A Barefoot Life

Thinking… (and Writing…)

February 25, 2012 by Mel · 3 Comments

Do you ever have those moments when you type a word…and you KNOW you spelled it right, but it LOOKS so very wrong?

That’s the way the word “thinking” looks right now. Please assure me that I spelled it right. Pretty please?!

Ok, moving on…

I had every intention of sitting down with my mug of blueberry tea (still fightin’ off that cold…) and having a little chat with you.

That was thirty minutes ago.

The tea is gone, I ate a peppermint patty (by the way, those don’t go so well with blueberry tea), helped hubby pick out a couple trip necessities on Amazon…

And didn’t write.

But that’s ok…I’ll just write now. (And maybe refill my mug because, you know, there’s nothing I’d rather do than be up all night going to the bathroom. Ok, ok, TMI.)

I’ve been pretty cool with being kind of whatever for this trip. We haven’t planned much other than hotel, which is typical Mel-Tobin travel style. We find adventures without looking for them, so all will be good as long as there’s a beach, a place to get coffee, and some type of public transportation in which I won’t be sat on by a random stranger. (Long Indo story/memory.)

I’ve hit a couple thrift stores for some clothes that fit, borrowed some more from my most amazing friend who is excited that her clothes are going to Spain, (I’m happy to oblige) and hopefully that’ll be enough. I must say, though, it’s very difficult to pack for a trip in which the daily temperature can vary from 40-75. Hello, layers. Hopefully I will get a bit of color, even if a tan really isn’t at the top of the list for my trip goals. 😉

But the one thing I kind of freaked out about…is my hair. (Yes, I’m vain. I said it, you don’t have to.) I have fretted more-than-slightly about what on earth I’m going to do about my hair and it’s overly-frizzy-curly tendencies in humid climates. (Or even in not-so…) That’s because my current straightener isn’t dual voltage.

Amazon Prime to the rescue!

I actually needed a new straightener anyway, and we found a great one with good reviews for an awesome price. And since we’re prime members, free shipping. Hee HEE!

I can rest easy that at least my hair will look good in all the photos.

I’m really not as vain as I sound…I just firmly believe in doing my hair before going out in public. Even my hubby admitted that I’m mostly not high maintenance. (Mel breathes a sigh of relief…as she puts on eyeliner before going to bed.)

Kidding. Completely.

Gosh, what was IN that tea?!?!

We really need to move on to another subject.

I could tell you a funny story about how my hubby just came downstairs at 10:35 p.m. in order to teach me how to properly hang up my pants that I’m wearing tomorrow. Admittedly, I’m a clothes-thrower. I’ll try on a few things usually before deciding what to wear, and they usually end up in a pile to be sifted through and hung up again…which I do maybe twice a week.

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I just figured since they were already off the hanger, I could just leave them there until tomorrow. I guess not. 😉

It was kind of cute how he came downstairs…and kind of annoying, too. (Which I let him know. :)) In the end, though…success. I now know how to hang up my pants the right way. (Just so you know I’m still chuckling at the entire situation…)

I love him. Honestly, we’ve had a pretty up and down few months. I’d be lying if I told you that being married has been a big, happy fairy tale. But life is good. I’m learning a lot about love. We’re laughing more. And we’re learning that “us” is just as important as “Mel” and “Tobin”.

God has been giving me little pieces of JOY each day, despite some of the heartaches I’ve shared lately. And I want to share this one because I mentioned it yesterday…my friend made it through surgery. She did well, and though recovery will be long, the doctor’s are optimistic. Praise Him.

I’ve been spending more time talking to Him…just pieces of my day spent telling Him my heart. It’s good. I know I have a lot to learn about prayer, but I’m thankful that I can just talk with Him and cry to Him.

Well, tomorrow morning is going to come early…I need to crash.

G’nite, friends.

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

A Heavy Sort of Morning

February 24, 2012 by Mel · 2 Comments

It’s a heavy sort of morning.

Outside, the blanket of white beauty that fell overnight makes the world a little prettier. The tree branches bending under the weight of their icy frosting make the scene outside my window look much more like a photograph than reality.

But it’s real…and a very real reminder to my heart this morning.

A few hours ago a dear sister from a decade ago went in for surgery, the doctors hoping to correct the problem with seizures she’s been having, their frequency and severity increasing. It’s a delicate surgery, and the snow covering the world reminds me of the blanket of prayer in which she’s wrapped.

God is Good…and He will be just that regardless of the outcome. But this pastor’s wife and mama to two precious girls has so much living to do…and we all pray that she will be able to do just that. KS, you are in my heart and prayers today and in the days to come.

Another dear, lifelong friend is aching and hurting so much right now. In so many ways, she is my hero. The Proverbs 31 woman, a fantastic mommy to her wonderful and beautiful children…and the ache in her is something I can’t fix.

That kills me.

All I can do is pray. He has already wrapped her in prayer and love. She is loved…so loved. And we trust in His goodness even when we don’t see purpose.

And still another dear friend faces unknown. I ache for that unknown, for I am still learning trust. But her strength and joy encourage me, a daily reminder of the Grace in which she walks.

Today I am reminded that just as the blanket of snow outside makes everything a little prettier, so is His Love.

It makes things beautiful.

He hears prayer, He calms troubled hearts, and He proves over and

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over that He is Love.

And that He is Good.

It is in that blanket that I wrap myself today.

And the one I hope you find yourself covered in, too.

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

Little Blessings (Pt. 24)

February 23, 2012 by Mel · Leave a Comment

Productive (and fun) trips to Goodwill with my sweet friend.

A beautiful snowfall.

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Coffee. And creamer. And more coffee. And still more creamer. And maybe a little more coffee.

Precious moments with my girl that I wish I could bottle up.

The adorable way that Mae repeats everything I say. Yes, it’s adorable now. Ask me again in a year or so. 😉

Blog-browsing late into the night.

Two consecutive nights of good sleep.

The joy that making music brings.

The way that friends are always connected by their hearts even if too many miles separate them.

Resting in the loving heart of my Father.

Filed Under: blessings, just life

The Purpose of My Bare Feet

February 22, 2012 by Mel · 3 Comments

Just a few thoughts I’ve been tossing around in my brain for a couple weeks. Enjoy.

So…the title of my blog is kinda funny.

I mean, I live in the Midwest.

I rarely ever go barefoot outside the house unless it’s just in the backyard, though I would almost always rather go without shoes.

It isn’t because I want you all to stare at my gorgeous feet. 😉

I just don’t love shoes…though if I have to wear them, I’m pretty particular about what I wear.

But that’s not the point.

The point? Is this.

That shoes have so much purpose.

They protect. Wearing shoes, I don’t have to worry about stepping on painful things or stubbing my toes or tearing up the bottoms of my feet. All things that inevitably happen the day I choose to not wear shoes. 😉

They make things more comfortable. If I’m going for a run or even a walk, I definitely want to wear shoes. Not only do they make me run faster, 😉 running shoes are specifically designed to absorb shock and to deal with things like sticks and little stones that are in my way…without causing me any pain. And while we’re talking about comfort, I always wear at least slippers if not shoes while I’m inside in the winter. Cause my feet are always super cold and I can’t stand it. (Says the girl who jumped around in two feet of snow barefoot last year.) 😉

They just make life prettier. Obviously I’m not worried about the pretty when it comes to my feet. But shoes cover things…and hide what’s not so beautiful to look at. And lately, I’ve been tromping around in a pair of combat boots that I heart almost to the moon and back…golly, I loooove them. Pretty or not, they are my favorite piece of footwear I’ve ever owned.

Anyway.

I live my life completely opposite of the things I just listed.

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I don’t want to write about the safe, comfortable, pretty journey I’m on. Probably because it’s often none of those things.

There are stones on the path that make me hurt.

There are times when things are just plain ugly.

And while there’s a time and place to share some things but not everything…that’s why my blog is titled as it is.

It’s a place where I’m as real as I can be.

A place where I (figuratively) kick of my shoes and let you know what’s up.

That was the whole idea behind barefootmel…which I still think is pretty appropriate when it comes to me. 😉

And, while we’re talking about shoes…I’ll get to wear FLIP FLOPS in Spain in JUST TWO WEEKS!

Wowsers, really?!?!

I’ll probably even go barefoot on the beach. 😉

Aaaahhhhh….

Thanks for reading my scattered thoughts…and for being here.

Filed Under: barefoot, just life, where I am, writing

Morning Thoughts

February 21, 2012 by Mel · Leave a Comment

It is an extremely rare day that I blog before noon. Even rarer, before 9 a.m.

Mae is up for the morning, having her breakfast, watching her “Melmo”. (Elmo ;))

I’ve showered and am sitting down with a rather strange combination of morning goodies…my Airborne drink to (hopefully) keep on keepin’ this cold away; my oatmeal, with chocolate chips of c

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ourse; and a cup of coffee. (With this amazing York Peppermint Patty creamer, since I know you’re all wondering!)

I had a good chat with a friend yesterday that provided a pretty enlightening moment for me.

See, I tend to be a burden carrier.

My heart takes the hurts and burdens of others, carries them around…and that eventually starts wearing me down as a person.

There are a lot of people in my life right now who are hurting. I want to be there for them. I ache for them. I cry for them. I lose sleep for them.

It’s the way my heart works.

Some people are easily able to give their burdens to the Father…I struggle with that. I want to but often find it hard to trust.

I processed that with her a little yesterday and left the conversation realizing that there’s a difference between letting burdens weigh me down and having compassion like Jesus did.

Last night I got a phone call from a dear friend, and she shared some heartbreaking news. I think I felt my heart break, and I could feel that I was weighing myself down once again. My mind raced, and I wondered what I could do to help…and her response was simple.

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Please, just pray. It’s what we need right now.

Prayer. Giving it to God. Laying those things at His feet, knowing and trusting completely that He has it all figured out.

I am working on that…on not carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. On giving things to Him.

Still allowing myself to ache and cry…and love completely.

Because that’s compassion.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

I love His promises, and this morning, this one is precious.

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

A Reminder

February 20, 2012 by Mel · Leave a Comment

I love this song…and it was a good reminder to me today.

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Filed Under: encouragement, where I am

More Talk

February 19, 2012 by Mel · Leave a Comment

Ok, so tonight I’m completely herbal tea-in’ it. Yeah!

I’m really feeling ok…(knock on wood) but I don’t think the cold is going to hit beyond the I’m-tired-and-have-a-slightly-stuffed-up-head phase. We can hope, at least.

And while we’re being honest, I kinda like tea. I mean, all those fun, fruity flavors. Add a little sugar. What’s not to love? My heart still truly belongs to coffee…but I can have tea when I’m feeling under the weather. And when I’d rather not stay up ’til 3 a.m. Just sayin’.

I like Sundays. Really, really like them. We get to go to our church…which we love. We have some great friends there…we love them, too. 😉 I think Immanuel has been blessed with some really great pastors, and I always enjoy their sermons.

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The music is the best, too. Maybe I’m biased, but I think all of those statements are still true.

Sundays also usually involve drive-thru and a nap.

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I looooove not having to cook. (Thank you, Taco Bell…believe it or not, you CAN eat there without eating complete junk. Trust me…I’ve got it figured out. :)) The nap happened today, too, and while it was only about 45 minutes long, it was glorious.

Good thing I napped, too, because this Sunday also came with the weekly workout, which is usually on Mondays, but not this week.

I. Am. Pooped.

Running stairs and laps in the gym, doing lunges and arm raises with weights and chair jumps and burpees and more running and ab work for an hour? That’ll poop ya. (Golly, that was a funny statement. I’m leaving it anyway. ‘Cause it’s my blog and I can. ;))

The problem with the late(r) night workout is that I’ve got so much adrenaline pumping that it’s hard to wind down and actually go to bed before midnight. I’m staring at the computer, it’s just after 10:30, and I. Am. Not. Tired. At. All.

Thankfully, should my daughter choose to sleep in tomorrow, I can, too. I don’t have anything planned ’til 2:30.

That’s when I get to go to Goodwill. With a friend, which is even better. The funny thing is that, lately, I like Goodwill better than Maurices and Target put together.

I know, I know…who am I and what have I done with Mel?!

I got a blessing tonight in the form of a phone call from one of my best friends. We hadn’t talked in ages, and it was so good to catch up. I love random surprises that make a day just a little better.

And since I just hung up the phone and it’s closer to midnight than it is to 11, I should probably end this and crash for the night.

I’m actually tired. Probably because I didn’t have coffee.

G’nite, friends!

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

A Tiny Bit of Caffeine and Some Talkin’, Too

February 18, 2012 by Mel · 1 Comment

Ok, some depth.

Deep thoughts. I do those well, right? Well, sometimes… 😉

After my insanely late night last week, I know better than to sit down with a cup of actual coffee tonight. So we’re pretend-coffee-dating with a Diet Pepsi and my scattered, heart-thoughts tonight.

I just sent Tobin to Target. Actually, he went willingly, I am most positive, to have a break from the crabby girl.

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And, no, we’re not talking about me. 😉 Poor Mae…her sleep has been less than enough the last few days, and even after an almost-three-hour nap, she was still quite moody tonight. And, anyway, it’s really best for all of us if Tobin goes to Target.

Because he will get what’s on the list.

I? Well, I of course will get what’s on the list. Plus, a little bit more.

For some ridiculous reason, inspiration strikes me all too frequently when I am strolling the glorious red and white aisles of Target. I have moments of creativity that make me justify spending $30 in the home decor aisle to improve that wall in my living room that never really needed to be improved in the first place.

Or, worse, I go in for shampoo and come out with all the supplies needed to throw a backyard BBQ. And it’s February. In Illinois.

See, this is why I send him to Target whenever possible.

Last night we had a fun double date with our good friends, Kris and Jonny, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We went to Red Lobster, where I chalked up another new adventure. Hee hee.

Truly, it was an adventure.

We call it crab legs.

I’d never had them before…and they were really good despite the fact that it took me eons to actually crack one open. But they were worth it. And it was something new.

I like that.

And then we all played Hand and Foot ’til almost midnight, and that made me happy ’cause card games are my favorite. (And that was the reason I kinda blogged, but really didn’t, last night. But I hope you enjoyed the song anyway. ;))

Music has been my happy place lately. I don’t mean that it’s replaced anything…but if I’m having a day, I turn on the radio, crank up the iPod, or chord out a song on the piano. It just makes me happy to sing along…and I like to hear Maelie starting to sing, too. She’s even starting to play the piano…I use the word play very loosely…but once in awhile she’ll hit a string of notes that could be a tune. (Or maybe the I-believe-my-daughter-will-be-a-two-year-old-prodigy quality in me just thinks she hits the notes. ;))

Speaking of music…so I actually did finish that song I’ve been working on since, oh, 2008. Really, it has been that long.

Funny how projects seem to take me years longer than the average person. I like it. I actually think I might try to record it…not to do anything with it, but just to have it. For a memory and a reminder of the life and the change and the crazy we’ve lived…and my God who held (and still holds) it all together. Even though the words first came almost four years ago, I’ve been amazed, even in recent weeks, how they still ring true in my life today.

Something cool happened this week.

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God answered a prayer for a friend…something I’d been praying about for several weeks. It just makes my heart smile to see how He works…and reminds me that when I’ve got something on my heart, the best thing I can do is tell Him about it.

I’ve been talking to God a lot lately…because life is hard. I carry burdens, I let my heart ache…and sometimes it just feels like a lot. I’m so glad I can tell Him all about everything I think and feel and know that He’s listening. That He loves me. That He understands.

This week could be a turning point…and I’d appreciate your prayers.

I love that I have Hope in my Father…and that I can rest in His goodness when I don’t see.

Well, I should end this 600+ word ramble…my Diet Pepsi was gone a few paragraphs ago, and I’ve moved on to herbal tea.

Yes, I realize how old that last sentence made me sound. Truth is, I’ve been fighting a cold for a week. I’m stubborn enough to put up a good fight,too, with the help of Airborne, tea, and mouthwash. (But not all at once… ;))

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend.

Love ya bunches.

Filed Under: adventures, being mommy, blessings, coffee, friends, just life, Maelie, where I am