Reasons to Smile

Last night I was sifting through some of my photos on file and I found myself laughing out loud. Thankfully Claire knows that is normal for me. So, I thought the best way to start off a Monday would be to share a few with you. I know I could use it, perhaps you can too.

I hope they make you giggle.

Or guffaw.

Or say "tee hee hee."

Or maybe even snort. Go on, snort. I dare you.

Perhaps you will chuckle, chortle, upchuck. Oh wait, not the last one.

Maybe you will burst into uncontrollable laughter. That always sends the co-workers running.

But most of all, I hope they make you smile. Mondays that include some sort of  outburst are always better than those that don't.

Enjoy.

Location: Petra, Jordan

Description: I caught this picture out of a bus window. The fact that his tractor could go faster than the bus tells you a a lot about my bus ride. You don't see this everyday, even in Oklahoma.

Location: University of Denver - Claire's graduation from graduate school.

Description: Obviously Rachel and I were bored.

Location: My parent's backyard.
Description: Noah had my camera and apparently my mom didn't get the memo on looking pensive. It's like she knows something that Claire and I don't. I hate when that happens!

Location: Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.
Description: "What?"

Location: Gage, Oklahoma - 4th of July, 2010

Description: My cousin Luke was so enamored by the fireworks that he had no idea a big drip of drool had accumulated on the bottom of his chin.

Location: the Pampas, Argentina
Description: My horse's name was "Revenge." And let me tell you, she lived up to. It is amazing I am alive, people.

Location: Rockies Game - Denver, Colorado
Description: You could say that Eric is a fan of licorice.

Location: Gage, Oklahoma
Description: My grandpa is getting a haircut. Apparently his barber took a little too much off the top.

Location: Probably in Oklahoma

Description: She may have been cute but apparently not very stimulating.

Location: Trinidad, Cuba
Description: The dude has a rooster in his lap. Enough said.

Location: California
Description: Sisters. They always look like this.

















Location: Littleton, Colorado
Description: It's true, pregnant wives strike fear into their husbands.

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Description: "Um, gross."

Location: Littleton, Colorado
Description: "Is that all you got?" Oh, that kid kills me.

Here's to a joyful Monday, my friends!

First Ever Women's Group Photo Shoot

First of all, thank you for all of your sweet, encouraging, uplifting comments you left after Wednesday's post. They meant the world to me, each and every word.

YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST!

So, are you ready for this? Are you ready for the First Ever Women's Group Photo Shoot? You may want to sit down. It took us seven years to put this thing together. We may not be the most efficient group of girls but we sure do know how to make a mean t-shirt.

We began the evening with black shirts and an accessory. Girliness was running amuck. And a few of our first attempts are totally print-worthy. Here are a couple:

But then Heather said something funny, and I mean REALLY funny, and we all started laughing. However, my camera was set on that rapid fire succession mode thingy and took 12 pictures really fast. Here are a few of them:



Then we decided to bust out our t-shirts. You know, the ones we made...back in February?

Excuse us while we do a wardrobe change. Talk amongst yourselves.

Okay, we're back!

Here we are in our blue shirts. Even though we made these shirts eight months ago, it took us that long to find a date that would work for all of us that didn't involve child birth or nuptials.

And here is an up-close version of the blue t-shirt. Notice the wonderful iron-on lettering and numbers. Oh Hobby Lobby, you know how to bring people together.

So there you have it: the First Ever Women's Group Photo Shoot. Hopefully it won't be another seven years until we do one again. By then, we'll be a bunch of 37 year-olds running around in handmade t-shirts. I am sure you can't wait to see that.

Happy Friday to you!

 

Sitting in the Mud

I have done a lot of thinking this summer and some healthy introspection. And those of you who know me, I do not do well with introspection. I would rather get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. I like to make up my mind and move forward.  No dilly-dallying. No second opinions. Not even sleeping on it. I just like to fix the problem and move on.

 But for some reason God has asked me to stop, to wait, to sit in the mud for a while and get a bigger, better perspective on things. His perspective.

I am not a huge fan of mud. I tend to like ball gowns.

I have done an excellent job at finding something, anything, to occupy my time instead of thinking and self-reflection. For instance, I have become extremely proficient at not working out. Also, I am now a professional at toe-inflicted trauma. And lastly, I have caught up on every TV show that has ever been created. And let me tell you, when you can carry on an intelligent conversation about someone named "Snookie," you know something needs to change.

So, after all the stalling, I have realized that I have a few things to work on. Dang it.

I want to be more passionate. About life, about friends, about family, about God. All of it.

I need to learn to say no. I am so not good at this. I should practice more.

When I am blue, I need to choose NOT to eat brownies. At least not the entire pan.

I want to be more brave and adventurous.

I am so tired of competing with myself, with other girls, with Hollywood, with life. I am officially out of the race.

I would love to be married. And I would love to have a bucket of kids. But I don't need to be rescued. I don't need to be saved from singleness. I just want someone to live my life with...and I am happy to wait as long as possible to find the right person.

It is okay if I don't have it all together. Because truth is, I don't. Not even close. Don't let me fool you. I need you to see past those 12 years of acting classes.

I am finally okay with the fact that I have no plans to hike. Ever.

Those are just a few of the many things that rolled around in my brain this summer. But don't let them scare you. I am still the same girl who breaks her own toe while driving, sings "Faithfully" at weddings and sticks her face in bowls of cookie dough. But thankfully God doesn't allow us to stay stuck for too long. He has a way of hosing off the mud and giving us a new perspective. He's good like that.

Call Me Grace - Part 2

What to do when you accidentally break your toe while driving:

1. Scream

2. Bang your head on the steering wheel

3. Yell really loud as your mom looks at you with concern

4. Tell your mom that you need an ambulance

5. Laugh uncontrollably

6. Laugh uncontrollably while you wish you could cut off your left foot

7. Laugh uncontrollably because you realize only a special kind of coordination could cause a person to break their own toe, in their own car, while driving

8. Blame Kansas

9. Blame your Old Navy flip flops

10. Blame Honda

11. Scream again

12. Ask your mom to give you a hug

13. Ask your mom to take the wheel while you crawl in the back to suck on your toe

14. Wonder why you ever bought a car in the first place

15. Wonder why you have toes

16. Wonder why you exist

17. Wonder how the ground ever became so flat

18. Wish you could go back and redo the last ten seconds

19. Wish you had your own loaf of chocolate chip zucchini bread to comfort you

20. Cry again

21. Laugh again

22. Take a five second nap

23. Look for snakes on the road to run over

24. Realize you cannot begin your 5K running plan

25. Smile triumphantly because you realize you cannot begin your 5K running plan

26. Accidentally bump your pulsating toe

27. Scream and pass out

In conclusion, my fourth toe on my left foot now looks like a purple grape.

It's not pretty, folks.

A Little Face Time

Hello my friends! I am back from my last-minute trip to Oklahoma and I want to thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. I was able to read them on my mom's super fancy, high-tech phone that manages to connect to the internet and make calls AT THE SAME TIME. It's like she is from the future or something.

But your comments made my day because this blog would be nothing without you. And let's give a shout-out to the Seester, shall we?

My trip was fast. And totally fun. And full of great food and OU football. And lots and lots of cousins. And a little baking. Some swimming. Not to mention dragging main street and staying up later than my usual bedtime.

It also involved copious amounts of drool from certain toddlers who have over-active spit valves.

And it included a trip to Super Wal-Mart, which is like navigating a human safari on foot, knowing that at any moment a wild beast could attack you from behind all in the name of a bargain.

Oh, and lastly, it included eight hours of Kansas. But let's not talk about that.

But the main reason I went south for the weekend...

The thing that prompted me to abandon my holiday weekend plans of sleeping late and playing hard...

The sole purpose for me facing the barren wasteland that completely surrounds I-70...

...was for this guy:

I call him Grandpa.

He has been under the weather lately. And I just needed to see him. And I am so glad I did.

Post 150: A Guest Blog

Hi there, all you Frustrated Cowgirl Fans,

Since the FC is currently in Oooooh-Klahoma! (and yes, the wind does go sweeping down the plain - sometimes in the form of a GIANT TORNADO), I have volunteered to be the guest blogger for the 150th blog posting.  As we recap the last postings, The FC has taken us through the wonderful world of the Middle East, delicious food, Noah sightings, the INTERNATIONAL FITNESS CHALLENGE OF DEATH, redecorating highs (and lows), and dreamy goodness that was - and is - Chuck Bartowski. 

So, dear FC fans, which blog(s) have been your favorites?  Was it Theme Week (ie: the Best Thing I Have Ever Eaten)? Or are you a recipe junkie?  Are you all about the pictures taken by the camera delivered by the man in the short brown shorts just in the nick of time, or has another Randomicity post captured your fancy?

We want to know.

Since our blogger-in-residence is temporarily residing elsewhere, please feel free to post your comments. Or any other blog-worthy material that you think deserves the FC perspective.

Giddy-up.

The Seester

My Love Language

Tonight I had dinner with two of my favorite people in the world: Scott and Melanie. Melanie has been my colleague, roommate, chauffeur (imagine 5 months on crutches), confidant and overall amazing friend for the past five years. I don't know what I would do without her.

Actually yes, yes I do. I would sit in a corner and cry all day long. And that just doesn't sound fun at all.

So, as I was saying, Melanie fixed this amazing meal, packed full of fabulous recipes from Southern Living. I love that magazine because they are not afraid of butter. And we talked non-stop for almost three hours. Now that is my kind of meal.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Melanie whips out this:

It is my love language. Frozen.