State Holidays

I have today off from work.  A personal day?  No...a state (SC) holiday...  

Jacqueline: awesome

  why do you get monday off?

 me: confederate memorial day

  wtf?

 Jacqueline: hilarious

 me: thanks south carolina

 Jacqueline: wtf exactly

 me: i am glad for the random day but really?

 Jacqueline: so you going to go to the beach with a confederate flag towel in honor of the day? haha!

 me: yes and my corona bathing suit

 Jacqueline: and corona flip flops with bottle opener in the sole

  have you seen those before?

  i mean seriously

 and a hideous cover up to top it all off

 me: no

  but that sounds classy

 Jacqueline: sounds like you need to hit up a WINGS

 me: you said it sister

  

 Jacqueline: http://www.reef-sandals-online.com/reef-fanning.htm

I am heading to the beach today.  I am not donning any of the items referenced above.  

Something to Ponder

I overhead a girl at the beach today talking to her mom and sister.  The entire conversation was humorous, but this line killed me:

Sunglasses mess you up.  You see a guy and think he's hot.  Later that night you see him out at a bar without his sunglasses on...and he's a whole different man.

Shaken, not Stirred

The other night I was eating at mom and dad's and we were discussing travel plans for Nathan's wedding. First off, let me say, that while I don't and shouldn't eat like this all the time, sometimes there's nothing better than fried pork chops. The okra, black eyed peas, rice and gravy aren't bad either. And second, I went into this "family time" knowing I'd like an adult beverages...travel "discussions" prompting that. Dad asked if I wanted a glass of red wine. I'd just been walking and was sweating very unlady-like. So I declined the warm beverage; he asked if I wanted a vodka martini or light beer? I told him I'd have what he was having -- knowing that would be the former of the choices.

I've always wanted to be able to drink and ENJOY vodka martinis. They seem classy, grown up, and like it takes guts to drink them and enjoy them. (Anyone else think I sound like a 13 year old finding a vokda add in a magazine?) Anyway, that was the night for me to give it a whirl.

Vodka. Smidge of vermouth. Shaken, not stirred. Chilled martini glass.

I have to say, it was quite nice. Smooth and refreshing. Perfect way to start our family talk...

I am also proud to report that the rents and I finally made travel plans for Nathan's wedding. Michigan: here we come! (I hope you're ready for this Southern bunch.)

Mirror

I've been reading through 1 Samuel and pairing the Bible with Dale Ralph Davis' commentary.  Let me say that if think the old testament is boring or hard to draw personal application from, please read a Dale commentary.  I think he could write about dirt and make it sound exciting and revolutionary.  The actual scripture is exciting and revolutionary...and sometimes its good to have another's insight to show you the depths of its wonder.  I just finished chapter 8 and loved it.  It's been my favorite chapter so far, and Dale neatly summarizes why:

First Samuel 8 is your mirror; it reveals Israel and you. How easily you misplace your trust; how ashamed you are to be different; how resistant to any word that does not agree with your opinion. There – you are revealed.

Misplaced trust.  Shame.  Resistance.  If not now, at some point each of us wrestles with these things.  So the question becomes, what do you do when you find these uglies in your life?  "Jesus" is the answer.  Turn to Him, submit to Him, trust Him, proclaim Him.  It doesn't feel like it is that easy.  Or maybe it is and I'm too lazy and stubborn to do it.  I guess I'm trying to figure out what that actually looks look in this life of mine...I think its an on-going process that I'll still be learning on my death bed or when Jesus comes back.  Whichever comes first. 

Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion the day of Jesus Christ.

Trash or Treasure?

This past Friday night I spent the night with Jenn.  I forgot that she and some friends were having a garage sale the next morning.  I'm pretty sure that the 6 o'clock hour is too early to be called moring on a Saturday.  While Jenn&Ryan, Mary&Ryan, and Nicole were trying to get rid of their belongings, I was trying to sleep. 

Nicole's alarm clock went off at 6 to get ready for the 6:30 sale.  At 6:05 Mary&Ryan bounced in.  Ryan came in the house, made sure I was awake, and gave me a hug.  I'm still in bed and trying to sleep mind you.  Then, being his silly self, started poking me in the ribs.  To which I said, "Ryan.  No.  I'm probably the bitchiest morning person you know."  His response, "I think I married the meanest morning person."  Well with that I started laughing and Mary, his new bride, came in the house.  We re-hashed the story for her and I can assure you that she was not offended.*

While they started selling goodies, I slept in about 30 minute intervals until 8:30.  I kid you not, all of my dreams were about yard sales.  Scary.  At 8:30 I joined the crew outside (once I heard they had a Panera bagel for me!).  It was so entertaining. 

It was fun to give things away for free to those who needed them more than we did.  Especially to kids.  And we had one awesome patron...seriously, he reminded me of Robin Williams: in looks AND he did voices!  He was great.   Not only did he purchase lots of items, but he shared a lot of his life with me and made me laugh.  Let's be honest, once I woke from my slumber I became the dealer.  I love haggling and talking to random people in bizarre settings.  Good times at the yard sale.

AND Mary gave me a pretty cool, shabby chic looking coffee table.  I, of course, have no where to put it right now, but I can't wait to use it at some poing.

* It's not that Mary is a horrible morning person, but Ryan is a morning, noon, and night person.  I don't think there's a time when he's not "on."  Good for him!

RHOJN

Yes, it's true: I like trash TV.  Not all of it, i.e. I only saw about ten minutes of Jersey Shore, but I enjoy my fair share of it.  Last year I was blown away by how much I loved Real Housewives of New Jersey.  The characters are so dynamic, its hard to not be sucked in.  I find that it is by far the best Real Housewives show.  I think I like it so much because they're actually friends aside from the show AND they're actually housewives.  The Season 2 premiere was last night and it lived up to my expectations...so glad!

From Left to Right:
Jacqueline: the sweetheart, Theresa: the fiesty Italian, Danielle: the neurotic pycho, Dina: the little sister, Carolina: the balla mom

A Strange Question

Jenn and I were eating at Liberty Friday night -- outside on the deck area.  Perfect weather for that, by the way.  I notice this older fella (I'm thinking early 40's) at the bar.  He has straggly hair down to his shoulders.  Doesn't really fit the scene, but not too obscure to think anything of it.  A while later this fella walks up to Jenn and I. 

Random Guy: Can I ask you ladies a strange question?
Me: Sure.  What's up?
Random Guy: Well, first...are you ladies single?
Me: I am.  She's not.
Random Guy: You're single?  Really?
Me: I know...hard to believe, huh?
Random Guy: Yeah...alright...
Jenn: (Not amused.)  So, what is your question?
Random Guy: Do you know where I could buy some pot?
Me: Sorry, we don't.
(Jenn has shut down and physically moved back.)
Random Guy: You don't?
Me: Nope.
Random Guy: Ok...so, you're single, huh?  Look, I'm in town for a week or so on business...
Me: Yeah, I don't live here and I'm only in town for a day.
Random Guy: So, you're brushing me off, huh?
Me: Yeah.  Good luck in your endeavors.

We watched him ask another set of patrons.  Apparently they couldn't help him score some weed either.  He was asked to leave the bar pretty soon after that.