...Attention Barbara in Texas...

Hi Barbara!

I'm so glad someone else knows about the Jane Christopher recipe box, and has actually used many of the recipes! I'm still exploring myself, so I'm excited to hear about which ones were your favorites.

I would be happy to make you copies of some of the recipes, but the only problem is...I don't have any contact information from you!

Please feel free to email me at

sarahcsheets@gmail.com

and I'll start copying those recipes!!

Looking forward to hearing back from you!

...the X factor...

Oprah gave me a big N.O. when I tried to win tickets to her show.

So much for "favorite things."

It's a good thing I didn't go through with this tattoo.

Well... I'm going to The X Factor instead. Take THAT Oprah.

I don't really know what the X-factor is, except for my friend Jill told me that it's the show Susan Boyle was discovered on.

So Jill and I are going.

They are taping a show here in Chicago, and I'm off to see the infamous Simon Cowell yell at some undeserving people. Excellent!

One particular nugget of interest is the dress code required for all X-factor guests. Since they can describe it better than I, here is the dress code, verbatim, from the confirmation email.

DRESS CODE IS STRICTLY ENFORCED FOR OUR INTERNET TICKET HOLDERS! Hip, uspcale attire is mandatory. Colorful, spring colors are requested. ABSOLUTELY no apparel with logos of any kind on the front or back are allowed in the studio audience. ABSOLUTELY no t-shirts, sweatshirts, white tops, shorts, or flip flops! We'd prefer you don't wear jeans. Please dress hip and upscale as if going to a nice club or restaurant. You will be on camera so it is very important that you dress nicely! When you look great, the show looks great!

IF YOU DO NOT DRESS ACCORDING TO THE DRESS CODE YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.

Yikes.

Hip, upscale attire...I'm going to OWN* you on May 20th!

*no reference to the Oprah Winfrey Network. I boycot all things Oprah. Except for Nate Berkus, as I have recently submitted a request to be on his show in hopes that he buys me a new couch.

...mother's day...

I'm glad there is a whole day devoted to mothers.

I think there should be several dispersed throughout the year, so we are constantly reminded of how much our mother's do for us. But one day is a good start.

When I think of everything my mom means to me, I can't really find the appropriate words to explain it in writing.

Thank you mom for being a constant supporter, and always fiercely standing beside me with unconditional love.

Thank you for being a role model as a mother, companion, friend, and most importantly as a follower of Christ.

Thank you for drawing faces on my fruit and vegetable stacks.

Thank you for your unwavering help and support in the past couple of years when I moved, and then moved, and then moved again, and then got married, and then moved again.

Another great thing about you is that you're an awesome dancer. And sometimes when you're talking you break out in a truly convincing southern accent. (But only for a couple of words)

Thank you for setting an example in your marriage for Tim and I, Abbey and Josh, and yes, eventually SPENCER.

Thank you for being a best friend to me, and to everyone who has had the pleasure of being close to you.

Thank you for taking care of this poopscotch.

And this one...

Thank you for not caring when I make you ugly/"unique" cakes with a #9 candle on top.

Thank you for being willing to risk having a meal with me when I used no directions in cooking.

Thank you for your company.

Thank you for being who you are, and for teaching me what it means to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

I LOVE YOU MOM!

And I couldn't let the day go by without also saying a big HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to my mother- in-law Victoria Erickson. Thank you for raising your son to be a wonderful man of God, and also my husband! :)

...sunshine...

Today marks day three of sunshine in the city of Chicago since I moved here over a month ago.

Yes.

I'm counting.

Finally enough sun to open the tulips and encourage leaves to actually grow.

SPRING!

...flags...

Brooke Fraser is one of my all-time favorite musicians.

She has the most incredibly clear voice, and a god-given talent for writing beautiful music. She has written some great contemporary worship songs with Hillsong Church (one of the BEST: Desert Song), but she has equally awesome solo albums.

Her latest CD, Flags, is so great. I'm pretty obsessed with the following song.

I could listen to that on repeat for a long time. (In fact I have been).

If you have the time, read through the lyrics (below). They're incredible. Such a blessing to have someone using their talent for the glory of God!

Come, tell me your trouble

I'm not your answer

But I'm a listening ear

Reality has left you reeling

All facts and no feeling

No faith and all fear

I don't know why a good man will fall

While a wicked one stands

And our lives blow about

Like flags on the land

Who's at fault is not important

Good intentions lie dormant

And we're all to blame

While apathy acts like an ally

My enemy and I are one and the same

I don't know why the innocents fall

While the monsters still stand

And our lives blow about

Like flags on the land

I don't know why our words are so proud

Yet their promise soothing

And our lives blow about

Like flags in the wind

Oh oh oh oh

You who mourn will be comforted

You who hunger will hunger no more

All the last shall be first

Of this I am sure

You who weep now will laugh again

All you lonely be lonely no more

Yes, the last will be first

Of this I'm sure

I don't know why the innocents fall

While the monsters stand

I don't know why the little ones thirst

But I know the last shall be first

I know the last shall be first

I know the last shall be first

...when did this happen?...

Upon facebook stalking my own flesh and blood (aka my brother), I stumbled across his high-school senior photos.

One word.

Stud.

He's such a handsome guy! I'm a lucky girl to have such an awesome little bro, who is not only a looker, but has a matching personality.

He's one of the funniest people I know. Hilarious, in fact. Anyone who disagrees with me can BRING IT, because I'll defend him to the grave. THE GRAVE!

Oh, and did I mention he's on a D-1 golf scholarship to Oral Roberts University.

Yeah. D-1.

Let's talk about it.

...deskies...

I've recently come to the conclusion that procuring a desk would be of the upmost convenience for my husband. He needs a place all his own where he can study.

I'm not really into buying new furniture.

Nor do I have the budget.

My first instinct whenever I need a new piece of furniture has been to visit the local thrift store. Living in downtown Chicago without a car has made this difficult. Even more difficult would be the purchase process were I to actually find the perfect fit.

By the perfect fit, I mean a cheap piece of furniture that I can DIY to look AWESOME!

Also difficult, DIYing in a baby-sized apartment with poor ventilation. To my critics I would suggest trying to spray-paint a desk in YOUR kitchen and see what happens.

But I have high hopes. I'll figure it out. Unless someone wants to create one of the following and ship it to me as an act of goodwill.

Extra points if you send me a desk with a plant growing out of one of the drawers!!