My VBF and My Nephew: Famous and CUTE!

Beth and Jude were published in this article in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. The rest of the family is in the article, too! I could not love these people more if I tried.

Witness to Miracles

It's been so long since my heart has walked around in the world in an utter fit of gratitude. But that's what I have right now. I smile a lot. I laugh more. I drive down the highway with tears streaming down my face, beautiful truths rushing toward me -- things I know truly are miracles.

Seriously, how likely is it that I'm blessed to have so many friends who are authentic with me and themselves? And new people come in the door all the time; amazing ones.

Who ever heard of having a girlfriend (one that you made when you were both in your thirties) who allows you to mother her, sister her, kick her ass, and tell her the absolute truth. I mean that I say, "Girl, this is where you tell the truth about this, or I WILL. Go." And then she does. Who ever heard of having ONE friend like that? And I have, what, seven? My cup runneth over. Like crazycakes.

Who ever heard of having a girlfriend like that for 25 years? I have. And a male friend like that, too? I even have one of those!

Who ever heard of having a mentor that can read you like she was actually IN your head? One who knows what you need, and is so in tune with you and with God, *and* is so generous, that she offers exactly what you need? And you didn't even know what it was you needed until she said it aloud? Um, miracle anyone?

Who ever heard of, after years of sleeping with the phone by my head (just in case), sleeping soundly and dreaming sweetly because your brother is sober and in love with God? The twenty months of peace in our family are worth the desperation of the 10 years before them.

Who ever heard of finding friends you thought you lost, discovering you have a heart you weren't sure could be big enough, exercising the courage to create, and smashing through the bad habits to discover who I really am? Feels like a miracle to me.

Who ever heard of having a new chance to move toward the self God created me to be every single day? It's a huge life. I'm grateful.

Scattergories Meme

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. Once you're done, forward on to friends and back to the person who sent it to you. Now go! Or, you know, post.

1. Your Name: Stacey
2. Famous singer/band: Sting
3. 4 letter word: Sing
4. Street name: Speedway Drive
5. Gifts/presents: Silver
6. Vehicle: Saturn VUE
7. Items on a menu: Spinach dip
8. Boy Name: Stephan
9. Girl Name: Sally
10. Movie Title: Shawshank Redemption
11. Drink: Singapore Sling (2 pts!)
12. Occupation: Student
13. Flower: Sweet William
14. Celebrity: Sharon Stone (Score 2 points for first and last name!)
15. Magazine: Saveur (we actually get this one.)
16. US City: Spartanburg, South Carolina (2 pts!)
17. Reason for Being Late for Work: Sick
18. Something U Throw Away: Scraps
19. Things You Shout: Shut it!
20. Cartoon Character: Seymour Skinner (2 pts!)

One of those quiz thingies.

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What Color Is Your Aura?

Yep, we've seen this before, BUT...

So lovely. And so empowering when opened up at the right moment.

Last Tears
-E. Sailers-

These are the last tears I'm gonna cry for you
My cryin's through I'm moving on
I don't regret and won't forget
A single thing that we went through
But there are the last tears I'm gonna cry for you

You take things so much easier than I do
And you could live your life without me if you had to
And you believe that in the end it all works out right
And I might if not for you
And if you ask one which one lives just alone for love
I do

There was a time when all signs pointed to the warm south
The planets all lined up and built a new house
And everything we talked about felt like a prophecy
And when you looked at me they all came true
And if you asked which one wants to go the distance
I do

I'm gonna rack my mind one last time until I cannot think
I'm gonna dip into your memory and take a good stiff drink
And when I'm drunk on the last drop of sadness about how we went wrong
I'm gonna play this song
Make some coffee black and strong
Give thanks for healing time
And finally make up my mind

These are the last tears I'm gonna cry for you
My cryin's through I'm moving on
I don't regret and won't forget
A single thing that we went through
But there are the last tears I'm gonna cry for you.

It was SO time for a meme.

[1] What was the highlight of your week?
My new job.

[2] Whose car were you in last?
Mine.

[3] When is the next time you will kiss someone?
Whenever I see Terri this afternoon.

[4]What color shirt are you wearing?
Black.

[5] How long is your hair?
Short and cute.

[6] When was the last time you read the bible?
This week.

[7] Last movie you watched?
Um. I forget.

[8] Last thing you ate?
Sausage from Hardee’s.

[9] Last thing you drank?
Coffee.

[10] Where did you sleep last night?
My bed.

[11] Are you happy right now?
Hell yes!

[12] What did you say last?
“So, what is that?”

[13] Where is your phone?
On my desk.

[14] What color are your eyes?
Chocolate brown.

[15] Who did you visit last?
Todd.

[16] When was the last time you had your heart broken?
Every day my heart is open it is both broken and healed.

[17] Who/what do you hate currently?
No one.

18] What are you listening to?
Conversations.

[19] If you could have one thing right now what would it be?
Two weeks at the beach with Beth, Tina, and The Numbers.

[20] What is your favorite scent?
Clean man.

[21] Who makes you happiest right now?
Me.

[22] What were you doing at midnight last night?
ZZZzzzzz.

[23] Are you left-handed?
Naw.

[24] Spell your name without vowels:
stc(and sometimes)y

[25] What's for dinner tonight?
Toast.

[26] What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
Italian martini. It was so good I wanted eight more. I resisted.

[27] When Is Your Birthday?
August 2.

[28] Last time you went swimming in a pool?
When I went to see the folks. May 13th or so.

[29] Where was the last place you went shopping?
O’Mailia

[30] How do you feel about your hair right now?
It’s extrasexy, but CANNOT WAIT until Hottie the Hairbanger gets hold of it!

[31] Do you have any expensive jewelry?
Yes.

[32] AIM or MSN?
Neither.

[33] Where does most of your family live?
Indiana, Florida, California.

[34] Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
Brother. (And sisters I chose.)

[35] Would you consider yourself to be spoiled?
Uh huh.

[36] What was the first thing you thought when waking up?
Today? “Wow! THAT was a good night’s sleep.”

[37] Do you drink beer?
Indeed.

[38] Myspace or Facebook?
Facebook.

[39] Do you have T-Mobile?
No.

[40] What is/was your favorite subject in school?
English.

[41] What are you doing?
Having lunch at my desk and doing this.

[42] Do you have any talents?
Dur!

[43] Have you ever been IN a wedding?
Yep.

[44] Do you have any children?
Not that I’m aware of.

[45] Did you take a nap today?
Not yet!

[46] Ever met anyone famous before?
Yes.

[47] Do you want to be famous one day?
Nope. I want to be admired.

[48] Favorite Actor(s)?
Eh, don’t care.

[49] Could you handle being in the military?
If I had to, yes.

[50] Do you believe in Karma?
Yep.

[51] Last time you went to the gym or worked out?
Wednesday.

[52] How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Probably 25 or so.

[53] Last place you drove your car to?
Work.

[54] Ever been to Las Vegas?
Yes.

[55] Have you ever lived in a two story?
Yes.

[56] Have you ever been gambling?
Yes.

[57] When is the last time you updated your blog?
Yesterday.

[58] Have you been to New York City?
Nope, but I totally will.

[59] Ever been to Disneyland/world?
Both.

[60] Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
I like Bugs.

[61] Last thing you cooked?
Toast.

[62] How’s the weather?
Rainy and cool.

[63] Do you e-mail?
Yes. Honestly, how do you think most people got this idiot survey, anyway?

[64] Last time you were sick?
Girly cramps on Wed. EW!

[65] Do you think anyone will repost this?
Prolly.

Insights into Personal Effectiveness

Ever hear of this training class? It's one of those deals where people are categorized -- dependent upon how they answer a series of questions -- into four groups. All the categories are similar, even if the labels are different. There are DISC categories, Insights categories, and probably some other ones, too.

The groups are generally

• detail-oriented, analytical people (C or Blue)
• driver-director-accomplishment people (D or Red)
• steady-nurturing-coaching people, and (S or Green)
• influencer-inspirer (I or Yellow).

So, I personally describe these as, in order as above:

• The ones who love predictability and small squares. And making love to coaxial cable.
• My mom.
• The ones who love coaching and caring.
• The ones who are crazypants.

Um, one guess which color I am!

You might guess that there are natural points of resistance between those who operate themselves as say, a Director, and those who are Analytical. The Director wants it done now, and the Analytical wants it done right. With all the details. And the results from 17 tests. And footnotes.

Also, you just can't imagine how much fun it is trying to be a social, talkative, Yellow and work in an analytical job. (Let's just say that wasn't one of my better choices.) Though, I did get some great material out if it. For example, after a long meeting with The Detail People I once said, "He's blue to the third power."

Someone else said to me one day, "Pull the blue hat clear down over your ears, honey."

I don't know that I had an actual point for this one, but I do know that I'm super thankful for the new job. The one with a lot more yellow.

The Unity of God and the Children

As conveyed by the wise and wonderful Shannon Rose.

I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy!
I am the power,
I am the intelligence,
I am the love,
I am the joy.
The earth turns on it's orbit for ME.
The oceans ebb and flow for ME.
The birds sing for ME.
The sun rises and it sets for ME.
The stars come out for ME.
Every beautiful thing I see, every wonderous thing I experience, is all there for ME.
None of it can exist without ME.
I am one with the Universe.
I am the heir to the kingdom.
I am the perfection of Life.

Good times.

Dande said this once about the maintaining of what might appear to be high maintenance women. It's still true, of course.

I like to think of it less as "demanding utter worship and absolute devotion," and more as "expecting reasonable appreciation for my complete and undeniable fabulosity."

I love being known

Tina described me as:

"...a woman whose mind moves not unlike a Wham-O SuperBall thrown into a small room by an extremely hyperactive 7-year-old boy named Darren who is all hopped up on Mountain Dew and Smarties."

I have to tell you -- especially when I'm very excited about something -- this description is spot on. Also, "Darren" in this context made me SNORT!