Don't judge a book by its cover.

Some people are funny because they have to be for people to like them. Or so they think.

Some people keep a little (or a lot) extra weight on to use as their own excuse as why others may not like them. It's safe. No one can get close and consequently they don't have to make themselves vulnerable or get hurt.

Some people are perceived as "stuck up," when really they are just uncomfortable meeting new people.

Some people act tough, but they're just little kids on the inside covered up by great big walls on the outside.

Some people use sarcasm as a method of keeping others at arm's length.

Some people suffer through lots of unhealthy relationships due to issues with their father. Fathers, present or unpresent, are more important than they think.

Some people place way too much emphasis on their abilities and approval from man because of low self-esteem and insecurity.

Some people think that if others really knew who they were inside, they wouldn't like them.

Some people will live with regret for the rest of their lives no matter how hard they try to get rid of it.

This pretty much sums up what I know about people, their issues, and mine.

We all have issues. Some more than others.

But, one thing's for sure, if you don't take the time to know someone ... really know them ... you'll just live with your own preconceived notion of who they are.

YOUR NOTION is not who they are at all.

So, don't judge ... me or anyone.

You just don't know. You just don't.

It's really not fair.

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa

I definitely am guilty of not loving people enough and have been on both sides of judgement. Not fun.

Now, let's be real, if you REALLY know them and they're still a jerk or a pain in the rear, avoiding them is acceptable in my book. I'm pretty sure you can love from a distance.

Wait ... What?

My first-born just made me feel a whole lot older today.

I cringe as I say, "I am officially the mother of a teen-ager."

Cringe, I tell you.

See this sweet little face right here ... aww ... so sweet.

Don't get me wrong. She's still sweet. Really she is, but with a tinge of attitude that I don't particularly care for at times.

She is not even with us today, which makes this day extra sad.

She's at camp, livin' it up because she's now 13. I'm sure she's on cloud nine.

Obviously, from this picture I snagged from Facebook, she's having a good time.

And I'm at home just trying to remember how the heck we got here so quickly.

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

A Night of Southern Things

It started with Pioneer Woman's Beans & Cornbread. Mighty good.

Add a little Southern-Style Sweet Tea ...

And Blue Bell's Southern Hospitality (which I was a little concerned about, but it ended up being quite yummy) ...

And, the mother of all Southern films ...

And you got yourself a par-tay ... Southern-style.

I had these young-uns over Tuesday night. These girls are from the South and only one had seen (and loved ... a girl after my own heart, Miranda) "Gone With the Wind." I know ... A Total Travesty!

La Petite Belle also attended and watched it for the third time.

They were enthralled, of course.

But, honestly, two hated it (because of the over-the-top drama and dying ... kinda sounds like real life to me). Two loved it.

Well, at least I've done my part to educate these young whipper-snappers on the history of one true Southern belle.

Next, Steel Magnolias.

(I KNOW ... only Miranda has seen it. The others ... not! Yet another travesty.)

Things I learned from "The Coal Miner's Daughter"

You're never to old to have your daddy whoop you with a switch.

It takes a great deal of talent to go from a coal miner's daughter in Butcher Holler, KY, to the "first lady of country music."

There's a difference between being ignorant and being stupid.

If a woman tries to take your man (whether the man is privy to it or not), you just don't let 'em. Just snatch that wad o' hair outta her head if you have to. Hence the song, "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man."

Patsy Cline was one classy lady with a beast of a voice. Amazing tone.

It's extremely unclassy to knock your husband upside his head with your purse, especially in public.

When you don't use birth control, you have a lot of babies.

A woman should never try to dress and look like a porcelain doll. Creepy.

Sometimes you just don't want to sing and sometimes it's all you want to do.

Favorite quotes:

"Stop growlin'. You sound like an ol' bear."

"I may be ignorant, but I ain't stupid!"

"Woman, if you want to keep that arm, you better get it off my husband."

"I don't want no divorce! I just want the dadgum bedroom in the back of the house!"

I just love this movie. Sissy Spacek = amazing!

Little things can speak volumes.

Beau & I sat in church Saturday night when I, as I always do, pulled out a pack of gum. I seldom am without a pack of gum or mints in my purse. They are a necessity.

I offered him a piece, as I always do. And, he, as he always does, took one.

I didn't really thing anything about my next steps.

After he popped the gum in his mouth, I took his wrapper and mine and crumpled them up in my purse.

After I did that, Beau leaned over and said, "Remind me to tell you about the gum wrapper later."

I looked at him quite inquisitively.

The gum wrapper?

OK. Whatever.

I remembered his comment to me on our ride home from church that evening.

"What did you want to tell me about the gum wrapper?" I said.

He looked at me with a sentimental look and gently grabbed my hand.

I said, "What?"

He said, "When I was a kid, my mom would always take my gum wrapper from me and crumple it up in her purse, just like you do. When you did it, it just reminded me of my mom (who is now deceased) and how she took care of me. And, how you do the same with me and the kids."

Wasn't that just the sweetest thing?

I said, "I don't even think about it."

He said, "That's the mommy inside of you, always wanting to take care of us."

As moms and wives, we don't even think about the tiny things we do every day to take care of our families. It's really just second nature. It's part of us. It's the way God created us to be.

I love that.

It's natural.

I love that he noticed something small like this.

He's a sweetie. Think I'll go give him a kiss.

Deep Conversations at 9:00 p.m.

We attempted an early bedtime last night so that the girls wouldn't be such bears in the early morning as they leave for a week of camp.

About 15 minutes after I had tucked them in, said their prayers, and kissed them goodnight, La Petite Belle came down the stairs in tears.

She said, "Mama, can you pray with me?"

Me: "Why are you crying?"

La Petite Belle: "I don't want you and Daddy to die while I'm away."

Me: "We're not going to die. At least, we'll try really hard not to."

Le Petite Belle continues, with tears pouring down her face, "But, I don't want you to die. I'll just be torn to pieces if I have to live without you and not be able to see you. And, Daddy scares me when he says, 'We're not promised the next 5 minutes.'"

I respond by talking to her about heaven and how that's the only place where we'll be able to be together forever with no sadness or tears. Then, how she doesn't have to worry about anything if Jesus is in her heart and she's living for God. And, who knows? Jesus could come back at any time.

Then, she says, "But, what if Jesus is not real and we just die and there's nothing?"

Me: "Jesus is real."

La Petite Belle: "But, I've never heard Him speak to me one single time in my whole life."

I then proceed to tell her about how God speaks to us through His Word and His Holy Spirit. Then, explain that she really needs to be reading her Bible every day and God will speak to her.

La Petite Belle: "But, you know I hate to read."

Me: "Well, if you want God to speak to you, you have to read it."

We talk a little more about a few other things. Then, we begin to pray.

I start.

Then, she finishes and so earnestly includes this: "Jesus, please come back soon so none of us have to die. Please come back soon!"

As she said that, I got teary-eyed thinking about how that should be my prayer every night. Instead of praying about my own agenda and my own plans, I want to have a heart that can honestly pray, "Jesus, come back soon! I'm ready anytime You are."

I want to be ready.

Summer on a Plate

I had to counteract yesterday's post with the good things I've been eating this summer.

I made this easy, delicious Caprese Salad this week.

Love, love, love it.

I also love the fact that I got the basil from my yard. If you are horrible with growing your own herbs, take my advice. Plant rosemary and basil. You just can't kill them.

Now, onto the recipe.

Caprese Salad

3-5 Vine-ripe tomatoes, sliced thin

1 lb. fresh mozzarella, sliced thin

Fresh basil leaves

Extra-virgin olive oil or basil-flavored olive oil

Sea Salt & Pepper

Layer alternately the tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and basil leaves. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Drizzle with oil. Serve.

Told ya'. Easy.

I may have had a breakdown.

Maybe.

Smaller containers mean you eat less, but not when you buy six small containers.

I have limited myself to one-fourth to one-third of the container per night.

Whatever.

Don't judge me.

It's just a bunch of bull.

And, here I go setting out to prove it.

After my high-school crush, Jon Bon Jovi threw his hip out (OK ... he really just pulled a muscle) at a concert this past week while performing "Livin' On a Prayer," it was even more evident to me that I'm aging. When you see such people start to lose their looks and obvious muscle control, you can't help to think that you may be aging too.

I try to take care of my skin and my body. But, really it's all up to the hand you've been dealt ... genetics. Honestly, you can only do so much. A little moisturizer and exercise helps a bit. A bit. But, I'm telling you the ultimate factor in a person's aging is genetics.

I will prove this theory.

I purchased these items on my recent shopping trip.

Note the claims.

According to these claims, I will see visible results from these creams instantly. Then, in two weeks, I will see smoother skin. Then, in four weeks, I will see firmer skin on my face & upper eye lids, and my wrinkles and fine lines will be reduced under my eye area.

You ready for this?

Prepare yourself.

Here I am au naturale. Well, at least on my face.

I tried to make an expression where you could see the wrinkles around my mouth, on my forehead, and under my eyes. Anything for my peeps.

I normally do use a moisturizer every day, but not one that makes these huge claims.

So, here goes. I started last night with the first dose of cream and will report back in two weeks and then four.

I promise you that I will look exactly the same.

What Bill Clinton & I Have in Common

No, it's not our intense love of running and french fries. Although, the potato is very dear to me and to him, as evidenced by our physiques ... hence the reason we have to run.

No, it's the love of the hot springs of Arkansas.

Hot Springs was Clinton's boyhood home where he was lovingly referred to as Bubba. (In all my life, I would never want the nickname "Bubba." I always wanted a cool nickname like "Jules" or "Libby," but alas, that never happened seeing as my name is nothing close to those.)

Hands down, best thing about our vacation was not ...

Shopping on the Boardwalk in Downtown Shreveport where I got the cutest little sundress ...

Or eating the famous strawberry pie from Strawn's ...

Or our awesome condo we had overlooking the lake (with the world's largest jacuzzi tub I've ever seen) ...

Or eating the even-more famous tamale plate at McClard's BBQ, of which I only at a third (and that third hurt me later) ...

Or the last-minute visit to the Mid-America Science Museum because of the downpour on our amusement park day ...

Or our visit to Magic Springs/Crystal Falls, where Beau got sick after the first ride (note to self: don't ride the biggest, baddest ride in the park first-thing, especially after eating BBQ ribs). We did end up getting rained out by late afternoon. Here's La Petite Belle's video I didn't know she was making after we left the water park, soaking wet. (Note that Beau and I are arguing over whether or not I messed up his stupid Google maps directions to the resort. I stand by the fact that I did not touch any button.) ...

Or the day of fishing where we caught absolutely nothing and La Petite Belle begged to keep the minnows as pets ...

Or meeting one of my long-time blogging friends, Sara, and her husband (although that was pretty awesome and meeting her just made me love her even more ... seriously, ya'll, she's sweeter than you can even imagine) ...

But, the best thing was this: Buckstaff Bathhouse, where I took K Belle for her first-ever "spa" treatment, including massage. The major difference was the whole bathing experience and the fact that you are buck-naked ... hence the name, "BUCKstaff." K Belle was mortified and insisted on wearing her bathing suit. But, let me tell ya'll, it was an awesome experience. I felt like a cross between Scarlett O'Hara and Frances Farmer, as portrayed by Jessica Lange in the 1982 film, "Frances." I was scrubbed down like some sort of queen, but in a facility that reminded me of the insane asylum. But, seriously, the water is pumped in from the natural hot springs and is full of minerals and nutrients. I soaked in it. I was steamed in it. I showered in it. I was wrapped in it. I came out looking like a prune and loved it.

After our treatments

Now, it's back to real life. Well, after Beau draws my bath for me.

Big Plans

Lots of plans for this week.

We're on vacation.

Today we're in Shreveport, which I'm pretty sure is right up there with Honolulu. It's just a quick stop before we hit the even more renowned Hot Springs, Arkansas.

After much research into a beach vacation, we opted to head away from the huge vat of oil, which we lovingly refer to as the "Gulf of Mexico." You would think that condos would be somewhat cheaper when the area is not a desired location right now. Nope.

So, we've got a condo on Lake DeSoto near Hot Springs.

Beau plans on fishing every morning. I think he's on a mission to return with pounds and pounds of fish. We'll see how that goes. My girls love to fish. I will be simply laying around on the boat. That's it ... laying around. That pretty much sums up my plans for the whole week, minus the one day we head to the amusement/water park (Ugh.).

Do I plan on blogging? I think so.

But, I also brought my tennie shoes & work-out clothes because I plan on using the exercise facilities too. Will that happen? Who knows?

I am super excited about meeting this lady.

I do get a little anxious when meeting a fellow blogger for the first time because, I promise you, I'm way more interesting in print than in real life. I'm way more witty and funny in print than in real life. And, I think I even look better in print than in real life.

I'd hate to disappoint.

Beau says that the mystery will be gone now ... because I'm so mysterious. Whatever.

The family is eating dinner with her and her delightful hubby. Maybe we'll have an eyebrow showdown. Or not.

Until tomorrow ... or the next day ... or the next ... (remember I'm laying around) ...

Another Performance and a Winner

We have yet another musical performance to attend this afternoon.

Remember last week?

La Petite Belle, of course, really wanted a solo because she likes to be the center of attention everywhere we go and in everything she does. She got a small speaking part, which she seems to be OK with.

If there was only a way I could show you her progression of diva-ness through the years. I will have to get my genius husband to work on that for you to see. It did really all start when she was three-years-old at her K3 spring program when the little boy next to her wouldn't give her enough space to do her hand motions. Much drama ensued because of that and it really has never stopped.

Here's a taste from her performance from last week.

(She, of course, is great, but why is my eye automatically drawn to the boy to the right of her?)

This week "High School Musical" for the second time.

K Belle was in it last week and had a solo. She belted it out like I've never heard before, with a vocal run and all. Beau and I immediately looked at each other as if we didn't even know who this child was and thought for a moment we were hearing Mariah Carey. Of course, my camera died the minute I tried to start taking pictures or recording. She doesn't like to sing for us ... go figure, so we never know what she'll do or how she'll sound. She'd much rather sing for a large audience. Teenagers ... what can I say?

My favorite part of these events is the time spent afterwards.

For this night, it was Carabba's & Crush ... yum.

Have I mentioned Crush Yogurt before? There's not much to say except that it is pure heaven if heaven were something you could eat. And the best part about heaven in a cup, it's low-fat.

Cake Batter (non-fat) yogurt with berries and granola

Yeah, I think we'll be there again tonight.

OK, the winner of the $15 Target gift card is Katie from The Baby Factory. If you haven't visited her yet, go by. She's kinda like me, but younger and cuter.

Here's her little buTTon. Thanks for posting mine!

Katie ... email me with your address so that I can get that in the mail.

Even the dog fights me on this.

Every day there are distractions to my workout routine.

Every. Day.

The weather's against me.On the days I want to run, it rains. And, it has rained here practically every day at the exact time that I would run.

My children are against me. They are always harassing me to cook supper.

My husband's against me. He complains of not having any white t-shirts.

The calendar's against me. There's always some holiday or vacation that causes me to either skip exercise or eat way too much. We leave for vacation Sunday, which means I won't be working out for a week and will be back to square one when I get back.

My age is against me. I am pretty young ... pretty much. But, there are tiny clues that I'm not as young as I used to be and it's really beginning to irritate me.

Like when I stick in that stupid Jillian Michael's DVD, or worse, P90X ('cause I do some of the workouts now and then just for fun, not because I'm doing the whole program ... I don't have the desire or the discipline ...) and they have me "warm up" with those dumb arm circles that cause you to look like you're about to take flight, and I literally hear a grinding sound happening amongst my shoulder bones ... constant grinding ...

Like when I do the equally painful leg raises for the ever-popular ab workout, and my right hip pops every time I lower my legs ...

Like when I go down for a squat, and my knees ache and start to swell (that's always fun) ...

I'm thinking I may have to head over to the physical therapy center across the street to join their water aerobics class with all the other seventy-year-olds.

Or there's always this option.

Not really.

And, last but not least, the dog's even against me. I can't do one single crunch or push-up without Roxy Belle being in my face despite my shooing.

Do you know how hard it is to do ab work with a dog on your stomach?

Despite all these factors, I did and do work out. But, geesh ... it's hard sometimes. Can't a girl just get a break?

Hey ... don't forget that my giveaway ends tomorrow.

Did you grab my button yet?

Do it by tonight to be entered!