I pick one day a week and I don’t set an alarm.

Every other day of the week, I make myself wake up at 7am and actually get moving. [I know, some of you have to get up way earlier... don't hate me for sleeping until 7. When I taught school, I was up at 5am and interacting with small people by 7am. I know this is a luxury that won't last forever.]

[Sidenote: why does telling you I sleep until 7am make me feel insecure when I am about to tell you a whole story about REALLY sleeping in? I'm a complicated human.]

Because I rarely sleep in on Saturdays and we go to the 9am service at Cross Point on Sundays, my weekends aren’t the time when I get to sleep as long as I want. I used to do “No Alarm Monday” because we had college ministry stuff until 10pm-ish on Sundays, but now I go to the chiropractor at 8:30am on Mondays, so that isn’t an option anymore.

[Sidenote #2: Would you pray for my neck and back? Nothing serious, just some continual pain that makes it hard to sit for a long time... which is unfortunate when your job is sitting and writing.]

So each week, I strategically plan a No Alarm Day. This week, it was today. No Alarm Wednesday.

I don’t know why this feels like the most delicious freedom in the world, but it does. And I also don’t know why I insist labeling it. I’m a freak.

Since my working life [that I'm gonna tell you all about tomorrow] has some pretty weird hours, and I’m not doing a 9-5 job, there aren’t really OFF hours either. You know what I mean? So it’s not like a Saturday feels like my day off of work. In fact, I worked/wrote for seven hours last Saturday.

So when I left the Vanderbilt baseball game yesterday [which, some of those boys have started frequenting the blog and I'm all, "uh, I better write a dude-centric post every now and again"] I got home and realized, “TOMORROW IS NO ALARM WEDNESDAY!” And I did a jig.

I still was up by 8:30am. I don’t have the sleeping in skillz of my teenage years where I could snoozle until lunch. I wish I did.

So on average, not on No Alarm Wednesday, I go to bed around 11pm and I’m up at 7am. But today… oh it was nice to never hear the bullhorn that wakes me up most mornings.

Here’s what I’m curious about: on average, what time do you go to bed and what time do you wake up? How many hours of sleep do you need to feel human?

The rest of you guys, let’s talk.

I turned in the edited manuscript for Perfectly Unique on Tuesday [a week ago today, to be precise] and then my brain needed a break so I went to see The Hunger Games, at 4pm, totally alone.

By totally alone I mean, I WAS THE ONLY HUMAN IN THE THEATER.

It was surreal.

And then about five minutes into the movie two other girls came in and I yelled, “Good! Now I feel normal!” Proving once again that I am, in fact, absolutely NOT normal.

I have read all three books of the series and I love them. Love love love them. I was worried the movie wouldn’t show me the story I had already seen in my mind’s eye, as tends to be the problem with books that become movies.

But truthfully, overall, I think they nailed it.

Favorite parts/thoughts:

- I love the costuming. I love how District 12 looks just how I picture West Virginia circa 1920. I think the Capitol outfits are amazing. The contrast between the two is visually shocking, isn’t it?

- I’m on Team Gale. Always have been, always will be. He’s a man.

- I appreciate how they handled the severe violence of the story. You knew what was happening [i.e- children killing each other], but you didn’t have to SEE it much. I know that was a big worry for lots of us going into the film. So I’m grateful for how they handled that.

- Jennifer Lawrence. The girl playing Katniss. My. Word. She was BORN for it.

- Woody Harrelson. Slam dunk. [Or should I say "Slam Drunk"? YOU ARE WELCOME.]

- Stanley Tucci. Stop it. But don’t. Ever. You’re too good.

[so what I am saying is the casting director needs a bonus check of a gazillion dollars.]

Truthfully, this list could go on and on. The scenery was beautiful, the camera work, the computer graphics, all of it. Suzanne Collins has to be pleased- the movie mirrored the book beautifully in so many ways. The soundtrack is stellar, the emotions are there in this. Y’all. I just loved it.

Least fav parts/thoughts:

- Peeta. Ehh. Not overly impressed. Never have been.

- One of the most moving parts of the first book is when District 11 sends bread to Katniss for her care towards Rue. I was sad this was left out of the movie.

- I feel like the depth of friendship between Katniss and Cinna wasn’t grown the way it was in the book. They tried to show it but without the details it looked rushed.

Overall? Yes and yes. Worth the read first, though, for sure. In fact, I regret not re-reading The Hunger Games before seeing it.

I do not, on the other hand, regret going to see a movie by myself. No one judged the size of my coke icee or made me take my feet off the chairs in front of me. So, I win. The odds were ever in my favor.

. . . . .

Have you seen the movie? Read the books? What was your favorite part? Least favorite part? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Settle in for a little story, my friends. Nothing finer for your Monday, I would say.

Two years ago (2009-2010 school year), one of my part-time jobs [I had eight.] was being a math tutor. I love math. I love it so so much. So I tutored these two brothers, one in 8th grade and one in 10th grade. I liked them. They liked me. We had a friendship thing going on, even when I made them crazy [or visa versa].

I remember the last day I drove away from their house. The boys were ready for finals [I hoped!] and the school year was over. I prayed for them. I prayed for school, but more than that, I prayed for them as men- that they would grow and be influenced to be men after God’s heart.

I didn’t see those boys again the next year (2010-2011 school year) mostly because they are smarty-pants, but also because I moved to Scotland.

. . . . .

This December, when I returned home, I started volunteering at the college service at Cross Point. I quick made friends with some of the college students, including Connor and Keenan.

[Who, I will tell you, absolutely gave me permission to use their real names on the blog. Well, technically, Connor gave me permission for both of them. So Kennan's probably going to sue. Shoot.]

These are some quality men, much like the rest of the Cross Point Downtown crowd.

As the weeks went by, we would chat and we became pals. I have a soft spot in my heart for ministry to high school/college boys but being that I’m a single gal, the opportunities are very limited. But I love on them the best I can in this life place.

. . . . .

That is the back story. Here is where these worlds collide.

. . . . .

I went to a basketball game of my high school tutor boys in February and who walks in? Connor and Keenan. I was thrilled, because, you know, it was a surprise and I like them so much.

Do you know why they were at that game?

Because they are Young Life leaders. To my tutor boys.

Do you get that? Are you amazed?

Here I am, watching these two college men invest in the lives of high school boys that I prayed for two years ago.

Who is this God and how does He do it?

It makes me put my hand to my chest and bow my head and breathe out slowly- the amazement I feel about how God answered my prayers for these boys with more boys that I know and trust. Of all the Young Life leaders, of all the students, of all the schools- it’s my boys who connected.

I’ve teared up over it multiple times this spring. I’ve prayed strings of thankful words, for the high school boys, for the college guys, for Young Life, for Cross Point.

The way God weaves together our lives is a miracle, isn’t it? Every time. Yesterday, one of the high school boys and I sat in the stands together and watched my Cross Point boys play college baseball. And tomorrow, as Keenan and Connor and I sit in the stands and cheer for our high school friend in his last baseball game, my heart will be full.

Because these friendships right here? This woven piece of story? It’s a miracle.

. . . . .

What has God done to amaze you lately? 

. . . . .

Bonus Monday material: Connor cranked a GRAND SLAM yesterday. No kidding. Here’s the video.

I fell in love with the city.

The history there amazes me. [I'm a history nerd, big time. Take me to Williamsburg and you have my undying affection.] The weather that last week of October was divine- it was literally everything I pictured New England to be. We ate lobster, with the guts still inside.

And deep in me, somewhere that I don’t see very much, I have always wished I would have applied to Harvard. Undergrad. Grad school. Anything. Maybe I still will, though Nashville has such a death grip on my heart that I can’t fathom leaving.

Boston, and New England in general, represents something unique for me. It reminds me of a carefree time in my adult life. I think we all have those childhood memories, but as an adult, that is the city that embodies that freedom.

I feel Boston calling me. In my real life [offline], I’m being a weird Annie right now- I’m wading through some new waters and having to fight some old demons and as I predicted, Pete Wilson’s book and sermon series are maybe ruining my life a little bit and making me face some things about me that I don’t want to. No thank you, kind sir. No thank you.

When it comes to fight or flight, I say book me a ticket to Boston.

It’s been a few days that I’ve felt un-Annie and a few days that my heart has heard, “just go to Boston.” A change of scenery. An escape. A quiet that, no matter how much time I spend alone here, I’m not finding.

This isn’t a time where I need a retreat- I know me. This is me wanting to run. Tis a different thing, my friends. In situations like this, cowards are the ones who run. Not the brave. The brave face their fears, their struggles, their hurts. They face them and speak firmly to them.

I haven’t figured out how to do that yet. Not this time. But I think I’m ready to try.

I hear Boston calling, but I hear Jesus whispering.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

. . . . .

Where is YOUR Boston? What city or spot calls to you when you want to get away from it all? [Or am I the only freak who thinks about visiting other cities for an emotional break? I can handle it if I am. ]

No kidding, I have no idea how this all happened in one week, but I’ve been listed. And I’m super grateful.

Thanks to Matthew Paul Turner for saying I’m one of the 25 Christian blogs you should be reading. [But, uh, you are here, so you already read me, so I guess he wasn't talking to you. Or to my mom.]

Thanks to HopefulLeigh for putting me in the Top 25 Lady-Bloggers who love Jesus and happen to be single. [Lady? Check. Blogger? Check. Love Jesus? Check. Single? Sheesh. Yes. ]

Thanks to Sarah Bessey for setting me within this group of 50 Church and Faith Lady-Bloggers. [Is it because I'm pushing 32 that I keep getting called a "lady"? Or it is because I have a killer curtsy?]

If you’ve popped over from one of those blogs, thanks for stopping by. I hope you stick around.

And you know what I super-dee-dooper love about these lists? Man, it has shown me tons more blogs that I want to be reading! My goal is to read a post from each blog that I’ve never read before on these lists- luckily, a few of my pals are on each list, so it’s not like I’m reading 100 blogs posts. Because, phew, I‘ve done that before and it. is. tiring. awesome.

. . . . .

Who is your favorite Christian blogger right now? [Don't say me. But you can say you.]

You’re welcome.

Here are some of the things I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with right now.

Target’s boyfriend v-neck tshirt.

It’s going to be the summer of the v-neck. I can tell already. Target has this shirt in juniors, normal gals, and the plus-size section. So pretty much, every last one of us can rock these all summer long. I have it, no lie, in white, grey, purple, mint, and blue. And now I want this pink color. So that’s great. Super comfortable. Super affordable. Getcha some.

. . . . . .

theglitterguide.com

My friend The Womanista linked to theglitterguide.com the other day and now I can’t quit it. Sure, predictable and all since it has “glitter” in the title and you all know that glitter is my favorite color. But the variety of articles they write and the beautiful photos has me hook, line, and sinker every single day.

. . . . . .

212 Sexy Perfume

I’ve never been a consistent perfume wearer until the last six months. A friend gave me a bottle of this magically delicious scent, 212 Sexy Eau De Parfum Spray by Carolina Herrera, and I wear it every single day now. I absolutely love it. [Also, can we all just notice that I used the word s-e-x in my posts two days in a row? My southern grandmama would faint.] And I think the bottle is entertaining – two little bulbs of perfume on either end.

. . . . . .

This American Life podcast

I’ve told you about this before, but seriously. Take one hour out of your week and simply enjoy this radio show. I would venture to say, along with Prairie Home Companion, This American Life is keeping radio entertainment alive.

. . . . . .

(in)RL meet-ups

Saturday is the (in)RL meet-ups all around the world. You can look here to see if there is one in your area. Nashville ladies, here is our facebook event and we would absolutely love for you to be there.

. . . . . .

Lent Playlist

My dear and wonderful small group build a pretty solid worship playlist during Lent. I just thought you may enjoy hearing it. It is almost four solid hours worth of quality worship tunes. Enjoy.

[By the way, I made another Give Me A Minute video yesterday... check out that playlist that I'm gonna keep building. I definitely overly enjoy making one minute videos.]

. . . . . .

Cook’s Illustrated Magazine

I find the editor’s note at the beginning, by Christopher Kimball, consistently one of the finest pieces of writing I get to read. Cook’s Illustrated is an awesome magazine [and you can read the whole thing for free on the website... booyah].

. . . . . .

Now all I want to do is go lay on a blanket at the park, in my mint green Target v-neck, listen to the Lent playlist, and read Cook’s Illustrated. Alas, I’ll stay here at my desk and keep doing my job.

[Because I'm a responsible adult, no matter what my love for glitter leads you to believe.]

What do you love right now? Clothing? Book? Musician? Magazine? Website? Tell me ’bout it!

You’re welcome. [De rien.]

I have a little list of links that I’ve been meaning to share with you. So I’ve gathered them all up today and bring them to you, commercial free.

[I don't know what that means, but it totally fits there, doesn't it?]

. . . . .

One of my favorite magazines for teen girls is Susie Magazine. [You should subscribe. Seriously.] Susie Magazine is one of le Top 10 contest finalists to get on le shelf at Wal-Mart.

Yes. THE Wal-Mart. LE Wal-Mart.

Y’all. A teen Christian girl magazine getting featured at Wal-Mart? That’s some God sized stuff right there.

Will you vote for Susie Magazine? Puh-lease? You can vote via Facebook and texting every day for le next week or so.

. . . . .

You know already that I’m on facebook, twitter, and instagram. But. I’m sorry to say. I’ve fallen to le pressure of pinterest.

And I love it.

So far, I have mainly found it to be a good spot to collect all manner of glittery objects. And as you know, that’s a win to me.

Follow along if you don’t mind lots of glitter and words and recipes.

. . . . .

My friend Jenny at Dinner: A Love Story [which you've heard me make mention of before] released her beautiful book trailer yesterday. I want you to see it.

. . . . .

My friend Andy is doing a cool pre-release of his album Leonard, The Lonely Astronaut. This is seriously one of le coolest album ideas going right now. Check it out.

. . . . .

Have you heard of Very Jane?

It’s like Groupon meets Etsy and makes lots of happy shoppers. I’m obsessed right now. I’ve only bought one deal, but I love love love looking at le deals every day. What an awesome service for Etsy shops!

. . . . .

My pals Lady Antebellum have a new tumblr with tons of pictures. I think it’s really fun.

I particularly love this picture. My people, they are so happy. Which makes me so happy.

. . . . .

Lyndsay Rush is doing this series of HILARIOUS one-liners. You should subscribe to her blog and you’ll get to laugh a lot. Almost every day.

This is a personal favorite …. because I’m afraid it is kinda true. Blame Nashville.

. . . . .

Will you now share a link with le bloggy world in le comment section? I’d love to see a post you’ve recently read that you love, a new website that is blowing your mind, something funny, your pinterest link, whatever!

Link it up, y’all.

Happy Wednesday!

Or as they say in France, écureuil!

[That actually means "squirrel" but it is my favorite word in French and I'm not sure I will ever have le chance to drop it on AnnieBlogs ever again. So. Today it is. Thanks for understanding.]

[Also. No one paid me or gave me free stuff to talk about their websites, etc. I just genuinely love this stuff. Just so ya know.]

Actually, Jill is the winner in the truest of ways because she’s getting an autographed copy of Empty Promises from Pete Wilson.

Random number picker picked #7 at 7am this morning.

There is proof in the screen shot. [A sentence my grandfather absolutely would not understand.]

For the rest of you, I say you are a winner because of this:

1. You can get a copy of Empty Promises too…. on Amazon.

2. You get to watch this video. It makes me laugh every time.

See? Don’t you feel better about losing almost winning?

You’re welcome.

Happy Wednesday.

. . . . .

Part 1. Happy Easter.

I hope yesterday was really awesome for you. I get to attend Cross Point twice each Sunday [once in the morning with friends and once in the evening to serve] and I am so glad. The service was amazing- Pete was spot on in his preaching and the staff serves like crazy from start to finish. I love.love.love. my church.

Part 2. Gluten-Free.

You guys. Get this. So I think you know, but I get pretty severe migraines. They sometimes go away for months, but then will come back with a vengeance. I have a couple of triggers- one weird one being if I run late in the mornings and have to hustle and bustle to get ready, I’m guaranteed a visit from the migraine fairy around 3pm. So bizarro.

I also have some food triggers- I can’t eat dark chocolate or pork [whah. I love bacon and ham!] and I can’t drink caffeine or red wine. Most recently I have heard a LOT of folks telling me that gluten is a migraine trigger for some. Because I would m.u.c.h. rather control my headaches naturally than taking pills, my chiropractor has me doing two weeks gluten free.

[Some websites say go 1-2 months without gluten and I'm all, "Don't go there" and then I'm all, "WHAT KIND OF WORLD IS THIS WHEN WHEAT BRINGS ME PAIN?!?"]

Any of you guys out there gluten-free? Help me! Tell me what you know. Share your wisdom. If this dietary change can knock these migraines out, I will sadly wave goodbye to my favorite food group [CARBS!] for the promise of a headache free future.

Speaking of telling me what you know….

Part 3. Advice free.

I am such a people pleaser. When I find myself in situations that I don’t necessarily know RIGHT AWAY the best thing to do, I ask for advice. That’s a good thing until you are taking in SO MUCH advice that you no longer trust yourself and you are trying to make the decisions your friends tell you to because you want to make them happy. Like this graph explains:

[You'd be embarrassed for me if I told you how long that took me to make.]

In a few situations lately, I’ve felt very immature and incapable of doing the right thing. But I think it is because of the chart – I have told myself that I cannot trust my own heart, I can only trust the knowledge of others.

Not true.

God lives in me. Wisdom and Godly counsel are REALLY good things, but when wisdom from others supersedes your desire to listen to Jesus in you, tis a problem.

I have a problem.

So I’ve warned the 10ish people that I look to for advice that I’m taking a fourteen day break.

I’m just going to live. Pray. Talk to God. And do the best I can- I may make mistakes, I may make decisions that other people won’t agree with [it makes me feel nervous just to type that], and I may cry a lot because I feel alone and scared and like I am going to screw up my life [I am not]. But I have to learn to trust the Holy Spirit in me more than I trust the friends that God has given to me.

. . . . .

So pretty much what I’m saying is that for the next fourteen days, I have to live without two of my favorite things: carbs and other people’s approval. My friend Allison says I may be in for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster – losing the comfort of carbs while also choosing to walk some paths alone – with God, but without the other voices.

Sounds like a great time. [sarcasm]

I’m scared.

In the words of Carrie Underwood, Jesus take the wheat.

[PS- seriously. Still give me gluten-free advice. That does NOT fit in the "no advice" category- it's different. I promise.]

Happy Easter, y’all.