Daily Offensive (baha!)

♥ Ta-dah!

2011-08-29T16:34:00.010-06:00

I've found my inner DIY diva. She's fabulous. Her house is amazing and her projects are all to die for. This shall be her first post. There may be others, it just depends on what she finds.

First, I must give due credit to another crafty blogger from whom I borrowed this idea. Check out My So Call Green Life for inspiration and tutorials galore. You can thank me later.

For this project, you will need:

* a t-shirt. size medium or large works best so you have enough to make it shorter if you want. i've heard this doesn't work with 100% cotton shirts, so make sure you find a stretchy blend.

* rotisserie cutter (you can find them at wal-mart for about $12)

* cutting surface- you don't want to ruin any other surface because the cutter is sharp

* 10-12 beads with holes big enough for the fabric to fit through

* safety-pin (this is optional, it depends on the size of your beads)

To begin, I cut off the torso at the arms. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of this part because I didn't think to blog it until after. Anyway. Imagine drawing a line, horizontally, from one armpit to the other and that is where I cut.

Stopping just short of the seam, cut the whole section of cloth into 1/4" to 1/2" strips. Make sure you don't cut through the seam.

Take each end of the material in your hand and pull gently (you can do this in small section, too). Each piece will curl into itself.

Gather each attached end of the cloth and wrap them with strips from the shirt. I cut the sleeves, horizontally, to make the strips.

Cut one strip of cloth in the middle and string your beads with a knot in between each one. The holes in my beads were too small to simply string, so I used the safety-pin to poke the material into and through the other end. Tie the remaining ends together to complete the fancy, beaded, part of the scarf.

Wha-la! You've made yourself a chic, upcycled scarf for the fall! Send us pictures and we'll post them! Nomzaran@yahoo.com.

Until next time...

♥365 Days of Change

2011-08-18T07:23:00.011-06:00

Nomz wrote all about what has happened to her this year. Holy cats, it's been a crazy year hasn't it? Feels almost like the stuff she accomplished should've taken longer. But, no, that's my Naomi. She crams all the learning and growing things into 365 days of change.

I'd say the same amount of craziness has happened in my life, too. If you take Sazaran from summer of 2010 and hold her up to Sazaran of 2011 you probably would think they're two different people; the former being sort of a gray-scale version of the latter. However, I'm not going to blog about what has happened to me; instead, I'm going to blog about what has happened in me. Because we all know that what happens to you does not necessarily reflect what happens inside of you.

- First and foremost, I've learned (am learning) what true love is. I'm being brought back to the basics: love, grace, mercy, time with Jesus. The main character of this life lesson? My husband, Bruce. Didn't see THAT coming, did ya?! He's been a prime example, from day one of the climb towards that sacrificial love that always endures. I'm so happy that I get to do life with him, I wouldn't want to be tethered to anyone else.

-I've learned to laugh, even when the most logical emotion is the opposite.

- Just like Nomz, (gosh we're so much alike) I branched out with my writing and honed in on that voice speaking inside of me. I took on the challenge of my frequent writer's block and just wrote... a lot. Not even in the blog, but everywhere. Yes, if you're wondering, I'm still offending people with my words. Not intentionally, though. It just happens. I've learned that that part of me might never change. As long as I use it for good and not for evil I don't think I'll employ censor tape.

- I've learned to discern which bridges need to be burned and which need to be rebuilt.

- I've been shown the difference between loving people just as they are and knowing that love calls us from victory to victory. Love doesn't allow us to wallow in our old ways, but it challenges us to be new and improved. Still, that love that says, "I'll stick with you and love you for YOU" is an important lesson.

- I've learned to not forget about my dreams and to pursue them.

- I'm learning about suffering. And death. And love. And how they all blend to make the most beautiful life-tapestry. I'm learning that the hard way doesn't always have to be seen as the worst way. See? Fireflight knows:

The pressure makes us stronger
The struggle makes us hunger
The hard lessons make the difference
And the difference makes it worth it

- Life comes in full circle, ya know? All the things I never thought I'd personally have to deal with are right back in my life. God's sneaky like that.

- I've learned about friendship. What it looks like, what it doesn't look like. Where I need to improve and where I've done a good job. I've learned to let go and/or to cling to, all the while finally realizing that friendship is not a source of "what can I get from this?" but "how can I be your friend, first?" That's a tricky one, let me tell you.

- I'm being called to something higher; to something that scares the crap out of me. And I think this might be the next lesson that I learn: I can do nothing on my own. God shows His funny sense of humor when He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. He calls the weakest people to tackle the biggest tasks. He chooses the most unexpected ways to fulfill His will. I'm part of that unexpected pick, I think. Not even I would have chosen me for what He has planned. And I need to learn to let go and trust. <---- biggest lesson, right there.

- I've learned that the lessons will never stop presenting themselves. And the choice of when to learn the lesson is up to me.

♫ A Dose of Nomz

2011-08-17T12:57:00.003-06:00

Truth me told, Sazaran and I have slacked on this blog. This last year has created HUGE changes in not only this blog, our friendship, but our personal lives as well. We haven't deleted it because our ever faithful readers still check in on us (awwww, you guys! <3), and we have plans to revive this thing...as it comes to us. Before we can do that, I think we both owe you some updates. I'll start, and then I'll bug Sazaran, and maybe it'll kick off the possible best future blog you could ever fathom. We love writing for you, we adore that you've stuck around waiting for us, and we can't WAIT to turn the lights back on in this place.

In the last year, Nomz has:

-Moved from Wyoming to Colorado
-Continued to raise two bouncing baby girls, who are about to enter school (gaspSOB)
-Changed jobs, from Social Marketing Specialist, to Social Marketing Specialist working at an Accounting Firm
-Lost a friend
-Gained 100 friends
-Started another blog: http://ruggedgrace.wordpress.com/
-Joined a non-profit organization called "Colorado Young Farmers"
-Might Possibly have joined the board of directors at another non-profit, it's unapproved and unofficial
-Fell further in love with Brandon, the girls, life...
-Traveled to Boston and Las Vegas, two new places for this girl
-Was in one of my best friends' wedding
-Watched my girls be Flower Girls in said wedding, their first public appearance in tutus!
-Fit BACK into my size 4/6 jeans
-Ran a 5K
-Walked a 5K
-Read over 100 books

....

I'm sure there's more. It's been a long year, long day, and my baby starts kindergarten tomorrow, so lemme alone.

Sazaran and I have changed monumentally this year, as you'll see, but our passion for writing continues and we'll continue to pop in and surprise you with gorgeous words as often as you'll let us.

While we're waiting for her to jump in on this bandwagon, ...what's the top ten things you've done while we've been gone?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Free The Girls update!

2011-05-02T14:55:00.010-06:00

Actually, this isn't so much of an update as it is a wrap-up. We wanted you, our awesomely awesome readers to know how many bras we collected, in total.

With bras trickling in even months after we officially stopped taking them, we were able to donate 376 bras to Free The Girls! {And I don't think we even collected bras from other drop-off points! Am I right, Wyomingwildrose?} This is amazing, people! I don't think we can clearly express just how much this will help those victims who have been rescued from modern-day slavery, who are yet to be rescued and who help with the rescuing. The impact we've made on these people will ripple out and bring so much healing and new life to others. And you helped do it! Bravo to you!!

I (Sazaran) had the chance to meet Kimba, the co-founder of FTG, and talk to her a little bit about what's to come. She informed me that they're well on their way to becoming a non-profit organization which means they'll be able to accept monetary donations as well as bras. They've also had businesses from Denver partner with them and are planning new ways to actually get the bras to Africa.

It just gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, don't it? :)

SO. With that being said, let's keep in mind that there's still so much to do. Human trafficking is a tangled mess of evil that won't easily be squashed. What can you/we still do to keep the efforts of Kimba and countless other fueled? Well...

* Buy the really cute, really stylish shirts that Free The Girls is selling here. Ten percent of the profits go directly toward releasing the captives and putting their captors behind bars.

* Give bras! Duh! Even though our blogging has slowed and we no longer have drop-boxes in public places, we'll still be more than happy if you want to hand over your braziers for the greater good.

* If you don't have bras or have a hoarding problem, you can donate your money to Free the Girls here.

* Spread the word. Word of mouth is really important for Free the Girls right now because the less money they spend on promoting, the more money they can use toward freeing victims.

* Pray. Pray for the women who have been taken; pray that their hope will remain confident in that we are looking for them. Pray that Kimba and Mama T are strengthened and can continue in this amazing cause without discouragement or stress. Pray that the men (and women, because some of them are involved, too) who commit this horrible act against humanity will realize what they're doing and STOP.

To end in an upbeat style, check out these pictures of our journey to free the girls!

Ashley! donated her talent to make us this awesome sign for our bra box. Isn't it pretty?!

A HUGE thank you to Rylee from Cheyenne's News Channel 5 (and Sazaran's fiance, Bruce, for his awesomerest connections) for helping us spread the word about Free the Girls!

Sarah: "We should totally wear these on the outside of our shirts for the interview."

Camera guy: "Please, no."

If you're wondering, YES, the ladies of RJ do get hit on. No, these are not their bras.

They're Nomz's bras. Heh. :)

Sorry ladies, Jay is married. :)

We want to give huge-mongous Thank yous to:

Channel News 5 for highlighting the story and helping us raise our voices

Jay for his awesome attitude and willingness to hop right in and support our efforts.

Ruby Juice for being the main avenue for donations (I think they should have kept the bras for decoration, but that's just me).

Each and every soul who chose to donate new, used and gently used bras. You made the difference. And we love your faces for it.

<3 Nomz and Sazaran

♫ Stay Out of Your Way

2011-03-10T20:37:00.004-07:00

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson

My heart hurts.

It's been a day of conflict. And what hurts the most, is that not a single bit of it was with me. I just had to sit and watch the pain happen. I was sitting at work today, getting dizzy, watching two friends destroy each other with venomous thoughts.

As if watching a movie, I chose to rewind. I thought back on the last few months, and how much I've shed tears for broken friends, lost sleep over torn family, and emailed until my fingers were exhausted - resolving or creating conflict.

It's not one person that's always involved. It's every single person that I know...hurting. I hear a lot of excuses. I give a lot of excuses. ...

She's selfish. He's always been mean, I've just run out of patience. Money is too tight to fix things. She won't learn from her mistakes. I'm facing a life-change, and can't deal with it. It's his fault. It's his job. My kids are naughty. She's gotten so self, and boy, absorbed. She always has an excuse. He loves somebody else more than me. He won't leave his dream for mine. She's quick to judge, but refuses to see herself truly. He's clingy. My job is too hard.

It's ironic how when we're absolutely unhappy, we immediately turn to blame somebody else, isn't it? We never find ourselves to blame for our own unhappiness, but we're quick to boast how we found our destiny. Our love. Our joy. All the good.

"For every second that we are angry, we lose a second of happiness."
"Bitterness is a symptom of emotional failure."
"In life, don't always wait for someone to come along and fix whats wrong. Sometimes, you just have to be your own hero/"

To find happiness and balance, we've got to find it in ourselves, by ourselves, accepting full responsibility for our choices, emotions, and actions. To find your place in this world, you've got to pick your path all on your own. To find a sense of belonging, listen to your heart. Your heart.

To find your way, you've got to get out of your way.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Toddler Trouble: Episode 987651

2011-02-19T13:46:00.007-07:00

Sometimes, having toddlers make me want to act like one. Obtain a mental picture of me stomping around in a gigantic circle, pulling my hair, and huffing as loudly as possible when things don't go my way. It may look silly in your head, but me, I'm winning our little game.

Being a mom of two toddlers, I am blessed to be challenged with something new every single day. I face those challenges with the outlook that I can love them through all of it. There is nothing that a little love can't cure. Of course, sometimes love means punishment, but in our house, that's a rare necessity. I have good kids. The toddler I had you mentally picture above was more me actually, than them. I've never seen them throw a rager like some kids. I'm challenged though, like any other mom. And I've officially become stumped.

I've become stumped over something ridiculously simple, probably. All the more reason for there to be epic comments telling me how silly I'm being, and how to fix this little issue of mine. Call me hysterical if you want, but please help me before I get my huff-face on again.

My girls are five and four. And while I have a goal of us all sitting around the dinner table every night together as a family, our busy schedules rarely allow it. Perhaps the best solution. Regardless of the table, they get dinner every night (I get props for THAT, right?!). And it's rare that they argue about what I put in front of them. Willing to at least try what I've attempted, for fear I'll make them eat it at the next meal, and the next, and the next until they like it (ah hem, thank you Alicia, for THAT brilliance).

BUT...they take AN HOUR AND A HALF to finish anything put in front of them! They get to giggling and carrying on, or crying out of exhausting, that they refuse to eat at a decent pace.

I know I'm not alone in this, and I know it's normal...because I did it. And my parents solved it by putting a timer on the table. When the timer was up, we lost out on dinner. Period. Because I hated that rule SO MUCH when I was small, I'm being stubborn and refusing to try the method. But, times are desperate. I want my kids to have healthy meals, and finish them in a timely manner, and if I have to (*big gulp*), I'll try the timer plan.

First though, what would you do if you were me? If I sat you down with a pair of giggling turtles, and asked you to make them eat at a comfortable pace...how would you light the fire? How would you encourage them to get-a-move-on? Or perhaps I'm overreacting, and I should encourage them to eat at their own pace. It's only bedtime and playtime we're putting off, after all. Maybe, just maybe, this is the universe saying "Grow yourself some patience, mama bear."

Frustrated mama.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

MUST LOVE BLOGS

2011-02-15T22:28:00.008-07:00

Ever thought of having a blog? Today they’re a dime a dozen and you can find someone’s posted thoughts on any topic ever imagined. Literally. There are some pretty weird blogs out there; there are also some pretty amazing, hilarious, inspiring and creatively unique blogs out there. Here are some tips that Nomz and I have put together for your reference:

Must Love Writing
As said above, blogs are everywhere and almost everyone has tried their hand at blogging. But, we really think it takes someone who really loves writing to have a successful blog. And you can tell when someone who doesn’t really have a personal relationship with their dictionary/thesaurus tries to put their thoughts into words. Yes, yes you can. So, please, love writing. It’s so much more fun that way.

Accept Critique Gracefully
Nomz and I are far from being professional bloggers and Lord knows we have so much to learn (and remember) about this gig; the trick is to pick and choose each bit of advice and criticism that people freely hand over. There has been more than one occasion where a friend or stranger shared their opinion of our posts- sometimes we took it to heart, discussed it or just put it on the shelf to collect pretty particles of dust. The key is to discern whether someone is being genuine or critical in a negative way and then to figure out how to apply it (or not) to your writing. Remember: A blog is personal, but making it too personal can leave you exposed for people to attack.

Ignore the “Anonymous” Nay-Sayers
This one could go for both Life in general and any type of blog you attempt. They’ll always be there with their clouds of doom and negativity. Ignore them. Love your writing, anyway; be passionate, anyway; tell the truth, anyway; stand up for yourself, anyway.

Add Your Own Touch
With how diverse our gorgeous world is, there will never be enough information to cover or too many stories to tell. But, all these things can be told in a boring and blasé way. If you want to blog about your cat, your job or your bad habits then, please, be creative! Or no one will care and no one will read. Don’t be afraid to be different, you're speaking to a really loud room, most saying all the same things- stand out or fail. Our touch? It seems to be Random Thoughts, doesn't it? That sort of just evolved.

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES
There’s a reason why we usually put a picture at the beginning of our posts- they capture imagination and create a mental foundation for the rest of the read.

Keep A Journal, Be Consistent
These two go together, we feel, because they depend on each other. Nomz and I both have scads of journals that we’re constantly scribbling notes, quotes and inspiration in. Without a piece of paper to write your blogging ideas about, you’ll never remember because something else will grab your attention. A journal will allow you to pace your writing and hash out ideas for posts; consistency is important if you want to maintain interest.

Know Your Stuff
Be researched if you plan on *sounding* researched. Chances are somebody is already an expert. Also, it will help to have some HTML knowledge, some technical background will help you rank on Google and get unique visitors to your blog, not just your loyal army of friends and family. <--- This is allll Nomz’s area of specialty. And thank God for her!

Scrap It All

OR, you can ignore everything we've just said and blog for you! If writing helps release anxiety; if you don't really care who reads your stuff or if anyone does at all or if what need to do is write or die... then, by all means, spill your happy heart out! We'll cheer for you and if you send us a link we may read your stuff every now and then!

So, there it is folks! Our little tips on having a blog that you can be proud of. We’re still small news compared to some amazing blogs out there, but we LOVE our Daily Offensive!!

Here are some blogs we adore and have learned our secrets from:

The Bloggess
i heart things and things
New Directions
Hyperbole and a Half
Remarkably Typical
Calamity Jill
Airing My Dirty Laundry, One Sock At A Time
The DIY Nearlywed

♫ Drought...Watered.

2011-02-11T16:11:00.004-07:00

Rumor has it, it's been months since I've blogged. A bit of a word-drought, if you will. And not so much for lack of things to say, but lack of time to be playing on the internet. Don't you worry, I've got an entire notebook full of hand-written blogs waiting to be posted for your lovely eyes.

So. Here we are, a fairly peaceful Friday afternoon. I'm sick, my oldest daughter is sick, my boxer puppy is sleeping next to me (snoring ferociously), and my sister is on her way with icecream to help us all feel better. My house is so clean, my ceiling fan has been bleached and my carpets are standing on end. The afternoon sun is cuddling up with us in my living room, promising to stick around for the next five days or so.

Trust me w hen I say my lack of time on the internet isn't personal. Well, I mean it's not offensive. It's definitely personal. My personal life is severely interfering with my internet life. Listed below, is just a glimpse of my "right now"...

*My girls are at a point in their life where their personalities are fighting to prove themselves unique. Sassyfrass and looptyloo have been recent nicknames for them, both constantly making me laugh, reminding me to be grateful for what I've got, and how fast life happens. I have yet to hit a stage of their little ages that I can't love them through, and I can't wait to see what 2011 brings us.

*My guy. I could mush all day about him, but Sazaran recently gushed and I don't want the blog to throw up from overexposure. Let's just say this...Brandon couldn't be a better man for my girls to admire, a better life partner for me to stand next to, or a more honest, harder working man, pushing us all to be a better version of ourselves. He is my strength lately, nursing us all back to health, and my best friend.

*My friends. I moved fairly recently, and miss most of my friends sorely. I have yet to bond with anybody down here like I did at home, and there are days it pangs me not to be there any longer. That being said, it proves that we are the best kind of friends, because even with the longer distance between us, we're growing stronger, finding opportunities to bust out the camera or spontaneous road trip, chickflick'ing our way through the weekends, and emailing/texting/using technology every hour of every day. It's a lot harder to keep relationships up from a distance, but it's absolutely worth the growth that happens because of it.

*My job. Like any normal job, there are good days and bad days. But I couldn't have been luckier finding coworkers that understand that, and a boss that is flexible around me having kids, a life outside of work, and stresses of life that are out of my control. I do work for an accountant though, and it's tax season, so don't expect the blogs to pick up too much. Also note: don't piss off your accountant ever. But if you do, don't make it during tax season.Bribery is also suggested.

*My family. My family consists of a lot of people. Blood related, and love related. I'm learning, still, that family isn't just the ones that have your DNA, but also the ones that will jump at a moment's notice to save you, your kids, your dogs, or your house (from you, obv). The ones that call regularly, and email when you send out an SOS tweet or text. Family matters more than anything in the world, and I can't stress enough how grateful I am that you're all in my life.

Speaking of, my lovely sister just strode into my home, icecream in hand. Gorgeous as always, and just getting off babysitting duty, she attempted to remove a banana from my shirt forgetting that I'm not the one year old she's been attending all week. For the record, I do not have a banana on my shirt, it's just a decoration. But if I were one, I'd be taken care of. See? Family. <3

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥ Me+Him

2011-02-07T13:28:00.007-07:00

Remember, a while back, when I provided a list of requirements for all potential applicants of Mr. Right? Just as soon as that blog was posted, I immediately folded up the invisible paper, stained with invisible words, and shoved it into the deepest part of the smallest drawer in the back of my heart. It was there, I could feel it, but I always thought, "This is a nice little list. Too bad I'll probably have to settle to be as close to happy as I dream of being."

And I'm sure God heard my little heart-sigh and had to give a chuckle. If only I knew who He had in mind for my very near future. 379 days into the future, to be exact, Mr. Right himself took center-stage of my life. This love of mine has not only pin-pointed every requirement, he has gone beyond into the "hoped for but not spoken" requests that had added themselves to my list.

I can tell you that I have never felt this loved, protected and cherished by any one person in my 26 years of living. I've never been held so close in such a respectful and honored way. I have never felt loved enough to be able to share even the parts of myself that I'm not proud of.

Enter thought: God does waaaaay better than any online dating service ever could.

There has not been one day that he has not made me crack up over and over.

He talks me through even the muckiest of feelings.

His small notes and texts of sweet nothings are such effective ways of saying, "I'm still thinking about you."

Can you see his heart from where you are? It's seriously that big.

Little thoughts flutter in and out of my heart each day. Thoughts like, "That love song totally fits us." or "I'm so glad it's him. No one else could've been perfect enough." And I know that these thoughts will continue to invade my thinking-space, because I know we'll always put each other and this love we're cultivating before any earthly thing.

And each time you see me post a HAPPYSIGH, you'll know that he is solely responsible for my new home called Cloud Ten.

** 106 Days

2011-01-27T16:03:00.003-07:00

YAY! We have our first Guest Blogger of 2011! Read along and provide your input. But most of all- enjoy! And if you'd like to submit your own guest blog, email us at nomzaran@yahoo.com. -Sazaran and Nomz

So, can I just take a second to gush about married life? Because I love it. Adore it. Would MARRY married life, it's that good.

Even though I'm still effing up my signature, making the "i" and "t" in my last name nearly the same height; and the first time I verbally introduced myself with my married last name, I literally had to stop for a second to think about what my last name was— there's not much to complain about.

You'd think after dating 11 years and living in sin for more than half of that, not a lot would change post-I-do's, but I swear to the stars—there's this completely different glow to everything, like it's all been made new because we're married now. We're legitimately our own little family, writing the newest chapter of our lives with every red-light kiss and mid-week date night, and the mornings we send each other off to work with, "Love you, husband!" "Love you, my wife!"

Our life is this— we burned a CD full of Simon & Garfunkel ("Song for the Aski," "The Only Living Boy in New York," "The Boxer," "America") as our soundtrack to a winter-lit weekend afternoon in Colorado; and our fridge is topped with Fruity Pebbles, a basket full of tea, the lidded glass jar that holds treats for the Faces (our cats), and the empty alcohol bottle from my husband’s bachelor party with the colorful owl print on the back.

The mornings start with iPod serenades, and he randomly calls me in the middle of the day at work just to tell me a story about a customer, or how—Wednesday, actually—he had 200°F+ oil shoot out at him from a truck he was working on, and (I quote) I missed him "screaming like a little girl, then turning around and running face-first into the tire of a truck on the lift next to me. Yeah. I fell. And then screamed some more."

Yesterday morning, he bit my neck, and as I watched the telltale red mark appear in the mirror, he waved it away with, "If anyone asks? Just tell them I went all Team Edward on you."

It's just—married life is comfortable, in the best and truest sense.
It fits us so well. It's pure, and beautiful and exciting, and I'm fully loving every second of it.

106 days I've been married, and since the moment I began to take on the world as a Mrs., I've been asked, "So, how's the married life?" about as many times as there have been days of it.
& every time, I get my glow on, happily replying with some variation of, "It's amazing, I love it!"—only to get a knowing chuckle or Look in response, followed by, "I'll ask you again in a year!"

Is that really the magic, unspoken timeline? A year?

Does this newlywed glow—the sparkle I feel when I see my Facebook relationship status as “Married to,” or the cozy feeling of looking at my husband (!!!) snuggled next to me and the Faces tucked in between us, thinking, "This is our family"—does it come with an expiration date?

Are we doomed, 365 pages in, to shed our happiness & joy in favor of matrimonial monotony?

I hear "I'll ask you again in a year," and wonder why it's such a feat to imagine that, a year from now or even 50, we—not to mention any other pair of newly-minted newlyweds—won't still be just as thrilled to be married.

Why would be any less in love, just because "that's what happens," or because it happened to someone else?

I look at these people who ask about my marriage (which, for the record? makes me feel oddly adult to say; "my marriage")—these people nearly always being well-meaning, long-married people—and in the space between The Question and their humorless chuckles that follow, I wonder what their marriage is like; what makes them assume I'm just cresting the top of this mountain in my life, admiring the view, so blinded by the glow of my sparkler that I fail to notice a bottomless pit of despair around the next bend?

I saw the same thing when I was planning our wedding, and even now when I talk to newly-sparkled friends; it's so rare to find a former bride who doesn't immediately default to, "GOD, it was so stressful; I'm just glad it's over," when dispensing advice about wedding planning.
On the opposite end, there's me, this radiating ball of joy that wants to know all about people's wedding colors & invitation designs, asking about how the bride-to-be's feeling (because seriously? no one does this—it's always, "How's the planning going?", never, "How are you doing?") and what style of dress she's dreaming about.

To each their own; I just never understand why, rather than chiming in with something positive, people always go straight for the dark & twisty.

Rationally, it all boils down to the fact that people only can speak to their particular experience, but it begs the question— is everyone really in such a lackluster state that they can't share any enthusiasm, rather than passive-aggressive caution, about being forever entwined with their one, only and always?

It's these people—the ones who tell me, "I'll ask you again in a year," that I honestly do hope we run into again in the next 365— because a year from now, I know I'm going to have even more of a glow when I tell them how amazing it is that marriage just keeps getting better.
I know now, just like I did at 14, when people "knew" we'd break up as soon as we got to high school; just like I did at 18, when my sociology teacher informed me that "there's no way we could last after graduation, no matter how happy we were," because he & I were just "too different"; just like I did at 22, when everyone "knew" we could never work things out— I know that our love isn't their love.

They don't know what it's like to live this life of ours; one we've built of barefoot kitchen dances, big dreams about Southern porches & sprawling garages, and the intricacies of having literally grown up together.

One we've peppered with our own vocabulary of words that don't make sense to anyone but us, and spun through with "Wish You Were Here," lakeside ice cream, dusty roads in the middle of summer and I-love-you's every night.

So, yes— ask me again in a year.

♥Observations.

2011-01-21T10:48:00.005-07:00

Ever notice how absolutely surrounded (pun intended) by boundaries we are? They're everywhere: lines on the road, stop signs, speed limits, gates and fences, aisles, laws. All put in place to remind us of our place. I hated boundaries for a while and I did everything I could to intentionally step over them; proving that no one could control me. Know what I've learned? Boundaries are not a bad thing. They're actually meant to help us and keep us from danger. They're meant to guide us and keep us from regret. Boundaries don't have to be fun, but they will facilitate more fun than violating them will.

I've noticed a few of my own different heart-changes here and there. God has been really working on me (& that whole black and white thing I bragged about) recently. Not that my heart was wrong, but it wasn't right either. I'm totally okay with this kind of change. Anything that works in me a softer heart, bent toward loving others (in Truth) is something I'll surrender to.

Speaking of... I believe with everything that is in me that if someone is seeking Truth (capital T) they will find it. Others? The truth (little t) they're seeking is actually just a new version of comfort- something that will fit their schedule, their opinion, their preference. Truth doesn't make you comfortable; it draws you out of your over-stuffed Lazy-Boy and requires that you use more than just your logic to believe it. It doesn't conform to YOU, YOU conform to it. Which is why it's superior to opinion or preference.

Brokenness is not a gentle sort of thing. It requires a violent dying to self and a desperate thirst for an in-pouring of the Holy Spirit which can only be quenched by unutterable groanings and hours of weeping at the feet of Jesus. Brokenness is kin to suffering and sorrow; one cannot be obtained without the other. Yet, it is a thing of glory. For in it we take on the image of Christ and are able to be made whole… from brokenness.

God cannot be contained in a box. He just can't be. And anyone who tries to put him in a six-sided encasement is ignorant and is probably trying to stuff an idol in there, not the Creator of the Universe. Just sayin'.

The thing from before that I thought was Love? It wasn't really Love. It was self-serving and perverted. Love doesn't seek its own benefit; it doesn't use others to satisfy itself. So then what is the opposite of Love? Some would say Hate and I'd have to agree on that, but I also think that Self is Hate's counterpart and therefore also the opposite of Love. Self's sacrifice is an illusion meant to look, feel and sound like Love. But Self and Love are two entirely different creatures that are easily confused. The things is: when you finally find and act out true Love, you know the difference immediately.

♥I am woman.

2011-01-17T10:56:00.006-07:00

I'm the woman that has all the other women wrapped up into one:

The business woman with her goals screwed on straight. Who isn't intimidated by outside forces beyond her control. The woman who grabs life by the you-know-whats and doesn't let go until she gets what she wants. <-- I'm 2% her.

I want to be the homemaker that takes pride in her clean living-room and doesn't mind wearing those new heels while vacuuming the halls. The woman that sees the feminist and pities her for her lack of domestic desire. Her entire world is her family and she lives to feed and dress them well. <--- I'm 10% her.

That 50's housewife gets old. Fast. I want to have the fire, the passion, to burn my bra and proudly walk the streets with squared shoulders and an "I can do anything you can do." attitude. Her strength is envious; her independence is unmatched. <--- I am 8% her.

Then there's Mother Theresa (minus the celibacy). Her focus, her journey, her end result is Christ and reaching out to those who need His love most. The desperate, destitute, and dreary world sees this light shining from her because her source is the Light. Sacrifice and toil are her closest companions. Her ministry is her life is her ministry. <--- I want to be 30% her.

What about the princess? The one who squeals at dirt and dreams of being swept away by a destined knight on a white horse. She replaces every damsel in distress (even the Disney ones) with herself as she imagines being needed and desired enough to be pursued in the right way. <--- I'm 20% her.

I want to be my mother. I want her strengths and her achievements. Her knowledge and her talent are surely to be mine, right? They're in my blood. She is an example unto herself of a woman that I strive to be. She is a real woman with weaknesses that she has to fight against and goals that seems daunting to her at times. Yet she still climbs toward them. She cares for her children and prays for her friends. She has a listening ear and an a compassion that warms the soul. <--- I am 15% her.

Wonder Woman, by my definition, has a week-long meal planned out. Her children's faces are never crusty or dirt-smeared. Her house has an air that draws company and keeps them. Her husband adores her cooking and her friends call to ask for her opinion of household decor. She seems like the 50's housewife... but in all actuality, she's just totally creative and has time to be so. <-- I'm 5% her.

This free spirit doesn't care if her kid's face is dirty, bare feet help him feel the earth, artistic character is developed best in chaos. Every day is an adventure and every discovery is a lesson learned- be it messy or on the edge of danger. Her kisses are untapped and her understanding transcends culture or social skill. She employs abandon and encourages running free. <--- I am 10% her.

“Women are strange and incomprehensible, a device invented by Providence to keep the wit of man well sharpened by constant employment” -Arnold Bennett

“Oh, woman, woman! When to ill thy mind is bent, all Hell contains no fouler fiend” -Homer

“I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.” -Sex and the City quote

“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.” -Oscar Wilde

“You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her”

stuff you may or may not be interested in.

2011-01-07T14:24:00.004-07:00

conflict makes me feel sick.
it takes forever for me to make a decision, but when I do I'm confident enough to stick with it.
i'd totally be a barista again.
i love my dad but can't wait to move out of his house. or there might be a death in the family (of the animal sort).
of all the things i'm most grateful, it's for being allowed to be a mother.
i'm in love.
my pointer finger is double-joined and looks like it has been broken in half.
i wish dream interpreting books actually made sense.
i'm total girl and i frequently over-dress for an occasion.
the "snooze" button must be hit at least four times before i can drag myself out of bed.
"it is so happy to love." <---- first tattoo. for sure.
harry potter > twilight. there, i said it.
in life, i've gone from never speaking my mind to speaking my mind too much to knowing when to speak and what to say. iz good.
it frustrates me when people ask for help and then turn down every offer provided to them.
a recent lesson: God is not a cookie-cutter. He works in everyone according to their own person... and His will of course. but, what He has done for you or has told them is not the same for me.
my baby boy is growing and it astounds me how much he's starting to learn. it also makes me a little sad.
it's going to be an AWESOME year.
when you know... you know.
i'm not going to blog about this love, just yet. give us a little private time to revel in its newness and then you'll hear all about it. i promise. <3
‎"when I question something... i just buy a new outfit." <-- not originally me, still awesome.
my prime thinking time is when i brush my teeth.
i absolutely LOVE being a listening ear for my friends.
talking on the phone is not my thing, but i'll talk to him for hourrrrs.
God wants me to live in washington state, i just know it.

♫ I Believe...

2010-12-22T12:43:00.003-07:00

Every year I get lost in "the meaning of Christmas. Between my Christian upbringing, the political madness (Say Happy Holidays, not Merry Christmas!), the busy-ness, the stress of money and time, the extra hours at work, and the constant noise around me...my view of Christmas changes almost every year.

This year, it's for the better.

This year, I've officially decided that I believe in magic.

I believe in Santa as much as my little girls, because the excitement in their eyes is more convincing than anything I've ever been told.

I believe that the buzz of Christmas has been commercialized, and it's thing to be felt, not accomplished.

I believe that the true meaning of Christmas IS Jesus' birthday, but that you can believe in magic too.

I believe that things get harder for those around us at Christmas, to make us appreciate the things we can't reach or understand.

I believe that traditions are things you can start at any age.

I believe it possible to send love, peace and strength, instead of material gifts.

I believe in old fashioned Christmas cards, and will never email them.

I believe that those that are suffering should be our focus, instead of those craving spoiling.

I believe in the power of prayer.

I believe life shows us hardships, to force us to remember the small things.

After closing my eyes. and feeling my way through a store to find the perfect gift for somebody that needs texture...I believe that Christmas is held in the eyes of children, and in the touch of people with special needs.

I believe Christmas music rarely tells the story right.

I believe that Christmas is a time of year, not a single day.

I believe that "Christmas" goes by many names, which doesn't make them any more right or wrong. (This tradition has been around for centuries, and the original story has long been forgotten. How do YOU celebrate Christmas? What about your great great great great grandmother?...follow your history; open your eyes))

I believe in magic.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

**Facebook Awareness Campaigns

2010-12-03T10:33:00.002-07:00

We had a ghost blog come in to our inbox today! I'm sure she'd love your two cents on this matter! - Nomz and Sazaran

Nomz's intro: To add a bit to this one...there are a lot of "Facebook Campaigns" that go around. Anything from "Change your picture to raise awareness!" or "make this your status if you agree!". It frustrates a lot of people that are actually out there DOING instead of SAYING. On the other hand, in my opinion...it still raises awareness. Getting people to think and talk about certain issues is the first step in creating an action. Hmmm...what are your thoughts?

Ghost Writer:

Wondering if it bothers anybody else in the world when people think that just changing their profile pic on Facebook really supports something. If you get inspired, please write about it to your audience.

This is my status today after a very rough week (My son's friend's Grandma and Grandpa lost their house to fire this week. I went to a cops funeral and another has been senselessly shot, and I ran my truck through a barbed wire fence, etc...):

" Hold up. Exactly how does changing your profile picture to a cartoon character support the fight against child abuse? I don't get it. All that did was change your profile pic. ** If you really want to support the fight, get involved as a mentor, volunteer at a shelter or school, or send money to the nearest Salvation Army or Safe House.** "

-KG

♫ Ain't no cookin' like yo' mama's cookin'

2010-12-02T15:56:00.005-07:00

My mama and my baby!

I need to note, before I get started, that a lot of these things in this blog are meant to be funny, (I kid, I kid!) but for the most part, it's nonfiction.

I love to cook. I adore cooking, but lately, not only is it hard to find the time to do the entire project (come onnnnn, we all know it's not about wham-bamming something together...the prep and clean up are HUGE chores), but I also hate that I don't own a recipe. I've borrowed hundreds, I've mastered several, I can follow a recipe and tweak it a bit and still have it turn out fine.

BUT...as the saying goes, there ain't no cookin', like yo' mama's cookin'. Mostly, I want to know, now that I'm a mom, when this saying kicks in!

Here's the thing...my mom came from a mom that can COOK. Obviously, most grandma's (if you're my age) grew up in the depression, and learned pretty quickly how to make masterpieces out of thin air and flower. I think as of late, or society has made cooking too simple...problem #1 for those of us that want to be infamous by our kids someday.

My mom then married a man from Minnesooooohta. If you know anything about the midwest, you know that any food made in the midwest is deep fried, slathered, and covered in cheese. So, my mastermind of a mama, combined what her brilliant mom taught her, with my daddy's cravings her grew up with, and mastered recipes! Those that have ever had her (or my) chicken enchiladas, beer cheese soup, lasagna, chicken & noodle soup with practically homemade noodles, breakfast anything, baked delights, etc....know I'm not kidding.

Here's where the joking comes in...IF my mom utters the words, "Come for a meal! I cleaned out the fridge today, added eggs, and call it garbage...it's really good!", OR, "I tried a new recipe on my pot roast, it's good this time!"...skip the invite. (I kid, I KID!)

My mama is a heckova cook, and I honestly can't wait until I inherit her gravy-making skills, her instinct to season when/where, her ability to know how slow to stir, and whatever else magic happens that makes ME a good cook, because I'm a mama too. Until then...I love you all for forwarding every one of your favorite recipes, for attempting my "new" recipes, and for laughing with me...when I kid, I KID!.

What's your favorite mama-dish?
Aside from the ones I listed above? My mom makes a killer bone soup. <---Not kidding.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Little Miss...

2010-12-01T13:30:00.004-07:00

I've got this overwhelming urge to organize something, probably because my life is in such disarray at the moment. So, I'm organizing randomness. <--this takes talent, people.

I wish

*I wish the world, including myself, had less of a reliance for material items, and more of a need for emotional satisfaction.

*I wish, sometimes, that I could choose who reads our blog. Not that I want to block people, I wish I could block their assumptions though.

*I wish I wouldn't wait until I'm absolutely down and beaten, to remind myself that it's easier to be optimistic.

*I wish there was a way to decline kindness, without offending or hurting.

*I wish I could see the world through my kids' eyes.

*I wish more people would realize that it's the season to give, and not the season to gripe.

*I wish I could swoop up every hurting child in the world, and mother the heck out of them.

I've learned:

*I've learned that... "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves."

*I've learned that I make mistakes, and no matter how much I cry about them, they'll probably happen again.

*I've learned that when people have a void, they usually fill it with all of the wrong things, rather than seeking self worth.

*I've realized that I lack confidence in myself, and guilt trip myself as often as possible, to somehow make me feel better.

*I've learned that music heals faster than anything else.

I need to remember:

*I need to remember that most people, regardless of their actual action, have good intentions in mind.

*I need to remember that no matter what, I only have control over my reactions and emotions.

*I need to remember that I am right where I'm supposed to be, or God wouldn't have let the doors open.

New findings and musings:

*You're never too old to need your daddy.

*Tuesdays aren't nearly as bad as I always thought. In fact, they are right up there with Fridays in my book...all of a sudden.

*Bitterness in contagious. Fight it with immune boosters including but not limited to: optimism, 'thank you's', positive energy, the ability to walk away.

*Every girl needs a pile of good girlfriends.

*There is very little that cannot be cured with a flat iron and a glass of wine.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

PS- My latest favorite tune, brought to you by Sugarland: (In case Sugarland makes your ears bleed, please see lyrics posted below video)

Little Miss down on love,
Little Miss I give up,
Little Miss I'll get tough, don't you worry 'bout me anymore

Little Miss checkered dress,
Little Miss one big mess,
Little Miss I'll take less when I always knew so much more

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win,
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
It'll be alright again, it'll be alright again

I'm okay, It'll be alright again, I'm okay (okay) It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss do your best,
Little Miss never rest,
Little Miss, be my guest, I'll make more anytime it runs out

Little Miss you'll go far,
Little Miss hide your scars,
Little Miss who you are is so much more than you like to talk about

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win,
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
It'll be alright again, it'll be alright again,
I'm okay, It'll be alright again, I'm okay (okay) It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Hold on, hold on, you are loved, are loved

Little Miss brand new start,
Little Miss do your part,
Little Miss big ole heart beats wide open, she's ready now for love

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win,
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright,
It'll be alright again, it'll be alright again
I'm okay, It'll be alright again, I'm okay (okay) It'll be alright again, I'm okay,
It'll be alright again

♥h.o.p.e.

2010-11-23T11:24:00.008-07:00

"Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'" -Unknown.

If anyone had ever predicted this past year to me, in detail, I would have screamed and kicked and cried. I would have thrown a very toddler-like fit at the change that would encroach upon my change-hating self. I would have cursed the day that said transition began to take place and I definitely would have resisted every step. Had the prediction come with, "It will be worth it. And here's why," I would have simply replied, "Bring it on." Wanna know why? Because God is faithful. He gives and He takes away. And what He replaces with what He takes away... man, it's so much more than "worth it". Having what I have now, what I will soon have, what I know He will eventually give me has made every tear, ever groan and every *head desk* completely and undeniably worth.it. And this thought is what will carry me through all of life's changes that I may not necessarily welcome with open arms.

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” –Anne Lamott

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3

More and more I realize that I love written words- because they allow me more time to really think about how I feel and put those feelings into physical imagery. So many times, my brain is working so quickly that when I talk I stutter, skip over entire words in the telling of a story, forget what I mean to say, get distracted or just plain interrupted. But when I write, I get to see the words flow from my mind/heart onto paper or screen. I get to think of what I want as I communicate it. No embarrassing slip ups, no misunderstanding (minus tone which I know can be an issue) and no worry of saying something I didn't mean to say. I'm able to choose phrases and lingo that matches precisely my mood, my intentions or my feelings. I cannot learn too many words and I cannot write too many thoughts. And as they leak onto "paper" I am always grateful for the comfort and accomplishment they bring.

“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings tunes without words and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

I'm so thankful; for best friends and accomplices in shopping shenanigans. I'm thankful for being on the receiving end of blessing, though I am fully aware that I am undeserving of good things and amazing people. I'm thankful for friends and family that will stand with me through thick and thin; for a son who makes me smile every day; for the ability to laugh so readily; for being surrounded by people with colorful and rich personalities; for the irreplaceable ones; for the loyal and optimistic ones.

“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” –Vaclav Havel

Newest little lesson: validation. Reminder: validation cannot come from people. Note to self: your validation comes from Christ alone. And if you seek validation from fellow, imperfect humans, you will be disappointed in them and in yourself all at the same time. When Christ validates you, He does so from a place of holiness and perfection. Because He is perfect and calls you perfect, your validation will be untouchable and everlasting and not based your mostly messy life punctuated by good deeds.

“Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn’t permanent.” –Jean Karr

I miss the days of cassette tapes with their love-music mixes and disposable cameras with their physically printed memories. There's something about holding a thing of sentimental value in your hands as opposed to being displayed on a glowing screen. I will always own journals and books. I will always have authorial collections in stacks upon stacks- taking up their reserved spaces on my shelves. I will always own CDs and listen to them until they wear out. Because they just seem so much more real when I can hold them in my hands.

Lately? Lately my cheeks have this little ache... I smile constantly. Some change is good.

♫ Random Monday: 11/22/10

2010-11-22T12:49:00.007-07:00

Teaching my kiddos the importance of the SHOUT! song!

So...let's all SHOUT for Random Monday, shall we? OMG on a Monday and everything!

Random Monday's have become much, MUCH more random...thanks to a MUCH crazier life. But, I promise once a month or so, to throw in random musings and thoughts. Just what you always wanted, right?!

*I got absolutely spoiled rotten for my birthday. So much so, that I have high hopes to blog about the entire experience. BUT, a shout out, to those that made it absolutely amazing, who joined me for the multiple celebrations, and for overall making me feel adored. <3 A blog will come in your honor, I promise.

*I realized that it's not the matter of years in your life, but the matter of life in your years. <--yes, I stole that. But it's one thing to read it, and a whole different thing to KNOW it. I'm one blessed girl.

*Being a working mom is great most days. I get to see my kids first thing in the morning, pick out their clothes, wish them luck on their day, and usually say their prayers with them at night before bed, or even catch them in the early evening to get a recap on their adventures. Some days though, I do work two jobs, and it's harrrrrrd on my heart strings. Today is definitely one of those rough days

*I hate being lied to. I hate being blown off. And I really hate when they happen at the same time.

*Sometimes, I need more of an ear, than advice. I'm a problem solver by nature, I just like to whine about those problems before I solve them. <--I'm a girl, admittedly.

*There is a gentle balance between spendy and thrifty. It's not good to be too far on either side, trust me.

*You can love any bad behavior, bad germ, and bad luck out of any person. Love cures all.

*"Friends are God's way of apologizing for family." <--this quote will be in my "for days you need a laugh" file.

*It's almost Thanksgiving! And I can't wait to have me some HAM! I despise turkey. We are having a fun string of comments on our Facebook page about the different Thanksgivings our readers have though! Join us: Daily Offensive on Facebook!

*My support system has like...Hulk Hogan...strength. I mean, I've met the guy, and I can tell you that my support system could easy take him on (Thank you, for being the sole reason I survive our hectic lifestyle), and possibly beat him. They're amazing. And so much more attractive.

*I have babbbeeee fever. I mean, I don't want one, but I want to hold one so bad! WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE HAVE A BABY, KTHXBAI.

*Back to face Monday, which, all things considered, isn't too terrible afterall. :)

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥Note To Self:

2010-11-19T10:53:00.007-07:00

(Image by Peonies and Polaroids)

I think I'd like to have a garden full of white and light pink peonies. Then, in the summer, I'd take my sun-hat, white linen dress, favorite book and spend hourrrrs just soaking in the sweet smell and printed words. Dream: (n).

It has just been TOO long since I've walked along the beach, barefoot and full of thoughts. The sound of water always helps me sort through said musings. I'm pretty sure my home in heaven will be a seaside flat. Cause Jesus knows it's what my heart wants most.

Why is it that expensive taste floats around in my blood? It's just not fair. I want allll the pretty things.

Is it weird that I study people's profiles (not the Facebook kind)? I love noticing details like the bridge of a nose, the length of eyelashes, the posture of a forehead and the position of cheekbones. If I were an artist, I think I would have sketched books and books of profiles from everyone I set my eyes upon.

If today had a color, I think it would be powder-purple.

I want a life full of snowflake kisses and counting stars. I want endless summer nights by a campfire and road-trips with the windows rolled down and the music in my hair- feet propped up on the dashboard, bopping to the beat. I want a life infused with unquenchable giggles and nail painting parties. With early morning tea and journal scribbles. I want to always turn to the middle of a book and find it just as thrilling as the beginning or end.

When in doubt, stick your foot out and wait for it to contact with faith.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." -Hamilton Wright Mable

Someday I want to be involved in a grand comic tragedy in which I can actually blurt out, "Words, don't fail me now!"

Note to self: breathe. Deeply. Breathe in all the goodness of God. Taste and see that He is good. Know He is in control. Fear not but only rejoice in what He's got brewing for you.

Remember the game of story writing? Remember when you'd write one little part and pass it along for another's input? See below:

1. There once was a little penguin. His most precious possession was a finely polished sea stone. One day, his mother, coming back from a day of fishing, misplaced it for rubbish and threw it to the bottom of the sea. Upon discovering her mistake, she frantically searched the depths, but to no avail. The little penguin was so distraught he cried for days. He resolved to search for it no matter what it took and thus be began the most perilous adventure he would ever undertake...

2. The little penguin gathered all of this courage and dove from his home into the depths of the cold sea. Deeper and deeper he swam- only thinking of his precious stone. Suddenly, the little penguin saw out of the corner of his eye a dark figure swimming swiftly toward him...

3. It was a yellow submarine! At first the little penguin was so frightened he could not move. After a few minutes, he realized it was harmless and decided to follow it. Maybe it knew where he stone was!

4. The penguin approached the submarine and realized that it was a different type of submarine than he had ever seen. As he got closer, he saw that there were cages on the submarine. As he peered into the window, he discovered that his mom was in one of the cages! No longer was the little penguin concerned for his sea stone...

5. The little penguin quickly devised a plan to rescue his mother and her friends. This plan involves a very long journey through the penguin town, over the great penguin mountains, through the dangerous arctic-cat caves and eventually to his final destination....

NOW, it's your turn! Add to my story, won't you?! Be sure to see what others have written before you add your two cents. ;-)

♫ I'm going to divorce Brandon.

2010-11-18T12:28:00.002-07:00

Oh gosh people, stop looking at me like that. I can't divorce a guy I'm not married to. But IF we were to ever get married, and IF Eva Mendes showed up at our doorstep begging for his companionship, I'd gladly walk away. That's our deal. He has an "out", somebody he can leave me for without any hard feelings. Mine? Oooooh hoho, ladies and gents, mine is Gerard Butler (right?!).

And thennnn, whilst coming up with these words, I found this picture: (please refrain from licking your monitor, ok?)

Post drooling, I'd love to know if you and yours have discussed such madness. Would you leave your guy/gal for a celebrity? If so, who?

In my opinion...you can't really, truly, successfully love somebody until you can admit and love your own shortcomings. I know I'm gorgeous and loveable without the perfect skin and bouncy chest. ;) It's important to be able to openly discuss what you feel are your weaknesses are, and be able to joke about them. He's going to love you anyway ladies, as long as your secure in who you are without his approval. So, lovlies, lust away at your favorite actor/actress, laugh at the unfathomable, and love yourself first. Enjoy the bliss of imperfections!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥ Thoughts

2010-11-16T13:04:00.007-07:00

You can't force people to be mature. They have to want to be mature and then take steps toward growth. All you can do is wait patiently and cheer the day when they finally put on grown-up pants and be an adult.

Twenty-six days until my birthday. Just sayin'.

Babies are everywhere and I couldn't be more happy. I get to love on alllll of them when they're around. I get to smell them and remember what it was like to have my own little grunting infant- without the mess or the stress of being a newbie mama.

I heart stackable rings. I do. They're so vintage and awesome.

"Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things." -G. K. Chesterton

Sometimes I wish my life played out like the movie Sliding Doors (with Gwyneth Paltrow) and I could tweak little things here and there to see how they would affect my future. Just for the fun of it. Of course, this would all be a pre-showing and I'd get to choose which version I liked best before allowing it to actually become public and real.

I've said it once, I'll say it again: Sea Lion Woman by Feist rocks my freaking face off.

It seems like my creativity has been ebbing and flowing in a really random pattern, lately. And I can't put my finger on the reason why- but I haven't been able to write and craft or make jewelry at the same time. I have to do one or the other for short seasons of time. Weird.

"There is no justification without sanctification; no forgiveness without renewal of life; no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow." -Martin Luther

Here's an idea: let's mix up all of our holidays! We can have a July 4th feast, play with pretty sparklers on Christmas, set up a tree for Easter, swap presents for President's Day, give chocolate roses for Thanksgiving. Have I stumbled upon a new, wacky tradition?

I keep having dreams of being pregnant- maybe because I'm surrounded by babies. Or maybe because they make my subconscious happy? I need a modern-day Daniel. Or I need to stop eating cheese pizza before bed.

Oh man, is it so much better to just let things out than to keep them bottled up. The heart can't flourish when it's crowded by angst and negative feelings. It's so so so so important to have people filling up your life who are able to lend an ear (or thumbs? I guess, since we're in a texting era) and be the sunshine that breaks apart the gloomy clouds.

Aaaaand end.

♥Happy Birthday Beautiful Nomz!

2010-11-16T09:38:00.004-07:00

Ever have that friend that is just so right for you? The one you love closer than a sibling; who can compare quite closely to a giant piece of chocolate cake; who gets you without even trying? I haz one. Well, I haz more than one. But, today this post is about one in particular. You know of her- she's said co-blogger and "all around goddess of paperclips".

Today, our beautiful and talented Naomi is 27. I KNOW, RIGHT?! While it does sound old, let me assure you that she is not bound by her numerical identity. See why:

She gets quite the thrill at splashing through mud puddles:

She LOVES a good jumping picture:

Her laughter is a catalyst for giggles uncontrolled:

Her dancing skillz are not to be compared:

So, even though Nomz is one year older, I'm pretty sure she's not worried about growing old- or about growing up, for that matter. Because what is age? It's just a number. A silly little number that has no influence whatsoever over our dreams, our hopes or our friends.

Here's a toast to you, my fabulous inspirer of words, I hope this is your best birthday yet! ♥

"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-Robert Heinlein

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age." -Lucille Ball

"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." -G. M. Trevelyan

♫ Veteran's Day...Mixed Emotion?

2010-11-11T15:36:00.009-07:00

It hurts my insides to read the press, the blogs, the tweets, the Facebook posts, etc. today. It seems like a lot of people have turned the day from what it should be, to a political stance.

Today is about remembering. Not just September 11th - the reason our troops our fighting for our country overseas. But about every battle they've ever chosen to fight in all of history. The huge world wars, the fights on our own soil, the battles they fight every day against people that choose not to support them. Today is about remembering not only those that risked and sacrificed their own lives, but those of their families as well.

They fight for our right to be independent, free individuals. People are dying for our right to blog, to eat, to pray, to speak, to live.

Regardless of your political standings, your thoughts on whether we should be fighting a war, remember that these men and women are fighting for you to have an opinion. Celebrate them, pray for them, and thank them...not just today, but every time you see a uniform.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Help a Mom out!

2010-11-10T12:42:00.004-07:00

Over the last few weeks, I've had all this inspiration to write mom-help blogs. And for fear of being judged or criticized, I've chosen to ignore that little prodding inside. It must be a rebellious day, because I've changed my mind. And instead of writing a few different plea-for-advice blogs, I'm putting them all in this one, in a shorter, easier to read form. Be gentle.

**Nightmares**

My oldest has gone from nightmaring, to slumbering so hard, I have to stick my finger under her nose every night to make sure she's still breathing (yes, I really do it every night). My youngest, only a year behind her, has hit that stage. Every night she wakes up with a nightmare.

We've gotten in to quite the routine. She wakes up, sits up, hollers for me, I go in, she tells me that her heart is broken again (cutest thing everrrrr, right?!), and that she wants to pray about her bad dream. We do, she goes back to sleep, usually peacefully.

Dilemma: It's cold in my house at night, I'm lazy, and after a really rough night last night, Brandon and I reflected on our childhoods and remembered both of our parents asking us to come to their room to report the offense, getting told to get a drink, and go back to bed. I wonder, dear moms, is it the cold house that spurs this decision? Am I doing it backwards or spoiling her by going to her? What did your parents do when you were little?

**Mammaaaaaa, don't leeeeeeeave!**

My oldest, once again for comparison, never went through the abandonment fear. EVER. She also never went through a terrible two, three, or four. So, when my youngest came along, I assumed I'd rock the toddler stages out again with ease. To my surprise, as of late, my youngest has a new fear of me leaving her. She cries, tells me that she is going to miss me, and according to reports...quits the second I walk out of the house.

I normally handle it by giving her extra loves and snuggles, telling her our entire agenda for the day (where she'll be, where I'll be, when we'll be home together, etc.), then I make sure she knows I love her, and I leave. It's gotten slightly better this week, fingers crossed it continues.

Dilemma: Is four the normal age for this, or is it the new routine/new school dance that we're doing? Am I handling it right?

**MY Nightmares**

Obviously, like any mom, my nightmares are that somebody will harm or steal my children in some way. I can't ask for advice, because there is only one way to extinguish that fear: stop loving.. I'll live with the nightmares, thank you very much.

Dilemma: What do you do to ensure the safety of your child? WHY do we tolerate things like this: Sick and Disturbing? (In case you're afraid to click on it, it goes to Amazon dot com, and the only thing that will make your gut churn or raise your brow, is a book title. There are no pictures or not-safe-for-work material.)

It's infuriating that we're enabling! This is only one sick example...there are creepy books, websites, and useful information at hand for scary, scary people to get ahold of...but what do we do as an act of prevention, rather than waiting until something occurs?

Would you consider yourself overprotective?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥I want to go ice skating.

2010-11-09T14:46:00.008-07:00

Today, though it hasn't turned out quite like I wanted it to, is still good. That's what I'm telling myself. Yeah, yeah, okay the snow looks a little pretty as it falls slowly outside my window. And, yeah, the Christmas song I'm listening to is transitioning me from disappointment mode into seeing-the-silver-lining mode. So.

Along the jolly holiday lines, I think tonight calls for popcorn, hot chocolate, pajamas and a movie (most likely Love Actually) in a cozy little room with soft twinkling Christmas lights. *sigh*

Today as dad and I were stranded in Laramie, eating our omelets and scrambles at Perkins, I noticed a peculiar atmosphere. All the people were talking to each other. I don't mean people talking to only the other people at their own tables... I mean, the lines of conversation had punctured their social bubbles and people were actually talking with each other. I love that. It instills a little {more} hope in my heart.

OMG MY CHRISTMAS CARDS TURNED OUT SO CUTE!

Something I'd really LOVE to do one Christmas? Ice skate in London. With the love of my life. In a red pea-coat. To love-song Christmas music blaring on the outside speakers. With little snow flakes swirling about.... wait, wasn't that in movie?! Most likely.

Here it comes. Yep, there it is....... *officially excited for Christmas*

Sorry, I just had to get that bit of holiday gleeing out of the way. I might ebb, it might not. But I couldn't really keep it in. Especially since it was about time to write.

During this week, boyless and hanging out with other mommies, I thought of a few things that I think all moms should have. Here's my short list:

A faux pediatrician. For example, Nomz was my on-call nurse AND doctor for the first 18 months of Mal's life. When I had an issue or a concern and didn't want to fly off of the handle, I'd call her and draw from her experience. She was amaaazing at calming me down when I was freaking for nothing or sweetly suggesting that I take it more seriously. Every mother, every new mother especially, should have a Nomz. But, you can't have my Nomz. Sorry.

Mommies with varying ages of offspring. You know, so you can get your baby-cuddling time in if yours are older. So, you can watch how they discipline and direct their toddlers, so you can enjoy the time you have before your own are teenagers. Seriously, you can learn from other parents and you can appreciate where they are compared to where you are.

A childless friend. Let's be real, when you become a parent nothing else in the world matters. Even your own personal stuff is put on a shelf, covered in a bag of old clothes and forgotten about for a long while. Having a single friend who can remind you of your need for play time (while still respecting and understanding your responsibility as a parent) will help you balance out being a mom and being YOU.

Sometimes, I wish the English language held more words for words. You know, some languages have a word to describe a single thing or feeling and others have a whole plethora (good word, right?!) of options for description. Awesome? Good word. Awesomerest? Better, but still doesn't do something (or someone) that is genuinely more than that any justice. Amazing? Eh. Wondrous? Maybe. Give me more words and I'll tell you if they work.

Aaaaand, because this song has been stuck in my head, you get to share it with me:

♫ Word Vomit

2010-11-07T14:48:00.004-07:00

I'm frustrated with the complexity of life sometimes. I get so wrapped up in my stress, tension, and to-do list, that I forget how easy it is in a moment, to simplify life long enough to enjoy it.

It's been a few weeks since a Random Monday blog, mostly for lack of time. Writing one at this point would just be ridiculous. It'd be 10 miles long, and 3 miles deep!

Instead, I need to just write. Did you ever do those exercises in English, where you weren't allowed to stop your pen from moving for an allotted amount of time? It works like a vacuum on cobwebs...and even makes this fun *shwoop!* noise! ...Well, not so much, but it works.

Please don't feel like you have to read through this mess, or even comment. Strike that. I want you to comment, in the same form. Write everything in your head, for five minutes straight. Under 'anonymous'. Get it all out. I'm listening, and will be praying for every commenter! <3

Annnnnnnnnd go:

We make life too complicated. I love the sound of crunchy leaves. I love my dogs, but I hate the puppy phase. She eats everything. I love my girls, but age four is painful. I love working, but I miss my family. I am tired of the single mom song. I love my God, and I love that He doesn't take roll call. I am afraid to fly, but am trying anyway. I LOVE both of my jobs. I'm overwhelmed with things to be grateful for. I am blessed to have a hellova support team. I love the smell of clean sheets, but not pillowcases. I want all pillowcases to smell like him. My camera and inspiration has been revived. I wish every summer was an Indian one. I have amazing friends. I'm not afraid to be 27, and am actually quite excited for this year. I love my curtains. It's ok that I only see one friend at a time. I will never stop loving ChickFilA. I adore reading. I am journaling again, in an old fashioned kind, pen and paper, the kind my girls will be able to hold and smell someday. I hate that glasses have gone from an accessory to a requirement. I hate short fuses. I hate long nights. I love making up. My bookshelf is my new favorite accessory to the living room, especially when perfectly dusted and topped with a good smelling candle. I wish people wouldn't be afraid of change. I hate laziness. I am not a felon, I am a divorcee...quite different. I am too forgiving. My daughter has my teeth, yay? My other daughter firmly believes that the decorated pumpkin in her room is giving her bad dreams, and that praying and dream catchers save her when they're not too tired. I wonder sometimes, if some people will ever leave denial, and find happiness. I worry even more often, that those same people will put themselves in the ground before realizing that change isnt a bad as they think. I'm hard to love, easy to trust, and fun to watch. I firmly believe in fairies. And wishes. And love. And forever. I find that passion, when squandered, does more harm than good. I'm tired of feeling like a thorn in her side. I miss the "her" that I remember so fondly. I hate being spiteful. I wish he'd get the appreciation he deserves. I have a newfound love for orange. It's impossible to make everybody happy, but it doesn't hurt to try. I live for experience and memories, not matieral items. I want fondue. I love, love, love everything about every kind of lily. Love is never-ending. Kindness is contagious. Naps aren't just for kids.

16 minutes.

Your turn! I'll even make the *shwoop* noise for you!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥Amazing Testimony Time!!

2010-11-02T21:06:00.008-06:00

Today started out not so well. I woke up later than I was supposed to in order to get Malachi to the meeting point... you know, the whole week with his dad thing. Bleh.

Anyway, we get to Evanston and after a rather uneventful exchange I jump back in the car and head toward home. Rock Springs is on the way home. In Rock Springs is a Golden Corral. For some reason unbeknownst to us at the time, dad had a craving for... the worst.food.ever.

Seriously, this place makes the Country Buffet look like five-star dining. And we aren't even hungry. Nearly $20 later, we're sitting at a dirty booth and eavesdropping on a father who is clearly fed up with his dirty children. "Seriously?" I think, "I can't believe you're treating your kid like that." and as his toddler bawls his eyes out, he continues to shout his slurred frustrations at them. My heart sinks, I lose my appetite and it's all I can do to stab my knife at the half dry meatloaf on my plate rather than brandish it in his direction.

Possibly out of embarrassment, the guy stands up and offers an excuse for the way he and his own are acting: he is a single dad, going through a divorce, raising two boys who aren't wanted by their mother.

Enter the Holy Spirit and commence heart wrecking. I pray, "Lord, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I thought bad about him when I didn't even know him. Please give him strength and restore his hope. Guide him, provide for him, send him someone to love him to You."

I've given up on my food and watch as dad surveys the rest of the buffet. After about ten minutes of crying into my plate I go looking for him and find him outside talking to the guy as his children play on the restaurant property. Dad comes back in and gives me the low down on Jerry. He'd recently (within the last year) been in a near fatal accident which damaged his spinal cord, broke his ribs, hips, shoulder and left him partially brain damaged. Shortly after the accident his wife and the mother of their two boys left him. He has no job and stands in line every day, beginning at 6am, at the local temp office waiting for work to support his boys.

Heart is effectively smashed to smithereens. I suggest to dad that we help him in anyway possible. He replies, "I gave him all the cash on me." to which I counter, "That's not enough."

Jerry's two adorable boys are ages 2 (Daxton) and 4 (Xander) and steal my heart with their sea green eyes and snotty smiles. "Jerry, let me bless you. What do the boys need?" I ask. He shakes his head and assures me they've got what they need.

"Don't be prideful, I want to bless you."

"No, it's really okay."

"Can I at least buy them a toy, each?" He agrees and I plop Daxton in Malachi's car seat, strap Xander in beside him and Jerry crawls into the last remaining back seat (their car is abandoned in a different parking lot because it has just broken down). We head to Walmart. As we stroll through the store, I grab winter coats, cold medicine, vitamins and allow them to pick out a toy of their choice. We finish with a new leather Bible for Jerry and a $25 gift card for groceries.

Dad and I simultaneously glance over to Jerry and notice that his eyes are gleaming with tears. He says, "Two weeks ago I was asking God to show Himself to me. To help me know He's real and that He loves me. I've been looking for Him but didn't know how to find Him."

Smashed heart begins to soar. "Jerry," I begin, "This is His answer to you. We're doing this so that you know how much you're loved."

Jerry, Daxton and Xander live about a dozen blocks from Walmart. We take them home and enter their tiny little house to make sure they're all settled before we head out. Dad signs his Bible, writes down Romans 8:1-2 and Jeremiah 29:11 and says, "Jerry, have you ever accepted Jesus as your savior?" When he shakes his head, dad asks him if he wants to. "Yes." he chokes out. So, in that tiny little living room filled with hopelessness and pain we begin to pray. Jerry can barely get the prayer out he's crying so much. Apparently Jerry didn't even cry when his mother died or when his brother went to jail. But, he's crying now and he says they're happy tears.

Exit hopelessness. Enter joy, peace, hope, redemption, restoration, healing and LOVE.

Today wasn't such a bad day after all.

Romans 8:1-2 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ

Jesus ² And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

♥ Learn ALL the things?!

2010-10-25T14:30:00.010-06:00

* God can speak through fortune cookies and vinyl wall quotes. He can. Cause He's God and He has a great many ways to speak.

* It's best to turn off your headlights. That is if you don't want to have to jump-start your car four times a week, during winter. <---Why I learned this lesson during the worst nine months of the year, I'm not sure. Still learning it actually.

* Always, always, always keep an eye out for those red flags. Never ignore them. Never justify them. It's better to be safe than sorry.

* When a sandstorm comes blowing past, the best thing to do is keep your mouth shut.

* There is no such thing as "beyond the point of no return". No really, there isn't. If you think there is, you're deceiving yourself and calling an opportunity for redemption a farce.

* Acrylic nails DESTROY. I’m never getting them again.

* Never be the first one to comment on a picture of a friend's new baby, wedding or other monumental moment in life... because Facebook will gladly deliver you 2,000 notifications within the first 24 hours.

* The world really does revolve around love. ♥

* Even though I'm technically a "single mom" I'm not really alone and I have no shortage of help. Being surrounded by friends and family who are willing to give of their time and resources to help me be the best mother I can be is something I will never be able to repay. Suffice it to say I'll live in complete and utter gratitude for the rest of my days. ♥

* One Sunday of worship can be sacrificed for an event that will result in the the merging of two souls for all eternity. And, it will be worth it. And it won't affect any "hard earned spirituality". AND it will make for full hearts and happy memories forever.

* H1N1 really isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, you might spend four days in a dark room with no desire to live whatsoever (like I did); sure, you may displace two ribs by hacking your lungs out (like I did)... but if you have friends like me, you'll be surrounded by love from afar (they're not super heroes, people), chocolate and girlie magazines. Also, you'll live. You will.

* There is SO MUCH good music out there.

* “Make new friends, keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.” has been in the back of my mind for months now. Life is sorta like a sifter in that it will allow all of the anemic friendships, which are more of a hindrance than anything, to fall through the gap. Life morphs. So do friendships- they’ll either morph into something amazing or they’ll waste away. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

* “Games that never amount to more than they're meant will play themselves out.” <--- GREAT song and great thing to remember.

* I have the.best.friends.ever. Friends so amazing and so straight from God that they aren't afraid of telling me when I'm being an idiot, aren't afraid to let me know that I need to step up my own friend-game (as opposed to bailing completely), care for me so genuinely that they choose to remind me only of my good parts and not my insecure, silly or emotional parts and who will cheer me on in a time of change... knowing how much I hate it. Like, I said, I have the best friends ever.

* God is too big to be kept in a box. Obvious lesson, right? Not so much. My black and white views of life (which I’ve previously bragged about) are being all scrambled and rearranged. *chokes on pride* It’s awesome. I don’t mind it one bit.

* I'm still learning things I thought I was done learning (24 Things...). Le Sigh.

♫ Crave what you've lost?

2010-10-22T13:59:00.003-06:00

So there I was, laying in bed at 10pm, listening to Brandon in the tractor about a mile away, doing everything he could to get his work done before the weather turned. We had just spat about how I feel like a needy girl, and act accordingly. And I remembered that aside from his charm, his good looks, his funny jokes, his low brow comedy, and his ability to dance my feet off...I fell in love with his character. His ability to put all things aside to make sure the work got done, with his integrity in tact.

We fall in love with what grabs our heart, sweeps us off our feet, and what makes our insides all swoony.

Common heart-flutterings:

*A man in a suit
*A man in uniform
*A woman cooking
*A woman impregnated
*A man worshiping the God you both love
*A man holding a baby
*A man that knows hard work
*A man covered in hard work
*A man in a kitchen
*A woman with independence
*A man of strength

It's absolutely impossible for me to cover everything, because we're all different. Everybody has something inside of them that makes them go aflutter though, that warms their insides, that makes them yearn for more from somebody, and that indefinitely attracts us to them forever.

Sometimes, we get so lost in the noise of the rest of the world, that we forget the fireworks that created "us". We crave more of each other, but we forget what it's like to give first. We want old fashioned romance, even though we've had it all along. Yeah, yeah...he makes you mad, he doesnt do enough around the house, he doesnt say the right things...but does he still come home in that uniform that you fell in love with? Does he still know exactly where to kiss you when he wants a little something-something? I thought so.

We don't lose each other usually...we lose ourselves. We get comfortable, and crave more, instead of being thankful for exactly what we've got.

Why'd he fall in love with you? Find that again...and you'll have him straight back into your arms.

With love,
Nomz

PS. The last time my heart soared, it was actually caught on camera, thanks to Ardent Photography. Thus, why it's going in a frame, and looked at every time I think I need more from him...and then I'm slapping myself.

Do YOU have any pictures you need to dust off?

♥Yet another untitled post.

2010-10-22T08:52:00.006-06:00

It's raining ( ♥ ), I'm listening to rain-complimenting music ( ♥ ) and if I close my eyes I almost feel like I'm in Washington ( ♥ ); it's so easy for me to be dreamy on days like today.

I wish things in real life came with a "like" button.

I wish there were Roman wishing wells for moments in life. Throw a penny in and you’re bound to return to that moment of big grins and happy hearts.

I’m all for making messes. The bigger the mess, the better the result of whatever is being fashioned. Which is why my room and I are covered in paint, clippings and creativity. It must be something about the holiday season nipping at our heels that’s prompting this urge to make stuff.

For the second time, a week of no Malface is close at hand. Rather than scheduling myself so full that I have no time to breathe or notice the silence of my house I’ve decided to try to drift through the days, flowing where they may take me. A certain, charming coffee shop in a certain, charming city is calling my name as well as a Big Ass Book of Crafts (no, really, that’s its name!) that I plan on delving into to provide a slight distraction. Also, the ol’ camera and I plan on spending good, quality time together. It’s been much, much too long.

Oh and I plan on taking part in a Harry Potter marathon, too, before Deathly Hallows Part 1 comes out {28 daaayyys! Eeeee!}.

Saw this on a friend's status update this morning: "A morning without coffee is like sleep." I KNOW, RIGHT?!

A few weeks ago I toured around beautiful Ft. Collins, CO with friends popping in and out of the little shops that litter the downtown region and saw a piece of artwork that was so so cute and really easy to make. So, what did I do? I made it! Duh! And I'm quite proud of myself!

Oooh, today makes me want to grab a piece of chalk and a flat rock and draw a giant's sized hopscotch game in the parking lot of work. We'd have to jump, like, realllly far to get to each square! Who wants to play with me?!

I'm now listening to Natural Anthem by Postal Service and while, usually, it stresses me out (you'd have to hear it, to know. There's so much crashing and angsty noise that it drives me into a tailspin when I subjected to it) but today it sorta matches this crashing that's going on in my head. I think it's a good crashing... can't really explain it. Actually, I might listen to it again.

Bloggers, like singers, are a dime a dozen. But, it takes true talent for someone's thoughts to capture my attention and I've found an amazingblog that I'm starting to fall in love with <-- check it out.

Ashley! inspired talk and thoughts of tattoos this morning... which got me to thinking, once again, of my own blank-canvas epidermis. It'd be so so so fun to get one and since I'm such a sentimental sucker, I think I'd love it forever... but what to get?! And WHERE?!?! I'm too indecisive. I'd like to play total copy-cat and get some short, inspiring quote somewhere. But, it's just soooo permanent.

It sorta makes me sad that I've neglected my camera for so long. What makes me even a little more sad is that it's almost quite impossible to find stuff to take pictures of here. I'm a photographer for crying out loud! I should be able to find things that are not obvious to the eye and make it an amazing photo, like I've done before: http://jpgmag.com/people/SarahML.

I'll have to make a list of all the different pictures I want to capture, a photographic bucket-list if you will...

♫ Random Monday:: 10/18/10

2010-10-18T14:20:00.003-06:00

Oh my, on a Monday and everything!

*Random Monday, it's been entirely too long since we had a chat, let's!

*My most recent endeavor? Young Farmers. It's sort of an adult version of FFA, something I always wanted to get involved in but wasn't allowed the chance. I am using my Social Marketing skills to get more involvement in the Front Range chapter, hope to get involved at a national level, and am determined to figure out why Wyoming disbanded. Al, you and I have quite the project ahead of us. Like my new page! Front Range Young Farmers

*That new endeavor makes me the admin of FOUR Facebook pages. Connected? You could say that. FYI...I'm going to start charging for my brilliance.

*I don't normally blog on a Sunday, but my heart sort of spilled all over the place yesterday, and made quite the mess: A Rainy October

*My Ashley and I are going to start a drive-thru pizza place, because people around here have yet to create such a thing. I was thinking about naming it "There". You know, so you can say: "Want to go to There for pizza?", and when people respond with "Their pizza, is it good?", you can respond with "Eeeediot. THERE pizza, not THEIR pizza, didn't you learn anything in fourth grade?"

*I happen to be very much in love, thank you very much. Brandon continues to amaze. <3

*I am starrrrving, and my kids ate all the yogurt. Sigh.

*Speaking of them! They have recently grown about four feet, aged quicker than bananas, and are the thing in this world that I am most proud of.

*Tomorrow is the birthday of a girl that I went from loving dearly, to missing sorely, to mourning, to realizing that sometimes life just sends people in different directions, and it's probably for a reason. I continue to love what we had, and wish her the best. Happy Birthday, Kara. 10 years ago this month, we've been friends!

*I was always worried that uploading too many pictures to Facebook would overwhelm people. I changed my mind and upload almost daily. Don't whine either, it's not like I force you to browse them!

*Sometimes, I could torture a certain ex-somebody with little regret. The lies are stacking against his favor. BUT I have to remember that no matter how much I want to be, I can't be in control...nor should I be. God's got this, I'll trust that, and let life catch up to him...at least until he actually hurts the little hearts involved.

*Anybody dressing up for Halloween?

*"When you no longer need to prove anything to anyone and can simply be yourself with no apologies - you have arrived."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ A Rainy October

2010-10-16T09:54:00.003-06:00

Here's the thing...

In Sazaran's most recent blog, she said this about me, and it really couldn't be more true: "Nomz may seem like she’s fallen off the face of the planet. But, I can tell you that that isn’t the case. In fact, I believe she’s familiarizing herself with this planet in a whole new way. Let’s cheer her on in making the right choices, trusting more than she has before and seeing things in a new light. Because, after all, she happens to life; life doesn’t happen to her."

October has been bittersweet, and I won't mind so much if the door does indeed hit it in the ass on its way out. I'm an extremely independent girl, completely dependent and leaning hard on the people that count in my life...and it makes my insides hurt.

I'm learning the hard way, that when you take the chance of flying, you'll probably ruffle some feathers. I followed my heart, I'm learning to stand on my own two feet and rebuild, and I'm learning the hard truth that not everybody is going to like it.

I defeated a zipline in the dark last night with my favorites last night, and I'm off to conquer the rest of the world with them by my side! My support system, like that 30 foot high cable, is constant. It's safe. It's trustworthy. It's faithful. I'm latching on and enjoying this ride! (It wasn't just who was present last night...if you're in "my village", you know exactly who you are. I love you so hard.)

You see...It's not who stood by and watched you fall, it's not who looked at your decisions disapprovingly, its not who talked about your mistakes. It's the people that stayed by your side through all of those things unfailingly, that really matter the most.

I am indeed seeing the this world in a whole new light. I am getting so familiar with this change that I'm calling it "home". I am falling in love. I am happening to life.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Pretty!

♥ Happyness is overflowing

2010-10-13T10:02:00.014-06:00

* We're TIRED. Wanna know why? Cause we danced our booties off, sang our lungs out, smiled until our cheeks twitched and cried until our happyness was overflowing. Yes, happy tears. Why? Because our darling Ashley! became Mrs. White on this very 10/10/10. Ashley, we love you we love you we love you. You are the reason we have hope that there is such a thing as a love that will last a lifetime. All we wish for you and your new HUSBAND (!!!!) are stars in your eyes forever.

These amazing photos that capture the White Wedding in a way that no one else could? They were taken by Ardent Photography (who will take MY wedding photos one day, just sayin'). You can view more of the blessed day and other accomplishments by visiting their blog.

* Things I want to remember:

For every down, there’s an up. 

Wondrous are the works that are just waiting to be revealed. In the right time. 

Hurt people, hurt people; Loved people, love people. Seriously.

How to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

I am one thousand times bigger on the inside.

* I wish there were more opportunities to get all dolled up with bright red lips, frenchy nails, lashy lashes and shoes covered in sparkle. It does wonders for self-confidence.

* “There seems no plan because it is all plan.” Thanks, Mr. Lewis, I needed that.

* Nomz may seem like she’s fallen off the face of the planet. But, I can tell you that that isn’t the case. In fact, I believe she’s familiarizing herself with this planet in a whole new way. Let’s cheer her on in making the right choices, trusting more than she has before and seeing things in a new light. Because, after all, she happens to life; life doesn’t happen to her. <--- her own words, btw.

* It seems an ironic and cruel twist of fate that I love music so much but cannot play it one iota.

* As this whole custody battle wraps up (as I fight fear and worry, like I do, about making the right decisions) I really feel God saying, “It doesn’t matter what decision you make. Do you think it will affect how I will provide for you and make everything work out for your good? Whatever you choose, I will provide for you and Mal.” And then... Peace. Total undiluted peace. So, I’m good with whatever happens from here on out. Even the timing of it all doesn’t get to me like it used to. I think because after all this time it has finally sunk in that God is more in control than I’ve given Him credit for. And really, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

* No, really. I neeeeed to take pictures. I just don’t know what to take pictures OF.

* I’m a word-nerd (as if you didn’t know). So, here’s your dose of quotes for the week:

“Your life is your message to the world. Make it inspiring.” -Lorrin L. Lee

“Be not afraid of going slowly; be only afraid of standing still.” -Chinese Proverb

“I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of hunger for life that gnaws in us all.” –Richard Wright

“I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our while life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” -Stephen R. Covey

“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it, too.” –Diane Ackerman

“I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.” – Nancy Willard

♥ The Scenic Route

2010-10-11T21:22:00.011-06:00

A short conversation with a certain amazing girl I know prompted this blog. As with most things I write, I've been mulling over this one for a while. And the more I think about it, the more I have to say. Pardon me if the thoughts that spill out onto this post seem scattered.

What she said: "...totally made me think of “Jesus Take the Wheel,” because really, he’s been taking you on a pretty decent scenic route lately, hasn’t he? :)"

You know, HE HAS. Perhaps not by His own choice (or His first choice, I should say) but when I take into account how my life is turning out, how its trail matches that of Billy from Family Circus, I cannot help but wonder if God really does like the scenic route. If He does enjoy riding along with me and working out all my wrong turns into something that I'll be able to look back on and realize how nice of a drive it really turned out to be. Only because He’s the Navigator.

Of course He would love it if we listened to Him after His first word; if our obedience were outmatched only by our swiftness to obey; if pride were more easily swallowed than chomped on over and over... but, He dealt with that from "Go!" didn't He? He knew, before we knew, that the shortest point from A to B would not be taken. "Aha," He might've thought, "I rather enjoy a road trip and lessons learned along the way." He cares about our getting to the destination He has for us, but not more than the journey it takes to make us the person we need to be when we get there.

That's what He has done to me, anyway. Could have I avoided pain and suffering and sorrow and struggle and heartache? Yes. Would I be the person I am today? Probably not. Because faith requires the aforementioned elements to be made into something solid and substantial. Ladies and gentleman, I haz faith.

Let me clarify that the scenic route might not always be what God wants for our lives. He requires obedience and He requires a life wholly surrendered to Him. His desire is not for us to succumb to sin and have to deal with the consequences (which inevitably cause us to go down that bunny-trail… away from Him) but for us to live as He asks us to. All that being said, and as I’ve said before, I believe that He will allow us to make our stupid decisions because He sees down the road and He sees how He will be able to shape us, using the scenic route.

On the other side of the road (ha, get it? cause I’m talking about routes?) even if we are completely surrendered to His will and are taking each step only at this direction… He still uses the winding paths to get us where we’re going, to mold us more and more into His image. We may think that the way He is leading us is absurd and a waste of time and energy but all the while He is accomplishing exactly what He had intended- the whole time.

I think of all the stories in the Bible where God used a wrong turn, a mistake, a bad choice to bring about total awesomeness:

Joseph? Little (mouthy) brother turned slave turned prisoner turned leader turned savior of his people!

Abraham? The promise given to him of innumerable descendants wasn’t even started until he was ninety-nine!

David had to fight lions and bears and giants and kings before he himself was promoted to King of Israel.

Esther was an orphan, raised by her uncle, and endured countless beauty-pageants (some might say this was an absurd scenic route?) before her time of saving her people was brought about.

This scenic route? It has brought me a deeper hunger, a closer empathy for others who are also going in circles. It has shown me the good that can come out of being patient and understanding my own inability to be in control and, really, my own inability to make good choices without His influence. I’ve mentioned before how I have seen Him as my master mixer, taking the good the bad and the ugly parts of my life and turning them for my good: the very definition of my scenic route.

This video has been stuck in my head for the last few days and I feel that it holds a powerful message to more than just waiting for love. Waiting for God to take you through the route that He chooses will be only to your benefit. Only to His glory.

The pressure makes us stronger . The struggle makes us hunger.  The hard lessons make the difference...

♫ RAWR...just kidding.

2010-10-06T09:30:00.004-06:00

I'll be honest, I logged in to vent too. I have had angst, and grumps, and rawrfaces on for about three days now. I wanted to tell the world how much it's pissed me off lately (Mostly, I blame the fact that I'm female, and it's that stupid "time" that I can complain about BEING female). And then...THEN I realized how hypocritical that would be of me. Yes, we're all entitled to bad days. Bad months. Bad years. Your problems may be minimal compared to the rest of the world's, but that doesn't mean they're not huge to you. Have a bad day. Get mad. Pout. Cry. Do it.

Then...realize that everybody throws fits. You're not the first to let the pettiness of the world get to you. The biggest thing to remember though, is that you can only control your own problems and emotions. If you're mad at life because of how another person made you feel, you need to get over it. You need to forgive, forget, rinse, and repeat...and move on. You cant change how they made you feel. You can't control whether they'll do it again or not. You can only control you.

I got this on Monday; hafta gotta share it:

"Don't listen to those who say, 'You're taking too big a chance.' Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most important, don't listen when the little voice of fear inside you rears its ugly head and says. 'They're all smarter than you out there. They're more talented, they're taller, blonder, prettier, luckier, and they have connections. I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you'll be a person worthy of your own respects."

Love yourself, trust yourself, respect yourself, and leave the rest to God. Forget what everybody else thinks.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥ Vent. (v.)

2010-10-05T13:18:00.004-06:00

I love people. I really do. When I’m not around people I feel uneasy and lonely. God made me to be surrounded by fellowship and laughter- it’s the place I thrive most. Buuuut, like all other areas in life, there comes a time when I just need a break. I just need to find a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop somewhere that offers superb tea and a quiet corner for… quiet time. Reading time. Reflecting time. Praying time. I just need Me Time.

It must be an antisocial week for me because I’m also a little sick of Facebook and Twitter. Mostly because a lot of what I see goes a little something like this, “Drama. Drama. Drama.” or “Pain. Hurt. Pain. Hurt.” and you can only take so much of that before it becomes a little cloud that follows you around.

I’m demanding rain so that the little cloud can move along already.

My head hurts, my throat hurts, I sound like a bullfrog and everything in me just wants to crawl into bed and go to sleep for a day. Or a week. Whichever comes last.

I feel like I’m on a stretching table. With one responsibility strapped to each appendage. All pulling. All at the same time. I’m trying to be a good mother who provides quality time for her son; a good bridesmaid who is involved in the details; a good employee who completes all tasks with excellence; a good housekeeper who has all the laundry folded and healthy meals cooked at the right times; a good leader who can pour into other’s lives a love and interest so worthy of the calling; a good Lover of the Most High who sets aside time each day for intimacy and spiritual pursuit. And so, it feels like I’m in little pieces everywhere. And each those responsibilities are asking, “But, why can’t I have ALL of you?!”

I do adore this busy life though. It’s better than having no friends, no amazing wedding to look forward to, no one to invest in, and no activities crammed into each weekend leaving me bored and discontented.

♥ LIFE. life. life. life.

2010-09-30T09:17:00.008-06:00

I recently posted the above video on my Facebook account. One of my oldest and dearest friends offered her viewpoint of the video and I think that the conversation which will result can be one of controversy and a challenge to both of our ways of thinking (let me add that Rebecca and I both have a huge amount of respect for one another and I'm excited about what else she has to say). SO, this is where I ask for your input. I'll copy and paste the beginning of our thoughts and you can fill in the rest.

PLEASE, be respectful. I know this issue is big and we've all minded our Ps and Qs when I've brought it up before; so I would appreciate the same attitude this time around. Instead of entering your thoughts on abortion without a moment's hesitation, I recommend that you DO hesitate, watch the video (it's in two parts), listen to this amazing woman and then, after you've searched your heart, let me know how you feel. Love you, readers!!

Rebecca: "I hate abortion. I hate it. However, I would rather see a baby die in the womb than be raised by the state, or by a family that beats and molests them. Make no mistake, these babies are not wanted by their parents. As horrible as that is to think about, I do appreciate the element of mercy in abortion that spares these poor babies from enduring a life of rejection and hardship. Judge me if you will, but I believe that. I am not sure what the answer is to the abortion epidemic. It's ugly and murderous. I love my kids, but I would rather kill them myself than put them in the wrong hands where they will suffer forever because they are unwanted."

Sarah: "Thanks for your input, Rebecca! I love it when you comment on my stuff with your challenging viewpoints. Really, I do. I totally understand where you're coming from and I can see why you would feel that way. Actually, at first I was like, "Rebecca makes an amazing point and I have nothing to say back." But then, after I brushed my teeth (which is a prime time for me to think, btw) I began to remember all of the things that God did in the life of that amazing woman. And I also thought of all the things He does for anyone who endures suffering and pain. Of course, it is an automatic reaction for us to want to avoid pain and suffering in any degree and to protect any child from a lifetime of hardship. But, if Jesus promised us anything He promised us that we would be hated, that life will SUCK sometimes, that pain goes hand in hand with breathing, that suffering cannot be avoided AND that He is with us through every second of every minute of every hour of every day, teaching and comforting and making everything work for our good. Pain is not lost on Him. He knows suffering more than any of us could imagine. So, would it be better to snuff out a life because the chances of pain and a hard life are a reality? Or do we trust Jesus and His ways and His LOVE and His ability to rescue any child from the grips of Satan? Do we justify abortion and say, “At least they won’t know pain.” or be the hands and feet of Jesus as we reach out with unconditional love to those who have both been victims of abortion (I’m not just talking about the baby, here) and are born into this world of sin and despair? After all, babies born to the most responsible and loving parents will and could still endure their days in the shadow of pain, abandonment, and affliction. Should they have been aborted? No. No. No. No. There is no easy answer to this abortion epidemic. Obviously, the only answer is Jesus. But, we must be realistic, not everyone will accept His gift of salvation. Instead, I believe with my whole heart that we need to remain firm in our convictions and hold close to the Bible when it says that murder is wrong. Then, in the face of a fallen world, we need to trust Jesus and know that He holds each life in His tender, compassionate and loving hands. And He is asking that a life be allowed to exist so that He can be glorified in that life redeemed."

Random Discussions (RD): Part I

2010-09-29T16:34:00.005-06:00

I have only a few things up in this head of mine, and rather than creating and overwhelming you with an entire post of my scattered thoughts, I'm going to whine about only three of them. Please read, and discuss. It's like homework, only more like therapy. And I'm getting the therapy from you guys for free.

Point 1:

I miss my friends.

I mean, I've still got all of them for the most part. Heck, I've got one girl back in my life from *gulp* 20 years ago, thanks to the book of face! The rest of them are scattered all over the state of Wyoming, and some others in different parts of the country. The point really isn't that I don't have any friends, because my friends are amazing, and still part of my daily life.

BUT. I miss having friends that are five seconds away should there be a friend disaster, an immediate excuse for a good time, or just to meet for a quick bite at the last minute. It's part of the repercussions of me moving away, and I was fully prepared for it...I think. I'm actually fine, until the feeling of loneliness sneaks up from behind. Example: I was at the bar the other night with my favorite man, hanging with some really cool people...and I realized that I missed SORELY the friends that would normally be there with me. There are two of you, in particular, that would have seen me from across the bar, and known by the look on my face what I was thinking, what I wanted to drink, and exactly what song I was thinking we needed to dance to. Le Sigh. I know it will come in good time, and I still had a blast, but I miss you.

Conclusion: I still have friends that are a mere phone call away. I still have friends that are actively part of my daily life, via phone, Facebook, text message, picture message, or even within an hour's drive. I'll make new friends, sure enough. I've got a good habit of that. And no matter how far away I move, or how close I am in vicinity to them, loneliness will always join me occasionally.

Point 2:

Weddings.

This is not about my past marriage, my next marriage, or my lack of marriage. This is just in general. Ah hem.

I love being friends with blushing, gushing brides. I've never been one to get envious, or feel that "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." feeling. I have, however, stood behind one or two, and noticed a few things.

#1. People take for granted how much time, effort, and lack of sleep goes in to these things.
#2. People have a terrible habit of making them about them, and not the bride and groom.
#3. You only get cake if you play nice. So stop playing not nice.

Conclusion: Planning them, is MUCH bigger than any of them expect. And while they think, or even tell you that they don't need your help, they're lying. They usually feel like they're absolutely drowning in their own bliss, and true that it may be that it IS bliss, and that they want to do it all themselves to make sure it gets done right, they're extremely overwhelmed. If all you do is sit and watch them make things happen, you're going to see some peace come in to the picture.

If you're in the wedding party, if you're related to the bride or groom, or if you're a best friend that's just getting a front row seat...it is your absolute DUTY to make sure that day goes off without a hitch (well...one hitch, get it, get it?!). You're there to support that love, you're there to comfort them, and you're supposed to be there for them every second of the planning stages, regardless of how "not a big deal" you think each step is, or how disconnected you think you are from the planning, or even how Bridezilla she's actually getting. I mean hi, she's dropping at least $6000, just to put on a show for YOU people to watch her take the next step. You do realize that your ticket to the show is free, right? Pamper the hell out of her.

Conclusion Part 2: I'm never planning a wedding.

Point 3:

I want to do everything.

I want to have a job doing Facebook. I want to waitress. I want to ride and train horses. I want to work in a retail store. I want to teach English. I want to work with special needs children. I want to be a vet. And it really bothers me that because I've changed rank in my "title" or pay, that people are assuming I'm settling for less than I deserve, or making poor choices.

Conclusion: I can't be everything, but there is absolutely nothing stopping me from trying everything once.

So, there you go. A massive rant about Things. I need therapy.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Free The Girls UPDATE, yo!

2010-09-28T09:10:00.016-06:00

It has been exactly 38 days, a few donation boxes and one stellar interview on News Channel 5 (which we'll post soon, if we can) since we posted our original blog announcing our desire to support (get it? get it?) Free The Girls by collecting as many bras as we can. And since August 20th we've had them trickle in and surely, steadily, our cars are filling up with boxes of bras for women who have been rescued from human trafficking.

This touches my heart in a way I could never properly describe in a blog. Women are going to be freed from the bonds of slavery and sexual oppression because of your desire to help them!!

I just called Ruby Juice and had them tally up the bras they've received since we set up our little donation box there and they have 99 (Jay has agreed to give a FREE smoothie to anyone who is willing to donate their bra then and there, to make the total 100!); combine that with the bras I have at my house and in my car and we're well over 150! And that doesn't include the other drop boxes we have placed in Burns. LADIES! We're so proud of you!

Our original intention was to collect bras just until September 30th. But, with the success of your generosity and how exciting this has all become, we've decided to extend the official deadline into October. Really though, we're going to take your bras for as long as you want to give them. How horrible would we be if we refused?!

Ways you can help:

* Buy the really cute, really stylish shirts that Free The Girls is selling on their site. Ten percent of the profits go directly toward releasing the captives and putting their captors behind bars.

* Give bras! Duh!

* If you don't have bras or have a hoarding problem, you can donate your money to Free the Girls.

* Spread the word. Word of mouth is really important for Free the Girls right now because the less money they spend on promoting, the more money they can use toward freeing victims.

* Pray. Pray for the women who have been taken; pray that their hope will remain confident in that we are looking for them. Pray that Kimba and Mama T (the owners of Free the Girls) are strengthened and can continue in this amazing cause without discouragement or stress. Pray that the men (and women, because some of them are involved, too) who commit this horrible act against humanity will realize what they're doing and STOP.

To end in an upbeat style, check out these pictures of our journey to free the girls!

Ashley! donated her talent to make us this awesome sign for our bra box. Isn't it pretty?!

A HUGE thank you to Rylee from Cheyenne's News Channel 5 (and to our friend, Bruce, for his awesomerest connections) for helping us spread the word about Free the Girls!

Sarah: "We should totally wear these on the outside of our shirts for the interview."

Camera guy: "Please, no."

If you're wondering, YES, the ladies of RJ do get hit on. No, these are not their bras.

They're Nomz's bras. Heh. :)

Sorry ladies, Jay is married. :)

We LOVE Jay for being such a good sport and collecting bras from his customers. GO JAY!

♥ Bits and pieces of my brain.

2010-09-24T10:32:00.008-06:00

* Yeah, I thought of zombies after I read that title, too. What are ya gonna do? It just fits.

* I love words. I love that one word can be pregnant with a thousand different meanings and a thousand different explanations can’t do justice to one word spoken at the right time. My favorite word? Tapestry. I don’t know why- it just has the most beautiful connotation. Also, when written it’s all flowy and pretty.

* This was my thought process last night as I watched E News: “Who cares?” “Who cares?” “Who cares?!” “Wow, Matt Damon is getting OLD!”

* I received one of the most encouraging emails from my Naomi this week. I'm saving it for forever. My favorite part? "Love will happen eventually, even though every single roadblock seems to be popping up in your way."

^ That right there? Yeah, it makes me wanna blub like an over-emotional girl.

* Oh, if you didn't know... today is Nomz's last day at her place of employment (dood, she 's been there 5+ years. THAT is dedication!). It's scary when one chapter of life ends and another one begins, but she's handling it with grace and and poise. Like she handles everything. Overachiever.

* Today seems like a quote day to me. So, you're gonna get a blogful:

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”-Mahatma Ghandi

"There are four questions of value in life... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love." -Johnny Depp (That's right. I'm quoting Johnny Depp.)

“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life” -Jonathan Edwards

“God always teaches us patience, when we do not have time for the lesson.”

"It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -Helen Keller

"A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner." - Anonymous

"Give me a fruitful error any time, full of seeds, bursting with its own corrections. You can keep your sterile truth for yourself." ~Vilfredo Pareto

* I saw a candle commercial last night with the sort of song that they play in Pier1 during the holidays and now I'm fully in Fall mode and definitely fighting the urge to begin planning white elephant parties and wearing red for most of the week. *fighting fiiiiiighting*

* If you missed them, check out the epic family photos Mal and I just had taken. I'm so in love with them:

P.S. Yeah, I know you tried to write out "tapestry" in your prettiest writing just as soon as I mentioned its beauty. I know you...

♫ Social Marketing

2010-09-23T10:23:00.004-06:00

Nomz here, telling you, that I have a real job. I get to be on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and several blogs, and call it "work". It's Social Marketing. Some find it laughable, but I can tell you, if you're a business, you're going to get laughed at for not jumping in this very shiny boat with me. Read more about my job, and why you should not only join me in the boat, but make yourself comfortable, bring a lunch, and cast a line, at one of my other blogs: Casual Marketing.

What do you do for a living?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥The Post With No Title OR ♥ From the Valley to the High Places.

2010-09-22T11:26:00.014-06:00

Ever go through those seasons in life where the poo hits the fan and all you can do is look up and point out the obvious? “Oh, the poo just hit the fan. Huh.” I’m there. Not in the worst case possible but yesterday was bad. It was a roller coaster of emotions so loopy and unexpected that I barely had time to react. I just sat there with a dazed look on my face and before I knew it, the day was all over.

Later on, not even before Tuesday had thrown the last of her punches, I found this quote by C.S. Lewis:

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”

That right there? It’s my life, for the past year, in a nutshell. True story. If you had told me, last summer, what I was about to go through and endure I would’ve passed out then and there at your feet. Never ever ever ever in a million years would have I guessed that God had already begun equipping me for the turbulence that I was to soar through.

Yes, soar.

I say soar because looking back it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Was it painful? You bet. Were there days that I wanted to give up, curl into a ball and hide under by bed until the world ended? Almost every day. But somehow, someway that only Jesus is aware of I was able to put one foot in front of the other and make my way out of the cold and dark valley.

There’s something about that valley, though, that has its redeeming qualities. Despite the gloom and doom of being in a place where pain dwells and weariness hangs overhead, things grow. Miraculously. I’d even venture to say that things grow, in our hearts, in a richer way than they do when life is perched on the mountaintop and nothing can touch it. But that’s just me.

I’ve learned a new way to love. I’ve learned a new way to trust. I’ve learned deeper levels of patience and seeking the heart of my Father and His will. I’ve learned that He is always nearer than I think He is and He draws nearer to me even before I can call out to him.

Then, as if God doesn’t get enough joy by bringing me through the hardest time of my life unstained, He smiles and says, “This is only the beginning my super awesome amazing epic plan for you.” And I can just see us cracking up as He reveals His will little by little and it’s everything I’ve wanted and so much more.

See? This is why I serve the God that I do. He never lets me down, He sticks with me closer than my own heartbeat and He makes me more than an over-comer.

-Sazaran

♫ Random Monday: 9/20/10

2010-09-20T16:10:00.005-06:00

Rolz and my new puppy, Nova! We call them, "Rollanova"

*One more week of commuting. Just one. It's bittersweet. But lawdy am I ready to not be making that long commute anymore.

*I found my girls a preschool! Screeeeeeeeeeee! Bless you, little church preschool, for being the most time-sensible, curriculum desired, safest place I've found yet.

*I got glasses! I've got 20-25 vision, but two astigmatisms. Which is fancy for "you can't drive, operate machinery, or even a computer, without wearing a cute accessory."

*Thanks to Christie (don't worry when you don't recognize her name, most of you don't know her...your loss, really), my girls will soon be doing three flavors of dance classes, AND having recitals. *prepares to cry*

*This weekend had the perfect balance of reality, romance, and go-time. I got swept off my feet, swung around a dance floor, time alone to think hard on some things, and epic sleep-in time, and bonus shopping time with one of my best girls. The things that can be accomplished in one weekend!

*Have you heard the latest Octomom drama?! After showing a co-worker (Octomom), he said "she's gotta looked like a popped balloon, right?" Ew.

*I'm job hunting. Officially. Know somebody hiring in the area I've moved to? Let me know! (Creepy blog stalkers, I'm SO glad you find our blog interesting, we hope to continue entertaining you, but I'm not going to tell you where I live. Sorry.)

*Ever notice how when you're reading a really good book, the chapter ends on such a cliff hanger that you're dying to keep reading? Ever notice that life is the same way? Weiiiiird, huh?

*Speaking of that, how the HECK are they going to make the seventh book in the Harry Potter series TWO movies? I'm going to die of anticipation, that's how. Along with the other 7 million addicts. They'll torture us with three hours of The Titanic, but Harry Potter? No...you get to pay double the money for that feature. Jerks.

*Autumn does indeed bring cooler weather, but with it comes good tv! I'm right back to addicted to Sons of Anarchy, and have huge plans to disappear entirely in to Grey's Anatomy Thursday!

*It's weird how I just started a blog with nothing to say, and here I am writing your eyes off.

*I am absolutely in love with this:

*If you can handle Jewel's voice, listen to these lyrics.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

**Hitching Post Fire Under Fire!

2010-09-16T15:43:00.005-06:00

For those of you that don't live in the Wyoming area, you might not know that one of those most historical hotels in Wyoming burned down in the last 24 hours. (See more on the story here: Hitching Post Fire)We've all been following the story pretty closely here, and we've got a ghost-blogger that needs to talk about the subject. Any thoughts on this, readers? -Nomz and Sazaran

I just finished reading the article and comments about the Hitching Post Fire. Now I have the overwhelming feeling to rant! To those that have left comments on the tribune website! While you sit at home a complain what a horrible job the firemen did to extinguish the fire at the Hitch I have one question. Do you really even know anything all about fighting fires? Here is just one comment from the article written by "Taxpayer".

" I see Cheyenne fire did another outstanding job burning down a historic building. Why do the fire department even exist if all they do is park fire trucks outside and squirt water? don't they know how to do any other kind of fire fighting. Did they at least call in the professionals from the base and the guard, or did they wait till it was to late.

Its a a shame Cheyenne does not have fire fighters who actually fight fire. I say we bring in district 1 and 2 & give then to city, at least they know how to put water on the fire and do it safely and lots cheaper. "

Everyone is entitled to their opinions I understand that but do you really have to insult the men and women that risk their lives to do their job?

Okay, so I lied I have a few questions for those that feel the need to bash the Fire Department:

1. If it was your house that was on fire would you be insulting them?

2. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fight a fire whether it is from the inside or the outside?

3. Would you run into a burning building?

4. Do you know how hard it is to hang on to a hose that is pumping out thousands of gallons of water per minute?

I am just guessing... But suspect that you would be grateful to the fire department when they show up to your home to extinguish the flames ripping through your life! It takes a very special person to fight fires and not just anyone would be willing to run into a burning building or even stand next to one of that intensity!

When you insult the men and women of ANY fire department I tend to take personally. My husband is a volunteer fire fighter and have seen all the hard work that they do. They have more training then most would expect.

There are many people that were affected by yesterday's fire. It is hard to watch a landmark go up in flames, but do you really have to insult those that work for hours to put out the flames!

-Al, Ghost-blogger

♥Dear....

2010-09-15T14:33:00.005-06:00

Dear Printer, please take your time. Because, you know, I have allllll day.

Dear Summer, you were so lovely and mild and green all season, you're invited to stay for the next.

Dear Nomz, I miss the heck out of you. Please be my co-blogger forever and ever.

Dear Pickle Chips, even two years post pregnancy, you are the best chip that has ever happened to me.

Dear Vacation, I know that if I wait for you, you will be worth it. Please be worth it.

Dear Malachi, Mama loves you with everything she is; you're the best boy and the greatest gift.

Dear Future, you're so bright! I'm excited to jump into you and see how God planned you with my best in mind. Let's always trust Him, yeah? Yeah.

Dear writer's block and/or any form of intimidation about spilling thoughts and feelings- googly, googly, be gone!

Dear Fall, I know we're something like frenemies. But, let's put our differences behind us and just enjoy each other's company. I like how colorful your personality is; I like how you inspire great photographic moments. I don't so much like your cold shoulder, though. Let's work on that.

Dear Ashley, your beauty stuns me every time I see you. I can't wait to see what your babies look like.

Dear Readers, Ashley is NOT pregnant. I'm just uuuuber excited for way-in-the-future stuffs. :)

Dear Emotions, go ahead, run rampant for a little while. You're usually so wrangled in that I'm sure you've got to get out and let off a little steam. Just be sure to leave my pride intact when you're out there doing your thang. kthxbai.

Dear Element Church. WOW. Wonderful, life-giving, convicting, fellowshipping, motivating, encouraging church! I'm in love with you and with your people and with your heart. You're proving to me that God cannot be contained in any box or any standard set by mere men. I'm having the time of my life watching God take you to where He has called water to spring forth in the desert.

Dear Switchfoot, thank you a million times over for writing Your Love is A Song. It's rocking my spiritual face off. And quickly moving to the top of my list of Most Amazing Songs Ever.

Dear You, you're amazing.

♫ Every Girl Should...

2010-09-14T15:59:00.003-06:00

My list, of things every girl should own, know how to wear, a skill she should possess, and an experience she should have. In order to survive this world...us girls, well, have to be girls!

Every Girl Should...

*Get kissed in the rain, at least once, if not over and over again.

*Own a pair of ridiculously high heels.

*Keep her favorite pair of pants, and kill herself a few times a year for no longer being able to fit in to them (but you will someday, so keep them!).

*Fall in love. At least twice.

*Feel like a $5 hooker. Seriously girls, it's ok to get a cheap thrill out of seeing your man wildly attracted to you in your hooker boots, dark makeup, and fantastic body.

*Compile a stack of chick flick movies to cry at when you're home alone, or craving a girls' movie night.

*Gather, and keep close, a good stock of girlfriends. (Yes, girls are evil, but who the heck else is going to understand your insanities AND take you out on the town to feel young again?!)

*Have bitch-out music. Forgive the language, but you KNOW when you have THAT SONG playing in the car, windows down, after a rough day? All is well in the world, without even a second thought of needing a guy to fix your day.

*Red high heels (Cheesy video, but makes the point for me.):

*Have a favorite type of wine, easy access to a deep bathtub, and candles. At the ready, at all times.

*Obtain a journal that will fit in your purse. Or seven. Don't worry, nobody ever actually finishes them, or writes in them every day...but you've got so many thoughts, it's a good thing to have on you at all times.

*Know how to use a gun. Ladies, you'll never be self sufficient without feeling protected without a guy. Get yourself in a self defense class, a hunter's safety class, and buy a gun. It'll make you feel all risky, too...bonus!

*Learn how to drive stick-shift. Yes, we live in the day and age where every car practically comes with autopilot (omg, have you seen the commercials for that car that PARALLEL PARKS FOR YOU?!), but learn how to do it anyway. I've got one you can borrow!

*Ride on the back of a motorcycle. Feel it, like it.

*Make a huge change to your hair, at least once.

*Write a poem, feel empowered.

*Conquer a dance class. if you've got a heart, you've got rhythm...even if it's buried seven layers underneath your clumsiness.

*Have your mama and daddy on speed dial. Forever and ever, no matter how crazy they get, or how much you think you don't need them.

*Know how to work a plunger. At some point ladies, you'll live alone and really regret not knowing how to work one of these nasty beasts.

What am I missing??

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 9-13-10

2010-09-13T14:14:00.013-06:00

I'm sorry I'm blogging fail. I've been training my replacement at my job, which is a far better excuse than Sazaran's excuse...I promise. Actually, I have no idea what her excuse is. But mine wins anyway. ;)

*I officially want a polka dot dress, and red high heels. Like this, only with more red in the heel area.

*I'm in love with my life, and that's ok. That doesn't mean that everything is perfect, that just means that I really am succeeding in looking past life's imperfections.

*I've caught the dancing bug. This weekend? I'm begging that boy to take me out and swing me around a dance floor.

*Do you ever look around yourself, and say "mannnn, my friends are AWESOME."? Because I do.

*I'm realizing I'm a little bit of a control freak. And I'm ok with that.

*I've decided I'm going to be put as much effort in to people's lives that they put in to mine. So, here's me telling you boldly and plainly...This friendship or relationship is only as good as BOTH people involved, step it up.

*I've gone from "Mannnnnn, the summer is almost over, boooohissss" to "OhMahGah it's almost CORNMAZE season!" Who's in?!

*Compromise means "meeting halfway". This can be a very literal definition...not just figurative.

*I'm wearing a hair flower today, and hanging out with the girl that inspired it. Pictures might have to take place to prove this madness.

*Every single girl goes through this phase where she finds herself completely unworthy of love. It's our own little way of putting up walls to protect ourselves. Yes men, your girl is normal in her insecurities.

*I love my blondes. But everything in me wants to be brunette again, with a purple streak. Or maybe an entire head of bright red. For my hairs' sake, I need to invest in wigs.

*I'm in search of a little black dress, girls. Where is your favorite place to shop for such things? Skater-girl-looking, just below the knee, and absolutely fabulous...must all be in the description.

*"A true friend advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably."

*I am in desperate need of a pedicure. For serious.

*People keep asking me, "Why, with everything else going on in your life, did you get a puppy?!"...coincidentally, I'm also questioning my own sanity. BUT, I refuse to be home alone ever without a dog, and since the other dog goes everywhere with the man, I have to have something to trust with my sanity. Seeeeee?

*The first thing I read before I started my day...and cried. Because it's just...perfect.

If suddenly and without warning you had absolutely nothing to worry about, do you know what the world would begin to look like?

Un-huh, exactly the same as it does right now.

Alright, if suddenly you had absolutely nothing to be afraid of, do you know what you'd begin to look like right now?

Yeah, cool as ever.

OK, OK. If suddenly you had absolutely no expectations to live up to and no one to disappoint, do you know how free you'd suddenly be?

Yeah, same, same.

Get it? The only thing that would really change is your thoughts.

And you don't need circumstances or other people to help you with that, do you?

I say it's time to blow the lid off this popsicle stand.

- The Universe

*Dear song, thank you for saying exactly what I can't. (Thank you, Prairieeeee!)

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday : Tuesday 9-7-10

2010-09-07T16:47:00.004-06:00

The title makes sense, doesn't it? It IS a Monday, after all....

*It seems like all I have time for these days are these random blogs...y'all don't mind do you?

*I just spent an entire four days with my guy. On top of watching him slave away, I painted my living room (thank you sis!), slept in a lot, got served breakfast in bed (say wha?!), ate out with one of my favorite couples, and got lots of me time. Just what the doctor ordered? Totally.

*I had time to realize that while I've got some bumps in my life I'm trying to get over, some people have it a lot harder. I can't even imagine my youngest being in hospitals enough to know what to expect, and even find the strength to grin about it. (Codi, I'm SO glad your day went well!).

*I applied at a daycare and three awesome possible jobs today. Pray for me!

*I gotta puppy, I gotta puppy...I gotta puppy, hey, hey, hey, hey!

*My life isn't perfect. I try not to make it sound that way. Being an optimist even when I'm struggling is an entirely different matter.

*Are there any volunteers out there to drag me down the road and force me to run? My body misses it terribly...but I just can't find the motivation to get out there after a 12 hour day. How do you people do it?!

*My friend got a jeep. Correction. FOUR of my friends got jeeps in the last year. Me <--gets to ride in all of them.

*I miss the way my kids heads smell after they've been gone even a day. It's so weird that they just smell like home.

*All I can eat Italian Buffet tooootally happened this weekend. See why I need to start running again, see?

*I don't respond well to bulk texts. I wanna feel like an original, yo!

*Sons of Anarchy starts tonight (OhEmGeee guyzzzz, I can haz real tv!). Do not text or call between 8pm and 9pm, I won't be responding.

*It's five til five, which means I get to go get my favorite five year old and four year old going on twenty five.

*I've always loved this song. This morning I youtube'd it so I could put it on here and tell you how much it reminded me of me. And then laughed my ars off at how cheesy it was. No, seriously: Faith Hill - Wild One

Yours Truly,
Nomz

**TJMaxx, we're talking about you...

2010-09-03T09:08:00.002-06:00

A ghost blog! For those of you that don't know...occasionally, we get an email from one of our readers wishing they could get their rants, raves, and words out in the internet realm without actually starting an entire blog for it. Today is one of those days! We LOVE hearing from you guys, via comment or ghost blog! Let her know what you think of this scenario, mmmmkay? -Nomz and Sazaran

I was on a mission today: find spankies, or spankie alternative so I don’t flash people at the gym.

It’s not that I often wear incredibly short shorts, but I bought a pair of Adidas shorts at Kohl’s a few weeks ago, and they are a tad *too* short for my comfort. Especially when I run. Spankies or tight spandex shorts were my cheap solution.

I went to TJMaxx to see if I could find something that wouldn’t break the bank. And I did. I also found something for the fiancée, picture frames for the wedding, and other useless crap that I couldn’t live without (TJMaxx will do that to ya).

So I get in line. And wait. And then wait some more. I concentrate on the woman in front of me who can’t stand still for a second (and consequently she touches and opens every little kid book within 2 feet of her cart, picks up two last minute DVDs, and decides she can’t live without a couple packages of overpriced M&Ms). Then I look at a screaming child two lanes over. Count the tiles on the ceiling. Think about what I’m making for dinner… you get the idea.

25 minutes later I’m still waiting in a line that hasn’t budged an inch. There’s only one person in front of me (the woman decided she wanted gum in addition to the M&Ms). There’s two cashiers and both are still working with the same customers. Lane 12 bought $643.88 worth of merchandise—and that’s after insisting that she didn’t want a shirt. Lane 9 bought the entire child’s clearance section and every tag is coming up the wrong price. Multiples of an item are writing up different prices. No manager is available to fix this.

I wait a while longer and the guy behind me, holding a small pink backpack that is a gift for his daughter, goes to a nearby worker and asks if it’s possible to get another cashier. Nope. Sorry.

So I count some more. 4 carts of merchandise to go back. 6 people now in line. 9 employees, 7 of whom can’t work a register.

Wait what? There were 9 employees at the registers doing various things. Only 2 had clearance to work a register.

At this point it’s 30-35 minutes from when I first got in line. My picture frames are heavy (should have gotten a cart!) and I’m starting to get irritated. I hear the Lane 12 cashier ask the customer where she found a particular item, and if it was available in the cashier’s size…

*blank stare*

Why can’t they work a register? Or find someone else who can?

I eventually check out, ask to speak with a manager, tell her I’m surprised that 9 employees are there and we still had to wait 30+ minutes for a register to check out.

She smiles at me. Not in a friendly, “I’m sorry for your trouble” way. It was more of a, “This isn’t my problem. Deal with it” kind of way.

Am I wrong to be slightly upset at this? How long, dear readers, do you wait in line before you give up? How long before you get upset? Do the same rules apply for store lines as they do for restaurants? And was I just bitchy?

Help a girl out!

--Ghost Blogger

♥ Daddy's Girl

2010-09-02T08:38:00.006-06:00

Almost 26 years ago, a certain man (we'll call him DAD) took a three day journey into the middle of nowhere. With nothing but his Bible, his tent and his heart, he spent those three days in prayer... for me. He prayed that I would have a heart that always seeks the Lord and His will; he prayed for my health; he prayed that I would have beautiful eyes. Since the moment he learned about my being knitted together in my mother's womb, my dad has given every part of himself to me- to make sure that I am well provided for in every area of my life.

Not one day escapes me that I know how wonderful he is and how blessed I am to have him as my DAD. I have always known how mighty a man of God he is, how great his love is for me. By far, he is the best figure I have of my Heavenly Father.

A certain quote goes like this:

"Henry James once defined life as that predicament which precedes death, and certainly nobody owes you a debt of honor or gratitude for getting him into that predicament. But a child does owe his father a debt, if Dad, having gotten him into this peck of trouble, takes off his coat and buckles down to the job of showing his son how best to crash through it." ~Clarence Budington Kelland

^ That, right there, is MY DAD. Through life's misdemeanors and felonies he has been right by my side, imparting his wisdom (one of his most commonly-used reminders was, "You can learn the hard way or you can listen to my wisdom.") and helping me trudge through the consequences. Apart from the grace and help of Jesus, I don't know how I would've recovered from my stumblings.

{Not so much of a} NEWS FLASH: the man has stumbled, himself. Like any daughter who sits upon her daddy's lap with a heart full of admiration and joy, learning the lesson that he is a human was a blow to my soul that hurt more than any others. But, you know what it taught me? The man can recover from anything. All credit belongs to Jesus, but, He doesn't make anyone do anything; my dad submitted himself and God has been glorified in him. It makes my admiration and love for my earthly father swell a hundred times over.

My dad is my hero, he is the example of what a Godly man look like. I see him and I know that there are good men out there who love the Lord and how know to seek after Him with their whole heart. Though he is human, I strive to be like my dad, with his compassion for people and his desperate desire for the Holy Spirit.

Dad, I love you. I love you. I love you. Thank you for always being there for me, for supporting me in prayer, for teaching me. You are the most gifted and anointed teacher I have ever come across and I consider it a huge honor and blessing from God to have you as my own father- with unconditional access to your heart and wisdom. Thank you for loving me.

♫ Laundry is the devil.

2010-09-01T10:49:00.004-06:00

CindyLou bought me a candle that smells like fresh laundry, bless her, because the rest of my laundry does not ever smell clean. Generally speaking, the pile of dirty laundry is much larger than the clean, so it wins.

I'm trying to figure out why I loathe it so hard. I've come up with the following reasons:

#1. It's never actually done. You can do it all day long every single day, and it never actually ends.

#2. The dryer bitch (as previously discussed on Twitter, if you have something in your dryer that steals socks, it does not deserve to be called a fairy) steals socks.

#3. It involves waiting. Every other chore can be done the MINUTE (or 15) that you get motivated to do it. Laundry? No. You have to find it all, sort it, wash it, dry it, put it away. One load is a waste of like...2 hours.

#4. It smells amazing...but only for like...20 minutes.

#5. The dryer itself collects lint dust. Yay, so I get to do laundry AND dust? Lucky me!

#6. ...and probably the most logical, I might actually be doing it wrong. Here's where you handy readers come in.

Everything I read says that the more you wash your clothes in cold water, the more energy efficient you're being, and the more environment you save. Yay!

I've also read that it gets clothes equally as clean if washed in cold. <--those people? Dirty liars. If I wash the dirtiest jeans everrrrrr (which I now live with) in cold water, they don't come even a little bit clean. And my whites are so much brighter after being washed in hot water.

I've also heard that powder laundry soap clogs drains, and therefore always use liquid. And then somebody else told me that liquid causes colors to fade. Le Sigh. I need to hang out with Martha Stewart, for real.

So....my questions for you (and I expect comments, people! Show me the laundry love!) are:

#1. Do you sort your laundry, or does everything get thrown in the same pile and washed the same?

#2. Do you dry anything?

#3. Do you change the temperature of your water?

#4. Do you use liquid or powder soap?

#5. Do you use fabric softener (you should, because OMG DOWNY SMELLS SO GOOD)?

Anything else you'd like to add would be just lovely. <3

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 8-30-10

2010-08-30T15:39:00.007-06:00

*One of my favorite quotes (thank you Reese, for giving it to me, so easily forgotten.

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of all those things...and still be calm in your heart.

*Everybody has problems. Every couple has problems. Admitting them is the first step...and seems to be the most difficult. Here, I'll be the first. Brandon and I fought over light-bulbs yesterday. Yeah, beat that.

*"Notice “what’s right” rather than “what’s wrong” and instantly experience more peace and love."

Two of my favorite tweets from this week:

*I am making the choice, every day before I get started, to chose "Zen!" for breakfast. It's in the grocery aisle, next to your other choices: "Flip the eff out" and "Angst!"

*You can't have Tools in your life without also having a Toolshed to make them all feel like they belong. Yeah, like THAT guy.

*There is a chance that my girls will be in dance lessons soon...with another Adorable. It's true, and hip-hop might even be involved. Ooooooh yeahhhhh.

*I'm so tired of laziness. Instead of pouting that somebody isn't coming to you, that everything is going wrong, or that you're not getting enough attention...be bold. The only way to find your place in the world is to break out from everybody else. Be proactive. Buy yourself new internal batteries. Your lack of energy makes me more sad than my kids' dying toys.

*It's ok to be so happy for me that you want to come sit under my shade tree. I'll share!

*DOOOODS, our Facebook page is SO close to 300 friends! Tell your friends about us! Daily Offensive

*I really want your bras. Please? Give Nomz Your Bras

*Sing along!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Dear Facebook "Friends"...

2010-08-27T14:59:00.005-06:00

I hate to beg, I do. But I'm going to anyway. Like a kid in a candy store. If I need to take my kid in to a candy store and prove to you how intense my begging is, I will. I'm desperate people, pay attention!

We all consider the number of Facebook friends we've got to be some sort of trophy. Some are proud of their insanely high numbers of friends (Congratulations, you're either very popular, have a complex about not being popular at all, or accept friend requests from every single creepy, fat, lonely internet gamer out there.). Some are proud to have very few, only their closest and most trustworthy. Some are a mix of both, and create OCD lists to sort them out, and hide the idiots (I commend you, really, I do.)

My plea:

Dear Facebook Friends,

*Please do not only request to be my friend, to spam me with your business, blog, or Twitter feed that you never respond to.

*Please do not friend me, simply to spy on me...for yourself, or your other friends, my ex boyfriend, etc.

*Please do not friend me if you log on to Facebook three times/year. You're boring. And I'll see you at our High School reunion.

*Please do not request to be my friend, if you're an angry past-friend, or family member, who only has the intention of calling me names, bashing my page, or gossiping about it.

*Please do not request to be my friend if you're only going to post quotes, lyrics, and cryptic messages.

*Please do not request to be my friend, if you should actually beg me to follow you on Twitter instead. (This means you, you one-word-status folks) <--"Drivin", "Friday", "Fishin'" -->Don't care.

*Please do not friend me if you have an inability to punctuate, spell, and have decent grammar. Perfection; not required.

*Please do not request to be my friend if Facebook is more of a friend than you plan on being. Example: If something huge, tragic, epic, insane, sad, etc., happens in your life...text your friends first, THEN tell Facebook about it.

*Please do not have a presence on Facebook if it's not you at all. If your page is full of falsehoods, I'd rather know the real you...good or bad.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Oh, PS!...while this blog is purely for the fun, it's also a lot of truth, topped with whipped cream, and pretty colored sprinkles. And? Breaking these rules could possibly get you unfriended in a hellova hurry. Muah!

♫ Random Monday 8-24-10

2010-08-24T16:23:00.007-06:00

Yes, I realize it's not Monday. It's my Monday, that's all that matters, right?

*For years I've argued men on the fact that they all swear by: "All women are crazy." I'm starting to finally realize that they're very right. At least most of us can admit it. Men are just as crazy, they just internalize it better.

* ...is tired of drama trains. And is therefore removing myself from them. Enjoy the ride, y'all. I'll meet you at the station when you stop and chill for a while.

*I have this friend, well two, that seem to be the only ones that are constants. They're always positive. They always tell me the truth. They have few secrets. They have balance and zen. They're spiritual. And they're amazing at keeping me in check. They're my rocks. You know who you are.

*I look at Brandon, and his leadership qualities, his responsible character, his integrity, and his ability to square up with life and take it on...and I feel beyond lucky that he's mine. How did I get so lucky? He's absolutely fearless.

*If you want to be a good mom to your child, realize how you act around them. Hear the things you say to people when you think they're not listening.See your world through their eyes, and then ask yourself if you're who they want to be someday. Anybody can be a mom. It takes a selfless person to be a good one. They're watching every move you make. They're feeling everything you feel. They hear you, even when you don't think they can.

*Dear single mama's...we all made a bad choice, didn't we? At least, from our side of things. Regardless, if you have a child, that child has a dad. And even if you find him worthless, scary, unfit, or insane...he has a right to be with that child until he actually proves otherwise. Just because he's mean to you, does not mean that he's mean to them. Please make that swap time easier on the kids...it's only about them now. Take yourself out of it.

*Vindictive, is the word of the day. If it fits you, KNOCK IT OFF.

*I have so many plans for September. And I haven't told a soul. I can't wait for it all to happen. (No, I'm not going to get pregnant, sell drugs, start drugs, start drinking heavily, get engaged, or move further away, don't assume because things are a secret, that I'm making bad choices.) Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

*It was a heavy Random Monday, forgive me?

♫ Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out♫

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Daily Offensive wants to Free The Girls, too!

2010-08-20T08:45:00.018-06:00

Did you know:

The definition of human-trafficking: "The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."

12.3 million adults and children are in forced labor, bonded labor and forced prostitution around the world.

According to UNICEF, as many as two million children are subjected to prostitution in the global commercial sex trade.

Human trafficking is in our backyard: It is estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually.

32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.

o $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.

o $9.7 billion in Asia

o $13,000 per year generated on average by each “forced laborer.” This number can be as high

as $67,200 per victim per year.

1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.

80% of transnational victims are women and girls.

So, what are WE going to do about it?

A good friend of ours (and a talented blogger who has submitted a guest blog here and there) brought a website to our attention yesterday. Check out Free The Girls and their mission: "Mama T founded Free The Girls LLC to give women in the US an opportunity to do something to stop human trafficking around the world, and to give former victims around the world an opportunity to live wild and free." (which Daily Offensive directly supports!)

THIS is what we are going to do about it:

Beginning TODAY, this very hour, Nomz and Sazaran will be collecting bras, sports bras and bra straps to send to Free The Girls LLC in an attempt to make a difference. The bras will be sent to Mozambique, Africa. To "...safehouses that provide shelter and rehabilitation for girls and women who have been rescued from slavery. The bras will be washed and mended and sold by the safehouse as a mean of supporting their rehabilitation programs- and more importantly, as a job opportunity for the former slaves. Of course, each woman in the safehouse will be able to choose several bras to keep."

We'll be collecting bra's until September 30, 2010. Please email nomzaran@yahoo.com with information on how to get your donations to us! So spread the word, people. Call your friends, your moms, your sisters, your aunts. Tell them what we're doing. Ask 'em for their bras- it'll be fun.

Don't make us hassle you for your brassieres, because oh, WE WILL.

Caution: The following videos may be hard to watch. They're difficult to get through, they're painful, they're scary, but they're very real. Please choose to hit the "play" button wisely.

♥♥ and more ♥

2010-08-19T11:02:00.004-06:00

after a long, long, long time of no Java and no truly good chocolate... i can haz! yes, a friend of mine was so gracious and brought me back both mexican chocolate and medium roast coffee from the greatest little shop on the face of the planet. hooray, i'm delivered from charbucks! for a while at least. what is this mexican chocolate, you ask? a little piece of heaven, i tell you. it's a mix of ghirardelli chocolate bliss, cinnamon and nutmeg. I KNOW, RIGHT?! it makes me so happy.

you know, i've said it before, but it's really true: i love my job. i loooooove my job. it goes beyond a job for me, it's a lifestyle. because, you can't work in God's house and not have it affect every other area of your life. i used to hate the weekends, they brought loneliness and boredom. now, though, the weekends are my favorite part of the week; not because they hold less work for me (sometimes the opposite, actually) but because they are an extension of my week. in them i am able to reach out to people, outside of the office.

which leads me to my third random thought: last night (well, looong before last night but it sort of culminated then) i was overwhelmed with gratitude for where the Lord has brought me. i don't have a lot, almost nothing, but i feel so rich because my life is bursting at the seams with great friends, great leaders, great blessing. *iz choked up* i can see where He is taking me and i'm so excited to get there.

this scripture keeps echoing in my mind, in my spirit and it's really helping me with the former statement and my patience:

Habakkuk 2:3

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to fulfillment; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait earnestly for it, because it will surely come; it will not be late on its appointed day."

i'm currently trying to read five books. one of the five books, The Furious Longing of God, has me on my face before the Lord in "incredulous awe tinged with doubt" as it reassures me how much i am loved. for a while there, it was so incredibly easy to forget how much love He has. my dad once told me, "the enemy will never directly attack your faith, but he will try to convince you that Jesus does not love you as much as He says He does. that will cause your hope to falter and will weaken your faith. that's why the Bible says that the greatest of the three is love." <---- so true. the battle that i've been fighting is not faith in what i know God will do for me, but if He even wants to do it for me. The whole question of want has everything to do with love. right now, there is so much to this topic that i cannot write it all down in this blog, so i'll just preclude another blog with the excerpt from the book:

"the gospel can be summed up by saying that it is the tremendous, tender, compassionate, gentle, extraordinary, explosive, revolutionary revelation of Christ's love."

someday i will own another trampoline. and a cat. but i will not use them together. yeah, i know that's what you were thinking.

there is a need for a craft night. soon. stay tuned.

obviously, i'm not posting my creations weekly. sorry 'bout that. here are a few of the most recent pieces that i've made which i'm adoring. check out sarah michal creations to see more.

♫ If you're OCD, you're probably sexy too.

2010-08-19T10:43:00.005-06:00

My mom is one skinny forty-something year old. Because she's also adopted, we're clueless on what her genes and health are or will be. So I'm like, "Dear Jesus, please let her post-kid body be genetic...". THEN a friend forwarded me this article, and I realized that whether that is genetic or not, her OCD definitely is. Her floors, toilets, and everything but the top of the refrigerator, and inside her desk (According to her, piles of crap IS considered organized, as long as SHE knows where the stuff is) is so clean you can literally eat off their surfaces.

Anyway..., what I've learned in the last few weeks is that the reasons she, and me, and every other one of my fungshwayed, OCD friends are so skinny, is because cleaning is one of the best things you can do for YOU!

According to Healthy Living on Yahoo News, 30 minutes of housecleaning every single day can make a big difference for your health and your house!

More fun facts from them:

* Mopping floors burns 112 calories in 30 minutes
* Scrubbing the bath burns 200 calories in 30 minutes
* Making beds burns 130 calories in 30 minutes
* Cleaning windows burns 125 calories in 30 minutes
* Vacuuming burns 90 calories in 30 minutes
* Dusting burns 50 calories in 30 minutes

While the list of things to do around the house is often thought of as "women's chores", we're actually very lucky. Chores indeed...it's also a free gym membership, AND you might be lucky enough to have your guests eat off your floor as a compliment! So clean on, my domestic goddesses!

I love vacuuming. And dusting. And doing the dishes. I loathe laundry. Obviously, because it burns so little calories that it didnt' even make the Yahoo! list.

What's your favorite chore? Least favorite? Why?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random...day.

2010-08-18T15:06:00.004-06:00

It's definitely not Monday. Or Tuesday. And it surely doesn't feel like a Wednesday. So, "day", that's all you are to me.

*I have a hoooooooome. And it feel so good to actually play house. For the first time in years, I'm excited to run home and light a candle, and read a book, and cook dinner, and do laundry. Screeeeee!

*I'm stressed, but not nearly as much as others...so I'm gonna quit dwelling on it, and whining about it, and try to remember that there will be stress and things to worry about, whether I dwell on them or not. Stress, is a waste of my good energy. Not anymore.

*If you NEED attention to survive, you're going to get all the wrong kind. And you're not going to like it. Stop looking for ways to get people to look at you. Be yourself, and notice the heads turn...

*Don't let Sazaran's quietness lately fool you. She's coming up with brilliant things. Like walk-in closets, over-protective deletions, and Voldemort fairy tales. You'll understand all of the above, someday.

*You're only going to get as much as you give. When was the last time you gave something up, with no expectations?

*Who tithes? How much? To who? For what reason?

*Some guys make me crazy. Like the ones that talk about their workouts constantly. And the ones that like themselves in pictures. Girls, that's a red flag. If a guy likes himself more than he likes you in pictures, he's not normal. He's either egotistical, or gay. Unless he looks like this , then I suppose you can keep him. If he only thinks he looks like this guy...Danger!

*I moved this last weekend. And my landlord left me with the following:

"Garden Nomz (she's the only one that gets away with calling me this people, don't even think about it), you've been a real joy. You're going to go places. Always remember that well behaved women seldom make history. Now go out...let your hair down, and kick some dirt up. Stop by sometime, I'll wax your nose!"

A song...to fit just that:

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Leyna Bug!!

2010-08-11T16:00:00.006-06:00

My baby is four!

Leyna Bug, I can still remember when I found out I was pregnant. I remember almost every day I was pregnant with you. Because you, unlike your sister, did not make me sick every chance you got. Instead, you were dying to come out and show the world your cute little face at the 12 week mark, and you never stopped fighting for it. You had me on fun medicine that gave us both the shakes. You did back flips. You kicked places I didn't know existed inside of me. You made me lay in a bed for a month straight. And you took an entire two days to come out once we actually gave you permission to. And then you fought your way out, upside down.

Baby, your passion has been intense since the second you knew you had it. Never lose that. You haven't yet. You challenge me every single day. Your spark is growing into a flame. You fight for everything you want, and even when I'm furious, I'm so proud of you.

You're beautiful. You have a smile like nobody else. You dance your way through this world, you frolick even when it's hard to do. You have an imagination that hurts you sometimes sweety, and that's ok! Don't you dare think about changing it.

You're glam, you're sassy, and you're your very own person. I envy your ability to make people laugh, your ability dance when everybody is watching, and your insane love for life already.

You're going places baby, and I'm here for you every step of the way. I can't believe you're four! And yes, now you can open your presents. And yes, 365 more days until you're five. Please stop rushing it.

Yours Truly,
Mamma.

♥My heart hurts for you.

2010-08-10T15:52:00.006-06:00

My dear, beautiful friend,

My heart hurts for you when I think of the pain that you're enduring. I wish I could do something to make you feel encouraged, uplifted, and hopeful for your future. I want to do it in a God-sized manner. I wish I could wrap my arms around you while you cry, but I'm too far way. I wish I could pray with you when you do not have the strength do pray, yourself.

You are such a gem. So precious in the sight of so many people. This world would be bleak and much less happy without your laugh. Without your love of life. Without your love for people. I wish you knew how many lives you've impacted by just being you. I cannot speak for others, but my life has been brightened by you. Never ever ever would I give you up or allow your friendship to become something of a memory.

Because I am human, I can only provide human comfort. But because God is God, He can provide real, everlasting, nourishing and eternal comfort. This is not an attempt to be "super spiritual" because I know how much we both hate that; it's only an attempt to console you more than humanly possible.

Remember:

* You are more than an overcomer.

* You are created in the image of Jesus Christ and He was victorious over all. Over death. Which is very close to such depths of despair. He overcame despair. So can you.

* You are surrounded by people who love you and are praying for you.

* Jesus rejoices over you. Every.DAY.

* There has never been growth without pain. And you, my dear, are growing!

* Jesus will never leave you or forsake you.

Though you may walk (for a short while) through the valley of the shadow of death, the Good Shepherd will lead in you into green pastures, beside still waters. Peace. Peace is coming. Pull through this, lady. I know you can. Jesus knows you can. We're both rooting for you. And though it may not feel like it, your ending is beautiful! Jesus knows the end, He wrote it. And like a kid rooting for the hero in a movie, He is completely behind you, cheering you on.

"GO GO GO! You can do this! I'm helping you! I'm here for you! I'm giving you My strength!"

He is FAITHFUL. TRUE, GENTLE and COMPASSIONATE. Keep speaking that out. Remember how you told me to always speak forth the attributes of the Lord? It works! Push yourself to do it. The enemy cannot stand against truth; he cannot discourage you when you are drowning him out with shouts of praise!

I'm praying for you, darling. Every day. Know this. Just as you helped hold my arms up while my strength and resolve was failing, I will be there just the same. I love you with all my heart.

♫ Random Monday: 8/9/10

2010-08-09T16:12:00.003-06:00

Let the randomness begin!

*Today's date is special! It's EIGHT NINE TEN. And at 5:06:07, it'll be 5,6,7,8,9,10. Apparently, something that will never happen again, because the world will long be gone in 3010.

*Ever look at a relationship and go, "wtf"?! Wonder why they're together? Doesn't really matter...weird people need love too.

*Boxes are for moving. And for clubhouses. And potty training young children and puppies. That's what I learned today. OMG GUYS IM MOVING.

*Mostly, my stomach is really pissed off that I ordered a triple shot coffee this morning, and my body would prefer to remain tired. That sucks a lot.

*My baby, baby will be 4 on Wednesday, and I'll be in denial until that moment, kthxbai.

*Serenity is such a pretty word, isn't it? It's really no wonder it's becoming a popular baby-girl name. I wonder if they are serene? I wonder if you could name a little person "Shhhhhh".

*I love accessorizing. Always have. The new shoe fetish thing I've got though? That's new. WHERE DO YOU PEOPLE PUT THEM?! I'm out of closet space and I've only just begun!

*It's fantastic to be blond again...I was like, instantly 3 shades more tan.

*I love this song! And I'm not the only one. This video was released four days ago and already has 19 million views. It's full of anger, and pretty voices, and fire, and Megan Fox. Explicit? Yes.

*I also have a weird thing for Irish Ska music. Don't judge me.

*I've had the best summer I've ever had this year...simply amazing. It seems to go hand in hand with exhaustion though.

*Isn't my family awesome?!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

2010-08-06T15:01:00.011-06:00

So I made this goal at the beginning of the year. One of those New Year's Resolutions that I swore I would stick to...the kind of resolution that I stayed strong in for the first few months, and then let it fade to barely existing. That goal, was to be thankful for something...every single day.

Simple, right? Ha.
Not when life isn't always easy. It's not easy every day.. It's easy a lot. But not always.

I attempted a "Thank You, God" journal, and failed after two writings.

Then...I decided every night, I'd force my girls to be thankful for things in their prayers. Tricky, tricky me. Little did I know, that they'd force me to pray with them, and I'd be tricked in to coming up with something...even something non-creative-like, like "Dear Jesus, thank for cool air on a hot night." True story? If I don't say "Thank you Jesus for ___" at least three times in one prayer, I get yelled at.

And people think there isn't a God. Pssssh. He was listening to ME on New Year's Eve, people!

THEN, Thank you Danie (Seeeeee, I'm getting better at this thank-you stuff all the time!), I found this Facebook page. With marvelous little thank you notes almost every single day. Things that I wouldn't ever even think to be thankful for. Things to make me realize how much we really do take for granted! It's insane!

I've copied some of my favorites below.

Thank YOU Leah, for your brilliance, and your inspiration.

Find her website here: ThxThxThx

Like her on Facebook here: Facebook ThxThxThx

Be thankful...every day. Even the not-so-easy ones.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Migraines, Stretch Marks, and Nightmares, Oh My!

2010-08-05T15:26:00.006-06:00

Photo by Anne Geddes

Shortly after a fantastic dinner at my parent's house last night (by fantastic, I mean lasagna with two pounds of cheese, yo), I went home...with high hopes to continue packing my belongings to continue towards moving south soon. Shortly after arriving home, and jumping in the bed with the girls, I was hit hard with a migraine. I let the girls demolish their room while I chilled in bed...in the dark...wishing it away. I realized that it had been six months since my last migraine. I've tried figuring out what triggers them...stress, not eating right, the weather, the time of year...

....It hit me today.

I haven't had migraines since I gave up soda. And in the last week, I've become re-addicted to Mountain Dew all over again. (I know, I KNOW). Soda pop, my love, we're over. Again. I'll miss you like mad. Especially your in-can-really-cold-version.

It also hit me that I didn't get migraines until I had Leyna. Something about having kids through my whole body outta wack...and most of the symptoms seem to be permanent! The following, is my body rewarding me for having kids.

#1. Dark Hair.

I change my hair often enough that you'd never know it...but I was blond in high school, and post-Kyanne, it turned to brunette allllll on its own.

#2. Extra skin

Dear men...hear me, and hear me well. No matter how many sit-ups we do post-baby, no matter how many diets we go on, and no matter how far we run...that extra skin that grows some 30+" for a few weeks, never fully goes away. Without surgery.

#3. Stretch Marks

A great friend of mine calls these baby tattoo's. Silver marks all over your belly where the skin stretched to unbelievable lengths to carry a baby. Some are lucky to only have a few, some are covered. They never go away...though with the right kind of lotion, oil, or tan, they become less visible over time.

#4. Insane Emotions

Regardless of whether you adopted, had a baby naturally, or the stork happened to land on your porch...your emotions once you get attached to a child get out of control. Your mate will question your ability to hold it together. YOU'LL question your ability to make it through Halmark commercials. Movies like Marley & Me, at least an in-theater experience, are completely off limit.

#5. The need for a lift.

You don't necessarily need larger boobs after having a baby, but you would do anything to have them perk back up, wouldn't you?

#6. The deep fear that something might happen.

Pre-kid, I was fearless. I loved to fly. I didn't mind going upside down on carnival rides. ...these days, you're lucky to get me on a plane. I'm constantly fearing somebody taking my kid everywhere I go. I'm afraid of things. I blame having something worth living for. ;)

Isn't it all worth it though?!

We're having a great discussion about this on Facebook, so make sure you join us (And a big thank you, to all who helped me put this together!): Daily Offensive.

What have I missed?!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Somewhere in the middle...

2010-08-04T15:57:00.006-06:00

For my favorites...

Looking around, it actually hurts to see some of the misery going on in the world. From the guy on the corner, to the hurting friend, to the defeated leaders. I see people stuck between who they were, and who they are going. I see people in the middle of where they want to be, and who they're going to be.

Feeling trapped in the "right now" is the worst feeling in the world when it's not a comfortable place to be.

Feeling stuck in a situation, ready to run but afraid to quit, is terrifying.

Wanting something so bad, and finding it just out of reach is frustrating.

Trying to decide if a goodbye, or forgiveness is the better option.

Fixing a broken relationship, or realizing it was never a relationship to begin with and no longer worth the effort, is painful.

Feeling like a mom, a wife, a homemaker, a housewife, and never a person...is exhausting.

Having an insane amount of debt, and no money to dig your way out of it is the definition of insomnia.

Facing at night your worst fears, anxiety's, and all the things you push off just to focus on the day, is excruciating.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it, if you're in those places because you're afraid to risk something?

It makes you question if you've got what it takes to move forward, instead instead of staying still.

It makes you curious if there really is something else out there.

Remember:

You're not alone. You're not the first person to go through this.

Hurt people hurt people. Loved people love people. Love people. When you're hurting, love anyway.

"Your biggest break can come from never quitting. Being at the right place at the right time can only happen when you keep moving toward the next opportunity."

Also, never ever be afraid to say yes to yourself. Say Yes To Yourself.

"Giving yourself over like this is probably one of the most challenging things you can do in your life. And it’s also one of the most important decisions you can make.

When you move in the direction of complete commitment to your path, you simultaneously move in the direction of radical honesty with yourself. And that means becoming honest with yourself about what you really do want. You say Yes to the real power that you have inside of you."

Zealous Living

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. The end result of a relentless pursuit and a transformed heart is a life of zealous for the advancement for God. He created me to accomplish. He created me to reach."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 8/2/10

2010-08-02T15:21:00.006-06:00

Holy crap folks, it's August!

*I'm not really sure where this summer is going....but as you can tell from the number of blogs that were written last month, you can tell it's been a busy one. Bear with us...winter promises to return, as will our controversial blogs. ;)

*I'm ready for new hair again. I love how that hits me about four times a year like clockwork. Ready, set, ....

*Ever been between a rock and a hard place? Of course you have, that's where that saying is so common. Meaning...you're not alone. In fact, you should buy some Hawaiian Leis and make a party out of it.

*I've gone into anti-drama mode, and will promptly remove it from my life in an instant. I just don't have the time or patience for it. And I've got no excuse for why I'm in that place either.

*Oh hi, a meet and greet with Zac Brown Band, plus BBQ, in Denver? PLEASE let me win! If not, please let one of my blog readers win, and force them to take me with them. Ah hem, enter here: Zac Brown Band

*I've started to pack. It's official. Everybody knows, which means I can shout it to the rooftops if I want to. As often as I want to. I'm in love with a boy, who loves me back, and we're going to make a home to prove it. Cheers, to taking our time, and doing it right.

*I got to spend an entire week with just my daddy. Well, my daddy and a ton of other people. But you know, we got a lot of one-on-one time for the first time in years, and it was blisssssss. Plus, I got to see him in his element, and I was so, SO proud of him. He's an amazing man. He's a powerful leader. He's a great dad. An awesome grandpa. He's full of integrity, respect, and faith. He's going places still, and I hope I grow up with at least half of his character.

*In case you haven't listened to these lyrics yet, do it now.

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice

Yours Truly,
Nomz

** YES, WE’RE FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK; NO, YOU CAN’T COME TO MY WEDDING.

2010-07-30T11:38:00.002-06:00

Dear darling readers,

I am getting married in 73 days. (And no, before you ask, I swear I’m not one of Those Brides neurotically counting down the days—it’s just that I get asked this question literally every time I see a certain chipper fellow from Quality Control, and I have to be prepared with the official answer. Because if I’m not, he asks me to guess. And then he also asks if my dress still fits. He also, by the way, refers to me primarily by my wedding date: “Ten ten ten!” I really am not kidding.)

Since we’re already talking numbers, I’m going to give you a few more.

Seven months ago, my future husband proposed to me, in the exact spot he first asked me to be his girlfriend in 7th grade; for you equally un-mathy people out there (I am WITH you!), that means we’ll be celebrating 12 years of forehead kisses & weird faces & late-night driving dates four days before we celebrate our first wedding anniversary. I know, right?

A few more numbers, and then I swear I’m done.

Four days after we got engaged, we made it Facebook official.
Two months later, we started planning.
And 140 is the maximum amount of people our wedding venue—a gorgeous historic theatre—can comfortably accommodate.

Somewhere in between the Facebook-official part and the “we have a really specific limit for our venue” part is where things start to get tricky.

See, darling readers, when you’re planning a wedding, you become embedded with this urge to share your glee with people. You want to shout from the 420-character-limit rooftops about how you’ve found your vendors, announce the day you find THE dress, discuss the delightful experience of making registries with your beloved—the whole nine yards.
You call upon your already-married Facebook friends for recommendations and to share links (people, there is a whole ‘nother blog’s worth of OMG to express over the sheer amount of bridal blogs out there; it’s like a left-hand sparkler grants you an all-access pass into the world of DIY everything & other people’s wedding photography); you post engagement pictures; more or less, you involve all 770+ of your Facebook friends in your wedding planning, never thinking twice about it.

Until, of course, your fantastic invitations arrive—and if you’re a typography/word nerd like me, you swoon over them three times more than any normal person—and you go to update your status, all, “Mrs. Almost-Bride is perched at the kitchen table, addressing invitations and listening to Pink Floyd.”
And then, one near-perilous second before you update, you stop to think; is it REALLY a good idea to broadcast this to the world?

In all honesty, darling readers, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it—that is, until I received a comment on my wall a few weeks ago.
To understand the context of said comment, the friend who left it was a friend from junior high and early high school—as in, we were friends then. The last time we hung out, we were both sporting Sonic uniforms and going home to our parents’ houses every night. The most we’ve hung out since then was the night each of us confirmed the other’s friendship on Facebook.
So, in short; not close. Barely acquaintances.

You can imagine my surprise when she posted on my wall, asking if I’d sent out invites yet; answering honestly, because we hadn’t, I replied, “Nope, not yet!” and left it at that—only to have her return with, “Oh good, because if I don’t get one, I’m gonna kick your butt!”

Consider my butt kicked.

The modern world is a magical place where social networking loops more people into your life on a daily basis than you’d ever be able to keep up with face to face; the problem, however, lies in events like weddings. Suddenly, people who you haven’t seen in person since you were 17 are assuming they’re invited, based on the sheer fact that you’re Facebook friends.

My dear, darling readers, I am ghost-blogging today to tell you that simply isn’t the way things roll. Yes, I will happily comment on your pictures from vacation (even the weird passenger seat self portraits—we’re Facebook friends, after all, it’s what we do); I will tag you in notes; I will have delightful wall-to-wall conversations about the splendidly superficial things in life.

But please, please please please, don’t make things any more awkward than need be by assuming and/or flat-out asking—on Facebook, in front of hundreds of strangers—that you’re coming to my wedding, or if you’re invited at all.

I’m asking you, oh friends of brides, on behalf of all my fellow Facebook brides, to remember that anything posted on a Facebook wall is the same as running up to someone & shouting at them in front of a silent crowd; even if you only intend for one person to hear it, everyone gets in on the fun.
This goes double for weddings, especially in cases where you’re very, very conscious that feelings can/will be hurt when people find out they’re not invited.

Will it happen anyway? Of course. But does it need to happen on the Book of the Face? Absolutely not.

So, with that said, dear darling readers—have you even been caught in a situation like the one I mentioned, whether as the “OMG CAN’T WAIT FOR YOUR WEDDING” commenter (who didn’t end up invited after all) or the bride on the other side?
Especially for all my already-tied-the-knot girls out there, how did you handle walking the line on Facebook between sharing your excitement and being conscious that not everyone reading would be invited to the big day?

-Ghost Blogger