Family Night

Who poured the wine?


'Cuz I'm thinking that a little sumthin' sumthin' was added to hers.

Behind the Name

Since I've been asked by numerous people, "Why did you choose the name Coconut Vanilla for your blog?" (and by numerous, I mean three), I thought I'd explain. I'll keep my answer short and censored to protect the innocent.

Recently, I had a conversation with a very wise person who said to me, "You're more than just plain vanilla." (And no, we were not eating ice cream at the time). I thought and thought about this statement and all that it implied. I liked what he meant by it. And I hope he is right.

Soon after, I found myself browsing an 'all things yummy to smell' store and I came across a candle that made me "MMMMMMHHHHHH" loudly. Before reading its label I thought, "Please don't let this be just plain vanilla." And it wasn't. It had an extra little kick to it (coconut) that made me want to both kiss and eat it ;)

The candle sits at eye level, about two feet from my computer. Each time I light it, I remember that conversation and I am overcome with gratitude for the person in my life who knew just the right words to say to me - at just the right time. Soooo, when I was trying to decide on a name for this blog, I looked up and realized it was staring me in the face!

Go getcha some

of him. Brett Dennen. He's been around awhile-not sure where I have been! His 2006 release So Much More is brazilliant.

It may move you to tears ;)

Har har har...

Merry Christmas!!!!!

So Damn Good

I am feeling post happy this morning!

These cookies were so yummy that if I hadn't been so quick to eat them all, I would have snapped their photo. With me hugging and kissing them.

I decided to post the recipe, so I would always know where to find it.

Thanks Faiza for sending me this!

Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3 tbsp apple butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract

in medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

in large bowl, blend butter, apple butter, and sugars until smooth. add egg and vanilla; blend. add oat mixture; blend.

drop batter 1 tbsp at a time on parchment paper lined baking sheets.

bake 18 minutes, or until golden brown, at 350.

* don't leave out the parchment paper
* the cookies get big so just do 2 per row
* super chewy

A British Band...

that actually sounds British. I Love Love Love that! If the happy people dancing behind the bar at the end of this video doesn't put you in a good mood, then I give up. And you should probably too.

'Cuz it's the Season for Giving

and caring and loving and all that ;)

Just wanted to pass along two cool websites...

It you're stumped about what to give during this holiday season, check out the 2007 Guide to Good Giving at www.casefoundation.org. Particularly the link that reads, "Gifts that Give."

And if 5 minutes of caring is all you can muster, then www.coolpeoplecare.org is the site for you.

Gracias Elaine and Kim!

Pile o' Crap

or pot of gold?

In the very near future, I will be moving to Pittsburgh. My time is up in Galveston (well, not really), but I gotta clean house. Unfortunately, I've accumulated a lot of crap over the past few years--wait, make that seven years--and the task feels a bit daunting.

As I sift through my belongings, I find the experience to be more emotional than I had imagined. Why is that? When does our stuff stop being just stuff? When does it become covered in emotions, painted with specific times and places, and filled up with memories? And what if we didn’t, or better yet, what if I didn’t hold on to things in this manner?

I kinda like that I get attached. I kinda like that I look to find the heart and soul of it all, even in stuff. I kinda like that as a kid I would eat EVERY SINGLE RICE KRISPIE in the box for fear that a lonesome straggler would be a) sad without its other krispie friends (who were all hanging out together in my tummy), and b) disappointed that it was never able to fulfill its true destiny. I probably shouldn't be admitting this sorta thing.

Nevertheless, there comes a time when letting go is the best option, the only option, and the most exciting option (if you let it be). It's a reminder to call on faith, and not the past, to help guide you.

The Four Agreements

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Agreement 1

Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Agreement 2

Don’t take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

Agreement 3

Don’t make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Agreement 4

Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Hogwash. I am not agreeing to any of this.

Keeding!

Good stuff.

The Director Asked...

Did you ever think you'd be doing this on your fieldwork rotation? With the operative word being THIS (and although he wasn't exclusively referring to finger pointing and booty shaking, they were definitely a part of the 'this').


Which got me thinking (and with a 3 hour daily commute, I've had a lot of time to THINK) about all that has happened these past few months, and all that I have learned. So, without further adieu, I've compiled a list of the Top Ten Things I Have Learned While on my Pediatric Fieldwork Affiliation:

1. You may have more in common w/your CI than you ever imagined.


2. SLP, or Speech Language Pathologist, is a code name for 'Beauty School Drop Out.'


3. Fake eyelashes and boas make you feel pretty. They also attract a lot of attention.

4. Although the picture may tell another story, I am not in the habit of viewing anything through rose colored glasses.


5. When your Dove chocolate wrapper says, "Go to your special place," it does not necessarily mean at that moment.

6. Social committee members win important awards.


7. Fine motor/tactile/proprioceptive input activity utilizing bilateral motor control and visual perceptual skills in a vertical plane while seated in a ball pit w/lower extremities in a criss cross position is a reeeaaaalllllyyy long way of saying we played with foam.

8. Santa really should giveth all year round.

9. If this whole occupational therapy thing doesn't work out, I'll consider raising the roof as an acceptable alternative.


Lastly,

10. I am completely and totally inspired by my career choice. And although I am still undecided if pediatrics is "the one," I do know this: kids are cool and the therapists that work with them are even cooler. They're smart and creative. They care, they encourage, they support, they love, and they challenge their patients. They have a seemingly endless amount of energy, and they put themselves out there--exposing a piece of their heart and soul--every single day. Thank you for the laughs, but more importantly, for the fantastic learning experience. XOXO to you all :)

Note to Self

To me, just me:

When someone leaves a note on your door that leads with, "It's not in my nature to stalk you..." DO NOT have drinks with this person. In fact, dog petting, eye contact, and coughing near this person are forbidden.

Your whole 'give everyone the benefit of the doubt' clause is in need of some serious revision.

That's all.

~me

You Live Where?

Disclaimer: Pardon the crassness of this post, but typcially when five women get together, and one of them turns 30, a no holds barred evening will follow.

With that said, it was very apropos that at 3 am, while playing the 'Whose Breasts Look Bigger on Camera While Hanging Out of a Car Sun Roof?' game, we stumbled across this:


Really. Who thought this was a suitable name for a street?

Let's just pretend that the picture is blurry because of my tears. From laughing hysterically at the time. Even now, minus the tangerine martinis, shots of Red Headed Sluts, and Missy Elliott's 'Get Your Freak On,' I chuckle.

Oh, if you're wondering who won the boob/camera angle shot (and of course you are!), the pictures speak for themselves!



Happy Birthday Kelly!!!