Pretty Woman

Song: Perfect by Pink
It amazes me how we sometimes see ourselves in light of how we see others. Others around us seem to have it all together. They dress cute. They have flawless skin. They are disciplined with eating and exercise regimines. They wake up on time, without snoozing, for their dream job. They are the epitome of what we desire our life to emulate. The truth is they have just as many complications and difficulties they are working through as we do. No one has a perfect life. No one is perfect.
I was explaining to a friend recently that at times it means more when strangers tell you "you look pretty" moreso than when friends and family sing your praises. Why? Because it's a mother's job to think their baby is beautiful. When someone-- not blood related-- thinks you are worthy of stating a simple compliment, it seems to adhere more to your psyche. Am I discouraging friends and family to compliment me? Absolutely not. I welcome and thrive on all encouragement. Random guy on the stairs, thank you again for thinking I looked good on Saturday night. It made my night. Well... that and my friends and the band and the older balding man dancing while doing the white man overbite.

Movie: Pretty Woman

It's a classic story that we've all come to know and love. Hooker needs money. Hooker hooks and gets money. Hooker is asked by her hookee to be an escort for a week. Hooker falls in love and becomes a lady. I'm pretty certain this doesn't happen everyday. What I do think is great about the story is the character transition. One person, Vivian, lives a lifestyle thinking she can portray something she know she is not. It's not until someone, Edward, pulls her out of her norm to treat her as the special lady she truly is. The truth sets her free.

Things I discovered this week:

The stars look more amazing when sitting on the beach listening to the waves crash on the shore.
Sea shells are beautiful even when crushed.
Children’s laughter is contagious.
I want a large patio with a grapevine trellis and a comfy couch.
Coffee is better when someone brings it to you.
It's better to have God-confidence than self-confidence.
Just because they sell bikinis in your size doesn't mean it's ok to wear them.
Our faults are not as large as we deem them to be.
Gloria Estefan and Barry White make for great pool side music.
Many songs are best when loud. Will Smith- Get Jiggy With It and Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA- two of those songs.
Solo vacations are great. Sharing it with someone is better.

Life is Beautiful

Song: It's a Beautiful Life by Ace of Base
Sometimes it takes a brief respite to revive and refresh, to give you a fresh perspective on life-- on what's important. There is so much beauty to experience in this life that we so often overlook. For one- people. We checked into the hotel yesterday and I encountered such a polite young man who carried up my bags to the room. I discovered that he was going to school at UT Austin and after a few wrong choices is now on academic probabtion and attending ACC in the fall. He told me that he is now back on track and would have to change his major because of his low GPA. I encouraged him to not give up and pursue after his dreams. Mario was humored that I got this individuals life story. I saw it as a means to speak words of life to this person. It's easy to think that what you want to do is not achievable because of the obstacles that stand in the way of getting to that goal. Many times its a word of encouragement or a change of thinking or both that gets someone back on track. I am so thankful for those God has placed in my life. I am forever amazed at His grace and love for me. He knows exactly what I need and when. This mini-getaway has already far exceeded my expectations. I am a blessed woman.

Movie: Life is Beautiful
This beautiful Italian film is a comedic love story set in World War II. A Jewish man, Guido, wins the affections of a wealthy Italian girl, Dora, by his charisma and love for life. They marry and have a son before being taken to a concentration camp. While in the camp, Guido creates a game out of the daily routines to keep his now 4-year-old son calm and oblivious to severity of the situation. Guido's passion and creativity keeps his son alive.

Holding Out For A Hero

Song: Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler
Movie: Day 2 of Footloose

Why this hasn't been my theme song sooner, I'm not sure. It is, afterall, my main ringtone. I am not anticipating a white knight to sweep me off my feet. I don't need a tractor race nor drama. What I'd like is someone to woo me and fight for me. Flowers would be nice. Simple gestures of thoughtfulness are great. What's most attractive, however, is someone who is willing to fight. Someone with drive and passion for life and people. And if he could do a warehouse dance like Kevin Bacon, bonus points will be awarded.

The Dance

I recently saw Footloose the musical and was reminded again of why this is one of my favorite soundtracks. It makes me want to dance.
I used to be religious. Let me explain. I absolutely, 100% believe that God created man in His image. I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth to save the lost, heal the broken and redeem mankind so that we could have a meaningful relationship with God. Religion, however, takes this and adds so many rules to cloud and cover the real purpose of Christianity. Jesus' death and resurrection was the most beautiful story of redemption and sacrifice. It's all about love. God is love. He sent His son because of love. He left us with 2 commandments: 1)Love God and 2)Love People. Wearing pantyhose does not make me more godly. It only makes me look more foolish and hot when it's 100 degrees outside. Having tattoos or piercings doesn't make you less godly. It just means you opt for a style that many deem "unacceptable". Dating or courting or not dating or not courting does not make me a better individual. God has a plan for every person's life. He gave us free will and intended for us to use our minds. My plan may not look like anyone else's plan. So wouldn't it behoove me to hear from God about what He wants for me? After all, He made the plan. I used to think that in order to be better/holier than others, a certain set of rules/guidelines dictated by my authority were to be followed. I, at one time, was told that my previous Pastors did not approve of dancing at weddings. I was shocked and appauled at the time-- especially when I had such an eventful entrance planned when they announced Mr. & Mrs. at the reception. In a nutshell, it was Moulin Rouge meets Dirty Dancing (and no my future husband is not a gay man).

Movie: Footloose

Who knew that a cheesy 80's storyline could bring about so much dialogue? No one likes to be supressed or told what to do. Am I abdicating rebellion? Absolutely not. I know it's necessary to have guidelines, rules and standards to live a healthy lifestyle. Too much of anything is not good. Kevin Bacon's character, Reyn, wanted to be free from unwarranted rules. There is a time for everything. A time to fight for what's right. A time for dancing. A time to be free.

Home Sweet Home

Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland

Tonight was one of those nights where the house is clean. The yard is mowed, edged and partially watered. The bills are paid. Everyone is doing what they do before bed. Me-in my room writing. Carol- in her room probably playing solitaire. Tyrese and his friend- playing games. The dog isn’t licking me. Lamps glow throughout the house. My clean sheets are in the dryer. Peace. There’s nothing like it. It’s in these moments that despite the other chaos or upsets from the day, things appear in order and a peace engulfs. These moments seem so rare or perhaps I’m too busy and pass them up. I’m determined to have more.

Movie: Money Pit
Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play an engaged couple who purchase their dream home- a fixer upper. When construction begins in the house everything falls apart, including their relationship. They learn that making a home beautiful takes time and a lot of work, much like their relationship.

Buttercup

Song: Build Me Up Buttercup by the Foundations
Why is it that the unknown is so scary? We stammer or postpone what we know is the right thing to do out of fear. I am a believer that people come in your life for a reason. I was watching a tv show that paraphrased this so well. "Relationships are hard to come by because relationships begin with friendship first. And good friends are hard to find." First it was a nameless man who after a 3 month dating relationship encouraged me to write a blog for healing. Then it was several others. Followed by that one girl and then another guy. We truly have no idea the weight of our words-- how much they can encourage and influence or cut us down. While no person should give us our true value, they do attribute to this. It all stems from knowing who we are and who God created us to be. From this is what we build.

Movie: Princess Bride

Buttercup didn't know what she had until her dear sweet farm boy, Westley, left. While she vowed to wait for him, she felt after years of waiting for her true love to return and hearing of his death from the dread Pirate Roberts, she felt that she had no choice but to move on and marry the spineless prince. No matter how many times I see this movie, I fall in love again with the love story. Along with the many quotable "inconceivable" lines and awesome cast, this has to be in my Top 10 faves.