So often, people…lovely people…make comments to me about how I’m happy even though I’ve been pretty much in bed since March. (PS….if you are running behind on that sitch you can check out my TMI post or also this quick video that explain it a little bit.) Or how I look pretty made up every day. Or how I’m keeping my home, blog, marriage, and life running so smoothly.
And usually I laugh, like a snort kind.
Because that couldn’t be farther from the truth of my life.
You have to know, cute little blog readers
- Most people don’t want you to see their dirty house.
- Nobody likes complainers, so hopefully most people aren’t whining about their life all the time. (although….I CAN be that way….sorry if you’ve been on the other end of one of those days)
- Everyone has smelly breath sometimes
- Everyone burns their food on accident
- Everyone yells at their friends, spouse, or kids…and then regrets it.
- Everyone just decides it’s gonna have to be a Little Ceasars night
- Look, everyone’s farts stink.
It’s just the truth.
So, as a response to all those well meaning people who think I live in heels and lipstick as I lay here in my perfectly clean home, with my Pinterest recipe crock-pot meal waiting for my family’s dinner……..I’ve made you a little video.
(if you are reading in an RSS reader, you will most likely need to click over to my blog to see it…and please do…it’s got some funny parts)
So now you know. I’d like credit for the fact that I, indeed, work miracles with that hair I have. It’s taken years to master.
My double chins, and giant bosoms often make it difficult for me to eat while lying down. And frequently, I lose food that I can’t retrieve. Noodles are particularly advanced.
My toes have remained unpainted for a week now. And (first world problem) that is the LONGEST I can remember that ever happening. It’s hideous.
Am I pissy some days? Heck yes! Do I say swear words? More often than I should.
But honest and TRUE:
I WILL find something to learn from this.
I will figure out why I needed to have this particular trial. I will count my blessings, even the tiny ones….like a perfectly ripe watermelon. Or a tomato that actually grew under my care. (I KNOW!!) There are things to be grateful for every day. And there are people who would benefit from the truth of who YOU are and what YOU have to offer.
Promise.
Loved the truth! I have been lurking for a while and found it refreshing to hear the truth….it is so easy to compare ourselves to the bloggers perfect pictures, meals and homes….but that is all they are…snapshots of their lives….
My heart goes out for you and will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
For sure it is. I even do it. And I’m a BLOGGER! But it’s good to be reminded sometimes.
I love your blog, and I love your vlogs! You have the most beautiful smile, and sweetest spirit, and I’m praying for you and your recovery. Blog when you can, don’t feel bad when you can’t- we all love hearing from you, but the most important thing is your health!
Thank you SO much Molly! That kind of thing takes SUCH a load off my guilty little heart. I sure want to blog more. But I love that people like you are SO understanding! Thanks!
This gave my goosebumps! I’m so proud of you for just being you! I know this video will have an impact on many people and will touch their lives for good. I know it has made me think differently and reevaluate my own life. You are a wonderful example to many! You should be proud of that. Weight gain, messy hair, a spotless home really don’t matter in the long run! Your true friends and loving family don’t care about those things. They only care about you, your health and happiness. And you certainly cannot quit your blog. People need you and your raw, pure, unfiltered honesty! There isn’t enough of it in the world! Thanks for Keepin’ it real! Who knew you could still be an example to so many from your bed in your pajama pants and snoopy t-shirt? Certainly not you but you are!!!! Love ya!
And BTW I may be from Cache Valley but I DO know how to talk. It “don’t” matter that I’m an idiot right? Seriously!!! I kept writing things then deleting because it all sounded lame and now I sound really lame and uneducated.
Hugs, girly! I am glad to hear you are doing ok and on the mend. Thanks for filling us in on the truth! You have a wonderful spirit! God Bless!
I love, love this video post! Thanks for sharing your truth! I love you!
Lara,
Thanks for the inspritaion! I cried, laughed, cried some more and laughed. YOU are amazing, always have been! You have always blessed my life with your friendship and today was one of the moments I will always cherish. You have such depth and wisdom wrapped in love and the most awesome humor. My heart breaks for your suffering right now. But check out your attitude! It just reminds me of the quote from Pres. Hnkley (I think) that said “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” You radiate the essence of this quote. Thanks for being fearless and thanks for the post. It was just what I needed to hear this morning. And yes, you are a miracle worker!
Love you!
Awwwww……are you kidding me? What I’ve given you is a lifetime of fake clubs in the trees, pretend court, police chases on bikes, and a rollerskating show. THAT is what you should be thanking me for. TEE HEE. Just kidding. I should thank you for even talking to me after putting you through that. I hope things are going okay for you and your cute family. Love you too, and think about you lots!
Lara, you are my hero. I think I am finally managing to embrace being sick and finding the silver lining, but I will never be able to be as honest and truthful as you are. That is a gift. And it is inspiring to us all. It is refreshing. I love that about you. You truly are fearless. I am in awe! Keep doing your thing Miss Ellie G cuz it is obviously working! You are loved!!!
Fearless?? No way! I’m totally freaked out in every way possible. But I guess that’s okay. Only weirdos would face an uncertain future without at least some fear. But….as long as I’ve got the depends….even fearful peeing of the pants is no biggie.
Take care on the other end of the valley. And I hope some of these upcoming Dr. appointments will finally get you on the mend.
My dear friend… Beleive it or not, I have admired so many things about you in all the years that I’ve known you… and even more so now. You have the ability to do hard things with such grace and have the amazing talent to continue to laugh. I’m sure that’s not every day… but even once in a while is quite an accomplishment. Just know how much I wish you well and quick healing and how much I want the best for your and your great family. Thanks for sharing some of the best parts of you with the rest of us… we are better because of it. Hugs to you!!! Martha
Oh my cute girl. I miss you. I ate Dairy Queen today. And for some reason it reminds me of running there on lunch breaks. ‘Member how hard we would laugh? That’s about the ONLY good memories I have from that employment.
I sure do miss you. Especially when I watch HGTV. Because they have a host that reminds me of my Martha girl. She’s beautiful and seems super fun to hang out with. And it makes me all nostalgic. tear. Take care of you.
The truth of the matter is I adore you and your slim fit depends!
I loved loved loved this video! Seriously, you look so cute with the weight gain! I know it isn’t healthy, and hard for you to come to truth with, but dang, who looks that cute when they gain weight? YOU! Even no make up and in that cute t-shirt. Your spirit is really inspiring, your honesty is courageous, your smile contagious. Yep, keep doing the videos, your really good at it! Thanks for sharing. Oh and go get some sleep
3 am? no one should be awake at that time lol
I just realized it makes my eyes all squinty. I think my cheeks are about to swallow them. Ha! But thanks. I think I’ll still aim for losing it at some point. I’m always awake at 3am. Well….just on the nights where there’s an Ambien break.
Stinkin’ insomnia.
Love you Lara and you totally rock that tweeted shirt! If only we could all look so cute in PJ’s and bed head! You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope everything works out with the AZ situation.
Lara,
The truth is I miss you. It’s been too long and I’m so so sorry that you are going through this.
Know that you are in my heart and prayers. I love you and hope to see you soon!
Oh my dear! It HAS been too long. But we’ll hang out soon. Or not. Whatever. We know of our mutual love and affection. Yes? (Ummm….wasn’t that a Nelson song? “I can’t live without your love and affection.” Should I be embarrassed or proud that I know that?
Lara, you are such a fabulous person. It completely sucks that you have to go through this crappy trial, but can I just say how many people you touch by your awesomeness? Your honesty and humor is a hugemongous gift. Thanks for sharing it with me. I hope and pray that you can recover sooner than later. Keep the posts coming please, you lighten my day for sure!
Oh my gosh. Thank you so much Nena! ‘Member how you have always been the cutest and sweetest girl? I do.
Love you Lara. You have such a gift for writing and speaking things that really speak to other’s souls.
LOVE it! And honey, I could sit down and eat 2 dozen of those rolls with cinnamon butter on any given day. And I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t!
Oh how I love you and your slimfit depends.
Next time you tell P to pick up 2 dozen rolls and we can eat them together on your bed.
Ummm…..give me a couple months to finally lose the weight from the other ones…and I’m all over it. But there’s always a Kami size spot on the bed. Not in a romantic way. You know. I’d totally snuggle though. Just sayin’.
You are glamorous made up and adorable not made up…and that’s the truth. I wish you the best with the health problems. Personally, I am such a baby about being even the littlest bit sick that I really admire that you can still SMILE while enduring MAJOR health issues. You have such amazing creative talent!!
Oh thanks. I don’t know about that. But I appreciate it. I for reals cringe everytime I look at that. And almost wish I didn’t do it. Oh well. It’s done. And people who are scared….well….sorry.
I am still diggin’ on the Snoopy shirt though. Because my dork side is proud.
Oh, Laughter through tears! I needed to hear everything you said today. And I loved every minute of it. Thanks.
I feel like I need to start this with “long time reader, first time commenter…”
I love reading your blog. I think you are an amazing, generous, and courageous lady and I admire you immensely. I can relate so much to a lot of what you are talking about (but from the side of the caregiver as my husband is the one with the life changing health issues) and I KNOW first hand what an amazing thing it is for someone to have the kind of attitude you do about embracing the good, bad, and ugly about the truth of their life. Thank you for being willing to share your truth with all of us. You are wonderful, pillow hair, pajama pants and all!
Oh my goodness. GOD BLESS THE CARE TAKERS! My poor husband. I think it’s WAY harder on those around me. I was just nicely informed today that percocet makes me less than nice. What? I think “mean” was the actual description. Oh dear. I had no idea. I hope you give yourself a pat on the back, a shopping trip, and a treat for all you do.
I love you! That is all!
love you so much. you’re so brave and thank you for your sweet smile
Lara,
I barely know you and I love you!! I think I eat my feelings happy or sad. You are an amazing person who is beautiful inside and out. I look forward to getting to know you better. Let me know when you crack open your next can a frosting I will bring the spoons and I will share it with you:)
Love and Hugs!!
Nadine
That is a deal Nadine. And next time I can leave my house, I will come shopping. How’s that?
you are so funny. and cute. and REAL. God – you are like a freakin breathe of fresh air!! So tired of fake people with their fake lives and you just did what most of us want to do on our blogs – shed away the ‘crap’ & just tell it like it is. I feel your pain – just jumped on the scale this morning & said whoaaaaa – how did that happen but like you said I can choose to be happy & DO something about it or be miserable. I’m choosing happy. I would like to ask you one small favor – if you could email me real quick when you get a second – laura@eyecandyeventdetails.com as I want to tell you something – just for YOU – that I really don’t want to tell on this blog comment. Just whenever & hang in there girl. I don’t always comment but I follow you & think you are GREAT! xoxo laura =)
Just happened to be going through e-mails and stuff and realized I never got back to you on this! I’m SOOOOO sorry. It’s one of my worst things. I let e-mails pile up and pile up. And then I don’t want to deal with them. They are like the laundry of the computer. Right? Anyway…..I’d love to talk, or anything else I can help you with. Feel free to e-mail me at elle.ee.gee {at} gmail.com. ANYTIME!
You are the cutest!! Just love it. Thanks {as always} for inspiring me!!
Lara, you are truly beautiful, inside and out! Through YOUR trials, here you are, cheering everyone ELSE up!
I have also learned to look for the silver linings when the dark clouds hang over and I’m re-inspired by you. I’m absolutely ASHAMED at some of the things I’ve complained about this week, and am vowing to do better. Pollyanna, right?
I love you, girlie! Thanks for keeping it real!!!
Hugs, loves, and prayers to you!
Nah. Everyone needs a good complain every now and then. Sometimes feeling less than awesome is the truth. As long as it’s not your constant reality….it’s healthy to do a little every now and then. But then we gotta move on. Or the Dory thing…just keep swimming. Because drowning would suck.
I love this Lara! You are in inspiration! Best of luck to you through all of this and my prayers are with you that it’s over sooner than later. You’re awesome!
Thank you!
I love hearing your voice! I’m such a bad friend that I never see you anymore! But that makes you just as bad so my guilt subsides. But it does suck for me, because you are probably at the tip top of awesome people I’ve met. One question, did your curly hair seriously go away forever?
Nah. I just had blow dried my hair and not straightened it….then slept on it….for like….okay….2 or 3 days. It’s still there. Not as curly though. But totally still there. That hair-do would have been WAY funnier if I just let it air dry. Shoot. I shoulda done that. Next time.
Oh, how I love and adore every square inch of you inside and out. Thank you for bringing more of you–and frosting–into my life.
Thank you for being real. We all have those days when we feel inadequate, and like our trials are too much to bear. You are handling yours with grace and a great sense of humor. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned reading your blog. And those rolls from Texas Roadhouse are EVIL! They are better than cinnamon rolls, honestly!
For reals. I tend to agree. They call me in the middle of the night sometimes. It’s kind of freaky that rolls talk to me. I should maybe get that checked out.
I am in love with this post. I recently had a MAJOR trial in my life, and I have the same attitude – I WILL learn something for this. My Heavenly Father loves me and wouldn’t put me through a crazy trial for nothing. Keep the faith and He will work miracles!
It’s all we can do, right? I hope things for you are looking up. We just gotta believe there’s a way to work through it all and come out better on the other side….right? Best of luck to you!!
You’re a STUD Laura. Best wishes to you as you struggle on and endure. Thanks for the inspiration!
Long time reader, first time posting…you are so brave. I really admire you. Don’t give up.
Ummm….I could not LOVE you more! I have missed your face and laugh! I need some bed time. Save me a spot there next week. I am coming whether you like it or not!
Lara
When you figure out how NOT to eat your feelings, let me know. I am right there with you in that regards!
Pshhhh….if I figured that out….I’d be a freakin’ millionaire. But I will totally let you know. Don’t hold your breath.
Love you!!!!!!
You are such an inspiration! I too am going through a difficult medical situation and each day is a challenge and sometimes it seems easier to hide from the truth, but it never is. It will come back to bite you in the ass. With my illness, I lost 65 lbs in the last year, but it’s not quite the way I wanted to do it. Thanks for the honesty and your enthusiasm, and the laughs!
You KNOW I’m holding back saying that I wish that weight loss was me….right?
But I know….everyone has their different trials. And I’d never wish for someone elses. There’s got to be a reason for us each to face and conquer the things we are chosen to face. Mine are for me, and everyone else has their own. I hope your situation is looking up for you soon.
So glad that you are doing as well as possible. Each night when we say our prayer we pray for you and I hope they can get to the bottom of your problems. (No pun intended). It was great to see your smiling face even though I am sure you are in a lot of pain. Keep the faith and God will see you through this.
The bottom……..GOOD ONE!! I love bum jokes. Thank you SO much for praying for me. That means the world. I KNOW I can feel those prayers. And I appreciate it so much!
You get to a certain point in life where you realize what truly makes you happy, brings you peace, the rest is just crap we have to deal with and only we choose our outlook. You my lady have a FABULOUS sense of humor, wit, and you look good with no make-up. Just sayin….I eat marshmallows by themselves, two of my toes could use nail tips to look normal. I have Fibromyalgia, some days a good and some suck. But I love my life, love it! I would not trade a day in this achy body with my crazy kids and life for anything.
Thank you for keeping it real and speaking truth into our day, you are flippin’ sweet!
Hugs, Tanya
My Mother-In-Law has fibro. And I certainly have benefited from some of her experience of dealing with chronic severe pain. So bless you for dealing with that. It’s a rough go! Sending out awesome vibes your way as well!
Lara-
I was introduced to your blog by my cute sister-in-law Vanessa P. I just want to tell you how talented and amazing you are. I love your honesty, happiness and your creativity. I can’t wait to see the blogger house at the Parade of Homes. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I just passed on all my projects for the house. I haven’t seen it yet in person but I hear it’s really fun. Thank you so much for praying for my family. And I adore Vanessa P. Just for the record.
Hi Lara,
I have been a lurker for a couple of months now, but this post is just begging me to leave a comment.
You are a truly wonderful person. Sharing your truth must have been very freeing for you, but, more importantly, it is a breath of fresh air for all of us who struggle with inadequacy.
I think you’re beautiful, inside and out.
Lauren
Love,love,love you!
You are FABULOUS!!!
Lara,
I have read your blog for about a year now & can I just say, u r amazing! I LOVED this post so much. I have a rare disease called Myasthenia Gravis & some days I can barely take care of my two boys, let alone clean my house or get out of my pajamas. Some times I end up feeling so bad or like the worst mom or wife in the world & this post really spoke to my heart. I’m so sorry for all that u r going through & wish u luck with the next surgery.
Oh my goodness….don’t feel like the worst. Although I totally get that. My kids did an all day TV day today, and I did feel bad. But…..we’ll do better tomorrow, or the next day. I made sure to call them in my room and tell them that I love them over and over. And they kinda think I rock for days like that sometimes. You are doing your best. Give yourself credit. And we can both try to be less hard on ourselves. Deal?
Oh my goodness, girl, you are wonderful. I was thinking of you the past few days while I was in & out of the hospital with my own issues. I loved coming home today to see your smile and this fantastic video. Thank you for sticking with blogging through your trials. You are so strong and inspirational!
Oh my goodness….I hope things are going alright for you. I hate the hospital. Those gowns are LESS than flattering.
Just was thinking about you! Hope you are getting better!
I love you my friend. You are incredible in every single way.
xoxoxoxoxo
So, in that medical packet from your dr. in Phoenix, was my house listed under the “places you can stay” category? Love your guts Lara!
First, I want to say you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are such an inspiration! You are such a beautiful person inside and out. I LOVED this video posting and can’t wait for the next one.
Love, Tina
I seriously love you!! I needed to hear this today. Thank you!!! XOXO
Oh my dear you make me laugh! I think you are amazing, wonderful and downright awesome! Keep being the perfect person you are, completely grateful and with fake fabulous eyelashes
You are a beautiful, brave woman. Thank you for sharing!
Just wanted to send hugs and good vibes your way … I will eat more frosting on your behalf
Good luck!!
If it makes you feel any better, I think EVERY woman who bakes a cake slips in AT LEAST one spoonful of frosting….even if it’s behind her husband’s back so she can chastise him for doing it later ….yes I am VERY guilty in that department, don’t tell him:) My down fall is that confetti frosting wth the little rainbow chips inside..MMMMMMMMMMM! I’m salivating! Really I am! I make the cake just so that I can scoop the frosting off the cake later and then throw the bottom half away because i don’t eat that part. I’m terrible I know!
Oh my heavens! I am feeling an extreme need to come and paint your toes and would except that I’m in VA!!! I even just figured out how to do such cute little lady bug toes! Once I’m back home and I hear of your undone toes, I am totally coming over and Cami can come with me and we can do hair, eat yes…a can of frosting and ALL those rolls together (Lara, I am such a bread lover and those rolls are divine!), paint toenails and then watch Once upon a time episodes together. Deal?:) You’re a doll! Hugs!
Oh my gosh…….DEAL!!!!!! And guess what? Someone gave me rainbow chip frosting as a gift and it’s sitting in my cupboard waiting for you! So…..there you go. I’m all ready.
Hugs to you! Thanks for being you!
You rock! Even going through what you are, you still take the time to inspire us! Thank you!
I don’t even know you. But I love you. ‘Nuff said.
I just found your blog, literally 5 minutes ago. I don’t know you, or what you’re going through, but I just wanted to say this. You have already inspired me. A lot of what you talked about in your vlog really hit home. Thank you for putting yourself out there like that, I know it’s not easy at all. I’m so glad I found you, I will be back!
Go girl. You’re inspiring. These truth posts always make people love you more (: