My MJ moment...

...may he rest in peace. 

I was looking at my screen saver at work today...a slideshow of Layla pictures, but of course!  When THIS flashed across the screen...

Don't you just love how I am laughing ala Britney-Spears-crazy-like, while my innocent daughter looks a bit...scared?  All I could think of was this...

Ya'll have a good weekend.  And you can stop laughing at me now...

Oh Stoic One...

Fear not!  I am sending this team of happy campers your way Oh Stoic one...

Actually, they look pissed off too!  But they are cute, right?  Hmmmm....if they don't work, surely this will!

At any rate - I hope any and everyone who is not having the best of days, starts to feel better!  It is Friday afterall...we should all be a tad bit happy for that!

Eat, Pray, Love - 1st stage

Has anyone read Eat, Pray, Love?  I know a few of you have, because it comes highly recommended.  I just started reading the book this week.  The very strange thing about this...is the fact that I DO NOT NORMALLY READ BOOKS.  No lie.  Magazines, all day.  Books, not since college.  And only when required. 

So, I am kinda baffled that I went to a book store.  Asked for help locating the said book.  Found it.  Waited in line to pay for it.  Paid for it.  Went home.  And started reading.  I am on page 73 and I am stunned. 
Did I mention that I NORMALLY DO NOT READ!!!!!????!!!!!

Who is this person who embodied, well, me????  I am so confused. 

But, I find that I go somewhere when I read.  I became Elizabeth Gilbert.  I am now in Italy.  I love it.  Television on around me.  Layla asking me questions intermittenly.  Me answering.  But, then I am right back in Italy. 

Yeah, something like that...or the below.

With mounds of Italian Gelato to enjoy....yes, please.

Sorry.  I am all over the place.  But, my heart and mind remain in Italy!  Ha.

I came across this gorgeous image and I could really use a space like that in my house.   How lovely is that?  I could just sink into that mighty chair and continue my trip through Italy.   

{image via}

Next up....INDIA!  Via Eat, Pray, Love, of course!  But, a girl can dream....

And I will, thank you.  I leave you with my favorite excerpt from the book so far.  Page 65.

So be lonely, Liz.  Learn your way around loneliness.  Make a map of it.  Sit with it, for once in your life.  Welcome to the human experience.  But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings.

My love of music and life

{image via}

I just love that picture/quote above.  Pure genius.  On my way to work this morning...I heard, what probably has to be, one of my all time favorites songs.  I did not realize it was one of my all time favs until this morning.  Lovely.  But, it took me back.  I love how music can do that, yet it transcends time.  I love music from the 50's.  Did I live during that time?  Heck no, but I love it none the less.  But, I digress.  Here is the song I heard...

I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?

What I've succumbed to is making me numb.

I'm just a girl, my apologies.

What I've become is so burdensome.

I'm just a girl, lucky me.

Twiddle-dum there's no comparison.

FYI - I was in my prime...1st year of college when this was my anthem, among others, I'm sure.  Please don't tell me you were in elementary school or anything...I would just rather not know!  Thanks.

An award...for lil' ole me!

And by golly!  I love this award....it is the Sunshine Award!  (Who doesn't love sunshine?  Weirdos.)  And the lovely, hilariously funny, super duper cute Tia bestowed this upon me. 

If you have not yet checked out her Stoic blog yet...I highly suggest you do.  She will have you rolling! 

So, without further ado...I present to you...The Rules of This Award...

1. Put the award on your blog (on the sidebar or in one of your posts).

Consider it done...you see that pretty orange flower basking in the glorious blue sky.  Yep, that's it!  

2. Pass it on to 6 fellow bloggers and let them know they have received it.
Will do.  Picking only 6 will be hard, but I will stay focused and recall who brings sunshine into my life?!?  Via a smile.

3. Share the love and provide a link back to the person from whom you've received it.
I already did that.  See that cute lil tongue above.  That belongs to Tia.  And she is the Stoic One.

4. Bask in the warm sunshine of your new found fame.
I am.  It is gorgeous here in good ole Houston, Texas.  Kinda looks like that pic below today.  65 degrees and oh so lovely.  (My favorite tree too.)

Sooooo...in no particular order...here are my sunshines:

1.  Champagne Bubbles
2.  Farmgirl Paints
3.  Jimmy Choo's and a baby too
4.  Little Miss Heirlooms
5.  Melissa's Life...As She Knows It
6.  Morrison Musings

About Me

Here is something Just For Fun to lift your spirits.  Fill in the blanks.
 
1. If I weren't working, I'd love to be swinging in this.
 

2. When I'm super upset I usually scream to feel better or get so overwhelmed I cry. (And I hate to cry!)

3. My favorite thing about myself is how accepting and non-judgemental I am.

4. If I found a $100 in the pocket of last winter's coat I'd spend it on bills of some sort, no doubt!

5. Even though some people might consider this a flaw, I love voluptous women!  (Especially Christina Hendrinks of Mad Men and I don't even watch the show!!  Although I hear I should!!)

Seriously...isn't she gorg!?!

6. I love the way I feel when my center is calm.  (My center = my soul = no anxieties)

No, I canNOT do that.

Yes, I can do that.

I digress.

7. I love my hair most when it behaves!  I like it short and I like it long.  As long as it behaves. 

Short haired me. 

That was fun!  Wanna join...I would love to see what tickles your fancy...

Wishful Wednesday without Kelsey

I really like taking part in The Seattle Smith's Wishful Wednesday, however, Little Miss Lucky Pants is on vacay and therefore cannot generate one of her oh so fun posts!

So, I will carry on in her absense.  You can click here to check out my very first Wishful Wednesday.

My wish on my lonesome Wishful Wednesday is that this sweet baby girl be healed!

God, I pray that you can redeem her small, fragile body.  Make her whole again.  I pray that you give her parents and family strength to cope with her illness.  And peace knowing you are always with her.

God, I just pray for understanding.  It is hard for us here on Earth to understand why someone so small and innocent would suffer so greatly.  I know it is not our place to understand here, or to question you.  But, I pray for understanding. 

There are so many people who love this little girl...I ask you to heal her, Dear Lord. 

Amen.