A Snoodle's Tale

I don't know how many of you are Veggie Tales fans. I fell in love with them when I was in college. My best friend's little sisters watched them A LOT, and I had never heard of them. I figured they'd be corny, since they were for munchkins, but quickly went head over heals.

That being said, this is my absolute favorite Veggie Tale animation ever. It's a special Dr. Seuss episode about being special just the way you are, and dealing with others' judgement.

It's only thirteen minutes long, and totally worth the time. Grab a tissue. Even if you aren't a Christian, this is such a good message for all of us, and I think you're going to tear up.

You can thank me later. <3

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking, Pinky?

My beautiful big sister, and her handsome hubby, have just had the most beautiful baby...IN THE WORLD.

Friends, I'd like you to meet my niece, Claire Elizabeth.

She's just two weeks old, gorgeous and already planning for world domination.

Take The Cake

The always sincere Melanie gave me a Happy Award a while back, and I truly appreciate it. Seriously, Mel. *mwah*

I'm tellin' ya, I'm just amazed at how many awesome people I've met through blogging, some actually and some figuratively. Communication and relationships have always enthralled me, but you guys take the cake.

Okay, the deal is, if you don't already know, anyone given this particular award has to list ten things that make them happy. Then they get to pass it along to up to ten other bloggers. Here goes some of my happies...

1. Certain smells and sounds bring me a lot of joy. My absolute favorites? Puppy breath, wiggles and grunts.

2. Campfires thrill my soul from start to finish. They have a life of their own, and mesmerize me.

3. Driving along country roads with no apparent destination, windows down, playing in the wind.

4. Silkie chicken hineys. They're just so darn fluffy.

5. Answered prayers, and just knowing God is there, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

6. Night swimming makes me feel really, really alive.

7. Lightning bugs are magic, and make me feel like a little girl with no worries. I heart bioluminescence.

8. Pinwheels have always brought me joy. I mean, what kid doesn't love a shiny, blowy pinwheel? As an adult (of sorts), I love how they show evidence of something unseen.

9. Family resemblances have probably been mentioned here on Mimsy before, but they're worth mentioning again. My family may not be the closest, and I may not know my father very well, but I look like him. When I look in the mirror, I feel like I belong.

10. Otters holding hands. 'Nough said.

Now, for passing this thing on...I'm not going to choose ten bloggers, though I can definitely think of ten of you that make me happy. Today, I'm sticking with several lovely ladies that I've just realized have quite a few things in common.

Shannon - Shannon & her HB may not live next door, and I may have only met them once, but I simply adore them. We share a love for life that pretty much links you instantly. Thank you, Shannon, for being YOU, and for making my blog so incredibly ME. I love it, and you. Can't wait to see you guys again.

Ari - I don't even know where to start with this one. For anyone who doesn't know, we met when we were fourteen, at a mutual friend's birthday bash. We lost touch for a few years, met again in college, and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. She's my creative partner in crime, and we're seriously thick as thieves. We share so much of our lives, and I don't know (or want to know) what I would do without her. Love you, my little prickly pear!

HisDaughter - This little lady amazes me in lots of ways, especially with her mad mommy skillz. I've only met her a couple times now, but I know she's making a difference in people's lives everyday. She's refreshing and alive, and I just smile thinking of her. We have to hang out soon, lovely lady!

Madam Rasberry - I've talked about the soul mateness before here, in case anyone gets confused. She's my soul mate, and my oldest friend. We are part of each other, and just the thought of her makes me...all kinds of emotions, and happy is definitely in there. I love you, friend.

I may love them for different reasons, but they're all A-dorable, loving, sincere, bright, creative (Yes, Jodi, you are creative.), fun, and madly in love with their canine counterparts (Again, Jodi, Dixie counts for you.). Didn't know you had so much in common, did you? Hmmm...I think I may have inadvertently discovered the secret to making me adore someone...

Chicken Little

I thought it was about time for an update on our little silkie babies.

Ponyo and Sosuke have now moved in together. Since Momma chicken (Noir) would only take care of her wee black birdie (Sosuke), we had to move the two babies in together. Ponyo was so lonely, and starting to think she was a person. :P

Wanna see 'em in their humble abode?  They're currently residing under our carport, so excuse the gorgeous surroundings.

It cracks me up that the one we had to help out of the egg (Ponyo), has turned out to be the biggest. They are definitely funky chickens.

Hunger Strike

I can't think about anything, but my sick Kimchi Kitty*. You see that face right there? That face is sick. He won't eat, drink or purr.

We've been to two different vets, an emergency clinic and our regular critter care giver, and neither knows what the heck's the matter with him. In the last three days, he's had x-rays, blood work, something for an upset tummy, something to stop the vomiting, antibiotics, a fluid shot that made him look like a kitty camel and still...nothing. He just mopes around the house, sleeping and hiding under the bed.

I feel responsible, and I don't even know what's wrong. I'm so afraid we've done something to make him sick, a household product I've used or something. He only eats healthy digestion kitty food, vegetables and maybe a piece of wheat bread crust now and again. I have no idea what he could have eaten, or what could have bitten him. I just don't know. He's an only kitty, and he lives in the house. I've gotten no new house plants, and none of the ones I have appear to be nibbled upon. I just don't know! Hairball? But that should have shown up in the x-ray.

Today's vet visit ended in them keeping him for more blood work, and hooking him up to fluids. I don't know if they're going to keep him overnight, over the weekend or if I'll go out of my mind from worry. The last time I took a mysteriously ill critter to the vet for blood work I never saw them alive again. It was my Pontuf Bunny, and this feels all too similar.

Kimchi's always so happy and lovey, but he feels like death right now. Will those of you who pray, please remember my kitty next time you talk to God? Thanks.

*If you happen to read/reread that post, notice the "I don't enjoy obsessive posts about pets. So, for your one time viewing pleasure, here's Kimchi!!" part. Ahem. Soooo...maybe I posted about him more than once, and I have issues with punctuation. Meh.

Short, Sweet & A Little Fuzzy

The above image has severely damaged my post writing capabilities. I should have avoided meandering on over to Cute Overload, but I just needed a little pick me up. Aaaaaand now, over an hour later, all I can think about is how much I love bunnies!!! Thank you, Cute Overload.

I'm hoping for a real post tomorrow, complete with photos of people and things Mr. T and I encountered on the first two days of our mini-vacation, including the lovely, lovely, lovely Shannon and Megan. Simply. Adore. Them.

Wait, did I even tell you peoples my husband person and I were on a mini-vacation?! Well, we are! Taking North Carolina and Tennessee by storm, folks. I ♥ Mountains! More on all this after I sleep! Sweet dreams, jelly beans.

Brendan ♥s Kate

Today was a busy, busy day. I worked in a frenzy as it snowed like crazy outside my office window. I'd peak out between phone calls and reports to see the court house lawn getting whiter and whiter. I successfully fought the urge to go play in it, until it was time to go home. At which point, I crunched up the back steps to my Jeep, with my head back and mouth wide open for maximum snowflake consumption. It was glorious.

In the midst of my busy morning I received a link from my dear prickly pear, Ari (Wha? The girl loves cacti, and I love pet names.). What was this link, you ask? It was a post by Stevie, about an awesome, unstoppable man named Brendan and the girl with whom he fell in love.

While deployed in Iraq last year, Brendan's unit received a terrible blow. Some men were lost, while others were seriously wounded. Brendan suffered injuries to his head and face, and he lost both of his arms and legs. He's the only quadruple amputee to survive a major American war.

Currently, Brendan is doing physical and occupational therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he met Kate...
Sounds like an amazing guy, right? You wanna know the rest of the story, right? Please go read it HERE (it's short and sweet, I promise). They've entered Crate & Barrel's Ultimate Wedding Contest to win the wedding of their dreams, and they need YOU to go vote for them.

We've got 6 weeks and 5 days to make this happen, and there's competition, folks. Let's do this, shall we? We're The Internet. We can so make this happen!

P to the S: Go now! Tell your family, friends and coworkers. Blog about it. Tweet about it. Go!

Love Harder

Brandy is a lovely lady I met not too long ago. By "met" I mean I stumbled across her blog. On my first visit I learned that she's in love with a hot awesome dude. And that hot awesome dude has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Lovely bloggers everywhere are raising money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund in his name. For the price of various office supplies that I do NOT need, I can be part of an effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide! You know what that means?! You can too!

How, you say?

Give. Be part of a worldwide effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide. Every dollar helps.

Pass it on. Forward this story to five people. Share this blog post. Become our fan on Facebook.

Love harder. Life is short, love is unbending, and no one knows what could happen next. Tell someone you love them today.

DONATE: http://www.loveharder.org
CONTACT: theloveharderfund@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.loveharder.org
MORE INFO: http://www.themmrf.org

Every dollar brings us closer to a cure, folks. And with every donation comes hope. If you've been reading this little blog o' mine long, you know how I feel about hope. It's a good thing, maybe the best of things.

Where Our Money Goes:

The American Institute of Philanthropy recently named The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation one of the best organizations to give to in terms of their accountability and use of resources. By working closely with researchers, clinicians and partners in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, the MMRF has helped bring multiple myeloma patients four new treatments that are extending lives around the globe. The MMRF has advanced twenty Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. They need your support to advance these clinical research programs and accelerate the development of better, more effective treatments. The MMRF’s Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative recently became the first to sequence the multiple myeloma whole genome in its entirety. A whopping 98% of your donation to the MMRF will be used immediately to support high-priority multiple myeloma research. With diminishing funding for early stage drug development and the next myeloma treatments not expected to be approved until 2011, the MMRF desperately needs your help!

Aaaaaand I have to share this lovely video that a bunch of wonderful people put together for Brandy and her Hot Awesome Dude. Sometimes people are really awesome, and I cry.

In the words of LiLu herself, "Please feel free to repost this video, or all of the above! We. Are. The Internet!!!!!!!!!"

Great & Small

Let's start this new year out right, shall we? How about a brief post in honor of an adorable little fuzz-head named Humperdink?! Sounds good to me.

Any of you lovely bloggers that happen to be friends of mine on Facebook have already seen this wee fuzzy mug, but, for those of you who have not, you can thank me in comment form.

Isn't he adorable?!

I've had the pleasure of sharing a house with bunnies, puppies, kitties, birdies, fishies, a variety of domesticated rodents and a few reptiles, but never a chinchilla. When my boss needed someone to "chinchillasit," I interrogated her briefly on the species of fluff ball before leaping at the opportunity to help her out.

HE'S MINE! ALL MINE! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Everyday is a new adventure in 'Dink, and it's awesome.

He's a bit quirky like a bunny, hopping and spazzing from time to time. I think it's a general display of merriment, because he usually does it after I've topped off his dinner and given him his treat for the day. Raisins are crack for chinchillas. It's cheap thrills.

Rats and ferrets definitely have him beat in the busy department, but he seems to have a few duskly (I'm making this a word.) activities. I've yet to see him fall asleep while eating, or pass out to display his manhood for all the world to see, so it's safe to say he's nowhere near as lazy as a hamster.

He's a pretty distinctive little guy, if you ask me. He had one of those giant hamster ball things to run around in, but it got broken before I got to chinchillasit. Too bad. He would SO be getting more acquainted with Kimchi Kitty, who seems genuinely terrified of him. Silly 20lb kitty.

Anyhow, I'm in love with Humperdink. I just know I'm going to cry when I have to send him back home to my boss. The husband person doesn't seem to like the idea of me getting one of my own, or I so would.

After our last bunny died unexpectedly I was pretty traumatized...for a long while. I get so attached. It was months and months before I could go home alone. Pacha Bunny was always such wonderful company. He'd follow me around the house, nudge me with his wittle soft nose, bolt up and down the hallway, flop out for a stretch/nap in whatever room I was in and hop up in my lap for some cuddling. After he died, I just couldn't bare to be home without Todd to distract me. I'd just cry and cry. The house felt so empty.

So...we made a strict no more rodent-type critters rule. They're so susceptible to serious health problems, notorious for hiding symptoms, beyond difficult to get treatment for and don't have all that lengthy of a life expectancy to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I fall head over heels in love, and think it's totally worth the time you get to spend with them. I just lose the ability to function when they pass away. It's not good for me.

*Teary eyes! Teary eyes! Not blinking!*

I'm convinced Chinchillas are different, though. Humperdink is 9 years old, and that's apparently about middle-aged! 15-18 years is the usual life expectancy, and that's something I can deal with. I'm thinking about begging for one for my birthday. We'll see.

Have you ever had a chinchilla?

Brandy's Hot Awesome Dude

Hi there, bloggers! I survived the holidays...thus far. Great, right?! Yes. Yes. Well, more important than my yammering on about late nights, family, friends and gifts (though I did make my husband a clock out of a hubcap [from his first car] & he LOVED it) is the well-being of our loved ones. That's why this post is dedicated to Brandy and her lovely, selfless man...

My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favorite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

Alright, folks? Any prayers out there? Add this wonderful man to your prayer lists, and pray for him whenever you think of it. Once, twice, ten times a day. Doesn't have to be an extensive prayer. I believe the Creator of the universe knows what's going on, all our needs & exactly who Brandy's Hot Awesome Dude is, so short and sweet works. Pray for him whenever you think of him.

We're All Mad Here II

I know I've raved about this before, but I simply must to do it again. With the newest trailer.

Feast your eyes, folks.

Burton never ceases to amaze me. Ever. I just love his brain! Amidst all the dark and twisted, there always lies simple truth and beauty. A purity. A resilience. At least I think so.

Whether it be my paintings of children and animals, doodles of creeptastic creatures, haikus or other poems and stories, that's always been something I've striven to convey. Ever since I was a kid. Resiliency, which I believe is synonymous with hope, is a good thing. Maybe the best of things.

I guess that's why I adore the work of people like Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Stephen King, Wes Anderson, and Roald Dahl. I think I can really relate to how they see the world, or how I perceive that they see the world. I guess it's more that I see things that I believe in their work, whether they intended it that way or not.

We are all silly creatures, living lives of nonsense, when there is truth to be had. And I believe the things we hold so dear are bits and pieces of that truth.

Ahem...can't wait for this movie to come out!

Hodgepodge Gypsy Family

We all know the American Family is, shall we say, a many splendored thing. Most have suffered divorce, and are riddled with steps and half people-a term I've always had an issue with. I can remember arguing that my sister was indeed a WHOLE person. I was like five.

Anyhow, the husband person and I are no exceptions to the whacked American Family Rule. Having grown up states apart, it always amazes me how much we have in common, how similar our family situations are.

To name a few: both sets of parents have been in a number of relationships, divorced at least once. My mother, three times. He and I both have (half) sisters, that are nine years older than us, and we share an aversion to alcohol, due to one or more alcoholic parent.

Now, there's more! Todd (that's the husband person) has always known that he had an estranged older (half) sister, on his Dad's side. She goes by Kay, and has jack to do with their father, for reasons unknown to us. She's never met or spoken to Todd...until now. ^_^

Todd got curious, found her on Ze Book O' Face, and now they're talking! They both look a lot like their Dad, and I simply adore family resemblances. Makes me tear up because I'm a sap. *Sniff*

So...we're going to meet for dinner sometime in the near future, and I am stoked. This means I get another nephew, and I am an excellent Aunt! Humble and excellent.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you how that's more that we have in common.

Well, I am my father's "only legitimate child", as my mother liked to say to me at the ripe old age of six. (I think she just said things like that so I would go to elementary school and repeat it. Well, probably not, but I did.) So, I also knew I had brothers/sisters out there somewhere. Only thing was, I couldn't have cared less. For eight years, my Dad wasn't even around. What did I care about his spawn?

In a recent conversation with my sweet, mess of a father, I discovered I've got a younger brother...with a name. Austin, a name I've always loved. And he looks a lot like my Dad, which means he looks a lot like me!

Somewhere growing up I must've lost that bitterness towards any kids he may have had something to do with, instead of me. Now? I'm really glad my Dad kept in contact with at least one those "illegitimate children". I hope to at least get a picture and an email address in the near future.

On another note, my high school sweet heart (don't ask questions-I told you I'm hetero.)and I are going to be two little nerds, adding to the plethora of huge nerds, at the 11:59 showing of Twilight: New Moon tonight. I think her husband is coming to make fun of us, but we'll ignore him.

I love the Twilight books, but have my doubts about the movies. However, going with the screwed up American Family theme, I think it works out quite nicely. "Vegetarian" vampires and rogue furry shape shifters would fit into our hodgepodge gypsy family just fine. I doubt anyone would even notice.

List Lust XI: Know What I'm Simply Mad About?

Hello Bloggy McBloggersons! For those of you who remember List Lust from waaaaay back when, you'll notice it's pretty much been abandoned. For any new readers (Hear that?! I have a few more faithful few! Squee!), you are about to witness the redemption of one of my deepest obsessive compulsive loves: Lists!

Today's list will pick back up where I left off, and teach you/remind you of a few possibly quirky/unimportant things about me.

List Lust XI: Know What I'm Simply Mad About?

1. Puppies & Puppy Breath (Bull Terriers are my favorite!)

2. Mr. Snuffleupagus & Those Big Soulful Eyes

3. Tall Frosty Glasses of Raspberry Lemonade

4. Almost Every Part Johnny Depp Has Played,

Along With His Sense of Style & Ridiculous Good Looks

5. Kermit, For All The Same Reasons As #4 :P

6. That I Can Get Away With Being Simply Mad About Two Muppets Without Blog Persecution.

7. Tim Burton's Brain (I figured a picture of Burton himself would suffice.)

8. Being Married To My Adorable Husband

9. Gustav Klimt's Artwork (This is my favorite of his pieces-Musique.)

10. God/Love (They're one and the same, in my opinion.)

Guess that's all for now. Better save some for another list. What are you simply mad about?

To Write Love...

You guys ever heard of To Write Love On Her Arms? Well, if you haven't, check out that site.

I learned about TWLOHA around two years ago, when I was working on a street outreach team for at risk youth. I know. What kid isn't at risk? We had our work cut out for us. 

Anyhow, I ran into a couple of guys with TWLOHA tee shirts, and they were more than happy to tell me all about it.

Basically, it's a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depressions, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

Part of the vision behind TWLOHA is the belief that we were all created to love and be loved. We were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. We all need to know that our stories are important, and that we're part of a bigger story. We need to know that our lives matter.

I completely believe all those things. In honor of To Write Love On Her Arms, I wrote "love" on my arm. Just one more way to support the cause.

Thick As Thieves

Just a short post, bloggers! I'm waiting on a hot date, and my gorgeous escort, Debra, will be here to pick me up any minute. (Yes, I'm happily married, and no I'm not homosexual, but she's still a hot date.)

Anyhow, I met Debra when I was fourteen years old. My family (of gypsies) had just moved (again). I didn't know a soul in Mountain Heights Estate, and the only kids I saw were like 5. Quite certain my life was doomed, I spent a lot of time riding my bike round and round the block, hoping one of the kindergartners would magically sprout into puberty or something.

Then I saw them. Debra and her sister, struttin' down the road as if it were a runway.

And we've been friends ever since. Debra's sister (Dana) and I aren't so close, but she's a sweetie. Debra and I just clicked. No matter how much time we spend apart, the moment we're back together, we're thick as thieves again.

So, I'm off on a hot date with my dear friend of 13 YEARS! *gag* Having a friend for that long is definitely something I'm grateful for, but it makes me a little nauseous. OLDNESS!

"I Disagree With You So Everything You Ever Say Must Be Wrong" Is Not A Good Rule To Live By

Over at Just A Titch today I read about how some people are reacting to President Obama's education speech. You should all go read that speech, btw. Open that link in another tab, folks. If you haven't already, you should really read it.

Having read this message, I am inspired. I find absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's full of truth and positive reinforcement, and I am glad the youth of our country heard it today.

I'm having a really difficult time comprehending how someone could believe that it's an attempt to "brainwash" or "indoctrinate" our country's children into anything other than believing in, and applying themselves to, getting their educations and succeeding in making the world they live in a better place.

So, what's the deal here?! Bashing this man for no apparent reason is not okay!

The only sense I can make of it is that they're scared. People are afraid of a lot of things, for a lot of different reasons, right? So, let's say they're afraid for themselves, their children and country. They're afraid of the unknown. I can understand all that. I'm a worry wart. I totally get the anxiety.

One man leading an entire country is something to be concerned about. We can't read his mind, or see the true desires of his heart. It's stressful, but what's really to fear here is that people have still not learned to harness their ignorance, set their differences aside, and respect and love one another.

If an individual doesn’t care for President Obama’s plans as the leader of our country, that’s one thing. Worry. Talk about it. Fine. But ignorantly (Because OBVIOUSLY they can’t have read his words, right?!) claiming that he’s going to “brainwash” our children with an encouraging, well-written speech about education?! Whatever.

I know I sound like a scripture, or a Bob Marley song, (and I'm fine with either) but love and respect is the answer here, folks! I know it's my belief, and not necessarily shared by all, but I have to say it.

We are all created equal, even if we don't always agree.

I don't normally talk politics. People get angry and opinionated, and I always sound naive and silly with my love and understanding for your fellow man talk, but I had to vent.

To be completely honest, I disagree with a lot of things that President Obama believes in and advocates for. I didn't even vote for him, but he is the President of our country. I have the utmost respect and love for him, and I refuse to be separated or blinded by difference of opinion. The man can make great things happen. This speech is one of them.

Simple Love

This video makes me cry, and I think everyone should partake. It's not so pretty. It's not at all complex. It's a simple song with a simple animation expressing something that I've always believed.

It might seem silly to some of you, but I still think it's worth sharing.

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?!

I have just had a very uncomfortable experience with a very angry person. Ugh. Is it just me, or is it extremely unnerving to attempt to soothe a savage beast?

Keeping my calm in the face of anger is my forte. As I may have mentioned, I grew up in a loving, but emotionally, and sometimes physically, volatile home. At age five I knew to keep my mouth shut and listen, or it would just be worse. I am completely capable of listening and remaining objective...if it's not personal.

This was personal. I managed to keep cool, but it was so hard. SO. HARD.

Even when I disagree with someone I can always see at least part of their argument. See and understand. Biting my tongue is easy. Loving in spite of disagreement is easy. Being called a HYPOCRITE because I can see and understand where someone is coming from, but still not agree?! Not so easy.

The conversation ended like this:

ME: You know I love you and I understand where you're coming from. We might just have to agree to disagree here.

THEM: Well...*huff* I love you too(undertone of I want to strip you of your ability to think for yourself and make you my mini me).

I'd call that a success, were it not for the heavy heart I now carry. I hate when I can't soothe someone by just listening...when they aren't satisfied until you give up your belief and adopt theirs. Not. Going. To. Happen.

Deep healing breaths.

Business Socks

Tonight's girls' night in at Ari's! Today's been pretty rough. So, I am so ready for some nothingness.

Our little routine consists of grabbing dinner and scampering up the mountain to her place. It is simply glorious. Even when things are beyond stressful, which they are right now, we manage to enjoy just being.

All the conditions are right for destressing and being silly little girls. Knitting. Watching goofy things on TV. All that is good and simple. Sounds riveting doesn't it? Well, it is.

So, I'm out of here...and have a strange urge to break into Business Time. I guess our Monday nights are sort of like "sweet weekly love." Sort of.

List Lust

I'm trying my best here to avoid slacking in the post department. It's approximately too late for too much coherent thought. So, I thought I'd make a lovely little(though I know very well that it may end up not-so-little)list. A lovely little list of things I love, and perhaps a photo or two. Perhaps. It's bed time, and I have to expedite this. I have to convince my brain that I'm not an art student anymore. I can sleep normal hours. If only.

I love...

1. Burt's Bees body soap because it doesn't mush all up when you drop it in the shower.
2. face scrubs that make your face tingly.
3. macs.
4. creepy cute things, much like anything Tim Burton's ever conjured up.
5. otters and their apparent outlook on life.
6. relationships and communication.
7. notebooks filled w/lists and coordinating doodles.
8. trying new things.
9. how bad stuff makes you appreciate good stuff.
10.trusting that God's got my back.
11.points for neatness.
12.the audacity of the bunnies I've known.
13.reading and writing.
14.flying kites.
15.making stuff.
16.making people happy.
17.being on time, but never am.
18.having warm(not hot)feet.
19.watching cats take baths.
20.fresh air.
21.camping and hiking.
22.children's books.
23.clean sheets.
24.puppy breath.
25.blowing bubbles. Oh, how I love blowing bubbles.

What do you think? 25 enough for now? I think I'll do a list of 25 things every week. Sound like a plan? Things I love. Things I hate. Things that are green. Ooh! That's next week. Yes. Yes.

I'll save the picture post for in the morning. Sweet dreams folks.