I heard it through the grapevine...

i love naps.  it's pretty evident.  I mean, how much more official does truth get from a statement on your facebook profile? jk.  nowadays though it seems though they are few and far between.  I think the main reason for that is that my definition of a "nap" is a lot different than most people... in order for most to qualify it needs to get a time of at least 60 minutes/1 hour/ one 24th of a day... you pick it.... in fact, my definition sometimes borderlines "short sleep".

I think I had one today.  And it was kind of like a movie. I came home from work hurting... physically.  My back hurt, my shoulder hurt, and my emotions hurt from that MSU loss on friday... okay, so not really about the game... but a nap seemed like a good move.  I went down for my nap at 5:40ish (can people under 2 1/2 use that phrase?)... and woke up @ 9:03...  Now, I've done better.  But this was supposed to be like a 45 minute, "i'm just going to shut my eyes for a minute" naps... ahh well... I woke up feeling good :)  and the best part of the story isn't the minutes logged, no, it's what i woke up to... none other then "I heard it through the grapevine" blasting from downstairs... woofers on, volume up, and my guess... either "music hall" or "rock and roll concert" setting.  Talk about one of those nostalgic songs...  oh... I didn't realize you've never heard anyone classify that song as such... shocking.  For some reason, when I was little, I had a collection of California Raisin figurines that traveled so well that they were a staple set of toys for quite a while.  Needless to say, I got out of bed and followed the music, that if given the opportunity, might make the cut on the soundtrack of my childhood... The story ends even better... I found my dad in our t.v. room, lights dimmed,  just listening to the radio.  It doesn't seem like much... but people don't usually do that.  People don't usually come home from work and do that.  That sound system, or whatever it is, is my dads technological pride and joy.  He loves it... the collection of dvd's he has that compliments it, and the woofers that give it the extra edge.  It was one of those moments that just made me smile....  oh nostalgia... and dads that bring it back in a big way.

you might understand a little better if you watch this video... it makes my love for them so obviously understandable. 

California Raisins Commercial

she was probably eating oreos...

I remember thinking that my dad was always so clever when he told us girls that we would be the only 3 three in school that would be able to say we went to Lebanon, Paris, Sidney, and Toledo on Spring Break.  We would be crammed 5 deep inside a car that barely lived up to its sedan title, but I still liked it.  I liked knowing that his statement was true, and the thought of sharing it with my peers gave me as big a rush of excitement as any 8 year old stuck sitting middle on a 24 hour drive could get... 

well this weekend aud and I took the drive down 75.  and guess where I went?!?!  jk... but not really... except this time... minus 3 people, no middle seat, and only a 4 hour jaunt. Although, as we passed some of those exits, my heart still smiled as I thought, hey... I spent part of my sunday passing by sidney :)  oh life's little joys.  

Aud and I made the overdue trip down to see our good friends sarah and jeff.  They moved down to "cincy" a little over a year ago for Jeffs job, and have recently made the decision to stay down there indefinetly.  Now, sarah and I grew up living maybe 3 minutes from each other, and although i often miss that former luxury, they are the type of people that allow you to pick up right where you left off... and it's great.  While we were driving home today, audry said, "i'm leaving this weekend feeling re-energized".... and my thoughts were... ain't that the truth.  Now don't worry, I didn't go losing my education in the south (if you can call cincinnati "the south"), but it was just so true. raw and true.  We spent Friday night talking, and only caught about 30 minutes of Saturday morning due to the fact that we slept in until 11:34am.  We didn't do much of anything all day.  we watched parts of 3 movies, watched most of the make me want to pull my hair out State game, ate chipotle (i still say it's not as good as qdoba...non antibiotic chicken or not...), took a nap, and finally left for dinner in kentucky around 9pm.  and it was fine, perfect, just as we didn't plan :)  We ate great food, laughed, and had a drink at this charming pub on mt. adams.  It was a hidden treasure (dana you would have loved it).  Not only did you have to walk down stairs to a narrow, rocky/concrete tunnel to get to the place... but it let you out at what is a beautiful garden in the summer and what they keep attractive by means of a large fire pit surrounded by chairs in the colder months.  And to get into the actual pub, you had to enter under a tarp and through some doors... and as much as I hate to say it... It felt very harry potter-ish.  I mean, as much as I can assume it would be like to be a hobbit, or an of age ron weasly.... or whatev.  But there we were... the most charming little pub i've ever set foot in... stocked full with regulars, eclectic decorations, and a live singer that was accompanied by her dad on guitar.  it was great.  On our walk back to the car sarah summed it up when she said, "I knew I could count on you guys to eat, sleep, and have a good time"... 

Like I said... it doesn't usually take much.  I look forward to weekends, just as much as anyone else... but there is something that makes them that much better when they allow you to reconnect with you best friends, and some of your favorite memories... and have them blend right together :) 

welcome to the good life.

I like kanye west.  sure, i'm convinced that he's arrogant, conceited, and egotistical... all while, he's busy making more money in a month (probably week) than i'll ever see in my lifetime... but I still like him.  He's got style... and there is something about his boldness that is so good at grabbing my attention. He is a talented man who is very good at what he does. 

Now with that being said, he's not entirely what this post is about.  My point in bringing him up is that he's got a song called "the good life" where he raps about things like being on t.v., ferraris, and vegas... this is his definition of the good life...  and okay, sure all those things have potential to be fun and great... but taking a step back from the wanting and wishing is often refreshing.

case in point... On sunday nights, our yellow house takes a temporary jump in occupants, by means of an 8 year old beauty/comedian/dancer/angel... (impressive resume already, i know)... our hannah.  She spends a few hours with us every week while her granddad goes to play hockey.  Our time usually consists of making up games, doing crafts, eating pickles (did i mention she had excellent taste?), and finding the ground where 8 and 24 year olds meet.  She is seriously a gift.  I love it when God uses her to teach me things, show me stuff, and hug me :)   Every interaction I have ever had with her, in her tiny, short, yet complex life has made my life that much better.  This past week,  the three of us (add an aud) decided that we would get a snack and watch whatever was on the disney channel while audry put french braids in her hair.  Well, the request was made that the hair style session wait until after the snack was done... she just wanted to enjoy it, and apples take more concentration when you want to eat them whole, and you're small.  And since it was a valid point, Aud got a big blanket and the three of us sat side by side (hannah sandwich on cousin) on the couch with our apples in hand.  As we sat there, she looked back and forth between the two of us a few times. smiled. looked at the Disney Channel. smiled. snuggled back as she wiggled herself into place, and after a sigh of contentment, said, "ahh... this is the life".

  

It's true though right?  I mean at the root of each of us is the desire to be loved.  Sure, it's easier to love someone we know well, but most of the time that's incentive enough to know people better.  right?  For me to think that somewhere in the equation of couch+ apple+love+blanket+ time+... there was a line of fulfillment crossed, was not only rewarding for hannah, but for me as well.  What a beautiful design.  I love it when I am reminded of how God has really thought of everything!  What a gift it is that we get to be a part of something SO big as showing people love... and receiving it.  

Sure it can be tricky, confusing, tough, frustrating, intricate and take a lot of effort.  But sometimes it's worth it for that kind of understanding of what the good life is really all about.