and laugh (and eat!) and hang out with some pretty awesome people. Unfortunately, Mae was up WAY too late. I am, therefore, anticipating a three hour nap from her this afternoon. We shall see. :) And since we had company, I can’t even clean the house ’cause it’s not messy!

Ugh…what to do with my afternoon.

Drink coffee. I can definitely do that. :)

Oh, and here’s something coffee related that’s too cool. I found it on a friend’s blog yesterday, and Tobin and I used it to buy a few cups of coffee for troops overseas. Being a girl who hearts coffee and a good chat, this is a really sweet way to say thank you to those who are serving our country. And it’s not too late for you to get in on some of the coffee action, too! You even get to add a personal note to your purchase. I love this. LOVE it.

Oh, I can also tell you what I’m gonna do tonight. (Like I didn’t have this conversation planned…SEE the title? ;))

I really love my hairstylist. Besides being my friend, she’s also my favorite person one day a month when she cuts/colors my hair. Maybe I’m biased, but I think she does a really good job. Since she started cutting my hair last October, in an I’m-gonna-hint-like-crazy-and-hope-you-let-me-do-this-somday kind of way, she’s been begging asking me to let her cut a pixie.

I finally told her a couple weeks ago that she could do it this time. Just once to see if I like it. :)

I’m kind of a hair girl. I spend enough time (and money) on it…plus, it’s just fun. I like to change it up every year or so. And if I’ve got the same style for too long, I start to get bored. So even though I love my current haircut, it’s definitely time for a change.

So that’s what I’m doing tonight. And I have to admit to you that I’m a teeny bit nervous. I haven’t gone this short since that dramatic episode in college where I basically fried my hair off.

Yeah, I’m a star. :)

I’ve pored through pictures and haven’t found anything exactly like what I want…just two that I’m hoping she can combine into something choppy, shaggy, fun. (I’m starting to get nervous…)

No, I’m actually excited. And I figure it will grow back by the end of summer if I really don’t like it.

😉

And now that I’ve completely chatted away about everything…Happy Tuesday, friends. Hope your day is full of blessings!

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Filed Under: blessings, coffee, friends, hair, just life, Maelie, Tobin, where I am
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