happy birthday mrs. palazzo!

My second grade teacher's birthday is on February 29. She's the only person I have ever known born on this day. I'm not sure if I'd love it or hate it it were my birthday.

I suspect 'hate it'.

Just because...when do you legitimately get to celebrate, except every 4 years? February 28 is too early...and March 1 isn't even the same month anymore. Boo on that!

However...what better excuse to throw FABULOUS parties every 4 years could there be?!

I bet Mrs. Palazzo is partying it up today! I know I would be.

an inconvenient truth:

Life takes time.

Grr.

ridiculous frivolity

I know it's a total buck-waster but I totally want one of these.

I just can't bring myself to buy one...even if they are on sale 50% off. But I bought some stupidly expensive facial slather at Urban Retreat last week. How weird AM I?! (Speaking of Urban, I have decided I should alter my speech when referring to a certain spa service. I shall no longer say "I love having facials" and will hence forth be saying "I love having had a facial". Why? One word: extractions. Can I get an amen, girls?)

This one appeals to the inner geek of an organizer in me, who knows she could create it on her own, so is unwilling to pay for it, but won't spend the time to do-it-herself at home.

Other ridiculous (but maybe not frivolous) items available from the good folks at wishing fish include this little gem.

Now, I just don't ever see me being the girl who reaches up at the beginning of a flight to attach my Plane Clean Air Filter to create the lauded "Air Curtain". I'll take my chances with the viruses and bacteria, for the sake of what little cool factor I have to hang on to. Seriously, who buys this?

the montage revisited

Almost a year and a half ago, I was on my way into a montage.

I think this season of Lent is proving to be a music montage of sorts, in the sense that this season for me seems to be all about being faithful to today, every day, and just doing the things I know to do...and not worrying about the seemingly big decisions that await me in the near future (because aren't there always big decisions or big events right around the corner in every movie when the music kicks in?).

It feels like there's not much news to report to friends or to God and there's LOADS of things to report - all at the same time.

Although I'm not really listening to much music right now, I think my soundtrack for this season is relatively unchanged. I'm not sure what that says about me or montages in general. Maybe I'm stuck in a music rut, or maybe some of these songs will always be montage songs for me whenever I need them.

• "This is Your Life" - Switchfoot (The Beautiful Letdown)
• "Where Will I Be" - Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball)
• "Hope to Carry On" - Caedmon's Call (Caedmon's Call)
• "She Must and Shall Go Free" - Derek Webb (title track)
• "I'm Alright" - Kenny Loggins (various albums)
• "A Foggy Day (In London Town)" - Michael Buble (It's Time)
• "All That You Have is Your Soul" - Tracy Chapman (Crossroads '89)

I think there are more songs to add to the soundtrack that would accurately represent this current montage, but as I'm not listening to music (on purpose) right now, I guess they'll have to be named post-montage. That seems oddly backwards, but it is what it is.

happy valentine's day

heads up boys...

The biggest oxymoron in the floral world, which can prove to be even more deadly on Valentine's day than any other day of the year:

"beautiful carnations"

I'm sure anybody reading this knows that carnations alone aren't going to cut it...but if you're not yet to the "dozen red roses" place with your sweetie and feel compelled to opt for a bouquet of some sort...may I suggest absolute resolve against the presence of the carnation. No...not even for bouquet filler. Not even one.

i am a steward of truth

Today's dose of Stott is short and punchy!

Stewards of truth
All revealed truth is held in stewardship. It is given to be shared, not monopolized. If men cannot keep their scientific discoveries to themselves, how much less should we keep to ourselves the divine disclosures?
----------------------------------------------------
From "The Message of Ephesians" (The Bible Speaks Today series: Leicester: IVP, 1979), p. 120. Excerpted from "Authentic Christianity", pp. 90-91, by permission of InterVarsity Press.

My first thought was: "YEAH!"

My second was: "Why aren't I (we) as vocal as those with scientific discoveries (and the like)?" I have a few thoughts on that one, but will leave the question out there to ruminate.