Awkward and Awesome

Awkward: Going to a hockey game with your ex's little brother to find out your ex came too and brought a date and is sitting next to you.
Awesome: Beating boys at ice hockey.

Awkward: Breaking your iPod because you put it in your bra to run and you sweat so much it gets water damage.
Awesome: Your brother broke his phone by sweat water damage too--it must be a family thing.

Awesome: Having to take care of your little sister who has the flu--holding her hair up, reading stories from the Friend, and singing lullabies.
Awkward: A boy was spending the night before he headed back to Idaho and sat on the bed in stunned silence to witness the whole thing. Let's just get married already.

Awkward: Watching your friend kiss your crush on Valentines Day ;)
Awesome: Playing kissing games on Valentines Day.

Awkward: Telling boys who obviously like you that you are leaving on a mission in 4 days.
Awesome: Getting asked out on dates anyway.

Awkward: Having your family purposely embarrass you with stories of castrating sheep, bad dates, and not knowing what a birthday suit is when you bring your crush over for family dinner.
Awesome: Family dinners.

Awkward: Being so sunburnt that you look like a dead snake and your skin is coarse and blistered. Then having a boy touch a blister on my neck thinking is was Aloe Vera.
Awesome: Ice showers.

Awkward: Sitting on a plastic chair in a swimsuit having your best friend rub aloe plant we trekked through someone's backyard to find, all over your body. It looks and feels and smells just like snot.
Awesome: Being good enough friends with someone that they would do that for me :)

Awkward: Having your skin fall off while you are at work. Or on a date. Or giving a talk in church.
Awesome: Having a left over tan! Finally...

Aloha Love

 

Painting Thoughts Again

When I made up the title for this blog, I wasn't a painter. I wasn't really a writer either. I suppose I was just a thinker. I thought it was catchy, artsy, and slightly thought-provoking, so hey--I used it. Then something really strange happened. I became a painter. I became a writer. I stayed a thinker.

You know, titles are interesting. They say a lot about someone. Not because they are necessarily true or not. But because they are chosen.

When someone says "I'm lazy", they aren't actually lazy. They just might chose to be lazy sometimes.

When someone says "I'm just too impatient!", they aren't impatient. They are just being impatient.

Catch my drift?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Well. I believe you can choose to be anything you'd like to be. Call me a dreamer, but I don't mind. Maybe I am one right now.

One day I decided to be a runner. Now I run 3 miles a day.

One day I decided to be a teacher. Only 56 credits to go.

One day I decided to be an artist. I started playing with my food.

Then I decided to be a painter. I sold my first print last week.

That's when I decided I was a business woman. Never though I'd start an amateur business.

Sometimes I decide to be charming and witty.

Other times I decide to be pensive.

A few months ago I decided I was a missionary. I'm moving away in 3 weeks.

And a long time ago, I decided I was Christian. Please help me be one.

"Decide Who You Are"--Definitely one of those Young Women handouts you get as a beehive. Maybe having that hanging in my room the past 8 years inspired me. But every bit of it is true. You can be anything you want to be. You just have to decide one day.

Painting Thoughts Again.

Who knew the meaning of that would change for me?

I am a painter.

Check out my page :) "Like" my page too. Please and Thank You.

Raining Color

The Loo

In the blink of an eye.

A year ends.

A year begins.

A goodbye is said.

Tears are shed.

A kiss is given.

A covenant made.

A toast is spoken.

A gift my only token of love.

I shed more tears.

Goodbye for two years.

It's amazing how fast life changes. 

I open my eyes and they are gone. 

Life will never be the same.

But change refines.

When you see me again, I'll be more like God.

Isn't that a miracle?

The celestial room glimmers with light. 

Faith. 

Occasionally, my one possession. 

Maybe it will all make sense one day.

One thing I know: Eternity.

Time is irrelevant. 

See you in two years,

Love, 

Shelby

A Lesson on Gratitude

For some reason, we are always grateful for things after they are gone. Like boyfriends. And chocolate. Parents. School. A job. Money. Food. You get the idea.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder..." they always say.

I usually tend to agree with Maid Marian when she finishes that quote: "...or more forgetful".

But today I realize it's the truth.

I am grateful for wisdom teeth.

When I had wisdom teeth I didn't have a pool of blood in my mouth at all times that I had to decide whether to swallow or spit out...
...onto a rag. This rag was once used to clean dishes. But will probably be sacrificially burned now. My mom will miss it when it's gone.

I'm grateful for rags.

I'm grateful for broth.

I'm grateful for crying. The sleeping drug knocked me out for 90 minutes, but when I woke up all I could do was cry. Honestly, what a blessing. I was nervous I was going to go crazy and say a list of inappropriate things. Like...what boys I wanted to kiss. That kind of material is never safe on video. So crying was good. At least I was coherent. 

I'm grateful for blood clots. If my blood didn't clot I think I'd stand over the sink for 72 hours (or forever) with my mouth open. Be grateful for blood clots.

I'm grateful for gause.

I'm grateful for my cheeks. You know, I have nice cheeks. I can't wait till they come back.

I'm grateful for ice cream. What a grand excuse to get buckets and buckets of FREE ice cream.

I'm grateful for my family and friends. Who knew that getting your wisdom teeth out gave you the right to boss everyone around all day! My laundry got washed and folded, I watched 4 movies, I had couple spoonfuls of a meal, and even had a change of clothes; all sitting on the same couch cushion! Incredible. Maybe someday if I get some chronic illness I'll remember this perk.
Oh, and your friends all come visit you and chat with you for a while to help with the boredom. I don't know any other time I could get my friends to drop everything and just sit by me while I moan and look hideous. Awesome.

Oh, I'm grateful for smiling. I haven't smiled all day. Not because I'm not happy....I just...can't. The lack of endorphins is a little odd.

I'm grateful for wisdom.

See, when I was younger I thought you lost all your wisdom when you got your wisdom teeth out. Somehow all the knowledge you'd gained till then was stored in those 4 teeth and you had to start over when they were removed. But I realized that getting your wisdom teeth out makes you wise. I mean, really--first time in my life I'm grateful for blood clots.

When you say your prayers tonight, remember to be grateful you can swallow and that you aren't recovering from oral surgery. What a blessing.

Peace out,

Shelby Sue

P.S. Feel free to bring over some ice cream if you want. I promise I'll share ;)