Barefoot Blue Jeans Night

I know I wrote last week about my love for yoga pants. Call me fickle, but I am also in love with another material item...its name is Beevo.

Beevo is my Jeep Wranger Unlimited. Beevo gets his name because he is "University of Texas" orange and looks like a bull. There was no other fitting name!!

I mean look at it...

It's definitely not taking any crap from anyone!!!

If you are a forward, well “backward” thinking person you know that copper is the original color of The University of Montana. I like to think of my Jeep as a throwback rather than supporting UT.

Beevo is not just an automobile, it is my first “car love” realized. The only automobile I have ever wanted of my own is a Jeep. I told Mighty when we were on a family trip my fifth-grade year I wanted a Suzuki Samarai. He said "If you’re going to get anything like that it will be a Jeep" yep, QUOTE!

He’s regretting it a little now…

When I was ready to get a car of my own there weren't any inexpensive and good condition Jeeps to choose from. I ended up with the Gray Ghost, a 1989 Toyota pickup. The Ghost lasted me through college and two years in Seattle, as well as umpteen years with Trainer.

Since the Ghost I have driven a 3/4 ton Chevy 4x4 and three Nissan Xterras.

I liked my first Xterra, LOVED my second, but could not get over number three being a replacement. Number two has the best story I will tell at another time.

After last year being so miserable I have looked for any way to cleanse the bad mojo. Clifford (number three) was an easy target. He was gained due to unfortunate circumstance and was never really my friend. In fact, I HATED driving Clifford.

Last year I HATED to drive anywhere. Now I’m like a teenager begging for a reason to get out of the house. Shell gasoline has made a mint since June 1!!!

Beevo has brought back my enjoyment of Texas Country as well. Driving down a Texas highway listening to Red Dirt Music cranked up over the sound of the wind is pure. For a few minutes/hours everything is right in the world.

The best part of owning Beevo is that it can literally change my mood in an instant.  If I am cranky and someone asks me about my Jeep I smile and express how much I love it! I can’t help it. I could be ready to kill someone and BAM! It’s like being hit over the head with a happy stick. It is probably the best stress management tool I’ve ever invested in.  

The evenings in the last couple of weeks have blessed Southeast Texas with incredible weather for a Jeep girl.

After two weeks plus of solid rain it was about time!

One night last week, after a night with the girls, I realized the air was fairly dry and cool, so down went the top. Believe it or not, but I actually woke up the next morning with a smile on my face for the first time in days. I can't get over how great it feels to have the wind in my hair. I don't even mind the tangles anymore. Of course great hair products help.

I have been blessed with so many great things in the last 34 years, but being able to make my own dream come true is something I am most proud of.

I didn't ask permission. I actually didn’t tell anyone until I had the keys in my hand.

In all honesty, I would have been happy driving a Jeep when I was younger, but I appreciate the fact I have worked hard and earned this bit of happiness for myself. It wasn’t just handed to me.

Hopefully I can drive Beevo back to the Northwest next summer and then Mighty won’t regret his statement so many years ago.

I jam the inspiration song for this blog it in the evenings driving around Texas. I always have my blue jeans on and my toes are unoppressed (new word) by shoes. Ok, I have flip flops on, but you get the visualization!

Here is to the last few days of summer for most of us! I hope you can find a simple joy that brightens your day with just a mention of its existence.

Inspiration Song…Barefoot Blue Jeans Night by Jake Owens

Pants on the Ground

I'm in love!!!

No, it is not a man. Although there is one man that given the chance I would (another story for another day).

I'm in love with yoga pants. Yes, yoga pants.  

I never in my life thought I would ever say those words. They were always for “skinny” girls. My legs and bottom would “never” look good enough in a pair of yoga pants. Then I started working. I literally worked my hind-end off and feel comfortable sporting a nice pair of workout pants.

There really is nothing like a good pair of yoga pants to lounge in, to exercise in, or just to be in. Thank you Nike for sparking the flame towards women’s workout gear and the dri-fit era.

There are companies popping up all over with comfortable-fit gym-appropriate clothes. Shoot, Tide laundry detergent has even teamed with Febreeze in a line of soap to help with the sweat smell in workout clothes (I use it regularly, daily)

This may come as a huge surprise, but I am not a huge fan of Lululemon. For me the brand seems made more for the smaller breasted women. Obviously this is not a problem I have. I know I said yoga pants and not tops, but I needed to throw my two cents in about Lulu. I have not tried on a pair of pants. Mostly because I’m scared I will like them. I already have a fabulous love with another brand.

Before that I need to mention Lucy. Lucy is a great brand for a couple reasons. The clothes are super comfortable AND the tops have a little extra fabric that acts to suck in the gut! It’s a nice bonus for those just starting out and not 100% comfortable with their bodies yet. I was fortunate that TMAM was able to hand me down her old pants and tops. This speaks to the quality, because they survived a year with her and a year with me. I am sending them on to SandPile and I have no doubt they will last with her.

My biggest love of the exercise clothes/yoga pants is Athleta.

Let me repeat, I LOVE Athleta.

Their tops have a lot of support for larger women and are just plain comfortable. I have (gasp!) even used a couple tops without a bra. Maybe a little TMI, but they really do hold up. I wouldn’t try running without a sports bra, but for just chilling out, not problemo.

The colors are fun too; lots of purple and turquoise. The fabric stretches, but maintains the natural shape of the body. Some might not like this, but it’s in a flattering light. Even my ginormous calves and legs look good in these things!

It doesn’t hurt that Athleta is tied into Gap Co. and in turn Banana Republic. If you know me at all, you know I have an addiction to BR. So, when I can use my BR card, which has always been figured into my monthly budget, it is a win-win.

Some think it’s ridiculous to spend a ton of money on workout clothes. My argument is this…I LIVE in them. I am fortunate my job allows me to wear workout pants to work. And as much time as I spend in the gym or lounging around I need quality.

The clothes I buy need to hold up to sweat and movement and infinite washings. The fabric has to be sturdy to not stretch out at the first sign of water. Nothing more embarrassing than pulling your pants up while running 6.5 mph on the treadmill!

No, I think of spending money on my exercise clothes as an investment. You wouldn’t think twice of spending $100 on shoes, right? That is important equipment. The clothes are the same. Yes, it’s mostly a vanity thing, but as I said, you don’t want to be pulling up your pants while running!

NO PANTS ON THE GROUND!

Whichever brand you choose wear it proudly. You work hard. You have put time in on your body to make it better today than it was yesterday.

Find something that you feel comfortable in and make it a motivator to get your hind-end up and moving. Ok, obviously your health should be the major motivator, but a pair of pants never hurts.

Have fun my friends! Wear bright colors and express yourself! Love yourself! Treat your closet!

Inspiration song…Pants on the Ground by General Larry Platt

The Smile

I am NOT an English major. Contrary to what a friend thinks, not all people who teach are English majors.

No, I'm a gym rat. I watch sports for a living.

I'm partial to fiction if there is a good love story involved...50 Shades of Gray does NOT count...

I'm too literal to really understand many works of literature.

It may be surprising that I do, in fact, have a favorite poem.  It should come as no surprise that I found the author to this poem from a movie about baseball.

I think we can all agree that one of the best baseball movies is Bull Durham. Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner nail baseball in the minor league!

My sophomore year of college I could not go to sleep if I hadn't watched BD. I was in love with Crash Davis. I even named my goldfish after Kevin Costner’s character.

There is a scene where Annie, Susan Sarandon’s character, barges in to Crash's house and they have a huge argument. This is a key point in the movie and one of my favorite scenes. She flips an ironing board over for goodness sakes!

During this argument, and before she admits her true feelings to the handsome catcher, Annie quotes William Blake. Now, I don't remember the quote, but I certainly remember William Blake.

Stay with me, there is a point, I promise.

That same sophomore year I flew to Portland to stand outside the Mormon Temple while a friend from high school got married. I was technically a bridesmaid, but since I'm not Mormon I had to wait outside with the other non-Mormons, including the bride's parents. It was pretty crappy, but I held her mom's hand and acted silly to keep everyone happy.

After the "ceremony" the non-Mormons toured Portland and ended up at a used-book store. With William Blake's name in my head I decided to see what he was about.

I flipped to a couple poems, but I saw one simply titled "The Smile". I was drawn to this as one of my best features at the time was my perpetual smile.

The poem follows:

There is a smile of love,
And ther is a smile of deciet,
And there is a smile of smiles
In which these two smiles meet.

And there is a frown of hate,
And there is a frown of disdain,
And there is a frown of frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain;

For it sticks in the heart's deep core,
And it sticks in the deep back bone.
And no smile that ever was smil'd
But only one smile alone,

That betwixt the cradle & grave
It only once smil'd can be;
But when it once is smil'd,
There's an end to all misery.

I was recently reminded of this poem and read it for the umpteenth time. It is so lovely.

Yes, there are many smiles and a certain Cheshire Cat I know definitely has the market on the two Smiles meeting.

The frown of frowns is interesting, because whether you are the cause of, or the one bearing the frown  you try to forget but it lingers.

But there is only one smile that ends all misery. And the beauty is that ONE Smile is different to each person. I like to think of it as the smile when you are with a person who fulfills you.

TMAM may think to the first time she saw her beautiful children smile.

Regardless, it's the smile of true love.

So many of my friends are struggling with that smile lately.

There are fantastic men who feel like parts of them are dead because of a woman. I really REALLY wish it was one, but I pluralized "men" for a reason.

As a single girl I used to think it was men who “sucked”. Now, I’m not so sure. People can be cruel regardless of sex. I will say the few women I have in mind for my fabulous male friends really do stink as human beings. However, I think it’s just that guys don’t deal with the crap as well. They don’t talk about stuff that bugs them. They are taught as little boys to “suck it up” and “deal with it like a man”. Some things you just need help with. How do you get your smile back when all you think about is the hurt?

I am the biggest supporter of therapy and talking feelings out. I am fortunate to have an amazing network of friends who help me by listening and offering strong advice when I am ready to hear it.

Everyone should have that.

Everyone should have an outlet for the crap.

As Mr. Blake promises there is a smile. It will be smiled, and when it is there will be an end to the misery.

Heads up my friends! Talk about the crap when you need to. Let people listen…

And until you do find THAT smile...fake it.

Inspiration poem...The Smile by William Blake