How would I look in dreads?

My 30th birthday will be in December, and our 10th wedding anniversary will be next May. So I've told Mark that I want to go on a tropical vacation to celebrate these two occasions. Have you all been to any all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean? It's scary to think about spending so much money to go somewhere I've never seen! (Can you tell I haven't traveled on my own very much?!)

I couldn't help it...

...I just had to post this picture. And confess that living up to my screen name, I took 76 pictures of Photobaby today. 76. Poor kid.

Nerd Alert!

Awww, yeah. I found a new blog to read today – and this one’s on grammar, baby.

All right, okay, so that’s not exciting for most people. And really, not cool for anyone. But what do you expect? Remember, I’ve already written about spelling and spelling bees. This grammar obsession should come as no surprise.

I’ve followed The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar for a while now. It’s an organization and blog devoted to, you guessed it, good grammar, and happens to be written by one of my favorite opinion writers, founder of National Grammar Day. (As if one day is enough?) But now, I have found a whole new world of grammar commentary, because the most exciting thing about this new site (well, new to me) is the blog roll on the right. Yep, you heard me. More grammar blogs! Woo-hoo!

[Disclaimer: I have just discovered this blog, so if it turns out to be offensive or weird or boring, I take no credit for wasting your time or scarring you for life. Well, I guess it would sort of be my fault. But I’m just saying that I can’t guarantee anything. I just wanted to share my exciting news with you!]

It was me! Me! Look at me! I did it! ME!

My manager has been gone for the past few days on vacation. Which means I've been in charge. Yes...that is as dangerous as it sounds. Actually, I don't think it's bad; I think it's a good chance to show that I'm qualified to do more than...well...what I was hired to do.

[To bring anyone who doesn't know up to speed, I was laid off from my decent job about a month before I had Photobaby. Four months and about 30 applications later, I was offered an entry-level, low salary job. And because it was better than the alternative (read: bankruptcy and possible depression), I took it. It's close to home and low-stress, which is good for a new mom. Right? It's also at a real estate company, so you know. You've heard about the real estate market, right? Right...]

So, back to today. My boss emailed my manager and me about some press coverage that is a direct result of the press release I wrote and sent. And didn't even mention that it was because of my work. As a matter of fact, his email was actually a forward of someone else in the office talking about how great the coverage was...and didn't mention that I was the one who GOT that coverage!

Since I'm on my own this week, I decided not to think and to just act. Always a good idea. So I shot back an email pointing out that I was the one who made this happen. And my boss nicely responded with "Awesome work." And I felt smug. Smart. Proud.

Wait...proud? Ugh. How am I supposed to balance God's guidelines with the norms of the workplace? Any career advice book or article says you have to self-promote and take credit for what you accomplish. But God doesn't exactly smile on pride. So, what's the answer? Do you know?

Restaurant Review: Longhorn Steakhouse

We will not be eating at Longhorn Steakhouse anymore. Not that we were frequent customers, but we did go there occasionally. Not anymore. We have officially added them to our "we don't eat there" list of restaurants. (They have good company - Hardee's was the first member of this group, due to their offensive advertising.)

To celebrate paying off our credit cards (Yippee! Woo-hoo! Hip, hip, hooray!!), we went out to dinner last weekend. Longhorn was nearby and steak sounded good, so we went there. I remembered as we pulled up that they have onion peels instead of an onion blossom on the menu, but wasn't too upset. After all, I don't even want to know how many points an onion blossom has!

As we sat down and looked at our menu, our eyebrows shot up. Mac and I agreed that they had raised their prices since the last time we'd been there. Still determined to enjoy our celebratory dinner (without going into debt again!), I ordered the cheapest steak on the menu and Mac ordered a ribeye. Unfortunately, my steak was very low quality and mostly gristle and fat. (Mac pointed out that we could have bought a package of low-grade steaks at Aldi that would have been better - and probably still cheaper!) And then, Mac's ribeye was practically mooing. He ordered medium well - it probably wasn't even medium.

This isn't the first time we've had an undercooked steak at this restaurant. So, unfortunately for Longhorn, they're now on the no-go list for us.

(All these reviews recently make me think of one of the first blogs I read on a regular basis: Random Reviewer. They've stopped writing, but they were pretty funny while it lasted!)

My Feelings Exactly!

Photobaby has a Veggie Tales video. It's actually a singalong video, including songs from several different videos. My favorite song - even more than "Pizza Angel" and "Sport Utility Video" - is "I Want to Dance." [Note: this page shows a clip of the song, but it's not the same one on Photobaby's video. The one we have has kind of a disco or funk beat.]

The song is from A Snoodle's Tale, a movie that helps a character learn not to be discouraged by others, because in his creator's eyes he is wonderful and talented! I haven't seen this movie, but I love the song by Dr. Jiggle about how he wants to dance. I, too, want to dance and feel held back by extra weight. But if I listen to what the Veggie Tales tell me, I can dance!

(This is not to be confused with my favorite show, So You Think You Can Dance, because even if I decide I can dance and I think I can dance, I'm still too old for the show!)

I tried to find the video online, but couldn't. So here are a few lyrics for you:

He wants to dance
He wants to groove
(You can dance if you want to)
He needs to feel the rush of the wind
Under his shoes

You see, Dr Jiggle, when you know God made you special, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You can just be yourself.

Coming to you...LIVE...from Florida!

I've spent the last three days in Tampa at a golf and tennis resort. I'm here for the Agricultural Media Summit, representing my company at a trade show and hobnobbing with reporters who write about things like cows and fertilizer and tractors and everything farm. So tonight, before I pack and go to bed so I can get up for my very early flight, I'd like to tell you the best and worst things about my trip to Florida.


Best:

• I ate the biggest pork chop I've ever seen tonight, not to mention the chocolate cake I had to split it with my co-worker - after all, I'm making myself weigh in tomorrow when I get home!
• The staff at this resort has provided the most outstanding service I have ever received in any capacity. I guess I don't normally pay enough to be treated this well? (That's a slightly sarcastic comment - who, me? - because I believe customer service is sorely lacking in the world.) All kidding aside, the people who work here have been amazing, offering above average service with a kind smile. The bellman who told us about the umbrellas in our closets, the shipping guy who searched, found and delivered extra boxes for us to use for our extra supplies (from the trade show), the waitress who explained Tampa traffic patterns when we asked about getting to the airport on time, the gift shop lady who gave me band-aids out of her desk when I was going to buy them - these are just a few people who were just fantastic in providing service to me, a lowly conference attender at their swanky resort.
• I met some fun people, like my new friend, Lucy, who's coming to Kansas City next week to try out for American Idol. She even sang her audition songs for us, and she's really good!
• I learned that rum punch is quite tasty (unless it's heavier on the rum than the punch and then it's not nearly as fun - for me, at least).

Worst:

• Florida is ridiculously humid. I mean, there should be another word for how humid it is here. I've been calling it oppressively humid, but that might be a bit much. But just saying "freaking humid" doesn't cut it. It's so humid - and hot, of course, but in July that's a given - that I actually said more than once that I'd rather take all of my clothes off than stand another minute of the oppressive and stifling heat and humidity. For the record, I did NOT take off all my clothes. Although I did take two showers yesterday. It's bad. I've been to Florida in July before - I distinctly remember sweating more than I've ever sweated before. At least then I didn't have to look professional. I couldn't even pretend to look cool - what 17 year old girl visiting Disney World with her parents can?
• I brought new shoes. New shoes that cut my feet to pieces. New shoes that immediately rubbed blisters on several different parts of my feet.
• Because this is a resort and not a hotel, our room, the main building, the trade show building and the restaurants were all in different buildings...meaning I had to walk through the wall of humidity on my sad, sad feet constantly.

OH! I forgot another BEST thing - my bed! Normally, there's at least three, if not four, of us in the bed at home. (Our cats truly believe they are people and deserve the biggest bed in the house - they'll make room for us if we promise to be real nice.) I got a whole bed, an unbelievably comfortable mattress and duvet, plus four smushy pillows all to myself!

And now for another BEST thing. I'm going to pack all my stuff, go to bed, and before I know it I'll be back home, seeing my baby, enjoying normal humidity....and missing the palm trees, bellhop and cleaning service!

Book Review: The Convenient Groom

Remember when I said I checked out 20 books from the library? Well, I've read two so far.

(I also had to return the latest John Grisham because it was way overdue. I've read all his other legal mysteries, but this one was just too slow-going for me to finish. And I hardly ever don't finish a book! But I'm not reviewing that book.)

One of the two books I've finished is The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter. I learned about this author on her blog, Girls Write Out, a collaboration of four Christian fiction writers. I'd never read her and was hoping that her books were the good kind - interesting and entertaining, but clean with a good message. You know, the good kind of Christian fiction!

Based on those criteria, this book was a winner. It was entertaining - I read it in one night (yes, it's true - I certainly did not get enough sleep that night!). I always enjoy a story where two opposites are thrown into an odd situation and end up falling in love. (Really, who doesn't like that?) But what I found interesting was that it didn't have an overt spiritual theme, and it protrayed an honest (not whitewashed) relationship between two people who luuuuv each other.

I haven't decided how I feel about this kind of Christian fiction. I like the honesty and real-life-ness of the characters. And it's not that I prefer the sappy, in your face, here's five steps to get saved message some books throw at readers. It was just different. And I think I liked it.

I recommend it.

Take This Job and...

Four months ago, my dad lost his job. He was actually fired for refusing to lie under oath. He worked for a law firm.

It's been a long four months for him. Losing his job was discouraging enough, but then to apply for dozens of jobs and get nowhere - well, he was feeling pretty down. Not to mention, broke. My parents are very faithful and knew the whole time that God was in control, but it's hard to stay calm while He works things out!

Right after he started his job hunt, my dad applied for a job at another law firm. He was offered the job but counteroffered for a higher salary. Then he never heard another word! It was so weird! Well, turns out the person they hired instead of him didn't do good work (to say the least, from what I hear), and they fired him. So last Thursday, the company called and asked Dad if he was still interested in the job.

Of course he was! And he started on Monday.

It's funny - it's almost like God said, "Okay, company, you hired the wrong guy. *sigh* I'll hold onto Photodad until you figure out your mistake."

So....YAY!!! God got my dad out of a not-good job, provided while he was out of work, and gave him a new job!!! YAY!!!

(That's Photobaby up there - I'm sure that grin is because Grandpa got a new job!)

The One That Made Me Cry (List of the Week, v4)

I don't think I'm a completely unstable person. My husband might tell you differently, but since I'm the one writing...Anyway. I'm really not a basketcase. I am, however, a crybaby. So when I realized how long it had been since I gave you a list of the week, I thought I'd tell you about some of the things that make me cry.

Plus, I tried and tried to put together a 4th of July post, and it just didn't happen. The last thing on my list is where I started - and where I ended. I just couldn't get past my emotions for that post. So okay, maybe I am a tad bit over the edge. But really, doesn't anyone else cry at any of these things? (Or maybe even something else? Like Hallmark commercials or something?)

Good worship music - This usually happens at church or in my car. I'm so affected by music that God speaks to me so clearly with it. It can be convicting, overwhelming or encouraging - no matter, it can make me cry.

TV series finales - I have a slight addiction to finales. I don't know what it is that makes me tune in every time, but I do. Even if I don't normally watch a show, if I hear that the final show is coming up, I'll watch it! I started watching Friends when it was announced they were doing the last season. (Turns out it was not, in fact, the last season, but I watched from then until the end the next year. And I'm pretty sure I've seen every episode since, thanks to reruns.) It doesn't even have to be a series finale. I watched Michael J. Fox's last episode of "Spin City". I hadn't watched the show in a few years, but I watched that episode. And bawled like a baby.

Weddings - I'm sitting here watching a wedding show on TLC and got teared up. And as I stood at the front of the sanctuary for my brother's wedding and watched my strong and beautiful sister-in-law walk down the aisle by herself, I kid you not, I had a hiccup sob. I couldn't keep it in! So it doesn't matter if it's my friend's second wedding that I wrote about earlier or two strangers I've never met or even two fictional characters, if it's a sweet or poignant or wonderful wedding, I will cry.

Abused, sick or neglected animals, children or old people - There is a commercial on TV right now; I think it's for the ASPCA. It shows dog after cat after cat after dog - all of them somehow managing to look sadly into the camera - all to a mournful Sarah McLaughlin song. And it is the longest commercial ev-er. I have to change the channel every time it comes on. I just cannot handle it. Something else I can't handle? The grandma scenes in Happy Gilmore. I know - that is not a sad movie. But seeing that little grandmother get treated so badly - even if it's by a ridiculous Ben Stiller character - just hurts my heart. Not because I think it's real, but because I'm sure things like that happen in real life! And don't even get me started about sick kids. After working for a health charity, I know too many stories to take any child's situation lightly.

My daughter - I've cried over her first laugh, looking at her face when she sleeps, thinking about how many things could go wrong in her life, thanking God for all the things that have already gone right, and in desperation when I couldn't stop her from crying. And I have a feeling there will be many more tears over my little sweet pea!

Inspiring sports movies - I'm not an athlete. As a matter of fact, I don't really enjoy sports much at all. And I will admit that I've cried due to failing at sports in the past. That should really make me hate sports. But the cliched scene of the underdog managing a victory in the last few seconds of the game - well, it gets me every time. You know the stories I'm talking about: Radio, We Are Marshall, Glory Road, Remember the Titans, Hoosiers, A League of Their Own, Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, even Friday Night Lights. Like I said, I don't really like sports. But I seem to love their movies. (And this video? Bring on the Kleenex!)

Is There Life Out There - Reba McEntire's video for this song makes me cry every time I see it. She plays a wife and mother who goes back to school to get her college degree. And that's exactly what my mom did 20 years ago. Each time Reba says, "I learned more from the stain than I did the paper," I break down, thinking of how hard my mom worked, all the sacrifices our family made, and how proud of her I am.

Our military and the war - My grandad was in the Army, so I was raised with a deep respect for our country, our flag and our military. With everything that's gone on in our nation the past seven years, that feeling has only grown. No matter what you believe about our leaders and their strategies and choices, the men and women who risk and sometimes sacrifice their lives for us are heroes. Plain and simple. And that's why I cry when I hear patriotic country songs (this one caused a breakdown in my car), read military-themed books (sobbing on my couch), watch TV shows about the Army (sniffling every Monday night), or look through Mad Dog's Iraq scrapbook. I almost can't stand how sad it makes me. On the other hand, it makes me so proud and thankful. "Thank you" doesn't seem adequate, but I still have to say it. To those who serve our country, thank you.

By the way...onions don't actually make me cry. (But they're about the only thing that doesn't!)

Update: I wrote this post and scheduled it for today before I heard some bad news. A couple I know from college lost their baby yesterday. The wife was 9 months pregnant and had not experienced any problems. But her water broke and she didn't deliver soon enough.

I can only imagine how excrutiating this situation must be for them, and honestly, I'm sure anything I can imagine is still nothing compared to their pain. I'm praying for them, of course. They are believers, so I pray that will carry them through this time. I don't understand why these things happen. Things like this - as well as my questions following them - also make me cry.