Sunday, March 30, 2008
Nonsense
I was making my way to bed and stopped for one last drink of water. I picked up my cup which I had been dutifully drinking from all day. One big drink and the thoughts came rushing. . .
"Oh, my! I think I just swallowed something. EEWWW!"
But actually swallowing it was not the right word. Whatever it was, real or imagined, was stuck in my throat. Too far down to hack it up, but definitely stuck and not going down further.
I cleared my throat. I coughed. I swallowed hard. I took another drink (after checking the cup). Whatever it was seemed not to budge.
I wish I could tell you that my mind moved into a mode that logically began to think through the problem and pondered a resolution and possible consequences. But no, my mind moved to the childhood poem of "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."
Well, by the time I have completely recited the entire poem (properly I might add), the problem - real or imagined - fixed itself.
It is terribly interesting that I can still recite an entire work of nonsensical poetry. So if you are in need of logical, helpful information you should probably consult someone else. But if you need a silly poem, rhyme, saying, or story about something - I may be your girl.
Of course!
simple faith
I was making my way to bed and stopped for one last drink of water. I picked up my cup which I had been dutifully drinking from all day. One big drink and the thoughts came rushing. . .
"Oh, my! I think I just swallowed something. EEWWW!"
But actually swallowing it was not the right word. Whatever it was, real or imagined, was stuck in my throat. Too far down to hack it up, but definitely stuck and not going down further.
I cleared my throat. I coughed. I swallowed hard. I took another drink (after checking the cup). Whatever it was seemed not to budge.
I wish I could tell you that my mind moved into a mode that logically began to think through the problem and pondered a resolution and possible consequences. But no, my mind moved to the childhood poem of "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."
Well, by the time I have completely recited the entire poem (properly I might add), the problem - real or imagined - fixed itself.
It is terribly interesting that I can still recite an entire work of nonsensical poetry. So if you are in need of logical, helpful information you should probably consult someone else. But if you need a silly poem, rhyme, saying, or story about something - I may be your girl.
Of course!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
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
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
"Grace"
At least I looked like a mom trying to stay fashionable. I was wearing a cute jean skirt, a trendy jacket and my tall brown boots. I had dropped off some things at the school office and was visiting with the principal at the bottom of the stairs. We were standing beside the two lines of junior high students waiting to go outside after finishing lunch.
Upon completing my conversation, I excused myself through the line and headed toward the doors - only a few feet away. As I am walking forward I notice several of my son's friends at the front of the lines. One greets me, I smile and return the greeting . . . . . .
Have I ever told you about me taking dance lessons? I took them for several years. The family joke is that my mom enrolled me in classes because I never could quite negotiate the turn around the kitchen table and down the hall to my bedroom without bouncing off the refrigerator - in other words, I was not very good at walking.
When I say several, I really do mean several. I probably took lessons for five or six years. Ballet, jazz, tap - yes, that was me. Somehow I never did master the art of gracefulness.
Growing up it was not uncommon for me to trip over the "imaginary lines" in the carpet or on the floor. My mom would often quip, "Grace" when this occured. If either of my boys had been girls, their middle names would have been Grace. It would have covered several bases - an old family name AND if my daughter ever tripped and her Grandmother quipped, "Grace" she would have simply answered, "What?"!
. . . and somewhere in the midst of turning my head back toward the doors, one of the door mats jumps up and trips me. Unfortunately, it was not a small trip. No, it was one of those take a couple of very awkward giant steps forward and pray that something stops you before you fall flat on your face type trips.
Good news, the doors did allow me to catch my balance before I went face first to the ground with my skirt up around my head. Bad news, I did scuff up my boots.
After regaining my balance I go back and fix the 3X5 door mat which has literally folded in half with my antics. I manage to laugh and mumble something like, "Wow".
One thing about growing up ungraceful, it has allowed me to learn how to gracefully be ungraceful.
simple faith
At least I looked like a mom trying to stay fashionable. I was wearing a cute jean skirt, a trendy jacket and my tall brown boots. I had dropped off some things at the school office and was visiting with the principal at the bottom of the stairs. We were standing beside the two lines of junior high students waiting to go outside after finishing lunch.
Upon completing my conversation, I excused myself through the line and headed toward the doors - only a few feet away. As I am walking forward I notice several of my son's friends at the front of the lines. One greets me, I smile and return the greeting . . . . . .
Have I ever told you about me taking dance lessons? I took them for several years. The family joke is that my mom enrolled me in classes because I never could quite negotiate the turn around the kitchen table and down the hall to my bedroom without bouncing off the refrigerator - in other words, I was not very good at walking.
When I say several, I really do mean several. I probably took lessons for five or six years. Ballet, jazz, tap - yes, that was me. Somehow I never did master the art of gracefulness.
Growing up it was not uncommon for me to trip over the "imaginary lines" in the carpet or on the floor. My mom would often quip, "Grace" when this occured. If either of my boys had been girls, their middle names would have been Grace. It would have covered several bases - an old family name AND if my daughter ever tripped and her Grandmother quipped, "Grace" she would have simply answered, "What?"!
. . . and somewhere in the midst of turning my head back toward the doors, one of the door mats jumps up and trips me. Unfortunately, it was not a small trip. No, it was one of those take a couple of very awkward giant steps forward and pray that something stops you before you fall flat on your face type trips.
Good news, the doors did allow me to catch my balance before I went face first to the ground with my skirt up around my head. Bad news, I did scuff up my boots.
After regaining my balance I go back and fix the 3X5 door mat which has literally folded in half with my antics. I manage to laugh and mumble something like, "Wow".
One thing about growing up ungraceful, it has allowed me to learn how to gracefully be ungraceful.
simple faith
Thursday, November 09, 2006
That 30 day thing....
Some book I once read, maybe Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said that if you purposefully try something for 30 days, it will become a habit. Now, I know in some aspects that is true - I also know I can drop a good habit (like exercise) even after accomplishing it for several months. But yet, today, the 30 day thing is of a little concern.
I am sure you are just dying to know why, so let me share a bit of my week's journey with you. I have started to work part-time. Just 20 hours a week, on a flexible schedule, until about the end of the year......and, well, that's over 30 days!
Do you think it may be possible that I will excel at balancing all things in life, during the holidays, while working a bit, so well that I will want to make it a permanent aspect of my life??? Yeah, I'm not thinking so either, but you really never know.
I do know that I will either become the most organized person in the world - watch out Martha Stewart - or that I will have to let some things "slide".
Maybe I will just hire a housekeeper!
simle faith
Some book I once read, maybe Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said that if you purposefully try something for 30 days, it will become a habit. Now, I know in some aspects that is true - I also know I can drop a good habit (like exercise) even after accomplishing it for several months. But yet, today, the 30 day thing is of a little concern.
I am sure you are just dying to know why, so let me share a bit of my week's journey with you. I have started to work part-time. Just 20 hours a week, on a flexible schedule, until about the end of the year......and, well, that's over 30 days!
Do you think it may be possible that I will excel at balancing all things in life, during the holidays, while working a bit, so well that I will want to make it a permanent aspect of my life??? Yeah, I'm not thinking so either, but you really never know.
I do know that I will either become the most organized person in the world - watch out Martha Stewart - or that I will have to let some things "slide".
Maybe I will just hire a housekeeper!
simle faith
Labels: Musings
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
It's a Scary Day!
I looked at my calendar today and became scared, very scared. It is October 31st! Where has my month gone?!?!?
I glance around my house and realize that my time has not been spent on cleaning or accomplishing any of the many projects waiting patiently on my attention. I look at my calendar and realize that my time has simply been chipped away with lots of things....important things, but not things that leave me with a finished product which I can claim as "done".
Things that have kept me busy: camping, meetings, school, church, seminars, practices, games, laundry, housework. Yes, that pretty much begins to cover it.
I would love to sit and type all the things that have been floating around in my head the past couple of weeks, but I must continue my journey for the day. I must not forget to enjoy the journey!
I will be back!
simple faith
I looked at my calendar today and became scared, very scared. It is October 31st! Where has my month gone?!?!?
I glance around my house and realize that my time has not been spent on cleaning or accomplishing any of the many projects waiting patiently on my attention. I look at my calendar and realize that my time has simply been chipped away with lots of things....important things, but not things that leave me with a finished product which I can claim as "done".
Things that have kept me busy: camping, meetings, school, church, seminars, practices, games, laundry, housework. Yes, that pretty much begins to cover it.
I would love to sit and type all the things that have been floating around in my head the past couple of weeks, but I must continue my journey for the day. I must not forget to enjoy the journey!
I will be back!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Pondering the tough questions
House cleaning takes many forms at my home. Some days I use it as a time to contemplate and pray. Other times, I turn up the music and dance my way through it - this is not my boys' favorite thing (some of my music or any of my dancing). And other times, like today, my mind wanders and I ponder the important things in life.........if someone else cleans your house, do they tell you that your bathtub needs recaulked or that the shower head in your kids' shower is not really working properly?
Seriously, think about it. My boys are not going to say, "Hey Mom, the shower isn't putting out much water." No, they would really not notice until the silly thing completely quit working! So, would a housekeeper leave me a note, or would they just call a handyman to fix whatever needs fixin'? Maybe the housekeeper is sleeping with the handyman......
I amuse myself with little things like this to make myself feel better about scrubbing all surfaces of my own house. How would I possibly know what needed attention if I did not personally take care of it????
Truthfully, I would be willing to take that risk!
simple faith
House cleaning takes many forms at my home. Some days I use it as a time to contemplate and pray. Other times, I turn up the music and dance my way through it - this is not my boys' favorite thing (some of my music or any of my dancing). And other times, like today, my mind wanders and I ponder the important things in life.........if someone else cleans your house, do they tell you that your bathtub needs recaulked or that the shower head in your kids' shower is not really working properly?
Seriously, think about it. My boys are not going to say, "Hey Mom, the shower isn't putting out much water." No, they would really not notice until the silly thing completely quit working! So, would a housekeeper leave me a note, or would they just call a handyman to fix whatever needs fixin'? Maybe the housekeeper is sleeping with the handyman......
I amuse myself with little things like this to make myself feel better about scrubbing all surfaces of my own house. How would I possibly know what needed attention if I did not personally take care of it????
Truthfully, I would be willing to take that risk!
simple faith
Labels: Musings
