Ladies and gents, I am back on The FlyLady bandwagon. Don’t worry, I’m not crazed or judgmental towards unshiny sinks. My sink is currently full on both sides, but so much better than it was yesterday it’s not EVEN funny.

Here’s what I’ve been thinking. In a couple of years, Kevin and I plan on having a baby. It’s not in the near future, but it’s not that distant either. And can anyone remember what you were doing 5 years ago? Five years ago, I was lamenting a non-relationship with a guy who strung (strewed? strang? usheilkd? WHAT?) me along for months. (Hello, roommate and dorm friends — does anyone remember this?) If all goes as planned (and it never does, but whatever) we will have a 2-year-old in 5 years.

TIMEOUT.

Let’s stop and think about that for a minute. In a few years, we’re going to have a baby. (Sorry for all the italics. I get very “Rilla Blythe” when I think about the future and babies and AHH!) That’s insanity. How life changes so quickly. Now I’m married and it feels like I’ve always been married. Nine months down and it feels like forever. In a good way. And while I was thinking about having babies I was looking at my toes. Because toes kind of remind me of babies. They are little and cute. Well, some people’s are. And then I was looking at my tiny toe on my left foot. On the inside part of that toenail, it grows at a perfect right angle, creating a dangerously sharp point (and they don’t even need clipping right now). And because I am all hippy at heart, I’ve already started working on a birth plan (I did this like 2 years ago, it’s changed as I have). Now, I know how to make sure hospital staff doesn’t go against my wishes.

I threaten them with my razor-sharp left pinky-toenail.

Brilliant, right? I know! With feet up in the air like that I should have a clear shot at somebody’s jugular.

Then, I started thinking, which led me to ask this question of you all. Seriously. Who does that? You can’t give prisoners (the hardcore kind) nail clippers. And in a situation like mine, you definitely can’t let them go unclipped. If the need presented itself, I would use this thing as a shiv. No one would see it coming.

I’m going to have to work on that left roundhouse kick though.

Okay, back to the original topic.

That. That is a little frightening. And what I have come to realize is that if I can’t get my housekeeping under control when there are just two of us, there’s no way I’m going to know what to do when there are suddenly 3 and I’m faced with about 1000x the responsibilities that I have right now.

So, in the words of Barney Fife (who I am referencing for the 2nd time this week*), I’m nipping it in the bud.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress. Now, links!

• There’s a giveaway going on at the r house. Beautiful gift with a beautiful story behind it.
• The Bloggies are tonight! Announcing awards every 5 minutes on their Twitter.
• How to nap (thanks, Melissa!)
• Christie offers some fantastic tips on going green.
• WOLF SWEATSHIRT. I’ve always been partial to those. Found in most quality truck stops.
• I didn’t even know The Golden Driller existed (it’s because I don’t go to Tulsa. Unless I’m on my way to Branson. As a rule.), but I’m a fan now.

*The first time was in regard to the “shooting” at Oklahoma City Community College.

Apparently kids today do not know who Barney Fife is. This makes me sad.

• I woke up this morning with my forehead itching. Really, really bad. Then I run my fingers through my hair and ICK. Don’t worry. I don’t have headlice. But it felt like I didn’t wash any of the shampoo out of my hair last night in the shower. Umm…I can’t really remember. That would be weird for me. So first thing this morning I washed my hair. Now I’m sitting here with a towel on my head and a cup of hot chocolate. And no more greasy limp hair.
• Sorry if I grossed you out. It’s pretty nasty.
• Yesterday, my mom had to endure a drama-filled trip to Wal-Mart and a crazy employee who seems to have some issues. I know. I ended up on the phone with this lunatic. This requires a lengthy blog post. That will be up later today.
• Regarding the Olympics: I haven’t met many people that are upset about Johnny Weir (confession: I always spell his name “Weird” first and then have to backspace) not scoring higher, but there are a few. And what I think is the dude needs to decide what his goals are. I’m sure he loves skating, but reality TV and fashion seem to be right up there as well. I really hope that he does retire before the next Olympics. His attitude annoys me.
• Also annoying: Evgeni Plushenko. Dude, I’ve loved you since your halfway naughty performance of one of my favorite songs. But now? Now I don’t feel like I can use that video to rickroll people anymore. I’ve got news for you — what’s going on in your brain does not matter. Reality matters. You start making comments like that and people start questioning how much of a hold you’ve got on the world around you (can’t find the link, but what he said was, “In my brain, I actually won.”). I mean, shoot. When I was 13, in my mind, I was a viable candidate to be the bride of Prince William and go on to be queen. I think we all know what a hit I would have been. Seriously, that sounds like the plot of a bad movie. Oh wait. It was.
• Oh, we have a chance of flurries today? BIG SURPRISE.
• Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday. And it’s his last one in his 20s. Sigh.
• I always thought I’d end up with an older man.
• We’re celebrating at Red Robin during the week and this weekend we’re taking my parents to The Melting Pot. Yum. I love birthday weeks.
• Tonight I will make a beautiful layer cake and display it on this lovely wedding gift from Jolene and her hubby:
  

This has been a very odd week.

Something felt off on Wednesday. I saw someone I didn’t want to see that evening which gave my heart a scary little jumpstart. Then later that night I found that our wedding site had been hacked and the culprit had left their calling card — name and email address. Idiot. This person has been a concern of mine for some time, but I never imagined this. Keeping my eyes peeled and will call the cops if necessary. Sheesh.

Tragedy struck my hometown and someone that my mom is close to. It’s not mine to talk about so I won’t. But I can tell that it’s been difficult for people around there to deal with this. Everyone is in my prayers.

And my tummy has been bothering me again. So much this morning that I’m not going to have my coffee. Maybe later. I probably need to get back on a better eating plan because right now I’m not doing anything. My weight is fine, but I don’t feel good. It’s always been hard to deal with this because people can’t tell that I’m ill when I am. And that kinda makes me feel like a slacker at life. I shouldn’t worry or wonder what people think about, I know. It’s just that all these years dealing with it has conditioned me to do so.

That’s more than I wanted to say. Links…

• The world lost a great poet last week. R.I.P. Ms Lucille Clifton
• A valid Subway cheese gripe — YES! I’ve been saying this all along.
• Guaranteed to send you to the ER : 7 Things Paula Deen Fried — and Ate
• Amy, I like beans, too. And I think I may be making your Black Bean Hummus today because it sounds so good.
• Hello, my name is Elizabeth and am a recovering sugar addict. I know what you’re going through!
• fast and feast, from the French Toast Girl.
• The Coolness Horse

VOTE HERE!

I put off posting this because, well, I never know what to say about it. And this year I was just floored at the nominations I received. That’s right. Plural. In years past (I’ve lost count now. Two, three?) I was nominated for the Best Writing award, which, to be honest, meant the most to me because it’s my passion. This blog is here for a reason. I’d say less for wanton exhibitionism than for my need to get things out. Kinda like what Miss Kim was talking about yesterday. I’ve been a writer (a title I learned that I could happily claim during one of my writing classes at OU) since I learned how to make the shapes of letters right before kindergarten, but I have always been an imaginer. And there is something about having the ability to imagine all kinds of scenarios that I believe is a mark of destiny. You will create. (Write, draw, paint, sculpt, dance, compose, etc.) I can’t paint, draw, or sculpt. Reading music is like math to me which means I don’t do it at all. Singing and playing the piano by ear came pretty naturally, but I’m only mediocre, if that. I have the thighs of a person who should be an accomplished dancer (meaning SHA-BAM!), but I’ve never done anything outside of lots and lots of hours of ballroom dancing and a little lyrical back in the day.

And so, I write.

This year there is no writing nomination for me and I’m cool with that. There are some people with incredible talent up for the award this year. Who I’ll be voting for, well, that’ll be a secret until it’s all over. In a minute I’ll highlight some of my favorites (and try not to leave anyone out!).

First, I want to tell you what I was nominated for this year.

Best Family Blog – I like the idea that a blog written by the female half of a newlywed couple, who was single up until very recently, is nominated for this award. Because we are a family. We’re building a home together and starting out on what will be a long journey with one another (Lord providing one of us doesn’t die or something). I’m really glad I’m documenting this life-altering change.

Now, maybe people nominated me for this one because I talk about my family. A lot. I do, I know! But I love ‘em!

…or maybe it’s because I’m really really really SFW (that’s “safe for work,” Heather ). You may think that, but I’ve got a few cousins that are more conservative than me *gasp* and they’d tell you otherwise.

Most Humorous Blog – Ha. Haha. Really? Sometimes I try. I think of a lot of funny things throughout the day and forget to write them down and then forget them entirely. This blog would be so much better if someone would give me a pocket notepad or something. Maybe I should go buy myself a tiny Moleskine.

In an effort to funny this thing up, I promise to model every prom dress and bridesmaid dress I own if I win any of these awards. Like, full runway, people. You want that? Then vote. I might even sweeten the deal and wear a prom dress to a blogger meet-up. Have you seen how good you get treated when you show up some place in formal wear? Well, I guess it’s sort of a toss-up. You’re either out for some special event or downright crazy. You never know what folks are going to assume. I’ve went through most of my childhood pretending everything was a special event and that I was the guest of honor and some may say that is crazy. I blog, you decide!

Best Political Blog (Conservative) - I don’t know about best, but conservative? Mmhmm. One thing that has become a pastime of mine is finding people who would otherwise like me, but when they find out my political affiliation they automatically assume that I’m ignorant and backwards. How tolerant of them!

Best Veteran Blogger (5+Years) - It’s true. I’ve been doing this for a really long time. If you want to get technical, I have had some kind of journal presence online since 1999. Almost my entire high school and college experience has been documented. Sometime I’ll go back and post my angsty, 15-year-old ramblings.

And (wow)…

Best Overall Blog - In the words of my husband, “That’s like ‘Best Picture’, right?” I told him it was, but then explained that I’m like your random independent documentary with conservative overtones that gets nominated up against sweeping epics with lots of dinner parties featuring spectacular shots of food (The Pioneer Woman) and period drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis, dressed the way men always should be–in top hat and tails (The Art of Manliness). I don’t hold out a lot of hope for this award, but I am humbled that enough of you would nominate me for it to land me on the ballot.

These awards make me question what keeps me blogging every year. Not in a “why don’t I just quit this” kind of way. But, I mean, it makes me realize why I do. I was blogging about Oklahoma long before I’d met anyone else who was. These awards have provided a wonderful way for us to get connected with other blogs we may have never heard about otherwise. I look forward to them each year with the hope that I’ll find another gem that pulls me in to read everyday.

Thank you all so much for nominating. I have been so blessed and encouraged by your sweet compliments and hope that you find the same blessing and encouragement here from time to time (when I’m not getting snarky [The Newest Innovation in Stool Softeners] or documenting a desperate addiction to tacos [When we get behind closed doors...])

The deadline to vote is MIDNIGHT this Sunday, February 14. Oklahoma bloggers, take a minute to show some love and cast a vote for your favorites!

Later, I will be posting a tribute to my favorite nominees. Stay tuned!

It was a long weekend. And not the good kind either. Today was a long, crazy day and I’m hoping the rest of the week shapes up pretty quickly because I’m in no mood to deal with stragglers. Plus, I have a trip to Virginia Beach to look forward to, Lord willing. It is looking like we may get some nasty ice around here. Nothing like me and Kevin deciding to visit family back east to put mother nature in the mood for a good freeze. Thanks a lot, lady.

On with the show…

• Allow me to complain for a moment without giving you all the satisfaction of a related link. Ahem. Why can’t I escape The Besters? And The Worsters? And the “How Did You Pay For That?!”…-ers? It seems that whatever place I am in life there is always someone around me like this. Have something wonderful happen? Don’t worry, something better happened to them. Once. It doesn’t matter when or if it’s relevent, it happened. Tragedy strike? Don’t look to them for sympathy. They lost their mom and their best dog on the same day. And heaven forbid you show them vacation photos. Sheesh. “Well, I don’t ever have the time to go somewhere that far away.” or “Who did you get to help pay for that?” or maybe they’ll tell you about that one vacation 10 years ago that was easily triple the price of whatever you did.*tap*

  *taptaptap*

  Anyone listening? You ready?

  Get some self-esteem. It is a sad, sad situation if you have to belittle others at every turn to make yourself feel better. I’m sorry for whatever happened in your past to make you behave in such a way now. But you need to grow up and stop.

  Good grief.

• Oh, hi
• Coffee makes you dance around like a goat! (educational AND fun!)
• The Spohrs have their beautiful Annie. Blessings on you all.
• smitten kitchen has this divine sounding Mixed Citrus Salad w/ Feta & Mint. Yum.
• As you may know, about 6 months ago I stumbled upon the blog of my cousin, Misti. Through her I’ve learned of my cousin, her brother, Curtis, his wife Stephanie, and their little girl, Zoe. Not long ago Curtis announced that they were expecting on his blog. Last week, the baby was delivered at 26 weeks. This little girl and her family have all been in my prayers and I hope they’ll be in yours, too. Welcome to the world, Miss Ashleigh.
• Food Network Humor is my new favorite blog. Oh my. And this — Amazon Product Recommendations: Ina Garten Edition

Have a great week, y’all!

Guhhhh.

That’s the noise my sinuses are making. It’s better than the screaming. So glad the screaming has stopped.

Some links for you:

• FACT: Middle Schoolers Stink
• The Biblical Qualifications of the Teaching Office in the Church OR Why churches are going to hell in a handbasket expecting lay people to do all the deep, theological teaching.
• Melissa is ditchin’ the fiction in favor of the non-. I, too, have a shelf of non-fiction that I need to get to work on…
• The Friar reviews Sherlock Holmes and I remain confident in my decision not to see it. Basil Rathbone you are not, Mr. Downey.
• Mmm. Just what we need in Oklahoma right now — Four Warm and Cozy Soups from The Pioneer Woman.
• The 2009 Okie Blog Awards are calling for nominations!
• Rare in utero images of animals — This stuff fascinates me.
• Speaking of soups — PICKLE SOUP! Oh my goodness, I hope you know that pickles have been one of my favorite foods since I was a wee little thing. I’m trying this. Pronto.
• Oh, in case you missed it, we’re now subservient to INTERPOL. Faaaab.
• Kim counted down her top 10 movies of the decade. Some good ones in there and some I still need to see.
• Signs that you shouldn’t be awake. Sounds a lot like my college experience.

Have a great week, y’all. I’m grabbing the teapot I received from a coworker (who hated me) and refashioned into a neti pot.

Jud, I don’t know who you are, but when I read your comment on this blog I could not keep myself from saying, “Amen.” Thank you for your willingness to speak truth.

I’d love to give you more credit than just your name, so if you’re reading this, please let me know!

1) I’ve read and heard enough from Mclaren.

2) Most American Pastors now refer to themselves as “followers of Christ”. Mclaren considers himself a “follower of Christ”. Ghandi considered himself a “follower of Christ”. The Dali Lama considers himself a follower of Christ.None of the latter three speak as to the ATONEMENT and the BLOOD of Christ. Myself? I follow the Chicago Cubs.

2) It’s ridiculous for McLaren or anyone else to use “the American Church” as a political pawn the way he does. As much as 80% of American Christians are “people who said a prayer” not in fact Born Again Christians. So it’s pathetic to say that American Christianity represents Jesus in the first place. A LONG time ago evangelism became a NUMBERS game. We are a people who create “experiences ” and manipulate peoples emotions… they say a prayer before they even think about the COSTS… we chalk one more up and they walk away ever battling doubts confident in the prayer they said.

3) The Holy Spirit represents Jesus. MANY in the Church (Pastors included) are Lost as can be… their lives are not led by the Spirit. Look around… our worship services are about the FLESH. The senses MUST be addressed because an emotional experience has replaced solid Bible teaching and discipleship, Godly sorrow and Repentance. WORKS and Social Justice are the fillers for opiating the carnal conscience.

4) Our creativity, our innovations, our “vision casting” our egos and our cleverness have replaced the cornerstone. We’ve become a people of self promotion. We aren’t broken and humble, we are smooth, we are slick, we are successful, we are appealing to the flesh. We are approved by the World. The pale echoes of the martyrs haunt us.

-Jud

Brr. Well, Philly, it would have been nice to see you in all your snowy glory. It wasn’t meant to be though.

We were heading up to Philadelphia to celebrate Christmas with Kevin’s parents, but plans changed. A lot.

We arrived at St. Louis right on schedule only to find out that our flight from St. Louis to Philadelphia had been canceled and that there was very little chance that we would make it onto one of the later flights to Philly, assuming that those didn’t end up canceled. And they had arrival times after 9pm — no my cup of tea. I’m disappointed, but Southwest took care of us and we are going to try to fly out again after Christmas. I was so looking forward to being at my in-laws. I’m sure the house is toasty warm with the fire going and I don’t know about you, but a nice fire makes everything better for me.

Instead we are back home. My mom and dad are in OKC doing some last minute Christmas shopping and when they are all finished with that they are coming by to see why my washing machine is leaking when it drains. Eep. Yeah, that is a new development as of yesterday. After that, I think we’re going to head out for dinner somewhere. While we enjoy an evening with family, even though it’s not the side of the family we’d planned on spending our evening with, I wanted to share with you all a few memorable posts related to our families that this Christmas season had me thinking about.

• We Remain – A few thoughts on my Native ancestors and the culture I wasn’t raised in.
• Big buck!
• Like a jam jar. – The first time our parents met.
• Manipulation 101
• The Christmas Story According to 3-year-old Me

I am learning. And learning is always better than sitting still and stagnating, right?

When I was little I was raised in a (Christian) belief system that taught some things that might not have actually been the most biblical. I mean, most of the time they were spot on, but there was some stuff I found out later that was pretty questionable.

Read the rest at GodlyGals…

Remember last year when I started my 200 Year Reading Challenge? It’s still going and I’ve actually made some headway! Thanks to Emily for reminding me to update it.

Here’s the deal though. I still need some suggestions! This thing is growing by the year (I decided to extend it to the “present,” whatever the present may be at the time) and I would love to know the books you all think are must reads.

I have updated the list, but there are TONS of empty places. So if you wouldn’t mind, mosey on over there and tell me what to read!