And It's April... A Time line

Right after Spring Break, classes hit pretty hard, because we all realized (including our instructors) that with the Easter Break right on the heels of our Spring Break, we had limited time to read the numbers of books, write the papers and study for the tests.

The week before Easter, Madre and I were talking and found out that there was a very reasonable fare for me to get home. We snatched it up.

I thought about posting on this blog maybe a thousand times, but I wanted to surprise the Barrie Kids and my Sunday School kids with my return, and get big hugs, so I kept my flight plans a secret.

I had a great time seeing "my Kids." (Thanks to Kristin for the photo!)

Easter afternoon, we visited my grandmother in the nursing home. She had surgery a few weeks before, and was not doing well, and did not rouse from sleep when we visited. By Easter Monday, the nurses were telling us (without telling us explicitly) that she wouldn't make it much longer.

I had my return flight on Tuesday morning at 11. At 9:07, my grandmother passed into eternity. I sped up to the airport, and changed my return ticket so I came back to Cov yesterday.

Funerals are a lot - emotionally, physically and work-wise - and I'm very glad that the Lord provided some very incredible situations to allow me to stay home and be with my family during this time. Not the least miracle was the original ticket home, because I planned to visit my college friends in MN and WI during Easter, and had also planned a speaking opportunity that week in MN.

The Lord is Sovereign, indeed.

I'm now back in St. L, and finished a bit of homework. Back to reading.

Spring Break

Spring Break is really good for sleeping in. I'd like to say that I was up with the dawn each day, but I have been up so late (both at night and in the morning), in my former working-at-a-job life, I'd have been ashamed.

Spring break is good for working at a job. A job is good for making money. Money is good because then you can eat!

Spring break is great for finding new music. I realized yesterday that grad students can go exactly 1.5 hours interacting with one another over breakfast before breaking out the laptops to discuss something they found online, talk about music or burn time on Facebook.

Spring Break is not good for getting books read or homework done. If you're me. My friends are doing a better job than I am!

Spring Break is really good for introspection and time with God. He's taught me a lot of hard lessons this week, but he's also provided great friends with which to walk through those lessons.

Spring Break has been really good for the coffee consumption.

And Spring Break will be done in two more days.

You Know it's good

When a scene of Lost makes you cover your mouth - which has dropped open - and utter a muffled "OHMYGOSHHOLYCOW!"

Reconciliation

You would think that, after working for Peacemaker Ministries for 4 years, I would be able to dispatch conflict pretty quickly. This last week showed that I'm just as much of a sinner and conflict troublemaker as I ever was.

This past week was full of stresses. Many, many stresses and I didn't particularly feel like dealing with one of them. That particular stress, or the situation rather, really became the focal point of my bad attitude.

You see, I'm pretty good at dealing with conflict where an actual argument or difference of opinion occurs. The kind of conflict that happens that's more subtle? More about irritation and avoiding? That kind of conflict I am just horrible at dealing with. I'd rather flee, run away, take flight.

Which is what I did. Thankfully, we dealt with it last night, and this morning, I feel SO much better. 1,000 times better. I thought that I was avoiding something that was going to be hard and painful and difficult. Instead, I was putting myself through a HUGE amount of tension and frustration while not dealing with the conflict.

So, once again, the Lord has shown me where I don't have all of my peacemaking ducks in a row. But, he is still faithful still to teach me and walk with me, even when I'm not taking the most spiritually mature attitude.

Lost Quotes

"Let's get this car started...Let's look death in the face and say, 'Whatever, man." Let's make our own luck."

Hurley

The day I changed my mind about Jack Black

Last night, Jack Black and Will Ferrell cracked me up at the 2007 Oscars. And then, when I was looking for their mini-musical from last night, I found this one, from a couple of years ago - when I actually watched the Oscars (surprising that I saw that one, because it's not a yearly thing for me). Enjoy both of them, especially if you like watching a small roast of Hollywood.



"Del Taco"



2007 Medley



And just in case you love this clip like I do...
"And the legend of the Rent was way Hardcore"

New Review: Amazing Grace

It's up over at My Movie Blog.

What a change

One of my classmates just mentioned that he couldn't believe that it was a week ago that classes were cancelled because of the snow and ice. It was 10 degrees, and we were all so happy to stay indoors, studying and having a good time sharing meals and watching a little American Idol that night.

Forward to today - 60 degrees for the high- and I've sat out on the porch since a quarter to 1 (it's now quarter to 5) reading my Gospel of John homework and creating flashcards for my quiz tomorrow.

As I sit here, I can see the rush hour traffic making it's way south, and just through the trees, the freeway sign for South 270 to Tulsa and Memphis is visible. I realized how far from home I was just then. Signs to Tulsa? Memphis? I'm a ways from home.

Tonight we'll catch the rest of Idol and take in a little bit of Lost, which always includes the group of 20 or so yelling at the TV. The amount of TV this night requires studying those previously mentioned flashcards during the commercial breaks.

Otherwise, it's been just about a perfect day - lots of people walking by, lots of reading, while listening to my favorite Molly Routson Collection CD. The sun is starting to dip behind the chapel steeple. Time to go inside!

Tuesday - Class Cancelled

An update for the Montana folk (as well as anyone else not in Missouri):
Well, I don't have classes on Tuesdays, but a major ice/snowstorm blowing through the area has everyone staying at home -- except the few students willing to go sledding (I'll try to snag a few pictures from my housemate).

When I got up this morning, it was raining pretty hard, and soon two of my housemates came back from class. The rain turned to sleet, and then to snow, and we decided it would only be fitting to have a real breakfast - coffee, eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes! We all chipped in what we had. Don't say the Bayer House Girls don't know how to do breakfast!

Molly and Rebecca from "up on the hill" came over and helped us eat up the rest of the chocolate chip pancakes (mmmm! chocolate in the morning!) and then they went up the row to go sledding with a couple other students.

So, the entire house is here, in the nice warmth (we're hoping the electricity doesn't go out) studying, drinking coffee or tea, and enjoying a nice, relaxing day (we're hoping the electricity doesn't go out). Off I go to study!

Today's Quote

We need to look to God each day ourselves, not assuming that somone else's place is where we should be, or that yesterday's pattern will be tomorrow's rule.

Dick Keyes, Beyond Identity

Hmm, there goes that intention

When I left Billings for StL, I thought I would have a greater drive to blog, mostly to keep people updated.

I still think of blogging things throughout the day, but jumping online and trying to post seems to be harder and harder.

I've also completed reading more books in the last three weeks than I have in the previous 3 months. So every time I'm ready to stop studying, I want to go straight to bed!

So far, I love my professors and my roommates. I was really blessed to be able to meet up with Dave Edling when he came through town. He, once again, was so faithful to spend time, give counsel and be a friend to me.

Here are a few pictures of my living conditions. Not too Shabby, if I do say so myself!

I also got word today that I am still scheduled to do a 3-day Chapel series on Peacemaking at my alma mater. Prayers would be greatly appreciated, since I'm a little fearful.












Front of the House













Back of the House


















Living Room











Edwards Hall. I have my counseling classes here. It was named for a supportive St. Louis family, who donated to the Presbyterian Church. Any connections, Billings Folk, to someone we know in Oregon?

The sadness of not receiving ESPN2

This is a great article - really well written, and funny- and reminds me how much I missed watching the Best Tennis Player Of All Time (there, I said it) take apart another well-meaning, but ineffectual player.

Parlez-vous francais, Monsieur Federer?

My Brother-In-Law definitely gets the hat-tip on this one.

Reading

When DMM was at seminary, I remember her mentioning reading. And reading. And reading some more. While I knew she was reading many books (usually simultaneously), now I think there's really nothing to prepare you for the number of books you'll consume as you're in Seminary.

The thing I've learned is that in grad school, 80 or 90% of the books you'll read, you'll want to read. It's a nice change from the reading hoop-jumping for the sake of the hoop-jumping that occurs in undergrad.

Anyway, I need to go finish another 100 or so pages in my "The Heart of Evangelism" text book (Very good book) and then read the gospel of John for a few hours.

Internet Explorer

I just realized that since the 22nd, (at least) my blog template has been completely off in Internet Explorer. Truth be told, I don't know what exactly to do with it. I'm sure I could figure it out eventually, but for the time being, I think it's easier for people just to download firefox. I'm kind of kidding, but for at least a little bit the Internet Explorer users are a) out of luck and b) probably won't know it, because the postings are all screwed up.

I definitely live with Girls

There are 29 candles lit right now in our home.

If you're wondering, there's a candelabra in the very, very pretty fireplace. It kinda looks like a creative thing from Real Simple.

I'm really, really glad my alternator went out

Last Monday I went to a Billings auto place to have my car looked over before we went on the trip down here to St. Louis. To my consternation, they informed me that the alternator wasn't performing right, and needed to be replaced. So, I dug into my savings that I put away for just this reason, and had it replaced.

Madre and I got on the road, and about two days later, as we were pulling into Rapid City, we heard a strange "Whirring" sound. I tried not to worry about it.

The next day, when it continued, we pulled over for some McDonalds and called the mechanic that replaced the alternator. He assured us that it couldn't be the alternator (not such great reassurance to me, because what else would go wrong?!), but I should have it checked out, and they would stand behind their work.

When we arrived in St. Louis, the first thing we did Saturday afternoon was take the car into Huey's Honda. We didn't tell the very nice guy, Randy, what I suspected (or hoped) it was, instead waiting for his unbiased opinion.

After turning it on, popping the hood, and a few minutes of Randy listening to parts of the car engine and...well, frankly parts I don't know even the names of...

"Did you have some work done on the alternator recently?"

(FLOODED with relief): "Yes."

Pause. "I think it's your alternator. I thought it might have been your water pump, but It's likely your alternator. When did you have the work done?"

"Monday."

"Yup. It's very likely it's the alternator."

We made plans for me to bring the car in on Tuesday and we left the parking lot. And the Battery light went on. I called Randy:

"The battery light just went on...Should I come back?"

"Yes! that means your alternator just went out. Bring it back in, and we'll get it done sooner than Tuesday."

A man of his word, the car was finished this morning at 10:30. I'm extremely grateful that Randy at Huey's Honda was there, that he was such a kind man, and that the Lord had that little alternator run for 3 more days before going out.

Meet me in...Oh, you get the idea

Well, besides utilizing overused cliches in a blog post, we're doing just fine in St. Louis. We arrived around 2:30 this afternoon, and I was in and "unpacked" within an hour or so. I say "unpacked" because I'm a big fan of those Rubbermaid containers, and most of my clothing has lived in some form of Rubbermaid for the last 6 years. Tomorrow, however, we go to Wally's World to get hangers. And other cheap stuff. The Billings contingent will be elated to know that Billings is, in fact, ahead of St. Louis, because we have a Super Wally World.

We had a wonderful dinner with Bruce, Sarah, Rosemary and Lydia Clark, and my (now inner) Sunday School Teacher once again received many hugs. Their kids are great!

Tomorrow I have Orientation and we're going to run some errands. AND try to get some really good barbecue.

Hello from I-o-way

Good morning - its about 7 am or so CST and we're just getting ready for our 3rd day on the road. Madre and I've been watching "24" with alternating delight and frustration. Most of my frustration is due to Jack Bauer refusal to abide by protocol. But, I guess that's the point of 24!

Yesterday was our longest day, logging 6.5 hours in the car - we listened to the entire "Wicked" Soundtrack at one point, but mostly we've been talking, or mom will read an article from World as I stare at the PLAIN states. (Definitely know why they named 'em that.)

We still have an ETA of Friday. To those of you who heard me say repeatedly "PLEASE pray for safe, dry roads," South Dakota was really good, but coming down into Iowa was a little more stressful. According to Weather.com, we only have and hour and a half (Omaha) before the roads clear up again. Please keep praying!

Packing like Mad

The last couple of days have been very busy. I thought I had everything ready to go last weekend, but oh, was I wrong! However, it is amazing how much you can get packed when a) your angelic sister helps (sometimes you just need someone to say, "Are you REALLY going to use that?") b) your brother is a genius at packing a car, and c) you just work really, really hard and clean like a crazy woman.

Madre and I are leaving today at about 10:30 Montana time, and intend on staying in Rapid City or Mitchell, SD.

Thanks to the Mattsons, we are REALLY looking forward to diving into the craze over '24'!

Love to everyone at Rocky, Peacemakers, and the Routson family. Many, Many thanks!

I'm hoping to post along the way, if we get into hotels with free wifi.

Good Quote

To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable.
- Oscar Wilde

They make 2000 miles look fun

Ok, maybe not fun, but MORE fun than my upcoming 1300 mile drive. (Except Madre and I are going to bring "24 season 1" with us, and catch up on the craze. What did I do before my computer and iPod?)

So, Here's my friend Naums and his main squeeze Laura; Naumy being the best editor in CA. And Director. And I'm not just saying that.




UPDATE: Hm. I tried watching it, and I guess YouTube or Blogger has a limit on space or length of video. Whatever. Anyway, if you're hooked by the time you got to McDonalds, Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl2gzqpalXI

Congrats, Little Shoe Girl!

Me, Grandpa and LSG















The Bride and Groom
















Maid of Honor (me :) ) and Best Man (BLB)




















Madre and Bride




































LSG and Her Covenant Friends (Without whom, the wedding decorations would NOT have happened, because they were so servant-hearted and worked SO Hard!)

More Wedding Photos

(Obviously, this will be the
"Christmas" Photo -- sent out late!)






























Pinning a corsage onto Joy's sweater

Day 18 - The disaster before the move

1:30 - return home to pack
2:00 - Drag out everything. Put into Box 1 (Staying in Billings) or Box 2 (Going to STL).
3:02 - Overwhelmed
3:05 - "I have TOO MUCH STUFF"
3:14 - Update iTunes
3:30 - Keira Knightly in Pride and Prejudice. Photos in Box
3:52 - Zone out. Email: "How big is the closet?"
4:00 - Clean out Shoes
4:17 - "Mom, what do I do with little pictures Sunday School kids drew for me?" "Save 'em"
5:00 - Clothing will be dealt with tomorrow.
5:37 - Mr. Daaa-rcy
6:00 - The Disaster before the Move

Friday Quote

"Ahhhhgggh! I thrive in chaos - If I'm not living in chaos, I'm creating it!"

Jenn Stranded on a Desert Island

iPod Ignorant

Happy Birthday to Me! Madre, Pops and Big Little Brother chipped in and got me a new iPod -- the cool one that plays video.

Except if you are a blogger named Hannah. Then, not so much video playing.

I think I figured out how to convert Video Podcasts to ...well, whatever format they need to be in to play on my iPod. Except, as much as I love Dr. John Piper, the conversion process is 100! Years! Long!

If anyone knows why this is taking so long, and what I can do to change it, please feel free to post it in the comments.

Lessons learned from Hallmark

• Good always triumphs over evil
• Bad guys smoke (usually cigars, but sometimes cigarettes)
• The daughter of the bad guy will inevitably be used to frame the naive, attractive son/brother of the protagonist.
• The protagonist will win, and the antagonist will admit he needs God.
• The conflict will be resolved in 15 minutes
• Bad guys always have an evil chuckle and use words like, "Sonny"
  
• OH! But the daughter will return and cry and the Bad Guy will be hurt and surprised!
• Young love conquers all
  
• The Friend/Friend's Wife will go into labor within the last 5 minutes (Happy Addition)
  

Accent

Here are "my" results

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
North Central
Boston
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

But I embarrassingly have to admit that I took in really fast last night (and I KNOW that's why) and I came out...

Minnesotan!

NOooooo, oh, the horror!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: North Central "North Central" is what professional linguists call the Minnesota accent. If you saw "Fargo" you probably didn't think the characters sounded very out of the ordinary. Outsiders probably mistake you for a Canadian a lot.
The West
The Midland
Boston
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Exactly.

Dennis Miller: So I see that Hilary has thrown her hat into the presidential ring for 2008.
Jay Leno: Yep
DM: Some People like her. I don't know. I read her book - I got to the part where she says she didn't know Bill ran around on her. Alright. Then I'm pretty sure you're not smart enough to be my president!
Because that was a Macy's-parade-balloon-sized tea leaf you couldn't read there!

New Blog

I've started an additional Blog - My Movie Blog (www.movie-expression.blogspot.com). I still haven't decided whether I should just merge it under Soul's Expression, and label the reviews, or if I should keep it as a seperate blog. I'll make that decision as time goes by.

Check out my new review of Casino Royale, which LSG, GPB, BLB, LSG's doubles tennis partner, and I viewed on Black Friday.

Hopefully the short comment format is helpful (vs. an overview of the plot, blah blah blah, which you can check out on various websites and in newspapers)

With Or Without You. But mostly "With."

Another Bono moment. Again, this man is NOT a fundy American Christian. I'll post a quote from him later on.

And yes, I'm just the littlest bit jealous of the girl.

{Napoleon: "Luckkeey!"}

Thanks, ItsaJoy!

Andrea, I'm stating for the record: your fiance rocks! Thanks for the countdown code. :)

I'm a

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Literate Good Citizen You read to inform or entertain yourself, but you're not nerdy about it. You've read most major classics (in school) and you have a favorite genre or two.
Dedicated Reader
Book Snob
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

It's not you, it's me

I hate Monday mornings. Today's was especially atrocious. This morning was the kind that makes you feel that washing your face is a feat of humanity that ought to be submitted for the Nobel Prize in Physics.

There was no alcohol involved, no late night last night. Just the Run-of-the-Mill-More-Difficult-Than-usual Monday morning.

And when these days come, I hide in my gopher cubicle. I do Database work. I copy and Paste things. I do as little logical thinking as possible. Talking makes my head hurt, and blood runs from my ears. Please don't talk.

I'm sure I offended a few people with my less than enthusiastic monotone replies to weekend questions. BUT, I could truthfully say, It's not you, it's me.

"Never wear mauve to a ball." "Or Pink." "Or open your mouth."

We pulled out a movie we hadn't watched in almost a decade: Into the Woods.

The title of the post are quotes from Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother

I have no idea what a dosha is

Your Dosha is Pitta

You have a quick mind, a gift for persuasion, and a sharp sense of humor. You have both the drive and people skills to be a very successful leader. Argumentative and a bit stubborn, you have been known to be a little too set in your ways. But while you may be biased toward your own point of view, you are always honest, fair, and ethical. With friends: You are outgoing and open to anyone who might want to talk to you In love: You are picky but passionate To achieve more balance: Be less judgmental of those around you, and take cool walks in the moonlight.

What's Your Dosha?

Bono Saturday

Amanda loaned me her copy of "Bono," the set of interviews he did. I've been a little preoccupied, looking up U2 trivia and videos since then. So, for your listening pleasure, here's U2's tribute to the victims of 9/11 in 2001. U2 and Dave Stewart perform Walk On for the America: A Tribute to Heroes concert in the days following Sept 11th.

Dear goodness that's cute!

Last night, I should have gone down to Job#2 and picked up boxes to pack some of my stuff away.

Instead, I checked out the 2006 Bloggies for new and interesting blogs. Like most other blog lists, you've got to wade through the blech blogs to find the funny and good ones.

The two new ones I've found are Waiter Rant (rated PG--16) and Cute Overload. Now, in thinking about a blog called Cute Overload, you'd expect that you'd be sickened at the cuteness factor, but you'd be surprised at how addictive it is.

And then Manolo, (whose blog could EASILY win the best blog award based on humor alone) posts this really great picture, combining the cuteness factor and the shoe factor.



AND they named him Elvis. Gotta love it.

Mission Impossible III, in which

Tom Cruise wears way too much pink lipstick.

Even Phillip Seymour Hoffman looks more manly.

Rated R

for "Frenetic Violence and Menace."

"Really, did they mean to write that? 'Ooh, that was menacing.'"

From one of my favorite "Theologians"

You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff.

~Bono

hoh my gosh!!

I just pulled a Desmond! I honestly blogged "nail in the coffin" before Ben said it!

AND I was going to say that "It surprised me too. If I were a betting man I would have thought she'd choose you," was the best BenSnark of the night.

Ooohhh, Dark Jack comes out to play. Kate screws Sawyer, Jack's got all the power. Maybe TLPTB aren't as obvious as I thought two seconds ago.


(and, yeah, I know that Andrea and Amanda are going to be the only ones interested in these posts.)

Nail in the Coffin (Live Blogging Lost)

Well, Sawyer and Kate just ... you know.


So, I guess that means that Jack will fall in love with Juliet.


Stupid Kate. Is that that the sound of a shark jumping?

It's the most wonderful time of the year

....for the main stream media.

Last night we were muting the political commercials (ok, we were muting all of the commercials) but it was said that "well, at least we won't have to watch/listen to the commercials anymore" and "I hope there are some good movies on tomorrow."

Someone at the dinner table looked at surprise at the one who said the movie comment, and the response was, "Well, I'm going to vote for him, I just don't need to listen to the play by play." (Especially not from whiny Brian Williams, say I!)

This is the most WONDERFUL night of the year, the MSM think. You can feel the giddiness. It's the equivalent to Christmas, almost. Or maybe it's the holiday that kicks off the holiday season. It's where they genuflect.

It's where I genuflected for a year, too.

November 5th, 2002. The day I remembered I was a Christian first and a republican second. And maybe even "A republican 34th." That politics are a good way to be bitter and angry. That politics are all about "in-your-face," "justice" and never about grace. A big fat popularity race.

bleh. I used to live and breath these things, and I'll tune in toward the end to see what the returns are like, and I'll hope that John Tester loses.

My blood pressure still rises at times, but, I really hope that I'll act the way I want to be viewed: remembering that there are WAAAYYY more important things in life, like a sister's bridal shower, a brother who's growing SO much in the Lord, and a Mom and Dad that are still faithful to each other, through the hard times. That God speaks quietly but consistently.

And that Prayer, not a fat print-media budget, has more power to determine the end of the political game.

Proverbs 21:1 - "The king's heart is in the hand of
the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."

Quote for Tuesday Election Day

...What is even more of a mystery is why they [the 2004 exit polls] all erred in the same direction, dramatically favoring the Democrat. I’ve offered theories in the past why this is so, and I’ll briefly summarize them for those with better things to do this fine Saturday than thumb through my archives: Liberals are bigmouths who can’t wait to share their opinions with strangers. Conservatives have lives.

Dean Barnett

Hat Tip: The Banty Rooster

Only a matter of time

Until he checks himself into rehab.

Or gets himself SERIOUS amounts of therapy for his overinflated ego.

I'm both, I guess

You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

American Troops Respond

To John Kerry. Click through to Reformed Chicks Blabbing - you'll get the best laugh of the day!

"He" is Christ -- and an announcement

Far From The Home I Love
How can I hope to make you understand
Why I do what I do,
Why I must travel to a distant land,
Far from the home I love.
Once I was happily content to be
As I was, where I was,
Close to the people who are close to me,
Here in the home I love.
Who could see that a man could come
Who would change the shape of my dreams.
Helpless now I stand with him,
Watching older dreams grow dim.
Oh, what a melancholy choice this is,
Wanting home, wanting him,
Closing my heart to ev'ry hope but his,
Leaving the home I love,
There where my heart has settled long ago
I must go, I must go, I must go,
Who could imagine I'd be wand'ring so
Far from the home I love
Yet there with my love, I'm home.

Fiddler on the Roof


As we watched "Fiddler" last weekend, this song came on -- and it really describes my situation well. The "Man" isn't any human man, though. For me this song is SO accurate, if you know the refernce of 'him' is Christ. (and "distant land" being Missouri).

I've applied to Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, and I've been accepted! I'll be leaving the home I love - going to pursue my Masters in Counseling.

I'll leave in January, right around the 18th or so. It's easy to forget about the move, though, because LSG and GPB's wedding is coming first, on Dec. 28th. It has taken up most of the Madre and my thinking time.

I think it will be good for my blogging, though, because I'll be able to keep it as an update for all of my Billings Blogger friends and maybe it will be more interesting for those of you that are not from Montana!

Tuesday Quote

"The problem with the designated driver program, it's not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house."

- Jeff Foxworthy

Welcome to MT

Today

70° | 25°

Mon

32° | 15°

Matchmaker

We're watching "Fiddler on the Roof" - here are the lyrics to "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" --I'm familiar with the "find me a perfect match" part, but here is the (humorous) second half:

Chava:
Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
You know that I'm
Still very young.
Please, take your time.

Hodel:
Up to this minute,
I misunderstood
That I could get stuck for good.

Chava and Hodel:
Dear Yenta,
See that he's gentle
Remember,
You were also a bride.
It's not that
I'm sentimental

Chava and Hodel and Tzeitel:
It's just that I'm terrified!

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Plan me no plans
I'm in no rush
Maybe I've learned
Playing with matches
A girl can get burned
So,

Bring me no ring
Groom me no groom
Find me no find
Catch me no catch
Unless he's a matchless match!

Blogging Lost 3.4

Well, I'll pick up the "Blogging Lost" baton, since AJoy is (seriously) better employed. However, AJoy, you'd better comment!

This week LSG missed most of the episode. Last night, when Madre said, "So who has the tumor on Lost, do you think?" I said, "Ben," LSG looked and said, "Someone's got a tumor?"

Maybe Governor Ahnold will show up, right when Jack is about to begin the surgery, and and famously say....

So, thoughts:
They are OBVIOUSLY trying to set up a Juliet/Jack/Sawyer/Kate quad-rangle. It's called a square, Lost Writers Powers That Be, and that means that Jack and Juliette will begin the "Longing, But We're not Supposed to be Together" looks, and Kate will get Jealous, which means that Sawyer will Hit Jack.

I still think it will be a Kate/Jack love affair in the end, except she should really hit on "Brotha Desmond." (Kate! the accent, Kate. How can you resist? Oh, that's right. You're really dating Charlie.)

Speaking of Desmond, ahhh, its finally dawning on Charlie that the LWPTBs need to compete with NBCs "Heroes" and has given Desmond Superhuman revelations. I reiterate, plllleaaassee don't make Desmond crazy. Just Crazy like a Fox!

Charlie, Jealous-Paranoia is not in the Book of Virtues.

Claire (boring). We want more Hurley!

New Latino guy: Apparently the LWPTB wanted to branch out. Not one of my favorite characters, so far.

Ben: It is impossible to kill a bunny and not be EVIL.

Sawyer: Oh, you are pissed about the "only way to get a con man's respect is to con him" comment

SPOILER - Avert Thine eyes:
I thought from this comment (Oct 25th), This week was the week The I-Got-A-DUI Heaven in the Lost Sky gained a new person, but I guess it's next week. ("Duh-Duh-Dunnnnnn.")

Things for which we Thank God

The bridesmaid dresses were sent today -- a full month ahead of schedule!

Be sure to get your college degree!

This is why I love Lark News.

Letter to Tech Support

Andrea posted a really funny email, which reminded me of one sent yesterday from an office friend. Some of you have already seen it, 'cause I forwarded it on. For those who haven't, and especially for those guys thinking of marriage....

Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 . I soon noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources.

In addition, Wife 1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now monitors all other system activity. Applications such as Poker Night 10.3 , Football 5.0, Hunting and Fishing 7.5, and Racing 3.6.

I can't seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run my favorite applications. I'm thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the uninstall doesn't work on Wife 1.0. Please help!

Thanks,
Troubled User.....

_____________________________________
REPLY:
Dear Troubled User:

This is a very common problem that men complain about.

Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 , thinking that it is just a Utilities and Entertainment program. Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and is designed by its Creator to run EVERYTHING. It is also impossible to delete Wife 1.0 and to return to Girlfriend 7.0 . It is impossible to uninstall, or purge the program files from the system once installed.

You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is designed to not allow this. Look in your Wife 1.0 manual under Warnings-Alimony/Child Support. I recommend that you keep Wife 1.0 and work on improving the situation. I suggest installing the background application "Yes dear" to alleviate software augmentation.

The best course of action is to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE! Because ultimately you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the system will return to normal anyway.

Wife 1.0 is a great program, but it tends to be very high maintenance . Wife 1.0 comes with several support programs, such as Clean and Sweep 3.0 , Cook It 1.5 and Do Bills 4.2 .

However, be very careful how you use these programs. Improper use will cause the system to launch the program Nag Nag 9.5 . Once this happens, the only way to improve the performance of Wife 1.0 is to purchase additional software. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Diamonds 5.0

WARNING!!! DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Secretary With Short Skirt 3 .3 . This application is not supported by Wife 1.0 and will cause irreversible damage to the operating system!

Best of luck,

Tech Support

Meme

I AM: The quintessential oldest child

I WANT: what I want without waiting for God's timing. Then I get frustrated (my own fault).

I WISH: I knew what he had in store for me

I HOPE: that I'll always be really close to my brother and sister

I MISS: My friends from College and Minnesota, and especially Marsha now that she's PREGGERS!

I HEAR: the pumped-in music in stores and restaurants and recognize the song when no one else can.

I WONDER: what God will have me do with my masters degree.

I REGRET: that my sin hurts others, and I've done great damage to relationships because of my selfishness and pride.

I HATE: raw onions

I AM NOT: a quiet, shy girl

I DANCE: when I'm out with my friends, and sometimes when I'm all alone.

I SING: all the time, mostly in my car.

I CRY: at movies. I also cry when Christ convicts me of my sin and reminds me of his atonement. I cry a lot!

I AM NOT ALWAYS: thoughtful of others when I speak.

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: a really "good" cup of coffee. (LOTS OF CREAMER)

I WRITE: posts for my blog all the time. They are usually too cynical so I don't post them.

I CONFUSE: My brother-in-law and brother often with my random thoughts.

I NEED: to be reminded that God's love is sufficient for me.

I SHOULD: be a better listener

I START: a lot of books and

I FINISH: fewer of them than I'd like. That doesn't stop me from buying them!

I tag Melodee, Molly, Amanda & Andrea

Variations on a Theme

Once upon a nine-thirty dreary, while Hannah and Molly watched United Ninety-Threary

A sad and serious drama of 9/11 lore.

While puppies nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of someone gently scratching, scratching at the fireplace door.

Tis some little mouse I muttered, scratching at the fireplace door,

Only this and nothing more.

Ah distinctly I remember, there might have been a dying ember

In that fireplace's chamber, had it been a colder evening of 6 October.

Then Scrappy perked her ears alertly, as scratching sounded more overtly,

And we approached the stove covertly - wondering what it had in store

Tis true that Friday nights in Billings can often be a bore

But this one isn't, nevermore.

"Tis not a mouse, might be a kitty, or a bunny slightly gritty

They're catlike eyes upon its brow,"

As we with flashlight inward peering, dimly discerning what we were hearing

Suddenly leapt back in stunned surprise, "Holy *&%$, it's an owl!"

"Let's call Bill Murray (phone is busy); Who'll help us? Lewis Vowell?"

"Is it to late to call right now?"

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
Called this deacon, "Truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is there's a scratching, and we're sure it's an owl rapping,
And not so faintly is it tapping, tapping at my fireplace door,
That we're scarce sure what we should do - scared to open wide the door; -
A little birdy, nothing more."

Into their car leapt Karen and Lew, and to JB Stetson flew,

While we prepared with gloves and blankets, for the show with much ado.

Not the least concern he showed; firmly toward the bird he strode;

With gloves adorned and towel in hand, opened wide the fireplace door.
That bird had hidden its little body, somewhere beyond the fireplace door.
Perched, and hidden, nothing more.

Then the owl-let, greatly flitting, no longer quietly sitting,

Felt itself be captured into hands that nabbed that wee raptor.

Then triumphantly he brought it, showed the women how he caught it,

And carefully he brought it out the sliding glassy door,

Released it in from its ashy-prison, to the night sky was restored

To be a captive - nevermore!

(See also BrittleCrazyGlass for additional photos)

Quote

"Life is a long lesson in Humility."
James M. Barrie

It's raining... and other random thoughts

I love rain. Montana doesn't get a lot of it, and so I've started to love rainy days even more. Today I woke up, wandered upstairs to shower and realized that it was raining. Little drops and ripples on the pool cover. It has since stopped, but the overcast, not-that-chilly-but-definintely-Autumn day begs me to stay home. Preferably with a crazy dogs, a cup of coffee, in a comfy sweatshirt, watching a few re-runs of "Project Runway."

I went to work instead. But today has been really great because I've gotten numerous emails from the people I spent time with, when I was in MN last week.

My favorite emails have been from the hotel staff of the hotel we stayed at. The Concierge in particular has a great sense of humor -He lived in Germany for 16 years, and his accent even comes across in the email through his choice of words. The hotel event staff became my friends in only a few days.

Sometimes its hard to know that there are such cool people out there, and that running into them will be few and far between.

And finally, randomly jumping from one thought to another: Over the last 6 weeks, I've been working on organizing my work life. I'm Reading a book, putting into practice various things. One of his rules is "Make your filing system easy. And use Labels. With a Label Maker. and DON'T SKIMP. Make the Labels." So, I bought a label maker -- for 1/2 off!! Gotta love it.

Book Meme

I've been Tagged by Melodee!

One book that changed my life:
War of Words, by Paul Tripp - it is changing my life -- my pastor is leading me through it as a discipleship study.

One book I've read more than once:
Well, this is unfair! I've read MOST of the fiction books I own more than once -- and some of my non-fiction, as well.

One book I'd want on a desert island:
I'm going to agree with Melodie and say the Lord of the Rings trilogy, aside from the Bible. I just hope that she and I can land on the same desert island so that we can learn elvish together!

One book that made me laugh:
The Devil Wears Prada

One book that made me cry:
Anne of Windy Poplars - It was the most unexpected time I cried. I've been known to cry at more than one book...


One book I wish had been written:
The autobiography of Abraham Lincoln. His spirituality and his battling depression are both fascinating to me.

One book I wish had never been written:
The "Sequel" to Gone with the Wind. I've never read it, but I suppose it has to be one of the worst books ever written.

One book that I am currently reading:
Getting Things Done.

One book I've been meaning to read:
Anna Karenina - for the last 10 years.