30 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty-Eight

Today I am grateful for the beauty of the Earth. Seriously.

I love that back home I can drive through the rolling hills of tree-lined streets and winding roads that hug enormous lakes glistening in the sun.  Out here in Utah I get to drive through and near the mountains.  I enjoy the scenery of the setting of the sun (and if I ever get up early enough perhaps the rising of it too).  I like the leaves which change color in the fall.  And while I am not a fan of snow, per se, I have to say that freshly fallen snow on an undisturbed field (some place where I don't have to drive) can be quite breathtaking.

Of course, in the spring, our earth is renewed with the flowers and vegetation that begin to sprout up.  I don't really have much of a green thumb, but each Spring, it's been fun to see what color my Irises would come in as.

When I sit and really think about the beauty of the earth, and realize that the alternative could be boring and bland, I truly feel grateful that God loves us so much He blesses us with variety in nature.  Pretty cool, huh?

Ugly Day

Didn't hear the alarm. Woke up late.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Quick shower. No time to style.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I'm pony-tailin' it. Bangs in between.

Too short for tucking; too long for cute.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Skin is dry, legs unshaven.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Clothes in the dryer, still soaked.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I try everything left in the wardrobe;

most of it ending up in the pile.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

An old brown sweater. An ankle-length skirt.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Face is pale, zits are brewing.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I race out the door, forgetting my watch.

No time for contacts. Spectacles, you're up!

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Get in the car; underwire snaps.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Make it to work in the nick of time. Still...

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Fancy people come in;Fancy people go out.

I want to hide my "frumpy" under my desk.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Tired. Hungry. Forgot my lunch.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Reach in my drawer. Only chocolate.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I take a bite of my chocolate-turned lunch

as Skinny Beautiful walks through the door. Ugh.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Feeling like crap, fatter than before.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Make-up has faded. Perfume has dwindled.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

To top it all off, I HAD to see her.

She's losing weight like never before.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I liked her better when she was fatter.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

I liked her better when she was poorer.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Driving home, the tears are brimming.

Too tired to cook, too down to care.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Off come the work clothes, on go the PJs.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Still feeling fat. Still feeling frumpy.

It's going to be an ugly day.

Need something to make it better.

Need something to make it go away.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Tears start flowing. Snot starts dripping.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Tears continue. Face gets puffy.

It's gonna be an ugly day.

Then in comes the call. I hear his voice.

In an instant, everything changes.

It's no more an ugly day.

Random Beauty

Simply Stork: Randomness (click here) is a great photographer. You should totally check out her site if you get a minute. Anyway, a few weeks back she shared some of her "random" photos...things she finds simple beauty in. Well, I am NOT a photographer by any means. But it made me think of all of the random things that I can and do find beauty in. So, here is my tribute to Random Beauty (photos NOT taken by me).

I don't know why, but Cupcakes always symbolize Youthfulness to me.
These old tires remind me of my elementary school years, when my friends and I would have tire-jumping races.

There's just something pure and sweet about this little penguin. Simple colors, simple creature. And that cute, scrunched up little face.
Tree-lined streets provide me with a longing for home. There's a feeling of innocence, of purity, and of peace when I think about my childhood back home in Indiana.

Old Canoe. New Breath.

I LOVE old architectural structures. I'd love to be able to travel Europe and visit old castles, churches, cathedrals, graveyards, etc.
I can see beauty in this tarnished vintage ring. It symbolizes history. I look at this ring and can't help but feel there's a story behind it.
However, I will admit, If I were going to wear a "vintage ring" I would rather it be something more like this. hahaha! Isn't it Gor-Geous???
What is more precious than holding a baby? I never imagined in a million years I would be baby hungry. I had my three. I was happy with them. I am happy with them. Then I got sick. Pregnancy was no longer an option. There is just something that feels sad about it, no matter how many kids you have; when it's no longer your choice it feels sad. Holding a brand new baby makes you forget the troubles of the world. It makes you forget about your problems. It helps you forget about loss. A baby seems to make everything okay, even if only for a brief moment.

What are things YOU find random beauty in?