So glad I didn't have Facebook...

Can I just say, I am so glad Facebook wasn't around when I was in high school.  I actually feel sorry for teens (esp girls) who have to maneuver through this social media. I say this because I have had my fair share of watching teens deal with the crazy drama that unfolds through pictures that are posted, subtle insults embedded in status messages and who hung out with who Friday night and left who out!
It's insane.
I mean, I know adults who create their own drama - but I don't feel so bad for them - get a grip.
However, for young kids who really forged this frontier before their parents even knew what Facebook was, pretty much did it without much guidance or understanding of the impact.
I spent enough time crying in my room over something someone said at school or sulking because some one was hanging out with MY best friend more..haha...you laugh..but for those of you who did high school..you know.
I couldn't imagine trying to keep up with social demands and implications of online socializing. Gosh, it was difficult enough on a day to day basis. I don't say that begrudingly. I loved high school, but despite the overall fond memories, there were those moments of emotional wreckage. Just glad Facebook wasn't around then :)  My yearbook is good enough!....and now. I definitely sound old and  for the record. i love facebook.

Impact.

We were asked in our small group what books (beside the Bible) had an impact on us. It immediately divided the readers from the non-readers..all in good humor...so we were forced to include movies too.
My mind scrambled...so many books! So many movies! I giggled, because I wanted to proudly state TWILIGHT!! ha! Impactful? maybe one of the MOST entertaining..not sure it can qualify as impacting. Though, I could probably spawn an inner debate about that.
I did choose This Present Darkness - Frank Peretti and The Shack. When a book comes back to mind time and again...then you know it got it you. I feel the same goes with certain songs or movies. One dude was passionate about the movie Braveheart another spoke highly of a book I now can't remember- but it had to do with the cost of Pastor's standing up for Christ in Nazi Germany - I'm guessing it's not a light read by any means.  But, it was interesting to go through and choose books or story lines that were impacting, not just entertaining or educational.
Of course, I also think books and movies can have a different impact depending on where you are in life. The turnover can be as frequent as different wrinkles unfolding in life. What movie/book grabs your heart?
My good friend did suggest a new author:  Gayle Forman who has written  If I Stay and then  Where She Went  - suggested for fans of Twilight. I haven't gotten the books yet...but I plan on it ;) 

Out of misery - grows Friendships...

Obviously most everyone knows we spent some time in Florida, a lovely treat for ANY New Yorker at this point. Getting there was a little on this side of misery. Delay upon delay and we ended up stranded at the airport missing our connection and therefore missing out on a day in the sunshine state...and for us Vitamin D deficient land-lovers...this was crazy disappointing. It was worse breaking the news to two lil boyz eagerly awaiting their first plane ride in which they were not babies.
Alas, we met the couple who were stranded in Detroit, flown to Binghamton because Scranton was under a wind advisory. We enjoyed the company of two lil girls and their family who all gathered around to watch movies with us and we met the near college graduates who asked a million questions about the teaching world...I re-met a family I knew from Davenport and felt sorry for the girl at the terminal who had no answers for weary, delayed travelers.
When we did get on the plane, we were delayed a second time, with the same people from the day before. The connection in Detroit was going to be close...and I mean CLOSE. We were that family you see in the movies racing through the airport..thankfully our newfound "friends" ran ahead of us to let the plane know we were en route..as fast as lil five year old legs could go.
Notes:
We made it with seven minutes to spare.
Andrew will probably never get on a plane again
I have the most well behaved boyz eva!
Three dudes missed their connections :(
Delta asked me about their services... I have yet to respond.
I heart all you who inquired and prayed for our trip
I like cars.
I really should live at the beach
Miserable delays = new friends. for realz.
Some girls really shouldn't wear mini skirts
Airplane snack needs to be a little more varied
No way will I ever be the airport terminal chick
I can pack a family of four into four bags and not check luggage...that's right.

So many ideas

so little time. Ever want to do everything and nothing at the same time. Like...great concepts, innovative ideas- but overwhelming fear of rejection? That's me. But then, I guess if Mark Zuckerberg was fearful...

A fashion trend-setter..who me? nah ;)

So, true story. I have received MULTIPLE compliments on this cool green and brown bag I have. It's a tote I guess I should say. I say ..."why thank you" and then I continue on my way...ok with a sort of smirk.
Only because...at least two of those people are...well...very INTO the clothes they wear and the fashion industry itself.
Here's the 411.. (i just wanted to say that) That green and brown tote is a result of my "be better to the planet moment" when I snatched up a few of those "go green" totes from Wal Mart. In a hurried exit from the house I used it to stuff a few things in it for the boys, some snacks and some personal items. At first I thought I was genius because it really was quite convenient. I have used it to more as tote (only because I can NEVER remember to bring it BACK to the store to shop with) more than anything..and out of all the bags, totes or whatever I have...it's the Wal Mart wonder that has gotten the most attention.
Just $3 ladies. and it can literally change your world...or at least it is fun to see how many people say they like your Wallie Bag. :)

Bittersweet

Holding your hand
and then letting it go

Relishing your smile
before you turn away

it's bittersweet
this life we live

embracing the sweet
defines the bitter

laughing out loud
turns crying alone

a warrior's poetic justice ends in
a broken hearts compassion

the wings of being in-love
become grounded in reality

or
a lifetime of mistakes
hones God's magnificent work

insecurity lurks in the shadows
brightened with uniqueness

cold fingers warm
at the touch friendship

whispers of doubt
sing praises

lips of calloused lies
turn supple with truth

i walked alone
til my soul found you

i know it's sweet,
because I've known it's bitter.

:)

I went all HGTV on myself..

Three pics is enough to get the idea. You know you are a grown up when you get excited to go to the store to buy hardware....