Thursday, May 27, 2010

What Matters Most

What matters most to you in your relationship?

I've been told, "Make sure they have everything you absolutely cannot live without." Ok, great. I'm easy to please in that arena - worthy (check!), attractive (check!), dear friend (check!). But what if they also have traits you are not so sure you can live with?

I envy my friends who put an end to their single status long ago. Not for the reason you may think. I would not trade my life for anything. I can't believe all of the amazing things of which I have been able to be a part. Wouldn't have it any other way. Definitely embracing all that is my life.
I envy them because I think the older we get, the more logic sets in. When I was younger, there was so much more romance to every situation. Things like college degrees and cleaning habits didn't matter as much as the fact that he adored me and made me laugh. Younglings are more willing to jump in the deep end with the optimistic attitude of discovering what mysteries the future holds. As we progress in life, more and more becomes concrete about our futures and the more we demand/need our partners to have just as much concreteness, so to speak - we no longer appreciate the romance of ambiguity.

Eternity is a long time. A very long time. Is loving someone and laughing with them (and of course fundamental agreements on faith) all that matters?

What has mattered most to you? What has made you realize that the person you are with is the one you not only can't live without for eternity, but also want to live with for eternity?

Monday, May 24, 2010

Christmas in May

This morning I looked out my window and what did I see?


Preposterous.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Smart Cookie Gushing

Smart Cookie Company is by far the best cookie bakery in existence. I've had cookies in almost every state from Alaska to New York to Hawaii to Florida. Nothing beats a Smart Cookie!

This place is so amazing, this is my second blog dedicated to its deliciousness! In fact, Smart Cookie is the only cookie I prefer to one of my own homemade treats!

Every time I enter the doors in Fort Union and the miraculous scent wafting about the air hits me, my heart skips a beat. I panic and think, "Perhaps these cookies aren't as delicious as I remember. Maybe I am only remembering them as God's gift to cookie lovers everywhere because I don't have treats that often." Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Then I take a bite and every doubt I have is washed away.

They are every bit as delectable as only one's wildest imagination can conjure....crack for the cookie lover. I've even recruited more than my fare share of addicts - you few dozen folks know who you are. If you haven't had Smart Cookie, you haven't lived. Try it. Now.

Doesn't this photo make you salivate?
I snitched from their website: www.smartcookiecompany.com

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Fresh Cut Grass

The scent of fresh cut grass is like tiny star bursts of ecstasy flitting about my nose and caressing my senses with their magic wands of elation. This most glorious of nature's fragrances fills my swollen heart with anticipation, memories and hope while tickling my faculties with overflowing joy.
I love Spring!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Muffler

I was driving down State Street on the way to rehearsal when I realized my car had suddenly morphed into something from The Fast and the Furious. Oh yeah, my lil Civic can growl with the best of 'em.
Methinks, "My car doesn't usually sound that macho...or does it?" I hadn't hit anything and I was driving in light traffic down a main road.
I parked at rehearsal and stuck my head under the car. Bingo. My muffler was totally falling off!
Lucky for me, my car has a knight in shining armor who promptly whisked it away to his garage for fixin.' 'Twas a great night/knight.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Dentist

On what planet would jamming floss through your gums down to the very root of your teeth and poking at them with sharp objects not cause your gums to bleed?
I floss twice per day and you want to tell me that I need to floss more and my gums won't bleed? HIGHLY doubtful. No matter how often I floss, cutting at them with sharp objects and pressure will always make them bleed....and throb...and swell. Sheesh.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Bye, Bye Birdie!

I remember watching the movie remake of Bye, Bye Birdie when I was 15 and thinking, "Boy, wouldn't it be fun to be that girl?"

Indeed, it would! And you know what? I'm gonna do it!!!

I am beyond thrilled that I have recently been awarded the opportunity to play the lead role of 15-year old sweetheart Kim MacAfee for Midvale, Utah's summer production of Bye, Bye Birdie. I guess looking so young isn't a bad thing after all:-)

Come see me! July 9-23 @ 7:30 Mondays/Fridays/Saturdays at the outdoor stage in Midvale City Park - bring blankets, chairs, and $5!


Friday, May 7, 2010

Well-Rounded

Yesterday I:
-Started my day pumping iron at the gym
-Worked all day as manager over online seminars
-Auditioned for two musicals
-Played (and won!) a co-ed softball game
Sometimes I think about all of the activities I love and just laugh at myself. I'm a singing, dancing theater person, yet I'll play ultimate frisbee or softball anytime I get the chance. You will find me at the gym anytime of the day six days a week actually lifting weights, not just cardio like most ladies:-) You could also find me conducting choir every week until recently.
I don't think these things ever go hand-in-hand. Unless you are me. Then it wouldn't be any other way!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bad Friend

I've been wondering lately: Bad Friend = Larissa?

I've missed every recent baby/bridal shower to which I've been invited. I only manage to make it to half my friend's wedding receptions/birthday parties/any-occasion parties. I used to be the most amazing birthday wisher ever on the planet. Heck, I even remembered anniversaries of weddings/engagements/first dates, and kids' birthdays! But now? I know the most important things going on, I suppose, and I have good intentions...

I've driven to North Carolina, Colorado, Indiana, Idaho - all in the name of loved ones joining in matrimonial bliss. For no particular reason, I've visited loved ones in California, Vegas, Virginia, New York, Carolina's, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, Alabama, Kentucky....you get the point. Maybe these are worth it for the one-on-one attention I get? Is that selfish?

As the years wear on and I have attended my six-dozenth shower or reception, they don't seem as special or exciting to me. After I have wished the same person "Happy Birthday" thirty times, it doesn't seem like I mean it or like it even matters.

But I know it is important to that person. It shouldn't matter that theirs is the 3rd reception I've attended that week - it is their special day that they want me to share with them.

I feel pangs of guilt for every event I miss. Then I realize I can't hit everything, so I just don't hit anything and try to convince myself my presence doesn't matter.

Then I look at my Facebook list of friends. Over 700 people on that list (yeah, I'm soooooo cyber popular), only one of whom I don't personally know, but even he is my lil sis's boyfriend. There is no humanly possible way to keep up with that kind of load. Not all of my friends even have Facebook!

Being a friend should be a desire, not a job. I need to find that balance. Where is it?

I do love my friends more than they will ever know. They have been my family these past eleven years while I have lived in Utah and my family is in Ohio. They are my breath of life and light and joy. Please, if I've missed an important time for you, know I'm doing my best and I love you!

Waking

I'm not quite sure what happened this morning. My alarm went off at 5:40 and I startled myself with my screaming, "No! No! No! Please, No! Why? WHY!?! NOooo!"
Was I having a bad dream and wailing as I awoke? Was I just that appalled at my early gym schedule for the day? Apparently I wasn't so excited, and I just couldn't hide it. And, yes, I watched Saved by the Bell as I did my cardio.