put that in your pipe and smoke it

So last night Brent and I went to Baskin Robbins. I eat there approximately two times per year, both in the month of February because that's when they have my favorite ice cream flavor of all time: Love Potion #31. It's white chocolate and raspberry ice cream with semi sweet chocolate flecks, a raspberry ribbon and raspberry filled chocolate hearts... so yummy.
Sometimes when you give blood, they'll give you a "pint for a pint" coupon to get a pint of ice cream. I had one in my pocketbook and Brent surprised me and gave me his. Now I had TWO! I could get TWO pints of my favorite ice cream to save and eat another month besides February! So I asked the girl if I could use both, but get them in one container (as in, a bigger container?) she said no, I'd be losing ice cream, so I said okay.. we then walked over to the refrigerator where they have pre-packaged quarts of ice cream and they had one of my favorite flavor! So I asked the girl "can I use my coupons to get one of these?" (referring to the quart of ice cream)
She said "uh... no, I don't think so"
I said, "oh, are they different?"
:)
yes, I asked that poor girl if there was a difference between two pints and one quart and got laughed at..
As it turns out, there are two pints to a quart.
guess who's laughing now?

swell season..

I should be reading, but instead I'm watching the accadamy awards. and crying like a baby.

Markita Irglova and Glann Hansard just won an accadamy award for their song "Falling Slowly" from the film "Once." (If you haven't seen it, stop what you're doing, and go watch it. Go! Now!) Anyways, as they were announcing the nominees, I began thinking about how I came to love the album that inspired the movie...

"Once" came out in theaters last summer, and though I couldn't get anyone to go with me to see the film and for some reason I didn't want to go alone (I'm usually a good solo movie goer, often I prefer it). I knew the music was supposed to be amazing, so I bought the album that inspired the film on itunes. Best ten bucks I've ever spent.

That record helped me process a difficult time in my life and remains very close to my heart. It was so special, seeing them win for such a beautiful song!

less like haunting, more like remember...

I found a new blog today.
Well, actually, it found me. and in it are some of the most thoughtful, candid, transparent and honest entries from a man who's heart's desire is to follow hard after the heart of God and to be found in him.
As I was reading this blog, I came across a comment that struck me like a baseball bat across the back of my head:
Sometimes it feels like my memories are killing my soul.

Sometimes memories hurt. Sometimes they're terrifying. Sometimes embarrassing. Sometimes haunting.

I need to be aware: where is my focus? Who am i giving my thoughts to? Am I holding every thought captive and bathing it in prayer?
am i allowing my past and my guilt to dictate my future?
i constantly have to stop and remind myself "no! i'm forgiven, i'm freed, i'm redeemed! that's not who i am anymore"

thank you, jesus...

Alan Jackson, you make me cry every time...

Like red on a rose
When your lips first smiled at me
I was captured instantly
To each his own

Like blue in the sky
The gaze of your willing eyes
Touched something deep inside
The truth be known

That I love you like only little children love pennies
And I love you ‘cause I know that I can’t do anything wrong
You’re where I belong
Like red on a rose

And I love you like only little children love pennies
And I love you like good times of which I’ve known many
And I love you ‘cause I know you give me a heart of my own
You make my blood flow
Like red on a rose

even then

It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great
And the bar gets raised too high
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measured, but You know better

Thank you, Jesus
Even when you see us just as we are-
fragile, frail, and so far from who we want to be
So thank you, Jesus
even when the pieces are broken and small
dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank you, even then

So I put aside the masquerade
And admit that I am not okay
Which may not be the thing to say
But I'm not ashamed to need You more each day