Ahh...life is good. God is better.
Amen.
-Katie Whitmire
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Camping/Climbing Recap
Had the opportunity to go camping with my brothers and some of their friends up in Tennessee! It was the best weather I've ever camped in. Went climbing at Leda and bouldering at LRC. This was my first time outdoor climbing...absolute blast! My spirit was so happy to just be outside all weekend enjoying this season!
Bullet thoughts from our trip:
- Tennessee is absolutely GORGEOUS this time of year. The mountains looked like Fruity Pebbles
-We went to the top of one of the mountains and just stopped the cars to look into the valley...the car was silent.
-There's something extremely easy and relaxing about being with boys. They're so flexible, low maintenance and always up for anything. I appreciate that about that gender!
-Never have I ever smelled something more rank than climbing shoes. The combo of foot sweat and the material makes for the most potent smell...similar to old cheese. I gagged and lost years from my life after smelling Harrison's.
-The beauty of camping is that you can feel gross and dirty but it's OK..because you're in the woods...and so is everybody else.
-I noticed there's a great camaraderie amongst other climbers. Everyone is extremely helpful and offers advice and encouragement on how to solve problems when climbing. I love when strangers are helpful and friendly...
-I love laughing till my side hurts...I really love laughing and watching other people lose it and tears stream down their face.
-Turkey bacon, although healthy, does NOT cook well in a pan while camping...Mike almost died of smoke inhalation and then almost killed those who bought the turkey bacon.
-Don't ever be the one who suggests turkey bacon.
-Pomegranates are not camping fruit. Delicious...but it will take you 20 minutes to eat. You will also end up with juice all over your face and hair.
-There are so many spiritual analogies in climbing:
Everyone climbs the same routes.
People use chalk so they don't lose their grip when climbing the boulders....this chalk leaves marks of how people have climbed before.
Routes you climb are called "problems" and you "solve" it when you reach the top of the climb.
You look at the "problem" and observe where the chalk is to best decide how to "solve" it based on what you know...and how you can see others have climbed.
You cannot climb alone.
Friends must spot you in case you fall and crash mats soften the blow to the ground.
Others encourage you as you climb. Reminding you of how strong you are....how you will complete the climb.
People help point out significant grabs and foot holds that they can see because they can see the whole rock....and you're sometimes too close to see.
When someone solves a problem, after hours of trying, everyone cheers and congratulates you!
Nothing feels better than finishing!
-Bouldering and life....very similar.
-It's great when you can have multiple ages spanning up to 8 years, but everyone can relate and enjoy each other.
-It was great to watch the older, experienced guys in the group lead everyone by example...and lead well.
-I wish I could bottle the smell of a campfire.
-Wal-mart makes the worlds largest marshmallows!! I couldn't play "Chubby Bunny" with even one in my mouth! Hank and Harrison managed 2....
-Cheeburger Cheeburger is the ONLY way to finish off a great weekend.
-It's amazing how sore your forearms can be....and your back, and abs, and triceps, and fingers! (list goes on ...)
-Nothing rejuvenates me more than spending a beautiful day outside enjoying creation....this weekend, we could not have asked for more! We came....we played....we laughed....we were exhausted.
Thank you Lord for blessings like this weekend.
Bullet thoughts from our trip:
- Tennessee is absolutely GORGEOUS this time of year. The mountains looked like Fruity Pebbles
-We went to the top of one of the mountains and just stopped the cars to look into the valley...the car was silent.
-There's something extremely easy and relaxing about being with boys. They're so flexible, low maintenance and always up for anything. I appreciate that about that gender!
-Never have I ever smelled something more rank than climbing shoes. The combo of foot sweat and the material makes for the most potent smell...similar to old cheese. I gagged and lost years from my life after smelling Harrison's.
-The beauty of camping is that you can feel gross and dirty but it's OK..because you're in the woods...and so is everybody else.
-I noticed there's a great camaraderie amongst other climbers. Everyone is extremely helpful and offers advice and encouragement on how to solve problems when climbing. I love when strangers are helpful and friendly...
-I love laughing till my side hurts...I really love laughing and watching other people lose it and tears stream down their face.
-Turkey bacon, although healthy, does NOT cook well in a pan while camping...Mike almost died of smoke inhalation and then almost killed those who bought the turkey bacon.
-Don't ever be the one who suggests turkey bacon.
-Pomegranates are not camping fruit. Delicious...but it will take you 20 minutes to eat. You will also end up with juice all over your face and hair.
-There are so many spiritual analogies in climbing:
Everyone climbs the same routes.
People use chalk so they don't lose their grip when climbing the boulders....this chalk leaves marks of how people have climbed before.
Routes you climb are called "problems" and you "solve" it when you reach the top of the climb.
You look at the "problem" and observe where the chalk is to best decide how to "solve" it based on what you know...and how you can see others have climbed.
You cannot climb alone.
Friends must spot you in case you fall and crash mats soften the blow to the ground.
Others encourage you as you climb. Reminding you of how strong you are....how you will complete the climb.
People help point out significant grabs and foot holds that they can see because they can see the whole rock....and you're sometimes too close to see.
When someone solves a problem, after hours of trying, everyone cheers and congratulates you!
Nothing feels better than finishing!
-Bouldering and life....very similar.
-It's great when you can have multiple ages spanning up to 8 years, but everyone can relate and enjoy each other.
-It was great to watch the older, experienced guys in the group lead everyone by example...and lead well.
-I wish I could bottle the smell of a campfire.
-Wal-mart makes the worlds largest marshmallows!! I couldn't play "Chubby Bunny" with even one in my mouth! Hank and Harrison managed 2....
-Cheeburger Cheeburger is the ONLY way to finish off a great weekend.
-It's amazing how sore your forearms can be....and your back, and abs, and triceps, and fingers! (list goes on ...)
-Nothing rejuvenates me more than spending a beautiful day outside enjoying creation....this weekend, we could not have asked for more! We came....we played....we laughed....we were exhausted.
Thank you Lord for blessings like this weekend.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Few things....
I was tagged to do this by a dear friend Mary(http://newthingscoming.blogspot.com/). She's the kind of person that loves when you respond to this. It's her love language...along with hookahs, long walks, fuzzy navels, and most junk food. So Mary, since I love you.....
1. What actress would you want to play you in a movie?
Based on who I get told I "supposedly" look like.... probably Brittany Spears. However, since her ONE acting gig was super successful, I'm fairly certain the movie would flop in theatres and go straight to DVD.
I would LOVE for Rachel McAdams to play me in a movie. She can play quirky characters and I think could handle my personality. However, looks wise, this would end up being similar to a PC Windows7 commercial, where the actors playing the flash backs look RIDICULOUS and nothing like the actual person.
2. Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite book by them?
Tricky question. Based on my childhood obsession with Anne of Green Gables, I would say L. M. Montgomery. I read all of those books! And yes, she wrote more than just Anne of Green Gables. I read them multiple times; dreamed about them; wanted to BE the character Anne. I even signed notes to my best friend growing up "Anne". Looking back, I'm going to agree that was very creepy, but the books obviously had a big impact on me.
3. Where would you go on a dream vacation?
Anywhere warm and tropical or that would involve an umbrella in my drink.
Or Greece.
Or Tuscany.
Definitely Saint Lucia....or any island with the name starting in "Saint"
4. What are you most afraid of?
On a non-realistic, nightmarish way...I'm terrified of being chased and not being able to get away. I have escape routes planned out in my head if I ever find myself feeling slightly threatened.
On a day to day basis, I'm afraid of wasting time and experiences. Going through something and missing the lesson, or the take away. Possibly missing what the Lord had for me in a certain experience.
5. If you could have all your friends on a deserted island, what are three things you would all do together?
Laugh
Probably play a wicked game of hide and go seek
Pretend we were on Survivor
6. What's something people don't know about you?
When I was in middle school, I loved to write. I wrote all the time.
I started to write a book (that I swore would be published) and with any spare time, I would lose myself in writing it. I have 3-4 journals FULL of those writings and carried them everywhere with me.
It's the perfect example of a middle school girl in written form. They also have so many spelling and grammatical errors it would make any English teacher CRY.
I never let anyone read it except for one of my friends, and occasionally my mother.
They are hidden at my parents house.
My mother threatens to read it at my wedding.
It may even sound very similar to Anne of Green Gables. (told you I loved that book)
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
In college I watched Stargate Atlantis (sci-fi TV show).
Maybe even all of the seasons on DVD.
My roommates found out and still mercilessly tease me.
*shame
Also, if given the opportunity, I would sit in a hot bath until my skin looked like a raisin; or shower till all the hot water is gone.
I love being in hot water. It's SO wasteful....but my favorite way to decompress and think.
1. What actress would you want to play you in a movie?
I would LOVE for Rachel McAdams to play me in a movie. She can play quirky characters and I think could handle my personality. However, looks wise, this would end up being similar to a PC Windows7 commercial, where the actors playing the flash backs look RIDICULOUS and nothing like the actual person.
I'm kinda OK with this.
2. Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite book by them?
Tricky question. Based on my childhood obsession with Anne of Green Gables, I would say L. M. Montgomery. I read all of those books! And yes, she wrote more than just Anne of Green Gables. I read them multiple times; dreamed about them; wanted to BE the character Anne. I even signed notes to my best friend growing up "Anne". Looking back, I'm going to agree that was very creepy, but the books obviously had a big impact on me.
3. Where would you go on a dream vacation?
Anywhere warm and tropical or that would involve an umbrella in my drink.
Or Greece.
Or Tuscany.
Definitely Saint Lucia....or any island with the name starting in "Saint"
4. What are you most afraid of?
On a non-realistic, nightmarish way...I'm terrified of being chased and not being able to get away. I have escape routes planned out in my head if I ever find myself feeling slightly threatened.
On a day to day basis, I'm afraid of wasting time and experiences. Going through something and missing the lesson, or the take away. Possibly missing what the Lord had for me in a certain experience.
5. If you could have all your friends on a deserted island, what are three things you would all do together?
Laugh
Probably play a wicked game of hide and go seek
Pretend we were on Survivor
6. What's something people don't know about you?
When I was in middle school, I loved to write. I wrote all the time.
I started to write a book (that I swore would be published) and with any spare time, I would lose myself in writing it. I have 3-4 journals FULL of those writings and carried them everywhere with me.
It's the perfect example of a middle school girl in written form. They also have so many spelling and grammatical errors it would make any English teacher CRY.
I never let anyone read it except for one of my friends, and occasionally my mother.
They are hidden at my parents house.
My mother threatens to read it at my wedding.
It may even sound very similar to Anne of Green Gables. (told you I loved that book)
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
In college I watched Stargate Atlantis (sci-fi TV show).
Maybe even all of the seasons on DVD.
My roommates found out and still mercilessly tease me.
*shame
Also, if given the opportunity, I would sit in a hot bath until my skin looked like a raisin; or shower till all the hot water is gone.
I love being in hot water. It's SO wasteful....but my favorite way to decompress and think.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Are you ready?
What a loaded question. I've realized over the past couple weeks, we ask this question a lot.
Are you ready ........
to be married?
to have the baby?
to move?
to graduate?
to race?
My answer is usually "umm, no", especially in reference to the race I have on Sunday with several friends. The running theme in our emails tends to be "By the way, I'm not ready!"
The thing about life, events, changes, etc is that they are all unpredictable. We live in an ever changing, surprising world. We never know what will happen. Thankfully God is sovereign and with us. "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41:10
But, that question still really made me think:
Are you ever ready for a race?
What does ready look like?
Am I ever really ready for anything?
I was READY for college. I was ready for the freedom, for the independence, for the memories, for growing up, for friends I would keep for a lifetime, for laughter that makes the tears come.
But I really wasn't ready.
I was not ready for:
studying for hours on end and not being able to "wing" a test.
the Freshman 15.
depression my Sophomore year.
heart break.
having friends die.
hard lessons that changed me forever.
or
such a sweet time of personal growth.
experiences that I will remember and cherish forever.
traveling to five different countries and "living" for a time in Costa Rica.
getting to know the Lord in the most real way I'd ever experienced.
laughing for two years straight with my roommates.
That's the interesting thing about changes and new seasons....you can never truely be ready. The more I've thought about it, I feel like the question "Are you ready" pertains to entering a state of mind where maybe you're not "ready" for the next step, but you're ready to move from where you are at present.
You may not be ready for marriage, but you're ready to be done with the restrictions and stress of engagement and the single life.
You're not ready for college, but you're ready to move past high school and it's limitations.
You're not ready to raise a child, but you're ready to be through with the discomfort of carrying a life inside of you for 9 months.
You're not ready for a race, but you're ready to be done with the pressure, time and energy it takes to train.
We're never ready for what's ahead because the possibilities are too endless! However, the unpredictability is what makes this life such a beautiful adventure! Life happens when you have pushed through the growing pains of one season, and although the future is unclear, you are intrigued and excited enough to take those steps and see what happens....come what may.
So, on a minor scale (my race) and major scale (life decisions) "Am I ready?"
No. But I'm excited to see what happens....
Are you ready ........
to be married?
to have the baby?
to move?
to graduate?
to race?
My answer is usually "umm, no", especially in reference to the race I have on Sunday with several friends. The running theme in our emails tends to be "By the way, I'm not ready!"
The thing about life, events, changes, etc is that they are all unpredictable. We live in an ever changing, surprising world. We never know what will happen. Thankfully God is sovereign and with us. "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41:10
But, that question still really made me think:
Are you ever ready for a race?
What does ready look like?
Am I ever really ready for anything?
I was READY for college. I was ready for the freedom, for the independence, for the memories, for growing up, for friends I would keep for a lifetime, for laughter that makes the tears come.
But I really wasn't ready.
I was not ready for:
studying for hours on end and not being able to "wing" a test.
the Freshman 15.
depression my Sophomore year.
heart break.
having friends die.
hard lessons that changed me forever.
or
such a sweet time of personal growth.
experiences that I will remember and cherish forever.
traveling to five different countries and "living" for a time in Costa Rica.
getting to know the Lord in the most real way I'd ever experienced.
laughing for two years straight with my roommates.
That's the interesting thing about changes and new seasons....you can never truely be ready. The more I've thought about it, I feel like the question "Are you ready" pertains to entering a state of mind where maybe you're not "ready" for the next step, but you're ready to move from where you are at present.
You may not be ready for marriage, but you're ready to be done with the restrictions and stress of engagement and the single life.
You're not ready for college, but you're ready to move past high school and it's limitations.
You're not ready to raise a child, but you're ready to be through with the discomfort of carrying a life inside of you for 9 months.
You're not ready for a race, but you're ready to be done with the pressure, time and energy it takes to train.
We're never ready for what's ahead because the possibilities are too endless! However, the unpredictability is what makes this life such a beautiful adventure! Life happens when you have pushed through the growing pains of one season, and although the future is unclear, you are intrigued and excited enough to take those steps and see what happens....come what may.
So, on a minor scale (my race) and major scale (life decisions) "Am I ready?"
No. But I'm excited to see what happens....
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Word Vomit
I tend to be someone who will accidentally say what they are thinking.
OK, maybe not on accident. But I will verbalize them before giving my brain a moment to proof read the words that are about to fly out of my mouth.
This lovely habit has been the root of many embarrassing stories. Stories my longest and dearest friends will be the first to make sure you've heard.
However, this weekend, I allowed my word vomit to happen in the hopes of rescuing me. For the first time ever, it didn't work!
I'll set the scene:
Athens on Game Day.
A man that is closer in age to my mother had been talking to my roommate and myself throughout the tailgate and afterwards while we were waiting to meet up with some other friends.
We had mutual friends so there was no ending these conversations.
After attempting to "hit on" my roommate, who has boyfriend, he then moved on to me.
Lucky me.
I had just spent the better part of 5 minutes letting this man know that I was not his type, and would BORE him to tears if he were to take me out. Never have I ever tried to make myself sound boring to someone before! But when you're not interested, suddenly you will tell someone ANYTHING to get them to leave you alone.
Sir, I have 10 cats.
Really??
Will it make you leave me alone?
Maybe.
Then yes. I have 10 cats. They all sleep with me, and I call them all Kitty.
(Next time I'll try this approach.)
But I digress....
He was 40 going on 23. Also, not in the least bit close to having qualities of a guy I would go to dinner with.
At this point I'm getting desperate.
He is not getting the idea. He's draping his arm around my shoulder. I send "Help ME!" eyes to my friends, but alas, they are watching the TN v. FL game.
The music is loud. No one could even probably hear my cries for "Help" if I wanted to send out a verbal signal!
And that's when it happens. Life throws me a bone. The word vomit and habit of RIDICULOUS things happening to me provides an out!
This is how the last conversation transpires: (Remember, music is LOUD)
"You really need to get over this whole 'age' thing" - guy
" AIDS??? What AIDS thing??"- me
"When did we start talking about AIDS?" -me
"Do YOU have AIDS!!??" -me
(At this point it hits me. I just asked almost a complete stranger probably the most personal question there is. Likelihood of offending him: High. My next thought....GOOD!)
"NO! Not AIDS.....AGE!" - guy
I'm sure that he will leave me alone now. I just asked this guy if he had AIDS. I'm saved! No one recovers from that kind of question.
"You're not leaving here without giving me your number."- guy
Sigh. Word Vomit FAIL. Seriously sir?? I just asked you if you have AIDS.
5 minutes later I left.
I gave no one my number.
One day I will write a book. This story will be in it. Along with so many others that I only wish I could blog about.
But why ruin the surprise?
OK, maybe not on accident. But I will verbalize them before giving my brain a moment to proof read the words that are about to fly out of my mouth.
This lovely habit has been the root of many embarrassing stories. Stories my longest and dearest friends will be the first to make sure you've heard.
However, this weekend, I allowed my word vomit to happen in the hopes of rescuing me. For the first time ever, it didn't work!
I'll set the scene:
Athens on Game Day.
A man that is closer in age to my mother had been talking to my roommate and myself throughout the tailgate and afterwards while we were waiting to meet up with some other friends.
We had mutual friends so there was no ending these conversations.
After attempting to "hit on" my roommate, who has boyfriend, he then moved on to me.
Lucky me.
I had just spent the better part of 5 minutes letting this man know that I was not his type, and would BORE him to tears if he were to take me out. Never have I ever tried to make myself sound boring to someone before! But when you're not interested, suddenly you will tell someone ANYTHING to get them to leave you alone.
Sir, I have 10 cats.
Really??
Will it make you leave me alone?
Maybe.
Then yes. I have 10 cats. They all sleep with me, and I call them all Kitty.
(Next time I'll try this approach.)
But I digress....
He was 40 going on 23. Also, not in the least bit close to having qualities of a guy I would go to dinner with.
At this point I'm getting desperate.
He is not getting the idea. He's draping his arm around my shoulder. I send "Help ME!" eyes to my friends, but alas, they are watching the TN v. FL game.
The music is loud. No one could even probably hear my cries for "Help" if I wanted to send out a verbal signal!
And that's when it happens. Life throws me a bone. The word vomit and habit of RIDICULOUS things happening to me provides an out!
This is how the last conversation transpires: (Remember, music is LOUD)
"You really need to get over this whole 'age' thing" - guy
" AIDS??? What AIDS thing??"- me
"When did we start talking about AIDS?" -me
"Do YOU have AIDS!!??" -me
(At this point it hits me. I just asked almost a complete stranger probably the most personal question there is. Likelihood of offending him: High. My next thought....GOOD!)
"NO! Not AIDS.....AGE!" - guy
I'm sure that he will leave me alone now. I just asked this guy if he had AIDS. I'm saved! No one recovers from that kind of question.
"You're not leaving here without giving me your number."- guy
Sigh. Word Vomit FAIL. Seriously sir?? I just asked you if you have AIDS.
5 minutes later I left.
I gave no one my number.
One day I will write a book. This story will be in it. Along with so many others that I only wish I could blog about.
But why ruin the surprise?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
"Forever Young"
Myrtle Beach 2010
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam.
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home.
May you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you.
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young.
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst."
Matthew 18:20
Midtown, thank you for the fellowship, encouragement, love, laughter, and the joy of staying young at heart!
until next trip....
until next trip....
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ode to my Boys
They say to fully understand someone, you have to know where they came from.
Me, I'm the oldest of 4. The oldest of three younger brothers. Three younger brothers with strong, crazy, boy personalities. I've always told people that once you met my family, you'd understand.
My poor mother. I'm sure she tried, prayed, cried over trying to make sure I grew up some what feminine. There's only so much you can do when you're surrounded by boys all the time. When other girls were having tea parties and playing dress up I was rolling down our yard in giant refrigerator boxes, drawing beards on with my mothers eye liner pencil, and building forts that rivaled Fort Sumter. Our version of dress up was putting on my dad's clothes, which swallowed us, and then stuffing the extra room with pillows pretending to be fat people. Then we would eat cheesy poofs and wander around the house completely amused by ourselves.My mother tried her hardest to protect the little girl inside of me that was emotionally squished due to the amount of testosterone that I grew up with. My bows always matched my dresses, and oh, there were ALWAYS bows. My hair was curled, when she figured out how to manage it, and my socks had frills that covered my entire shoe.
However....
Currently my toe nail is a lovely shade of violet charcoal. I would name it "violent midnight" if I had to pick some sort of weird, eclectic nail polish color.
Did I get a pedicure?
Nope.
Dropped my brothers kayak on it......3 months ago.
Mom, you did well. I can throw on a little black dress and wear heals with the best of them. However, if you know me at all, you know I'm ten times more "Cam" in Chacos, athletic clothes (preferably spandex), and wandering somewhere outside.
I blame this partly on him.
Oldest of my brothers and someone I could spend hours upon days at a time with and never grow tired of. He loves adventure and the outdoors just as much as I do and does a great job of calling me into it more. He'll be competing in his first Triathlon with me in October!And these are the other two. They're just as crazy, and jacked.
We've gone shooting with semi automatics....
Climbed on the roof during a lightning storm to watch the splendor race across the sky.
Rolled kayaks in the pool. (also during a thunderstorm. Mom really hates when we do this)
Almost wrecked snowmobiles in Jackson Hole....
Mastered the art of racing sleeping bags down the basement stairs.
Ridden big wheels down a side walk and off the dock into the lake.
and countless other crazy memories...
As I've gotten older I've realized just how much I appreciate the crazy, boy dominated, adventuresome family I grew up in. It played such a huge part in who I am, and also the things I enjoy now. So, thank you brothers. Thank you for playing a huge part in who I am today by being who you are! Life wouldn't be as fun or as wonderful without you!
Love,
Sister Bear
L to R: Parker (aka P-Rimz), Mitchell (Mitchy Man), Harrison (Brother Bear)
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