One of "Those" Days

I can tell today is going to be one of “those” days where I’m probably going to just eat everything in sight. You know what I’m talking about ladies.

I had kind of a randomly pieced together dream last night, and in it, I was at a type of church group gathering at night in a coffee shop, much like Coffee Waves. It was Fellowship Church/church people at first, and the feel was as if we were at a staff retreat. Then the group morphed into the Victory Church group, and we were talking about the fundraisers for VKids and missions. But the whole time, everyone was eating pizza. There were hundreds of pizza boxes everywhere. I didn’t get to eat any, though, then found myself just outside. Everyone had eaten their fill, so the delivery boy was driving off in a jeep with all the left-overs. I tried to get some through the backseat window, even had a slice in my hand. But I never got to eat it because other things were going on. Needless to say, I woke up with a taste for pizza in my mouth.

I went for a brisk run yesterday, and felt so proud of myself. Then Ryan even mentioned that he could tell I have been exercising. I felt so happy about it! But then that taste crept its way back onto my taste buds. Why, yummy pizza, do you have to be so bad for me? I’d really like to be bff’s with you, really. But alas, I must tether to you in more of a love-hate relationship.

Since it is an eat-everything day, I dug a hefty spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar before heading off to work. Mind you, this was after packing a decent lunch, complete with snacks. As I was putting the jar back into the cabinet, I glanced at the nutritional facts: 2T = 190 calories (ok, not bad) and 16g total fat, which is 25% for the day. Well then it’s nice to know I’ve gotten that out of the way. If I ate 3 more of these, then I’d be confined to carrots and celery the rest of the day. I guess I must refrain if I want to allow myself to any of my lunch or snacks that are not carrots and celery.

I won’t go on and on with the details of how I also indulged in a cup of pudding, got my slice of pizza then also went to get jalapeño nachos but didn’t because the line was too long, or how I can’t stop thinking about how I want to quit eating food altogether.

At least it’s only one or two days a month. Too bad it’s a lifelong ordeal. As long as the victories are greater and more in number than the defeats, I will let myself be satisfied.

Things That Make Me Smile

Even though this world has a lot of ugly stuff in it, mostly as a result of the fall, there still remains even more beauty. I love the way that everyone is unique and that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. The same things that I find pleasure in may seem dull or ho hum to you, and perhaps vise versa. I like that because, to me, it makes those wonderful things that much more valuable and personal. I am not only defined by the things that I think, say, and do, but by the things that I take joy in. These details are part of my individuality, and your details are part of your individuality. There's probably no one else who likes the same combinations of things that you like, much less have the same opinions as you have, or look like how you look. If there was such a person, it is probably your twin, which is the subject of a completely different topic, so let's move on.

These are some things that make me smile:
Seeing people I love. Getting to talk with them, no matter how small or grand the conversation is. Seeing that person smile. I take great delight in the joy and happiness of my darlings.
Seeing someone I love cry. Unless it's because of my own stupid self. I am touched when a friend would feel safe enough to cry and and want to talk with me. It is humbling.
Hugs and kisses from little kids. They love so purely and sweetly.
When the sky is sunny, but it is raining.
Seeing the bay on the way to work, when it is deep blue, and flat as glass. Very calming.
Text messages. Not text conversations. But little notes that say hi, i like you, and so forth. Or even just to say you'll be a few minutes late. Now that's classy.
Sharing something in common with a friend, like a show or a joke, or a hobby.
(I do realize that the above statement is a bit of a paradox in this list, as they are supposed to be things that I feel are key in my own personality. But it is the enjoyment of sharing that I want to focus on here.)
Knowing that a few people will read this.
Knowing that at least one person will reply with a comment of some sort.
Watching Ryan sleep. And hearing him talk in his sleep.
Eating food.
The moment I get into bed. It is the Best part of the day!
Tyoing without looking at the screen. In fact i'm doing it right now, and i won't even go back and edit it so ha!
Watching the sun when it is heavy and golden.
Hearing Kara tell stories.
Trying to retell them, and messing them up, then saying that she tells them better.
Experiencing something new, unless it is scary.
Days like yesterday. I wish every day was like yesterday's weather.
Puppies! And most baby animals.
About a half a beer will make me smile too.
Pretty pictures, well made music, well made films. Decent art in general.
Crossing off items on my To Do list.
Stalking and swatting a fly.
Completing a task, and feeling satisfied with myself. I enjoy that feeling, and I enjoy that about myself.
Irony.
Clever puns.
Stupid jokes.
Swapping life stories with new and old friends.
When people remember things that I like. You have no idea how much that makes me smile.
When people get me, and I don't have to explain myself, or end up feeling like a jerk face.
Baby pictures.
Saying I love you to people.
Daydreaming about the future with a friend.
Doing stuff, and then relaxing.

I'm sure a lot of these things may be similar for you. I am betting that at least one of these things, even just one, is not something you'd be able to claim as your own. Hence, this list is particular to me. Anyways, I just thought I'd share these things. They make me smile.

Things That Really Were a Good Idea

Ryan Stanley.
Buying the money pit (the house), I hope.
Every job I’ve had, no matter what I complained about. Even Little Caesar’s.
Selling the Silver Bullet (Explorer Sport Trac) and getting Thunder Dog (Honda Accord).
Going to A&M, WHOOP!
Staying in Taekwondo though I wasn’t very good, until I got good enough to win gold. Twice.
Learning how to play the guitar.
Going to Jamaica for the honeymoon.
Going to Mexico with various missions.
Moving in with Kara the week after we met.
Living with the Stanleys a few summers ago.
Skeek 2006.
LT Orlando 2004.
Being in the Corps.
Registering for a crockpot.
Learning how to cook.
Deciding not to buy a puppy for Christmas, then getting Jack for free a few months later.
Forcing myself to go exercise.
Switching over to French-press coffee.
All 31 out of 31 of my various, random, diverse, normal and crazy roommates over the years. Corina, Kim, Lindsay, Candice, Jenny H, Ashley, Jenny Wu, Lauren, Monia, Holly, Christina, Lois, Leah, Bethany, Amber, Sarah, Nicole, Becky, Karen, Desire, Erica, Emily, Dyanne, Angela, Cori, Liu Qing, Anna, Krista, Kara, and Ryan.
Living in Corpus Christi these past few years, spending time together, and with the friends we’ve made.
Catching up with friends instead of napping, at the retreat last month.
Getting Netflix.
Learning how to use make up and walk in heels.

Hmm, what else?

Things That Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

Going to the grocery store at 8pm before eating dinner.
Buying into Mary Kay with the most expensive starter package.
Quitting the engineering program to get a degree in communication.
Picking out my clothes for the day before fully waking up.
Eating left over sushi.
Buying a pair of “motivational” pants 2 sizes too small.
Leaving fish in the fridge for over a week.
Going to the 11pm movie on a work night.
Assuming I work best under pressure, then waiting till the last minute.
Having two servings of beans for lunch.
Getting the large box of cheap wine-in-a-box.
Leaving the puppy in the same room with a roll of toilet paper on the floor.
Assuming the gas empty light still works, even when the needle was below E.
Painting my toenails right before going to play beach volleyball.
Wearing shorts in January just because it looked sunny.
Dreadlocks.
Chewing tobacco that one time.
Taking a nap while someone else is driving and they don’t know the directions very well.
Taking a nap while I’m driving.
Asking someone “So what do you really think of me?”
Getting my tongue pierced. Both times.
That wedding cake.
Renewing my AT&T contract by choosing a refurbished phone that only lasted 9 months.
Selling Ryan’s new truck to get the 30 year old BMW.
Ordering CDs from BMG based on the album cover.
Speaking my mind about certain movies/singers before knowing that I'm talking about someone's fav.
Volunteering for 3 events on the same day.
Turning a tan into a burn the day before my wedding by laying in the solar bed for 2 minutes too long.

What is on your list. =)