Thank You Stephanie

In the last few months I've become friends with a girl I work with. Her name is Stephanie. I guess that makes us kindred spirits. Anyway, she forwarded this email to me tonight. I thought it was appropriate. I never read forwarded emails but I felt compelled to read this one....

I Believe... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe... That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe... That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe... That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe... That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe... That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe... That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe... That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe... That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe... That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe... That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe... That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe... That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe... That maturi ty has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe... That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe... That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe... That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe... That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe... That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe... That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe... That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The Kindness of Strangers

I've been amazed by the kindness of strangers lately. It reminds me of that insurance company commercial where the lady holds back the man before the crosses the street and is smushed by an oncoming garbage truck. Well, my stories aren't QUITE as exciting but they touched my heart nonetheless.

If you know me, you know I go to the grocery store at least three times a week. I get this from my mother. You would think I would be able to get everything I need in one trip. Negative! I can always think of something else I need later in the week. Generally it is milk or bread. Sometimes it's chocolate chips and carrots. Go figure.

So back to the story. On two occassions this week, people offered to take my cart back to the store. At the Bruno's on 150, the only cart repository is way off in the parking lot. When I am usually there after work, it's closer for me to just take the cart back into the store... and I usually do this. This morning, a woman pulled up next to me and offered to take my cart in for me. The same thing happened yesterday when I was at the Publix on 150. Again, the cart corral was a good ways off (but not further away than I was from the store itself) and I had every intention of walking it over but the nice lady in the Volvo stationwagon who was parked next to me offered to take it in.

I know this seems like something little, but it really did touch my heart that people would go out of their way.

I can't even give this blog a title because I am truly at a loss for words. So, let me begin...

I've been off work for a few days so I made a LONG list of things I needed to do. One of them was clean the bathroom. Another one was buy a new toilet seat and a toilet bowl brush. I know, I'm random. What can I say?

Anyway, I bought what I thought was just going to be your normal run of the mill toilet bowl brush. How technologically advanced can they get, right? Wrong! Look at the picture. This brush appears normal at first but look at the side attachment. It's a super-duper scrubber. I mean, this thing is hard core. One question, if your toilet is so dirty as to need this extra attachment, don't you think you might have bigger issues beyond just a dirty toilet?

Someone Stole My Blueberries... and My iPod!

I awoke early yesterday morning. I felt rested… which is a rarity for me. No matter how much sleep I get, I never feel rested when I work at night. I ate a good breakfast, savored my cup of freshly brewed and freshly ground coffee, and decided I would head to the gym around 10. I got dressed and headed out the door when I remembered I hadn’t grabbed my iPod. I can’t go to the gym without my iPod. It’s like a little therapist whispering in my ear. The beat tells me I can keep going when I want to stop short of my goal. I went to grab my iPod when I realized it wasn’t in it’s usual place. Now, I’m not one to misplace things. I always know where my keys are… I never lose my chapstick…. I always have a pen at work (that is, unless one of the doctors has snatched it from my table). I looked everywhere for my iPod. It was no where to be found. I searched all through my car and all through my house (which isn’t very big so there aren’t any good hiding places). I thought that maybe I had left it in the rental car I had a few weeks ago. I called and they knew nothing of it. I thought maybe I had left it in the bathroom at the gym. Again, no luck. Someone stole my iPod! I was distraught. I knew it was gone forever. I grabbed my keys and headed to Sam’s Club to scope out their iPod selection. The prices there are always significantly lower than any other retail store. I belabored between the Touch and the Nano and decided to go with the Nano since it was more practical for my needs (I work 15 miles from my home… why do I need GPS?). I finally made it to the gym around 3PM and was more than pleased with my purchase (shaved 25 seconds off my three mile run).

And as for the blueberries…
I planted a blueberry bush last Spring with the hopes of having a few delicious berries in the coming years. I noticed earlier this week that there were three or four berries nearly ready to be picked. I decided to give them a few more days to ripen and then I would savor their delectability. I went to check on the berries last night and discovered them MISSING! You know, I haven’t seen but just a few stray birds in my neighborhood the entire time I have lived here but I guess they found their way to my blueberries and enjoyed the deliciousness without me. How rude!

Despite losing my favorite piece of technology and a few gems of juicy goodness, I still went to bed grateful… I’m grateful that I have a home, and a job, and a car that is paid for and has great gas mileage. I’m grateful for friends… near and far… who are still my friends despite my quirks and insecurities. And mostly, I’m thankful and grateful for a God who loves me and protects me and is gracious to me despite all my struggles with sin!

This is WRONG in SO MANY WAYS!

I was watching "Ellen" today and she showed this "workout machine" on her show. I was speechless and I'm sure you will be too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwocdImA6Z8&feature=related

As the sun sets...

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'm back! For real this time. I have so much to catch up on. However, I will spare you the melodrama and just discuss the topic for the day...blessings. Today was FULL of them and for that I am eternally grateful. I've been wallering in my own self pity for nearly three weeks now. I guess God thought it was time for a break. Here is the lowdown:

1. Was able to go to church this morning for the first time since Easter. Can you say "God was in the house". Literally. Have you ever had one of those mornings when you feel like the pastor is speaking directly AT you? I had one of those moments this morning. Bob preached on "Abba" (no silly, not the 70's Norweigen singing group) but Abba father. Without torturing you, I'll just go to the fourth point.. Authority. Bob told us that God wants us to BOLDLY pray our desires. We shouldn't feel as if we can't pray our desires just because.. well maybe.. that's not what God wants for me. To heck with your insecurities. Pray boldly. Ask God for specifics. If it's not His will, He will change your desires to HIS desires for your life. Is this new news to me? Of course not. Do I always believe this? Most of the time, NOT A CHANCE! Let me just tell you that I have been BOLD today. Thank you Jesus!

2. I had lunch with some of my favorite people today. Two of the girls were old roommates of mine and well, Terry was a rather constant fixture at our house long before Whit moved in. Marc is Carrie's sweet husband and Chad is ... well, Chad. As long as I have known Chad, he hasn't changed. He's maybe the most mellow person I know. He is one of the people who unexpectedly prayed me though my mother's death two years ago. For ALL of these people, I am eternally thankful. They have all seen me through love and loss, moves and emotional breakdowns. And you know what, they are still constant. Even though I don't see them often.. or even keep in touch as much as I should, they will always be a blessing in my life. Also at lunch today was Addison and her chunky thighs that I just wanted to take a bite out of. She is a precious little one and a gift to Terry and Whit. If you didn't already know, you can even find God at Zaxby's!

3. I ran today. For those of you who don't know, I've been working out with Derrick, my personal trainer. He is a hulk of a man.... 6'5" and easily 300 lbs of PURE MUSCLE. He's a softy though. I have him laced though my running shoes. As I say all that, I also must mention that I have the inability to disappoint the man. He tells me to run 2 miles after we've done what feels like 100 lunges (while carrying 15 lb weights in each hand) and I just nod and start running. He pushes me far beyond my mental limits. So anyway, I went running today. My neighborhood isn't a running mecca. It's boring. House after house. Small yards. Yip yip dogs. Nothing exciting.... nothing to look at. I guess, honestly, nothing to distract me. On my iPod, I listen to bad rap and John Mayer songs full of cliches. It makes the pain bearable. The weather was beautiful today (another blessing, I might add) and I couldn't stand to be inside. I finished my run and I was famished. It's amazing the strength God gives you when you just want to quit.

4. I enjoyed a tasty glass of wine with dinner tonight. Conquista Malbec.. made in Argentina. If you like wine, you should try this one. They sell it at World Market.

5. Without going into any detail, I'll just finish by telling you that I faced one of my demons today.... head on. God was by my side and things went well. I left the situation sad but satisfied. I prayed alot. See point #1.

I promise I'm coming back.