CA

Yes, that's where I am. Visiting my sister, her husband, and my nephew and niece. And a life-size relpica of Indiana Jones made of Legos.

I mean, why wouldn't you want to visit when you can see all five of those in one trip? :-)

We went to Legoland today and it was pretty fun. Great for the 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 year-old kiddos. We rode rides, ate food, walked around a lot. Then napped on the drive home.

And.....I got some sun. My face no longer resembles the bride of Frankenstein.

Two pictures are below. Me, Jack; Indy, Me, and Hannah. Good times.

Annoyed

Last night, my husband told me he was annoyed with me for no good reason. He just found himself fighting the overwhelming feeling of annoyance, its root: me.

You could see the guilt on his face. At first, he tried not to talk about it. But knowing him the way I know him, I could see. So he avoided. He circled the issue. Then admitted: it's not me, it's you.

After a bit, we laughed about it. Because who hasn't been there? Who hasn't rolled out of bed on a Monday morning and been annoyed at the lady walking her dog? Why? No reason. She's just there. And you need to be annoyed.

And with someone you live with? The tendencies are just increased. So I reassured him. "Babe, it's okay to be annoyed with me (even if it's for no good reason). Just tell me that you're annoyed and tell me you just want to sit and watch basketball and try to forget you're annoyed. I'll go in the other room and read and we'll both have a little space."

So it was good.

And you know what? It's the way I like it. I would hate to be married to someone who never annoyed me and who I never annoyed. Because when would you grow? When would those truths about yourself, buried over many years by insecurities, be revealed? If the pendulum doesn't swing, there's no movement at all. The stagnant life is no fun.


Oh, and by the way? You're annoying me for no reason right now. Just thought you might want to know. But it's okay. I'll get over it and we'll both be better for it.

POST 200! Your Burning Questions Answered!

You guys asked some great questions and I'm really excited to answer them. So here goes!

1. Please give me the ratio of the length of your hair coiled to the length of your hair pulled completely straight. Also, if you have any idea, tell me how long it takes you to grow your hair the equivalent of an inch. Curly hair fascinates me.

Okay, there wasn't actually a question in there, just a bunch of demands! :-) I just measured my hair and I picked an especially curly piece just for you, Bexy. This one curl was 9.5 inches coiled and 11.5 inches pulled straight. So...I don't do ratios. 9.5:11.5. How's that? Lol. And the equivalent of one inch? I have no idea. A long time. I probably get my hair cut two or three times a year and it never seems to grow. So maybe 3-4 months to grow "one inch" which is probably 1.2 inches if you believe my ratio.

Bonus fact: a curly hair is actually "flat." And a straight hair is actually round. Kinda like ribbon for presents. If you have flat ribbon, you can pull it against a scissor edge and curl it. But you can't do it with a round ribbon.

2. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

There were several. Rock star, movie star, marine biologist, and probably a few more I've forgotten. My sister wanted to be an ice cream scooper when she was seven.

3. If you had a child, what would you name him/her?

I love the joke answer like: Steel, Martini, Salad (last name Baar, here, people). But I like biblical names. I actually really like the name Ezekiel. I have a harder time thinking of a girl's name. I also like the site where you can push a button and they'll mix up random letters and create a unique name for your kid. But I don't think I could actually name my child "Mzulekie" or something like that.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Maybe France. I love their food. Or New Zealand sounds pretty cool despite the fact I've never been there. A desert island would be runner-up number two.

5. What is your greatest non-sensible aspiration (e.g. becoming a rock star)?

To be a movie star. Seriously. I think I would love to act, but (a) I probably have no talent, (b) I'd never just move out to LA to try cause I am too sensible (c) I'm already 25, which is like, ancient in Hollywood now, and (d) how many people actually make a living as a movie star? Like, 1% of the people trying.

6. Beach or mountains?

Beach. Particularly Lake Michigan (no salt water).

7. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

What is your favorite star in the sky? They're all so wonderful, I could never choose. I love Cookies and Cream, Raspberry Chip Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, plain ol' chocolate, everything! But Hudsonville Ice Cream is the best.

8. What is your favorite season?

Summer, hands down. Then fall.

9. What is your favorite punctuation mark?

The parenthesis. (Seriously, it is.)

10. Where were you born?

Holland Community Hospital, Holland, MI.

11. Do you have a favorite song? If so, what is it?

I love "Window in the Skies" by U2. One of the most amazing songs ever. I can't help but sing along and even throw my hands in the air when I hear it.

12. Do you want to have children? If so, when?

No, I don't want to have children. I think I'm up to reason number 2,645 if you'd ever like to hear why. But I am fascinated with the idea of being pregnant, so if anyone's looking for a surrogate, let me know.

13. When you fly, window or aisle?

Window. I love looking out at the ground (or water) below. And seeing myself soaring above the clouds.

14. What is your vote for most romantic movie of all time?

Wow, this is a tough one. I have a lot of romantic comedies I love. I think Pride and Prejudice lands up there. As well as Love Actually and When Harry Met Sally. I'm sure I'll think of more good ones later and smack myself for not thinking of them now and listing them.

15. What's your most embarrassing moment?

Standing in front of my boss with my pants zipper down. And having him (yes, him) tell me. Oh, and did I mention he was an Executive Vice President? Ugh. Terrible.

16. What would you do for a Klondike bar?

Quite a bit. Yes, I would moo like a cow or bark like a dog. Or punch you in the face and take it from you.

17. If you could magically live a day in the life of any writer, who would you pick and why?

I would pick Jane Austen cause I'm on a Jane kick right now. But I would hope that I could pick a day in the life of Jane Austen when she was alive. Cause I don't really want to experience being dead. I think it would be fun to visit another time period and see what it was really like to be expected to sit in a sitting room, doing needlepoint.

18. What things would your dream home include?

I'm thinking much more green as I think about what I want in a home. But a really good washer a dryer would be a hit with me. A fireplace would be great. And lots of seating for when friends came to visit.

19. If you won the lotto, what would be your first act/purchase? (And you do have to buy/do something--you can't save it all.)

This questioner knows me well. :-) I'd probably buy land to build my house on. And runner up would be to travel.

20. How many pairs of shoes/sandals do you own? What's the ratio of flats to heels?

Probably about fifteen. That's sad. Way too many. I think five of them are heels, but I could be wrong.

21. Where did you meet Kent?

I met my husband at church. I was two. He was six. Or so his mom says. :-) But we did get to know each other through church.

22. Did you have any boyfriends before him?

One. For about three months. I was pathetically dorky and undateable. :-)

23. When did you know you wanted to marry him?

I don't think there was any one moment, but I think I always knew that there was something special about him. Right off the bat, we could talk about anything, from our biggest fears to how often we clip our fingernails. Yeah, I know. Bizarre.

24. Cake or pie?

Cake. But not too much frosting, please.

25. Hot or cold?

Cold. You can always put more layers/blankets on, but when you're hot, you just sit there and sweat.

26. Coke or Pepsi?

Coke for sure.

27. Omelets or scrambled eggs?

I'm not a big egg person, but probably an omelet.

28. Pink or red?

Pink. I look terrible in red.

29. What is one thing you hope 2008 will bring?

Wow. Good question to end on. I hope 2008 will bring lots of laughter, friends, and family. I hope I can feel accomplished and peaceful. I would love to see certain things happen in our country, but I have a feeling it will take longer than the nine months we have left of the year.

PHEW! Those were awesome questions, guys! Thanks so much for playing along. Sometimes I don't know why I have a blog, but I do love talking to y'all and writing, so I guess this is as good a place as any.

Aren't you so excited to see what I'll do for my 300th post? :-)

Post 199

So this is post 199 (isn't it nice for blogger to count for you?). When I hit my 100th post, I did a fun little "100 things you don't know about me." But I seriously cannot come up with 200 things you don't know about me. And I still want to do something special.

Now I need your help. For my 200th post, I'd like to know what you want to know about me. So please. Take a minute. Think about what you really, really want to know. And post your question. I will answer them all in my next post. (Yes, I realize I will probably only get three questions, but still. It could be fun.)

Do it! You know you want to.


Disclaimer: Keep it clean, folks. This is a public blog and I'd like to keep it that way. If I think your question is inappropriate (i.e. if I wouldn't want my mom to read it), I won't post it. :-)

Two, Two, Two Weekends in One (Post)!


Okay, my brother-in-law finally sent picture of our weekend up north in Petoskey (Feb 29 - Mar 2). Here are some pics:



























Then my fabulous friends and I went to Lindsay's cottage this weekend for a little girls weekend (thanks Marge and Abe). So much fun!!





























By the way. All you single ladies out there? Listen up. You know how you always wonder "where's that one guy? The one who's sensitive, caring, sweet, loves Jesus, and wants to be in a loving, committed relationship." Well, he's in Petoskey. My brother-in-law Drew is single and the BEST guy! Here he is, by the way.













Not bad on the eyes, either, huh? So let me know if you're interested in a date, or have a sister or a cousin or a friend who is in need of a good man. He's in Petoskey and I've got his number.



(By the way, he's going to kill me for this, so call soon before he finds out. Lol.)

U23D

Wow. I mean, wow.

My husband and I were looking forward to seeing the 3D movie from U2. However, when theatre locations were announced, our city (and any city within an hour) was not on the list. Bummer.

But we were not deterred. Last night, we drove just over an hour to Kalamazoo to see U23D and I was not disappointed.

It was amazing. It felt like you were on stage with the band. You could watch The Edge's fingers fly over chords. You could see the muscles move on Larry's arms as he set the beat. You could tell that all Adam wanted to do was pour his heart into his bass. And Bono. You could feel that...something. That je ne sais quoi about him that makes him so irresistible to so many.

At the same time, I knew. I know. The thing that's so special about this band is that the Holy Spirit rocks out with them. I've been to one U2 concert and now one 3D version of a concert. And both times were spiritual experiences. You could listen to the lyrics, feel the music, and know that there was something spiritual happening.

A lot of people criticize U2 fans for their enthusiastic love for the band. But really, deep down inside, I know I'm not idolizing the band. I'm resonating with the spirit that flows out of them. That's what I want. That's what I crave. And honestly, that's what I get.

W

Nope, not a post about our current president. I'm giving the big "Whatever" to my brother-in-law. Lol. I've been waiting and waiting to post because I wanted to give a full run-down of our weekend. Not last weekend, as in three days ago. But last weekend as in TEN days ago. But alas, he has not yet sent the pictures.

However, I'm hoping this post will cause him to send the pictures. No, he doesn't read this blog and will not be guilt-tripped into sending them, but this is just a rule of the universe. If you are ever waiting to do something because you want something else to happen first, the moment you finally do said first thing, the second will happen.

Example: You really, really have to pee. But you're waiting for a phone call (about a sick relative, from a potential employer, etc.). So you hold it. And hold it. And hold it. Then the minute you decide to give up, run to the bathroom, and drop your pants, the phone rings.

So, I'm hoping that this figurative pants-dropping means that in about two minutes, a link will show up in my email to some pictures.

But I kinda doubt it.

Petoskey, MI

My hubby and I spent the weekend in Petoskey, MI with hubby's brother. It was loads of fun! We went skiing, searched for a sunken crucifix, rock climbed, and played in the rafters. Definitely a great weekend. (Oh, and we ate a lot too!)

I'll have pictures soon, or as soon as my lazy brother-in-law gets his butt in gear and sends them to me from his camera (mine is dead and therefore, did not join us in Petoskey).