Small Changes...Big Difference

So...I have been bugging my mom for like 2 years to get off her behind and start updating our house. We have ugly popcorn ceilings that we are going to change to knockdown and we are finally going to paint the walls a color other than antique white. I have been living with antique walls since I was brought home from the hospital.

Thanks to Bob (the guy that knows everyone in Hollywood and at least something about most things...not to mention KILLER ham and eggplant parm) we finally got a guy out to look at the lighting in the kitchen (and change those NASTY florescent lights to pretty recessed lighting). Bear in mind this is the very first of many steps to come with regards to the kitchen, however, it has made a world of difference and now we are even more energized and excited to get the rest of the projects going...and we even have a dimmer switch. I am SO excited!

Enjoy.

Live for Today

Lately (and as I grow older) I have realized that while it is important and VERY GOOD to plan for my future, it is even more important to live for today. The only thing I know is that I have today...tomorrow is not promised to me. While I can see that my future is becoming ever brighter, I only have control of what I do today.
Life is funny, how it bobs and weaves. The second I think I have it figured out, it throws me a curveball. Funny is this thing we call life...what with elections and rising gas prices and wildfires and the FLDS. I really have enjoyed getting older, becoming more introspective on my life (all 31 years of it). Someone said to me once that I would spend my 20's worrying about being everything to everyone (which I did) and that once I hit my 30's I would settle into 'ME'. So when my 30th birthday rolled around last March, I thought the divine light switch would turn on and I would somehow be 'enlightened' about who I "really was."
NEWFLASH - That didn't happen.
Then I turned 31 a couple of months ago and I realized if I kept going the way I was, my life wasn't going to change. I have to 1) Make a decision in my head about how I want things to go and then 2) Take an action to get them going in that direction.
As I read over (for typos, because I loathe spellcheck, and for grammatical errors) this entry I feel the weight of my words. Also, I realize that these are the thoughts in my head. Good or bad. Accepted or refuted. This is me. It has taken me 31 years (and some months) to get to know who I really am and to put 'me' out there for all of you to see.
I know one thing above every thing. I am forgiven. Lock, stock, and 2 smoking barrels. The rest is runoff. My Savior, my Father, my Comforter, loves me for exactly who I am...imperfections and all. The only thing I have control over is me and what I decide to do with these moments in front of me right now.
Am I going to choose correctly???....God give me the grace, the serenity, the courage and the peace to do just that.
That PEACE that passes ALL understanding is so freeing...I pray that you have/find it now.

PS) Not one spelling error in this one (It's kinda like getting the answer to FINAL Jeopardy correct)

77 days until Mexico!

It's that time of year again...when we plan the Annual Girl's Trip. This will be the 2nd Annual Mexico stay and after getting an e-mail from Teresa this morning with an official countdown, I am not embarrassed to put it in writing. The weeks seem to flying by this year (I cannot believe it's almost Memorial Day) so I am sure I will be posting pics of the trip in no time. I can't wait! I am so thankful that I have a job that affords me the luxury of reduced Travel Industry rates.

I am thankful for many things much more important than that in the grand scheme of things. Jesus, Salvation, my family, my friends, health, a job, a car, a home, every next breath, living in America, laughter, dreams and hopes, and the promise of an abundant life.

Lately, I find my thoughts drifting towards the things I am most thankful and grateful for. I choose today to focus my energy on what I have and not what I want. Thank God for Friday!!!

I saw a guy in the gym this morning with an obvious toupee. Seriously guy, you are not kidding anyone...and isn't it really hot and scratchy under there? Besides, what does it smell like after a good long workout? I enjoy admiring it from afar.

Let's see, what else? A pretty uneventful day today, other than a 3-hour long meeting at work that almost made me want to rip my toenails out one by one. Here are a few of thoughts I had while in the meeting (I jotted them down so that I could recall them for you)
1 - Pretend like you are paying attention.
2 - Listening to someone talk who you don't want to hear.
3 - Wishing you were somewhere else.
4 - Vacations...coming soon!!!
5 - I can't wait for this meeting to be over - 44 minutes to go.

Notice the obvious lack of concentration and immediate downward spiral into daydreaming (see #4). This is me...I have an amazing ability to instantly lose focus on things that just don't interest me. What was I just talking about? Enjoy the picture below. It's from Halloween a few years ago, but it is classic Lauren. MUAH!

I'm bringing sexy back

Every time I look at this picture I laugh out loud - hopefully you will too!

Why my life is funny....

My cat - Meow Meow

Noteworthy events??? Questionable

So today was Monday and those aren't usually at the top of my list for favorite days. My body was slow going at 6:15am, but I did make it to the gym, and thankfully no one farted. Life is measured in the small victories.

Then I got to work, and this blog is not specifically about any particular events at the workplace, but I can say that each day becomes what you want it to be...what you choose to make your perspective towards it be. Now, here I sit, watching a guy with only one leg complete the Eliminator on American Gladiator... another perspective shift. Lord, never let me forget how blessed I am each, with each and every breath. I pray the make most of each of them!

One other funny thing to note. I had an appointment this evening near work, so I brought my dinner with me to my Dad's house to eat. It's nice, because he has chosen to go the year without any TV so I am forced to do other things. One of those other things was to trim his eyebrows. This guy has four hairs on his head, but the rate at which the hair on his face grows is amazing. If I could figure out a way to harness that technology...boy oh boy. But the funniest part is this - he starts giving me pointers on how to comb up the hair with the little brush to trim them. I am sorry, but the VERY LAST PERSON I will ever take beauty advice from is my Dad. Tapered jeans, shirts from Griffs Western store, and yes ladies...a black leather fanny pack. There is not one thing I can do about it either. He's totally cool with it. Next time you see him, look for it. It might be under his fishing t-shirt, but it's there....
Gotta love the parents!

Later peeps

Awesome Weekend

This has been a great weekend so far...why, you ask? Well, yesterday, Jennifer, my Dad, and I all went up to Jupiter (the Loxahatchee River) to Riverbend Park and we rented single person kayaks and went up the river. We had lunch before leaving and saw some cool wildlife - a peacock, a gator, an owl, and some jumping fish. It felt like I was on a middle school field trip. Totally awesome (yep, I am bringing the saying back from 1985) time. We always have fun together. As usual, my dad found a way to sabotage any progress I had made up to that point in the trip. Upon launching my kayak down a steep incline back into the water, he dumped me over into the water. He says it wasn't his fault and that I was unbalanced. Jennifer said he pushed me in. The best part was there were people waiting behind us to launch their canoe out...
Then last night, we met Pam and Bob at the Grand Opening of Crown Liquor in Pembroke Pines for a wine tasting event. Note to self...those things are not all they are cracked up to be. I must say though, that the people watching and wine snobbery makes for endless hours of interesting fun. Pam and Bob make it all even more fun. I am thankful for great friends.
Today I sit in the kitchen anticipating the day's coming feasting events. It's Mother's Day so I gotta hook it up for Mom-dukes. Bourbon ham, potatoes and asparagus...and you all know the best part about a dinner with asparagus...right? I digress. So I am going back to downloading more music to my cute little ipod.
Peace out.

Random thoughts for today

I plan to write in this thing every day (if I can). You may not want to read it and most of it is pointless rambling, but it's mine and I embrace it for that alone...so here are some very random conversation starters (or enders)...



1. I never understood the phenomenon of nurses who smoke. Did you not learn anything in school?

2. My dog eats anything, including duck and cat poop or anything that resembles food or packaging that food was in at some point in time.

3. People with really bad breath tend to be close talkers...and unformtunately, not sugar-free gum chewers.

4. I hate it when I get the chills just after I shaved my legs. The hair starts to immediately grow back and it happens EVERY TIME! All the work was done in vain.

5. People watching is the best - especially at the airport, the beach, or just driving down the road.

6. 'The Office' - I work in my own version of it...and most of it is right on the money. Except there is no one resembling a 'Jim' here...figures.

7. Mexico - The sun, the people, the food, the margaritas - Ole!

8. I love to cook! Especially for people who love to eat. Better than that, I love to watch them eat it and wait for the expression on their face to change.

9. My sister - In 2 words...Rock Star

10. My ipod nano - I got it for Christmas and am still figuring it out/downloading songs, but it is like a soundtrack for my life. ACDC needs to get in on itunes already. They have a couple really good songs I could be working out to by now.

11. People who drive miles upon miles with their blinker on. Is the music up that high that they can't hear it or are they completely deaf? Oh, no... wait...they're Canadian. They will eventually turn left.

12. I work out early in the morning at the gym and I do 30-45 min of machine-based cardio. For all those people (it's that same uppity lawyer guy every time) who fart while on the machine right next to me (while I am trapped there) YOU SUCK. Take a dump before you leave the house please, for the sake of the rest of us

13. Lake Titicaca, Peru - that's all I have to say (google it - it exists)

I am running a whole marathon

So I finally decided to bite the bullet and run an ENTIRE marathon. In 2007, I ran the A1A Half Marathon, which was the hardest physical thing I have ever done. I guess that wasn't enough so I thought I would try to completely put myself into running torture and go for the gusto - 26.2 miles.

I really do not enjoy (not like runners do anyway) running for the sake of running, however, I have always wanted to run a marathon. Go figure.
I think of it as my best shot at overcoming a physical demanding challenge that many people will never attempt. I am ever chasing the 'above average' bubble to pencil in for myself. Since I am never going to make it the US Olympic team, this is my best shot at a medal...and bragging rights.

The race is not until February 22, 2009 but I am saying this out loud now. The more people who know about it, the better off I will be. Start praying for me now. My knees will need it. And if you can make to the finish line and drag me over it that would rock too...

I am going to start looking for a really good charity/cause to run for as well. In 2007, it was Broward House (http://www.browardhouse.org/) a worthy cause. I will most likely be asking everyone I know for some money as well...so start saving your pennies.

Martha Stewart = Boring Brilliance

I think that jail did do her some good. She seems to have a spring in her step now, smiles a little more, and looks like she is actually having fun with her guests (and her newest sidekick Emeril Lagasse).
I have loved her since I realized I like to do crafty and baking kind of stuff (somewhere in Middle School). I used to do all these projects she would come with for tiny pieces of paper and ribbon and give them away at Christmas time...
Every time I see a commercial for her show, I am totally tricked into watching it. I think to myself, WOW...Martha has a pretty full show today, let's watch. Then I start watching it...and five minutes into the show I look like that guy sitting next to me on the Jet Blue flight to Boston who fell asleep with his mouth open. I realized that the entire show can be summed up in the 30 second commercial for it...Please let me also note that she never lets anyone get a word in edgewise.
I have decided to stick with searching her Archives online for stuff, because frankly, I have better things to do with ANY one hour of my day.