Go ahead, Feel Beautiful.

You know how a new haircut can make you feel giddy?

And make you crave a date with photo booth when your alone in the living room after everyone has gone to bed...
And makes you check the mirror a hundred times more often than usual...

And makes you want to pose for everything...

And make sure your wedding ring is in full view so no one gets any ideas...

And makes you open your eyes a little wider...

And stand a little taller...

And smile a little bigger? Good.

Then you'll understand this post.

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More thoughts from a conservative Liberal

Last week, I was a substitute at Holdenville High School. The teacher I was covering for was so organized, I had a binder full of lesson plans and copies already made and waiting on my desk to hand out on designated days. Planning was first hour (first hour planning is so lame), and as any good teacher knows, a classroom is never left unorganized for the next day, so I basically had an hour to kill before I saw the students. I decided to get in some scripture study. I guess I was looking for answers as in regard to how to deal with what is going on in the world around me. The three topics my mind was led to were Compassion, equality, and health.

Whenever I vote (I have two presidential elections under my belt, mind you), I always try to think about how Christ would handle the issues that seem to weigh heavily on most people's minds. It helps me wade through the muck of information that surrounds me. Most hot topic issues boil down to people, they should anyway. I think too often we hear "health care, abortion, environmental awareness, immigration, etc," and think of them as things and not people. I consider myself a humanist, and in my relationship with Christ, I view Him as the ultimate humanist. "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgement, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And opress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart" (Zecharaiah 7:9-10 - the whole chapter is great). If I can make life better for those around me, I'd like to - no strings attached. There will always be people who take advantage of social programs, but even moreso, there are people who are given an increased quality of life because of them. "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack" (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).

One of the things that I love about drawing closer to the Savior is that my relationship is different than yours or yours or yours. But His relationship is the same with everyone. He understands everything we encounter. He loves me just as much as He loves you. He is every human being's biggest fan. I don't ever not want to give in every way I can to someone He gave everything for. I don't just mean people residing in the United States, I think much more internationally than that. I'm pretty sure Christ is not affiliated with a party or for profit. He doesn't function under the social constraints created by men. "And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leporous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy" (3 Nephi 17:6-7).

As I read the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, my heart is filled with peace. It is an indication that loving people as he did is really the most important part. I never want to feel like I'm in survival mode, that everything will make sense someday. I, along with everyone else, was given this most precious gift of life, a mind with the ability to discern (one of my favorite things to do is think) all that comes my way. We were made to be smart and take advantage of our intellect. I hope, more than anything, that when I come before my maker I will not feel the burden of disappointment knowing that I did not live to the fullest and help others do the same.

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

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A little bit of politics from a conservative Liberal

The divide between people in terms of politics just keeps growing. I'm never one to talk about it much: To each his own. Though lately, many things have made me a little sad. I like people...I love people. Everyone. There are some people who make me feel a little uncomfortable, there are some who could appreciate silence more (but that is just a personal taste), I've only ever hated one person, and it was for approximately 4 minutes. I hated the way it felt to feel that way more than I didn't like what that person had done. I appreciate diversity - of opinion, culture, religion, ideologies, language, etc. It keeps things interesting and reminds me that there is always something more for me to learn.

In terms of politics, I have called myself a conservative Liberal since I was in high school. I'm more fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I aligned myself with the Republican party, voted for George W. Bush, liked that he wasn't perfect, but then again, I never expected him to be.
There has always been this turmoil between opposing sides and who is in power. I think the part that makes me so unsettled about what is going on today is the wealth of information that is available. With this amount of information, there is also a great deal of misinformation. And a controvery always seems to spread farther and die harder than it should. When Barack Obama was running for president, before he was ever officially the Democratic candidate, I heard from so many people just randomly dropping that he was Muslim (like that should matter). I got an email about that 'fact' as well as many other half-truths. It turned my stomach, mostly because Mitt Romney was still in the race. I knew that his faith would be a big issue, and I didn't want falsehoods to circulate around about him, so I confronted it. I didn't want anyone to feel bad for sending it because I'm sure they felt like they needed to spread the word...I guess this is where I should make my point....I know that most people who read this are educated and try to be informed, but information that isn't based on facts creates a realm of ignorance - one of the most dangerous things. Nobody wants to be out of the loop of truth. I still feel bad for the elderly woman at the McCain rally who stood up and declared that Obama was Muslim. I listened to an interview with her after the rally when she kept defending her position and kept saying she could provide letters she'd received at meetings at her local library. There are groups out there preying on people, leading them to believe lies because they're vulnerable. I also felt bad as I was respectfully watching McCain concede that the election had gone to Obama. He couldn't get a sentence out without the crowd booing. Those were his supporters, not letting him speak and gracefully honor his opponent who'd won the race in which they both worked so hard. They weren't listening.

I feel like people aren't listening still, they're ignoring the facts. From death panels in health care, the threat of children learning about all kinds of families in schools, being taxed for cash for clunkers, the list goes on and on. Like I said, it just makes me sad. I found two quotes by Thomas Jefferson last week that I felt summed up my feelings. "He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors." And "If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." May I add factually informed or informed with truths and not deceits. I feel like this collective country is building walls rather than bridges, and these walls are being bulit on false accusations. Meanwhile, 64 year old grandmothers (who retire a few months before medicare because they think they're safe) are dying of brain tumors because of a lack of coverage for screening and care.

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I'm over my belly button looking like a crater underneath my clothes

I need to lose at least 10 and no more than 15 pounds. My extra baggage is becoming beyond burdensome. I've implemented a new no eating past 7:00 rule. It was 7:30 tonight because dinner was a little later. I love food, but I love my old body more. I've been spoiled to be able to over do it for my whole life up until now. I have no expectation of seeing the 23 inch waist I had when I got pregnant with Cora, but I know that the stretch marks on the back/sides of my upper thighs (you know the place right below your hips) mean I'm trying to stuff too much stuff inside.

Any support/suggestions would be appreciated. ;)

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The Day in Retrospect

While riding bikes tonight, I discovered that an elbow makes a great brake against a brick wall.

Bike rides at dusk are wonderful. I like watching the day fall asleep.

I have too many clothes. I've been going through them because I keep learning that I hate clutter more than I love sentimental shirts, like the one from my very first 5k. It's tough, but I know I'll be better for it.

I love the current Prius commercials. I sing along.

I've been thinking about cutting my hair, but I've been growing it out for too long. My hair takes FOREVER to grow.

I rinsed my mouth with some Scope Original Mint (the green one), and couldn't believe how I instantly thought Grandpa Irl. That was my favorite part of his morning routine. He could keep it in longer than me.

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Kalico Kitchen

Holdenville has the greatest bakery in the whole wide world. I've mentioned it before. I can't imagine anything tasting better. When I first discovered Kalico, it was at Mammy's house. She had a box of Cloud Nines. They were heavenly, and I was in love.

Cloud Nine

My favorite cake is Heavenly Delight. Mandarin Oranges, pineapple, coconut, creamy icing. Yum. It is so light and fresh.

Heavenly Delight Cake

And today I tried the Tuxedo Cookie for the first time. Every bite was ecstasy.

Tuxedo Cookie

I've had several other items from this bakery, and I've never been disappointed. And to top it all off, they make frozen custard.

Check out their site, and good luck with the drool I know will follow. Kalico Kitchen


All the pictures are from cookiesfromkalicokitchen.com (which you should know already)

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Super Sweet Furniture

These are two pieces of furniture that Vaughn did for us. The lighting is crazy. It was too dark without the flash, and seriously bright because both pieces were in front of his paint room, which has a very reflective metal exterior.

 

Buffet given to us by Dianna, our former landlord.

 

It's original finish was mahogany veneer, and it was missing two drawers in the middle as well as some of the scroll work on the outer doors. Vaughn cut out trim to match where it was missing, and made a shelf in the middle and added two doors. The finish is something like an 11 coat process. 

 

Desk from Grandma Izzie's house

 

The desk was originally an outdated wood finish, I don't even know the name of the wood, it's like where they take a photo copy of wood and make a paper that goes on a not all wood material underneath. He painted it black and distressed it. I like that he got down to the original finish in the distressing. He also fixed the roll top. 

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