Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Seamstress
My seamstress showed up yesterday. She didn't really have a choice. My project planner and organizer teamed up against her last week. They were determined to get some of the stacks off the bedroom floor.
Their method is vicious - they move things to obvious places and it forces everyone into action. Bags to be delivered to the thrift store and bags to go to the resale shop were set by the door - you basically had to walk around them to get out of the house. And on Friday they moved the mending stack and the sewing project to the kitchen. They even had the nerve to get out the sewing machine and all the goodies needed for projects!
I was able to manuever around them for the weekend, but on Monday morning my seamstress showed up. She managed to get the mending done before lunch. After lunch the real work began.
The project should be simple - just some valances for a couple of bedroom windows. She set up the machine, got out the fabric, and searched for the paper with all the measurements written on it. One look at the paper reminded her why she had been avoiding this project. There was no pattern to follow, only her own ideas and lots of numbers resembling a math word problem. She hates math word problems!!
Another issue came to mind - she was going this project alone. No Mom to help. No Q to help. Not even Real Soprano was there to double check the figures and give assurance that all would be well. There was a huge possibility of failure and she was hesitant to begin.
The life coach stepped in and gave her the "what's the worse thing that could happen?" speech. After recalculating, measuring , and praying the first cutting began.
As I said, the project should be simple. Well, except for the fact that the valances needed lined. That part of the project provided challenges for the seamstress.
Of course, she began with the valance that had almost 6 yards of fabric - we would hate to begin with the smaller one that would be much easier to fix if anything went wrong. And go wrong, it did.
My youngest son asked her how many times she was going to say "crap" while he was helping her at a critical point in the project. I was proud of her when she muttered "sorry". Sometimes my seamstress is the kind of girl that would reply, "As many times as I want to, buddy!"
After the problem was discovered and solved, in no short amount of time, it was quite literally time for bed.
My seamstress showed up again today - she had to finish the project.
simple faith
My seamstress showed up yesterday. She didn't really have a choice. My project planner and organizer teamed up against her last week. They were determined to get some of the stacks off the bedroom floor.
Their method is vicious - they move things to obvious places and it forces everyone into action. Bags to be delivered to the thrift store and bags to go to the resale shop were set by the door - you basically had to walk around them to get out of the house. And on Friday they moved the mending stack and the sewing project to the kitchen. They even had the nerve to get out the sewing machine and all the goodies needed for projects!
I was able to manuever around them for the weekend, but on Monday morning my seamstress showed up. She managed to get the mending done before lunch. After lunch the real work began.
The project should be simple - just some valances for a couple of bedroom windows. She set up the machine, got out the fabric, and searched for the paper with all the measurements written on it. One look at the paper reminded her why she had been avoiding this project. There was no pattern to follow, only her own ideas and lots of numbers resembling a math word problem. She hates math word problems!!
Another issue came to mind - she was going this project alone. No Mom to help. No Q to help. Not even Real Soprano was there to double check the figures and give assurance that all would be well. There was a huge possibility of failure and she was hesitant to begin.
The life coach stepped in and gave her the "what's the worse thing that could happen?" speech. After recalculating, measuring , and praying the first cutting began.
As I said, the project should be simple. Well, except for the fact that the valances needed lined. That part of the project provided challenges for the seamstress.
Of course, she began with the valance that had almost 6 yards of fabric - we would hate to begin with the smaller one that would be much easier to fix if anything went wrong. And go wrong, it did.
My youngest son asked her how many times she was going to say "crap" while he was helping her at a critical point in the project. I was proud of her when she muttered "sorry". Sometimes my seamstress is the kind of girl that would reply, "As many times as I want to, buddy!"
After the problem was discovered and solved, in no short amount of time, it was quite literally time for bed.
My seamstress showed up again today - she had to finish the project.
simple faith
Labels: My People
Monday, February 26, 2007
Another Try
Eventually I felt led to observe Lent again. I chose to give up something that I had daily contact with and that, to me, was a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Once again, I decided to journey alone and not tell anyone.
So each morning I arose and did what I do every morning - I made coffee. And as the coffee finished brewing I did what I do every morning - I delivered a cup to my husband. The only difference during the Lent season that year was that I did not drink coffee myself.
Now please keep in mind that coffee is one of two things I jokingly call "the nectar of the gods." I enjoy the taste of it very much - I take mine black. It is rare that I fancy it up with sugar or creamer. And as much as I like the taste of it, the smell of coffee brewing is even more pleasing to my senses. It invokes feelings of comfort and a sense of home no matter what time of day I encounter it.
So each morning I brought myself face to face with something I desired. Each morning I began to learn that my true desire should be the prescence of my Father. Each morning of that Lenten season my prayer became, "Father, make my life a pleasing and fragrant offering to you."
To date, it stands as the most significant Lent journey I have taken. And on occasion brewing coffee still brings to mind the lessons learned.
simple faith
Eventually I felt led to observe Lent again. I chose to give up something that I had daily contact with and that, to me, was a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Once again, I decided to journey alone and not tell anyone.
So each morning I arose and did what I do every morning - I made coffee. And as the coffee finished brewing I did what I do every morning - I delivered a cup to my husband. The only difference during the Lent season that year was that I did not drink coffee myself.
Now please keep in mind that coffee is one of two things I jokingly call "the nectar of the gods." I enjoy the taste of it very much - I take mine black. It is rare that I fancy it up with sugar or creamer. And as much as I like the taste of it, the smell of coffee brewing is even more pleasing to my senses. It invokes feelings of comfort and a sense of home no matter what time of day I encounter it.
So each morning I brought myself face to face with something I desired. Each morning I began to learn that my true desire should be the prescence of my Father. Each morning of that Lenten season my prayer became, "Father, make my life a pleasing and fragrant offering to you."
To date, it stands as the most significant Lent journey I have taken. And on occasion brewing coffee still brings to mind the lessons learned.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Thursday, February 22, 2007
First Time
I can only imagine what our Pastor must have thought the first time he realized that following the Christian calendar meant leading a group of mostly Baptist through Lent. I do recall him saying that he thought about it for quite some time before making a decision. So, leading us to the Lenten season, he suggested we observe it by taking on a new spiritual discipline in our life for the 40 days.
And being myself at that time, I began a mental review of what I considered spiritual disciplines. One seemed to stand out to me. It was something I was not in the habit of practicing, it required a sacrifice on my part, and it seemed very pious - I would take up the practice of fasting once a week!
I heard the audible gasp from a couple of you. You are the ones who know I am hypoglycemic and what a lack of good food can do to me. For those of you who do not know, it goes something like this: my blood sugar bottoms out and I get symptoms which range from a mild headache and slight irritability to becoming, well - to quote Barbara Bush. . . ."I can't really say what she is, but it rhymes with witch."
I know, it was a really dumb choice. But at the time I was only thinking of what I could do to show my willingness to sacrifice to honor Christ's sacrifice. This choice seemed noble and, as I said earlier, very pious.
I chose Tuesdays because my husband was out of town on Tuesdays and lunch would not be an issue. I knew enough to follow the eat dinner and then fast to the next dinner approach. I was very literal with my interpretation of fasting and decided only water would be appropriate to consume during the fasting time.
Somehow we survived the first Tuesday. My boys were young and quite frankly it was a miracle because as I try to recall how it worked, I cannot. Then came the next Tuesday. About mid-morning snack time, as I popped something in my mouth, I realized that I had failed to live up to my expectations. I had forgotten to observe Lent!!! How could I be so callous and ungrateful?
I regrouped and told myself next week would be better. The only problem was that the next week I also forgot. My first venture in to Lent and I had failed miserably.
It would be a couple of years before I would attempt the Lent thing again. And it would be several more years before I figured out what my real failure was during that first attempt. The real purpose of the Lent journey is to turn our focus to Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. My focus had been on me and what I could sacrifice to prove that I was remembering His sacrifice.
Wow! Silly girl. . . .
simple faith
I can only imagine what our Pastor must have thought the first time he realized that following the Christian calendar meant leading a group of mostly Baptist through Lent. I do recall him saying that he thought about it for quite some time before making a decision. So, leading us to the Lenten season, he suggested we observe it by taking on a new spiritual discipline in our life for the 40 days.
And being myself at that time, I began a mental review of what I considered spiritual disciplines. One seemed to stand out to me. It was something I was not in the habit of practicing, it required a sacrifice on my part, and it seemed very pious - I would take up the practice of fasting once a week!
I heard the audible gasp from a couple of you. You are the ones who know I am hypoglycemic and what a lack of good food can do to me. For those of you who do not know, it goes something like this: my blood sugar bottoms out and I get symptoms which range from a mild headache and slight irritability to becoming, well - to quote Barbara Bush. . . ."I can't really say what she is, but it rhymes with witch."
I know, it was a really dumb choice. But at the time I was only thinking of what I could do to show my willingness to sacrifice to honor Christ's sacrifice. This choice seemed noble and, as I said earlier, very pious.
I chose Tuesdays because my husband was out of town on Tuesdays and lunch would not be an issue. I knew enough to follow the eat dinner and then fast to the next dinner approach. I was very literal with my interpretation of fasting and decided only water would be appropriate to consume during the fasting time.
Somehow we survived the first Tuesday. My boys were young and quite frankly it was a miracle because as I try to recall how it worked, I cannot. Then came the next Tuesday. About mid-morning snack time, as I popped something in my mouth, I realized that I had failed to live up to my expectations. I had forgotten to observe Lent!!! How could I be so callous and ungrateful?
I regrouped and told myself next week would be better. The only problem was that the next week I also forgot. My first venture in to Lent and I had failed miserably.
It would be a couple of years before I would attempt the Lent thing again. And it would be several more years before I figured out what my real failure was during that first attempt. The real purpose of the Lent journey is to turn our focus to Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. My focus had been on me and what I could sacrifice to prove that I was remembering His sacrifice.
Wow! Silly girl. . . .
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday
The official beginning of Lent. Some of my friends' churches actually hold Ash Wednesday Services. I have never been to one - I always wonder if at some point my Pastor is going to add one to our observances. We have saved the palm branches from Palm Sunday the past few years - just in case we do decide to observe this day. (The ashes used in most services traditionally come from burning the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday processional.)
I have actually made the mistake of telling someone they had something on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. That's a guaranteed way to look ignorant to the Lenten season!! Especially if their response is, "It's Ash Wednesday" and your response is a somewhat failed attempt at looking as if you suddenly understand what in the world they are talking about.
I am told the Ash Wednesday Services are somber services meant to lead the worshipers in to an observance of mourning, self reflection, and the practice of self-denial. Of course this is to remind us of the sacrifices of Christ and to take our focus off ourselves.
So today, for me, begins a process of pondering all of this and more. I would really rather just skip to Easter. But I do understand the importance of taking time to ponder the sacrifice.
simple faith
The official beginning of Lent. Some of my friends' churches actually hold Ash Wednesday Services. I have never been to one - I always wonder if at some point my Pastor is going to add one to our observances. We have saved the palm branches from Palm Sunday the past few years - just in case we do decide to observe this day. (The ashes used in most services traditionally come from burning the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday processional.)
I have actually made the mistake of telling someone they had something on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. That's a guaranteed way to look ignorant to the Lenten season!! Especially if their response is, "It's Ash Wednesday" and your response is a somewhat failed attempt at looking as if you suddenly understand what in the world they are talking about.
I am told the Ash Wednesday Services are somber services meant to lead the worshipers in to an observance of mourning, self reflection, and the practice of self-denial. Of course this is to remind us of the sacrifices of Christ and to take our focus off ourselves.
So today, for me, begins a process of pondering all of this and more. I would really rather just skip to Easter. But I do understand the importance of taking time to ponder the sacrifice.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Fat Tuesday
In my early twenties I heard a restaurant advertising "Fat Tuesday Specials" and had no idea what they were talking about. Basically it was translated as a really big party featuring lots of Cajun food held on one Tuesday a year. I still did not connect it with Lent, but knew it had to do with Mardi Gras.
Prior to that, a fat Tuesday just had to do with my female hormones!!
At my home, we are not religious about celebrating Fat Tuesday. Sometimes I use it as a good excuse to cook some yummy food and other times it passes by unnoticed.
This year, we are celebrating with a little old and a little new. I refer to my meal as a shrimp boil, but it is actually frogmore stew. I would serve jambalya, but my youngest son refuses to eat it. So instead, it is a shrimp boil that I will correctly call frogmore stew - that should give them something to think about!
I am also going to attempt a King Cake. My trusty Southern Living magazine has opened many a Southern door to my understanding. The following explains much to my novice attempts of celebrating:
"Trademark decoration - sugars in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) - honor the three kings who visited the Christ child on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Also known as King's Day, it marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday."
Ok, so King Cake is probably meant for January 6th, but in our home it's happening today. Like I said, I am trying to get this season figured out.
I have decided that I will wear a bright green t-shirt today - it only seems appropriate. But I will forego the beads. . .
simple faith
In my early twenties I heard a restaurant advertising "Fat Tuesday Specials" and had no idea what they were talking about. Basically it was translated as a really big party featuring lots of Cajun food held on one Tuesday a year. I still did not connect it with Lent, but knew it had to do with Mardi Gras.
Prior to that, a fat Tuesday just had to do with my female hormones!!
At my home, we are not religious about celebrating Fat Tuesday. Sometimes I use it as a good excuse to cook some yummy food and other times it passes by unnoticed.
This year, we are celebrating with a little old and a little new. I refer to my meal as a shrimp boil, but it is actually frogmore stew. I would serve jambalya, but my youngest son refuses to eat it. So instead, it is a shrimp boil that I will correctly call frogmore stew - that should give them something to think about!
I am also going to attempt a King Cake. My trusty Southern Living magazine has opened many a Southern door to my understanding. The following explains much to my novice attempts of celebrating:
"Trademark decoration - sugars in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) - honor the three kings who visited the Christ child on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Also known as King's Day, it marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday."
Ok, so King Cake is probably meant for January 6th, but in our home it's happening today. Like I said, I am trying to get this season figured out.
I have decided that I will wear a bright green t-shirt today - it only seems appropriate. But I will forego the beads. . .
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Monday, February 19, 2007
Mardi Gras
Not many people I knew growing up in my tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state celebrated Mardi Gras. I recall knowing it existed and that New Orleans was the place to be. The fact that it was a time of celebration prior Lent was not something I conceived - and I'm not sure I would have understood it had someone tried to explain it to me. Afterall, I was unaware of the Christian calendar and the significance it had for marking time or what Lent even was.
What I did know about Mardi Gras was that it was woven in with the romanticism and mystery that surrounded New Orleans. My Mom had passed on her romantic ideas about the French Quarter, Cafe' Beaumond, and large Southern homes. My romanticism was even heightened by my own reading of Desiree' - a story of Napoleon's first fiancee' and by far the largest book I read in high school. (All things French, you know.) And we can never discount the impact of Gone With the Wind for romanticizing the South for me.
But being a bit on the Baptist side, I also associated it with debauchery. And my Methodist side, well most my Methodist friends wouldn't pass up a good party!!
I have not ever traveled to New Orleans nor have I ever really celebrated Mardi Gras. I have learned that it is celebrated all over - for some reason I thought only New Orleans had it. . . but no, I have picked up beads while snow skiing in New Mexico on President's Day weekend.
A time to celebrate before a time of sacrifice . . . that seems reasonable to me.
simple faith
Not many people I knew growing up in my tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state celebrated Mardi Gras. I recall knowing it existed and that New Orleans was the place to be. The fact that it was a time of celebration prior Lent was not something I conceived - and I'm not sure I would have understood it had someone tried to explain it to me. Afterall, I was unaware of the Christian calendar and the significance it had for marking time or what Lent even was.
What I did know about Mardi Gras was that it was woven in with the romanticism and mystery that surrounded New Orleans. My Mom had passed on her romantic ideas about the French Quarter, Cafe' Beaumond, and large Southern homes. My romanticism was even heightened by my own reading of Desiree' - a story of Napoleon's first fiancee' and by far the largest book I read in high school. (All things French, you know.) And we can never discount the impact of Gone With the Wind for romanticizing the South for me.
But being a bit on the Baptist side, I also associated it with debauchery. And my Methodist side, well most my Methodist friends wouldn't pass up a good party!!
I have not ever traveled to New Orleans nor have I ever really celebrated Mardi Gras. I have learned that it is celebrated all over - for some reason I thought only New Orleans had it. . . but no, I have picked up beads while snow skiing in New Mexico on President's Day weekend.
A time to celebrate before a time of sacrifice . . . that seems reasonable to me.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Marking Time
Our small church began about 8 1/2 years ago as a group of believers who came together convinced that church really could and should be done differently. We were an interesting mix of people,each carrying their own baggage and seeking somewhat the same goals. It has been an incredible journey.
We had the challenge of making decisions for all sorts of things, big and small. What time would our classes and services start? What was our belief statement? How do we accept members? Baptism practices? It was the first time in my life I had to actually sit down and ask myself what I truly believed and why I truly believed it. As I said - it was a challenge.
It was also our Pastor's first job of pastoring a church. He made a choice for our congregation to observe the Christian calendar and follow the Lexcionary for scripture study. This was not a very Baptist decision, but it opened up a new way of marking time in my life.
I would be fooling you if I even tried to say I understood what all the seasons of the Christian calendar represent. As you will see, I am still learning on my journey.
So, today is the "Last Sunday after the Epiphany." Basically that means we have been marking Sundays after the Epiphany (January 6) and that we are about to move in to the season of Lent.
My tiny town in the southwestern part of my panhandle state did not have a Catholic church, although there was one in my husband's metropolis about 14 miles away. The word Lent was not a part of my vocabulary until I was an adult - well, that is if you don't count lint. . .
Learning to experience Lent has been at times comical, at times frustrating, and at times a really cool spiritual season in my life.
But first, we must make it through the next few days. . .
simple faith
Our small church began about 8 1/2 years ago as a group of believers who came together convinced that church really could and should be done differently. We were an interesting mix of people,each carrying their own baggage and seeking somewhat the same goals. It has been an incredible journey.
We had the challenge of making decisions for all sorts of things, big and small. What time would our classes and services start? What was our belief statement? How do we accept members? Baptism practices? It was the first time in my life I had to actually sit down and ask myself what I truly believed and why I truly believed it. As I said - it was a challenge.
It was also our Pastor's first job of pastoring a church. He made a choice for our congregation to observe the Christian calendar and follow the Lexcionary for scripture study. This was not a very Baptist decision, but it opened up a new way of marking time in my life.
I would be fooling you if I even tried to say I understood what all the seasons of the Christian calendar represent. As you will see, I am still learning on my journey.
So, today is the "Last Sunday after the Epiphany." Basically that means we have been marking Sundays after the Epiphany (January 6) and that we are about to move in to the season of Lent.
My tiny town in the southwestern part of my panhandle state did not have a Catholic church, although there was one in my husband's metropolis about 14 miles away. The word Lent was not a part of my vocabulary until I was an adult - well, that is if you don't count lint. . .
Learning to experience Lent has been at times comical, at times frustrating, and at times a really cool spiritual season in my life.
But first, we must make it through the next few days. . .
simple faith
Labels: Spiritual Journey
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Being Bathodist
Growing up in a tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state provided an interesting mixture of religion for me.
My Dad's family was Baptist and my Mom's family was Methodist. In my very early years I attended the Baptist church with my Granny. Sometime during grade school my Mom returned to church and I attended the Methodist church with her. In junior high I went back to the Baptist church - attending where most of my friends attended and where the "good" youth group was.
I once stated that paragraph to my pastor. He looked at me and immediately said, "Wow, you must have really dealt with a lot of guilt!" I had never thought about it in those terms, but he was so right.
My Methodist roots and family practices allowed me much more freedom than my Baptist church taught. I could never get my mind around why dancing and drinking were going to condemn me to hell, but I can assure you that I was taught to believe that way.
The conflicts of my two religious bases were many. Confirmation vs. Salvation Experience. Sprinkling vs. Dunking. Open Thinking vs. Rules, Rules, and more Rules. It put me on a religious and emotional roller coaster and it took me years to get off.
And I have journeyed to where I am today. Bathodist. No, you won't find that in any official listing of world religions, but you will find it if you sit in a pew next to me some Sunday morning at my little church in my small city on the plains of my panhandle state.
Seriously. Some people say we are too Baptist. Other people say we are too Methodist. And yet others say we are just right. Definitely not for everyone, but definitely best for me.
I share this with you to give you a backdrop for the coming weeks. Tomorrow is officially "The Last Sunday after the Epiphany" at our church. (Stay tuned for further explaination, because if you grew up like I did you have no earthly idea what I am talking about!!)
Journey on my series of discoveries - perhaps you can enlighten me!
simple faith
Growing up in a tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state provided an interesting mixture of religion for me.
My Dad's family was Baptist and my Mom's family was Methodist. In my very early years I attended the Baptist church with my Granny. Sometime during grade school my Mom returned to church and I attended the Methodist church with her. In junior high I went back to the Baptist church - attending where most of my friends attended and where the "good" youth group was.
I once stated that paragraph to my pastor. He looked at me and immediately said, "Wow, you must have really dealt with a lot of guilt!" I had never thought about it in those terms, but he was so right.
My Methodist roots and family practices allowed me much more freedom than my Baptist church taught. I could never get my mind around why dancing and drinking were going to condemn me to hell, but I can assure you that I was taught to believe that way.
The conflicts of my two religious bases were many. Confirmation vs. Salvation Experience. Sprinkling vs. Dunking. Open Thinking vs. Rules, Rules, and more Rules. It put me on a religious and emotional roller coaster and it took me years to get off.
And I have journeyed to where I am today. Bathodist. No, you won't find that in any official listing of world religions, but you will find it if you sit in a pew next to me some Sunday morning at my little church in my small city on the plains of my panhandle state.
Seriously. Some people say we are too Baptist. Other people say we are too Methodist. And yet others say we are just right. Definitely not for everyone, but definitely best for me.
I share this with you to give you a backdrop for the coming weeks. Tomorrow is officially "The Last Sunday after the Epiphany" at our church. (Stay tuned for further explaination, because if you grew up like I did you have no earthly idea what I am talking about!!)
Journey on my series of discoveries - perhaps you can enlighten me!
simple faith
Labels: Spiritual Journey
Friday, February 09, 2007
Life
I was in a meeting with my project manager. It is the end of week six of the year and I am behind schedule.
I was trying to persuade her that we had been overly ambitious with our schedule. Perhaps it would be good to rethink it and come up with a more realistic looking timeline.
My life coach decides to pop in to the meeting. She has been making her prescence known a lot the last few days. She is a good life coach. Generally encouraging, but often very direct and at times a bit on the sassy side.
She begins to express concern about how I choose to spend my time. Insinuating that perhaps I am not using it as wisely as possible.
Often times her directness and accuracy do not sit well with me. I tell her she is getting a bit "too big for her britches".
She retaliates with "the pot calling the kettle black".
Obviously she has been visiting with my personal trainer. . .
simple faith
I was in a meeting with my project manager. It is the end of week six of the year and I am behind schedule.
I was trying to persuade her that we had been overly ambitious with our schedule. Perhaps it would be good to rethink it and come up with a more realistic looking timeline.
My life coach decides to pop in to the meeting. She has been making her prescence known a lot the last few days. She is a good life coach. Generally encouraging, but often very direct and at times a bit on the sassy side.
She begins to express concern about how I choose to spend my time. Insinuating that perhaps I am not using it as wisely as possible.
Often times her directness and accuracy do not sit well with me. I tell her she is getting a bit "too big for her britches".
She retaliates with "the pot calling the kettle black".
Obviously she has been visiting with my personal trainer. . .
simple faith
Labels: My People
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Super Bowl Sassiness
I noticed I have commented a few times over the last couple of weeks that my Bears were winning. I am sorry to have to report that the Super Bowl was a different story. Although they provided some excitement during the first half, they came up short.
But. . . .THANK GOODNESS Peyton Manning finally won a Super Bowl ring. I mean, I was beginning to lose sleep at night worrying about his apparent devine destiny not being fulfilled. What would have been right with the world had he not ever achieved this crowning (or shall we say ringing) glory?
Actually, I hope he makes it to another Super Bowl. . . I want to see what story line the media would come up with next.
What did make me happy - Charlie Johnson (74) rookie from my alma mater started the second half for the Colts and played very well. He is now the proud owner of a Super Bowl ring.
Now THAT is a good story!
simple faith
I noticed I have commented a few times over the last couple of weeks that my Bears were winning. I am sorry to have to report that the Super Bowl was a different story. Although they provided some excitement during the first half, they came up short.
But. . . .THANK GOODNESS Peyton Manning finally won a Super Bowl ring. I mean, I was beginning to lose sleep at night worrying about his apparent devine destiny not being fulfilled. What would have been right with the world had he not ever achieved this crowning (or shall we say ringing) glory?
Actually, I hope he makes it to another Super Bowl. . . I want to see what story line the media would come up with next.
What did make me happy - Charlie Johnson (74) rookie from my alma mater started the second half for the Colts and played very well. He is now the proud owner of a Super Bowl ring.
Now THAT is a good story!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
Marathon
We were having lunch at the kitchen table when we spotted her coming down the street. Dressed in bright running clothes, it was Marathon Trainer heading back towards her house. She is a neighborhood mom who is one of those freakishly fit people. She teaches all sorts of classes at the local Y and her most recent endeavor is leading a group of people to train for an upcoming marathon.
She is, needless to say, in incredible shape. She, like others I know who look really great, works really hard at it. I admire her greatly - and I realize that she has something in her make-up that I do not possess.
Me: "You know, there is absolutely nothing within me that has ever remotely considered running a marathon."
Husband: "Really?!?!"
He is being just a tad bit sarcastic.
I ponder for a few minutes.
Me: "Actually, I can only think of three ways I would use that word. Marathon candy bar. Marathon movie night. Marathon shopping."
Husband: He laughs, shakes his head and goes in to some explanation of hitting a wall and being able to push through and how it feels on the other side.
I listen, trying to capture the fascination of running.
I do recall running a few years ago with some friends who were runners. Hitting the wall and pushing through meant I made it home without tossing my cookies in a neighbor's front yard. I can say with 100% certainty that I did not experience any euphoric feeling during that tortuous morning or for several days afterwards.
And then a light of connection came to me.
It must be similar to that feeling you have when you have been shopping for a new pair of jeans or a new swimsuit. You have spent hours in the mall trying on things. You are just about to give up and then something fits and looks really great (or even if it just finally looks okay) and is reasonably priced. Your spirits are lifted and you "catch your second wind". You begin to believe you can persevere for hours more, searching for that perfect pair of boots or sandals.
Yeah, it must be something like that!
simple faith
We were having lunch at the kitchen table when we spotted her coming down the street. Dressed in bright running clothes, it was Marathon Trainer heading back towards her house. She is a neighborhood mom who is one of those freakishly fit people. She teaches all sorts of classes at the local Y and her most recent endeavor is leading a group of people to train for an upcoming marathon.
She is, needless to say, in incredible shape. She, like others I know who look really great, works really hard at it. I admire her greatly - and I realize that she has something in her make-up that I do not possess.
Me: "You know, there is absolutely nothing within me that has ever remotely considered running a marathon."
Husband: "Really?!?!"
He is being just a tad bit sarcastic.
I ponder for a few minutes.
Me: "Actually, I can only think of three ways I would use that word. Marathon candy bar. Marathon movie night. Marathon shopping."
Husband: He laughs, shakes his head and goes in to some explanation of hitting a wall and being able to push through and how it feels on the other side.
I listen, trying to capture the fascination of running.
I do recall running a few years ago with some friends who were runners. Hitting the wall and pushing through meant I made it home without tossing my cookies in a neighbor's front yard. I can say with 100% certainty that I did not experience any euphoric feeling during that tortuous morning or for several days afterwards.
And then a light of connection came to me.
It must be similar to that feeling you have when you have been shopping for a new pair of jeans or a new swimsuit. You have spent hours in the mall trying on things. You are just about to give up and then something fits and looks really great (or even if it just finally looks okay) and is reasonably priced. Your spirits are lifted and you "catch your second wind". You begin to believe you can persevere for hours more, searching for that perfect pair of boots or sandals.
Yeah, it must be something like that!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Good Help - it IS hard to find
My housekeeper finally showed up yesterday. It's been a few weeks since she has done any serious dusting or vacuuming. Don't get me wrong, she is very faithful at showing up on Mondays to launder the bedding and at some point during the week to clean the bathrooms, but sometimes she is a coin toss on the other chores. She even mopped the kitchen floor - otherwise known as an exercise in futility.
I really wish my seamstress had showed up last month. I have some projects taking up space in my bedroom that are in need of her attention!
simple faith
My housekeeper finally showed up yesterday. It's been a few weeks since she has done any serious dusting or vacuuming. Don't get me wrong, she is very faithful at showing up on Mondays to launder the bedding and at some point during the week to clean the bathrooms, but sometimes she is a coin toss on the other chores. She even mopped the kitchen floor - otherwise known as an exercise in futility.
I really wish my seamstress had showed up last month. I have some projects taking up space in my bedroom that are in need of her attention!
simple faith
Labels: My People
