25 Things

Did you ever see the Seinfeld episode where Jerry is forced to make recordings of movies and sell them on the black market?

Really? It's a good one.

Anyway, the point is this. I am not one to steal things. Like, well, and I hate to admit this, but my father. Who once offered the movie Stealth to my husband so he could watch it on DVD.

Stealth had been out in the theatres ONE WEEK.

My dad had been given a BLACK MARKET movie.

MY DAD! BLACK MARKET!


This is the same man who once told me that whenever he thought back to my teenage years the only thing he would remember was that I cheated on a typing test.

A typing test!

How is cheating on a typing test even possible?

Plus, his remark was a little overdramatic. I know this because years later I asked him, "Dad, what do you remember most about my teenage years" to which he replied, "The time I let you and your college CO-HORTS take my Volvo out for a spin and you ended up using my [big, honkin' 1989] cellular phone to call The Arsenio Hall show."

He's right.
We did.
15 times in a row.

Point being...I don't steal. I give credit where credit is due.

Sometimes.

And if I like the person.

So over at Spence Smith's blog I noticed that he once listed 25 things that inspire him. Now, I'm not Spence, so believe you me, our lists are completely different. For instance, he wrote that one thing that inspires him is "the feeling I get after a good run."

Whereas that would more likely make my "25 Things That Make Me Want to Lay Down On The Interstate and Pray for Sure Death" list.

But, to each his own.

So here is my list. Don't laugh! In fact, if you're gonna do that - then getcher own durn list. We're not supposed to make fun of what inspires people.

Unless it's Spence.

And it involves physical activity.

Cuz that's just weird. So here goes...

25 Things That Inspire Me...

1. A baby...in a diaper...with a popsickle....in the summertime.

2. A Fall cookout with friends. Involving chili cheese dogs and s'mores. And lots and lots of laughter.

3. Big Sexy Hairspray. Okay, let's be honest....just really big hair, in general.

4. A round table. With a board game in the middle. And Meridith, Brandon, David, Melba, Donald, My mom, my dad and me in each chair.

5. Looking at my house around dusk after a long day of yard work....done by the Attorney General, of course.

6. A hot day and an in-ground swimming pool.

7. Pictures. Of people I love. And people I miss.

8. A nice hotel. And some really good room service.

9. A hearty laugh. At someone else's expense.

10. A good cheese enchilada.

11. Singing praise and worship.

12. When the Attorney General gets that little gleam in his eye, which usually means he's up to something.

13. Anything, absolutely anything, that makes me laugh.

14. Sitting around with friends and discussing the Lord...the good, the bad, the difficult.

15. People that challenge me. (I abhor people who tell me what they think I want to hear.)

16. People who understand that today might not be a good day to challenge me. And instead, tell me what they think I want to hear.

17. Seeing someone do what they were created to do. And watching them flourish in it.

18. A very quiet place where I can get away and write. (I'm still looking for that place...if any of you have any ideas I'd be happy to hear them.)

19. A bowl of cookie dough. And a great, big spoon.

20. Journaling.

21. When Remi tells me "Don't cry mama" and pulls my head down on to her shoulder. (Let me go on record as saying I am not a basketcase. I am simply "faking it" for the attention.)

22. Crawling into a bed with clean sheets.

23. Finding myself in place where God is the only thing I have. I learn the most from these times. They. Are. Invaluable.

24. A really good book.

25. A "Radke".

(Before you think this is something deep and sentimental about my husband, it's really not. The Radke is a sandwich that he created years ago and I looooovvveee it.

Yep, a sandwich.)

Sure, there were a few I didn't add. But I was afraid you all might think I was trivial. I mean, I wanted to add my favorite show of all time, Seinfeld, as well as re-runs of The Love Boat. But it was a toss-up between those and the depth that is "big Texas hair."

And if you know me at all - you know big hair will always win out.

I'm curious as to what inspires you. Just to see what we have in common and all...

Is it me?

Do I inspire you?

It is me, isn't it?

See? We have something in common already.

Okay, your turn. I'm headed to your blog to see what inspires you. (Make sure you spell Stretch Marks correctly. cough. cough.)