Friend Makin' Monday : BFFs

Good morning, Poodles! Even though I'm not quite among the living after a long holiday weekend I'm still going to attempt some Friend Makin'.

The Friend Makin' this week is being hosted by Kelli at Outside My Kitchen Window. Head on over to her place to get the instructions and to link up if you feel like joining the fun. Kelli's task for this FMM is this:

Tell us about your BFF. How did you meet? Was it BFFs at first sight? How long have you been friends? What makes him/her your BFF? What is it about this person that makes him/her so special to you?

Now then, just because I'm a rule-breaker free spirit I'm going to bend this a little bit. I don't know that I can choose just one "BFF" in my life. God has blessed me with many amazing friends, and they all mean something a little different to me. So I'm going to spin this my own direction and introduce y'all to some of the most fantastic folks ever!

• • • • •

My best long-term-been-there-through-thick-and-thin-knows-all-about-me-but-still-somehow-loves-me friend:

Jodi

Jo and I are BFFs that also just happen to be cousins. She is my partner in crime, but always manages to keep me out of trouble. Obviously, we go way back and our relationship shows it. She's incredibly intelligent, driven, motivated, and funny. Plus, she'll own your face in a game of basketball. Her drive and determination have always inspired me, and that determination (paired with God's grace) has gotten her into vet school working towards her dream career. I couldn't make a BFF list w/o Mugget.

• • • • •

My best 12-year-long-give-it-to-me-straight-you're-going-to-hear-this-whether-you-like-it-or-not friend:

Jason

Jay and I have been friends since my sophomore year of high school and somehow our BFF-dom has just stuck through the years. He is one of those few people that are honest with me even when it's probably not very fun. He knows how I'll react to situations, he knows what I'm thinking, he knows what I'm about to say, and because he knows all of this he helps keep me in check. He's an amazing man of God and his self-discipline is part of what inspired me to train for my up-coming 5K. God has brought him a long way and I'm honored to have been part of that journey with him!

• • • • •

My best compassionate-thoughtful-selfless-hilarious-sisters-separated-at-birth-cut-from-the-same-cloth-running-buddy friend:

Rachel

Although we haven't been friends quite as long as some of my other BFFs, Rach and I just "get" each other. We have similar pasts, we want similar futures, we find the same things funny, and we share about 1,478 inside jokes. I'm sure people that know us think we're attached at the hip sometimes. She is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people I know. She loves her family immensely, and is truly a beautiful creation in Christ. She is truly a treasure that some man is going to be lucky to find someday. Our late-night tailgating sessions have done a lot for our relationship! :)

• • • • •

My best motivational-straightforward-bubbly-direct-blunt-inspirational-smokin'-hot-bride-to-be friend:

Becky

We share a birthday and always joke that we're twins...born 2 years apart. We share the same bossy strong personality, and we would rather be dancing than doing almost anything else. Becky is such a motivator for me through all the 5K fun. It's been an honor and a privileged to be Becky's Maid of Honor and to help her plan her wedding. I'm so happy for her future with Nathan...even if it means him taking her 8+ hours away from The Foursome. I know God has big plans for her and I can't wait to see her grow and blend into her new role as Nathan's wife!

• • • • •

My best world-traveling-globe-trotting-fabulously-cultured-intelligent-Godly-hilarious-words-of-wisdom-giving-domestic-diva friend:

Jenn

Jenn and I have grown closer over the past 6 months or so, and it's truly been a pleasure. She and I share the same love for cooking and all things domestic. She is one of the best cooks I know! She is intelligent, successful, motivated, self-sufficient, and beautiful! She puts her relationship with God first and always inspires me to do the same! I feel like I'm a more well-rounded person for knowing Jenn. I look forward to her emails every morning!

• • • • •

Finally...

My best known-them-since-birth-put-them-through-hell-yet-they-love-me-the-same-always-in-my-corner-always-my-prayer-warriors-sound-advice-giving friends:

Tim, my Dad; Julie, my Mom; and Adam, my brother.

Being able to say that I count my family as some of my best friends has been a long time coming. We're a lot alike, and although that works to our advantage now, it hasn't always been that way. They have loved me fiercely since the day that I was born...even when it probably wasn't easy to feel that way. The fact that God has given us a second chance at a close relationship is a huge blessing in my life. I trust them completely, and I can't think of better advice-givers. I know that no matter what life brings me or where it takes me they will support me and pray for me.

• • • • •

Thanks so much for stopping by! I would love to hear about who you hold near and dear! If you're not taking part in the Friend Makin' Monday fun then tell me, who is your BFF(s)? What makes them special? I'd love to hear about it!

Happy FMM,

OHF - 04/20/09

It's about dang time.

This is about the most appropriate illustration I could find of the OHF Contest to date.



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Week 8
Lindsay: 7
Jason: 2
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Welcome back, lead. I've missed you.







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Listening to: Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours

OHF - 04/13/09

This week's OHF Results come in the form of an equation.




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Week 6
Lindsay: 1
Jason: 4
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Ew. I gained 4 lbs. (!?) this week. Jason gained 1. We're kind of pathetic right now.

It's a darn good thing Easter is only once a year.





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Listening to: George Strait - Amarillo By Morning (Live)

First of (Hopefully) Many!

The ever foxy, always domestic Lil' Woman of Little Woman, Little Home gave me this award, and I'm ever so thankful! Thanks Lil' Woman!!


Head on over to her blog and be sure to find pictures of Big Man and their new pad. OH! And Martha Mondays...always good!

In keeping with the "I ♥ Your Blog" tradition, I'll be passing this award on to all of my "followers." They are, in no particular order:

1. DeMo of Presently DeMo
2. Mrs. Murphy of Where Shall We Go Next
3. Jason of The 9:24 Project (also of OHF fame!)
4. Jo of The Cattle On A Thousand Hills
5. Brandon of The Relationship
6. Nicole of Here's To Today
7. Jared of Paradigm Shift
8. Karis of For Such A Time As This

Thanks for always giving me something interesting to read, guys! Now, copy the award, paste it in your blog, and pass the "blog love" on to your followers.

Hugs & Snorgles,
L-Dubb

OHF - 04/06/09

Please note the lack of setting-the-mood YouTube videos in this week's OHF. *sigh*

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Week 5
Lindsay: 6
Jason: 5
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That means I gained a pound and Hammy lost a pound. BUT I'm still in the lead. Time to widen that gap again...and step this progress up. 6 pounds in 5 weeks isn't nearly the best I can do.

Look out, Jay!

OHF - 03/30/09

It's time for a break from all this El Salvadorian fun. In case you've missed me today here is what I've been up to.

And this, too.

Be watching those mailboxes, folks! You too could be the proud recipient of a letter from little ol' me. El Salvador, here I come!

• • • • •

And now, without further ado, this week's edition of...

Owning Hammy's Face!

A hush falls over the crowd as they wait, with baited breath, for the results of last week's competition.

.
.
.
.
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Lindsay: 7
Jason: 4
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That means a loss of 1 pound for me and a slight gain of 1/2 pound for Jason.

We now know that there are two factors that are not very complimentary to weight-loss.

1. Being snowed in with your mother's cooking for 2 days.
2. Being away on business in a town that only has a bar in the way of eating establishments.

Live and learn. On to the next week, and even more face-ownage!

Define Endurance

Endurance

Pronunciation: \in-ˈdu̇r-ən(t)s, -ˈdyu̇r-, en-\

The ability to withstand hardship or adversity ; especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.

Boyfriend and I are taking our relationship to the next level tonight; 40 minutes rather than the usual 30. I understand this isn't any huge undertaking for some, but I'm a die-hard treadmill girl and those elliptical trainers, they work totally different muscles than I'm used to!

It's time to kick this competition into high gear and widen my lead (instead of my hips) a little. I mean this in the nicest way possible but....eat my dust, Hammy!

Plus...I might've eaten a huge chocolate muffin today. Stupid muffins.

OHF - 03/23/09

Please allow me to set the mood of this post with some music.

Go ahead. Click on it and let it play while you read the results. I'll wait.



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Lindsay: 6
Jason: 4.5
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I'm sure his post later today will explain more, but he had one of those weeks and gained 1.5 lbs., bringing his loss from 6.0 lbs. to 4.5 lbs.

My boyfriend, Mr. Elliptical, and I may have FINALLY gotten things worked out. Time will tell. For now, I'm going to enjoy my lead!

OHF - 03/16/09

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Week 3:
Lindsay: 0
Jason: 6
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Yeah. My boyfriend, Mr. Elliptical, and I are going to be spending a lot of time together this week. Think twice a day. I am not losing to a boy.

Blog Beavering

I have just spent the past 2 hours beavering my blog header...and I still don't love it. I can now relate to Amanda when she says "my brain is pixelated!" I have 3 ideas for really great blog posts, but I can't bring my brain to shift from MDIS (Microsoft Digital Imaging Suite) to writing mode. I'll just have to write them down where I write the rest of the things I have bouncing around in my head and call it a day.

Jason: Template shopping will have to wait until tomorrow.
Becky: The post to end all posts is first on my list for tomorrow morning.

And with that...I'm off to depixelate on a treadmill!

The Envelope, Please.

I have a financial crush on Dave Ramsey! I'm so in love with him that I recently took the plunge and started up my own version of the "envelope method" of budgeting.

I leave enough money in my checking account to cover any bills that are automatic withdrawal or need to be paid by check. The rest I get out in cash (including my tithe!) and divvy it up. Here's the breakdown:

1. Fuel
2. Food
3. Miscellaneous

That's as far as I've broken it down to start with. I've already decided I want to add an envelope for "entertainment" and another for "Starbucks." (Yes. I spend enough at Starbucks it needs it's own envelope. I'm hoping it'll slow my SB roll a little.) The great part about the EMoB is that it can be tailored to fit your spending. Jason is another Ramsey lover and his EMoB reflects it!

This is my first full paycheck of the EMoB, and I'm loving it! I have really slowed down my spending because it HURTS to fork over a $10 at Chipotle and only get $2 something back in change.

I have a feeling my romance with Dave will do nothing but grow and flourish in the coming months! We've got a bright future....and so does my Savings Account balance!

OHF - 03/02/09

Not being one to back down from a challenge, I've gotten myself into a friendly wager with my BFF, Jason.

We both have a few "friends" we would like to get rid of, and have decided to use Becky's wedding as a motivator. Starting Monday, March 2, 2009 we are conducting our own version of "The Biggest Loser." Each Monday we'll weigh-in and post the pounds lost (do you really think a woman would let someone post her weight on the internet?!) in the form of "points." One pound lost = one point. Come September 12th the loser owes the winner $25 to the store of their choosing.

Welcome to the first week of what I'll call : Owning Hammy's Face (OHF.)

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Week 1:
Lindsay: 0
Jason: 0
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Prepare to get your face owned, Jay.