Aug 5, 2008

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.)

27 comments:

Ruby Rideout said...

Yay I'm actually the first to comment here? Woohoo.
Maybe it has to do with the fact that we're both up at crack-head hours Melissa.

I loved your list and once again you have me dying at some!
5, 9, 18 and 21 are my fav's.
I must do a list like this soon and your blog would make my list. Really!! I haven't been on here in some time but am catching up to everyone's blog since I got back from India. (that, btw, was inspiring in itself after i cried the first 10 days of frustration)....

Colleen said...

I will take that challenge!

Lula! said...

OK. I'll play.

Laura Marchant said...

I love it that you used his phone to call the show! Sounds like something my silly friends and I would have done.

S Club Mama said...

I think this is a beautiful list. I may have to steal this idea if I get the time.

Amy said...

I got my daily fix of Melissa and am trying to think of 25 things. I will post back here so you can check it out, IF I think of that many! :)
Have a great day!

Deanna said...

I'm in! I'll get it posted by the end of the week. How are you doing? Still thinking and praying...haven't forgotten.

Sheri said...

I played . . . and am still praying for you!

Jenni said...

I love this inspiration list idea. I have done lists of things that make me happy, but not this one. Maybe I will do it. I love you list too. It is fun to see what gets to other people.

Amy said...

Okay...you got it...I will post by the end of the week...I love your list..too funny!

Amy Jo

Rhonda said...

Love your list. Especially the cookie dough and great big spoon!!! If the recipe says you'll have 4 dozen cookies at the end, then my whole family knows that we'll actually end up with about 2 dozen. Cooked. Some is eaten raw at the time, the rest is wrapped and put in the freezer for future PMS or depression.

Check back tomorrow for my list.

Kori said...

Think this is an awesome post. I may play along. We'll see.

Ronnica said...

Cool list. I'll probably be stealing it soon (okay, so I'll give proper credit =) ). I totally agree with number 15 (especially coupled with #16). I might come off strong, but really, I want to learn. How do I learn if my life is filled with a bunch of yes men (or women)?

#19 is definitely my weakness. The funny thing is there is something in cookie dough (and other doughs and batters) that makes my throat incredibly sore. But cookie dough and brownie batter are the best food ever...

Lauren W said...

Ooh, I'm totally in!

Deanna said...

What a great idea. I am going to have to think about it to narrow it down to 25!

Rae said...

I'm in. But I usually blog at:

www.myspace.com/rawethe

But...just for you, I will put it on my blogspot too ;)

Apryl said...

So I have been reading your blog for a while, and love it! I haven't commented, well, because I am a big, fat pansy. But I loved your "inspirations" and stole the idea for my blog. Enjoy!

Robin said...

You do inspire me and I have shared many of your comments about talking to the Lord and how you talk to Him. I want to do this, but it may be a couple of days! Pray/cry for me. I teach kindergarten and we started school on Monday.

Anonymous said...

Well, I don't have a blog, and I certainly won't list 25 here, but I have to agree with the seeing someone flourish in what they are good at..that is the best.

Also, being a Los Angelian (is that right?), I love going to the Hollywood Bowl, sitting there at dusk with all the goodies to eat, and listening to amazing jazz or classical or theater. Nothin' quite like it....

and the moments that come, without notice or prompting sometimes, where I am AWARE in that deep sense of gratitude of how I enjoy my family.

Givinya De Elba said...

You know, I don't think I ever told you this, but ...

There are so many blogs out there, but you can only really add the BEST ones to your read-every-day list (or you'd go mad.)

So what was it about Stretch Marks" that inspired me so much that I put you on my list and I keep on reading?

Well yes, once you were on my list I saw that your writing was great and you were sharing stuff I was interested to read, and I love your words at the bottom of the page about Stretch Marks. But what originally caught my attention was this bit in your profile:

"I don't trust anyone that scrapbooks."

Ah, yes, someone I can READ and BELIEVE IN!

Anonymous said...

What inspires me?

Peanut M&Ms and impending deadlines.

Cute ideas in Pottery Barn Kids that I want to copy (sew).

Knowing what I want and knowing I only have so much money to make it happen.

Anonymous said...

Just this very morning, in my People magazine, I noticed that the First Season of The Love Boat is coming out on DVD!

I'm just sayin' .........

Jenni

Wags said...

I've got a couple of inspiring pictures of a baby in a diaper eating a popsicle if you want it... :) send me your email.

CEU said...

Don't have a quiet place, but I do have a quiet time. It's called a few days in September!

Rhea said...

You called Arsenio Hall?! I'm dying over here. 15 times?! no way!

Ronnica said...

Okay, I did it too!

Unknown said...

I tried... I think I over-thought it though....

http://hottublizzy.blogspot.com/2008/08/25-things.html