Faraway friends, spontaneous and impractical friends

So, I came up with a way to go up north and see some faraway friends. Other than being completely ridiculous and impractical, it was perfect!!! I would just need an equally ridiculous and impractical friend to drive me. So I immediately thought of my very best M friend. I wasn't completely sure I could talk even her into this insane road trip; however, not only did she heartily agree to all the north-bound destinations, she added on that we also go south-east, and then more south, extending my 8-day foray on the west coast to a 2 week sojourn into the interior of America! What a friend!
I was speaking, (via blog), to a faraway friend who mentioned the distance between us--specifically, that she didn't like it. I beg to differ, as I have enjoyed communicating with like-minded people who happen to live far away. I've enjoyed expanding my mind and my heart and learning that there are people like me (and people not like me), all over. Women my age in other countries face the same joys and trials I do. People all the world over hold to the same Christian beliefs I do. My prayer life has grown by leaps and bounds as I pray for these unseen saints. My world atlas has never been opened so often as it has been recently. It is good to see the reality of this life, to know some of your present earth-companions.

Crazy? Funny? Crazy funny???

Alright, alright, I can't hold out anymore. I must say, I am disappointed in thegracegirl's lack of comment, but I must go on for the sake of the more faithful commenters. (Not really.)
I am currently listening to a CD that my best friend put together for me. I was so touched at the amount of time she put into it, making it look like, (if not better than), a CD you'd buy at the store. AND it has my most favorite songs on it!!! Plus a few I was not previously familiar with. It's so good to have a friend who knows what I like, plus what I WILL like-like R&B/Soul. It is because of this short friend that I bought Corinne Bailey Rae's album. Buy it. It's so good. If you don't like it, you should just stop reading now, as we have little in common; then again, my dearest husband of 11 years said it "wasn't his cup of tea", so I suppose we can work it out.
Several songs were in my head this gray day here in L.A. as I walked Rufus. So I sang them . . . loud. And I danced. And I'm the worst singer I have ever heard. I realized just how many things I do regardless of being just horrible at them-like sing. And dance. And play baseball. Run. Swim. Kayak. But mostly sing. I love to sing. It's a weird thing, having friends with amazing, amazing voices. I don't like to sing with them. The best-and yet unseen-singing friend I have who I always sing with is Gloria Estefan. I admire her to the moon--to infinity and beyond! Not only does she let me sing with her, she writes amazing songs (many in Spanish, which is extra special), and she's had a great marriage-to the same man-for many years. How many celebrities can you say that about?

Bed, Bath, Beyond, and more, Plus Etcetera.

This post will cover several topics because I believe it is morally wrong to post more than one article a day--but maybe that's just me. My topics are varied, and generally unrelated except for this one commonality--it all has to do with me, what's going on in my head, home, and body.
First for my head. I've recently read a great quote from Os Guinness, from the book Fool's Gold. Speaking particularly on the new Revolve Bible-zine for teenage girls, he asks, "Are Christians trying to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ?" This question applies to so many societal issues. I for one would much rather be considered weird and be faithful to Christ, than to be cool and compromise my relationship with Him.
Now for something from my heart. I need only God. He is the One who will love me always, unconditionally. Mercifully, God has adopted me into His family, along with others who love Him. These are my spiritual brothers and sisters. I love to spend time with like-minded brothers and sisters. I also enjoy spending time with Christian saints who think differently than I. I'm glad God wants-even commands!-all of His children to love each other. He actually requires me to do what I most enjoy doing, and probably couldn't not do if I tried.
Along these same lines, more from my head. I am reading,The Ten Commandments by Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Rabbi Stewart Vogel. Very, very good. I was reading on idolatry, specifically idolizing celebrities. I think we all know people who know many, many facts about the lives of their favorite celebrities. Do we know that much about our friends? Do we know about God? We read about the latest American Idols. THEY ARE IDOLS!! (Could it be more clear? It's in the TITLE!!) Are we reading about God??? Are we seeking to know Him and His kingdom?
Before I make myself mad, I will share something lighthearted about my body. I really don't have any access to my free weights right now, with all the construction and all, so I took my Tae-Bo workout to the pool. Yep, I was doing kickboxing and shadowboxing in the Jacuzzi. Even if it wasn't good for my health, it sure is a lot of fun, and a great stress reliever, punching and kicking the water with all my might!

My own doggie discomfort and discombobulation

This has been one crazy week!!! We spent one unspeakable night in a trailer, then we went to a huge house with a huge yard, with so many new smells . . . Heaven! Jen and I have been spending a lot of time at the neighborhood Starbucks. We are living like nomads, going to Starbucks and Hallmark, and wandering listlessly around the neighborhood. The carpet at home is covered in plastic, which I really like to run on--that is, when I finally get to go inside, after all the workers have left. Nothing is normal around here. Strange men are coming, I am getting locked in the overgrown and wild back yard (where Jen's "experiment" to see what would happen if she just completely ignored the yard has become a dismal and depressing failure), I've been reduced to eating out of a plastic bowl. It's been weird-really weird. When the weather is bad, it is kind of funny to see Jen scramble to find a friend who will take us in and give us shelter. This vagabond, gypsy life is not one I'd choose!