The Red Swimsuit

Now, I know most of you are thinking, "Why is the Diva even thinking about swimsuits? It's barely February, and it just snowed for a week in Oklahoma." Yes, it's February and yes, it's freezing cold here. But I have set a goal for myself: I have to fit into my red swimsuit.
It's got a cutout the size of Texas in the back and a hint of scandal. (Okay... not really. But I think a red swimsuit is pretty daring, no?)
I had actually decided in October 2009 to lose weight, not to look good, but to be healthier. I was at an excessive 202 pounds. I have lost 12 pounds by attending WeightWatchers meetings with my mom and exercising. Now, I must say that losing 12 pounds is wonderful. I'm very happy with that, but it will not get me into my red swimsuit by June. However, losing weight is a long term goal, and if I get too caught up in the "here and now", I might miss the point of this whole ordeal, and that's to be healthier. Because if I'm healthy, I'll live longer, and thus, have many more summers to wear that daring red swimsuit. I have started back writing on this blog because I need accountability. I may start posting some of my running workouts that I have completed, and the blog may become a little weight-loss obsessed for a while. But, I promise that it will all be in true "Diva" style!

P.S. I realize that I have not posted anything in a year, and I am so sorry about that. I became extremely busy, and I let the blog slip. I will try to do better.

P.P.S. I may post a pic of what I look like in the swimsuit, as of right now, in a later post so y'all can see how far I have to go.

My Bucket List

Yesterday, in English class, I looked up at the board, and one of our assignments was to write a personal "bucket list", 20 things you want to do before you die. I immediatly started writing because I'm a big fan of lists. It's true. I make myself a "To Do" list everyday because I'm a dingbat, and I forget things... important things. And, still I forget things so I don't know if my To Do lists are effective or not. Anyway, that's beside the point. I've posted my personal "bucket list". I really like it if everyone who read this will send me their own list. I'm just dying to know what you all want to do before you die.

The Diva's Bucket List
1. Go to Ireland. (It's the only place I want to visit in this entire world.)
2. Read a trashy romance novel. (Because I think they're funny. And, those gawdy, underdressed people on the front cover always draw me in.)
3. Vote. (I'm registering the day I turn 18.)
4. Rent a horror movie and watch it all the way through, without muting it. (Okay, I will explain some of this statement in a later post. But, this is a big deal for me because I couldn't even watch "Psycho" all the way to the end.)
5. Collect all the books in the Nancy Drew Series. (I'm a big fan. My mom and I collected them for a while, but for some reason, we stopped. I want to own them all.)
6. Get kissed under the misletoe. (I really don't need to explain this one. I'm a 15 year old girl.)
7. Get my black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
8. Buy a Coach purse. (I'm convinced that when I get a Coach purse, I've truly made it.)
9. See an angel. (I have always wanted to see an angel. They just seem so amazing, don't you think?)
10. Ride a rollercoaster. (They are one of my biggest fears, but I want to try and conquer that.
11. Take a photography class.
12. Take a road trip with some of my best friends.
13. Write a novel.
14. Jog a mile without stopping. (I don't know if I will ever be able to do this, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming!)
15. Go to the beach and build a sand castle.
16. Go mountain climbing. (Oh, I'm afraid of heights.)
17. Own 366 pairs of shoes, one for each day of the year, including leap years.
18. Go on a mission trip.
19. Be on the OU sidelines for a football game.
20. Meet Sam Bradford. (My future husband. Just kidding!)
There you have it. 20 things I want to do before I die.

Why I Hate My DVR (digital video recording device)

On Saturday, "The Bodyguard" was playing on the TV, and after seeing the preview, I decided to record it. I began watching it on Sunday. I didn't finish it then, so I continued watching on Monday. Having still not finished it, I attempted to watch the rest tonight. But, alas, my darn DVR decided to stop recording right after Rachel decides to go to the Oscars. Talk about a huge letdown.

I had already fallen in love with Kevin Costner. Whitney Houston was in grave mortal danger, and I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE END!!!! I don't know what happened. I have no idea if she lived or died, and whether or not she and Kevin got together. Needless to say, I was utterly depressed and dismayed. I need to know how it turns out. I'm one of those people who has to know how a story turns out, or I'll just spend the rest of eternity, wondering about it. It must be the writer in me.

The only thing I want to know is why did my DVR suddenly decide not to record the end of my movie. I suspect that my dear, darling brother came in and decided to change the channel to "Mythbusters" instead, thus ruining my 90's movie-watching enjoyment! I am flabbergasted and a little angry. Now, I may never know how the story ends. The Diva is displeased!!!

I Want a Cowboy...

I would like a cowboy for Christmas, please. Yes, a cowboy.
We went to the fair this weekend and that was when I decided that I wanted one. After watching the draft horse show, I studied each and every man that walked by under the age of 25. Something about those ironed jeans with a crisp line, leading down to the weathered boots made me wish for a cowboy. Now, I'm obsessed. I have to have one. And, those forearms..... Oh, those sinewy forearms just about made me melt. Of course, it could've been the heat, but I seriously think that it was the forearms that did me in.
Now, I'm not planning on running away with my cowboy. But, if he asked me to, it would be very hard to say no. I just want to hang out with one and his fabulous forearms for a little while. Nothing too serious. I can date when I'm sixteen. Be prepared, cowboys everywhere, because here I come.
I just want one. I want a cowboy, and I want one baaaddddd....

P.S. I wish I had some cowboy boots I could take a picture of for this post, but I don't. I'm gonna ask for some for Christmas. That way I'll look authentic when I catch my cowboy.

My Mother's Hands

This past Sunday was my mother's birthday. I intended to write a post about her that day, but I didn't. In fact, this past week, I was too wrapped up in myself to even think about my mother, which was wrong. Here's an ode to my mom: the most inspirational woman in my life.

I watch her hands rest on the keys, unsure of what to write next.
The same hands that have held mine.
The hands that soothed a feverish forehead.
The hands that guided my own, when learning to sign my name.
The hands that come in from the garden, with dirt underneath the nails.
The hands that create dinners that comfort the body and ease the soul.
The hands that fold in prayer every morning.
The hands that write with no fear.
The hands that wipe away tears.
The hands that do so many things that go unnoticed.
These hands do so much for me.
They are the hands of my mother, my mentor, my friend and, sometimes, my enemy. But, I love her more than anything, and am happy to celebrate her birthday with her.

May God bless her and keep her all the days of her life. Amen.

P.S. I tried to get a photo of my mother's hands, but couldn't get the darned computer to work. So no photo.... Sorry!

Trying to Change the World

I went with my family last Sunday to see Swing Vote. I was impressed. Expecting it to be a comedy, I was pleasantly surprised by how deep it was.

The plot revolves around "Bud" Johnson, who wanders through life with no purpose. He has a job at the egg-packing company, but has taken 31 sick days. He's an alcoholic, and he's a loser.

Molly, his intelligent and sassy daughter, registers him as an Independent so he can vote in the upcoming election. Bud is less than pleased. However, he promises her that he will meet her at the voting station after work. But, after getting fired, he makes a trip to the local bar, thus forgetting Molly.

Molly takes matters into her own hands and attempts to vote for her father. While she is preparing to vote, the machine is unplugged by the cleaning lady, and her "father's" vote is not counted. This where all the trouble starts. Bud is contacted by local officials the day after. He has to re-vote or a new president will not be elected. The fate of the free world rests in the hands of a single man. A ton of hilarious acts ensue as Bud tries to determine who he wants to vote for. Bribes are made, parties flip-flop and lives are changed. Bud, in the end, makes the decision that made me proud to be an American.

I strongly suggest that you take the time to watch this movie. It has no agendas, no "right" or "left" position, but it makes you think. "Never again let it be said that one's vote doesn't count," states a reporter in the movie. True. Kevin Costner makes Bud an endearing loser. But, Madeline Carroll, the little girl who plays Molly, is the one who stole the show. Watch the movie just to see her. She's fabulous.

I tend to steer away from political movies made in Hollywood. They are usually biased and unfair. But, this movie is different. It makes you want to believe in the integrity of people and politics once again. Swing Vote is truly awesome and it brings a wonderful message along with it: You can make a difference.

A Sunday Post

Today, I listened to Reba McEntire and Justin Timberlake's song, "The Only Promise that Remains". As the refrain repeated itself several times, I knew that it was intended to be a romantic love song. However, I found myself thinking that it could be God singing those lines to us. How poetic of me. Take a listen and tell me what you think.
Here's the link to youtube.com so you can hear Reba and JT perform it live on Oprah. This video is property of someone else's. I just wanted to give that person credit so they won't think I was stealing it from them, or anything.
By the way, here are the lyrics in case you can't quite understand what they're saying:

"When the ground beneath you starts a-shakin'

And you forget the place you came from

When you're lost and lookin' for your way home

Your way home to me

I'll come out and find you

When the world around you starts a-movin'

And you should wonder if I still love you

If you feel the darkness comin', risin' inside

I'll make a light to guide you back home

And after all the sky is fallin' down

And after all the water's washed away

My love's the only promise that remains.

When your doubts have got you thinkin', nothing's ever really sacred

And you're afraid you might believe in... Believe in me.

And I'll give you a reason.

Cause the world around us keeps on movin'

And there's no doubt that I still love you

So when you feel the darkness comin', risin' inside,

I'll make a light to guide you back home.

And after all the sky is fallin' ,

after all the water's washed away,

My love's the only promise that remains.

My love's the only promise that remains.

My love's the only promise that remains.

And after all the sky is fallin' down(After all the sky is fallin' down),

And after all the water's washed away(After all the water's washed away),

My love's the only promise that remains."

Now, doesn't that sound like a love song from God to us? How beautiful is that?