Diary of a Wimpy Kid

I like to think of myself as a strong person.  I moved out of my parents' house twelve years ago and have lived the past seven of those years without a roommate.  Anything that's required in my life, from finances to washing machine repairs, I do myself.  I have grown quite adapt at taking care of every detail in my day-to-day life, including the emotion stresses of it all.  I know the strength this requires.  Although it is not all done to perfection, and I do have a small circle of people I have to call on to help me at times, I do pretty well on my own, all things considered.  I take pride in my independence, in the fact that I can do things without the help of others.      

Silence is Golden...

...especially when that silence is the result of making money! 

An out-of-town friend texted me the other day and asked if I had a boyfriend.  I asked what prompted the question and he replied that the last time I disappeared from the internet was when I was seeing someone.  

I wish a boyfriend was the culprit for my virtual disappearance the past couple of weeks, but it's not.  

Daddy's Girl

Nine days ago was a special day, however this is the first chance I'm having to post anything since then.

Today's post is in honor of Father's Day...

Summertime Treat

Summer is in full swing.  That means longer days, more free time and opportunities to catch up with those we love.  

Here is my favorite summertime treat.  It's super easy, yummy and quite impressive visually.  This cake isn't heavy and has a nice, refreshing kick.

The Head Should Be Connected to the Heart

THIS is what I should be doing right now:

  

Followed by THIS:

Hair, Hair, Hair, Hair

Two days in and I'm already longing for cold weather, fireplaces, scarves, and hot mochas!  I am not a girl that likes heat.  In fact, the only thing I enjoy in the summertime is the swimming pool and the ability to travel north and avoid the unbearable Texas heat.  But, enough whining.

Summertime is the best excuse for a haircut.

Summer Break Has Begun

I had to work yesterday morning, but I'm still counting it as the first official day of summer.  After work I headed to see the family, and as usual, we packed the afternoon full.

We girls went shopping to find a new curtain for my living room.  I can't start the remodel without it. We looked every place imaginable a couple of months ago, but never found anything I really liked.  Today, however, we found a cute set at Pier One and it was on clearance!

Here is the first piece to my "new" living room... 

Moore Part 5 of 5

I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in Moore, OK doing disaster relief work with Convoy of Hope.  The only internet access I had was on my phone, so I journaled on notebook paper.  Finally having a chance to type it all out.  I will post each day's entry separately.  Pictures will appear larger if you click them.

MONDAY, May 27th

Moore Part 4 of 5

I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in Moore, OK doing disaster relief work with Convoy of Hope.  The only internet access I had was on my phone, so I journaled on notebook paper.  Finally having a chance to type it all out.  I will post each day's entry separately.  All pictures can be seen in a larger view by clicking them.

SUNDAY, May 26th

Moore Part 3 of 5

I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in Moore, OK doing disaster relief work with Convoy of Hope.  The only internet access I had was on my phone, so I journaled on notebook paper.  Finally having a chance to type it all out.  I will post each day's entry separately.  

SATURDAY, May 25th

Moore Part 2 of 5

I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in Moore, OK doing disaster relief work with Convoy of Hope.  The only internet access I had was on my phone, so I journaled on notebook paper.  Finally having a chance to type it all out.  I will post each day's entry separately.

FRIDAY, May 24th

Moore Part 1 of 5

I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in Moore, OK doing disaster relief work with Convoy of Hope.  The only internet access I had was on my phone, so I journaled on notebook paper.  Finally having a chance to type it all out.  I will post each day's entry separately.  

THURSDAY, May 23rd

Buried Alive

Buried alive, but still breathing! 

My silence this past week is no indication of a lack of activity.  

This past week I...

A Twister of Fate

(The following post was typed yesterday.)

On this day two years ago a little town, that I was barely familiar with, experienced a catastrophic F5 tornado.  One hundred and fifty one families lost someone they loved.  Hundreds of people were injured and displaced, most losing all of their material possessions.

An entire community was changed forever in Joplin, MO on May 22, 2011.

A twenty-nine year-old girl from Texas was forever changed as a result of this infamous tornado.

***

Kinsley and Her Ady

I didn't have to work today.  Ironically enough, it was a pre-scheduled "bad weather day".  Last night I came to my parents' and today I got to spend the entire day with my niece, Kinsley.

Click the pictures for a bigger glimpse into our day...

Social Painting

Last night I hosted a social painting party for my women's Bible study group.  Even though we missed the other six in our group, we girls had a blast!  We started with blank canvases and a black and white picture of our pattern.  Once we'd gotten a good idea of what we were going to do, "went to town" painting.

Week in Review 5.17

CURRENTS

Feeling: Like my allergies are going to kill me.  Excited that we are on the downward slide of the school year.  Ready for a slower paced few months.

Watching:  Last Friday I saw "Gatsby"- it was SO good!!! I don't often leave a theater, from seeing a movie based on a book, and think they kept the integrity of the book and its message intact, but I did with this movie.  It was lavish, edgy, imaginative, creatively used cinematography, showcased great acting, used contemporary music, had beautiful costumes, utilized color and filter to create mood, overall good adaptation of the literature and had nice special effects. It's a MUST see!  

Sweet Surrender

Today has been a REALLY long day. It's 9 PM and I'm just getting home.  I worked 1/2 day, drove an hour each way to the hospital, spent the afternoon with my grandad, who's in ICU, and my parents, taught five piano lessons and went on a wild goose chase to four stores in an unsuccessful attempt to find a new power cord for my router. I am physically and emotionally drained. 

My heart is heavy as I type.  My parents are set to leave in less than two months, my only living grandparent is in ICU and has had a rough day, emotions are high among all the extended family, the current events make me miss my Grandmother- who at the time of her death, six years ago, was my best friend - and I'm coming home to an empty house for what seems like forever. 

Today, as I've questioned God, argued with Him, and struggled to rest in both His prescence and promise, He has gently reminded me once again of my time with my niece. 

Nothing Lasts

"I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is."

-Benjamin Button-

Got a text after lunch today that my only living grandparent, Granddaddy, had been in a car accident, had a heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital.

Today I...

Strength and Honor are Her Clothing

1982

Happy Mother's Day to the person I've been the closest to the longest, "Mother".  She is...