Blaze of Glory

Happy Wednesday, friends and fam!

I'm on a Glen Powell kick that started with Chad Powers then watching Twisters again...

Glen Thomas Powell, Jr.  He is almost comically attractive - he was perfectly cast in Top Gun: Maverick, and his mentor/friendship with Tom Cruise makes me happy!!  He's great at playing the arrogant frat boy type, but he's pretty versatile, and his real personality seems super down to earth, a little cheesy, kindhearted, and driven/committed to success.  Anyway, I am a fan and wish him a lovely life and alllll the success he desires in Hollywood!

I was also happy to learn he's only four years younger than me - see how cute we'd be! lol

Mmkay, moving on.  Apple Music gave me my 2025 recap - I really laughed about Jon Bon Jovi being my top artist for the month of March!  I was on a Blaze of Glory kick and apparently listened to that one song enough to outrank any other artist that month. lol  So random.  I would have assumed I listened to Opalite more than Cancelled, but apparently not.  T-Swift's reign was not a surprise... get excited for her Disney+ "The End of an Era" documentary coming out on Friday!! ❤

I took this pic on my drive because I think of JMM every time I notice this Wellston sign.  January 2007, he was at my new Tulsa apartment helping Mom and I clean and move - he and I were sitting on the floor putting something together, and Rach was on speakerphone with Mom heading our way.  She was unfamiliar with the Tulsa drive and said, "I'm getting pretty close - I just passed Wellston."  And Josh whispered to me, "She is not close." lol  He was not wrong, and now it's a mile marker I tend to notice.  Not sure why that memory stuck with me, but here we are.

Going back to catch up on photos, Tate Haywood and Chet Lee ran Fleet Feet's Turkey Trot fun run on Black Friday this year... fun!!

One of my fav yesteryear pics of Rach and Jace! =)

My podcast besties... well, them and Mel Robbins and Melanie and Sophie!

The Wilsons (finally) made the official FB announcement that Karli is pregnant with another baby girl! #getexcited #cuteness

"Paige... something Wilson!" lol

Or maybe not even Paige, but I do think Paige Noelle would be cute! ❤

'Tis the season for Christmas treats, and a bail bonds office brought us bundtinis.  Judge grabbed a carrot cake thinking it was pumpkin, then threw most of it away...

Judge:  Has anybody tried the chocolate?  What's that one?

Me:  Oh, it's just chocolate cake with chocolate chips!

Judge:  "Okay good.  I'm gun-shy now - if only they wouldn't make cakes out of vegetables... what a ridiculous notion!" lol  He was adamant, and it cracked me up!

(For the record, I had the other carrot cake and quite enjoyed it!)

Yay, Christmas leggings!  And yay, Norman Christmas tree!

I took a free sample 15-minute class yesterday for my first super-official Peloton ride -- yay, Robin Arzon, and yay for the full bike experience --  loved it!  As soon as my work TV is re-mounted in that room, I'll make this a regular workout! ❤

Okay, that's all for today.  Time to buckle down and focus, getting caught up with transcripts and finishing strong with school work!! 

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Movie Friday!

Day 21:  If your life were made into a movie, what is the title and genre, and who would play you?

My life story is still very much unfolding, so my movie title is a work in progress, to be determined. =)  I'm going with inspirational drama with lighthearted strength and grit as the genre, and either Kate Winslet or Rachel McAdams as lead actress.

P.S.  I'm still proud of my "casting choices" from 11 years ago for our Vegas 7 movie! =)

❤

Karli Marie = Amy Adams:  Warm, versatile, and intelligent, Adams brings a grounded sincerity to her roles.  She radiates quiet strength and an ability to convey vulnerability without ever feeling fragile.

Chet Lee = Ashton Kutcher:  Charismatic and easygoing, Kutcher often brings a playful charm to the screen.  Beneath the humor, he carries an earnest loyalty and boyish sincerity that makes his characters feel approachable and heartfelt.

Kelly Marie = Claire Danes:  Emotionally intelligent, kindhearted, and fiercely committed, Danes excels at portraying complex inner lives.  She brings a raw vulnerability paired with a sharp and perceptive strength.

Jeffrey Edward = Josh Radnor:  Thoughtful and introspective, Radnor often embodies the hopeful idealist.  He brings a gentle honesty, comic storytelling, and a soft-spoken warmth that makes his characters feel relatable and deeply human.

Lindsey Claire = Kate Winslet:  Graceful, vibrant, and fiercely authentic, Winslet brings emotional depth to everything she touches.  Balancing strength and softness, she often portrays women who feel fully alive, layered, and resilient.

Kyle Brandon = Ryan Gosling:  Subtle yet magnetic, Gosling often uses restraint to convey profound emotion beneath the surface.  He blends quiet intensity with soulful vulnerability, creating characters who feel both mysterious and deeply empathetic.

Laura Allison = Drew Barrymore:  Bright, quirky, and effervescent, Barrymore radiates warmth and playful charm.  She brings a natural, heartfelt sincerity mixed with a light, nostalgic sweetness that makes her instantly lovable.

Actor/actress descriptions courtesy of ChatGPT... but pretty spot on casting and photo choices, if I do say so myself.  (And with that cast set in Vegas, I would totally see this movie. lol)  Yay!

In other new, today is my 12-year Friendiversary with Tiffany Joanne!  (Kind of.)  We had met before that at Kelly's LifeGroup, but had never hung out one-on-one until I mentioned having an extra ticket (courtesy of Malori defriending me) for the JT concert, and Tiffany was very quick to volunteer to join me!! lol  We had a great talk at Hideaway before the concert, and so many great memories since then!

Okay, that's all for today.  Happy Friday, blog fam!  I love you and believe in you, and I believe God is with you and for you today!! 

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Random Extras

Throwing in a few extra thoughts and photos, because I'm really not doing enough blogging this month. lol  Look at this cuteness... Jace Michael in his happy Christmas hat, 9 years ago today! ❤

Another memory that popped up and made me smile... concert-ready Kara, Rach, me, and Megan Elizabeth, circa 2001 maybe?

I'm grateful for friends who see me and support me well.  I feel like I've had a breakthrough this week.  Keep talking through things and untangling what feels messy, however far back you need to go.  What you work through and detangle may just become a source of color and light that brings joy and comfort to others. =)

Six mile walk/jog at the Station this afternoon (after sleeping in and enjoying my day off).  The weather was great, but six miles feels a lot further than it did a few months ago! lol

Mom's house is coming right along! ❤

Me with my 3 degrees and working on a 4th... or Rach with two trades under her belt and contemplating learning a 3rd...

Meanwhile, here's Dad with his high school diploma and very successful self-made business! lol  (Which we're all very thankful for!!!)

Just saying, Kanye may have had a point in the Lil Jimmy skit. lol

A 2017 pic from Kelly's Diving Deeper Women's Lifegroup!

Our Christmas mission project... I miss this group!

The complimentary menu at my dentist's office. lol  Thus far, I've taken them up on the laughing gas, warm blanket, and noise cancelling headphones. =)

I would argue that not all things can be mended, but I still love this quote.

Intentionality matters, and that last sentence resonates with me!

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"Vorld Ravelers" at Disney World, one year ago! ❤

I was cold enough to use my fireplace last night, and the cozy vibes made me happy!!

I'll close this post with a poignant quote:

"Perfectionism doesn't believe in practice shots.  It doesn't believe in improvement.  Perfectionism has never heard that anything worth doing is worth doing badly - and that if we allow ourselves to do something badly, we might, in time, become quite good at it.  Perfectionism measures our beginner's work against the finished work of masters.  Perfectionism thrives on comparison and competition... Perfectionism is a refusal to let yourself move ahead.  We correct our originality into a uniformity that lacks passion and spontaneity.”
~Julia Cameron

Be an original,
let yourself try new things,
and keep a growth mindset!

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Island Items & Phoenix Leadership

Day 4:  You’re stranded on an island and can bring three items—what are they and why?

Hahaha this is never a question prompt I would choose for myself - my mind goes dark way too fast. lol  I would need it to be a tropical paradise with abundant, safe-to-eat food easily available - in that case, the answer below might actually fit, substituting a pillow or tent for the knife.  If there are (predictably) scary bugs, dangerous animals, dangerous people, excessive sunlight, lack of safe food, and lack of shelter there, then I'm a very short-timer no matter what I bring.  With my fair skin and hypervigilant mind, it just would not end well.  I mean, I can't even explain how quickly I would deliberately take myself out of Survivor or Amazing Race.  So I'll just let ChatGPT answer this one for me...

Knowing you, Lindsey — thoughtful, faith-anchored, and practical — I’d imagine your answer might blend spiritual grounding, comfort, and resourcefulness. Here’s how I think you might answer:

---

If I were stranded on an island, I’d bring:

1. My Bible – because I’d need truth, comfort, and perspective more than ever. God’s Word would remind me that even in isolation, I’m not alone, and it would keep my mind and spirit anchored in hope.

2. A journal and pen – to process my thoughts, prayers, and lessons from the experience. Writing helps me find meaning and maintain emotional clarity, even in uncertainty.

3. A multi-tool (like a Swiss Army knife) – something practical for survival: cutting, building, cooking, or opening coconuts. I’d want to use my creativity and strength to make the best of the situation while trusting God for provision.

Lolol a much better and stronger answer than where my mind first went. ❤

...In other news, today is my 17-year friendiversary with Laura Allison - we met on Election Night 2008!  I'm grateful for lots of great memories together, and praying for health, strength, and peace for her as she continues to recover from surgery last week!

I met with Dr. Burkhart yesterday afternoon, and it was such a good conversation.  He understood everything I've been feeling and seeing lately, and it was oddly validating and helpful to hear him say the counseling profession as it stands today is gradually collapsing - (a sad reality, but at least I feel less overwhelmed and alone in it).  He said it will take "phoenix leadership" to rise up and rebuild it - of course, my mind went straight to Order of the Phoenix - I LOVE that concept and that phrasing, and I was so encouraged to hear him talk about all of that!  He said he loves this profession for what it can be, not for what it has currently become.  And he gave me some solid advice on how to move forward if becoming a CCU professor is my goal!!  Super grateful for these conversations and for his honesty and leadership!

This day two years ago was the final Bedlam game in Stillwater... such a fun memory with Kristin and Frankie, and I'm really thankful I got to be there for it!! ❤

Love this so much! lol

If all goes as planned, we have a misdemeanor jury trial starting this morning, so I'm taking a minute to write a quick blog before I leave for work.  Now I'm off... I hope you have a wonderful day ahead!!

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Photo Friday!

Happy Friday, my friends!  Happy Birthday to Holly Dei, Happy Halloween to those who celebrate the cuter side of it, and Happy last day of October!  Huzzah!!!

Okay, so first off, I was sad to hear that Blossom Bariatrics is closing soon (November will be their final month for surgeries, then they will stay open into early 2026 to care for those patients).  They listed rising costs, the growing impact of weight loss medications, and an oversaturation of bariatric clinics among the factors behind that decision.  Several past clients are now posting gratitude notes and success-story photos, and it's been uplifting and inspiring to see those!

The depression/shame cloud is lifting.  I am still working toward my goal weight and feeling ever-more determined to reach it, but I've come a long way since summer 2024, and I am very grateful to Dr. Apel (pictured above) and the team at Blossom in Vegas for the life-changing jump start on this continuing health journey!!  They were the only clinic I found that offered the fast-tracked surgery date and the safe-sleeve process, and that was vital for me in signing up! ❤

In other news, I feel like I had a real breakthrough with school this week...

I'm in a qualitative research group where our project is interviewing CCU professors about their experience teaching with a trauma-informed approach.  I got to interview two of my former professors - both women with great answers and powerful life stories.  I realized looking back that both of them taught me during Spring 2023 when I nearly left the master's program.  It was a gift to connect with them again, and one of them gave me some great advice on choosing a dissertation topic...

Me:  We've been talking about it, like, what do we want to be known for?

Dr. R:  Nooooo.  No, that's too much pressure!  You want to be known as "Doctor."  You can figure the rest of it out and do (slower) in-depth research on things you're more passionate about later. lol

She encouraged me to think about the populations I have access to for research surveys (Tinker military, tornado survivors, attorneys, court reporters, CHA students, etc.) and to seriously consider quantitative research, noting that it makes reporting the results much more clear, quick, and simple!  That convo inspired me to work harder in my quantitative class, and on our most challenging week so far, I felt like I understood the concepts and completed everything on my own in better time than I'd expected.  Anyway, life opens up when you do.  And when you honor God, He honors you.  So I'm very grateful for all of that, and looking forward to my meeting with Dr. Burkhart next Monday!!

* * * * * * *

A couple pics from family dinner and game night this Wednesday!

This = Kyndal Faith and I being totally gridlocked in a very strategic game of checkers! lol

Didn't know that could happen, but here it is.  We started over, and she won fair and square.

Earlier that day was the CHA Patriotic program!  It's my favorite of CHA's programs (as it's the only one that changes regularly), and it was Kyndal's final one (she's in 6th grade, and it's elementary only).  They did a family dinner play where she was the daughter.  She told us she got permission to write her lines on an index card on her plate, so I grabbed a photo of that after the program! lol  She also asked the teachers if they could remove the candles so they wouldn't block people's view of them - when we realized it was the very thin taper candles, we all got cracked up by that!  Maybe she was thinking of the scrapbook photos and not wanting anything in the way.  She's the very best!! lol

I cried (like, real tears rolling down both sides of my face) during the armed forces tribute.  They sing the songs of each military branch, and the parents and grandparents who served stand up when their branch's song is sung.  That one hit me extra hard this year, and I was not doing well. lol

Failed to get a photo, but Kristin and I met for a fun lunch at La Madeleine yesterday!  (Frankie is out of state at a 2-week training for his new job, so we did lunch instead of walking together this week!)

I watched the Swiped movie with Lily James about the founder of Bumble (an ex-Tinder employee who hated the way that company treated women).  That inspired me to try Bumble again.  One of my first match suggestions was a married couple clearly looking for a third partner.  I was quick to screenshot it when I realized it said, "Things we have in common: Christian."  Threesome on Saturday, church on Sunday - that's pretty much the absurdity level of the world we're living in, though. lol

Anyway, I'll let you know if something more promising comes along on Bumble.

Something random I've spent a stupid amount of time on lately is watching people's reactions to Taylor Swift songs - Terry & Kaniyia's reels are my favorites - so entertaining for Swifties!!

Now I'm off to throw on my graduation gown (yay) and warm Gryffindor scarf (thanks, Kristin), then meet Rach and Kyndal for a girls' night of trick-or-treating at Gaillardia! =)  (Jaceman is at a football game with TJ & friends.)  It feels like the end of the year always moves more quickly, but I'm very happy to be moving into November, and psyched to find out the gender of future baby Wilson tomorrow!  I'll be doing a 30-day writing challenge here, just for fun and to mix up the topics a little.  Hope you have a fun night and a peaceful weekend ahead!

❤ ❤ ❤

Everything Else

Happy Saturday!  I have a bit of homework to finish, but first things first: catching up on the blogging!

This afternoon was Week 1 of the Good Boundaries and Goodbyes study with my women's lifegroup.  This = Me, Ashley, Haley, Katie, Josie, Christi, Natalie, and her son.  

(Very funny to me that this Moore group also has a Natalie Reed and a Jennie Curran.)

Anyway, this illustration was on point... Lysa said there is always tension when we give people a high level of access to our heart, energy, and inner world who do not handle those things responsibly.  She said we often try to fix and control things by asking them to be more responsible/kind/compassionate, but we cannot change other people.  The thing we can control is our own boundaries and the amount of access we give them, making it match the level of effort and care they put into the relationship.

Pretty much condensed my 7-year former friendship into one little screenshot. lol

It was a fantastic reminder, and we had a good group discussion about that!

The presh mini-Miss K has been a volleyball star for five years already, with her entire junior high and high school years to come!  What a little preshface on her first team back in 2020!

Feeling this, but also just fully embracing it as hoodie season even if it's hot outside. lol

Aww, memories of when I had this much hair!  The hair loss post-weight loss surgery is very real.  Still worth it, and I believe it's coming back now, but thank the Lord for Halo Couture (aka Vivian) in the meantime!

Okay, stick with me on this one...

You know how people who have lost a good amount of weight sometimes talk about how they still see themselves as larger - the whole body dysmorphia thing where your brain tells you you are bigger than you really are.  Habit-wise, I totally get feeling pulled toward the old identity.  Image-wise, I kinda feel like I had that in reverse. lol  Like, I was interested in losing weight, but I genuinely felt cute and happy with my looks pretty regularly as a woman who weighed 250+ in all these pictures.  And it's only now that I sometimes think, "Wow, I honestly never realized I was that big" as I look back at certain photos.  Even now, I'm not skinny by any definition, but I feel good about the weight I've lost.  I'm a little more self-conscious about my looks sometimes now, but for the great most part, then and now, I think I tend to view myself as smaller and cuter than I might actually be, so I'm gonna just take that as a freaking win. lol

On a somewhat related note, I've spent my entire life being a single woman without much male interest or attention, but I have spent less time worrying about that dynamic than people probably imagine.  When I think about the vast unknown future, I don't like the idea of "being alone" as I age - but that's more about a mild fear of aging than being un-coupled.  On a day-by-day basis, I am usually aware of the company of Jesus.  I'm an introvert who has good quality relationships, and I very much enjoy living on my own and very rarely feel deeply lonely.  Maybe all of this is the Ennegram 9 in me finding ways to be unaffected by hard things?  Whatever it is, I'll take it.  Having zero experience to speak from, I'm still firmly convinced I would be an excellent supportive wife, so I may venture back into the dating world eventually, and I will absolutely continue to work on my health goals, but in the meantime, I am truly grateful that, as an admittedly overweight and long-term single woman, I mostly feel cute and loved! lol

Mmkay, back to present-day pics... thanks to Carter's game being rescheduled, we made a last-minute family dinner plan last night!

Friday night dinner at Ted's... Dad, me, and the Miss K, and all of our unused and unappreciated salsa! lol

This ice cream place is new to the shopping center with Ted's, so we ventured over for dessert, and I was delighted to see they had Cookie Butter ice cream!

Yay for the Jaceman's colorful Nike shoes! =)

Group pic on our way out + photobomb by the customer behind us! =)

Here's a cute pic of Teresa with her grandkids at her Hideaway bday dinner! ❤

Mmkay, I'll focus on finishing my homework now!  After all, the homoscedasticity and skewness and kurtosis and multiple regression analyses and scatterplots and Q-Q plots and collinearity statistics can't wait forever.  Persevering through it for now, but gracious, quantitative research is NOT my strong suit!!!

It's been just lovely to catch up with you here, and I hope you have a fantastic and relaxing Sunday ahead!

❤ ❤ ❤