Smashley

Ryan arranged a night out with friends for my birthday.  Stud, that man is, I tell ya. 


And these girls, they fill me right up.



AND...................

Ladies and Gentleman, meet Smashley.

Smashley, meet the people.....



Sumo  served a drink by this name, and it added a solid 7 years to my life.  Seriously, such an honor to just shake its hand, let alone make one myself.  But that didn't stop the trying - and although I googled high and low under:

smashley
life changer
get in my belly
I'll never touch a different glass again
I think I've just glimpsed heaven

......no luck.  Turns out it's signature to that restaurant.
So I got with Sumo and found out the ingredients.  And I'm here to tell you, friends...you could put a bow on it.  This here drink is the bomb diggity. 

Fill a pint glass with chunk ice.
Pour over it:

3 oz. vodka
3 oz. pineapple juice
3 oz. 7 up
the squeeze of 1/2 a lemon
6 slices of fresh jalepeno (no seeds!)

Stir. 
Sip. 
Be changed.

You. Are. Welcome.

This pic is pre-Smashley, I promise...But well, when it's your birthday, and you need a handful of a good friend, you just go on take yourself one!

Becoming 36

Spoiler alert: 

I'm not 29.
I'm 36. 
But don't tell my kids.
Or my thighs.

I really and truly spent all of last year thinking I was 36 though, until one morning in SJ's kitchen about a month ago.  She - like only a real friend could - broke down the math and dealt with 1979 and 2015 in such a gosh-darn basic way and boom! 35.

While its insane to have missed out entirely on 35, its maybe the greatest birthday present ever that I get another crack at 36!

The first week of March is a big deal for lots of reasons....
Sage's birthday (post to come on that little pixie's awesome day)
my birthday
the anniversary of Evelyn's death
and the start of March (beware the ides!!  Its legit.  I mean it.)

A friend posted this excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit last week, which was one of Evelyn's favorite pieces - she chose it to be read at her funeral.  Its precisely what I aspire to, and seems so fitting of this aging thing that - despite my best efforts - is happening to this skin I'm in.


I'm reminded that to become takes a long time and being real - that's what matters.  My cup overflowed all week with people and sun and littles to prove just how awesome Real is.

So.

I feel a tinge embarrassed and super self-absorbed posting all about my birthday week.  But I suppose that battle was lost the day I started a blog, right? So indulge me.

pics from my phone to give the highlights...

Ryan was in Ohio all week, but the kids stepped up and didn't puke or break any bones or go to the principal's office.  Only one car broke down and nothing started on fire.  Riv woke up before the sun every morning and got himself ready.  That little man is such a little stud.  All ready to go at 7 am...

Ryan had a blast in OH and loves school, which makes me so happy.  And he hid this amazing card for me to find on the 8th.  He knows my insides so well, and just how to fill them up!

Kara drove out from CO to play for a couple of days.  She's my first cousin, and my oldest and best friend.  And ever since I was 2, I've been literally twice her size.  Look at that - her whole face would fit inside mine. 

Henna tattoos at church.  I said its my birthday and I really need it on my ankle instead of my hand and they said ok!

I ate chicken.  This disgusting looking chicken.  And it tasted great.  What has become of me?


The Monday night girls got an icecream cake, and like true friends, put 29 candles.



When I had lasik eye surgery 15 years ago, it fixed everything but my bad night-vision. I've been doing cardio workouts on my wrinkles with all the night driving home from work.  So its glasses time!  Everyone in my life is happy these will be worn only in the dark, but I love them!


And, drum roll please...
sunshine!!!!!
Mother-nature got my memo.  Finally.  This is the best present ever! 


My wrinkles begged for mercy, but no sunglasses allowed.  I want every inch of sun soaking into every single inch of me.

Becoming. 
I think I like it!

Believing the Inconceivable

I wrote this Bible Study for The Mennonite.

It was published on March 1 - in print and online.
Which makes me do this this:


Like happy and freaking and maybe I just peed myself a little....while at the same time mortified because what if it's shitty and now its out there for everyone to critique.

Its my first time being edited.  And they made me write in complete sentences and sound adult-ish.  They also took out every last exclamation mark and you know how I love my exclamation marks!!!!

Its a lot more bible-talky than I usually am on this blog.  We can have a long conversation about scripture and its literal/not literal-ness.  But the idea of resurrection showing up in our own every day humdrum existence, and my desire to so fully EMBRACE it...that's the real stuff I really really REALLY care about. 

And you've heard me talk about the unicorn doctor here before.  So you can say you heard it first! 

But the point is, friends, I hope today YOU grab onto the inconceivable and believe it, own it, and thank the universe for throwing you a bone.  Stop holding your breath.  Once in awhile, life really is just that great!