Commercial Break :)

These commercials will just never get old to me.  So freaking hilarious!
Sour.  Sweet.  Gone.



And how adorable is this!?  Yet another good move by Geico.  I LOVE the Pillsbury Dough Boy, and especially that they give him a tiny backpack and have him sing along to the Geico tune at the end.  Cuteness!


I also find the Let's Get Zesty Kraft commercials and the Sauza Lifeguard "How about a puppy montage?" commercials hilarious... but I'll skip posting them here. :)

Finally, Chet's talked about how his brother is starting to hang out with him and Jeff more, and they both laughed about how often he uses hashtags... so seeing this on FB really cracked me up!  =)

P.S.  Facebook misses you, Chet!

T-Swift Recap!

Well, the concert was awesome and fun!  Me and the plethora of 5-7 year old girls around me loved it! lol

Taylor in a few of her many costume changes at the RED Concert!  (And her bedazzled red guitar in the middle - love it!)  There was also a red piano, red nail polish, red lipstick, red dress, red coat, and bedazzled red microphone! :)

A few stories:

I paid $30 to park where I wouldn't have a far walk.  Worth it.

On my way in, I heard a random street preacher yelling at the top of his lungs, "Many people are on the broad road... like Taylor Swift!  She is on the broad road to destruction."  

..."All he is is mean.  And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life and mean." lol

I ordered a bottled water, then saw the concession girl pouring it in a cup.  I said, "Oh, I just wanted the bottled water."  Then she said, "We have to pour them into a cup.  It's Taylor's request."  The way she said it seriously cracked me up.

I sat next to a girl named Sarah who I'm guessing was about 6.  She was cute and excited, and she was definitely a sharer. lol  She gave me a piece of her pink cotton candy, which I actually ate (I know, shocking).  She also offered me a bite of her rainbow Dip'n Dots and her M&Ms.  Cuteness.

My seats were on the front row of section 3 on the side.  I got some good pictures, but most were a bit blurry.  I knew all the words to every song but one - I'll have to buy her 1st and 2nd CD sometime.

The only Ed Sheeran song I cared much about was the duet with Taylor.

It was past Sarah's bedtime, so she and her mom left about 30 minutes early and I got a better seat! lol

Her concerts are really a fun show.  I can't even describe how funny it was to hear a group of 5-7 year old girls singing, "How could you not know, baby, you belong with me!"  and "I don't know about you, but I'm feelin' 22!"  Hilarious.  T-Swift gave a little anti-bullying / you are not alone speech before singing Mean.  I like that - so many younger girls adore her, and in the world of Miley Cyrus and Britney and Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes, she's able to be herself and embrace the wholesome fun girly girl role.

"I try to be pretty self-aware.  When I write about love, most of the emotions I write about are not the healthy emotions, but those crazy emotions that we all feel at times - the intense passion, joy, anger, and sadness that accompany love - and the best color to describe those intense emotions is bright, burning red!" ~T Swift  
I like that her beauty and confidence and honesty makes people like 2007 Lindsey feel less alone. :)

She ended with We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together, complete with a circus act and LOTS of confetti! :)

So, even if I'm too old for it to make sense, I'm a fan!  I'm a fan of her personality, her writing, her voice, and her creative performances.  I like that she's honest about her insecurities, but always striving to be bolder and become more sure of herself (as evidenced by her lyrics and even her CD Titles).  I'm even a fan of her infamous dramatic faces and the signature heart.  And I'm definitely a fan of her concerts... next time, join me, won't you!? lol

Dad's 60th - (Quick Recap)

For Dad's 60th B-day, we had Georgia's chocolate cake for breakfast then had lunch with his side of the fam at Roundup Pizza... Rach gave him the scrapbook there, so that was exciting!  From there, most of the fam (minus Rach and Josh and Jace) went to Penn Square to see 2 Guns, which was fun - Mark Wahlberg is always fun!  Then Rach came over to Mom and Dad's and Dad read through the letters in his scrapbook.  After that, we had dinner at Hideaway with the Minnichs, Lemieux's, and Wallaces!  

Here are a few fun pics from that day:

The whole group - Rick and Tricia, Bill and Jill, Dad and Mom, and Bill and Deb =)

Happy candid of Dad and Bill

The Football Four :)  - Dad, Bill, Bill, & Rick

Bill Lemieux always makes me laugh... he gave Mom this "gift" because she really hates Kendrick Perkins and wants him off the team.

The fam with Dad's scrapbook!

Bill also gave Dad this card from his least favorite golfer. lol

"Well, you know it's a special birthday when big celebrities start sending you gifts and cards!!"  -Bill :)

Top 10 Tuesday

10 Random Little Annoyances: 

1. People who seem to wait for a response after making a totally neutral statement about me or something I own/made...  like, "Oh, you changed your hair" or "Wow, that's really colorful."  Umm, yep.  (Saying "thanks" never feels quite right, but saying nothing doesn't either.  I usually go with a slow nod and smile, which sometimes results in a follow-up "I like it.")  So if you genuinely like something, by all means, say that!  If not, don't bother to caption the obvious.
2. Someone telling me a funny story about a small group event I was a part of... sometimes throwing in a statement like, "I feel like someone else was there with us too.  I just can't remember."  Awesome.
3. Confusing comments from strangers:  The plumber fixing my shower asked if I wanted him to put a scald-guard on it... commenting, "Well, I noticed that you probably have a child."  Hmmmm?  (So many thoughts, but they're mostly self-deprecating, so I'll keep them to myself. lol)
4. That cringe-worthy squeaky feeling when you touch paper plates, Styrofoam cups or to-go boxes, balloons, etc.  Yikes.
5. Technologically challenged people holding up the line at the movie theater kiosk -- makes me want to scream (or go to the front and do it for them) every time! 
6. The degree to which I am an "all or nothing" person.  It makes it way too easy to give up.
7. Construction zones where the lane boundaries are double-marked and terribly confusing for everyone!  Can't they paint out the old ones or paint the new ones hot pink or something!?
8. The way my mind goes blank when I'm asked to write about a particular subject, even when it's one that would normally flow pretty naturally.
9. Doing something kind then getting critical feedback. 
10. Vapid girls who post tons of duck-face pictures, especially when two girls make that face at each other - uggggh, they know exactly what they're doing and it's not cute or funny (unless, of course, they're doing it ironically to mock the shallowness - then it's at least a little funny). :)
    
    

And on the flippity-flip* - 10 Little Things that Make Me Happy:

1. Genuine, unexpected compliments! 
2. Reminiscing and re-hashing old stories with close friends. :)
3. Believing that I will have a child someday.
4. Letting go of balloons and watching them float up and away.
5. Going to movie theaters - especially when I get to see a new or favorite preview. :)
6. Learning to get back up after I mess up.
7. The day when you realize the frustrating road construction is finally complete!
8. Un-pressured writing... LOVE it.
9. Doing something kind. :)
10. Actual ducks!!  ...And adorable babies who make the kissy face!

*(Laura, I figured out that it was a Michael Scott phrase, which really makes it even funnier.)

Anyway, Happy Tuesday!! =)

Memory Monday ~ T-Swift

Sooo, remember when I went by myself to see T-Swift in concert in OKC in October 2011, and it was awesome!??  lol

GET EXCITED, because she's coming to Tulsa this Wednesday, and I'm going again!!  How psyched am I!?  lol  (Yep, I realize I'm almost 30 years old and can't find anyone else in my age range willing to pay that much to see her... I don't care.  As is the case with several people, I really do understand why others find her irritating and don't care for her much, but in almost every aspect, for reasons I'm not sure I can explain, I genuinely like her as a person and I love and connect with her music!)  

So I'm excited for this concert - I only wish that I didn't have to drive myself, but I'm sure I'll manage!

My favorite song on her new album = The Lucky One 
(And this video montage just makes me happy.)


I'm thankful I got an email this morning from TicketTracker reminding me to print my ticket... I was totally thinking this wasn't until September.  So that was a fun surprise!! :)  She's in concert with Ed Sheeran, so I'm gonna listen to some of his stuff today.  They have one song together that I really like.  Anyway, when I saw her music video and listened to Love Story in 2009, I quickly became a fan of hers.  And almost four years later, she's definitely still one of my favorites - and the only singer I can think of whose concert I would gladly attend alone... twice! =)

Birthday Letter!

{This Thursday (August 1st), Dad celebrated 30 years at State Farm.  And today is his 60th Birthday!!  Rach had the idea of putting together a scrapbook of pictures and letters from important people in Dad's life... Mom and I have helped her work on it the last couple weekends, and it's turned out really nice!  I so loved reading all the letters, and enjoyed writing my own as well.  Today should be great all around -- lunch with his side of the family; a fun action movie (2 Guns); then dinner and cake with the Wallaces, Lemieux's, and Minnichs!  Get excited!! ;-)  Anyway, the following is my letter for the book + a few happy pictures.}

Dad,

Happy 60th Birthday!!!

I love you very much, and I’m thankful that God chose you to be my Dad!  You are a loving, wise, patient, peaceful, optimistic, faithful, helpful, and generous man of integrity… and experiencing that in my childhood has encouraged me to grow in those qualities and has strengthened my view of God as a Father!  Your personal walk with God and commitment to seeking Him in your business and life decisions has had a great impact on our family.  And because of your heart for God and your generosity, God has seen fit to bless you, your business, and your family in awesome ways! :)  The way you value loyalty, kindness, and service has helped to shape my own ‘core values,’ and I’m thankful for that.  I really appreciate that you have always loved through actions rather than empty words – through an endless number of small acts of service (vacuuming, laundry, dishes, yard work – even at my house in Jenks, washing and putting gas in our cars, taking care of tax paperwork, curbside service, bringing us dinner, babysitting and playing with the grandkids, etc.) and that you always do these things without complaining or expecting anything in return.  So THANK YOU for all you do for our family… for being a man who seeks God… and for providing everything we need and generously giving us most everything we could ever want!!

The vast majority of my childhood memories are idyllic.  You have always been really great with kids, and that certainly included me and Rachael!  You did your best to make us feel that we were beautiful and loved and important – that mattered more than the nice house and the backyard pool and swing set and all the toys – but that stuff was pretty great too! ;-)  You always knew how to make us laugh and have fun – playing Timmy and Tommy tiger, chasing us around, playing ‘Rocket Ship,’ playing in the sprinklers, coming out to swim with us, etc.!  You read us Bible stories and fun children’s books before bedtime, took us to church every Sunday, and made the costly decision to send us to a Christian school (which I know had a great impact on my spiritual life, education, and friendship choices)!  You have truly been the leader and spiritual leader of our home.  Rach and I knew that you meant business and you would discipline us when necessary, but there was never an unhealthy fear of you losing your temper or flipping out about something minor, and I’m so very grateful for that!  You were stable and levelheaded, and your love for us was never in question.

I will remember you coaching Rach and I and our friends on the Youth in Action basketball teams and practicing with us in the backyard.  I will remember you buying Kelsey for us when we begged for a dog and then taking great care of her (even though Rach and I had assured you we’d do all the work)!  I will remember hosting several family get-togethers, cookouts, swim parties, and holiday celebrations at our house!  I will remember chocolate cakes and birthdays and great cards that said you were proud of me!  I will remember hearing Charles Stanley and the Gaithers on TV.  I will remember all the SuperBowl Parties and laughter and fun times with the Wallaces, the Lemieux’s, and the Minnichs!  I will remember a lot of awesome family road trips (with stops including Hollywood, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Disney World, Lake Tahoe, and the Grand Canyon)! :)  I will remember watching Yankee Doodle Dandy on the 4th of July and White Christmas on Christmas Eve. 

I will remember you patiently teaching me to play golf and buying me golf clubs, shoes, etc. during my Junior year of high school.  I will remember you helping me move into my OBU dorm, then back home, then to my apartment, and finally to my house in Jenks!  I will remember you buying me the red Lexus convertible on Valentine’s Day in 2006!  I will remember you hugging and comforting me when I was overwhelmed and crying over a broken friendship in 2007!  I will remember the way you diligently took care of Mom after the wreck in 2011, never even complaining about your own injuries.  I will remember going to the movies with you; watching Triston, Carter, and Jace light up when they see you; and seeing you smile and greet me at the Midwest City LifeChurch door every weekend when I come home!  And I will remember a great number of unexpected, generous gifts. But most importantly, I will remember feeling valued and loved by my Dad!

I know that you did not have this same experience with your own father, and I’m sorry for that.  Rather than copying the selfishness, deception, fear, and bad decisions you witnessed, you chose to follow God and create your own path while still honoring your dad.  You give openly rather than hoarding your money, you are involved in our lives and what is important to us, you don’t let fear control your decisions, and you care far more about your family than your job!  Thank you for being there and letting us know that we matter to you.  You rarely talk about the hard things in your past, but I know you have experienced the death of both parents as well as a painful divorce.  Thank you for setting an example that we can take responsibility, choose our own course, and do what is right even when it’s difficult.  I really wish I had had the opportunity to meet your mother.  I look forward to knowing her in heaven, and I believe that she’s proudly cheering you on as she watches your life unfold here on earth!

Your catchphrase and favorite saying has been “Attitude is Everything,” and you live it out by staying happy and peaceful regardless of what’s going on.  You are good at keeping the peace when someone gets irrationally upset about an insurance claim or whatever else.  You are trustworthy and humble enough to admit your mistakes, which are few and far between.  And you remind us that although we cannot always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we react to every situation! 

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”  I believe that you have a respected name among your family, friends, church, staff, bosses, and clients.  I know that many people trust you and highly esteem and value your influence, support, friendship, discernment, and Godly advice!  You have been financially blessed as well, but I believe you would choose the good name over the great riches, which is rare, and I love that about you – (and I’m sure God does too)!

Thank you for being a wonderful Dad to me and Rachael; a faithful husband to Mom; a great Father-in-Law to Josh; and a fun-loving Grandad to Triston, Carter, and Jace!  I love you so very much and I pray that this will be a great, memorable, Happy Birthday for you!!

Love you,

Photo Friday!

How freaking cool is this!?  I feel like God was just having a little fun when He made stuff like this.  I'm fairly positive that there will be things brighter and more breathtaking than this all over the place in heaven... but still, it'd be nice to go to China sometime and see this... or go to Maui and see the rainbow trees. =)

Anyway, yay for a God who is colorful and creative!  Happy Friday!!

^^Read more about this and see more awesome pictures here:  Rainbow Mountains in China

^^The rainbow trees in Maui.

(*I obviously didn't take these pictures, but found them online.) :)