Friday, November 18, 2011

Scooteroo

I'm sure I've mentioned more than once on here that I have a big brother.  In most of the obvious ways, we are night and day.  He's always been a daredevil; I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat.  He's a boundry-tester; I'm a strict adherer to the rules.  He's hard rock; I'm bluegrass and jazz.

Needless today, a very large portion of our lives was spent at least a little at odds.  We are 2.5 years apart (and only 2 grades in school), so we were close enough to clash over friends and coolness frequently.  And then during our college and post-college years, we had moments of really connecting and moments of "forced friendship".

A month or so ago, I was chatting with one of Drew's graduated students and he was saying he needed to go spend some time with his brother.  Then he said, "I don't know why I bother.  We have NOTHING in common and he doesn't make ANY effort."

I was so glad to be able to say that I knew EXACTLY what that kind of brotherly-relation ship felt like.  I told him that my brother and I went through years of that, but that I am SO GLAD that one or the other always MADE the interaction happen occassionally because now, when our lives have become much more similar than dissonant, we very easily slipped into being close friends.

NOW, we're both parents of 3 year olds (born exactly 4 months apart, to the day).  We're both married.  We both have had struggled through unhappy work situations (and now we both have found better jobs).  We struggle through many of the same things in life, we find the same things funny, we cheer on the same football team (ROLL TIDE!), and we both LOVE our lives and try to stay focused on the joys our families bring us. 

We still listen to different music and he's still WAY more *ahem* BALSY than I am, BUT he's one of my best friends.  We talk regularly, whether it's about what to do when X happens with one of the girls or just to check in and say, "I was thinking about you and wanted to tell you that I love you!" 

I'm so glad that we always made the effort to keep a little in touch and I'm even MORE glad that we have grown so close.  (And I am VERY glad that I will be seeing him for a whole WEEK very, very soon!)

Love you, Scooteroo!

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Friday, November 11, 2011

Lest we think she's not paying attention...

Tucker LOVES to "read" her books to us.  For a long time her stories all began, "Cinderella (or whichever character) was a kind and beautiful."  Now she's started picking up other parts of stories she's been read and throwing them in.  My favorite parts?  "Who's been benning in my house?!?"  and the fact that she is SO PLEASED with herself for putting monsters in the story.  So funny!



Happy Friday!  One more week for me at this job!  Woot!!!

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Thursday, November 10, 2011

If you don't ask...

I realized something about myself recently.  I have been putting limits on the things I pray for.

Don't get me wrong.  I would never put limits on what God is capable of.  I'm not crazy.  I've read about and even seen some of his miracles and I know if it's his desire, he can make it happen.

It's just that I've always put limits on what I'm willing to ask for.  I guess I've sort of developed the sense of, "There are so many other people in the world who have diseases and missing children and horrible tragedies that need his help, and I'm doing ok."  I mean, my life's been far from perfect, but I figure I've got a home and food and family and friends and in the greater scheme of things, I'm doing alright.  So I guess it felt sort of selfish to ask God for GREAT things in my life when there are people who really NEED great things, so I limited myself to asking for just enough to survive. I mean, WHO AM I to ask for miracles when God could spend his miracles on someone who needs them more?!?

But here's the thing.  God's not like a jug of lemonade, so when it's used up, it's used up.  It's not like to give one person a miracle, he has to deprive someone else of one.  He is LIMITLESS not only in his power, but in his ability to give and love.  It's like being a parent.  Having a second child doesn't take love away from your first child.  There's a whole other chunk of love that develops and multiplies to cover the second child.

So I decided I wasn't going to put limits on my prayers anymore.  I've been praying about a new job for a very long time now, and I wanted to find a GREAT job not just another job to get by on.  (Heck, I've been doing that for 8+ years now!)  I've been praying that God would just help me find something where I wasn't unhappy more often than not.  It didn't have to be amazing, just better than the current.  But I finally decided to ask God for the stars.  I began praying for a GREAT job, one that would make me HAPPY and where I would succeed and feel WONDERFUL about the job I was doing.  I asked for a job where I would feel I had a purpose and was making a difference.  And then I asked for a budgetary miracle because, let's face it, the job I'm currently miserable doing pays WAY better than the jobs I know I'd be happy doing.  It's the reason I've been doing it so long.

And you know what?  He did it.  He has guided me through multiple interviews and multiple churches (and 4 interviews at the final church).  He kept me calm and helped me show myself, not some fake interview-version of me.  And then?  He gave us a budgetary miracle. We didn't win the lottery or anything, but he tweaked enough stuff here and there that it's all going to work out.

And?  I HAVE A NEW JOB!!!!!  Starting the first Sunday in Advent, I will be the Director of Children's Ministries at a local Methodist church.  It's the dream job I never knew I wanted and I'm SO excited about it.

And God and myself?  We have a new policy.  I'm going to continue asking for the stars and for my dreams
knowing that sometimes the answer will be "Not that", "Not now", or just plain "No".  But I figure it can't hurt to ask because he loves me more than I deserve and he wants me to be happy and he wants me to contribute, and he wants me to do it WITH HIS HELP!!!

Love & Shipoopies
Leslie

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

The Hidden Meaning

I'm always curious when I hear commercials if others listen to them as critically as I do.  I mean, I don't intend to be critical, but sometimes the "hidden meaning" behind what they are saying is too obvious to not mock it just a little.  You know, like when a store advertises "Everything up to 50% off!"  You know technically, that could mean that nothing in the store is on sale AT ALL, right?!?  Because 0% off falls into the "up to 50% off" category.  Tricky, tricky...  Here are some other commercials I've heard or seen lately that have prompted my ScoobyDoo ears to say, "Uuuurrrrrrghhhhh?"

*One particular chicken chain has recently been advertising their "popcorn chicken" saying something to the effect of, "Those other guys have chicken NUGGETS.  What part of the chicken IS a nugget anyway?  Here at KFC, we serve succulent, juicy POPCORN chicken." 

Umm, dude, what part of a chicken is the popcorn, anyway?!? 

*A local car dealership advertisement I heard on the radio the other day claimed, "Open until 10:30... even later if we know you're coming!"

Who the HECK buys a car at 11pm at night?!?  I mean, yes staying open until 9 is probably VERY helpful to some people who have full time jobs and kids to feed and bathe and can't get to the dealership until like 7:30 or 8 and still need some time to look.  But past 10:30 at night?!?  REALLY?!?  Remind me to never apply to be a salesman at THAT place!!!

*And then there's Moe's.  And trust me when I say, the Bowers fam consumes its fair share of Moe's.  My husband could eat it every single meal of every single day and never get sick of it.  But I heard an advertisement the other day discussing their amazing meat options as "grass-fed cows, cage-fed chicken, and pulled pork!" 

Does that translate to anyone else as "super healthy cows, amazingly cared-for chickens, and... ah heck, pigs'll eat ANYTHING so who cares?!?!!!"  hahahaha!

Do you guys ever do this?  What are some of YOUR favorite commercials with hidden meanings?

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

We didn't have a pumpkin, but it was GREAT!!!

Get it?  The Great Pumpkin?  tee-hee

Ok, here's a little dose of our Halloween.  We always hand out candy at Will & Ashie's house because no one makes it up our street far enough to get to us.  And can I say, our 3 year old liked handing OUT candy more than getting it herself.  So cute!



I LOOOOVE this face! 







As we were taking our family picture, one of Tucker's best friends from daycare walked up.  Daya and Tucker were in the same room from the time they were 3 months old until Daya moved to a nearby city at the start of this school year.  We have only been able to have one playdate since she moved, so they were SO EXCITED to see each other. :)  Monkey Joe's, you should expect 2 VERY giggly girls soon. :)

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Friday, October 28, 2011

My Soundtrack



*Sorry her back is turned for the first half, but if I alert her to the camera's presence, she freezes up.*

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Do I need an excuse from my mom or something?

I think this may be the longest I've EVER BEEN without blogging.  But I am determined to get back on the blogging train.  I probably won't be blogging everyday, but I'm going to try to blog at least 3 times every week.  Promise.  (PLEASE, hold me to it!)

Now on to Wordless Wednesdays!!! Last week was Halloween dress-up days at T's daycare. They do the same dress-up days each year and I take pictures of each day every year. Serious cuteness.


2008


2009
*We were out of town the first 2 days of the week this year.*


2010



2011



Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie




Monday, September 26, 2011

A list...

A list of things I'd rather not EVER do...

1.) kill a roach, or really even SEE a roach
2.) clean out the drain in the kitchen sink when it's full of gross, soggy food
3.) go to sleep without a kiss and "I love you" from both loves of my life
4.) listen to any kind of sport on the radio
5.) try to argue a point I'm passionate about when I'm angry to the point of tears about it.. makes me look weak when really I'm just THAT mad
6.) walk barefooted on a smooth surface (like concerete) that is dirty with a gritty feeling; rough, dirty surfaces aren't as bad.  Barefooted on pavement is somehow less offensive than barefooted on cement.
7.) dust the house
8.) hurt someone's feelings or bruise someone's self confidence - intentionally or accidentally
9.) eat any bean or pea that is mushy - green beans and edamame are about as far as I go into bean/pea territory
10.)  go a single day without something interesting to read


What's on YOUR list of "I wish I never had to..."?

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Dance Class

I snuck up to T's dance class recently and hid while taping a snippet of it (hence the video being taken using the mirror instead of straight-on).  The music you hear is from the hallway at daycare, not dance class. The little girl next to T kept seeing me in the mirror and she knows who I am, so she'd try and tell T and I kept having to put my finger to my mouth and go "shhhh" and shake my head so she wouldn't tell her.  It was quite comical. :)



Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I... I'm a Dancer! It's who I am... what I do!!!

*Yes, Rick and Sheri, that blog title is totally for your amusement.*

So my little one starts beginner dance classes today.  There's a local studio that comes TO HER DAYCARE during the day and teaches lessons.  She is ECSTATIC!!!

(And I must confess, I'm pretty excited myself.  I mean, look how gorgeous she looks in her "ballet dress" - as she calls it.)

 *Twirling*


 *"Doing a Ballerina"*









*With her bag full of ballet and tap shoes and a change of clothes for after dance class.  She was SO PROUD of her bag and insisted on carrying it around the whole morning.*

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Yes is not an appropriate answer!!!

I was watching the Today Show this morning and they were doing a story on senior citizens getting plastic surgery.  They interviewed this one 75-year-old lady who was having a breast lift and implants so she could look on the outside how she felt on the inside. 


Weird.  I know. 


But that's actually NOT what this blog is about.  After the video montage, they went to the interview in-studio where some reporter I've never laid eyes on *** asked a plastic surgeon something to the effect of, "Do you think it's because of A or more an effect of B?"  (He used real reasons that I blocked from my memory, apparently.)


Do you want to know what the surgeon answered?  (If you don't already know, then you didn't read the blog title well.)


He said, "Yeah, it is."


Ummmm..... Dude, "Yes" is NOT an appropriate question to an either/or question!!!  And I can't tell you how many times a week I have to tell someone that. 


Do you want chicken or pork chops for dinner?...... Yes.


Would you rather watch Olivia or Mickey?..... Yes.


I know sometimes I answer an either/or question with "yes" as a joke because I want BOTH things or because I have no idea which is the right answer.  But when someone genuinely feels they've answered your question appropriately, I can't help but wonder if *please don't die of shock here* as a society, we're so used to multitasking (and so inept at doing it) that we only half hear most of what is said to us... that those people only heard one half of the either/or question and their real answer was, "Sure, whatever" or as I fear most of the time when I get "yes" to an either/or, "Yes, whatever I can say that will make you stop talking and interrupting the other thing I'm doing."  *tee-hee*


*le sigh*


Do YOU ever get the feeling that someone's not REALLY listening to you OR do you feel totally heard all of the time in your life?


Yes.


Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie


***Anyone else noticed that since Meredith left the Today Show, there's been so much shuffling around of anchors (and Matt's been kind of in and out), that some days, I can't name a single person on set?  And almost everyday there's someone that I've never laid eyes on?  And I don't mean Al, Natalie, or Ann - I know them.  There's all these OTHER people on everyday doing almost everything!! It's very troubling to me.  Just sayin'.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Bad Days are Relative

Monday:

I went to the neurologist (for worsening Carpal Tunnel) where they tapped, electrocuted, and stabbed... I mean "poked" (the origin of the bruises) me into misery.  I also discovered I had a low-grade fever (which stayed until Wednesday afternoon).  All of that equals someone who wants to take some meds, crawl in the bed, and sleep the rest of the day away from pure puniness instead of going back to work, which is what I had to do.


Tuesday:


Tuesday night, my husband entered the house after a late-night meeting and said, "Want to see something creepy?!?"

My instant reaction?  "Ummmm..... NO.  I mean, is it that huge Harry Potter-worthy spider we saw last month?  'Cause definitely NO!"

"No, it's not the spider.... and I don't THINK it's a cockroach." (This is my one real phobia.)

"Then definitely NOOOOOO."

"I said I DON'T THINK it's a roach."

"If you have to question that it's a roach, I am not interested... especially barefooted in the dark."

But he drug me along and we walked to the driveway where he showed me this little whole with a pile of dirt beside it.  (It got re-covered before I took the pic.)  He insisted I continue watching it as he stomped the ground all around it.  *awesome*

Then suddenly, the dirt started moving with dirt from inside the hole coming out of the hole on the head of... you guessed it.... a cockroach.  Or if it wasn't a cockroach, it was cockroach-tangential. 

YUCK!!!!!  He killed them, then sprayed the hole with bug spray, then recovered it.  It's remained covered... so far.


Friday:


I came downstairs.  I fixed the coffee exactly the same as every other morning.  I walked the 3-year-old to the potty like every other day.  I continued getting the little one dressed like every other morning.  Then I heard the hubs say, "OOOOOOH, NOOOOOOOO."  And immediately, I knew. 

But then, I found THIS:



And I died laughing!!!

Love, Shipoopies, and a little perspective,
Leslie

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Breakfast, anyone?

I've always had problems with breakfast.  "Why?" you ask.  Well, I'm not really an egg eater.  I sometimes tolerate an egg over-easy (and occassionally sort of enjoy one), but I pretty much don't like eggs done any other way.  I don't even like the breakfast casseroles that are mostly egg.  And then you try to eat HEALTHY (aka go on Weight Watchers, which I am trying to get myself in the habit of again), and you lose the only redeemable part of an egg - the yolk.  I mean, without the yellow, you've taken what was only slightly pallatable and turned it into metallic-tasting rubber.  BLECH!

Now, I DO love breakfast meats.  Bacon and Sausage? Seriously, YUMMO!!!  But, if I eat those first thing in the morning, well, let's just say I'd better not have anything important planned before lunch.  My stomach does NOT find them to be a pleasant way to start the day.

But to succeed on a diet (and to survive my workdays), I have to eat breakfast.  It's not an option.  And protein bars are high in points, high in carbs, and I'm starving again in an hour.

Then I found THIS idea in a Parenting magazine.  It is my personal breakfast heaven..  It's yummy, has enough cheese to cover the taste of egg whites, is full of my favorite veggies, keeps me full for hours on end, AND can be made ahead of time and heated up in mere seconds in the morning.  This, my friends, is a WIN!

So you start with finely chopped veggies of your choice.  I use zucchini, onion, celery, red bell pepper and tomatoes.  (For the hubs, I use turkey bacon and green bell pepper.  Really anything you like works here. If you use meat, make sure it's fully-cooked before step 2.)  Sautee them until they are tender.  (I use a tiny smidge of EVOO.)


Spray a 12-muffin pan with non-stick spray and divide your sauteed veggies evenly amongst the muffin cups.  Then take a 12 oz. container of egg whites or egg alternative OR about 11 real eggs, beat them, salt and pepper them, and divide them evenly amongst the muffin cups (on top of your veggies).



Put a little cheese (I use 2% colby jack) on top of each.  The recipe calls for shredded.  I was out, so I just broke cheese slices into 4 parts and put them on top.  It was PERFECTION.


Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min.  You can eat them immediately OR refrigerate them (or even individually wrap in Saran Wrap and freeze them).  If you make them ahead, it takes about 15 seconds in the microwave OR put them on foil in the oven at around 450 degrees for 5 or 10 minutes.




You've got yourself a healthy, low calorie, high protein (and low WWpoints - 1 point per muffin) breakfast that's quick, easy, and DELICIOUS - even for your non-egg eaters. :)

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wordless Wednesdays - Sleeping Beauty

I just uploaded all the pics from my phone to my computer, so I was sort of flipping through them when I noticed a pattern. :)


















Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Makes So Much More Sense

As most of you probably know, I'm pretty fond of music.  I love to sing.  I love to dance.  I like classical, choral, oldies, jazz, bluegrass, country, pop, and occassionally even hip-hop.  If there's no music playing for long enough, I'll start singing something without even realizing it.  (Just ask my scrapbooking lady.  I think I pretty well drive her NUTS at crops singing without realizing it. haha)

You know that show, "Don't Forget the Lyrics"?  Well, I didn't forget them.  I'm a lyrics girl.  I can't tell you the chords being used (like the Hubs), who sang it, what year it debuted, or its "B side" (like my Diddy), but if you want to know what they're saying, I can tell you... at least I can tell you what I've always thought they were saying.  Generally, I'm right on with lyrics, but occassionally I find a song where I was way off.  (Remember this post?)

This all brings me to my new car (I'll really have to do an "I haven't blogged in ages" catch-up soon) and its 3 months of satellite radio. I'm officially addicted to satellite radio.  I love the station options, but more importantly, I love being able to hit the "info" button and find out the name of the song and who is singing it.  You'd be amazed how many songs you know with titles you'd NEVER recognize. 

For instance, do YOU know the name of this song?



It's called "De-Do-Do-Do, De-Da-Da-Da".  I mean, it's probably what I'd call it if I were trying to get someone to know what song I was referencing ("You know, that song that goes, "De-do-do-do, de-da-da-da."), but I figured it had some ACTUAL title.  Nope.

But I discovered last week that I had the words (and meaning) of a song completely wrong.  I saw the name of the song and went, "Oh, well that makes MUCH more sense!!!"  Do you know this song?



It's title is "Dawn (Go Away)". I ALWAYS, my whole life, thought it was saying, "Don't Go Away" which always bothered me because in the chorus, to me, it went, "Don't go away!  Please go away!"  (Dude, make up your mind!) And I always thought it was about some guy who couldn't make up his mind if he wanted this girl or not.  (And at the beginning when it says, "They call her Dawn,"  I always thought it was saying, "They call her doll." I just thought it was affectionate and one of the reasons he was wrestling with his decision - stay or go away.)

I think most people get addicted to satellite radio because of the very specific stations, but for me, it's that "info" button.  Now when I'm listening to the plain old radio, I'm constantly pressing "info" and getting irritated that it won't work. ;)

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I've Failed Her Already

Did you ever have one of those moments where you see something that makes you question if you've already ruined your kid for life?  Killed her future?  Ensured her place in therapy? 

I had mine today.

I passed a sign for Twaddler Soccer - 18 months - 6 years old.

Epic Fail, Mom.

There goes her career as a professional soccer player.

*Seriously, who the heck would try to teach an 18 month old soccer in a formal setting?  Helping her kick a ball without tripping on it and busting her face open?  Sure.  Soccer in a team setting?  Pass.*

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

*I hope none of you passed out from my posting twice in one week.  tee-hee

Monday, July 25, 2011

I never knew...

Last Thursday, I had a day.  It was long.  It was umm... let's say irritating.  Work was less than ideal and the last 3.5 hours of it were spent double-duty-ing as Mom as well because Drew went to play golf.  T, of course, could NOT leave me alone.  I was pausing every 5 minutes to answer some question, do some redirecting, or help with something.  By the time my work day was over, I was DONE. 

There was to be no cooking.  Steak-N-Shake, here we come!

We hopped into the car and then the backseat began, "Mommy, can I... Mommy, why... Mommy, where's my umbrella?  Mommy, I need my umbrella?  Mommy, it's going to rain.  I need my umbrella now.  Mommy, where's my umbrella?  Mommy, can I have my umbrella right now?  Mommy, I really need my umbrella right now.  It's going to rain."

Now, this on a good day is irritating.  On a day where my brain is already one millisecond from explosion...

*sigh*

And here's the thing.  I HATE to be ignored.  DESPISE it.  LOATHE it.  I don't ever mind a, "Can you wait just a minute/day/while?" but flat ignoring chaps my hide!!! So I've never been one of those parents who can just turn up the radio and pretend the questions aren't coming in machine-gun-style.  It's not within me.  I feel the need to continue with "It's right below your feet. I'll give it to you when we get there.  Please stop asking.  I can't hand it to you while I'm driving.  You can't open it in the car. I'll give it to you when we get there.  When we get there.  WHEN WE GET THERE!!!!!"

But then...


The rain finally started.  And it wasn't your basic afternoon shower.  It was SERIOUS rain.  It was "slow down to 10 miles an hour because you can't technically see the lane markings or sides of the road or other cars" kind of rain.  It was "half the cars on the road turned on their flashers" kind of rain. 

It was rain SO LOUD that it drowned-out the questions...

and I didn't have to feel an ounce of guilt about not answering them.  I wasn't ignoring them.  I just couldn't hear them.

Can't control the rain.

There's something to be said for a good, hard rain at the end of an exhausting day.

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Friday, July 01, 2011

Be careful what you name them...

"Mommy, Granna pooped in her panties!"

Yep.  This is the moment when I spit out my drink, fell out of my chair, and began crying I was laughing so hard.

To be fair, it was a DOLL in her dollhouse, not the REAL Granna (my MIL).

It's the grandmother doll, which Granna bought and named Granna.

I told her pooping in her panties is what you get for naming a babydoll after yourself.

Happy Friday! (And Happy 4th!)
Love & Shipoopies,
Lesle

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Little Hard to Focus

Yesterday, while I was trying to delve hard into my work day, a show was put on.  It made focusing on anything other than the show quite difficult. :)




The kicks in THIS video were later taught in detail to Daddy. ;)









Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Rose is a Rose...

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

"You say 'poe-tAA-toe.'  I say 'poe-tAH-toe.'"

Much has been said (and sung) about what we call things. 
There are differences created by geography, family, culture, etc.
Geography - soda, pop, Cokes
Family - I've been mocked endlessly for calling handing out Christmas presents "opening the tree"
Culture - think of your mom's sister.  Is she "ant", "aaaahnt" or "aahntie"?

And then there are those that are just WRONG. :)

I heard a lady on the news the other day talk about being "FUSS-trated."
I'll be honest.  I died a little inside.
Does she not SEE the R?!?

I once knew someone by the last name Wilkes.
People REGULARLY would read it "Wilkison".
YOU ADDED AN ENTIRE SYLLABLE TO THE END.
Just created it from thin air!!!

Then there's my husband.  He's a middle-namer.  But his first name is Joel.
Good, strong, relatively common American name.
Want to know who telemarketers and spam mail look for?
Juan.
Yep.  That's close.

And don't get me started on people in the south adding S's to store names.
WalMartS, TargetS, KMarts, Krogers
Makes my skin crawl!!!

You've got your "X-specially" and "Let me AX you a question."

But the world's most ironic mispronunciation?

My Spanish teacher, Senor Tic-Tac (bad breath), used to instruct us daily on our need to work on our
"Pro-NOUN-ciation"

Yep.
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

Love, Shipoopies, and a Happy Weekend to you All!!!
Leslie


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Lyrics

It's probably no surprise to anyone who knows me that I'm a lyrics girl.  I'm sure it's the English degree in me, or maybe it's that part of my soul/mind/heart that lead me to the English degree.  (So many things in life follow the chicken/egg arguement.) 

I'm sure my mom gets sick (and tired - Hello, Bill Cosby!) of hearing me say, "This song has the GREATEST lyrics. Listen to it.....Now be sure to listen closely to this part.  Aren't those awesome?!?  Let's listen again!" Poor thing, I do it to her all the time!!

Why am I telling you this?  Well, The Hubs had his Spring concert at school Tuesday night and one of the choirs did a little Les Miserables.  I've always loved the music, but suddenly, this particular lyric is standing out to me.  Maybe I just never understood the lyrics before now?  Maybe I just never caught the beauty of the words before, but I've been singing it non-stop since Tuesday night.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame

Love.The.Imagery!!!

Anyway, my new attachment to this lyric got me to thinking of other favorite lyrics.

Everytime I think of you, I always catch my breath! 
Still possibly the most romantic lyric every written.

It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy, 'cause every now and then I kick the living sh** out of me.
Never was a truer word spoken.
 
You find this situation just a bit uncomfortable;
You'd rather stay far away from reality.
For you to understand would be clearly impossible;
So you shut your eyes and swear you can see.
Claiming there is a God, but does that mean anything?

So condescending to those that you don't understand;
Just too easy to make them your enemies.
Like an ostrich, you bury your head in the sand,
And then shout about all the things you believe.
But if there is a God, don't you think He can see
What you really mean? What you're doing?

You can't find the answers
Till you learn to question;
You won't appear stupid
Just ask for direction.
You're insecure and it clouds your perception
So stop and listen
And learn a lesson in love without condition.

So place all the souls that you know
in their own little box;
Quite convenient to handle them that way;
You're the only one you know who carries a cross
You don't care what they care about anyway.
And You talk to your God,
Prayin' for those who sin,
For their eyes to be opened.

You can't find the answers
Till you learn to question;
You won't appear stupid
Just ask for direction.
You're insecure and it clouds your perception
So stop and listen
And learn a lesson in love without condition.

I tried to find a clip of lyrics from this song by Ginny Owens, but really the whole song is amazing.  I love the lyrics. Powerful, life changing lyrics.

And then there's my latest ringtone - from back in the day.

We'll keep on spending sunny days this way
We're gonna talk and laugh our time away
I feel it comin' closer day by day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me and Leslie...

*Ok, MAYBE it's really "you and me endlessly", but as a kid, my parents TOTALLY told me it was Leslie and I LOVED it.  Still do.* 

Do YOU pay attention to the lyrics?  Do they move you and change you?  Or do you just bop along, never knowing the meaning of those great beats?

What are YOUR favorite lyrics?

Love & Shipoopies,
Leslie