Cross Stitch

While leaving our last set location today, I noticed an antique mall across the road that I hadn't been to in years. The last time I went in that store, I was very in love with a man who was not who he said he was. This statement could be said about a lot of people, but I mean it in the most seriously intense way. Everything Aaron told me (including the accent he told it to me in) was a lie except his name. But I didn't know that yet. I remember exactly what I was thinking to myself as I was walking towards the front doors of this shop, years before. I was blissfully happy, and thinking that I was carrying around the most wonderful secret. Like a physical thing I could carry, as if it were a purse or a book I hid under my coat. The most wonderful secret was that the most wonderful man in the world loved me back. ME. Why had he chosen me? What had I done to deserve to be the one woman who ended up with him? I had no clue, but I felt loved. Truly loved and in love and lucky and more excited about my future than I had ever been.

Fast forward a few years. I parked in front of that store today and decided to go in. As I walked from the car to the door, I thought of that feeling I had walking to the door years before. I wandered through the booths, a little sad that I didn't feel that same way anymore. Then I saw this framed cross stitch and almost started laughing in the middle of the store. How appropriate in this moment! Little Pinocchio. If the man I loved then had been Pinocchio, his nose would have wrapped around that dingy strip mall at least eight times. All Pinocchio wanted though was to be a real boy. I think the same was true for Aaron. I don't think he told lies to hurt people or steal from people. He just wanted legs that weren't made of wood, a jacket that wasn't made of flowered paper and a hat that wasn't made of bread. He desperately wanted to be something other than what he was. I'm not saying I excuse his behavior. I just understand it better now....because of a cross stitch of a character from an Italian fable that was later made into a Disney movie that I found hanging in the corner of an antique mall in Franklin, Tennessee. Ha. Oh, life.

Green Sightings in Franklin

I've spent the last two days working as a wardrobe stylist on a national commercial for Sylvan Learning. One of the set locations today was in downtown Franklin, TN. While my brain was slow broiling in the 105 degree heat, I did manage to notice a few inspiring details that made my eco-friendly heart flutter. First, a big truck that collects waste veggie oil and uses it as fuel drove by while we were filming. The second was a solar-powered trash compactor & recycling bin on a busy street corner. So clever.

Admission of Pet Peeve....

I have only a few true pet peeves. Family decals on the backs of cars are right at the top of the list. I'm not sure why they have always bothered me so much. I saw this rather extensive one today while leaving work. I actually spotted it from the other side of the parking lot and was so disturbed by how long it was, I had to drive over to inspect the "family members" closer. Yes, that last decal is a fish. Really? It is important to let everyone you pass on the road know that you have a pet fish at home? I just don't get it. Anyhow, over the next nine weeks, I'm going to try to release my anger towards family member decals. My negative reaction is as unnecessary as the decals themselves. Woops. Ok, I said I was going to try. This may be the hardest pre-30 challenge yet!

My Odd Moment of July 20, 2011

Couldn't figure out how to get this photo to show up bigger, so I'll have to explain what this is. The windshield has a sign that says "Cuts on Wheels $8-12." The side tag says "Barber Shop." I think the gun-looking thing on the hood is supposed to be a straight razor? I have to say, today was a first. I've never had a very large man offer to wax my eyebrows at a gas station. I have so much respect for entrepreneurs, but I will not let him touch my eyebrows. (Please excuse the bird poop on my windshield.)

No posts the past few days=Mom in town!

I haven't taken any photos the last few days, so I'm sorry for the lack of recent posts and the visual blah-ness of this post. My mom came to town on Sunday morning & I've been hanging out with her until this morning, which has been anything but blah. It was so great to get to spend time with her. The older I get, the more I really cherish and enjoy our moments together. We went to a movie each day to escape the heat, went out to eat, went for a hike, caught up on all of the things we hadn't had time to talk about in the last few months. I feel recharged and thankful that she took the time to come see me. Ok, now it is time to catch up on blog posts!