Delighted to be tagged by Anne:
(1) Number of books I own - Oh, gosh. probably in the hundreds. Right now they're split between 1) Packed in the back of The Gracious Landlord's office storage area, 2) in my room on the one bookshelf I fit in there, and 3) childhood books that I left at Mom and Dads. I've never gotten rid of any books I've bought, except to sell textbooks back, and I still have most of my Communication textbooks.
(2) Last book I bought - Obviously, Valley of Vision. Before that, The Great Divorce - CS Lewis (The Madre's reading it) and Pierced by the Word - John Piper.
I also have a $30 gift cert to our local Bible Book Store, and I asked Anne what I ought to buy with it. Anne! Mom already has a lot of them! :D So, I'm still trying to figure out what to buy. I'm looking seriously at "Here I Stand (bio of Martin Luther)" and Sketches of Church History. If y'all have recommendations, POST THEM IN THE COMMENTS! I like good (cough-easy-cough) biographies and encouraging, practical books, in the vein of "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands," "When People are Big and God is small," etc.
(3) Last book I read - I just finished "Pierced by the Word" last night for my devotions. I'm presently reading Wild at Heart, but very sporadically (it's the equivalent to a kid having to eating brussel sprouts for me, but without the benefit of veggie goodness). I was going gung-ho on a biography of Stonewall Jackson, but I put it down for some reason, which likely will necessitate my re-reading half of it.
(4) Five books that mean a lot to me: (aside from the Bible!)
1. The Peacemaker by Ken Sande- I grew up with it's principles, and I believe my mom's insistence on true biblical peacemaking has directly affected our family, helping to make us what we are - close-knit, loving friends, able to stand together through suffering.
2. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands - by Paul Tripp. I'm still making my way through this one, but Tripp is an amazing biblical counselor and writer, whom I've had the privilege of having lunch with, cracking a joke at which he laughed. (Not to put him up on a major pedistal - I know that Christian and Molly both had him/saw him regularly in school, and he's likely much more "real" to them.)
3. Let me be a Woman - By Elizabeth Elliott. I read this a long time ago (and it needs to be revisited), but I was left with such a sense of joy and satisfaction in who God had made me, as well as encouraged to be who God wants me to become.
3.5. Heh. I guess I can't keep it only to Five! I'd definitely say that "When Life and Beliefs Collide" by Carolyn Custis James absolutely increased my knowledge of God when going through the hard times. More importantly, it encouraged me to strongly advocate for women to know their Theology - Here's an excellent quote: "Good theology coexists with broken hearts, shattered lives, and unimaginable pain. It produces a reservoir of patience toward ourselves and others who hurt and cannot understand what is happening."
4 - A Godward Life by John Piper - In college, I read this as a devotional, and love, love, LOVE it!
5/5.5 Redeeming Love/A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers - I 'randomly' picked up a Voice in the Wind off of a "Recommended by our Staff" at a St. Paul library, the summer of my sophomore year in college. I absolutely didn't expect it to be a Christian book, and I certainly didn't expect fiction to challenge my spiritual life the way that it did, in the character of Hadassah.
Redeeming Love is a great book, with a bit more secular feel to it, because it was Rivers' first book after becoming a Christian. It does a wonderful job of reminding us of our true nature - we return to our sin because it is what we know, not recognizing that the Love of our Life has saved us from our spiritual prostitution, and is always pursuing us, loving us and calling us to love Him.
I'd tag a bunch of people, but my circle of known bloggers is small!
Tuesday, June 14
Monday, June 13
Meeting God
I bless Thee that great sin draws out great grace,
that, although the least sin
deserves infinite punishment
because done against an infinite God,
yet there is mercy for me,
for where guilt is most terrible
there thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.
Strengthen me to give Thee no rest until Christ
shall reign supreme within me
in every thought, word, and deed,
In a faith that purifies the heart
overcomes the world,
works by love,
fastens me to thee,
and ever clings to the Cross
Excerpts from “Meeting God,” The Valley of Vision
that, although the least sin
deserves infinite punishment
because done against an infinite God,
yet there is mercy for me,
for where guilt is most terrible
there thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.
Strengthen me to give Thee no rest until Christ
shall reign supreme within me
in every thought, word, and deed,
In a faith that purifies the heart
overcomes the world,
works by love,
fastens me to thee,
and ever clings to the Cross
Excerpts from “Meeting God,” The Valley of Vision
Friday, June 10
Friday Photo Returns
Well, after letting my disciplined life go south for the last two weeks, I'm trying to pick it up again. And with that, I post a Friday Photo. That's the gracious landlord in front, The Bro next, with Ghetto Phone Boy driving (and blocked from sight by) Little Shoe Girl on the third 4-wheeler.
About this photo: it was taken last summer by DMM, not me.
Also, Most of my friends and readers also read Banty, who informed us of this blog, which I've added to the blogroll. If you haven't seen it, click through! I have to give it up to the Legal Bean. D, your photos are phenomenal.
Thursday, June 9
To be so close...
Words of Faith - Billy Graham - MSNBC.com
No, all roads don't lead to God, but for someone to say they thirst, and not quite believe in Christ, it makes me hopeful and sad all at the same time.
No, all roads don't lead to God, but for someone to say they thirst, and not quite believe in Christ, it makes me hopeful and sad all at the same time.
But Billy Graham loved to preach, respected the form and used it to its fullest effect. He understood that preaching is essentially the presentation of a spiritual argument, which means that a sermon must be filled with ideas, not just feelings.
To preach you must be smart, you must have faith and you must be able to simplify words without simplifying ideas. A preacher must then move beyond the logic of debate and into the world of personal peril and fear. A great sermon must be heard as if it was addressed only to you, the listener. It must first describe the storm in your life, and then it must offer you a compelling course to get through the storm and into quiet seas of love and hope. That hope must be simple and childlike but never childish. It must be a daring hope that inspires—not just deductively proves—the postulates of its argument, and that hope must be consonant with an ancient religion and not just a passing snapshot of what you decided to believe today.
A sermon must be worldly without being trendy, humorous without being irreverent and certain without being arrogant. Understood this way, almost nobody can give a great sermon, and if you attend services regularly, you will certainly confirm that fear. That is why I so admire Billy Graham. He could really preach.
If you love Billy Graham, you'll appreciate how this Rabbi honors him. His writing is convicting to me, as I am not a gracious person when faced with the beliefs that differ from my own.
{And as an aside, all of his requirements of a great preacher are also embodied in my Pastor. I'd guess that many Reformed preachers are good that way.}
Wednesday, June 8
Friendship
Thanks to Divine Miss M, who, on request, went down to my room, rummaged through my incredibly messy room to find my devotionals, then through my mess of paper in front of my TV, all for a gift certificate that I had no clue where it was - and then ultimately decided I didn't need- in order to get a copy of Valley of Vision from our church's book nook.
Many thanks again, to Divine Miss M, for picking me up for lunch, but first driving me to church to kype said copy of Valley of Vision, and not getting really irritated when we walked in to find the copy gone. And thanks again for listening to me talk (in detail) about how I was going to swipe a copy from work and replace it with a copy that I'd order from the church later, obsessing over something fairly easy to come by.
Oh, and I ended up buying the copy from work, as it was the last one, and no one knew why we had it.
So, DMM, you ran me around for very little, except to once again prove to me and everyone else in the blogsphere that you are a most patient person.
Love ya. Have a good time this weekend.
Many thanks again, to Divine Miss M, for picking me up for lunch, but first driving me to church to kype said copy of Valley of Vision, and not getting really irritated when we walked in to find the copy gone. And thanks again for listening to me talk (in detail) about how I was going to swipe a copy from work and replace it with a copy that I'd order from the church later, obsessing over something fairly easy to come by.
Oh, and I ended up buying the copy from work, as it was the last one, and no one knew why we had it.
So, DMM, you ran me around for very little, except to once again prove to me and everyone else in the blogsphere that you are a most patient person.
Love ya. Have a good time this weekend.
I can't think of a title.
From a quiz titled,"What's Hot":
Moreover, can you imagine the junk mail he gets??
Having good credit. But you may not want to get as much credit as Walter Cavanaugh of Santa Clara, CA. He has 1,397 individual, valid credit cards and has a total credit worth of more than $1.65 million. Imagine all the monthly statements!
Moreover, can you imagine the junk mail he gets??
Tuesday, June 7
Keeping it Simplistic.
I'm trying to get through "Wild at Heart." I have looked it up on Diet of Bookworms and a few other searches, so I'm thoroughly aware of the book, its popularity and the serious manipulation and misuse of scripture to back up John Eldridge's personal theories. I'm on the 3rd chapter. Made it through a chapter and a half last night in about 45 minutes. It's a REALLY hard read {roll eyes}.
I'm already bringing my own bias to the book: You see, it's my-ex-The-Artist's book. And, yes, I've been asked - Then why would I read it? You broke up, remember? Well, he thinks its a really great book, and I think it would be a good way to establish passport with him. He already told me that I confuse him because I'm both the most loving person he knows, but also the most critical. (Mweheheh - Welcome to reformed theology 101! Your first class is now over. Have your assignments to me by Friday.)
So, I'm trying to get through this book, because I know when I return it he'll ask if I've read it and brace himself for a scathing critique. And while I Ab.So.lutely disagree so far with this book on so many levels that I can't count them, I'm hoping that perhaps by reading it, giving it the proper due it deserves (TRYing not to chuckle sardonically) and then giving some general disagreements, he might actually THINK through the theology of this book.
So far, it's theology is: God is in heaven, waiting and watching guys and what they do, delighting when men go out and be Men (Definition supplied by Mr. Eldridge). He's a God that takes Risks (capital R) and because Mr. Eldridge prefers the idea that God is like him (so far in the book, Mr. Eldridge doesn't seem to care much about being like GOD, because all those different traits of God seem to confuse Mr. Eldridge. Gotta keep things simple, here), he doesn't want to wrestle like Jacob did with God - but this time over the age old question of "Is God more in control, or is Man?" Well, He defaults to the answer of "Man - mostly because others have thought about God's sovereignty, Man's responsibility and it's all very confusing. So, go hang out in the wilderness! Fun times."
Also, I just got to the part where women's strength is in their beauty and their seduction. I am SO happy that women don't need to be critical thinkers, be wise, be productive and efficient, or be loving toward their children, being so strong in their own faith as to assist their children and husbands in their faith. Gosh, and to think that I just wasted 27 years of my life trying to live a faith-filled life, now to find out that the trait of seduction that I ALREADY possess is all I need.
Ok, I'm done for now. I'm sure I'll continue to rant about this book online because then I won't to The Artist, and avoid destroying any possible friendship we might have. And No, he doesn't know my webpage address.
One thing I do have to give up to Eldridge is that he desires guys to be masculine, and I'm all for that. There are few things better than seeing a capable, strong man at work. Trust me, I live in Montana. We have them. I like men who aren't femmie. I just don't think that the Bible elevates that characteristic to the level that Eldridge has.
I do have to say that I went from reading W.A.H. to "Pierced by the Word," by John Piper. Talk about sweet and filling spiritual food! And WHAT a juxtaposition!
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
PS 81:16
That's what a complete view of God is. Finest wheat and sweet honey. Ultimate Satisfaction.
I'm already bringing my own bias to the book: You see, it's my-ex-The-Artist's book. And, yes, I've been asked - Then why would I read it? You broke up, remember? Well, he thinks its a really great book, and I think it would be a good way to establish passport with him. He already told me that I confuse him because I'm both the most loving person he knows, but also the most critical. (Mweheheh - Welcome to reformed theology 101! Your first class is now over. Have your assignments to me by Friday.)
So, I'm trying to get through this book, because I know when I return it he'll ask if I've read it and brace himself for a scathing critique. And while I Ab.So.lutely disagree so far with this book on so many levels that I can't count them, I'm hoping that perhaps by reading it, giving it the proper due it deserves (TRYing not to chuckle sardonically) and then giving some general disagreements, he might actually THINK through the theology of this book.
So far, it's theology is: God is in heaven, waiting and watching guys and what they do, delighting when men go out and be Men (Definition supplied by Mr. Eldridge). He's a God that takes Risks (capital R) and because Mr. Eldridge prefers the idea that God is like him (so far in the book, Mr. Eldridge doesn't seem to care much about being like GOD, because all those different traits of God seem to confuse Mr. Eldridge. Gotta keep things simple, here), he doesn't want to wrestle like Jacob did with God - but this time over the age old question of "Is God more in control, or is Man?" Well, He defaults to the answer of "Man - mostly because others have thought about God's sovereignty, Man's responsibility and it's all very confusing. So, go hang out in the wilderness! Fun times."
Also, I just got to the part where women's strength is in their beauty and their seduction. I am SO happy that women don't need to be critical thinkers, be wise, be productive and efficient, or be loving toward their children, being so strong in their own faith as to assist their children and husbands in their faith. Gosh, and to think that I just wasted 27 years of my life trying to live a faith-filled life, now to find out that the trait of seduction that I ALREADY possess is all I need.
Ok, I'm done for now. I'm sure I'll continue to rant about this book online because then I won't to The Artist, and avoid destroying any possible friendship we might have. And No, he doesn't know my webpage address.
One thing I do have to give up to Eldridge is that he desires guys to be masculine, and I'm all for that. There are few things better than seeing a capable, strong man at work. Trust me, I live in Montana. We have them. I like men who aren't femmie. I just don't think that the Bible elevates that characteristic to the level that Eldridge has.
I do have to say that I went from reading W.A.H. to "Pierced by the Word," by John Piper. Talk about sweet and filling spiritual food! And WHAT a juxtaposition!
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
PS 81:16
That's what a complete view of God is. Finest wheat and sweet honey. Ultimate Satisfaction.
Monday, June 6
Over It
Well, I finally got the Cathartic Break Up CD made. I had about 4 songs too many to cram onto one cd, so I made Volumes 1 and 2 and titled it "Over It."
I'm really liking Volume two a lot, but I liked all of those songs before the breakup, so they don't have as strong of a connotation to The Artist as they could.
Vol. 1
Only hurts when I'm breathing - Shania Twain
Probably wouldn't be this way - LeAnn Rimes
Tonight I wanna cry - Keith Urban
Songs about Rain - Gary Allen
Everytime - Britney
Train in Vain - Annie Lennox
One - u2
The First Cut is the Deepest - Sheryl Crow
Somebody's Cryin' - Chris Isaak
All I want is you - U2
Do what you have to do - Sarah McLachlin
Dreamscape - Shelby Lynne
Vol. 2
See if I care - Gary Allen
You'll think of me - Keith Urban
Piece of my Heart - Janis Joplin
Anything but down - Sheryl Crow
Stupid - Sarah McLachlin
Behind these Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
My Happy Ending - Avril Lavigne
Stronger - Britney Spears
Where is the Love - Black Eyes Peas
How am I doin' - Dierks Bentley
Kinda reminds me of Whitney Houston's "Best of" 2-cd pack. The first was titled "Throw Down" and the second was 'Cool Down." I still have Cool Down, but I'm sure Throw Down is scratched to oblivion somwhere. I'm not the best caretaker of CDs, sometimes.
Ok, I'm revising - I really like Volume One, too! It's just a lot more laid back.
Oh, and P.S. - say what you will about Walmart, they're online customer service reps are INCREDIBLY helpful when you have problems downloading and sharing songs.
I'm really liking Volume two a lot, but I liked all of those songs before the breakup, so they don't have as strong of a connotation to The Artist as they could.
Vol. 1
Only hurts when I'm breathing - Shania Twain
Probably wouldn't be this way - LeAnn Rimes
Tonight I wanna cry - Keith Urban
Songs about Rain - Gary Allen
Everytime - Britney
Train in Vain - Annie Lennox
One - u2
The First Cut is the Deepest - Sheryl Crow
Somebody's Cryin' - Chris Isaak
All I want is you - U2
Do what you have to do - Sarah McLachlin
Dreamscape - Shelby Lynne
Vol. 2
See if I care - Gary Allen
You'll think of me - Keith Urban
Piece of my Heart - Janis Joplin
Anything but down - Sheryl Crow
Stupid - Sarah McLachlin
Behind these Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
My Happy Ending - Avril Lavigne
Stronger - Britney Spears
Where is the Love - Black Eyes Peas
How am I doin' - Dierks Bentley
Kinda reminds me of Whitney Houston's "Best of" 2-cd pack. The first was titled "Throw Down" and the second was 'Cool Down." I still have Cool Down, but I'm sure Throw Down is scratched to oblivion somwhere. I'm not the best caretaker of CDs, sometimes.
Ok, I'm revising - I really like Volume One, too! It's just a lot more laid back.
Oh, and P.S. - say what you will about Walmart, they're online customer service reps are INCREDIBLY helpful when you have problems downloading and sharing songs.
Sunday, June 5
The funniest possible thing said on TV at 11:45 PM
"The stampede of wild elephants through a pygmy village will thrill you!"
~the trailer of "Tarzan the Apeman" shown on TCM.
Yes, Yes, I'm sure it will.
~the trailer of "Tarzan the Apeman" shown on TCM.
Yes, Yes, I'm sure it will.
Saturday, June 4
Sunday School Kids
For the last 2 weeks I've been thinking about doing something - one of those things that, when I'm sitting around enjoying the time I have off from one of my two jobs, I think "Are you crazy?"
I'm thinking of reading to my sunday school kids "The Tower of Geburah" by John White. The crazy part is that it's going to take at least a couple of months to get through the book (it's long, and I don't want to deal with 8-11 year olds for more than a few hours at a time). So, there goes my summer Thursday nights, in essence.
But even the downsides don't deter me. I've been mulling this over, taking polls of parents, and everyone thinks its a GREAT idea (well, of course parents think it's great - someone read to their kids? An Allegory? and talk about Christ? What's not to love? Ok, the driving, but besides that!)
But I'm even excited. I just don't know where I'll host it. The thing is, I don't have all the things figured out (the Event planner in me is going nutty) But I think I'm just going to jump in and do it.
I'm thinking of reading to my sunday school kids "The Tower of Geburah" by John White. The crazy part is that it's going to take at least a couple of months to get through the book (it's long, and I don't want to deal with 8-11 year olds for more than a few hours at a time). So, there goes my summer Thursday nights, in essence.
But even the downsides don't deter me. I've been mulling this over, taking polls of parents, and everyone thinks its a GREAT idea (well, of course parents think it's great - someone read to their kids? An Allegory? and talk about Christ? What's not to love? Ok, the driving, but besides that!)
But I'm even excited. I just don't know where I'll host it. The thing is, I don't have all the things figured out (the Event planner in me is going nutty) But I think I'm just going to jump in and do it.
Wednesday, May 25
I'm now it!
Anne slapped me on the arm and yelled "You're IT" before running the other direction toward the house.
Total number of films I own on DVD/Video:
Uh, I own about 9. I'm at the Madre's right now (and I live/sleep elsewhere) so I'm guessing, but I think I own 9. However...142 between my brother, Little Shoe Girl, Ghetto Phone Boy, my parents and the DVDs that I keep here. I don't know if this is sick or normal. (And no, I didn't spend time counting each one- we've all got this sick accounting thing goin' on in our family, so we have a list of them, which made it fairly easy to count.)
The last film I bought:
ugh. I think it was Princess Diaries 2, I'm sorry to say. I thought it would be as cute as the first. I was wrong. The last movie the family bought was Phantom of the Opera.
The last film I watched:
I just caught the last 20 minutes of Seabiscuit. Before that it was Open Range. The last movie I REALLY enjoyed was National Treasure.
Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me (in no particular order):
About a Boy, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, A Christmas Story, 13 going on 30 (I LOVE the dance scene).
All of them don't mean anything in particular to me. Movies that mean a lot to me are those in the vein of "Luther."
Ok, I tag the ladies at Kindred spirits! That takes care of all 5! (Amanda's exempt, cause she's a tiny bit busy right now.)
Total number of films I own on DVD/Video:
Uh, I own about 9. I'm at the Madre's right now (and I live/sleep elsewhere) so I'm guessing, but I think I own 9. However...142 between my brother, Little Shoe Girl, Ghetto Phone Boy, my parents and the DVDs that I keep here. I don't know if this is sick or normal. (And no, I didn't spend time counting each one- we've all got this sick accounting thing goin' on in our family, so we have a list of them, which made it fairly easy to count.)
The last film I bought:
ugh. I think it was Princess Diaries 2, I'm sorry to say. I thought it would be as cute as the first. I was wrong. The last movie the family bought was Phantom of the Opera.
The last film I watched:
I just caught the last 20 minutes of Seabiscuit. Before that it was Open Range. The last movie I REALLY enjoyed was National Treasure.
Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me (in no particular order):
About a Boy, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, A Christmas Story, 13 going on 30 (I LOVE the dance scene).
All of them don't mean anything in particular to me. Movies that mean a lot to me are those in the vein of "Luther."
Ok, I tag the ladies at Kindred spirits! That takes care of all 5! (Amanda's exempt, cause she's a tiny bit busy right now.)
Stealing a page from PalmTree Pundit
Since I haven't been blogging much, most of my regular viewers have become a hitting the site a bit more infrequently (sorry guys!). This being the case, almost every time I check my stats, someone has been led to my site by google or yahoo - and some of their search terms are pretty interesting!
Search terms leading people to my site:
Search terms leading people to my site:
- britney spears and esfj
- what is your first expression to your husband when you are pregnant
- good nicknames for tall people
- ghetto phone (I think this is funny - why does this person want to see a ghetto phone?? Moreover, did they find what they were looking for?)
- find the origin for the phrase "the face that launched a thousand ships"
- and 7 people trying to find lyrics to "We've got more bounce in California"
and the longest one? that would be:
guard your heart friendship relationships christian test and build the relationship in real-life settings.
To you, my friend, I say - please, read my blog, but I'm obviously not the best at building relationships in real life settings!
{And also? This is not being formatted the way I want, when it's published. I hope that list bullets aren't a necessity for reading this blog, because I'm TRYING. I really am. Blogger's just being stubborn!}
Tuesday, May 24
$33 and an urge to drive to Wausau.
It’s day three of Life Without the Artist. Saturday night we broke up. I’ve been doing the normal things I do after the relationship goes south – digging out all past Break Up CDs I make for catharsis, looking for new breakup songs, slowly telling people, responding with a nod to their “Boy you look like you’re doing ok,” noticing how much more cuddle time I give to the Min Pin (dogs are invaluable at times like these). Mostly missing him and hearing how everyone thought that there was something generally wrong with the relationship, but they’re still really sorry.
But most of all, I have an urge to drive 3 hours to Wausau. (Where?) Yeah, that’d be Wausau, WI, where my friend Trae lives. The thing is, Wausau isn’t 3 hours away anymore. It used to be, before I moved back to my hometown. Before, I could always depend on a three hour drive to clear myself of all the confusing feelings you feel after a break up – missing someone, not liking them all that much, REALLY liking them, fear, sadness, despondency, all those nice things. And then, just about the time my head would clear and that ache in my heart would leave, I’d be at the place where I knew I was truly loved and we’d get beer and really-bad-for-you-but-it-tastes-oh-so-good food and laugh about all the college times we had. Generally revel in the friendship that only “going home” (for both of us) could separate, but not break.
So, I’ve got $33 in my pocketbook. It occurred to me now that I’m practically rich this weekend (I get paid next week) and that whatever I would have done with the Artist now won’t drain my cash flow. (I really have an urge to go on a shopping spree, but $33 wouldn’t satisfy my kind of spree-ing.)
And I’ve got an urge to drive to Wausau. But I can’t, because driving 15 hours is too much. So you know what it meant to me to find an email from Hotwire.com the day after we broke up, before anyone knew we had, with this message:
Hi,
Trae has booked the following flight through Hotwire and asked us to forward the itinerary to you. Please note that flight times reflect the airports' local time zones.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trae has included this message: I'm on my way
Now I just need to wait 6 weeks.
But most of all, I have an urge to drive 3 hours to Wausau. (Where?) Yeah, that’d be Wausau, WI, where my friend Trae lives. The thing is, Wausau isn’t 3 hours away anymore. It used to be, before I moved back to my hometown. Before, I could always depend on a three hour drive to clear myself of all the confusing feelings you feel after a break up – missing someone, not liking them all that much, REALLY liking them, fear, sadness, despondency, all those nice things. And then, just about the time my head would clear and that ache in my heart would leave, I’d be at the place where I knew I was truly loved and we’d get beer and really-bad-for-you-but-it-tastes-oh-so-good food and laugh about all the college times we had. Generally revel in the friendship that only “going home” (for both of us) could separate, but not break.
So, I’ve got $33 in my pocketbook. It occurred to me now that I’m practically rich this weekend (I get paid next week) and that whatever I would have done with the Artist now won’t drain my cash flow. (I really have an urge to go on a shopping spree, but $33 wouldn’t satisfy my kind of spree-ing.)
And I’ve got an urge to drive to Wausau. But I can’t, because driving 15 hours is too much. So you know what it meant to me to find an email from Hotwire.com the day after we broke up, before anyone knew we had, with this message:
Hi,
Trae has booked the following flight through Hotwire and asked us to forward the itinerary to you. Please note that flight times reflect the airports' local time zones.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trae has included this message: I'm on my way
Now I just need to wait 6 weeks.
Thursday, May 19
She takes a vacation...but only in her head.
Man, I can’t believe that it’s been a whole week since I blogged! Unfortunately, there’s no good reason for me to have not posted SOMETHING. So here I post.
Within the last week I:
· Went to dinner with the Artist and his Mom
· Played tennis (got a tennis lesson from, rather!) with Little Shoe Girl
· Watched Little Shoe Girl and Ghetto Phone Boy whale on the ball, showing the Madre and I what tennis really is
· Listened to a Pastor from Bangladesh give one of the best presentations I’ve heard
· Participated as a Wedding Assistant for a wedding and the rehearsal the night before
· CLEANED OUT MY CAR! YEA! (Also went to Wally world and grabbed an Apple-Cinnamon air freshener. Bad Part? Makes me hungry when I get in the car.)
· Considered starting a reading “club” for my Sunday school kids during the summer (I’m thinking of reading aloud to them a book heavy in allegory, and we talk about it) I’m not sure, though. I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.
· Went to Lunch with Mother Hen and Little Chick. Taught Little Chick “Tasty Soup!” as in, “Mama, can I have some Tasty Soup please? Mmmm!”
· Watched “Open Range” with The Artist
· Watched part of “The Village” with The Artist (It’s been rainy lately, otherwise we tend toward walks)
· Watched the story about Aron Ralston with Little Shoe Girl and The Madre. Devoid of any biblical lessons, they talk a lot about “spiritual” things. Mom thinks he’s crazy because he’s still going out and climbing/doing outdoorsy things – with a prosthetic. I told her that it’s not so crazy – Every guy I work [at my part time job at the Outdoors store] with would likely do the same.)
I guess the thing I’d talk about most would be filed under “Bridget Jonsing” if I had little categories to file these under, like dooce or the rooster.
Anyway, remember this? Well, I’m not the most consistent “exerciser.” Since that post, I have had off and on weeks. Right after I met the Artist? Doin’ pretty good in the exercising department! Since then? eh…not so much. Part of the problem is every time I start on myself {i.e. “uh, little too flabby. Better make working out a priority again”} I go hang out with him, and he’s just so Big and Tall! So then I feel little, and neglect to work out. Which is a VERY BAD HABIT of thought to get into! Can you imagine the day when I'll say “Oh, well, I’m 190 (5’4”) but he’s still 230, so I’m not THAT big!"
So, I bought a subscription to Shape Magazine a while back and have read every one of them, but wasn’t sure what to do with some of the fitness schedules they offer. So, on Sunday (a Very Big Exciting Day) I ripped out all of the fitness plans from all of the magazines I’ve gotten so far, went through them, found the ones that work best for me (I don’t have a lot of access to weight machines) and wrote myself up a schedule for this week. I need to enter next week’s into my little Yahoo Calendar and print it off, but so far (two WHOLE days! [editor's note: It's now THREE!]) it’s worked really well. I don’t have to think up something to do each day, and it’s not just running for 45 minutes.
The hardest part is getting up at 5:30, but thankfully the Artist has put us on a self-imposed curfew of 9:00 pm, so I tend to return home then either way (whether I’m with him or my family) because I’ve gotten used to it. So, I already have a built in schedule to help me go to bed early.
I just keep thinking, “I wonder how long this will last!”
Within the last week I:
· Went to dinner with the Artist and his Mom
· Played tennis (got a tennis lesson from, rather!) with Little Shoe Girl
· Watched Little Shoe Girl and Ghetto Phone Boy whale on the ball, showing the Madre and I what tennis really is
· Listened to a Pastor from Bangladesh give one of the best presentations I’ve heard
· Participated as a Wedding Assistant for a wedding and the rehearsal the night before
· CLEANED OUT MY CAR! YEA! (Also went to Wally world and grabbed an Apple-Cinnamon air freshener. Bad Part? Makes me hungry when I get in the car.)
· Considered starting a reading “club” for my Sunday school kids during the summer (I’m thinking of reading aloud to them a book heavy in allegory, and we talk about it) I’m not sure, though. I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.
· Went to Lunch with Mother Hen and Little Chick. Taught Little Chick “Tasty Soup!” as in, “Mama, can I have some Tasty Soup please? Mmmm!”
· Watched “Open Range” with The Artist
· Watched part of “The Village” with The Artist (It’s been rainy lately, otherwise we tend toward walks)
· Watched the story about Aron Ralston with Little Shoe Girl and The Madre. Devoid of any biblical lessons, they talk a lot about “spiritual” things. Mom thinks he’s crazy because he’s still going out and climbing/doing outdoorsy things – with a prosthetic. I told her that it’s not so crazy – Every guy I work [at my part time job at the Outdoors store] with would likely do the same.)
I guess the thing I’d talk about most would be filed under “Bridget Jonsing” if I had little categories to file these under, like dooce or the rooster.
Anyway, remember this? Well, I’m not the most consistent “exerciser.” Since that post, I have had off and on weeks. Right after I met the Artist? Doin’ pretty good in the exercising department! Since then? eh…not so much. Part of the problem is every time I start on myself {i.e. “uh, little too flabby. Better make working out a priority again”} I go hang out with him, and he’s just so Big and Tall! So then I feel little, and neglect to work out. Which is a VERY BAD HABIT of thought to get into! Can you imagine the day when I'll say “Oh, well, I’m 190 (5’4”) but he’s still 230, so I’m not THAT big!"
So, I bought a subscription to Shape Magazine a while back and have read every one of them, but wasn’t sure what to do with some of the fitness schedules they offer. So, on Sunday (a Very Big Exciting Day) I ripped out all of the fitness plans from all of the magazines I’ve gotten so far, went through them, found the ones that work best for me (I don’t have a lot of access to weight machines) and wrote myself up a schedule for this week. I need to enter next week’s into my little Yahoo Calendar and print it off, but so far (two WHOLE days! [editor's note: It's now THREE!]) it’s worked really well. I don’t have to think up something to do each day, and it’s not just running for 45 minutes.
The hardest part is getting up at 5:30, but thankfully the Artist has put us on a self-imposed curfew of 9:00 pm, so I tend to return home then either way (whether I’m with him or my family) because I’ve gotten used to it. So, I already have a built in schedule to help me go to bed early.
I just keep thinking, “I wonder how long this will last!”
Oh, the long absence? Yeah, really there's no legitimate reason.
Ok, I have this long post "all ready to go" except for formatting. It shall be coming very soon.
You are Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a little too vocal in your honesty. You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully. To boot, your singing voice is captivating. You feel deeply, and love passionately.
I love the end of Sense and Sensibility when Colonal Brandon is reading to her and tells her he's leaving for a few days. The look of concern and sadness on her face is perfect.
The rest of the movie isn't compelling for me, and especially not the scene where Emma Thompson loses it because of Hugh Grant. 
Wednesday, May 11
Yes, that's right. I beat Divine Miss M
It's likely only because she's pouring her holy thoughts into her papers.
Ok, edited to add: I just checked "dooce.com". Here's part of Heather's "who I am" page:
This website chronicles my life from a time when I was single and making a lot of money as a web designer in Los Angeles, to when I was dating my husband, to when I lost my job and lived life as an unemployed drunk, to when I married my husband and moved to Utah, to when I became pregnant, to when I threw up during the pregnancy, to when I became unbearably swollen during the pregnancy, to the birth, to the aftermath, to the postpartum depression I currently suffer. I talk a lot about poop, boobs, my dog, and my daughter. I love pop tarts, nacho cheese doritos, Britney Spears’ chest, and Britpop. I am always constipated.
Dooce.com's Gematriculator rating?
75%! 75% Good!
This thing's broken.
Tuesday, May 10
Your turn
And I think you ought to take the test and post your results. Just for fun.
BUT most importantly, post the fictional characters that you're like!
BUT most importantly, post the fictional characters that you're like!
My Patron Saint, if I were catholic and neurotic
Ok, First the disclaimer:
I realize that any person ought to not put a lot of stock in these personality tests. As my Mom, Pastor, M.Div friend, or Mentor would tell me – and you – Sin has a lot more to do with problems of life, the Bible with the remedy, etc.
Anyway, all that said, a good friend wanted me to take this test. I’m an ESFJ, an Extroverted Sensing Feeling Judge. Which all that put together, “tells” me that I’m a Guardian, with the subcategory of Provider.
Here’s a quick description:
Provider Guardians take it upon themselves to arrange for the health and welfare of those in their care, but they are also the most sociable of all the Guardians, and thus are the great nurturers of established institutions such as schools, businesses, churches, social clubs, and civic groups. Wherever they go, Providers take up the role of social contributor, happily giving their time and energy to make sure that the needs of others are met, that traditions are supported and developed, and that social functions are a success.
Providers are skilled in maintaining teamwork among their helpers, and are also tireless in their attention to the details of furnishing goods and services. They make excellent chairpersons in charge of social events. They are without peer as masters of ceremonies, able to approach others with ease and confidence, and seemingly aware of what everyone’s been doing.
Ok, so that all sounds good, but besides being somewhat interesting, why would I post it?
Well, a few months ago, The Bro and Ghetto Phone Boy asked me what celeb would I have play me. I said, “oh, Natalie Portman, or Mandy Moore,” because I look somewhat like them.
The Madre Piped in: “Tell them who you thought.”
The Bro: “Courtney Cox.”
“I don’t look like Courtney Cox.”
“No, but you’re JUST like Monica!”
“I’m not THAT anal!” (The Madre “loves” that word)
{The Bro and GPB look at each other.}
Me: “Shut up.”
So, at the end of that test? They have examples of real-life and fictional ESFJs.
And there she was, under the fictional list: Monica! The patron saint of Ainsley.
(Except for the living with her boyfriend part, and all the other stuff that I don’t do that she and Chandler did. And I’m not even nearly as big of a clean freak. That would be the Artist.)
But the “I know!” part? Yeah. That’s me.
I realize that any person ought to not put a lot of stock in these personality tests. As my Mom, Pastor, M.Div friend, or Mentor would tell me – and you – Sin has a lot more to do with problems of life, the Bible with the remedy, etc.
Anyway, all that said, a good friend wanted me to take this test. I’m an ESFJ, an Extroverted Sensing Feeling Judge. Which all that put together, “tells” me that I’m a Guardian, with the subcategory of Provider.
Here’s a quick description:
Provider Guardians take it upon themselves to arrange for the health and welfare of those in their care, but they are also the most sociable of all the Guardians, and thus are the great nurturers of established institutions such as schools, businesses, churches, social clubs, and civic groups. Wherever they go, Providers take up the role of social contributor, happily giving their time and energy to make sure that the needs of others are met, that traditions are supported and developed, and that social functions are a success.
Providers are skilled in maintaining teamwork among their helpers, and are also tireless in their attention to the details of furnishing goods and services. They make excellent chairpersons in charge of social events. They are without peer as masters of ceremonies, able to approach others with ease and confidence, and seemingly aware of what everyone’s been doing.
Ok, so that all sounds good, but besides being somewhat interesting, why would I post it?
Well, a few months ago, The Bro and Ghetto Phone Boy asked me what celeb would I have play me. I said, “oh, Natalie Portman, or Mandy Moore,” because I look somewhat like them.
The Madre Piped in: “Tell them who you thought.”
The Bro: “Courtney Cox.”
“I don’t look like Courtney Cox.”
“No, but you’re JUST like Monica!”
“I’m not THAT anal!” (The Madre “loves” that word)
{The Bro and GPB look at each other.}
Me: “Shut up.”
So, at the end of that test? They have examples of real-life and fictional ESFJs.
And there she was, under the fictional list: Monica! The patron saint of Ainsley.
(Except for the living with her boyfriend part, and all the other stuff that I don’t do that she and Chandler did. And I’m not even nearly as big of a clean freak. That would be the Artist.)
But the “I know!” part? Yeah. That’s me.
Friday, May 6
This is impressive to me, since I can't make it up the smaller Mountains of Montana!
MSN Travel First & Best:
"But these seminal achievements pale next to the objective that we are reporting, exclusively for MSN, over the next weeks: the attempt by Ed Viesturs to be the first American to complete the quest to summit all 14 peaks in the world over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet), into what climbers call 'the death zone'—all of them without bottled oxygen, the ultimate in physical and mental challenges. The final summit in Viesturs' odyssey is the 8,091-meter (26,545-foot) Annapurna, perhaps the second-most famous Himalayan mountain after Everest, and notably more difficult and dangerous to climb. Statistically it is the world's most hazardous mountain: roughly one climber dies for every two who reach the summit.
The club of 8,000-meter conquerors is tiny. Only a handful of people have ever attained this utmost coronet (Austrian Reinhold Messner blazed this conceit in 1986), and no other American has come close. Ed, who is known for his judicious approach to mountain safety, has twice turned around on the 5-vertical-mile-high frozen monolith of ice and stone that is Annapurna, citing suboptimal conditions. But the stakes are higher now than ever before in this 18-year pursuit. Ed is on the far side of his middle 40s and has a wife, Paula, and three young children—Gil, 7; Ella, 4; and now Anabel, born just last October, awaiting his return. He now climbs to come home."
"But these seminal achievements pale next to the objective that we are reporting, exclusively for MSN, over the next weeks: the attempt by Ed Viesturs to be the first American to complete the quest to summit all 14 peaks in the world over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet), into what climbers call 'the death zone'—all of them without bottled oxygen, the ultimate in physical and mental challenges. The final summit in Viesturs' odyssey is the 8,091-meter (26,545-foot) Annapurna, perhaps the second-most famous Himalayan mountain after Everest, and notably more difficult and dangerous to climb. Statistically it is the world's most hazardous mountain: roughly one climber dies for every two who reach the summit.
The club of 8,000-meter conquerors is tiny. Only a handful of people have ever attained this utmost coronet (Austrian Reinhold Messner blazed this conceit in 1986), and no other American has come close. Ed, who is known for his judicious approach to mountain safety, has twice turned around on the 5-vertical-mile-high frozen monolith of ice and stone that is Annapurna, citing suboptimal conditions. But the stakes are higher now than ever before in this 18-year pursuit. Ed is on the far side of his middle 40s and has a wife, Paula, and three young children—Gil, 7; Ella, 4; and now Anabel, born just last October, awaiting his return. He now climbs to come home."
Friday Morning
This morning – what a perfect morning! I walked out in my Friday-oh-how-I-thank-God-for-Casual-Fridays clothes. I’m doing a serious sporting of casual today. I mean, I’m wearing things that are nice, but they’re definitely casual. Basically a black tee-shirt and a black Patagonia hoodie. Now, Pata being expensive, I figure I can get away with it. Also, everyone knows that I work on Fridays at the place that gives me a discount on their merchandise, therefore allowing me to own ANY Patagonia at all. (I don’t like to pay a lot of money for clothes.)
Anyway, this morning is 50 degrees and perfect out. Not too cold, not too warm. The kind of morning that you want to say, “Ya know what, screw work. I’m going to go grab that book that just needs to be finished, a cup of coffee that tastes like straight French Vanilla creamer, and sit on the deck, watching the sun move across the great Big Sky.”
But I was responsible and didn’t.
Anyway, this morning is 50 degrees and perfect out. Not too cold, not too warm. The kind of morning that you want to say, “Ya know what, screw work. I’m going to go grab that book that just needs to be finished, a cup of coffee that tastes like straight French Vanilla creamer, and sit on the deck, watching the sun move across the great Big Sky.”
But I was responsible and didn’t.
Wednesday, May 4
Georgia, always on his mind
Hello to the one-formerly-known-as-Ghetto-phone-boy, who is now enjoying 70 degree weather in GEOR-gia (yeah, it's going to be in the 70's here, too), but likely is enjoying the company of one (1) Little Shoe Girl more than that weather!
Have a great time packing, guys. Mweh heh heh. And lugging it home!
And GPB, how about THAT STINKING DRIVE UP THE HILL?! Just wait until LSG makes you do it TWICE A DAY. You'll be happy that Zimmerman Trail is only a few hundred feet. It's just enought to make one from the Western states admit it's a mountain just because they're sick of the drive! (It's not, by the way, you Georgians. It's a hill).
I asked the head of the P House (at the at the bottom of the mtn) if he noticed a tangible increase in excitment in the air. He laughed and said no. I told him I didn't believe him.
(Shall we take bets to see if they check this before heading home on Friday? I'll put a buck up that they don't!)
Have a great time packing, guys. Mweh heh heh. And lugging it home!
And GPB, how about THAT STINKING DRIVE UP THE HILL?! Just wait until LSG makes you do it TWICE A DAY. You'll be happy that Zimmerman Trail is only a few hundred feet. It's just enought to make one from the Western states admit it's a mountain just because they're sick of the drive! (It's not, by the way, you Georgians. It's a hill).
I asked the head of the P House (at the at the bottom of the mtn) if he noticed a tangible increase in excitment in the air. He laughed and said no. I told him I didn't believe him.
(Shall we take bets to see if they check this before heading home on Friday? I'll put a buck up that they don't!)
Monday, May 2
The Manolo says
Little Shoe Girl, I've added Manolo's Shoe Blog to the sidebar. You shall forever be changed.
For everyone else, if you haven't found this blog yet, it's both informational and ...undeniably hysterical. I love funny blogs. And as Little Shoe Girl (obviously) has a thing or two on me when it comes to fashion and shoes, I need this website. ;)
Here is the example of the wit and wisdom of the Manolo.
Here also is the good advice from the Manolo to the brides.
For everyone else, if you haven't found this blog yet, it's both informational and ...undeniably hysterical. I love funny blogs. And as Little Shoe Girl (obviously) has a thing or two on me when it comes to fashion and shoes, I need this website. ;)
Here is the example of the wit and wisdom of the Manolo.
Here also is the good advice from the Manolo to the brides.
I'm back!
A Random Mind/Divine Miss M (they're the same person, if you didn't know) tagged me. Here we go:
If I Were. . .
Here's the scoop on how to play:
I pick 5 occupations out of the list below and post my answers. Then I tag 3 other people to post their answers on their blog. If I tag you, and you don't want to be a part of this, then that is okay. Just let me know and I'll tag someone else. Make sure you note who tagged you!
The "questions": If I could be a scientist...If I could be a farmer...If I could be a musician...If I could be a doctor...If I could be a painter...If I could be a gardener...If I could be a missionary...If I could be a chef...If I could be an architect...If I could be a linguist...If I could be a psychologist...If I could be a librarian...If I could be an athlete...If I could be a lawyer...If I could be an inn-keeper...If I could be a professor...If I could be a writer...If I could be a llama-rider...If I could be a bonnie pirate...If I could be an astronaut...If I could be a world famous blogger...If I could be a justice on any one court in the world...If I could be married to any current famous political figure...
If I could be a musician: I would be a backup singer to someone famous. You get to sing harmony (which I tend to do anyway, after 6 years of choir) and you don't have the freaky fans and stalkers. Also, travel! And hopefully, money.
If I could be a writer, I'd like to be the female John Grisham. Easy, fun to read. Many twists.
If I could be an architect, I'd recreate the exquisite beauty, style and detail of homes during the turn of the century. (In my dreams, I would take the floor plans of some of the mansions on Summit Avenue and create my own home. This was a thought/dream before God put the conviction that materialism is too rampant in America. And not in a legalistic way. Just.... we can do so much more with our money than build gargantuan, ornate homes.)
If I could be a bonnie pirate, I'd be the Dread Pirate Roberts.
If I could be a chef, I would create food with all the tasty-ness of full-of-fat food, with none of the calories. No strange aftertastes from nutrisweet or splenda.
And I tag Transcrap, Little Shoe girl (you can post a reply, because you don't have your own blog) annnndddd....Anne. Oh, and if you guys don't want to, uh, no problem. Just don't let me know, because I don't know any other bloggers "personally"!
If I Were. . .
Here's the scoop on how to play:
I pick 5 occupations out of the list below and post my answers. Then I tag 3 other people to post their answers on their blog. If I tag you, and you don't want to be a part of this, then that is okay. Just let me know and I'll tag someone else. Make sure you note who tagged you!
The "questions": If I could be a scientist...If I could be a farmer...If I could be a musician...If I could be a doctor...If I could be a painter...If I could be a gardener...If I could be a missionary...If I could be a chef...If I could be an architect...If I could be a linguist...If I could be a psychologist...If I could be a librarian...If I could be an athlete...If I could be a lawyer...If I could be an inn-keeper...If I could be a professor...If I could be a writer...If I could be a llama-rider...If I could be a bonnie pirate...If I could be an astronaut...If I could be a world famous blogger...If I could be a justice on any one court in the world...If I could be married to any current famous political figure...
If I could be a musician: I would be a backup singer to someone famous. You get to sing harmony (which I tend to do anyway, after 6 years of choir) and you don't have the freaky fans and stalkers. Also, travel! And hopefully, money.
If I could be a writer, I'd like to be the female John Grisham. Easy, fun to read. Many twists.
If I could be an architect, I'd recreate the exquisite beauty, style and detail of homes during the turn of the century. (In my dreams, I would take the floor plans of some of the mansions on Summit Avenue and create my own home. This was a thought/dream before God put the conviction that materialism is too rampant in America. And not in a legalistic way. Just.... we can do so much more with our money than build gargantuan, ornate homes.)
If I could be a bonnie pirate, I'd be the Dread Pirate Roberts.
If I could be a chef, I would create food with all the tasty-ness of full-of-fat food, with none of the calories. No strange aftertastes from nutrisweet or splenda.
And I tag Transcrap, Little Shoe girl (you can post a reply, because you don't have your own blog) annnndddd....Anne. Oh, and if you guys don't want to, uh, no problem. Just don't let me know, because I don't know any other bloggers "personally"!
Saturday, April 30
Done!
Thank you so much for those of you who were praying for me - I do truly appreciate it. And, from the experience (3 days of everything you've EVER needed know about Arbitration process and procedure, plus roleplays) I know that I needed each one of the prayers lifted up. Thankfully, the hardest day was the first day, so I've been a little more coherent each day.
I'll write up my thoughts tomorrow. It was a GREAT experience, though very tiring.
I'll write up my thoughts tomorrow. It was a GREAT experience, though very tiring.
Thursday, April 28
Please Pray
Just wanted to request prayer from my faithful readers - I'll be in a 3-day training event to learn how to Mediate and Arbitrate Christian Conflict. I was going to link to the following description, but it's halfway down the webpage. Maybe Christian can teach me how to link to the middle of the page, someday.
So, I'm going downstairs now to finish the homework assignment I need done before 7:30 tomorrow AM. Divine Miss M, I am so not used to writing late at night. I've gotten soft with old age and regular employment.
I appreciate your prayers for stamina and wisdom - even though the role-plays are fictional, I'm still graded on my arbitration decision. AND that I'll learn a lot through it. I have yet to go to a Peacemaker event where I don't... :)
Certification Practicum
The Certification Practicum is an intense, three-day application of advanced conciliation skills in the context of real-life mediation-arbitration and arbitration scenarios. This training is designed to give you a clearer vision of God's grace in conciliation and a deeper understanding of biblical law. Advanced, complex role-plays help you to gain experience and a better understanding of the med-arb and arbitration processes, as well as the ICC Rules of Procedure. The Certification Practicum is held at least once each calendar year.
So, I'm going downstairs now to finish the homework assignment I need done before 7:30 tomorrow AM. Divine Miss M, I am so not used to writing late at night. I've gotten soft with old age and regular employment.
I appreciate your prayers for stamina and wisdom - even though the role-plays are fictional, I'm still graded on my arbitration decision. AND that I'll learn a lot through it. I have yet to go to a Peacemaker event where I don't... :)
Tuesday, April 26
Tuesday Quote
I love this movie.
Bob Parr: Weren't you in the news? Some show in, Prayge... Prague?
Edna 'E' Mode: Milan, darling. Milan. Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them... spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves. Feh! I used to design for *gods*!
Also:
Edna 'E' Mode: What are you Tawking About? You are Elastigirl! My God, pull yourself together!You will show him you remember that he is Mr. Incredible, and you will remind him who *you* are!
... And call me when you get back, dahling. I enjoy our visits.
Bob Parr: Weren't you in the news? Some show in, Prayge... Prague?
Edna 'E' Mode: Milan, darling. Milan. Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them... spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves. Feh! I used to design for *gods*!
Also:
Edna 'E' Mode: What are you Tawking About? You are Elastigirl! My God, pull yourself together!You will show him you remember that he is Mr. Incredible, and you will remind him who *you* are!
... And call me when you get back, dahling. I enjoy our visits.
Monday, April 25
How to be at Peace
{emailed from a co-worker}
I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me and we all could use more calm in our lives.
By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I started and hadn't finished, and, before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the rest of the cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel!!
I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me and we all could use more calm in our lives.
By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I started and hadn't finished, and, before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the rest of the cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel!!
Sometimes you just need a little Country
I bought this cd over the weekend. I went against my personal rule of waiting until two songs are released to buy a cd by a new artist. I've both been "blahed" (not burned, necessarily) by not abiding by it (Sara Evans, Mindy McCready) but also I've been happily surprised (Norah Jones).
I went with the "Norah Jones rule of thumb", because Norah was the last artist that I discovered when her cd was $8, right before it shot up to $16 and she became overplayed. Katrina Elam's was $9.
I'd likely give this a passing grade - mabe a 4- on stars. I'm happy I've got the one song I love (Track 2 - "No End in Sight") and I really like a few others, but two of them are utterly skip-able: #4, "I want a cowboy" - good music, but typical, too-easy-rhyming lyrics, and #6 - Flowers by the Side of the Road- again, decent melody, but way too saccrine for anyone's good.
The music is a bit too polished, which was said on a review I read. They tried to make it more country by using a lot of 'fiddling' and steel guitars, but the polish is still there in boatloads. I'd like to see what she'd be like live.
She's a mix of Martina, Faith and Trisha. I wonder if she'll find her own niche. If she doesn't, She'll be done by her sophomore album. If she does, she'll be huge.
I went with the "Norah Jones rule of thumb", because Norah was the last artist that I discovered when her cd was $8, right before it shot up to $16 and she became overplayed. Katrina Elam's was $9.
I'd likely give this a passing grade - mabe a 4- on stars. I'm happy I've got the one song I love (Track 2 - "No End in Sight") and I really like a few others, but two of them are utterly skip-able: #4, "I want a cowboy" - good music, but typical, too-easy-rhyming lyrics, and #6 - Flowers by the Side of the Road- again, decent melody, but way too saccrine for anyone's good.
The music is a bit too polished, which was said on a review I read. They tried to make it more country by using a lot of 'fiddling' and steel guitars, but the polish is still there in boatloads. I'd like to see what she'd be like live.
She's a mix of Martina, Faith and Trisha. I wonder if she'll find her own niche. If she doesn't, She'll be done by her sophomore album. If she does, she'll be huge.
Friday, April 22
I can die happy. How did we survive before?
Mystery of unpopped popcorn is discovered - Science - MSNBC.com: "It's long been known that popcorn kernels must have a precise moisture level in their starchy center — about 15 percent — to explode. But Purdue University researchers found the key to a kernel's explosive success lies in the composition of its hull."
Sick part #1) This made it onto MSN's website as news.
Sick part #2) I clicked on it.
Sick part #1) This made it onto MSN's website as news.
Sick part #2) I clicked on it.
Thursday, April 21
Montana Spring
A few days ago, Divine Miss M posted her dedication to spring in Philadelphia.
Here's mine to Montana.
(I guess we've received 1/3 of our our year-to-date precipitation in the last 3 days)
Here's mine to Montana.
(I guess we've received 1/3 of our our year-to-date precipitation in the last 3 days)
Wednesday, April 20
I thought so too....
{From the Madre}
This seemed a worthy thought to consider today and everyday....and share with others....
The goal of the Christian life is “to look at Him Who is looking at you.” (Augustine)
Spend some time quietly returning His gaze today.
{Thanks, Mom. Definitely the day brightener/worthy thought for today!}
This seemed a worthy thought to consider today and everyday....and share with others....
The goal of the Christian life is “to look at Him Who is looking at you.” (Augustine)
Spend some time quietly returning His gaze today.
{Thanks, Mom. Definitely the day brightener/worthy thought for today!}
A good quote from the new pope
In Christ, truth and love coincide. To the extent that we draw near to Christ, in our own life, truth and love merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” (1 Cor 13,1).
As usual, I'd know nothing without Anne who got it from the Paragraph Farmer. This is the end of what Pope Ben said, but the entire post is worth your read.
Tuesday, April 19
"We" have a pope!
Benedict XVI: German cardinal elected pope - Election of a pope - MSNBC.com: "VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a hard-line guardian of conservative doctrine, was elected the new pope Tuesday evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI and called himself “a simple, humble worker.” "
I personally don't believe that any pope has more ability to go before God than any other Christian, but as my maternal grandparents are very Catholic (and both 100% german, no less), and moreover, as the Roman Catholic chuch still retains an incredible say in many cultural-spiritual matters (abortion, homosexuality, etc.), I'm relieved that they are so solid as to elect a pope so quickly.
Can we call him Pope Benny?
I personally don't believe that any pope has more ability to go before God than any other Christian, but as my maternal grandparents are very Catholic (and both 100% german, no less), and moreover, as the Roman Catholic chuch still retains an incredible say in many cultural-spiritual matters (abortion, homosexuality, etc.), I'm relieved that they are so solid as to elect a pope so quickly.
Can we call him Pope Benny?
Creative Hearing
{As we're watching "Landscaper's Challenge" on HGTV}
The Madre: I'm really gettting to like the flavor of lime (in reference to our having Thai tonight)
-- she continues. I start watching LC come back on, with "Maryanne Curan"
Maryanne Curan: "Welcome back"
The Madre (as I'm not really paying attention)"hi."
Ains: {dumbfounded look}...Did you just ....say hi to the TV?
The Madre: {dumbfounded look right back}..NO!I said, I like keylime pie.
Ains: {hysterical laughing}
The Madre: {Sarcastically, through tears of laughter} "yes, Ains, I have no friends. I respond to the TV now."
The Madre: I'm really gettting to like the flavor of lime (in reference to our having Thai tonight)
-- she continues. I start watching LC come back on, with "Maryanne Curan"
Maryanne Curan: "Welcome back"
The Madre (as I'm not really paying attention)"hi."
Ains: {dumbfounded look}...Did you just ....say hi to the TV?
The Madre: {dumbfounded look right back}..NO!I said, I like keylime pie.
Ains: {hysterical laughing}
The Madre: {Sarcastically, through tears of laughter} "yes, Ains, I have no friends. I respond to the TV now."
Monday, April 18
Have fun!
This entertained The Madre and me for ...well, not hours, but for a while on Friday.
Hat tip: So the Fish Said
Hat tip: So the Fish Said
Friday, April 15
Random Real Life Quotes
Co-worker, Looking at an "ASAP" note from a different department: "Once again, they seem to think I have psychic powers."
(Don't ask me why - perhaps the giddiness from actually GETTING TO WEAR JEANS today - caused me to laugh out loud at that. Likely her incredibly dry tone contributed to it.)
Ains (talking to The Artist, who isn't feeling well): The Madre and LSG get colds WAY worse than others. They'll have the same bug as everyone else and it'll just feel so. much. worse for them.
The Artist: Yeah, but LSG gets hurt drinking Coca-Cola. Let's keep this in perspective.
Ains: Oh, I'm so going to blog that, and she's going to kick your butt! (Laughing hysterically)
(Explaination: The reason why that is SO funny is that LSG gets hurt ALL THE TIME. Doing Nothing. Nothing at all, and she'll get hurt. Her phone banner is "I'm fragile.")
(Don't ask me why - perhaps the giddiness from actually GETTING TO WEAR JEANS today - caused me to laugh out loud at that. Likely her incredibly dry tone contributed to it.)
Ains (talking to The Artist, who isn't feeling well): The Madre and LSG get colds WAY worse than others. They'll have the same bug as everyone else and it'll just feel so. much. worse for them.
The Artist: Yeah, but LSG gets hurt drinking Coca-Cola. Let's keep this in perspective.
Ains: Oh, I'm so going to blog that, and she's going to kick your butt! (Laughing hysterically)
(Explaination: The reason why that is SO funny is that LSG gets hurt ALL THE TIME. Doing Nothing. Nothing at all, and she'll get hurt. Her phone banner is "I'm fragile.")
Ghetto No Mo' (Friday Photo)
I like the collage, but it cuts off the duct tape on the corner of the old phone, which really made the "ghetto" in "GPB" . You CAN see, however, that it was broken, and the top flops in all directions. Compare with the sleek new phone. Anyone feel like renaming GPB? I thought "Pimpin' Phone Boy", but that just sounds BAD on more than one level! ;)
Thursday, April 14
Ever unable to think up a title for a post? Yeah. that's me.
If I were really into blogging, I’d get my own site so I could mimic dooce by putting various thoughts into categories. I, however, am not THAT into blogging. Actually, it’s just that I’m too cheap.
If I weren’t too cheap, I would start this category:
Worst feelings (or “Ughhhh.” For short).
And under it I would put:
“Waking up two days in a row, erroneously thinking that it’s Friday. TWO days in a ROW! To the point that on Wednesday, you had to look at your cell phone to accept it wasn’t Friday, and on Thursday, you convinced yourself to get out of bed only with the promise of getting to wear jeans - just to remember that, no, in fact, you’re now up and you get to wear a skirt with nylons.”
Ughhhh.
If I weren’t too cheap, I would start this category:
Worst feelings (or “Ughhhh.” For short).
And under it I would put:
“Waking up two days in a row, erroneously thinking that it’s Friday. TWO days in a ROW! To the point that on Wednesday, you had to look at your cell phone to accept it wasn’t Friday, and on Thursday, you convinced yourself to get out of bed only with the promise of getting to wear jeans - just to remember that, no, in fact, you’re now up and you get to wear a skirt with nylons.”
Ughhhh.
Wednesday, April 13
Tuesday Quote on Wednesday
Someday I'll actually remember that I do quotes on Tuesdays. Here it is, from the Manly Man article:
Men being more concerned about how they look than how dependable they are, says Carolyn Graglia, is a sign of the times.
"So many men are like that -- so narcissistic, so self-centered. They are really afraid of growing up," she says. "To me, a man who would look down on [being manly] isn't a real man and isn't in touch with the real things in life.
Men being more concerned about how they look than how dependable they are, says Carolyn Graglia, is a sign of the times.
"So many men are like that -- so narcissistic, so self-centered. They are really afraid of growing up," she says. "To me, a man who would look down on [being manly] isn't a real man and isn't in touch with the real things in life.
Ab.So.Lutely.
It's interesting - how dating one guy who's really very masculine can switch your views on this. See, I was the girl that liked the "I've obviously specifically picked this out from JCrew to look good" or the "I pay $40 to highlight 3 strands in the front of my hair" guy. If they looked like a model, I was good for it. My girlfriends thought I was nuts.
Then the Artist showed up, and he being from rural Montana is quite obviously manly. (An Artist that's manly? Yup. That's what I said.) Just what American girls ordered, it seems :
Hold the quiche: Manly men are back (Credit to: MOB for emailing this to me)
And this guy? This guy is all wrong!
Sorry Dude. Not all Manly men are arrogant. I'm sure we all could name a bunch of incredibly masculine men, and arrogance would not be one of their traits.
Then the Artist showed up, and he being from rural Montana is quite obviously manly. (An Artist that's manly? Yup. That's what I said.) Just what American girls ordered, it seems :
Hold the quiche: Manly men are back (Credit to: MOB for emailing this to me)
Women want the "man" back in "manly," a Harris Interactive survey shows. The rough-and-ready attitude is in, women say, while the manicured "metrosexual" look is on the way out.
Ninety-two percent of women said dependability is a desirable characteristic in an ideal mate. Only 16 percent chose "fashionable," and 62 percent chose "strong" as a desirable characteristic.
•75 percent of women said their ideal man buys his grooming products at a grocery store or drugstore, not a salon.
•72 percent of women said their ideal man spends his free time doing home-improvement projects.
•41 percent of women said their ideal man spends his time watching sports.
•47 percent of women said their ideal man spends his money on electronics, compared with 9 percent who answered "designer clothes."
•90 percent of women said they prefer low-maintenance, easygoing
guys.
And this guy? This guy is all wrong!
"Women are looking for confident men, not manly men," says David Wygant, relationship consultant and co-author of "Always Talk to Strangers." "These manly men are arrogant. Women don't want arrogant men."
Sorry Dude. Not all Manly men are arrogant. I'm sure we all could name a bunch of incredibly masculine men, and arrogance would not be one of their traits.
Monday, April 11
Movies I love
An Affair to Remember
Casablanca
Roman Holiday
Gone with the Wind
Swing Time
Top Hat
3 Smart Girls
The Major and the Minor
It Happened One Night
Sabrina (the Old one)
Sabrina (The new one)
Last of the Mohicans
Field of Dreams
Pirates of Penzance
Dave
Pretty Woman
Emma
French Kiss
Frequency
Braveheart
13 going on 30
The Fox and the Hound
The Little Mermaid (Divine Miss M will roll her eyes, but it's true.)
Pride and Predjudice
Band of Brothers
About a Boy
Of course, you can tell I'm a sucker for Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Kevin Kline and anything with Fred and Ginger in it.
I hope you all mention your favorites!
Casablanca
Roman Holiday
Gone with the Wind
Swing Time
Top Hat
3 Smart Girls
The Major and the Minor
It Happened One Night
Sabrina (the Old one)
Sabrina (The new one)
Last of the Mohicans
Field of Dreams
Pirates of Penzance
Dave
Pretty Woman
Emma
French Kiss
Frequency
Braveheart
13 going on 30
The Fox and the Hound
The Little Mermaid (Divine Miss M will roll her eyes, but it's true.)
Pride and Predjudice
Band of Brothers
About a Boy
Of course, you can tell I'm a sucker for Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Kevin Kline and anything with Fred and Ginger in it.
I hope you all mention your favorites!
Thursday, April 7
Wednesday, April 6
Hey, what about that house?
Yeah, I've been thinking for the last few days it would be good to give an update: Here it is.
The house was nice, but it's main asset was also (in some ways) it's biggest hinderance. It's about 700 sq feet on the upper level, which is the level the owner occupies. The bottom/basement is 600 sq feet and is rented out - so there's income to help out with the mortgage, but you're paying a house cost for a very small amount of living area. It's very nice (originally my present "landlord" bought it, re-did it and sold it), and well maintained, but they're asking about $15,000 more than the very highest I would have been able to offer. Like, I would have started out with a bid about $20,000 below their asking price. I don't seem much of a point in doing that.
Also, the picture of the house I posted below is $10,000 less (asking price) than the one I went and looked at. And the picture's outside looks a lot nicer than the one I looked at, though I realize that doesn't mean much if the inside is nasty and the foundation is rotton.
I might go look at that the "picture" one, if it's still on the market. Anyway, "Landlord" said I should just save my money for the next two years and forgo mortgage insurance, so I think I'm gonna. In the meantime, I'm going to look at houses in the market and get a feel for what is worth what. It's still going to be fun.
Maybe I'll drag along Little Shoe Girl and The Bro and make them sit out in the hot, hot, miserable car for hours on end while I go inside to look at open houses, a la The Madre and Dad circa 1988. Just for Ol' Time's sake. :D
The house was nice, but it's main asset was also (in some ways) it's biggest hinderance. It's about 700 sq feet on the upper level, which is the level the owner occupies. The bottom/basement is 600 sq feet and is rented out - so there's income to help out with the mortgage, but you're paying a house cost for a very small amount of living area. It's very nice (originally my present "landlord" bought it, re-did it and sold it), and well maintained, but they're asking about $15,000 more than the very highest I would have been able to offer. Like, I would have started out with a bid about $20,000 below their asking price. I don't seem much of a point in doing that.
Also, the picture of the house I posted below is $10,000 less (asking price) than the one I went and looked at. And the picture's outside looks a lot nicer than the one I looked at, though I realize that doesn't mean much if the inside is nasty and the foundation is rotton.
I might go look at that the "picture" one, if it's still on the market. Anyway, "Landlord" said I should just save my money for the next two years and forgo mortgage insurance, so I think I'm gonna. In the meantime, I'm going to look at houses in the market and get a feel for what is worth what. It's still going to be fun.
Maybe I'll drag along Little Shoe Girl and The Bro and make them sit out in the hot, hot, miserable car for hours on end while I go inside to look at open houses, a la The Madre and Dad circa 1988. Just for Ol' Time's sake. :D
Tuesday Quote (also:Congrats, Madre, for finishing!)
The Madre and I finished watching the movie Middlemarch, which I believe is a very accurate portrayal of the book. I haven't read the book, but Madre did! And it is a THICK book. Congrats to all those at church who read it last (?) summer. The movie is good - I may read the book, now that I know who is who (always the hardest part of classic books.)
Regardless of reading or not reading it, the end quote of the book is wonderful, for two reasons: First is that I believe the statement is very true, and second is that The "Park" closest to the Artist's house is a cemetary, where we've wandered for hours looking at forgotten and unvisited gravestones, thinking on our own mortality and our hidden, (hopefully) faithfully-lived lives.
So, here is a great Tuesday Quote On Wednesday:
Regardless of reading or not reading it, the end quote of the book is wonderful, for two reasons: First is that I believe the statement is very true, and second is that The "Park" closest to the Artist's house is a cemetary, where we've wandered for hours looking at forgotten and unvisited gravestones, thinking on our own mortality and our hidden, (hopefully) faithfully-lived lives.
So, here is a great Tuesday Quote On Wednesday:
But the effect of [Dorothea's] being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.
We forget so quickly
This slideshow is one of the best I've seen. Please keep praying for all of our troops in Iraq. Praise God with me that iTones' brother is home, and continue to pray for Captain Dan. His wife and two little girls are here in Montana with us.
Thanks to Michelle Malkin via Anne.
Thanks to Michelle Malkin via Anne.
Tuesday, April 5
Daylight is now saved.
From Calender Updates
"Under the US Uniform Time Act of 1966, the Department of Transportation is in charge of time zones in the United States and ensuring that jurisdictions observing daylight saving time begin and end on the same date. The federal law that established 'daylight time' in this country does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe DST, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law which since 1986 have been the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
The concept of DST was first proposed in by Benjamin Franklin in his 1784 pamphlet entitled 'An Economical Project.' He meticulously calculated how much money people would save in candle wax, wicks, lamp oil, etc, if they could effectively have an hour of daylight shifted from the morning to the evening hours. This move would postpone the need for lamps and candles being lit for another hour, hence saving money. Since fewer people are actually active at or before sunrise, he determined that the energy savings alone would justify changing clocks twice a year.
Daylight Saving Time was implemented during World War I and World War II to conserve energy. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which requested all states to observe Daylight Saving Time, unless a state exempted itself. Currently, 47 states in the US and over 70 countries observe DST.
By observing Daylight Saving Time we, in effect, create an extra hour of daylight in"
The real question is, "But did Ol' Ben Franklin figure how much MORE coffee we would need to consume in order to make it through the day, bouncing back and forth between these hours?"
"Under the US Uniform Time Act of 1966, the Department of Transportation is in charge of time zones in the United States and ensuring that jurisdictions observing daylight saving time begin and end on the same date. The federal law that established 'daylight time' in this country does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe DST, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law which since 1986 have been the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
The concept of DST was first proposed in by Benjamin Franklin in his 1784 pamphlet entitled 'An Economical Project.' He meticulously calculated how much money people would save in candle wax, wicks, lamp oil, etc, if they could effectively have an hour of daylight shifted from the morning to the evening hours. This move would postpone the need for lamps and candles being lit for another hour, hence saving money. Since fewer people are actually active at or before sunrise, he determined that the energy savings alone would justify changing clocks twice a year.
Daylight Saving Time was implemented during World War I and World War II to conserve energy. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which requested all states to observe Daylight Saving Time, unless a state exempted itself. Currently, 47 states in the US and over 70 countries observe DST.
By observing Daylight Saving Time we, in effect, create an extra hour of daylight in"
The real question is, "But did Ol' Ben Franklin figure how much MORE coffee we would need to consume in order to make it through the day, bouncing back and forth between these hours?"
Monday, April 4
This is NOT what it looks like!
But today I'm going to look at a house that is for sale by some church friends. I pulled this picture off of a real estate website because it's cute. It's actually for sale, so if you want, you can look for it. ;) I can't really see myself buying a house this soon after digging myself out of stupid-credit-card-debt-with-the-help-of-good-friends, but someone I trust completely thinks I ought to at least go look at the house. So I am.
Crazy. It makes buying a house seem like a reality! This is a tiny bit scary!
Saturday, April 2
One of my favorite things
Today I have a few minutes to do nothing except enjoy not having to be anywhere or do anything. I decided to enjoy the outdoors - a beautifully sunny day with a slight breeze. So, around the back yard I enjoyed a short but oh-so-peaceful walk with the steady companionship of a gentle black lab.
Makes me glad for dogs.
Makes me glad for dogs.
Friday, April 1
Spring Fling
Last night, the Artist and I were talking.
“Do you have any favorite sports teams?” I asked.
“Mm. No. I watched the Steelers growing up, (because of a friend) and I watch the Red Sox (because of his brother in law).”
It got me thinking. For the past 8 years, I’ve been a Vikings Fan. I’ve cheered their wins and cried at their losses (ok, not really, but I’ve been really bummed!). I’ve long worn the Moss jersey with pride and have argued with those who would defame his name (The Madre stands right behind me on that one.)
But I’ve grown weary. Weary of the bickering, weary of the losses. I do love The Culpepper, and will always love him, but I just can’t do it another season. So, it is with a bit of sadness and yet relief that I finally confess –
Brett Favre, hold on for one more season. You’ve got yourself a fan!
“Do you have any favorite sports teams?” I asked.
“Mm. No. I watched the Steelers growing up, (because of a friend) and I watch the Red Sox (because of his brother in law).”
It got me thinking. For the past 8 years, I’ve been a Vikings Fan. I’ve cheered their wins and cried at their losses (ok, not really, but I’ve been really bummed!). I’ve long worn the Moss jersey with pride and have argued with those who would defame his name (The Madre stands right behind me on that one.)
But I’ve grown weary. Weary of the bickering, weary of the losses. I do love The Culpepper, and will always love him, but I just can’t do it another season. So, it is with a bit of sadness and yet relief that I finally confess –
Brett Favre, hold on for one more season. You’ve got yourself a fan!
Friday Photo - 'Bama is Beautiful, N'est Pas?
Little Shoe Girl took this. I stole it. Just like what I'm going to do to her new camera when she comes home. And no comments about Commandments 8 and 10! :)
Wednesday, March 30
Tuesday Quote on Wednesday
"Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives."
- Henri Nouwen
I'd add that God's faithfulness is shown by his eternal and unchanging promises and characteristics. Therefore, "returning to God's faithful presence" doesn't simply mean thinking that God is with us so that we have a shallow acceptance of his walking with us as would a buddy (i.e. "God is my co-pilot, Footprints in the sand") But rather as we would dig down into the dirt and ground of faith, we find a granite rock, mountainous in nature, able to withstand any buffetting storm.
It's Tuesd- I mean, Wednesday
It's Wednesday. I've completely forgotten the days of the week, because of our lovely 4 day weekend. So, it feels like a Tuesday, and thereby requires me to find a quote. So, today I'll think of a quote and post it. Can't have a week without a quote and a picture. Although the picture was very close to not happening last week! God provides all things. :D Even when you roll out of bed, walk up the stairs, say Hi to Divine Miss M, sit there for a while feeling just a tad bit guilty that she's blogging, and you're just sitting, go back to your room, get your phone, take a picture you're sure will pret-ty.much.suck and then post it. I'm a cheap blogger. None the less, God provides all things! :)
A few things I've noticed as I read my blogs
~Everyone, myself included, seems to not really know what to blog about. Except for Dooce, who makes the mundane seem interesting and funny.
~3 out of 10 blogs I read have writers on hiatus. This KILLS me.
Ok, so it was two. two things I noticed.
And finally, today was the last day I got to do this. I'm hoping that my 10 weeks of Wednesday coffees (ok, so it feels like a Tuesday, but I still got my Wednesday coffee? I guess that shows you seperation from my coffee knows no excuses based on screwed-up-week feelings) won't cause a withdrawal requiring the extra cash each week. I think I'm enough of a Presbyterian skin-flint to not walk down that road of coffee destruction, but I will still very much miss my Wednesday Coffees.
If the temptation is just too much to bear, I'll simply remind myself that the more I drink coffee, the longer it will be before I can buy a house. Perspective, baby.
Perspective.
A few things I've noticed as I read my blogs
~Everyone, myself included, seems to not really know what to blog about. Except for Dooce, who makes the mundane seem interesting and funny.
~3 out of 10 blogs I read have writers on hiatus. This KILLS me.
Ok, so it was two. two things I noticed.
And finally, today was the last day I got to do this. I'm hoping that my 10 weeks of Wednesday coffees (ok, so it feels like a Tuesday, but I still got my Wednesday coffee? I guess that shows you seperation from my coffee knows no excuses based on screwed-up-week feelings) won't cause a withdrawal requiring the extra cash each week. I think I'm enough of a Presbyterian skin-flint to not walk down that road of coffee destruction, but I will still very much miss my Wednesday Coffees.
If the temptation is just too much to bear, I'll simply remind myself that the more I drink coffee, the longer it will be before I can buy a house. Perspective, baby.
Perspective.
Sunday, March 27
Strange things about me
On a 45 minute drive to my aunt's house, I took two Bibles, three books (two non-, one fiction) and a legal pad, because I wans't sure if I wanted to read a book, the Bible or write a blog on the way up to Easter dinner.
I stared out the window on the way up, and drove on the way back. I'm really glad I took so much.
I stared out the window on the way up, and drove on the way back. I'm really glad I took so much.
Friday, March 25
What a Beautiful Day
Well, it's four days off from both jobs - Sleeping in, long showers, Lazy mornings. Divine Miss M has a trademark on these days. I'm not sure there's anyone in the world who does a better job at enjoying these, so I call them "M mornings." She's presently home, so we're heading out to lunch today.
As I looked outside at the quickly fading snow, I thought, "What a great Day! Sunshine and snow...so beautiful!" Then I thought about what day it is. I have today off because it's Good Friday. Today is our rememberance of the day that Christ suffered.
And last night, I had a hit-close-to-home opportunity to see just WHY he suffered. In my own pride and "must have it this way" I began a diatribe to myself of "Oh, what I just wouldn't say if...!" I planned my sin.
I planned my own sin. What a horrible thing to do, and yet it struck me how easy it was. Likely the only reason it struck me was that I was sitting there sinning and planning sin 30 SECONDS before I went to God to spend time with him (I do devotions at night.)
And so it came home: What a great God we have. What an amazing Savior. Because those things I was letting spill out of my heart and mouth, those were the very things that sent and kept Christ on that cross. I can't assuage my guilt by saying "he was dying for a lot of people." No, he was there for me. And that is a humbling, wonderful and terrifying thing to think about.
But his suffering and death is the very thing that allows me to look out on this day and think, "I'm going to lunch with one of the best friends a girl could have, enjoying the wet, bright day, looking forward to the time I can thank God for sending Jesus, along with my brothers, sisters and family tonight."
What a Beautiful Day.
As I looked outside at the quickly fading snow, I thought, "What a great Day! Sunshine and snow...so beautiful!" Then I thought about what day it is. I have today off because it's Good Friday. Today is our rememberance of the day that Christ suffered.
And last night, I had a hit-close-to-home opportunity to see just WHY he suffered. In my own pride and "must have it this way" I began a diatribe to myself of "Oh, what I just wouldn't say if...!" I planned my sin.
I planned my own sin. What a horrible thing to do, and yet it struck me how easy it was. Likely the only reason it struck me was that I was sitting there sinning and planning sin 30 SECONDS before I went to God to spend time with him (I do devotions at night.)
And so it came home: What a great God we have. What an amazing Savior. Because those things I was letting spill out of my heart and mouth, those were the very things that sent and kept Christ on that cross. I can't assuage my guilt by saying "he was dying for a lot of people." No, he was there for me. And that is a humbling, wonderful and terrifying thing to think about.
But his suffering and death is the very thing that allows me to look out on this day and think, "I'm going to lunch with one of the best friends a girl could have, enjoying the wet, bright day, looking forward to the time I can thank God for sending Jesus, along with my brothers, sisters and family tonight."
What a Beautiful Day.
Thursday, March 24
Toby background Info
The Washington Post reports on our fav little bunny wabbit. (Sorry if you have to register. I didn't, so hopefully you don't either.)
This is not the first send-money-or-Fluffy-gets-it scheme in history. What's certain is that a) whoever runs this site owns a very cute bunny, b) the site is selling more than 90 Toby-related products and c) thanks to some careful planning, the identity of the bunny's keepers is a well-kept secret.
Oh, and d) some animal-rights people are really really peeved.
Wednesday, March 23
Different Stars and memories
Last night, my mom and I watched the first session of John Piper teaching/exhorting the teens at Bethlehem. I worked with the high schoolers for a year when I was in Mpls, and in my present job I work with that church quite often. So, I was the glad recipiant of this DVD - it makes me thankful that there are christians that remember their sisters/brothers and send 'em stuff.
Pastor John was telling the kids that when he opens up the first Bible he owned, which he had with him, he can see his room - the bunkbed, the light, the color of the bedcover, etc. As he held the book to his face and closed his eyes, you knew he was transported to a different time.
For me, it's a song. Well, the songs on "Different Stars" by a group called Trespassers William. When I hear the haunting melodies they create so well, I'm instantly brought back to my apartment in Minneapolis. The glow of the candles off the light hardwood floor, the coolness of the plants all around, the shine of the 14 windows. The feeling of peace, aloneness, time passing, and of clean - I'd always sit and stare for hours, in my turn-of-the-century apartment, listening to the cd, after cleaning. Shutting off all the lights, sitting askew on my small couch.
Just thinking and being.
Pastor John was telling the kids that when he opens up the first Bible he owned, which he had with him, he can see his room - the bunkbed, the light, the color of the bedcover, etc. As he held the book to his face and closed his eyes, you knew he was transported to a different time.
For me, it's a song. Well, the songs on "Different Stars" by a group called Trespassers William. When I hear the haunting melodies they create so well, I'm instantly brought back to my apartment in Minneapolis. The glow of the candles off the light hardwood floor, the coolness of the plants all around, the shine of the 14 windows. The feeling of peace, aloneness, time passing, and of clean - I'd always sit and stare for hours, in my turn-of-the-century apartment, listening to the cd, after cleaning. Shutting off all the lights, sitting askew on my small couch.
Just thinking and being.
Tuesday, March 22
Tuesday's Quote
A celebrity is anyone who looks like he spends more than two hours working on his hair.
Steve Martin
Monday, March 21
Thanks, Anne
{Sincere thanks to Anne (Palm Tree Pundit) for keeping this on my radar.}
Something I generally haven't really expressed on this blog is legitimate outrage. This post doesn't count, because I tend to use "outrage" or venting as a way to humor.
In the following case, I am not being funny.
What is going on with Terri Schiavo's situation is absolutely horrifying. To have someone loved, but to have one person in the world be able to treat her with neglect and literally call for her death (with very sketchy reasons other than "She didn't want to live this way, but never really said it to anyone but me") and have some in the public and judges agree -
ugh. Consider me shuddering.
The bottom line in my thinking is this: No, this woman will not contribute anything to society. But we as a society will be judged according to how we treat the very weakest among us.
We are called to higher standard. We're called to act as compassionate followers of the King.
Something I generally haven't really expressed on this blog is legitimate outrage. This post doesn't count, because I tend to use "outrage" or venting as a way to humor.
In the following case, I am not being funny.
What is going on with Terri Schiavo's situation is absolutely horrifying. To have someone loved, but to have one person in the world be able to treat her with neglect and literally call for her death (with very sketchy reasons other than "She didn't want to live this way, but never really said it to anyone but me") and have some in the public and judges agree -
ugh. Consider me shuddering.
The bottom line in my thinking is this: No, this woman will not contribute anything to society. But we as a society will be judged according to how we treat the very weakest among us.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
We are called to higher standard. We're called to act as compassionate followers of the King.
Reaching a whole new low
Ains: See that's no good. Now he has to pay for all those vowels.
Madre: No, you only pay once for all of the letters that come up.
Ains: Oh, so that's not so bad.
Madre: {watches TV} See, that's why you shouldn't even really try on the long ones.
Ains: Why?
Madre: Well, you have to get so many letters, then you've got bankrupts, lose-a-turn. It's more likely that you'll spend all the time getting all the letters, but not get a chance to solve it.
Ains:...Mom. We're analyzing Wheel of Fortune. This is a whole new low.
Madre: You're not going to blog this, are you?
Madre: No, you only pay once for all of the letters that come up.
Ains: Oh, so that's not so bad.
Madre: {watches TV} See, that's why you shouldn't even really try on the long ones.
Ains: Why?
Madre: Well, you have to get so many letters, then you've got bankrupts, lose-a-turn. It's more likely that you'll spend all the time getting all the letters, but not get a chance to solve it.
Ains:...Mom. We're analyzing Wheel of Fortune. This is a whole new low.
Madre: You're not going to blog this, are you?
Thursday, March 17
Little Shoe Girl comes through
Part of the end of a very helpful email:
For this is our God for ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48:14
For this is our God for ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48:14
Wednesday, March 16
Why can't I find any sad songs??
I'm sad.
It's pretty rare that I'm sad, actually. Usually I feel other emotions, other than pure, unadulterated sadness. Actually, to be completely honest, I'm usually angry, not sad. I get irritated, irrational. In the past, when I've broken up with boyfriends I either look down apon them and are relieved we're over or I'm just. miserable. The shaking, heaving kind of crying. Usually I cry.
So today's experience is almost a new emotion for me. I'm somber, morose.
I believe it's the hope that God is in this too, that he is all powerful to work his will that keeps me from dispairing. Paired with the knowledge that we haven't experienced the final ax to our relationship.
The sadness isn't absent, though. I think of the last few weeks and really, I've enjoyed a person so much. I just know that if we part, it's best that we not continue even a friendship, because ...doing that usually results in confusion or false hope on one side or the other. That's what really saddens me. Makes my heart ache a little.
It's pretty rare that I'm sad, actually. Usually I feel other emotions, other than pure, unadulterated sadness. Actually, to be completely honest, I'm usually angry, not sad. I get irritated, irrational. In the past, when I've broken up with boyfriends I either look down apon them and are relieved we're over or I'm just. miserable. The shaking, heaving kind of crying. Usually I cry.
So today's experience is almost a new emotion for me. I'm somber, morose.
I believe it's the hope that God is in this too, that he is all powerful to work his will that keeps me from dispairing. Paired with the knowledge that we haven't experienced the final ax to our relationship.
The sadness isn't absent, though. I think of the last few weeks and really, I've enjoyed a person so much. I just know that if we part, it's best that we not continue even a friendship, because ...doing that usually results in confusion or false hope on one side or the other. That's what really saddens me. Makes my heart ache a little.
Monday, March 14
Tuesday Quote
My eighth grade year, I helped my mom teach pre-school Sunday School (4 and 5 year olds). Madre and I'll still think on this moment every now and again with amazement.
Madre: (Teaching on praise) "Why do we worship God?"
~Silence~
5 year old girl: "Because if we don't, the rocks will."
Madre: (Teaching on praise) "Why do we worship God?"
~Silence~
5 year old girl: "Because if we don't, the rocks will."
uh oh.
Palm Tree Pundit just grouped me with witty women. Gosh, the pressure!
No, really -Thanks PTP! :)
To be fair, I was just thinking that I see my blog changing by the influences of those blogs I read. Truly an iron sharpens iron thing. I read Divine Miss M's blog every day and every now and again I'm inspired to write more serious posts, reflective of our conversations. Then I read Banty Rooster and realize I have nothing on this guy that I've know for practically all of my life (He's actually one of two people that I remember from my first church memory). Also, his passion for politics reminds me of that person I was - unwavering republican girl in MN. I read PTP and think I need to read more. Because the quotes are Just. So. Good! I go over to See Life Differently and....get made fun of. :) No, I stretch my mind, realizing that the beauty of their blog is that the very depth of Christianity is made practical and applicable and challenging.
And no comments on Dooce. ;) She's an talented (if moderately crude) writer and humor is the most difficult medium.
Everyone on my blog roll is chosen specifically. (In true reformed tradition!) They all are influencing and challenging me - to make my true heart - my soul's expression - be truer to God's heart.
Except Dooce ;)
No, really -Thanks PTP! :)
To be fair, I was just thinking that I see my blog changing by the influences of those blogs I read. Truly an iron sharpens iron thing. I read Divine Miss M's blog every day and every now and again I'm inspired to write more serious posts, reflective of our conversations. Then I read Banty Rooster and realize I have nothing on this guy that I've know for practically all of my life (He's actually one of two people that I remember from my first church memory). Also, his passion for politics reminds me of that person I was - unwavering republican girl in MN. I read PTP and think I need to read more. Because the quotes are Just. So. Good! I go over to See Life Differently and....get made fun of. :) No, I stretch my mind, realizing that the beauty of their blog is that the very depth of Christianity is made practical and applicable and challenging.
And no comments on Dooce. ;) She's an talented (if moderately crude) writer and humor is the most difficult medium.
Everyone on my blog roll is chosen specifically. (In true reformed tradition!) They all are influencing and challenging me - to make my true heart - my soul's expression - be truer to God's heart.
Except Dooce ;)
All the world needs is.....Love?
Pretty soon, all I'll be doing is linking to See Life Differently or Banty Rooster. Both are so good.
What's wrong with the World?
What's wrong with the World?
Sunday, March 13
oh, so tired
Good night guys. I thought I would blog quickly, mostly to give you something to read :)
Tomorrow our pastor is speaking on tongues (as opposed as "in." :) We are Presbyterian, after all!) I'm looking forward to it, because I know what I believe, but I need a bit more fleshing out and scripture cross reference, which he is always so excellent at giving.
Ghetto Phone Boy is a bummed, and our family along with him - the high school boys basketball team came in second in the state. In other words, we lost the championship game. And there were some terrible calls, but for the most part, the guys just lost their shot. So very disappointing. GPB is one of the assistant coaches.
I'm listening to Amazon's clips of Cinderella. I don't own the movie or the soundtrack, but my parents do. To be honest, I probably haven't watched it as much as other little girls, but it's amazing how the soundtrack can bring the images right up.
I'm toast. I'm heading to bed. Blessings to you all.
Tomorrow our pastor is speaking on tongues (as opposed as "in." :) We are Presbyterian, after all!) I'm looking forward to it, because I know what I believe, but I need a bit more fleshing out and scripture cross reference, which he is always so excellent at giving.
Ghetto Phone Boy is a bummed, and our family along with him - the high school boys basketball team came in second in the state. In other words, we lost the championship game. And there were some terrible calls, but for the most part, the guys just lost their shot. So very disappointing. GPB is one of the assistant coaches.
I'm listening to Amazon's clips of Cinderella. I don't own the movie or the soundtrack, but my parents do. To be honest, I probably haven't watched it as much as other little girls, but it's amazing how the soundtrack can bring the images right up.
I'm toast. I'm heading to bed. Blessings to you all.
Friday, March 11
Which song should I sing?
I now look 'like' Mandy Moore.
No, really. See, my friend iTones used to say that I looked like Natalie Portman (and with the light brown hair with blondish highlights, which I’ve sported off and on for a long time, I guess I could see it. I always looked at Natalie’s smile and thought, “naaawww.”) Now iTones? She looks EXACTLY like Minnie Driver and hears that all the time.
Anyway, I always do a last ditch, “hmmm, should I do something that is REALLY different” before I get my hair done/cut. Usually I’m a wuss and so I come up empty and do something that isn’t very drastic. The Eternal Hairstylist was usually able to do something a bit different with my hair each cut when we lived in the same city, but since moving back to the hometown, she doesn’t get to mess with my hair anymore.
My current Hairstylist (wow. It’s scarily similar to talking about boyfriends.) is a friend from high school who has just enough funkiness in her own life to make mine pretty interesting. But she also is conscientious of me and my style so she usually is more conservative than T.E.H.
Well, my undoing was an ad from…oh, who knows. Some hair-dye producer – specifically for highlights.
Ains: What do you think of That? {points to hairmodel}
B: I like it.
Ains: Well, I have this, pretty much {Points to other model in ad}, and I don’t want to go this blond until summer {third model gets poked in the eye}, so what do you think?
B: We should do it.
Ains: {Evil Laugh} mweh heh. He did tell me not to let you screw with my hair.
B: Is he here? No. And he has that kind of authority after 2 weeks, huh? {both laugh evilly}
Ains: Not until he gets me some really old sparkly carbon.
And then, we dissolved into hysterical laughter.
Actually, I don’t think we’ve ever laughed so much or so hard during a haircut. It was a blast.
But this morning, I shocked myself when I looked in the mirror. I’ve got a medicine cabinet that is hinged in three places, so the mirror can be a little off kilter if I leave one of the doors a bit open. I kept on glancing in the mirror and going, “Who do I LOOK like?” it was weird, because I’ve never glimpsed myself and gone, “that looks like SOMEBODY” (besides me, of course).
So this is as "close" as some of you get to finding out what I look like (I look at it, and look at the actual 'color' photo above, and I don't look like her. But anyway...) I’ll post a picture of Natalie Portman when I go back to light brown/blonde. (Cause, ya know, Natalie Portman looks JUST like Mandy Moore.)
Friday Photo
Getting my car clean - the colors were much more diverse, but I guess my little camera phone didn't have the ability to pick it all up.
Thursday, March 10
oh....good stuff!
From Jeff Foxworthy:
....You might be a redneck.
ETA: Don't you love it when you spell something wrong, and then Blogger basically crashes, so for hours people think you're an idiot? Yeah, I do too.
If you've got a complete set of salad bowls that all say "Cooool Whip" on the side.....
....You might be a redneck.
ETA: Don't you love it when you spell something wrong, and then Blogger basically crashes, so for hours people think you're an idiot? Yeah, I do too.
Confucius say:
Clunky boots, long skirt and very full coffee cup makest not for clean walking.
Your lucky dates this month are 4, 7, and 32.
Your lucky dates this month are 4, 7, and 32.
Fitting In
Divine Miss M comments on “The Swan” at See Life Differently. She told me a while back about the show and her disgust (which I shared, after hearing the story). She takes a different approach in her post, but I thought I’d comment on the same subject.
The Madre and I were talking last Sunday about something - most likely it was about our church. We love our local church. Literally love the people in it so much. One of the things that we love (and laugh a bit) about is that everyone there is crazy. Crazy in a good way, but I sometimes think that the 350 of most creatively quirky people on earth go to our church.
I raise my hand in complete knowledge and am proud to say that I, too, am part of that crowd, and as such, can be described along with them.
And it’s the quirks and strangeness of my brothers and sisters that we have grown to love. A good word to use would be their “uniqueness” (which, in fact, IS a word, according to Dictionary.com).
In visiting other churches as of late, what really has struck home is how our church is SO not the “popular crowd” of Christianity. I feel like we are the ones that are on the outside of the crowd with our face in a huge book, looking up every now and again at the “good kid crowd” who don’t drink or smoke or do drugs, but are fairly bland. And the fairly bland look at us with consternation, thinking that if we’d only do a bit of this or try to fit in “we could win so many for Christ!” If they’re the popular crowd, we’re the Misfits in Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer (ha! And are we EVER! and being just fine with it, too.)
But what they miss is the ministry to the little kid in the corner, suffering so palpably that it shows on his face and in every action.
Ok, so how does this tie together with “The Swan”? Well, I’m not sure it exactly does, but it kinda does. The final thing Madre and I discussed is that The Swan is so emblematic of the world and it’s theology: “Hey! You’re unhappy? Well, we’ll make you LOOK better and then you’ll FEEL better. If you only have popularity, you’ll be fine. And you can be unique, too. As long as by unique you mean, “Look exactly the same.”
Isn’t it interesting that in trying to fit in, be well-thought-of, even “win others for Christ,” we assume the philosophy that we have to look exactly the same?
And isn’t it more interesting how God within his good plan made us so thoroughly unique, down to our very fingertips?
The Madre and I were talking last Sunday about something - most likely it was about our church. We love our local church. Literally love the people in it so much. One of the things that we love (and laugh a bit) about is that everyone there is crazy. Crazy in a good way, but I sometimes think that the 350 of most creatively quirky people on earth go to our church.
I raise my hand in complete knowledge and am proud to say that I, too, am part of that crowd, and as such, can be described along with them.
And it’s the quirks and strangeness of my brothers and sisters that we have grown to love. A good word to use would be their “uniqueness” (which, in fact, IS a word, according to Dictionary.com).
In visiting other churches as of late, what really has struck home is how our church is SO not the “popular crowd” of Christianity. I feel like we are the ones that are on the outside of the crowd with our face in a huge book, looking up every now and again at the “good kid crowd” who don’t drink or smoke or do drugs, but are fairly bland. And the fairly bland look at us with consternation, thinking that if we’d only do a bit of this or try to fit in “we could win so many for Christ!” If they’re the popular crowd, we’re the Misfits in Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer (ha! And are we EVER! and being just fine with it, too.)
But what they miss is the ministry to the little kid in the corner, suffering so palpably that it shows on his face and in every action.
Ok, so how does this tie together with “The Swan”? Well, I’m not sure it exactly does, but it kinda does. The final thing Madre and I discussed is that The Swan is so emblematic of the world and it’s theology: “Hey! You’re unhappy? Well, we’ll make you LOOK better and then you’ll FEEL better. If you only have popularity, you’ll be fine. And you can be unique, too. As long as by unique you mean, “Look exactly the same.”
Isn’t it interesting that in trying to fit in, be well-thought-of, even “win others for Christ,” we assume the philosophy that we have to look exactly the same?
And isn’t it more interesting how God within his good plan made us so thoroughly unique, down to our very fingertips?
Wednesday, March 9
Whoh! (I literally said that out loud)
Banty Rooster shows once again that he's one of the best writers I know.
The punchline (and it packs a punch) likely isn't as good if you don't read the entire post, but it's short. And worthwhile.
And for the heck of it, I'm going to post the punchline, anyway. But read his post!
(re: Social Security)
The punchline (and it packs a punch) likely isn't as good if you don't read the entire post, but it's short. And worthwhile.
And for the heck of it, I'm going to post the punchline, anyway. But read his post!
(re: Social Security)
If real wealth invested at a fair rate of return isn't better than phantom wealth based on a government promise, then you must be a liberal.
~Banty Rooster
Tuesday, March 8
Tuesday's Quote
I just realized that the last 4 days flew by WAY too fast, and that it being Tuesday, it means that it is time for a quote.
So here we go -
Comments on that are welcome - I'm interested to see what you think!
So here we go -
The conception of two people living together for twenty-five years without having a cross word suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep.
~Alan Patrick Herbert
Comments on that are welcome - I'm interested to see what you think!
Busy, Busy, Life is Busy
I stole that title from Divine Miss M. Or at least a modified version of it.
Life IS busy. Last week, Little Shoe Girl was at college, and my "landlords" were in town. This week, I'm housesitting, spending time with the family because Little Shoe Girl is home.
I feel bad that I haven't blogged for a while, but I'm not especially funny or interesting, because I'm just too tired. And I'm fighting a bad mood.
I don't know how many people in America actually FIGHT a bad mood. Mine come on predictably, which is why I'm fighting it. I know from whence it came. But there it is, a sour note right under the surface, coloring all that occurs around me for the worse. I have to look for little things to get me a bit up - the fact that I got into work early, or that LSG is home (she give great hugs) or that we made Cheesebuttons last night, which in our family is almost as big a deal as Christmas. (It should be noted that, unlike those in that link, we don't serve sausage with them because my grandparents are Catholic and would make these as a meal for Lent. In addition to boiling them, we fry them. Because we're American ;) )
So anyway, off I go to work. I'll just have to pray about my attitude.
Life IS busy. Last week, Little Shoe Girl was at college, and my "landlords" were in town. This week, I'm housesitting, spending time with the family because Little Shoe Girl is home.
I feel bad that I haven't blogged for a while, but I'm not especially funny or interesting, because I'm just too tired. And I'm fighting a bad mood.
I don't know how many people in America actually FIGHT a bad mood. Mine come on predictably, which is why I'm fighting it. I know from whence it came. But there it is, a sour note right under the surface, coloring all that occurs around me for the worse. I have to look for little things to get me a bit up - the fact that I got into work early, or that LSG is home (she give great hugs) or that we made Cheesebuttons last night, which in our family is almost as big a deal as Christmas. (It should be noted that, unlike those in that link, we don't serve sausage with them because my grandparents are Catholic and would make these as a meal for Lent. In addition to boiling them, we fry them. Because we're American ;) )
So anyway, off I go to work. I'll just have to pray about my attitude.
Thursday, March 3
Crazy like a Fox.
I drive me crazy. Cross-eyed crazy.
I’m so a compulsive doodler. And yet, I’m so type-A-need-things-neat-or-so-I-say-to-myself-to-live-up-to-some-unattainable-standard. (Unattainable because I’m not even sure what I’m talking about.)
Anyway, in planning events I have to call a lot of hotels. And I tend to write and doodle all over the page that also contains information and notes that I need about each event.
This particular page is incredibly bad. You can tell how long it took me to book a good hotel by the amount of “AINSLEYainsleyainsleyAinsleys” all over the page. Part of my doodling is because of a BAD, BAD habit I picked up in 6th grade Math Class – practicing my signature. Back then I used to pair it with the last name of whomever I had a crush on. I’ve since stopped THAT particular part of the doodling practice, because in my whole-hearted submission to reformed theology, I feel like I’m jinxing things when I practice his name along with mine. Yup. Calvinist at heart. That’s me. I’m also REALLY good at math.
Anyway, I’ve had to spend the last 2 days staring at a page full of doodles and scribbles, notes and blacking our logo over and over and OVER AND OVER again.
It makes me dizzy.
I’m so a compulsive doodler. And yet, I’m so type-A-need-things-neat-or-so-I-say-to-myself-to-live-up-to-some-unattainable-standard. (Unattainable because I’m not even sure what I’m talking about.)
Anyway, in planning events I have to call a lot of hotels. And I tend to write and doodle all over the page that also contains information and notes that I need about each event.
This particular page is incredibly bad. You can tell how long it took me to book a good hotel by the amount of “AINSLEYainsleyainsleyAinsleys” all over the page. Part of my doodling is because of a BAD, BAD habit I picked up in 6th grade Math Class – practicing my signature. Back then I used to pair it with the last name of whomever I had a crush on. I’ve since stopped THAT particular part of the doodling practice, because in my whole-hearted submission to reformed theology, I feel like I’m jinxing things when I practice his name along with mine. Yup. Calvinist at heart. That’s me. I’m also REALLY good at math.
Anyway, I’ve had to spend the last 2 days staring at a page full of doodles and scribbles, notes and blacking our logo over and over and OVER AND OVER again.
It makes me dizzy.
New...Something. There's something new! On the Side Bar!
I added a post of mine to the sidebar – “Who ARE these people?” I thought that my reason for nicknames was probably obvious, but I do have some regular readers who may not know the people of whom I speak. And it was fun.
If you’re wondering why you didn’t read the post on the 26th, when it says I posted, it’s because the 26th was when I wrote it. It’s long, and I suppose most people wouldn’t have made it through had it been posted as is.
Also, I figured out a long time ago how to get those little bullet things to disappear. I don’t like the one that is presently there, but this weekend I’ll try to go line by line on my template and get it removed. If you’re a computer genius and want to do that FOR me, and tell me how to delete it, the template I’m using is Mr. Moto (obviously manipulated a bit).
If you’re wondering why you didn’t read the post on the 26th, when it says I posted, it’s because the 26th was when I wrote it. It’s long, and I suppose most people wouldn’t have made it through had it been posted as is.
Also, I figured out a long time ago how to get those little bullet things to disappear. I don’t like the one that is presently there, but this weekend I’ll try to go line by line on my template and get it removed. If you’re a computer genius and want to do that FOR me, and tell me how to delete it, the template I’m using is Mr. Moto (obviously manipulated a bit).
Added: Hey, I changed some stuff. You'll likely not care that much, but I thought I'd let you know, all the same.
WELCOME HOME LITTLE SHOE GIRL!
Ok, It's a little early. Like, she won't be home until Thursday at about 10 pm, but we are SO looking forward to it.
Mostly I'm selfishly looking forward to her meeting The-Artist-Formerly-Known-as-New-Guy and giving me her take on him, us, everything.
(Being as she just mentioned that she's happy I'm dating him because now she and Ghetto Phone Boy have less pressure on them, I'm sure she'll like him. For who he is, of course!)
By the way, I saw someone on some program (The Apprentice?) that had a shirt "Will work for Shoes." I really should just buy it for her, and not blog about it. Eh. Oh well. Now you know, LSG. ;) It's only a matter of time.
Mostly I'm selfishly looking forward to her meeting The-Artist-Formerly-Known-as-New-Guy and giving me her take on him, us, everything.
(Being as she just mentioned that she's happy I'm dating him because now she and Ghetto Phone Boy have less pressure on them, I'm sure she'll like him. For who he is, of course!)
By the way, I saw someone on some program (The Apprentice?) that had a shirt "Will work for Shoes." I really should just buy it for her, and not blog about it. Eh. Oh well. Now you know, LSG. ;) It's only a matter of time.
Wednesday, March 2
You should read this
You know it's good when I stop halfway through to post the link on my blog.
Read the rest here.
"Celebrating" our weaknesses is not wallowing in our misery; it's knowing that this is a gracious way that God is pointing us back to himself. It's how God empties us of our selfish delusions and points us to his plans for our life. Like the quote that I posted about suffering last week, if we didn't have these weaknesses, we would quickly become conceited and forget that we are eternal beings.
~Divine Miss M
Read the rest here.
Tuesday, March 1
Tuesday Quotes (Back to Coffee)
"I believe humans get a lot done, not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee."
~Flash Rosenberg
"If it weren't for the coffee, I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever."
~David Letterman
Sunshine and Spring
Our Boss (the president) has an assistant who does EVERYTHING well. Here is her cheer donation for the ladies at work.
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