Heaven sent bakery

Good Morning,

How old is Jesus now? How many candles were we supposed to stick on the cake? What about those little construction paper crowns and sitting on balloons in a balloon popping race?...

These were just some of my thoughts yesterday sitting outside the Heaven Scent Bakery!

Heaven sent a bakery to O'Fallon, Missouri. It has a drive-thru, free Wi-Fi and according to my sources on the inside it has the look and feel of a Denny’s...

Denny’s to me has always stood out from the rest for its extremely large American flag. Lined up next to a Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel, the Denny’s stands out for having a flag the size of a small city block. They know we in America like things BIG and will eat anywhere we can hope to find a pancake that big on our plate...

At Heaven Scent, the signage was different (see photo). A large plane trailing banner someone had pulled across the entrance (the pastry gate?...) it said "Happy Birthday Jesus!"

I sat outside in a car with my belly full of mango and too much time to think...

What would happen if a young boy from say San Juan traveled up North to visit family in Chicago? In addition to seeing his first snow…he would be filled with angel cream filling and greeted with a birthday banner… HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEYSUS! (aka Jesus)...

okay enough, in this manner, i'd like to help start your week with something light and joyful.

Here's my...

Top 10 Christmas Present Items

1. hand quilted potato bag (stick a baked potato in a bag and it bakes better…who knew?)

2. Hempz (marijuana) lotion

3. Kinoki foot pads

"Kinoki foot pads collect heavy metals, metabolic wastes, toxins, parasites, cellulite and more, giving you back your vitality and health!"

If worn x-mas night, results will completely disgust you the entire x-mas morning! All my cellulite must of come out of my foot…

4. a pen light for Mitty

5. an awesome Detroit sweatshirt (hope you like it too. i think it's going to be my new Auburn sweatshirt!!!)

6. breadmaker…and the machine (sorghum wholewheat, honey wholewheat, wholewheat pumpkin…the kitchen is smokin' here!)

7. a San Diego Chargers "W" clinching a 1st round playoff bye

8. a goat- i.e., a donation to Heifer International

http://www.heifer.org/ (for more info.)

9. a sunlight therapy lamp

10. gift subscription to the Shambhala Sun

Alright, namaste. (i.e., The Spirit within me recognizes and honors the Spirit within you).

Be kind and good to yourselves this holiday season as it continues.

Happy Monday,

Amanda

most intriguing person of the year 09

Good Morning,

Susan Boyle, Elin Nordegren, Lady GaGa...are all good candidates for most Intriguing Person of the Year.

However, I'd like to offer my own submission. The most intriguing person 2009 has got to be this woman (see above).

Here's the story...

I made my wayward plod to the check in desk. "hello i said i am in town for a couple days and would like to purchase a day pass." A young woman stared back at me nonplussed. I repeated my request...you know like a day pass. a one day trial of exercise. A faint flicker crossed her eyes and she replied "oh."

i waited. oh what? oh she had one. oh they don't do the day passes here...

finally she said "a day pass that'll be $20. do you want one?"

$7 will get you a day of muscle building sweat and a swift meeting with the spindly manager in Kansas.

In L.A. ?

$20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

for a second i thought i might try to explain that i didn't want a room and breakfast...i just wanted to workout for like 2 hours.

I must have stared too long or gasped. The girl at the counter looked out over my shoulder and reeled me in "so do you want one?" i'd sent my ride on ahead...

Sooo...I let go of my dolla bills ya'll and officially joined the California economy as I handed over the plastic. there ya go swipe that baby!

interesting, only then did my front desk assistance come alive. she seemed soothed to have found a familiar toy...

Anyway...this woman (in the photo). I spotted from my perch and captured with my cell phone. If you live in Southern California do you know her? Where can I find her?

Just a few things I'd like to point out why I like her:

That is an oxygen tank next to her treadmill.

That is a water bottle with mister nozzle action in the cup holder.

There is a large tote bag hanging from the treadmill arm.

She is wearing double athletic knee braces.

The treadmill is on an incline.

AND, she is watching Divorce Court.

Pardon the borrowed colloquialism but she just seems "soooo L.A."

Alright. sorry for the randomness...

Happy Monday,

Amanda

p.s. best wishes to you and yours this holiday. peace.

southern California Living

Good Morning,

Well, I'm back in Kansas but as they say, I've "drunk the juice" and am completely smitten with southern California...

I decided this the morning of the trip when I walked outside wrapped in a blanket...because it was December, it was sunny, and eating a bowl of Cheerios outside on patio furniture seemed so "naughty girl" in December.

Looking back, I can see how the chair was not prepared for sitting. There were widely spaced plastic strips to help frame and support the overlying cushion...NOT a rapidly descending behind! I aimed and plopped my behind hoping it would hold. WHOOPS! CRASH!!! It did not...and there I lay pinned in the chair, starring up at the beautiful clear blue sky thinking YES this is where I want to be...

I love dolphins, whales, and now feel I have a visceral connection to the sea crab. I could do nothing to free myself just flailed my limbs about.

Pain registered in my rump. I was unsure how to call for help. "Uh, uh Shan?" I cried trying to sound calm, cool, unalarmed. Shan sat just inside engaged in the world of students, grades, deadlines, computers... "Uh, Shan!?" I tried again. "I uh need help."

Shan said she heard a crash, but it did not sound as alarming as previous CRASHES I have landed (see fat lip photo!!!). Still, within a moments notice she was at the door...

In looking back, I keep insisting. Come on Shan that had to look hilarious. I was stuck in a chair, feet in the air...Shan will only reluctantly admit there's an element of surprise I bring to the table that cannot be overlooked...I'm calling it survival or humor.

Attached is the picture of the chair (sorry Javette. thank you for your hospitality).

For more complete picture, here is the link to my other trip photos...

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=720896328308:1696782557&facebook=true&sourceId=984136008703

My point. Sometimes when life gives you those painful moments when you don't know if you're gonna laugh or cry. Choose the laugh if you can. Otherwise it's really gonna hurt in the end.

Happy Monday,

Amanda