My parents named me Laurel, after the mountain laurel flower, but I've always gone by Laurie. I feel like I've spent my whole life trying to be what other people would find acceptable, and it hasn't been until recent years that I've thought more about how GOD would like me to be. He wants my heart to be seeking after HIM and not the approval of man. So, this is where I will be working out my thoughts, removing the masks (even my nickname!), being real, and making a FREAK of myself! ha ha Any other Jesus Freaks or just freaks in general or even non-freaky people are welcome to read, discuss, encourage, or be encouraged. Welcome to my brain . . . and my heart. :)
Showing posts with label Friday Night Randomness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday Night Randomness. Show all posts
Foodliness: Love, love, love (but I'm the only one in my house who does) these Snapea Crisps, the lightly salted variety. I found them at Martin's, but I'm sure they are available elsewhere. I don't know how healthy they actually are, but they're a tasty snack from time to time. They are snap peas that are baked, and they kind of puff up and become crunchy. Something different.
From the Makeup Bag: My eyelashes need as much help as they can get! Alas, I wasn't born with LM's never-ending, perfectly curled lashes. Seems unfair if I choose to look at it that way. ;) L'oreal Voluminous mascara does a decent job.
Skin Care: We've all heard how important it is to remove our makeup before cleansing the skin. Some of the facial wipes out there are quite costly! Awhile back, I took a chance when I saw that Dollar Tree carries "Exfoliating Facial Wipes" for sensitive skin. You get 30 in a package for $1, and they work! They even remove most eye makeup well. They're not very thick, but they still get the job done.
Musically Speaking: Love this! When we sing it in church, I find myself singing or humming it for weeks to come. :)
Home Theater: LM and I enjoyed watching this adventurous family-friendly movie on Netflix, and I highly recommend it!
Candle: The only candle I burned in May was a "Huntington Home" Spa candle, in "coconut milk & mango" scent. I love the smell of coconut, and, though I love mangoes, the mango scent overpowers the coconut milk and smells a little to sweet or something. I'm not a fan of candles that smell like food usually anyway, but the word "coconut" swayed me this time. It's fine, but I'm not crazy about it.
App: I go back and forth between reading my physical, crinkly-paged Bible and reading on my phone or Kindle. In May I mostly read from YouVersion.
Human: My favorite human for this month has to be Landon Austin. He's doing a very decent thing (which will be obvious in the near future) to support my upcoming Young Adult Christian fiction series, due to be available on Kindle later this summer. I've loved Landon's music for quite awhile. He does fantastic covers (often better than the originals!) and records his own original music, too. Unforgettable voice and scads of talent. He has a funny vlog channel, too. Here's his latest (I think) cover:
April! We finally had some spring-like days--such loveliness! Here are some of my favorites from the month of April.
Best Reads:I've had four books going on in April. Pretty much at the same time. I'm not sure how or why I'm doing this, as it's very uncharacteristic of me, but it's just what's happening lately. In addition to trying to finish the Bono biography I talked about last month, I've also been reading:
I was needing a fresh parenting perspective. The title is awful in my opinion, but you can't always judge a book by its cover. I may do a full review on this later, but this gave some helpful and effective insights. And it made me laugh out loud several times, too. :)
This one kind of fills in the gaps left by the other one. Seriously, the two of them together have helped me look at things I'd never thought of before.
Foodliness:Spicy Sausage Pasta
Not exactly the healthiest, but my little family loved it. And it's not very spicy, but still flavorful!
From the Makeup Bag: Love this eyeshadow palette called Petal Pusher from Wet & Wild. Only $5 at Walgreens, Meijer, and probably other places, too, but the colors are really pigmented and have some staying power. I don't use all eight colors. The lightest pink is my favorite for the lid and the one below it for the crease (in other words, I don't go by how they've labeled the colors).
Not sure why this video is showing up like this, but it's a Landon Austin and Ellie Swisher cover of this melodic lullaby. It haunts me in a lovely way. Though I'm one of the few Americans who hasn't seen the movie, I've heard Taylor Swift's version of this song and (sorry, Taylor!), this one is so much better! (I'm making a sheepish face right now.)
Home Theater: Didn't have time to watch much in April, but LM and I enjoyed watching "The Greening of Whitney Brown" on Netflix.
Candle: I've been enjoying my Tuscany lilac candle, tiding me over 'til my real lilacs bloom.
Found this at Meijer, but it's not on their website. Click here to order online via Shopko
App: Seriously, this is so boring, but the app I used most in April was The Weather Channel one. Yawn!
Human: So, it's not my intention to regularly have my Favorite Human of the Month be someone I actually know in person, because I know and love so many wonderful people and would never want to appear to be playing favorites. But they say there's an exception to every rule, and I can't let this one go by because of some silly, self-imposed rule. ;) So, April's "Favorite Human" is actually a duo: My newborn nephew, Jonathan and his mama, Betsy (my sis!). They're both the bomb in my book.
I'm almost done with the Duggar one. It's a delightful read. I just love those Duggars! So encouraging and informative. Bono is a deep person, with a mouth on him. An unorthodox Christian. It's fascinating to read what makes him tick. I'm borrowing the book, so am trying to get through it quickly, but I'm also putting some thought into what I'm reading, processing what he says through the lens of Scripture, and that takes time. Bono is a complicated guy. There's so much I could say, but I think that's a post in and of itself.
Foodliness:LM and I have been loving us some vanilla Greek yogurt with cut-up strawberries and granola sprinkled over it. Makes a perfect afternoon snack to tide us over until dinner.
From the Makeup Bag: I love the L'oreal Naturale True Match Mineral Foundation. The packaging leaves a lot to be desired, but mineral foundation in general is so much less of a hassle than liquid, in my opinion. And this particular one does just what I want it to, and no more. Love it!
Skincare: Witch hazel instead of toner? Don't mind if I do! Doesn't smell all floral-y, but does the trick!
Musically Speaking: This was the song I was obsessed with during most of the month of March. I still love it, but have gotten over it, if you know what I mean.
Home Theater: We haven't had time to watch much of anything this past month, but, when we have a chance, we have been enjoying the Murdoch Mysteries on Netflix. It's a Canadian show set in the early 1900s, and, though we have skipped an episode here and there, we enjoy the characters and the stories. Think CSI, but less blood and gore.
Candle: You know, I really didn't do candles this month! I'm not sure why. I love candles. I'll likely get back into them in April.
App: Still loving my Motivated Moms app for organizing household chores and anything else I want to add. Here's a link to a post I did a few years ago that explains more about it. Love, love.
Human: This month I'm going to say Michelle Duggar. She inspires me to
try to be a more patient mom. I've always wondered if her patience
comes naturally or if she fights against anger like I do. Reading the
above book about the family, I discovered that she battles anger, too,
and that encourages me! :)
Dental Hygiene: Um, this is not likely to be a regular category, but I soooo love my new toothbrush that I got from the dentist last week. It works well, but, even more importantly (?), the color is divine!! I have never loved to look at a toothbrush so much in my life. The color makes me happy. lol
The shade is actually a little lighter than this, but this is close.
For this week's Friday fun, I chose the 70s/80s Kid Tag, and I tag whoever wants to do it! :)
I was born in 1968, so spent most of my childhood in the 70s and my teenage years in the 80s.
1. What were your favorite TV shows?
Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Incredible Hulk. As a teenager (80s): Moonlighting, Miami Vice, and the sit-coms like Cosby and Family Ties.
2. What show did you watch when you came home from school?
Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, Munsters--it was always reruns, except when there was an After School Special. :)
3. What was your favorite commercial?
In the 80s, the Michael Jackson Pepsi commercials.
4. What was your favorite clothing store?
I'm trying to remember the names of them: The Limited, Deb, Lerner, Beneton, Contempo (?)
5. What was the weirdest fashion trend you remember?
70s--gauchos 80s--Probably parachute pants. It didn't seem weird at the time, though!
6. What was your favorite book?
70s--All the Nancy Drew books; 80s--The Flowers in the Attic series (though, if I'm remembering them correctly, I wouldn't recommend them now.)
7. What was your favorite toy?
The computer punch cards, paper, and file folders my dad brought home from work (the file folders held all the "cases" my detective self was working on) and the leftover dittos my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Cupp, gave me to play school with. And Merlin
8. What was your favorite game?
Sorry!, Perfection, Aggravation
9. Who was your favorite music artist?
70s--Donny Osmond and Shaun Cassidy; 80s--Michael Jackson
10. What was your favorite candy and/or snack?
My sisters and/or friends and I would sometimes walk or bike to a deli on 95th St (Oak Lawn, IL) called "Country Kitchen," I believe. They had penny candy there, and we would get Swedish fish, Bazooka, Smarties, etc.
For this week's random, lighthearted Friday night post, I decided to do the "TMI Tag" I've seen around. I have no idea where it originated, but here is my TMI:
What are you wearing? Faded blue jeans, navy hooded sweater
Ever been in love? Absolutely! :)
Ever had a terrible breakup? Mmmm, not really.
Any tattoos? Nope. I'm not anti-tattoo, just not something I've ever wanted to do.
Any piercings? My ears are double pierced, but, because of my sensitive skin, it hurts to wear earrings, so I think they've kinda closed up.
Favorite show? All-time favorite is The Brady Bunch. My favorites on Netflix are "19 Kids and Counting" and "Once Upon a Time."
Favorite bands? Toby Mac, U2, Newsboys
Something you miss? Sometimes I miss my old record player and records! I mostly miss family that I don't get to see often.
Favorite song? Can't get this one out of my head the last few weeks. The acoustic version is even more beautiful than the studio version. My favorite lines are, "I can't fight you anymore, it's you I'm fighting for," and "Birds fly high in the summer sky, and rest on the breeze. The same wind will take care of you and I, we'll build our house in the trees . . ." So poetic. Deep sigh. lol "Ordinary Love," by U2
How old are you? 45
Favorite Quote? "Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness." --Mother Teresa
Favorite actor? Jimmy Stewart
Favorite color? I'm far too indecisive to truly have one favorite anything, but to choose one color is especially impossible. There are so many lovely ones!
Loud music or soft? Depends on my mood. Probably more loud than soft, though. :)
Where do you go when you're sad? I often can't really go anywhere, because I have too many things I need to do. Sometimes I retreat to my bedroom, or outside if it's nice. Wherever I am, I pray. I know God doesn't need me to be in a certain place in order to hear me.
How long does it take you to shower? Some of these questions are funny. An average of 10 minutes, I suppose.
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how much "getting ready" I'm doing that day.
Ever been in a physical fight? No, other than my sisters and I slapping and pinching each other occasionally when we were little. lol
The reason I blog? I love to write. Blogging is a way to organize my thoughts, and hopefully encourage others along the way, too. This particular blog is an exercise in transparency, something I feel like I need to practice more.
Fears? Spiders, tornadoes, heights--big time! A bit of claustrophobia as well.
Color your hair? I haven't for quite a few years. I used to color it blonde in high school, and, maybe a decade ago, I went through a reddish phase, and then a blonde highlight phase. I may color again someday.
Last thing that made you cry? A tough parenting day today.
Last time you said you loved someone? Today, a little while ago.
Meaning behind your blog title? Look at the top of this page, under "Transparently Me" for the explanation. :)
Last book you read? I think it was Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure.
The book you're currently reading? I'm going through two at a time, and very slowly, too! They are completely unrelated to each other! lol A Love that Multiplies, by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar; and Bono, a biography by Michka Assayas, a French journalist.
Last show you watched? Okay, okay, it was a Brady Bunch episode with LM, okay? lol :)
Last person you talked to? LM (my son)
The relationship between you and the person you last texted? Hold on, I have to look . . . She's my mom, I'm her daughter. :)
Favorite food? Trying to choose a favorite food is as bad as trying to choose a favorite color. Mexican is always good, though!
Place you want to visit? Besides wanting to visit all of our far-away family members, the places I'd like to go that I've never been are: Ireland, Israel, Prince Edward Island, places where Laura Ingalls lived.
Do you have a crush? YES!!! I recommend nurturing a crush one one's spouse! :)
Last time you kissed someone? About 15 minutes ago.
Last time you were insulted? Hmmm. Not sure. I try not to take others' opinions of me too seriously, unless they are lovingly confronting me about something. Not that I haven't been insulted. I just can't think of anything serious enough that it stayed with me.
Favourite flavor of sweet? Chocolate, of course!
What instruments do you play? I took about 6 years of piano as a kid, but haven't kept up with it enough to say "I play the piano." It was something I enjoyed, but didn't have enough natural talent to be great at it. I'm okay with that. lol
Favorite piece of jewellery? Definitely my engagement/wedding rings. They are the most meaningful. But then there are all the necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. that LM has made/bought me over the years . . . I'm really not into wearing a lot of jewellery, though.
Last song you sang? See my favorite-right-now song above. :)
Who should answer these questions next? I tag anyone who wants to do this!
I've decided this blog can use some light-heartedness once in awhile, so whenever I post on a Friday, it will be something random or fun or stupid or humorous or a combination of any of the above. There's a "tag" I've seen the YouTube beauty gurus do (if you don't know what I'm talking about, see my post from last Friday) called the "What's in my Purse?" tag, where they. . . well, show what's in their purse! I have no idea how much they stage those, but I assure you, I did not take stuff out of my purse or know what exactly would be in there, other than the stuff I use all the time. LM helped me with it. I used an old camera, and the color is a bit off, but everything else is genuine. lol So, let's see what's in Laurel's purse . . .
