Mama Mia!

Last week I saw Mama Mia and I found it quite uplifting. There were things I didn't like about the movie, but overall the music left me with such a feel good mentality, I've had ABBA songs running through my head for six days. Of course the Dancing Queen Sequence was my favorite followed by Take A Chance On Me. While in the theater when all was quiet I blurted out "they shouldn't allow Pierce Brosnan to sing" more laughter ensued than during most of the movie. Apparently some of my friends thought I could relate to Tonya as she stumbled around the island in her high heels, lugged around a full wardrobe and had a face cream that cost $1000. Maybe ;-) All I can say is "heels, pills, thrills & $1000 face cream- SOS! Let's get off this island and see the world!" Mama Mia, here I go again...My My, how did I let him go?" Perhaps my prayer will be answered and a certain someone will invite me to the island, so I can start seeing the world...Go see it, take a chance on me, I'm the dancing queen :)

Tick Tock

Time flies when you're having fun, I'm definitely a victim! I haven't been still long enough to blog not to mention since I am somewhat technologically challenged, I've had some difficulty learning out to utilize my new wireless broadband connection. The move to Birmingham has definitely been a positive step in learning more about my life, my feelings and my plans for the future. I've learned a bigger city is still a very small town. I've learned to appreciate all types of people and have met some wonderful new friends along with reconnecting with several old. As I've looked inside myself I realize that I can be happy pretty much anywhere. Highlands is the new Firehouse; Bottega has replaced Hunts. Life in the sorority house is interesting to say the least and always entertaining. I enjoy having something to do all the time for about 14 days then I love coming back to my new little place in Headland and being surrounded by small town living and the people I love. I know this is only a short update but I hope to return to at least a weekly update if not more. Just wanted to let you know I'm "bringing blogging back" to my life. Thanks to all of you who read and have let me know that you've missed my posts.

Taking A Break

Sorry I have not been able to update my blog...My life is crazy right now as I'm trying to pack up my house in hopes to move to Birmingham. I'll keep you posted when I have free minute or when I find a place; do forgive me until then...I'll ramble on eventually ;-)

Ella Turns 3

My niece Ella- daughter of Will & Holly Woods turns THREE on Friday, March 14th. Her signature cupcake was lemon filled with tiffany blue icing and an E monogram thanks to OoohLa herself :) Unfortunately I did not make it to Nashville due to my relocation issues but I wanted to say a special Hello to this little princess!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA! Love, Nana

ThirtyFaBuLouS

I started this blog as a piece for FaBulouSiTy but decided after a few sentences that it was indeed a rambling and not ab-fab enough to fit the other page. I'm actually going to use this as a soapbox for 'thirty-something' year old women around the world. I had a conversation this weekend with a male friend (who shall remain nameless FfeJ J, not coups) who floored me a bit (if you will as I wasn't offended per se). We were talking about my upcoming move to Birmingham (and I am still excited about it all in spite of any comment made by this person or any rambling in this passage that might make one think otherwise, I'm simply blowing off some single female steam).

We were talking about ways to meet 'singles' and of course the ever popular Bible Study topic came up. I am definitely all about a Bible Study as my Beth Moore Stepping Up is in the morning and I cannot wait to attend with women of all ages from the Dothan community. However, I've never quite found a Bible Study as a great way to get a date; sometimes a Singles Bible Study is nothing more than a meat market, I prefer "meet & greet" but I typically call a spade a spade. Call me crazy...or just plain weird-That isn't exactly the point of this conversation either.

This friend mentioned to me that when I move to Birmingham I would need to meet people in church, in particularly a singles Bible Study at this The Church of the Highlands (or as I call it, the church of the Starbucks, something I doubt I'll ever get accustomed to as a good Methodist girl who appreciates more traditional worship). Indeed I think meeting other single Christians in church is a wonderful thing and where I plan to attend a church more suited to me (sans the Starbucks) I had entertained the thought of going to COH to a Bible Study to meet Christians my age. At the same time, I am not of the opinion that a Bible Study is a good dating service as others seem to believe; that's just my personal opinion. Not that I wouldn't date somebody I met in one, that just isnt my main goal of it. In my after college single past I found it a better place to meet other single females who are in the same boat who like to shop, eat dinner, travel and look for 'boys' (now men) in other places.

So anyway...this guy starts telling me that I wouldn't want to go to the Bible Study that he attends. I would certainly need to go to the 30+ something Bible Study as he (age 37) goes to the 20something to early 30s Bible Study- we would 'hardly' be in the same class (though he IS a year older than I) because as a 'thirtysomething' year old woman, I would want to be in the other class where the fortysomething year old men were because those were the men who would be interested in me. O_O He wonders why some women our age seem bitter and I might add, I'm not terribly surprised that he's still single, though he is a great guy- he's knocked a wonderful segment of the female population out of the running without giving us a chance.

Okay, I've finally picked up my jaw. Keep in mind the premise 'is' a Bible Study...? Right? Wrong, it seems. Also, I am in fact a year younger than this guy and he basically told me that he (a person my age) along with other males in my thirtysomething age group would be interested in the 20something year old women and the 40something+ year old men would be more interested in someone my age. O_O Yeah, this guy dropped over 1000 points on my meter as he basically wiped out an entire bracket of datable men MY AGE because I am TOO OLD FOR THEM!!!...!!! Granted, we 30s know that men are usually interested in younger women...But I'm no old maid and I'm not 'Older' than these men. I'm in the same generation!

Granted, I feel am too old for some people...The 23yr old hottie who continued to ask me if "I'd ever warm up to him" (I wish, but no, he was a Sr @ Auburn...I am a dozen years older and I didn't feel comfortable; guess I'm discriminating myself...just didn't want to be known as a Cougar)and several other 20somethings who have YES hit on a woman of "MY AGE" (me). It's interesting how women who date men five years + younger and we are called "COUGARS" where it's normal for men to marry someone five to ten years younger than they. Now I have to say I think anything over is a bit much. Sorry if I offend anyone (family especially) but I am not attracted to men who are my father's age and I think that's unnatural though I realize not everyone agrees. I'd like to say "it's wrong on so many levels" but that may sound a bit harsh...Though I'm putting it out there and again my apologies if I offend others, it's just my opinion and this is my personal forum.

But I am not too old for a guy in his thirties. Thankfully not all men think the way my friend does...as a matter of fact a guy I went out with some last year always made me feel more than comfortable about my age. He is three years younger than I am and he always assured me that he did not think of me as older than he is at all. I think he was the one who coined the phrase ThirtyFabulous for those of us in our 'thirties'. Merci mon ami! I've also had many younger guys 'come on to me', ask me out, etc; guys IN THEIR 20s. I actually like guys around my age and into the early forties but I don't want some guy randomly pawning me off and casting me out as part of the dating community of people in my own age group. I guess I'm telling him right here in this blog that one of the reasons he has never been married is that he has ruled out a pretty terrific part of the female population by disregarding women in his own age group. Perhaps he's insecure or simply immature, probably...idk. I'm not sticking around to find out either. I've got a host of men in and around my age group to meet and prove that women who are in the midthirties are young, vivacious, and full of life, who love ourselves and love the Lord. Our experience in life could be intimidating to this guy...It is probably the best thing about a woman my age when given the opportunity (poor misguided fellow, what he's missing ;-)!)

In closing I will remark again that this was all spoken in the text of going to a "Bible Study". My mind is still trying to wrap around that one. Why don't they just call it what it is?!?! A SINGLES MIXER...It's a way for Christian people to meet each other in an environment that's not a bar. I guess I'm more floored that a fellow Christian cast me out of the desirable, datable public. If I'm not for him, that's one thing...but don't speak for the rest of the people my age !!!

My apologies- I'm not bitter, just a bit frustrated with SINGLEHOOD. I'm usually a happy bubbly person! I hope you find the humor in this in some way...I'll probably tweak it several times to make it more funny, I just wanted to get my initial thoughts on paper. I will say I'm THIRTYFABULOUS and I'm sticking to it...I wouldn't go back to my teens or twenties. I like where I am and hope that when I'm fifty I'll say the same thing. God is good; Life is good...and women my age are AB-FAB! :)

**This piece is for all the 30Fabulous women out there; especially those pictured in the photo above!!! And for a guy five years older than I am, Salut!**

Had A Bad Day...

I've been waiting for Daniel Powter to appear from a cloud and start singing...two days and counting. Where is he??? Well, I decided to add him myself.
Where is the moment we needed the most? My blue skies have faded to grey, my passion has definitely gone away; of course I'm carrying on; Unfortunately I'm just in one bad mood...

Lyrics...Sing aloud if you will ;-)
BAD DAY (blues)
Where is the moment we needed the most???
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
You tell me your blue skies fade to grey
You tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oh.. Holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeeeah)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

(Oh, yeah, yeaaah, yeah)
Had a bad day
(Oh, had a bad day)
Had a bad day
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeeeeah)
Had a bad day
(Oh, had a bad day)
Had a bad day...
Had a bad day...

The Greatest Love Story Of All...

So I've rambled about Lent and a keg at the Episcopal Mardi Gras, talked a little about mimosas, cupcakes, and fabulousity. I wasn't planning to write again today until it struck me while I was sitting at the Praise Service at First United Methodist tonight that the Episcopalians have nothing on us and for Methodists we were almost evangelical this evening at our February "Praise and Graze" where Promise, our almost famous rock-style band sang things from "Givin It Up for His Love, Everything, I'm giving it up for His love right now" (in honor of Lent, of course) to a Christian remix of "Love Train". We ate everything from ribs & other comfort food to dandelion dip and chocolate desserts. Our praise service usually moves me but tonight was particularly powerful as I am in this phase of reflection. The theme was 'Taste and See' and as Sterling Boykin read our scripture lesson from Psalms and John, I realized as I was invited to do this, I was hearing the Greatest Love Story Ever Told in a completely different way. I'm sure countless true Biblical scholars have called referred to it this way but tonight my heart (that has felt a bit empty and broken as I spent another Valentine's as a single person)is overflowing and overwhelmed by the thought of God's love for us and me specifically.

As a small child I memorized John 3:16 but heard it tonight in a completely different context for some reason. Tonight as I listened to everything we were singing, saying, praising, worshiping, thinking and praying I understood this Valentine's season that God's love for me was not just 'love' (a word I haven't liked very much over the last few years for other reasons). Not an empty "I love you" politely said just because. God's love for us is indeed a LOVE STORY, a romance, a passion for His children. It is a love thats "Deeper than my view of grace, Higher than this worldly place, Longer than this road I travel, Wider than the gap You filled..." (jami smith) to quote another song. It is amazing and beyond my understanding but a love that will fill me up and never let me fall.

The passion of our Lord is told throughout the Bible. It can be found in the story of Christ's birth, death & resurrection. It is backed up in the Old Testament by the way we can see God's plan as told by the prophets. Everything unfolds from start to finish and one day will be wrapped up as when the Bridegroom returns to earth. In a passage that I've heard all of my life I find the greatest gift and greatest love of all. What Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:11-17 sums it all up.

"I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven- the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him."

If that didn't have me thinking enough, Promise shared a Bob Dylan classic earlier. I've heard Dylan, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel and others sing it but again I've never heard it quite like Adam Jones and the band sang "To Make You Feel My Love" tonight. I remember them singing this last year but again, I was hearing with new ears and listening with a whole heart. They said when thinking about Valentine's Day and that as we lift our songs of worship up to God that they wondered what song GOD might sing to us, his children of today. "To Make You Feel My Love" was perfect. Tonight I allowed the Great Physician to heal my heart from some earthly wounds that I've been holding onto for a few years, I have felt His love tonight on an even higher level. Thanks be to God!

When you read the lyrics below I encourage you to feel them as though our heavenly father is saying, yes singing this song for you, gently reminding you what He has done, what He will do, that He gave His life FOR US TO FEEL HIS LOVE...

TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong

I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging on the rollin' sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love

Time Out Of Mind
-Bob Dylan

*I dedicate this post to my parents...Thank you for your love and Christian foundation and for always believing in me; to my Mother who is with my heavenly Father and to my Daddy- I love you!