Quarter of a Century...

So...yeah. I am going to be 25 in a mere two weeks. It's crazy to type! :)And although after this year I'm prone to more "mature" things such as

- comfortable shoes, which means they have a 2 inch rubber sole and medicated in-step...but the beads on top are really cute. Not an excuse.

- stupid "national best friends week" forwards. Although I don't think you start sending those til 30+.

- Pleated pants...ugghh...I think those only come after babies.

- circling a new age group on church visitor's cards. Goodbye 18-24!!

I will try to maintain some youthful-ness. Unfortunately, my wish lists equal that of a 75 year old already. I've always been practical. socks...duck tape...a water filter. Give me things I can use. Not a precious moments figurine. Really? I've been told this makes it difficult to buy gifts for me. So I've compiled the following list for guidance. :)

(In no particular order)
1. Quarters. Since moving to my new complex, I use their laundry room. There have been some moments of desperation where I trade co-workers my 2 dimes and a nickel. EVERY QUARTER MATTERS.

2. An electric toothbrush.

3. Pretty Rain Boots. They are cute and I live on the (oil-tainted) gulf. And hurricane season started last month.

4. Flowers at work...ok. This is not the most practical, but it is the COOLEST thing to get called down to reception for flowers. And it's one of those dreams every girl wants but feels weird asking  for. Prideful? Maybe. Worth it? Yes.

5. Clue. Yes, the board game. I already own the brilliant movie. I ask for this EVERY year. It is literally 15 dollars at Wal Mart. I want the original but I will also (obviously) accept The Office version.

6. A massage. Writing 3 grants, driving an hour to church to deal with church people as a worship leader, my apartment flooding, my boyfriend being miles and miles away, these are all valid reasons for a massage.

7. That new Trip Lee fire. OR Hillsong's Faith+Hope+Love. You can't really call Hillsong "fire". And if you don't know ebonics, none of this will make sense.

8. Anything home-made. It takes effort. One of the most priceless gifts.

9. Gift Certificates to: Hobby Lobby, Target, Pier 1 or Chick Fil A.

10. Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff. I am a HUGE fan of his blog and can't wait to read the book. Although I have waited this long so...I guess that's not completely true. I am capable of waiting. I just don't want to anymore.

Hopefully this is helpful. If not, I will post bad gift ideas later on in the week.

Words of Affirmation...

If you've taken the 5 love languages quiz...or if you struggle with insecurity...or if you've ever had a small child. You know the value of words of affirmation. To some of us it isn't just enough to know we're pretty, loved, a good cook, a great provider, a hard worker...we need to hear it. and YES there is a difference. I am not like anyone else I know. Seriously. The friends i have don't love me because I'm just like them, but they value me because I am who I am (at least I'd like to think so - insecurity talking). So being affirmed or validated is very important to me. Otherwise I would think I was completely crazy versus partly crazy. So in an effort to soothe myself, and maybe some of you. Here are some quirks I have that at least one other person has agreed to owning as well.

1. Not buying used furniture with porous fabric. (A lot of my quirks are related to cleanliness). But you just don't know what soaks into peoples couches...

2. Thinking LL Cool J is ridiculous. First of all, his rapping sucks. Second he's not that good of an actor - licking your lips between lines doesn't upgrade your talent. Thirdly, who has the gull to name themselves "Ladies Love Cool J"??? Boo!

3. Enjoying fries in a frosty. Maybe it's a girl thing. Mother nature makes us crave sweet & salty combos. But I enjoy it all the time.

4. Being repulsed by phone sweat! NOTHING is worse than when someone borrows (aka violates) your phone and leaves, sweat, make-up, or something unidentified on the screen. I clean my phone with a Lysol wipe periodically. I advise it.

5. Thinking pastors shouldn't preach with their cell phones on their hips. Unless your wife is expecting, or Jesus is going to text you before the rapture...let it go. It just makes it OK for teens to do it. And yes I understand that many people have their bibles on their phones now, but lets be honest, do you ignore a text? Or fight the temptation to check FB during offering? Give God his time people.

6. Enjoying walking in the rain. I can't explain it. I just love it.

7. Changing the channel during the "talking snot" mucinex commercials. Who came up with that? Or the talking wart? Really?

8. Liking the smell of paint...I'm going to have to give this one up if I ever have kids but...mmmm! I love me some fresh paint.

OK, so all that I have listed above at least ONE other person has agreed with me on. Do any of these apply to you? Do you have any quirks that have been recently validated and you sleep better because of it?