Amanda asks: Do you wear flip flops?

Amanda, my love for the flip flop is deep and true. I wear them constantly. And my favorite brand is SODA – OHMYWORD they’re the best. My sister-in-law and I both love their black platform flip-flops (here’s a pair in white – though I wouldn’t wear the white, because they would be filthy in less than four minutes, not to mention that I do not enjoy the way white shoes look on me, though I think they’re absolutely lovely for other people).

In conclusion comma flip flops rock. And for me, they pretty much rock year ’round.

Marla asks: I know getting a book published isn’t as glamorous as it sounds, but is that something you’d like to do someday?

Please understand that there’s a part of me that GUFFAWS when anyone asks me about the book thing. But I’m trying to be more of a grown-up about the writing stuff (AHEM) and so instead of guffawing, I’ll just say thank you, Marla – it’s very kind that you would even ask such a thing.

In all honesty, my answer to this question is usually NO, NO THANK YOU, NOT INTERESTED, BECAUSE THE BOOKS HAVE MANY WORDS. MANY, MANY WORDS IN THE BOOKS. AND I DO NOT HAVE MANY WORDS.

And here’s another thing: I LOVE blogging. I get to “write,” and people read it, and people comment, and for me the whole thing just works beautifully. It doesn’t require a theme or characters or plot development – it’s just fun and easy.

Plus, I have never had any desire whatsoever to see my name on a book cover, and I’ve certainly never had any desire to have one of those “author pictures” made for the book jacket. You know, the picture where the author leans forward with her hand under her chin and looks engagingly at the camera and wordlessly conveys the message that THIS, THIS IS HOW I SIT WHEN I AM THINKING.

AND WHEN I SIT THIS WAY, I SMILE.

HOWEVER, I CANNOT SIT THIS WAY WITHOUT WEARING MY SENSIBLE BLAZER.

Oh, I kid because I’m trying to avoid the rest of my answer.

And the rest of my answer is this: if the last year of my life has taught me anything, it’s that Ephesians 3:20 is alive, well, and rockin’ my world every single day. So if God should open the book writing door, I will walk through it. I’ll walk through it with my knees knocking together, and I’ll probably want to throw up a little bit, but I’ll walk through it.

Which reminds me: one day on the phone Lysa asked me what my core message would be if I were to write a book, and I said all sorts of profound things like “I AIN’T GOT NO MESSAGE” and “DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THE CUTE SHOES I SAW AT TARGET?” AND “LOOK! THERE ARE BIRDS OUTSIDE MY WINDOW! I KNOW YOU CAN’T SEE THEM! BUT TRUST ME! BIRRRRRRRRRRDS!”

As you can see, I am deeply articulate. And terribly profound.

Sarah asks: Every time you have posted any pictures of your home it looks like you’ve got some realllllly cool art work. Is it a specific artist or just random pieces?

Sarah, do I ever have some exciting news for you.

Just go to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby or any other place that sells art supplies. Buy a bunch of canvases. Buy a bunch of cheap acrylic paint. And then buy some cheap paint brushes.

Go home, turn on some music, fix you a diet Coke, and paint to your heart’s content. That’s exactly what we did – because most of what you see on our walls is stuff that we’ve painted. We’ve had friends jump in to help us, and my favorite painting is actually one that my sister and I did – you can read all about it here.

It’s so easy and so much fun. And now I have a couple of canvases that Alex has done hanging around the house…it’s become our lone crafty tradition. And while our paintings wouldn’t mean much to most people, I love that I know the stories behind each one. It’s been a cool thing indeed.

All righty, internets – it’s 4:17 and church is at 6. So a shower, it would be good.

See y’all later.

Holly asks: What is the one thing about every day that makes you really joyful? What brings a smile to your face?

Well for starters, the two other people who live in this house are really funny. So they make me smile a lot. And I think I’ve told y’all about 490 times that I have absolutely hysterical friends. SWEET MERCY my friends make me laugh (and I’m including family members in the “friends” category, by the way).

Plus, I get such a kick out of people in general – I love their stories, I love their perspectives, I love their quirks – so for me, something as simple as a trip to Walgreens has the potential to be utterly entertaining. Because there are people there, you see.

Of course, since I fall smack-dab in the middle of introvert and extrovert on the Myers Briggs, as soon as I enjoy all the people in the Walgreens I have to get back home so that I can be by myself and journal about how much I treasured those extroverted moments.

Also, worship through music really makes me smile – and makes the whole “joy thing” a whole lot more attainable. Right now there are three CD’s that are enabling me to have SOME CHURCH UP IN MY VEHICLE: Matt Maher’s Empty and Beautiful, Ronnie Freeman’s God Speaking, and Delirious’ Kingdom of Comfort, which is HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL, ohmyword.

So as far as the joyful part goes…well, it’s all God. Seriously. Anyone who has ever encountered me around 5:30 in the morning knows that joy is NOT my natural state of being. And on top of that, there’s the pesky little fact that I am as fallen and dark-hearted as they come. I’ve probably said this here before, but I think it’s worth saying again: I’m all too familiar with my own depravity because I’ve embraced it time and time again.

So the joy? 1 Timothy 1:15-17 pretty much sums it up for me:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I’m NOT comparing myself to Paul, by the way. But this verse reminds me that no matter how much baggage or guilt or hurt or shame we carry around with us, God covers and redeems it all.

Somebody give Him a handclap of praise.

And also, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 has really encouraged me lately:

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

HE WILL DO IT.

COME ON, NOW.

Grace asks: Can I just say how much I am loving your new design?

Why, yes, Grace, you certainly can. Thanks for that. Of course, I can’t take a lick of credit for it, because Jules designed it, and I think she did a phenomenal job.

Jules also did some rockin’ business cards for me based on this new design, and I can’t wait to get them.

Because, as you know, I am very business-y.

Tamara asks: Is there any adventure or project you’ve been dying to try, but money or time or whatever have prevented you?

Oh, Tamara. You’re so sweet to assume that I’m even remotely adventurous. Or remotely project-oriented, for that matter.

However, I would really, really love to go to New York City with all the “girls” in my family. We were hoping to go this past fall, but then I quit working full-time, and as such ye olde recreational travel budget took a bit of a hit.

I’d also love to go to Spain, England, Italy and Greece – but I don’t see that happening in the foreseeable future unless I run across some sort of money tree that I can shake with great enthusiasm.

And since the whole money tree thing is totally unlikely, I’m actually hoping for something much more realistic: that someone will leave a large sack of cash money in our backyard.

And that the large sack of money will say FOR TRAVEL ONLY on the outside.

See? I am very practical.

And then: How did you and the BooDaddy meet?

We met in Sunday School when I was in second grade and he was in first grade.

I’m not even kidding.

Jennifer asks: What is your favorite Bible Study and why?

Beth Moore’s Believing God. For a million reasons.

I will not list all one million.

But I will tell you this: God used my time in that particular study to really get my attention about some issues in my own heart – and as an impetus for three or four big (HUGE!) turning points in my life.

Have I never told this story before?

Surely I have.

Okay. I checked my archives. I’ve never told this story before.

Give me a day or two. And I’ll tell you the whole thing.

Well, there’s been lots going on here the last few days, and as a result of all the activity, I seem to start posts and then get sidetracked because something needs my attention or Alex needs some more eyedrops (POLLEN, THOU ART EVIL) or I want to go back outside and stare at the pink dogwood that’s starting to bloom.

However, my lack of productivity is not in vain, because I am proud to announce that I now have about eight partially-written posts that are – and I say this in all humility, of course – really, extraordinarily adequate.

Oh, it’s true. Those incomplete posts reach entirely new plateaus of sufficiency.

And when I finish them? And actually post them?

Well, I have no doubt that you will receive them with great tolerance.

And then we will hold hands and sing.

Also: Anne is staying with us this weekend, and I need to go do some laundry now because I think she would probably appreciate some clean towels and maybe even some sheets.

Another also: I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE ANNE.

So.

I guess that’s all.

Except that if you’ve ever had a question you wanted to ask me, now is the time to fire away and ask in the comments.

Unless said question pertains to my real and/or imaginary weight, my thoughts on predestination, or anything that’s remotely related to math.

I think it goes without saying that anyone who tries to sneak in a word problem will be banned from the blog forever.

And seriously, I can’t promise that I’ll answer every single question, but at the very least I’ll try to answer a few of them every week.

As always, I’m setting some very ambitious and lofty goals.

Because as the famous saying goes: if you reach for the moon, the worst thing that can happen is that you land on a nice, comfy couch where you can snuggle up and take a nap.

Or something like that.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on a proposal that has required me to do some research and basically reacquaint myself with a subject that I haven’t studied in about fifteen years.

(Was the information in that paragraph vague enough for you? Good! More vaguery to come!)

And last week, when I started to worry that I was missing huge, critical chunks of information, I thought about one of my college professors who is an expert in the field I’ve been researching. In a fit of spontanaiety, I decided to email her. Because technology, it is oftentimes quite handy.

So I emailed my former professor, Dr. H, and told her what I was working on. I asked her for some input, thanked her for pouring into the life of a crazy college student (THAT WOULD BE ME) way back in the day and basically gave her a summary of what I’ve been up to since the last time we talked.

Including my most recent hobby of RANDOMLY DROPPING BACK INTO FORMER PROFESSORS’ LIVES VIA EMAIL.

Not to mention my ongoing hobby of making former professors twitch when they see the excessive use of sentence fragments on my blog.

A few days later I found a very gracious reply from Dr. H in my inbox, and I was a little surprised by how thrilled I was to hear from her. Dr. H was one of my favorite teachers because she not only knew her stuff – she also knew how to communicate information in a way that made it easy to remember. I took five different courses from her in undergraduate and graduate school, and I really did learn in each one of them.

Dr. H also had a huge impact on my writing, especially when I was a freshman and she very kindly pointed out my tendency to end pretty much every other sentence with “etc.”

For example: “Southern architecture also serves as symbolism in the works of Welty, Faulkner, etc.”

Or: “Plath’s poem Daddy features a narrator with a deep well of bitterness toward an absent father she perceives be cold, cruel, etc.”

If memory serves, the overuse of “etc.” was my eighteen year-old way of trying to cover up for the fact that I had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. So I just held onto the hope that maybe if I tacked an “etc.” on the end of my sentences, my professors WOULD NEVER CATCH ON TO THE FACT THAT I HAD NO MORE INFORMATION TO SHARE.

Oh, I was very crafty.

(Now is when I could tell you about the time I played the role of bathrobe-wearing, chain-smoking Martha in Who’s Afraid of Viriginia Woolf for Dr. H’s Modern Drama class – and for my costume I opted to wear a plaid skirt with a matching sweater and THERE WAS EVEN PLAID ON THE SWEATER, Y’ALL because obviously I was all about KEEPIN’ IT REAL with my ACT-ING.)

(But I won’t be telling you about any of that because it would be far too embarrassing.)

As it turns out, Dr. H is retiring this spring. And as she looks back on her career and reflects on her legacy, I hope she knows what a difference she made in the life of a wide-eyed sorority girl who sported some mighty large acrylic hairbows back in the early 1990’s. There’s no question that I was just a middle-of-the-pack student – albeit one with some misguided delusions of intelligence – but Dr. H made me better. She really and truly cared about making her students better.

Thanks for everything, Dr. H.

And I wonder: are there teachers who had – or who continue to have – a major influence in your life?

Tell me all about ’em. Because I’m feeling sort of nostalgic.

(I may even break out a hair bow.)

(But I draw the line at wearing any sort of matching plaid ensemble.)

Congratulations, Fresh Girl! Ye Olde Random.org has selected you as our $25 gift card winner!

If you’ll email me your mailing address, you should have the gift card in time for a lovely Friday night dinner.

And thanks, everyone, for such a great response!

I am having the best time reading your comments about your everyday favorites. I’ve even started a list of things I need to try, with Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in the number one spot. Followed closely by Aquaphor lotion and Trader Joe’s body wash.

This is when it would be helpful if my town actually had, you know, a Trader Joe’s.

Also: WHO KNEW that so many of you are tea drinkers? Obviously I have very refined readers. Much like myself, of course.

Ahem.

Several of you have mentioned in the comments that you want to try Mentholatum for under-eye bags, and I want to make sure to be very clear about something (normally I would email the commenters individually, but with all the switching servers business of the last four days, I can no longer receive my comments via email, and here is where I am tempted to tell you all about how that has ROCKED MY WORLD IN MANY NOT-HAPPY WAYS, but I am determined to have a cheerful outlook about it because in the grand scheme of things, it’s SO not a big deal).

Where was I?

Rambling through some unending parenthetical sidenote?

Well. Yes. Of course.

ANYWAY, just bear in mind that if you use Mentholatum on your under-eye bags, you will be using a product that contains a fair amount of MENTHOL. Not to mention a great deal of CAMPHOR. So odds are that if you are not conditioned to Mentholatum’s mentholated potency, having the Mentholatum so close to your eyes may result in a good bit of eye-watering. Which might not be your ideal scenario.

Since I have used the Mentholatum since I was, well, two, I have a pretty strong tolerance for all its vapors and whathaveyou. But if you are even remotely sensitive to strong menthol odors, you may want to take a pass on putting this stuff under your eyes. Seriously. Because while it doesn’t bother me, that is probably because I have a high Mentholatum tolerance.

I just felt that I needed to make that perfectly clear. Or else my inbox might start filling up with subject lines that say, “MY EYES! MY EYES!”

And I would feel just terrible.

Happy Friday, y’all.