Weekend Recap

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

How does the weekend always go by so darn fast??  I think we need to work two days and have the weekend for 5.  Let's start a petition for that or something! 

I was in town for the second weekend in a row (stop the presses!) and it was nice to have some down time to just chill out and do nothing.

On Friday night I went to dinner with two of my friends from back home who are living here in town.  I was friends with both of these girls' older sisters in school at different places, so it's so funny to me that these two are now roomates and old enough to be in college!  I may or may not have eaten like 15 rolls at Texas Roadhouse.  I went in with good intentions, but after they made us wait for an hour, those were out the window and I was freaking starving.

On Saturday I got up and got a few things done around the house, picked my my race packet for Sunday's Great Pumpkin Chase, hit up ol' Target and then it was football time.  I pretty much did nothing but watch football from 2:30 until 10:00 on Saturday.  Other than actually being at a game and you know, rushing the field at Stillwater or Notre Dame, I could not draw up a better weekend.  College Roomie swung by and brought me leftovers (flashback to living together in college and her bringing me left overs from her dates!) and watched some of the OSU game.  And, as always, I had my usual in-game texting conversations with these three....I honestly cannot watch a game without them!

Which brings me to my favorite quote of the weekend.  I love boys complimenting me on my football knowledge.  I had been texting Mr. Animal House Boy about how sick I was of hearing the Game Day guys talk about Belldozer. 

Mr. AHB:  Tiff, your football knowledge is one upping me right now.
Me:  Let me start back at the beginning (I explain what I'm talking about again).
Mr. AHB:  Got it.  Wow, this is just like when  you tried to teach me economics in college.
Me:  Let's hope this goes better...you had to drop that class!

Anyway, let's talk football, shall we?

My Pokes got the W over TCU.  Let's just get it out there, the first quarter was not pretty.  After a pick 6 was followed on the next play by a kickoff return fumble that was recovered by the KICKER (has that ever even happened before??), I turned off the tv and swore off football.  For about 3 minutes.  Then I calmed down, as did the Cowboys.  Things were MUCH better in the second half.  My love for Wes Lunt continues (first quarter notwithstanding) and Joseph Randle is still my favorite candidate for President.  Good job boys.  It's time to get serious for next weekend in Manhattan....start off like we did against TCU and it's going to be ugly. REAL ugly.  We don't like real ugly.  What I do like is the black out uniforms and helmets from this weekend.  Awesome.  Go Pokes!

And then it was Notre Dame v. OU.  I know that as a Big 12 girl I need to root for OU, but as you know I've been a ND fan since I could watch a tv, so that wasn't happening.  I was sick to death of hearing about how over rated Notre Dame was and hearing about the freakin' Belldozer.  The only thing more annoying than those two things?  Boomer Sooner being played by the OU band.  Seriously---if the stadium imploded they would play that song.  I said all week that I thought the ND defense and Mr. Manti T'eo could get it done.  And they did on Saturday night.  As much as I love my friend Manti (I think we're friends since I've touched his arm and all...that totally is part of the definition of friendship), I was most impressed with the red-shirt freshman Notre Dame quarterback.  I was pretty frustrated with that kid during the Stanford game, but he stepped up big and played great against OU.  I love how Coach Kelly was constantly coaching on him throughout the game.  That's how it's supposed to be.  8-0 for the Irish.  Go Irish Go!

On Sunday I ran The Great Pumpkin Chase 5K.  I refer to it as my redemption run.  Remember when I did this two years ago after a weekend of eating like crap and drinking to celebrate my birthday?  That was a disaster.  I had to walk part of it.  Worst 5K time ever.  Happily, I got my redemption yesterday, cutting a minute off my time from the Hot Chocolate Run a few weeks ago and giving me hope that I can be ready for my leg of the upcoming Marathon Relay I'm running in Oklahoma!

After the race, I went to work for a couple of hours, did a few errands, grabbed some lunch and then came home to do a litlte craft project.  You other bloggers have me wanting to be crafty and creative.  Turns out I'm really neither, but I'm trying and enjoying it anyway!  Here's a little teaser of one of my projects...

Then I wrapped up the weekend with a little Amazing Race viewing.  Does anyone else find the twins to be the most annoying people on the face of the earth?  They are just SO loud.  And you know it's bad coming from me.  Sheesh, shut up already.  Honestly, I don't love any team this year.  But I sure dislike them the most!

How was YOUR weekend??

Finding Mayberry

"Sometimes I dream I'm driving down an old dirt road, not even listed on a map.  I pass a dad and son carrying a fishing pole..." ~Rascal Flatts, Mayberry

If you asked me to picture an idealistic small town, I'd picture Mayberry.  And I'd bet it's the same for a lot of other people.  They'd start to whistle.  They'd think back to Sheriff Taylor and Aunt Bee and Barney Fife.  Those of us who were especially hard core remember Gomer and Goober Plye, Helen, and Thelma Lou. 

Even today, anytime that I'm flipping though the channels, if I see Mayberry on tv, I've got to stop and watch.  I love finding Mayberry.  Why, you ask?

Mayberry takes us back to a simpler time.  When kids rode their bikes and went to the fishing hole.  When doors were not locked, neighbors knew each other, and women got dressed up in their Sunday best to go to the grocery store.  When the town drunk could sleep it off in the jail cell decorated like a living room, fresh baked treats were always hot out of the oven in the kitchen, and the good guy always won.

I feel bad for kids today.  Instead of Mayberry, they get Jersey Shore.  Instead of learning how to be a lady from Aunt Bee, they learn from the latest Bachlorette making out with 5 guys in one night.  Instead of helping each other out, they see neighbors suing each other on Judge Judy.

If you ask me, the world would do well to find some more Mayberry.  We're so busy trying to make things bigger and faster and fancier, that I fear we're losing the good things that are smaller and slower and more simple.  Things like walking down an old dirt road, carrying a fishing pole, and whistling a tune.  I fear we may have worked so hard to make things better, that we've actually only made them worse.

Yesterday, Andy Griffith (aka Sheriff Taylor) died at the age of 86. I know that some people will remember him from Brad Paisley's video about waiting on a woman, or as Matlock, or from his Christmas Special in the 1980's (that my grandma loved and made us watch over and over).

But to me, he'll always be Sheriff Taylor. And he left behind a gift:  The idea that Mayberry might still exist afterall.  And that maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to find our own Mayberry someday.

What I'm Loving Wednesday #23

"If you let love guide you, you will never regret the story that is written about you."


It's going to be a quick blog today because I'm currently in Oklahoma City for work.  Yes...another trip.  Seriously, I'm setting some sort of record for amount of time away from home (and my wonderful own bed).  Sigh.  Oh well....on to some things I'm loving today!  Linking up with WILW.

1.  More wedding photos.  Photos continue to emerge from the crazy Texas wedding last weekend.  Here are a few of the funnier ones.  I can't beleive I am publishing some of these for the world to see.

That would be my attitude face during the "Jump On It" song.  Classic.

I think this picture of Brett-Brett pretty well sums up the reception.

Jewish chair dance thing...clearly I did not get the details...before they
dropped poor Brett-Brett.  More than once.

Conclusive proof that I have no business doing any dance other
than the two step.  Poor dude in the bowtie next to me looks confused.

2.  This blog about 25 things I want my ranch kid to know.  Love it.  Lived it.  Hope to teach my kids it one day.

3.  This quote from Modern Family.  Hilarious.  And feeling a little true these days.

4.  This song.  Moon River....one of my favorites.  I just love their version!

5.  This article about loving Oklahoma for loving the Thunder.  I love the comparison to a 20 year old yoga instructor.  Hilarious.  Oh, and Thunder, it's time to Thunder Up, by the way!  Let's get this thing back to OKC where it belongs.

6.  These articles about things that she's like to tell teenages.  I think that she's spot on with a lot of these.  Maybe I'll do my one one of these days!

What I'd Like To Tell Teenage Girls

What I'd Likt To Tell Teenage Boys

There we have it, boys and girls!  Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

What I'm Loving Wednesday #20

"We might not get it right every time – but we bravely get it wrong with the knowledge that you can’t WIN big unless you’re willing to FAIL big." ~The Single Woman

And just like that, it's Wednesday! After last week that felt 57 days long, I'm happy that this week has been going faster. And yesterday at work I was crazy productive, always fun! Today I'm linking up with WILW!

I'm Loving....

1. I won running shoes!! Holy cow y'all, I was SO excited to see this post by Megan announcing that I was the winner of her running shoe giveaway. I'm here to tell ya, it made my whole week! I can't wait for these babies to arrive and to try them out!

2. This new song by Eric Church. First off, can we just discuss how much I love Eric Church? He's like this perfect mix of good ol' country boy and bad boy all rolled into one. Sigh. Anyway, back to the song...it's called Springsteen and I absolutely love the whole song, but especially the music and Eric's voice. Doesn't it sound a little like Willie Nelson?

3. Bopper and Mark. Confused? That means you're not watching the Amazing Race this year. These guys are my favorite team. They are self-proclaimed hillbillies from Kentucky. They are hilarious on the show--my favorite line was when one of them said that a witch at one of the challenges was "uglier than a mud rail fence." Their southern accents and small town roots won me over, but then when they were killer good mechanics and reminded me of my Dad, I was totally sold. And when Bopper teared up and said that he was running the race to hopefully win the money and help pay for medical treatment for his daughter--forget it. I'm in!
4. A weekend at home. I've been running around all over the country here lately, nad I'll be out of town again for the next three weekends in a row, so when I get a chance to be home for a weekend, I enjoy it! This weekend included some running, spin class, judging arguments at the law school, and dinners with friends (including Mr. and Mrs. Top Gun and meeting Baby Top Gun for the first time!). It was glorious!

5. Song of the Year. I was super excited to see that the Eli Young Band won Song of the Year with Crazy Girl. These guys are a Red Dirt Band that I've seen play countless times in college and now they are winning song of the year on tv! Way to go!

Confessions #1

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” ~Marilyn Monroe

Today I'm linking up with E Myself and I for Midweek Confessions and with Leslie for Friday Confessions! So....I confess:

* I laughed about this thing for at least an hour this week.

Oh, so true! Maybe instead of letters to Mr. Right, I'll do a letter to Mr. Wrong next week. That could be fun.

* I'm two weeks behind on Amazing Race episodes. Don't tell me what happened! I know that it's a long shot that Bopper and Mark are still in the game after getting a speed bump, but I love them and I've got my fingers crossed that they win!

* No Justice came out with a new song and I had no idea. My friend posted the lyrics on facebook yesterday and I had to ask her what it was from. I'm a bad fan. Unacceptable. I have got to move back to Oklahoma to be in the know on this stuff! The new single is called Shot in the Dark and I love it. Favorite line: "Your cowgirl boots look too damn heavy for a guy like me to sweep you off your feet."

* I have not seen The Hunger Games. I have not read the book. I realize I may be the only person in America who can say this. College Roomie and Blonde Oklahoma Girl told me the basic plot, and I have to admit I have no desire to read/see it. To each her own, right?

* Last night, I ate a meal that did not include meat. I know, I know. What kind of ranch girl am I? BFF--if you read this blog, please do not call and yell at me! I was in a hurry and just did not have time to cook any meat to go with it. Instead, I ate whole wheat rotini pasta, grated zucchini and summer squash drizzled in olive oil and covered in parmesean cheese, avocado, oregano and red pepper flakes (which I pretty much add to everything). It was super good, really fast, and healthy!

* I know we have not had a new Family Farm Friday blog in a while....sorry about that! BUT, stay tuned for tomorrow. I've got one planned for ya, and I think you'll like it.

* I take back my position that I do not read non-fiction books. I blame "The Help." If y'all have not read this book yet, you need to get off the computer and go buy it right now. It was phenominal! I am a slow reader and I knocked out all 530 pages in two weeks. I couldn't put it down.

* I fell off the wagon. The My Fitness Pal wagon, that is. I started at the first of January but fell off the wagon a couple of weeks ago. I blame traveling for work, green beer, and pancakes at the Bongo Room. (So worth it!) But I'm back on track now and I'm loving it. I feel so much better when I eat healthy and exercise. Shocking, I know.

* I periodically stalk my friends' pinterest pages. Here are a few of my favorite pins that they have done lately!

It's Okay Thursday!

“You don't need a lover in your life to have love in your life.” ~Jenny McCarthy

Well after a week of me yapping about mostly serious stuff....you know like waiting for true love and cherished moments (my worst Valentine's Day ever story being the exception to the seriousness)...I decided we'd mix it up and do a little It's Okay Thursday!

It's okay that....

...I didn't have a Valentine on Valentine's day. Like Jenny's quote says above, I may not have a lover in my life, but I've got a lot of love in it!

I have a best friend who always has my back. And this week, that meant he sent a big ol' bouquet of hot pink flowers to my office with a super sweet card. BFF has been my best friend for over 10 years. Obviously, you see why.

And I've got an Uncle Buddy who suprises me on the day after Valentine's Day with another bouquet of flowers for no reason other than that he's awesome. A girl could get used to this, folks! (It's possible that the girls at the office all hate me now....)
...On Saturday I went to the movies to see The Vow. By myself. In my sweats. And smuggled in a purse full of snacks. Which I offered to share with the nice young couple sitting next to me. Yes. My name is Tiffany, and I'm apparently 28 going on 80. (And I wonder why I didn't have a Valentine??)

....I'm a completely single lady who plans on spending the weekend with a couple of different babies, crashing a date night, and shopping for wedding dresses. Look, y'all, when Mr. Right appears, I'll be ready!

...I've spent a good part of the week daydreaming about quitting my job, selling my house, buying a one-way ticket to Europe. But never fear, becuase I'm practical, this has included some figuring of how long my money will last before it runs out and I have to come home.

....I am signing up for a 5 mile race over St. Patrick's Day with my dear ND Friend in Chicago, and I haven't run 5 miles since last fall! Look, there will be Bongo Room pancakes after the race, so if that's not motivation to finish, I don't know what is.
....the surprise Valentine's Day flowers that I sent to my friends caused Blonde Oklahoma Girl to get in a fight with the UPS man and insist these were for the girl next door who HAS a husband (read story here) and that ND Friend blogged about not liking tulips on the same day that a bouquet of...you guessed it...tulips arrived from me.

...I was really rooting for the whole Bob Little/Amber Braverman thing to work out on Parenthood. Yes, I know he's older and politician and her boss, but they're so cute together! Dang Aunt Christina for ruining it!

...I loved this little picture, courtesy of College Roomie.

I Confess.....

"You never find yourself until you face the truth." ~Pearl Bailey

It's apparently a really popular thing in blog land right now to do confession posts. So today I'm joining in the fun and linking up with Rissy for I Confess!

I confess......that I have a pretty unpopular opinion about the Casey Anthony verdict. First off, do I think she murdered her child? Yes. Do I think there was enough evidence before the jury to convict her on murder charges? No. Do I think they should have gone after her on child abandnment or neglect? Obviously. But I have to tell you that I take some solace in the fact that a jury can make a decision based on the evidence, and not just on the media and popular opinion. I for one do not want the law dictated by the opinions of the news media and an uninformed public. That's how really bad things happen....can we say Nazi Germany? Phew. Sorry...soapbox over.

I confess.....that even though I said I would have no sweets until after the half marathon (July 31, but who's counting?) I cheated last night. In my defense, it was at church and it was this cupcake that was super fancy---I'm talking cupcake wars fancy here people. I had to try it. Back on the wagon tomorrow.

I confess......that last week on Friday Night Lights when Tim Riggins chased Tyra down in the parking lot and said, "Don't go. Please don't go." I answered for her. Because in my mind he was talking to me. Sigh. I am in love with a fictional ex-con alcoholic. Turns out my love life in my imagination is as ridiculous as the real one!

I confess......my poor hair needs a trim and my eyebrows need waxed. I mean something fierce. Thank goodness for my appointment with Miss Texas this weekend. Yay for no longer looking like a hobo.

I confess....that sometimes when I watch shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" I think to myself, "Wait a minute....SHE'S engaged and I'm not? She's like the most terrible person ever in life and someone wants to marry her??" Great attitude, Tiffany. I'm working on it.

I confess....that I'm a grammar snob. There. I said it. I'm sorry people, but there is a difference between their (meaning owned by other people) and there (meaning a location) and they're (meaning they are) and there is a difference between its (meaning belonging to it) and it's (meaning it is) and there is a difference between your (meaning belonging to you) and you're (meaning you are). Soap box #2 over. I'm really needing an attitude adjustment!

WILW #6

“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday." ~Proverb

Well good morning everyone! Since another Wednesday has rolled around, I decided it was time to share some things that I'm loving today....be sure to check out what everyone else is loving here!

* I'm loving that I'm ALMOST at 100 followers. Can you believe that 93 people read my random ranting every day? I think it's awesome and want to say thank you to all of you who read my blog! So.....I've decided that once I reach the big 1-0-0, I will be doing a big giveaway. I'm thinking "Tiffany's Favorite Things" ala Oprah. Soooo, this means that if you're out there loitering but not yet an official follower, you need to follow to help get this giveaway going! Here are simple instructions for doing so.

* I'm loving Friday Night Lights, with one exception......WHERE is Tim Riggins? I mean, I know he's in prison and all right now, but come on, NBC.....you are wasting any time on that show where his adorable face (and his adorable everything else) is not on the screen. My father who has already watched this season via Direct TV assures me that my boy Tim will be back soon. This better be accurate! Free Tim Riggins!
* I'm loving the Miranda Lambert song "Makin' Plans" that was played during the wedding ceremony. Apparently it's old, but she wrote it for Blake and I just think it's freaking adorable. Favorite line: "I know you like the back of my hand, got a heart of gold and a piece of land..." Also LOVED her wedding pictures----Blake in jeans (swoon!) and her in her mama's dress. I would so be her friend in real life. (Alexand KP...can we work on this??)
* I'm loving that plans are in the work for me to go on a blind date. It's out of my hands, but the person in charge is pretty darn on top of things, so this could actually happen. Which would get me another bucket list checkmark. I could get two checkmarks if this date involved a drive in movie. So...if anyone out there has a potential drive in movie date for me, you let me know!

* I'm loving the project that the church I attend is starting for the summer. It's called "God Speaks, We Listen" and the idea is that you listen (not read, but listen) to the entire New Testament in 90 days. They gave out cds for everyone and apparently it will last from June 1 until August 31 and if you devote just about 12 minutes a day, you can hear the whole new testament being read. Love this idea! If you are interested in doing this as well, you can listen online here!
* I'm loving the upcoming LONG weekend! Woo hoo!! I'm headed back home to the farm. You know I'll come back with lots of new pictures and ideas for Family Farm Friday! I always look forward to a little time in the fresh air and wide open spaces. And, as an added bonus... remember the superstar wrestler who I used to babysit? Well, he's graduating from high school (and I feel like I might as well break out the walker!) on Friday night. You know I'll be there!

What I'm Loving Wednesday #4

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music." ~Angela Monet

Well I am magically out of the funk that was last week, and to celebrate that, I'm linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday!

1. "There Is A Peace" by Sojourn. I can't find a video for it, but you can listen to it here. The worship team played this at church on Sunday and I was hooked immediately. It gives me goose bumps. Favorite verse: "You've been tempted and shaken, tested and failed. You've been so far from Jesus and too close to Hell, your vision's been clouded by this world's delight, but I tell you you're not of this world so stand up and fight. There's a peace to settle your soul, there is a peace that is calling you home." And, obviously, I'm loving that there is that peace! God is good!

2. That ND Friend TOTALLY rocked the Boston Marathon. Her time....3:31. That's an 8:03 pace. FOR 26 stinkin' miles. She's a rockstar. (And, by the way, that means that she beat my hero Kristin Armstrong...who I still love of course.....but it just seems to me like ND Friend should now have her own blog on Runner's World. Just saying.)

3. That Friday Night Lights has FINALLY started up again. I'm just going to put it out there....I know he was in a prison jump suit. And I know he's a screw up and an alcoholic, and probably not super smart, but I am here to tell you if Tim Riggins showed up on my doorstep, I would marry him tomorrow. (In a brick farmhouse, my mother shudders and prays this never happens).

4. That I've been a winner in two, count them TWO, blog giveaways! My iPod nano from Living Aloha was mailed today....I've named her Aloha and I'm hoping she gives me the motivation I'm lacking on my runs here lately! And my awesome checkbook cover and mini-wallet from Story of My Life should be here this week. I think this calls for a new Easter purse. And potentially a dress......

5. My "new" camera. So while in Europe, I stole Cousin Swiss Mister's camera and fell in love. A year or so later, I learn that he broke the LCD screen and was going to throw it out. I convinced him to mail it to his favorite cousin instead and let me see if I could get it repaired. Well, low and behold, I repaired it for a fraction of the cost and I am SO loving the pictures that I've taken so far! You saw some last week, and you will see more this upcoming weekend!

6. The feeling after a really good run. I'd been struggling lately on my runs. I would stop in the middle, for no real reason...I wasn't overly tired, my legs did not hurt that bad, I was still breathing pretty normally...but I'd just stop. Well, last night I got mean with myself, yelled a few motivational things like "you suck it up!" and "you're not a quitter!" at myself and finished that baby strong! San Francisco, here I come! :)

Project 64: Week 15 - Magenta

This weeks color is a good one---Magenta.

Everytime I hear the word magenta, I think of College Roomie and her obsession with Golden Girls. She made me watch Golden Girls and I made her watch football, and through this (you know and everything else we did for 3 years living together) a best friendship was formed.

There is one episode where Blanche is feeling just "blah." She deemed that feeling "magenta" and explained that she didn't like that feeling and she didn't like the color magenta. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, the irony of this is that I've been feeling a little magenta this week. So today I went out to get some sunshine, fresh air, and to take some pictures. I ended up at a local farm/hotel/store that I had never been to, but automatically fell in love with. It was the perfect little getaway that I needed. Of course, I found my shot for the week.

Here is my version of magenta.

As always, be sure to check out the other entries over at Project 64!

AND...as a special treat....I am linking up to another awesome blog called Yellow Songbird. Go over and check out all of the other Saturday Snapshots!

What I'm Laughing/Listenting/Reading/Watching Update

"Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Clause. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. Because if you don't, who will?" ~Jon Bon Jovi

Well folks, I realized it's been a while since I filled you in on what I'm reading, watching and listening to. So, here is my attempt to fill you in on the things I've been enjoying here lately! PLEASE fill me in on your favorite books, movies, songs, and tv shows! I am always up for new suggestions!

What I'm Laughing at:

I'm starting with a video from a 5 year old about her thoughts on marriage. I am IN LOVE with this video and this kid. I'm telling y'all this girl has it figured out and I want to just pat her parents right on the back for teaching her this! Trust me....click on the link and turn up the volume! (Sidenote: I can't get Blogger to let me embed videos....it keeps saying there is an error and re-starting. Any ideas on how to fix this??)

What I'm Listening to:

In addition to the songs I've mentioned recently here and here, I wanted to list a couple of the other songs that have caught my attention here lately.

First we have "Old Alabama" by Brad Paisley. Y'all, I am here to tll you, I am a huge Alabama fan. I mean I love love love them, so their mix with Brad Paisley in this song is fantastic. Favorite verse: "She’d rather wear a pair of cut-off jeans than a fancy evening dress,and with her windows rolled down and her hair all blown around, she’s a hot southern mess." Perfect!

Next, we have "Diamonds on the Inside" by Ben Harper. Not only do I love this guy's voice, but more than that I love the idea of this song. Diamonds on the inside--where they matter. Love that. Not that I would mind a big fat diamond on a very important finger....but you get my point. Favorite verse: "Make sure the fortune that you seek is the fortune that you need."

What I'm Reading:

I'm linking this portion up with Kelly's Corner! I've currently grounded myself from buying any more books. I have a problem. I just love a good book and I love how they look in my house. I currently have over 10, yea, for real, that I have yet to read. Until that stack is gone, no more buying new ones! (To check out the books I've read, am currently reading, and have on my to-read list, click here!) As you'll see below, I'm currently on a Mitch Albom kick. Check him out and you'll see why!

First up is "Have a Little Faith." I plan on writing a couple of blogs based on ideas from this book soon. I'm here to tell you, it's one of those books that makes you think to yourself, "if there were more people like this, the world would be a great place." The book chronicals the story of two men: A Jewish Rabbi who asked the author to give the eulogy at his funeral; A former drug addict and dealer turned Christian minister who makes a difference in the lives of the homeless and forgotten in Detroit. The stories of these men teach us all something about faith and religion, about love and kindness, about understanding and tolerance, about believing and making a difference. I don't know about you guys, but I sure need to hear about all of these things. One of my favorite quotes from the book: "And, as is often the case with faith, I thought I was being asked a favor, when in fact I was being given one."

Second is Tuesdays with Morrie. This book is all about lessons about life taught by a man who was dying.

I realize I may be the only person in the world who didn't read this when it came out 15 years ago.....I'm a little slow. Maybe I wasn't meant to read it yet, because I can assure you that at this point in my life, having lost Mr. Franklin to the same horrific disease that Morrie suffered from, the book really struck a nerve. I can't believe the parallels between this book---the fact that the author's teacher was dying of ALS, the fact that the author called him "coach", the description of the progression of the disease, the mannorisms of the professor, their last words to each other-- and what I experienced in my own life. I am a slow reader, but I read this book in three nights, and had I not had to stop because I was crying a couple times, I could have done it in a day. It's that good. Whether you have had experience with this disease or not (and I honestly pray that you never do), this book is a must read. One of my favorite quotes: "The problem is that we don't believe we are as much alike as we are. Whites and blacks. Catholics and Protestants, men and women. If we saw each other as more alike, we might be very eager to join in one big human family in this world, and to care about that family the way we care about our own."

What I'm Watching:

I'm really not a huge tv person. I have my handful of shows that I watch, but that's about it. I'm counting down the days until Friday Night Lights comes back for its final season (April 15 FYI).

First up, we have Army Wives. This is one of those handful of shows and I'm here to tell you guys, last week was SO sad. I'm not much of a crier, especially at tv shows, but this one got me. Realizing that families losing their loved ones in this manner every single day just really tugged at my heart. Please take a minute today to say a prayer for our soldiers in harms way and for their families. I just cannot imagine what it is they go through.

Second, the NCAA tournament. March Madness is one of my favorite times of year, and this year it didn't disappoint! I said from the beginning I thought there would be tons of upsets, and boy was I right. The Final Four didn't have a single #1 or #2 seed. Nope--we had a 3, 4, 8 and 11. And I think it's awesome. Sidenote, you know what else is awesome? Of the 15 people who entered my friends and family bracket pool, the winner was the Blonde Oklahoma Girl. She hadn't watched a single ball game this year and it was her first time to fill out a bracket. She decided to share her scientific strategy with you all....just click here. Just so you know, she not only won, but she was the ONLY person to correctly pick the winner. That's right, the girl is a rock star.

Brain Dump

“No one ever finds life worth living - one has to make it worth living.”

I know, I know.....it's Friday and this post is not about farming. I'll get it together next week and Family Farm Friday will return!

Anyway, The Bride does posts that she calls "brain dumps" sometimes where she just writes stuff that she wants to say, but that doesn't really need its own blog, and doesn't fit with anything else. So....with that.....here we go!

1. Physical Therapy.
I've been going to physical therapy for my back injury. You might remember that I hurt my lower back in kickboxing back in December. So...this means that my super cute PT spends a lot of time poking around on my backside. It's awkward. Last week while he was doing this, I couldn't focus on what he was asking me about my back because literally ALL I could think of was, "I should have done more lunges at the gym." Get my drift?

2. State Wrestling Tournament.
I spent a couple of Saturdays ago at the State Wrestling Tournament watching one of the kiddos who I used to babysit compete. Do not ask me how this child is now a senior in high school, is 5 inches taller than me, and could probably break me in half. I blame his 5 years worth of wrestling!
I'll have to admit (and totally sound like a terrible OSU alum since I'm pretty sure we were National Champions every year I was there) that I had never seen a single wrestling match. Well.....I got caught up by watching about 5 hours worth on that Saturday! Did ya'll know that wrestling is the oldest sport in the world? It is the only sport mentioned in the Bible and it was at the first Olympic games.
Wrestling tournaments are mentally exhausting.....there was so much going on and people screaming and I'm just saying that is one intense sport! And this is from the girl who just had her hiney sitting in the stands all day, I can't imaging actually being the wrestler! Even though my kid didn't win state, he did a great job and made it to the semi-finals. I am so proud of him and so glad that I got to see him wrestle in his last meet!
3. Music.
I'm absolutely in love with Justin Moore's new song If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away. I tell you what, you change a few names and dates in that song, and I could have written it!

4. Buried Life.
I know I've blogged about this show before, but this past weekend I had myself a little Buried Life marathon and let me just tell you....I love those guys! I mean, they are over the top and crazy but they make me want to really LIVE my life!

5. South African Safari.
I'll admit it. I've been watching this season of the Bachelor. Yes, I know it's stupid and trashy and ridiculous, but after a day at work, I enjoy the mindlessness of it all, and seriously, the dude has a southern accent that just melts my heart. Anyway.....after this week's episode, I have officially added South Africa to my list of travel destinations. Safari here I come! It looks SO beautiful and I'm itching to hop on that plane right now! (That giant THUD you heard was one or both of my parents falling over dead at the thought of this. Just FYI.)

6. Cards for Little Linebacker.
You know those people who seem to just have things all together and organized and always have the best ideas? SoulMate Friend is one of those people! At Little Linebacker's First Birthday Party, she handed everyone an envelope with a number written on the back.

Then she explained that inside was a blank card, and we were to write a letter to Little Linebacker for him to open on the birthday corresponding with the number on the back of our envelope. The idea was to tell him something that we wish we would have known at that age, to give him advice, etc. So, for example, I wrote him a letter to be opened next year on his 2nd birthday. One of his aunts wrote a letter for him to openon his 5th birthday.

I got a little choked up watching one of his grandfathers write Little Linebacker a letter to be opened on his 16th birthday. Hopefully his grandpa will be there to hand it to him--but if he's not, how amazing is it that Little Linebacker will have a letter to open on this important day from someone who might no longer be here? Looking back on my own life, thinking about how much a letter from someone who I have lost would mean to me now, well I just think this is the best idea I've ever heard!

On behalf of SoulMate Friend---feel free to steal away for your own kid's birthday parties!

7. Morning Ritual.
And, lastly, I leave you with what may become my new morning ritual. Apparently this is old, but I hadn't seen it until yesterday, but I LOVE it. Just click here.

And that's it for this brain dump....it feels good to get all of these random things out in one blog! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! :)