Supercalifragilisticexpialidotious

Well, it's what you are supposed to say when you have nothing else to say, right?

non sequitur...

We had a family movie night tonight. Can you guess what we watched?? Yep.. Mary Poppins (hence the title).

I'm worried about my little one. She's been sick with a fever and a tummy ache. It's not like her to be lethargic. I hope she gets better soon.

My husband shaved his head today. And his arms. And chest. He's swimming in a Masters Swim tournament this weekend and apparently he's going for Gold.

I have been eating too  much lately. Stress eating mostly. It's getting ridiculous. I need to get a grip and start gaining control. Either that, or go buy some elastic waistband pants. Hmm.

I start a trail running class in the morning. I'm praying for rain because I don't want to get up when it's dark. I WAS looking forward to it. But getting up at night with the little one has me tired.

On the Bright Side...it's Friday! I'm looking forward to a relaxing, rainy weekend!

I hope you have a really wonderful weekend!!!

The Impact of Attitude, Charles Swindoll

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than the facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our pasts, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you - we are in charge of our attitudes."

- Charles Swindoll

The photo has nothing to do with the quote. I just wanted to add a photo so the blog wouldn't seem so plain. :)

Embarrasing Moment - The Bridesmaid Dress

It's time for another embarrassing moment...

About 10 yrs ago, I was honored to be a bridesmaid in my oldest and best friends wedding (okay, not the OLDEST, but I've known her the longest... 23 yrs now).

It's important to note that I loved my bridesmaid dress. Seriously, like loved it so much I was already thinking about where I could wear it again.

My friend had a big Jewish wedding planned. Major money. Every detail thought of. We were both giddy with excitement.

The day of the wedding, I pulled the bridesmaid dress out to steam it. I wanted to look my best at this fine event. Only it didn't go as planned.

Seconds after I stared steaming the dress, I accidentally touched the fabric with the hot iron. Any guesses as to what happens to a poly/mix dress when it hits a hot iron? Umm. It MELTS. It melts holes.

this picture doesn't do it justice. it was bigger than it looks

How do you call your best friend on her wedding day and tell her you burned a huge hole in the back of your bridesmaid dress?

You don't. You have your boyfriend do it. I was so hysterical, in a major state of panic, so this part is a blurr. I only know what happened because my now husband was my then boyfriend. We lived together (gasp!) and he witnessed the train wreck. So Josh picked up the phone and called Mindy. Only he was hysterical too, so his words came out like "iron, Summer, screaming ". It scared her.

The good thing about your best friend fearing your death on her wedding day is that hearing that you burned a hole in your bridesmaid dress suddenly doesn't seem like a big deal.

She told me to grab the dress and meet her at the hair studio. Pronto.

Waiting for me was one giddy aunt, ready to take charge.

Here's the thing. In this large, very close and very sweet Jewish family - the aunts have a little rivalry. Their whole lives, my friends mom and her aunt have been competitive. Even about their kids. And their kids weddings.

So naturally I suspected taht her aunt's thrilled look was because it was her sister's daughters wedding, not her own daughters wedding which was surely going to be perfect. This is totally my interpretation and can't be said as fact. Unless you count all the nonverbal conversations me and BeFri had on that day (okay, not conversations, just mutual eye rolls).

Anyway, auntie was happy. Tell me she doesn't look happy in this picture!?

Auntie took the skirt. Said she'd be back in a couple of hours. She knows a seamstress who can "fix it".

My suspicions were confirmed when Auntie came back with my skirt minutes before the ceremony. To all of our shock and horror, the skirt had a GIANT BOW over the hole. Huh?!!! It looked better with the hole! My friend said, "hell no, that's not happening" and insisted the bow be taken off.

So we left down the isle, me with a gaping hole, smeared with remnants of a giant bow that was no longer.

And the wedding was a success. And the reception was F.U.N. And, incidently, the marriage is still a success too (and so is mine, which is a year younger).

So that's it. Another Summer moment. Hope you liked it!

Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique

The girls have been doing such a good job earning bedtime hearts

The reward: Bibitti Bobitti Boutique at Disneyland.

Where an ordinary girl

Is transformed into a Princess!

The girls have been wanting to go here for almost a year. They were both thrilled!

After the bling and beauty makeover, the day got even better.

They met celebrities

Hung out with the Queen...

And with Prince Charming

And then after a nice dinner, they got to play with their new makeup (which came with makeover)..

both on themselves...

and...

wait for it....

wait for it....

on the Queen!

Sierra said over and over today that this was the best day of her whole life.

Mission Accomplished.

The Troll has Left the Building

before

after

My nose isn't really crooked like it is in these photos. I only know because when I uploaded them, I panicked and checked in the mirror. Why is it always crooked in photos?
Hmm.

The verdict? I no longer feel like a troll. My hair is now lighter in color and feel. Ahhh.

I'm pretty sure the hair dresser wanted to strangle me at the end because...

1. I have way more hair than you'd think. Even though it's fine, there's tons. That always means they mix up too little color and have to redo another batch half way thru. They also spend way longer than either of us like putting the foils in.

2. My hair is really hard to cut. It's so fine, it shows every single flaw. And thanks to the cowlicks, it's just a mess. It takes some serious work to get it to lay flat. The girl seriously worked up a sweat. She told me so. She seemed a little grumpy.

3. I would not give up until the bottom would sit flat. I kept politely asking if she could cut a little more "here" and "here". Ya, and just a little more again. I've learned to ask for what I want. I know that if the hair is too heavy near the bottom of my face, I feel 10 lbs fatter and I look like my neck belongs on a quarterback.

This is a boring post. Sorry. I just wanted to let you know I no longer feel like a troll.

Have a great day!!!

I hate my hair!

I usually try to keep my posts on the bright side. It's in the blog name, after all. But sometimes, a girls gotta vent.

I hate my hair!!!!

Did that look like I was shouting? Cuz I meant it too.

Seriously, this picture doesn't even show the troll-ness that it is. This is after a full styling in my bathroom, with flat iron too.

And not just today. Always. For years. Okay, so there was a short time when I paid top dollar to get it cut at a great salon in Newport Beach and, I'll admit it, I liked it then. For the short time I went to Peggy the miracle worker, I had a lot of good hair days. Washed or not, styled or not, it was pretty good.

But then I got all practical (stupid) on myself. I decided to find someone 1) closer and 2) cheaper. Actually, I would have settled for either of those things but both would have been ideal.

So far my search has been unsuccessful. I have tried two people. One was super close and fairly cheap. Bad. The next wasn't as close and not quite as cheap. VERY bad.

Tomorrow I go for number three. The stylist was recommended and she's close to my house. I didn't even ask the cost (sorry Josh). It doesn't matter. It's cheaper than buying a fine wig, which is in the running too.

But today, it's frizzy, washed out, brassy, too dark and too blonde?, blah, heavy, flat, mousy, boring and just plain dull. At the risk of being melodramatic, I'll tell you this.... I'm a troll. And, considering the past few weeks, today is a good hair day!!!

I'll keep you posted on the new hair person. I'm holding out a glimmer of hope that my troll days are done. We'll see.

On the bright side... my girls got their hair cut yesterday. They most certainly do not look like trolls. On the contrary, they are just too cute for words...

My daughter, checking herself out in the mirrors at macy's bra dept

We got about 6" cut off my youngest daughters hair. Loving it!

Desiderata

photo from flickr

The following was written circa 1952, with credit given to Max Ehrman (there is a little debate about the copyright). I first saw it on a card years ago, and it immediately became part of me. I hope you like it!!

Desiderata:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. but let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. - Max Ehrmann, Desiderata copyright 1952

Muffin, Bird or Horse?

I'm going to let you in on a little game someone taught me years ago. It's so simple and silly but it's shamefully fun.

It's a people watching game.

The idea is that every person can be classified as either a muffin, a bird or a horse. It's all based on facial features (not personality).

Birds: pointy noses, small features, smallish eyes and narrow shoulders
Horses: Strong features, larger nose and jaw, bigger build (not always)

Muffins: cute, roundish features, softer nose, chin, etc.

Everyone wishes they were a muffin

My husband and I are total nerds and have adapted it to allow for combination classifications. Such as, muffin/horse. bird/muffin, etc.

I like to think I'm a horse/muffin. But if I'm being really honest with myself, i have to admit I'm just a plain horse. My husband is too.

Me. I mean Neighhhhh!

My kids are both muffins. I think most kids are, due to their soft features.

my cute little muffins

I think my mom is a bird, but she'll never hear that from me...

my bird mom

Just for fun, a few celebs (i'm totally busted because I didn't site where I got them. oops).

bird

muffin

horse. as if i have to tell you this one.

*added later: per my husband's comment, i'm adding a photo of a "celeb" that he thinks is more of a bird. I disagree, but that's why this game is fun. I think we need to get lives. Also, can someone tell me, if I "edit" a post, does it repost the post, or show it twice on your list? I tend to edit mine after publishing them and i'm embarrased if it is putting the post on everyones blog roll again and again.

bird, according to Mr. Horse (Josh)

SO there it is! From this day forward, you can never say you were bored while waiting in line at the DMV. Just whip this little diddy out of the back of your mind and get

So, what are you? A muffin, bird, or horse?

Worship Playlist

A few months ago, I wrote this post about "uncaging my soul".

I never understood exactly why singing in church made my soul weep with pure joy. Until my favorite pastor, Buddy Owens, recently spoke about Worship. He gave the down low on what worship is and why we do it. His simple, yet eloquent teaching gave me a major "aha" moment.

What he said (I'm paraphrasing - I lost my notes!) is that the purpose of worship is to align yourself with God.

I understood that to be the purpose of prayer, but it was news to me that singing worhip songs was for the same benefit. I thought worship was for His benefit, not ours. But, that's not really so. You see, by glorifying God, you are being brought into His spiritual current, in a sense. I think of Finding Nemo, when the sea turtles brave their fears to jump into the current of the big EAC (dude). :)

What I have realized is this: The reason my soul feels awakened during worship music, is that for a rare moment in my busy life, my soul is aligned with God. Where it's supposed to be!

Since I want that feeling more often, I downloaded some worship songs to listen to daily. It was a bit of a task, since i knew nothing about worship music. Unless you count Country music, which is fairly spiritual in my book. Here's my playlist... hope you like it.

Worship Playlist:

Beautiful - Bethany Dillon
Beautiful One - Jeremy Camp
Blessed be Your Name - Tree63
Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
Great Are You Lord - Phillips, Craig & Dean
Hallelujah (Imagination) - Bethany Dillon
Here I Am To Worship - Chris Tomlin
How Great is Our God - Bethany Dillon
In Christ Alone - Bethany Dillon
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
Open The Eyes of My Heart - Phillips, Craig & Dillon
Sing Over Me - Bethany Dillon
The Words I would Say - Sidewalk Prophets
What Faith Can Do - Kutless
When You Love Someone - Bethany Dillon
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman

P.S. This post was inspired by this blog post by Graceful.

P.P.S. Bird, Muffin, Horse to come later in the week. I was inspired so changed my plan.

P.P.P.S. I think I am going to change my blog name to Summer On The Bright Side, because I found out there was another bright side blog... oops.

Off to study!

Non Sequitur

This post is totally random but I can't think of what to write about, and there are a bunch of random things on my mind!

My 5 yr old is so cool! In the past two weeks, she has learned how to jump rope, sew a button and tie a pony tail.

She also cracked me up over the weekend with her eagerness to help me. I strained my neck on Saturday and while my husband was running around trying to help me get comfortable, my 5 yr old did the only thing she could think of to make me feel better... she grabbed my ear plugs from beside my bed. She said they are in case I don't want to hear any noise. My kid knows me!

I'm trying to read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Committed but I can't seem to do it. The first chapter was pretty good but the current chapter is more boring than my husband's book, which I so lovingly call the History of Oatmeal, but is actually called The History of Strength and Materials (He's a Structural Engineer).

Remember my post about the bedtime hearts? I just thought I'd give you an update: it's still working! In the past 11 nights, each kid has only lost one heart. And the ONE time that a kid got out twice, she lost TV the whole next day. She was like a crack addict going thru withdrawels. so I'm pretty sure that is not happening again.

Another note about bedtime: my kids and I have been telling what we call "switch stories", where she starts the story by telling one sentence, I make up the next sentence, she makes up the next, and so on. It's so fun to see where their imaginations take them. And since I have a hard time coming up with creative stories, it gets me off the hook for at least 1/2 of the story. Tonight my daughter said, "the princess was a pretty good sewer. and she had pretty good shoes..". Huh?

Today is the first day in 3 days that I can breathe through my nose, thanks to a head cold. I felt like I was given a new lease on life the second I felt a cool breeze drift inside one nostril. It's the little things in life, right?

I started my Physiology class today. It's a pretty intense class that's going to take a lot of studying. Translation: limited blog time. I'll still read all of ya'll's posts but I will likely ponly post once or twice a week. I'm sure you will all survive. Just don't forget about me! :)

Stay tuned for my next post... are you a muffin, a bird, or a horse??

my husband thinks i'm nuts for posting this crazy blog post tonight. it's pretty random. sorry folks!

Pink from Floor to Ceiling

I love craft supplies.. especially fancy papers and cute stickers...

Craft supplies are a staple in this house. The kids pull them out the second they get home from school. Our kitchen table is almost always covered end to end with cut up papers, glue sticks, markers and stickers. It's odd, but it's something I want them to remember about their childhood.

The other day, I caught my 3 yr old under the table making a craft. Not sure why she thought that was more comfortable than the table but I let her go with it. What's the harm?

This banner (below) was inspired by my super rad friend, The Goat. I used the word rad in her honor. I had the total pleasure of going to her house on Friday for a de-lish breakfast (along with two other new divine peeps) and got a glimpse at her banners. I am having a bit of cricket die cutter envy, since it took me about an hour to cut out these shapes by hand.

My daughter writes, "I love yow". I correct everything else she misspells, but every time she gives me something with this written on it, I melt. I don't have the heart to point it out to her when she hands me a heart felt love card!

Okay, so when I went around the room taking these photos, I came across something a little disturbing. The photo below is of a valentines card that my 8 yr old neighbor made. I'm SURE she doesn't know what this means. She was saying "these bees are lovers, and these bears are lovers, etc". But eeeewww.

Given all the arts and crafts going on, I gave up on trying to keep the craft stuff hidden. It's now been offered prime real estate in our kitchen, in these oh-so-lovely drawers.

Totally unrelated... aren't these cookie jar pigs (below) funny? They used to belong to my husbands grandma. The top of each pig says, "Go ahead, make a pig of yourself". They are so tacky, but I have them in my window box in the kitchen. I don't care if they are ugly... they just make me smile.