It's the weekend. And I'm feelin' a little lazy. So, I'm putting you in charge of my blog.
Who?
You.
I'm gonna write a comment, and you're gonna write something that would've gotten that response outta me.
Got it?
Good.
Tell me something that would make me say---
"So glad you shared. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit."
It's your turn to write for the Grit.
WHA?!
Seriously.
I'm gonna leave a comment and you write something that would've gotten that response outta me.
You can say as much or as little as you want. It's entirely up to you.
Just give me something that would make me say---
"I just scooped my jaw off the floor---I can't believe you said that!"
A conversation from my last babysitting experience, just a few weeks ago:
::
Little Sister: There's another word I can never say right.
Me: Oh yeah? Which one?
Little Sister: New International Virgin. You know, like the Bible?
Me: [laughing] Mmhmm...
Little Sister: [trying to sound it out] Virgin... Virgin... Virgin... See. I can't say that word.
Slightly Older Sister: That's what Mary was, right?
Me: Umm, yeah. So, whose turn is it on Wii Bowling?
::
What word(s) do you have a hard time saying?
... texted while driving? Or rather---How often do you text while driving?
If you missed the previous Have You Evers, go back and weigh in.
Have you ever brought your laptop into the bathroom?
Or gone commando?
Come on! It's confession time!
I so appreciate the many of you who sent videos to make me laugh. And laugh I did, I assure you. I'm also grateful that some of you sent a video hello. My face likes seeing your faces.
The winning video had me doubled-over in laughter. I've watched it over a dozen times, and it still makes me laugh. Every. Single. Time.
The Make Me Laugh award goes to...
:: insert drum roll here ::
... Tracee and Stephanie!
I hope their video makes the rest of you laugh even half as much as I did.Watching it is definitely worth the four+ minutes you'll never get back.
Tracee and Steph? Your StarBUCKS and iCASH will be heading your way soon. Oh, and you've got a week to submit your acceptance speech video, ok? Your fans will be waiting. I know you won't disappoint us.
::
A huge thanks to all of you who participated. You seriously made my day week month.
I've received some great submissions for the Make Me Laugh video contest. (I'm smiling just typing that out, thinking about what some of you did!) And I've decided to extend the deadline to next Monday. Because a few of you let me know that circumstances interfered with getting your videos made on time. And really, because, well, I'd rather get in as many laughs as I can.
So if you wish you'd made a video but didn't, now's your chance. If the thought to make one never even crossed your mind, let it cross now: Send me some funny! Don't make me beg.
And if you're stubbornly stickin' to the idea that you're just not humorous, then at least send me a hello. I love seeing your faces and hearing your voices.
(Need a refresher on the rules of the contest? Go here.)
In other news... You can order just about anything these days.
Are you still working on your video for the Make Me Laugh contest? I hope you haven't forgotten about it. Oh? You have? I'll recap.
Why make me laugh? 'Cause I love laughing. And It's good for my heart. And who can resist getting me to do this:
Of and of course 'cause you can win something.You know, if you need a selfish reason...
The last time Cathi saw me, I really wasn't lookin' my best. It's amazing how many pounds her video camera took off me this time.
If you could professionally alter, shrink, or augment any part of yourself, what would it be?
At our first reunion, I discovered I have more in common with Cathi than I ever would've imagined. That was reinforced even more this week.
Now if only I could remember what our similarities actually are...
Wow. I wish I could speak whale.
Yesterday felt like a long exhale. It felt like a warm blanket. And the first day of spring. I spent over nine hours with a wonderful friend. She's a friend I can be talkative with and also sit in comfortable silence with. And we did plenty of both. She held my hand as we shared hearts, and made me feel completely loved when she hugged me.
And the best part was: We laughed till we cried. And then we laughed some more.
If the still-shots don't prove it, maybe this will:
As I drove home at the end of my perfect day, my mind settled on one thought: My heart feels strengthened.
It was just what I needed.
I'm just sayin'!
You know a cheerful heart is good medicine, right? Well, these days I keep finding myself scouring the internet for some comic relief. Laughing always feels good, but right now it feels like magic.
And it's your turn to provide me a dose of laughter medication.
Head over to the talk to me page and you'll see a new feature I recently added to the Grit. You can easily record and send me a video (or audio) message that comes straight to me. It isn't displayed online; I'm the only one who sees it.
So get your webcam rolling and create a funny video to send me. The person who makes me laugh the hardest will be declared the winner.
Contest rules:
Got it? Let me know if you have any questions!
This is your time to shine. And my time to laugh.
Bring it on!
:::::
**POST UPDATE**
Man, it's been ages since we've played a game here at the Grit. I think it's time to resume the weekly ritual. Here goes:
Starter word: gatvol (thanks, Anti!)
Our flight from South Africa was long and eventful, and we were so glad to touch down on American soil when we finally landed in Washington, DC yesterday morning.
As we went through customs, there were signs that read "Welcome to the United States" and a monotone voice declared the same greeting over the PA system. But nothing made me feel like I was home as when we walked through the final set of doors into the terminal and I saw St. Arbucks.
My venti non-fat, extra-hot chai in a glorious red cup of happiness was worth every penny.
We settled in at the house, ate some food, and called it an early night.
Did you know there are condom vending machines in Italy? There are. Right along the busy streets, next to Louis Vuitton and a myriad of lingerie stores. Every time we saw one of the condom-dispensing machines, we joked about buying some. We finally went for it. In went five Euro. Out came a pack of six condoms.
Definitely worth the money spent. (That's what she said.)
Driving for 16 hours---as the one actually behind the wheel, which I'm only clarifying because any of my passengers could justifiably say the same phrase---Anyway... Let me start over. Driving for 16 hours was totally worth it. Especially each time we laughed long and loud over goofy shenanigans in our car. And when we came up over that hill and there before us was the most exquisite vineyard-laced valley. And when we emerged from the long tunnel to see our first glimpse of Cape Town. And when we drove by Table Mountain, blanketed by a huge cloud.
Yeah, driving for 16 hours was totally worth it. Especially when the interns opened their hearts to us---and each other---in our first debriefing session this morning. And when they were still discussing Nehemiah 6:3 later in the day. And when we walked along the pier that juts into the white-capped ocean this afternoon.
Driving for 16 hours was totally worth it. Especially when Niel and I went out to dinner with some older missionary friends this evening and he had to explain his God-awful haircut. That was worth the price of admission right there!
So I'm trying to decide on a Christmas card picture. What do you think?
Option #1
Option #2
Yep. That means the interns raised their money! (Wanna see more? You can!)
I was 18, spending yet another summer in Africa. Bonnie and I were tent mates---a Georgia Peach and a Long Islander, sharing the tight confines of a two-man tent. Amid the cramped quarters and rough conditions of rural Botswana, we became fast friends.
Our sleeping bags and suitcases pretty much filled the tent. Rice Krispie Treats, Fruit by the Foot, and M&M's abounded. (I am the queen of snacks!) Laughter hovered like a thick cloud, filling every small bit of space that remained. Bonnie makes the funniest faces and, even now, just thinking of her impersonation of a wide-mouth frog makes me laugh. Many, many good times were shared together in and out of our humble abode.
"So what's Bonnie short for?" I asked one day as we sat in our snack-filled tent.
"What do you mean?"
"I've never met someone named Bonnie before, so I have no clue what your full name might be."
She stated to laugh. "It's not short for anything. My name's just Bonnie."
"Really?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes! What would it be short for?" she challenged.
"I don't know..." I sat and pondered a moment. "Bonilda?!"
Bonnie doubled over laughing, tears streaming out of her eyes. I shrugged and laughed with her.
And to me, she's been Bonilda ever since.
Niel and I basically Forrest Gumped our way around Sicily, literally stumbling into some amazing things that we probably wouldn't have discovered had we even tried.
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I love that we saw and experienced the less-touristy side of Sicily. Which goes to show, there are real benefits to not having a clue where you're going or what you're doing!
