Bright and Shiney Ones

It's Friday.
The sun is shining this morning.
Peppermint Iced Tea is easing my gnarly stomach ache.
The tulips were in full bloom at Starbucks.
The Padres listened last night and pulled off a big win.
Lucky the Leprechaun is making the marshmallows even bigger these days.
One word: Payday.
I got eight and half hours of sleep last night.
Being stuck behind a dozen slow drivers allowed me to enjoy more of FoF.
Did I mention it's Friday? Who doesn't love Friday.

Little Letters

Dear Blonde Hair, I can't wait until we reunite on Saturday. You make me feel like me again.

Dear Grocery Store, I know I missed our date on Tuesday. And to be quite honest, I'll probably miss our date again next Tuesday. Does that make me a bad wife?

Dear Padres, I want to watch you win.

Dear Mommy, I'm so glad you're home.

Dear Cool-Mother's-Day-Gift-I-Ordered, get your butt in the mail. You better not miss the big day.

Dear Oasis, my your load times have improved. Keep up the good work.

Dear Lourdes, you really hit the spot. It's been way too long since I've eaten you.

Dear Bath & Body Works, thanks for making yummy air freshener. My sister is a doll for buying your goodies for me.

Dear Current Sewing Project, I must finish you this weekend. I must.

Dear Bathroom, you need to be cleaned. Maybe if you could just stick your dirty nose in husband's face and beg him to clean you. Ok fine, I'll do it.

Dear April, where the frick did you go? Our anniversary is next month. Woot Woot!

Dear Sun, come out and stay out. End of story.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me the most wonderful of friends. They are such a blessing.

Dear LOST, you really can't take a week off like that. It kills me.

Dear Yesterday, you were so good to me. I enjoyed you a lot. Thanks for that.

Dear Happy Hour, yes please!

La La La

An old [boy]friend of mine is releasing his first CD next week
and I'm so proud of him.

You should buy it.
Or at least go listen to his music.

Congratulations, Nate!

The Forty-Niner

Today my dad turns forty-nine.

I would imagine it's a little strange to be that close to fifty.
But I have a feeling dad's probably more bummed about being a forty-niner
simply because he's a die-hard Cowboys fan. =)

FOUR my dad's birthday, here are NINE things I absolutely love about him:

1. He's a man of God and loves the Lord.
2. He's as tender and sensitive as can be.
3. He's got killer problem-solving skills.
4. He cherishes his family to pieces.
5. He does all the manly stuff around the house, but still watches OTH! ;-)
6. He's wise and careful with his words.
7. He makes me laugh.
8. He always tells me that he's proud of me.
9. He's never stopped coaching.

I love you, Daddy!
Happy Birthday!

As I think of her...

Along with the tears, memories flood.
Memories I've captured here, and here, and here,
and here, and here, and here,and here, and here, and here.
And still many others that I've kept treasured in my inner being.

In November 2008, my Gram was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
a vicious beast, a hungry aggressor.
I cried for days, and weeks, and months
at the thought of losing her
at the thought of our wedding without her.

For she and Papa have been at every event I can think of
from pre-school graduation, to elementary school award assemblies
from softball games and opening day, to birthday parties, to high school graduation.
Always cheering me on. Always telling me how proud she is.

I've spent countless afternoons at gram's
digging through her craft closet
and making something out of nothing on her kitchen table.
She taught me how to bake her special cookies
And how to sew simple pillows.
She taught me how to paint and bought me cases of supplies.
She stirred my creative soul.

By the grace of God and her insanely stubborn spirit,
she was able to escape ICU
and celebrate our wedding with us last May

Last night, she passed away.

And all of the different thoughts I've been wrestling with
over the last year and a half
flooded back into my mind:

What is death and illness?
Why is death and illness?
Did I take advantage of my time with her?
Did I learn from her? Pray for her? Share with her?
What does the Lord's goodness and mercy look like
in light of this situation?
How should I live, having known her?

And I take such comfort in knowing
that, yes, I did pray for her,
and share with her, and spend time with her, and learn from her.
And yes, the Lord's goodness is sovereign.
In His spirit, I find strength.

Thank you, Heavenly Father,
for the life of my grandma.
Thank you for the memories we created together
and for the lessons you've taught through her.

I miss you already, Gram. <3
And Papa, I'm praying for you.

Weekend Pennies

Dinner and a Movie Date with the hubs

A good workout
Straight hair
My beautiful friend, Stacy's Bridal ShowerIced Tea with a good friend
Seeing an old buddy
Sunshine!
Ice Cream Night with Dad, Sissy and her Boy Toy
Marriage Ref
Connecting with an old teacher at church
Burger LoungeArt Walk San DiegoCup of Yo
A Couple Open Houses
Cecelia Ahern + the Jacuzzi
A game of Tennis with the huberoos

Have I mentioned before
how much I absolutely love weekends?

I could be a professional weekender, for sure!

Two Words

Drupal Diva

The Go-To

Every week -- without fail --

I make this meal
(at least once)

Lemon Garlic or Parmesean Chicken
Steamed Green Beans or Grilled Asparagus
A Yam with a few mini-marshmallows
And a handful of fresh berries

What's your Go-To recipe?

Anjuli

Since we've already done the whole engagement/wedding picture thing,

sometimes I'm tempted to have kids just so Anjuli can take pictures of them


Don't worry mom,

we won't have kids just to take pictures of them. :-)

But goodness... her eye! her style!

Why ya smiling?

94.1 does a bit on Friday mornings called "Why ya smiling?"
It's pretty self-explanatory.
Listeners call in and tell AJ why they're smiling.

So why am I smiling?

I got to have dinner with a dear friend of mine last night
We got free dessert - mmm
I found exactly what I was looking for at the fabric store
The project I'm working on is turning out half-way decent
Bill brought donuts this morning
It's sunny outside
I'm looking forward to a few things this weekend
And... It's Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Today, I'm loving...

Men's Hanes Vnecks
Future of Forestry's new EPs
Being inside while it rains
Fresh berries in my lunch
My handsome husband's Good-Morning hugs
White Tea with Blueberries and Pomegranate
An unusually relaxing Wednesday
Coffee dates with sweet friends
Wreaths, definitely Wreaths
TVs in front of Treadmills
Bible Study

Here ya go, Dad!

We've had a Christmas wreath hanging on our front door

for the last four months
because I hadn't found a good one
to replace it with quite yet.

Surprisingly, it didn't bother me much,
but every time my dad comes over
he makes another silly joke about it.

So...I made a new one.

Here ya go, Dad!

The Sweetest Melody

You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place

And when I do

You draw me gently to my knees
and I am lost for words
so lost in love
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.

With these rings

For a dear friend's wedding

Southwestern Chicken Soup

While there are some good ones,

I'm not typically a huge fan of Real Simple's recipes
This lunch is an exception

Today, I'm thankful for

my alarm clock
my morning tea
Jeremiah's good morning email
Pandora & earphones
mechanical pencils
sunshine
problem solving skills
my own office
my sewing machine
my mom
free water bottles in the vending machine
a well-organized inbox
the giant calendar my boss gave me
my job
a clean refrigerator
good morning texts from far away friends

and my blog
(can't you tell?)

The Box

It sits on the floor
of our spare bedroom
and I fight to open it.
Inside, waiting to be seen and used
are the art supplies
that once belonged to her

not yet.

A Sunshiney Sunday with Sister

It started with fresh blueberry waffles, blueberry syrup and blueberry iced tea.
And after being pleasantly plump with blueberry goodness,
we headed off to church where we got to worship together
for the first time in a while


With the beautiful San Diego sunshine,
we spent the afternoon at Lake Poway
where we rented a pedal boat


enjoyed a picnic lunch

and played a few games of cards


It was quite a lovely way to end the weekend.

And there's just something so special about sisters
especially mine

Husband of the Year

We have two Starbucks within a mile of our apartment.
Neither of them carry rice crispy squares
I know, big bummer.

But tonight
my sweet darling of a husband
drove me around to 5 (yes, f-i-v-e) different Starbucks
in search of a square to satisfy my craving

And once we finally found them,
he bought me two!

It's the little things.

Thanks, hun

Happy Friday, Blogosphere

This weekend I'm looking forward to

getting some chores done
working out
watching Tuesday's episode of Glee
sewing, crafting and card making
getting a pedicure
spending time with Jeremiah and my sister
and relaxing

What about you?

Freckles

My dad and sister don't have very many,
but my mom and I are quite freckly.

I can't help but think sometimes that God gave me my freckles to remind me of Him

On my right forearm, I have six freckles that form the Little Dipper
On my left tricep, I have six more that form the Big Dipper
They remind me that God is the Creator of the universe.
Genesis 1:14-19

In my right eye, I have a freckle
that looks like a speck of wood
It reminds me that judgment is not mine.
Matthew 7:3

And on my left palm, another freckle
It reminds me that God's love is extravagant and gracious.
John 20:25-27

Whether He did or He didn't,
They point to Him.
I'm reminded
And I smile.

Delicate

That's how I feel today.

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Discounts

Because who doesn't love a little discount?

April 12 - 25
Jamba Juice
Buy One Smoothie, Get One Smoothie Free

April 15
On The Border
20% dine in and take out purchases

April 15
Starbucks
Free Coffee when you bring a reusable coffee mug

Meal Time

Taco Tuesday has been postponed to Taco Thursday this week.

Tonight we had Lemon Chicken Salad with Tarragon and a big bowl of berries

On this Tuesday

I'm dreaming of...

blonde hair and summertime freckles
strawberry lemonade by the pool
sandy pedicured toes
spending a day with my mom
a bbq in the park
seeing one of my best friends
reading paperback books through the shade of my sunglasses
a picnic by the lake
painting. sewing. crafting
a long walk by the beach
a strong hug from the hubs

Weekend Recap

For the first time in a while, we did nothing but relax all weekend.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I spent a majority of the weekend
in my pajamas.

Friends
The Lowells, Aubrey, Lyssie,
and the soon-to-be Kruegers

TV/Movies
Lost, the Masters, Gilmore Girls,
Bourne Identity, The Last Song, A Few Good Men

Walks
Penasquitos Canyon
Lake Miramar

Food
Brigantine
Waffles
Trader Joe's appetizers
Egg-white omelets
Sandwiches

Chores
Clean Shower
Clean Clothes/Towels/Sheets
Clean Refrigerator
Clean Dishes
Bills paid
Balanced checkbook

T'was lovely!

The Aroma

This morning, our little apartment smelled of yummy candles
and delicious vanilla-strawberry waffles.

Is there any better way to start a Saturday?

A Brig&Bowl Birthday

Last night we celebrated our friend Justin's birthday Brig&Bowl style.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Brigantine
complete with shrimp&crab fondue, some tasty entrees,
and a massively delicious mudd pie.
Then we got our bowl on.
Despite a pretty pathetic display, the hubs got a turkey
and I pulled out a win in the final frame of the night.
and I pulled out a win in the final frame of the night.
I'm so thankful to have friends like the Lowells.