Bedtime can be FUN!

Some of the best conversations with my chica friends have been as we were settling down to sleep.

There is a special bonding that happens when it gets late.

A new kind of openness.

Slumber parties are simply glorious to the young girl.

(Although, my parents have always said that nothing good happens after midnight- I'm guessing they are referring to being alone with a boy or being bored with rebellious friends who like to TP houses or snort cocaine- either way, thanks for the advice, parentals!).

Hotels can be especially fun.

Everyone is on common ground- there is no hostess- all are guests.

And hello, having 2 queen-sized beds that close together? There is bound to be some jumping around

and possibly pillow fights.

Pleh- but what I'm REALLY trying to get at is- the other night, I woke up randomly.

Why did I wake up, you ask?

Well,

I was laughing.

Yes- I was laughing in my sleep and I woke myself up.

As I came to consciousness, I continued laughing awhile.

What a pleasant way to wake up.

I wonder what was so amusing...

I'd like to own a mansion someday...

so I could fill it with orphans.

Honestly, the "MTV cribs" and "Fabulous Life Of..." shows make me sick and frustrated.

These people have so much money-

so they buy nasty big mansions,

have 7 cars,

have a plasma flat screen in every room (including the bathroom),

have their own personal movie theatres

and outdoor kitchens.

Do you really need all of that?

Why do you need 9 bedrooms and 6 baths?

Does anyone use them on a regular basis?

Couldn't you live a bit more modestly and use your excess money to

help a dying soul?

A perishing body?

A crushed spirit?

A victim of unfortunate circumstances?

Save up. Spend down.

Stop turning the blind eye- the world is more than you and that disgusting money you squander.

I wore no shoes today

as part of "No Shoes for a Day" put on by Tom's shoes.

The point was to raise awareness:

*Many people around the world cannot afford to buy shoes for their children to wear.

*Some schools will not allow children to attend school if they don't wear shoes.

*Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.

Being barefoot for about 95% of the day (dining areas caught me and asked me to put on shoes) made me think:

*It is noticeable that I am not wearing shoes and that I am different.

*I have to watch where I am walking to avoid objects that may hurt my feet (like the broken glass I almost tread on).

*I've come to realize that different floors are different temperatures (the floors coming out of the library are oddly warm).

*My feet were cold all day, and therefore my entire body felt a bit cold all day.

My feet are now:

dirty

sore (kinda prickly feeling)

calloused

itchy

and peeling a bit.

I must say, being barefoot was fun for a little bit:

almost like running around outside naked (for a straightedge like me).

But after awhile, my feet hurt. They stung. They felt dirty.

I had to consider where I could go that would allow soiled, bare feet.

Kids deserve more.

Consider giving your time, money, and/or energy to a good cause for kids-

especially in developing nations:

they can't do it all on their own.

I've always put off

that I think giving flowers is kind of ridiculous.

I mean...flowers die.

And you either pay money for them

or rob your garden of its beauty.

They are a plant that comes out of the ground,

that has a particular smell,

and for some reason-

girls flutter over receiving them.

But, I must admit,

when I get them

I have a hard time denying that I feel special-

especially when they are unexpected!

Sniff. Drink it in. Smile.

Greet the day with a light heart.

I want to live my life

in radical obedience

and radical disobedience

all at the same time.

How do I balance that?

I enjoy journeying outside of the box,

and also love the box for all it's reasons and worth.

I dilly dally.

I sputter.

I reason.

I forget.

I giggle.

Life is such a joke-

a joke you couldn't pay me to take more seriously.

Where do the edges meet?

Cookie cutters keep it crispy-

I want the doughy.

Give me the doughy!

Another family get together.

Another better part of the day spent entertaining younger cousins.

As I was chasing them around on a tiny bike,

letting them chase me,

blowing bubbles,

and climbing up and down the clubhouse slide,

I found myself laughing-

truly enjoying myself and our activities.

And as I soothed a wipeout boo-boo,

instructed them to be kind and use manners,

and held one as they ate,

I really began to understand how children are lovely and unique.

They need someone to care.

They need someone to share.

I love that they look up to me

and that I can be there for them.

Precious creations.

Crossroads of understanding.

I feel like I've come to a turning point.

One that I have been trying to find for some time now.

It feels good to finally feel that freedom!

I have not changed who I am,

I have freed who I am, from the inside.

I'm not even sure how it happened

but, praise God!

What now? What now.... :)