Pay It Forward!

Hey Bloggers!!

I got this from fellow daybooker, Meg's site (http://megslifeisgood.blogspot.com/). We don't know each other, but I thought it was a great idea!

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on their own blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!SO, REMEMBER... Pay it forward!

SWD #21

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (February 23, 2009)...

Outside my window... It's 1 degree. I guess my magic button worked, because we got 6 inches of snow and the temperature dropped again. I'm probably the only person who's happy about that.

I am thinking... about the day, and what it holds.

I am thankful for... a job. So many people don't have one right now.

From the kitchen... I actually bought groceries last night. Now I'll be able to have lunch this week. Joy. Rapture.

I am wearing... oh... just clothes.... nothing exciting.

I am creating... plans for a lock-in. Should be fun this year.

I am reading... nope. I still have a newspaper from February 14th that I haven't read.

I am hearing... someone rumbling around upstairs, and the computer humming.

Around the house... the cat will be hungry when I get home. I just realized that I forgot to replenish his food. He still had a little bit left, but he eats a lot.

One of my favourite things... winter.... and I intend to hold on to it and enjoy it as long as I possibly can.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Yeah.... I don't know.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing... one of my hobbies is photography. This is one of the latest pictures of Kristin that I took. She's so easy to photograph, because she's so beautiful.

I Am a Storm

The midnight silence cautions
It is coming.
A wisp of leaves hurries past while
in a twinkling blue turns grey
Whispering. Wafting. Gusting.
Raging.

Dripping. Spattering. Pounding.
Thundering.

Swirling. Ripping. Seizing.
Destroying.
Uninhibited torrent pouring out
emotion.

Subsiding into luminous rays
Ephemeral.
Yet, altered by destruction
Even in the aftermath of peace.

SWD #20

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (February 16, 2009)...

Outside my window... 32 degrees and sunny. WAY too warm for February. I wish I had a magic button I could push to make it stay winter longer.

I am thinking... about how sometimes things happen that change us.... and sometimes we just don't have any control over it. It sounds stupid, but the fact that I'm human really frustrates me. I sometimes wish that I could stop myself from being a person with emotions.... then maybe things wouldn't hurt.

I am thankful for... a God who is patient.

From the kitchen... nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I am wearing... the same old clothes I always wear.

I am creating... multiple blog posts in my head. We'll see if they ever come out.

I am reading... not reading.

I am hearing... silence..... oh, I guess the clock is ticking.

Around the house... got things straightened up on Saturday thanks to the help of a friend. Stupid cold last week kept me down.

One of my favourite things... writing....connecting with people....

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I just really have no clue right now.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing... this is what I feel like today. I guess I should feel guilty about it........ but I'm not into being fake. What you see is what you get.

SWD #19

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (February 10, 2009)...

Outside my window... I'm seeing clouds and it looks like it's cool out, but it's actually 44 degrees. That does not make me happy. It's WAY too early to be this warm.

I am thinking... about how long it's been since I stayed home sick.

I am thankful for... the fact that I only have a cold, rather than an incurable disease.

From the kitchen... nothing tastes right. I am thirsty, but too sleepy to go to the refrigerator.

I am wearing... jammies, a robe and a cuddly blanket.

I am creating... a mess. It's amazing how messy a house gets when you're sick.

I am reading... manuals for new computer and programs.

I am hearing... the wind is really blowing outside, and the television is on.

Around the house... things might start cleaning themselves up if I don't get better soon.

One of my favourite things... taking a day to be lazy once in a while.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Sniff.
Sneeze.
Sleep.
Sneeze some more.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing... I love funky socks. It's not like anyone really NEEDS to see my sock drawer, nevertheless, here it is. I couldn't fit all my socks in it, so there are about 35 pairs missing. Socks rock.

SWD #18

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (February 2, 2009)...

Outside my window... The snow melted a little over the last few days. It's not time yet!! I want more winter!! Punxsutawney Phil said six more weeks... it better be six more weeks!!

I am thinking... about how much I dislike summer, and want to put it off as long as possible.

I am thankful for... the ability to help others.

From the kitchen... I'm still into the mini shredded wheat bites. They are sooooo good.

I am wearing... black shirt, navy pants, funky socks. Boring.

I am creating... worship service and a hospital visitation card. So exciting.

I am going... to help my friend go through and clean out some stuff tonight.

I am reading... on heart disease. I don't want it and I refuse to get it. Ever. Or cancer. Or diabetes. Or Crohn's disease. Don't want any of them.

I am hearing... someone just dropped something in the back room and someone else is talking on the phone to tech support. Sounds frustrating.

Around the house... apparently I'm getting a new furnace. It's amazing what happens when the carbon monoxide monitor goes off. People really move quickly.

One of my favourite things... people who are quick-witted with a little sarcasm. They make me laugh.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Oh, who knows. I need to get through tonight first and see what comes next. Hopefully, the new furnace with be in tomorrow.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing... I guess when you have nothing intelligent to say or show, it seems appropriate to insert a pointless picture of chips, salsa and homemade guacamole. Ooh. Aah.

A Painful Reality Check...

I work for a church, so dealing with death is part of what we do, but it is never easy, and it leaves a mark on your heart every time. In the last week and a half, we had six funerals. Six is a lot in one week, but the two we had at the end of last week were the ones that impacted me the most. I attended both of them, back to back on Friday morning.

One lady, Nancy, died from what's called Broken Heart Syndrome, as a direct result of finding her own father dead. A father that she had dedicated her entire life to caring for, even giving up marriage and a family of her own. She found him on the floor in the middle of the night, and less than 5 days later, she was gone as well. She was 61. Shocking, and extremely painful to think about, as she was an AMAZING lady.

The other funeral was for our custodian's brother, Frank, whom I've actually written about in a previous post. He died from cancer. He leaves behind a beautiful wife, Tammy, a son, Jeremiah, and siblings that loved him very, very much. It seems like the entire community pulled together and fought for Frank's life, but sadly, he lost his battle on Sunday, January 18th.

Both of them so tragic, and extremely difficult to accept.

Okay... sooo... I've written before about not living with regret, but lately I've been faced with an embracing reality check, and these two deaths have served to make this check larger than life. My friends, at some point we have to realize how much we take for granted. We say goodbye to our friends and family members, co-workers and mail carriers, acquaintences and even our enemies on a daily basis. Sometimes we leave happy with each other, and sometimes we leave just downright angry, having said harsh words that sting the core.

My reality check...... what if one of these times you leave angry, and it's the last time you see that person alive? How will you feel about the way you acted... the way you treated someone... the words that flew out of your mouth? In the morning, when you're frustrated with your kids, your parents, your siblings, your husband, or even the dog, how often do you throw out an obligated wave goodbye, assuming that you will just see them later?

I can sometimes take things to extremes as I roll them over in my mind, so I want you to know that it's not my intention to create fear in this post. However, I do think all of us could slow down just a little and really think about our words, actions and flippant assumptions that life will just be the same tomorrow as it was today. We must not take "the usual" for granted, as we are not promised the next minute, let alone tomorrow. Anything can happen... at any time... to anyone in our lives.

I really don't know that there's much more I can say about this subject. Perhaps we should just let the conviction we're feeling about our own words and actions move us toward change, so that we treat others like it's the last time we may see them.

It sort of gives a whole new perspective on the verse, "'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." (Ephesians 4:26)

SWD #17

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (January 26, 2009)...

Outside my window... Nothing special, really. It's 7 degrees, an average Minnesota day.

I am thinking... about getting my taxes done. I'm not one to procrastinate on them. Mostly because I need the money. :o)

I am thankful for... all the SuperChurch kids and youth helpers. They are so amazing, and I'm so privileged to be able to work with them.

From the kitchen... I've been into this new cereal lately. I think Kellogg's makes it - frosted chocolate shredded wheat bites. They're so small... just the right size for a bite. YUMMO.

I am wearing... Navy turtleneck, tan pants, argyle socks, straightened my hair. It's getting long.

I am creating... a schedule. Need one. Badly.

I am going... to water a crazy load of plants tonight. So many plants, so little time.

I am reading... up on how to get rid of a gnat infestation. Stupid gnats. My current method is only serving to gross me out. I've been spraying them with Windex, and now there are little gnat carcasses stuck all over the office windows. Ew.

I am hearing... the hum of the printer.

Around the house... I am really enjoying having a treadmill. It's so great to be able to just get on and walk/run. Good investment.

One of my favourite things... sleep. Oh, how I love it. Sleep is my favourite.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Walmart.
Plants.
Yeah. I dunno what else.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... I don't have ANY idea why I took this picture. It's my eye. It's green. Yep.

SWD #16

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (January 19, 2009)...

Outside my window... It's warmed up to 10 degrees. The sun is shining, but somehow it seems like a very dark day.

I am thinking... about how many people died this weekend. It's part of my job to "deal" with death, but it never gets easier.

I am thankful for... the fact that right now, this minute, I still have my family and friends. Life is never guaranteed.

From the kitchen... leftover broccoli noodle goo. It's the best I could do on a moment's notice.

I am wearing... black pants, black turtleneck, red sweater, boots. Funeral clothes (Yes, Mother, I know you're not supposed to wear red to a funeral...:o)....).

I am creating... a list of thank you notes to write. I haven't gotten them done yet. Shame.

I am going... get together with my dear friend. We haven't had time together in months.

I am reading... the obituaries.

I am hearing... the church ladies making lunch for the funeral this afternoon.

Around the house... nothing to report. It's just there for now.

One of my favorite things... the mornings when I don't have to get out of my warm cozy bed until I'm good and ready. Those days are few and far between.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Two funerals today.
One funeral Thursday.
Two funerals Friday.
Happy week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Last week it was minus 24 degrees, with a minus 51 degree windchill, and the sun dogs (the rainbow around the sun) were the biggest and most beautiful I've ever seen. I can't believe I actually captured a decent shot with my phone camera. Who says there isn't beauty in cold weather?

Can I Just Be Transparent, Please?

I used to attend a church that struggled with control. I was told by my superiors, that as a member of church leadership, I HAD to have a smile on my face when I was in the building. My appearance HAD to be neat, and my face HAD to reflect happiness, even if I was struggling internally.

Throughout the years, I was continually "called into the office" to discuss what kind of progress I was making with the look on my face, and I sat through countless lectures about the importance of showing the "joy of Jesus" so that people would see it, and be attracted to Him.

Hmmm..... okay, so can I just tell you, that I am NOT into being fake? I have always wrestled with and resented the concept of being forced to proclaim something outwardly, that isn't coming from my core. I am EXTREMELY imperfect and human, and if God wants me to be transparent with Him and the rest of the world, unfortunately, that means there will be times when I struggle. And when I say struggle, I don't mean just the little bumps in the road like being late to church, getting cut off by a rude driver, breaking a dish, accidentally washing a white shirt with a red shirt. I mean the real, deep, life-altering kind of struggle. Losing a loved one, financial crisis, homelessness, lonliness, depression.... the list goes on and on.

Though I would never claim to have analyzed the Bible word for itty bitty word, I have never read anywhere that Jesus jumped out of bed with a smile on his face on the morning of His death. I don't see words that reflect fake public joy in His journey to the cross. On the contrary, according to the Bible I read, Jesus was so deeply effected by the impending events and the burden He bore, that it caused a physical reaction of sweat mixed with blood.

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”—Luke 22:44 (NKJV)

Soooo... why do we feel like we have to be so fake? Do we really think we're attracting people with our paste-on smiles and our insta-joy? Yes, there IS joy in the journey, but golly gee whiz, I mean for goodness sake and jeepers, for crying out loud (hehehe).....we're human too! Why can't we just be real with each other? Have we really become that protective of our pride, that we can't let others see how we're hurting?

I just don't know about us sometimes.

Just think.... if we showed more vulerability and became more transparent with each other, we might actually be able to.... **GASP**.... help and support each other. Perhaps we could show the "rest of the world" that God doesn't require perfection, and that, despite our bad days and struggles, He loves us more deeply than we know. Maybe, just maaaaaybe, Jesus could be reflected in our lives in a way that we never thought possible. Dare we take such a risk? Oh, swoon if you must, dear fellow mask wearers..... swoooooon.

All right... so I've always said, if you're going to promote something that's been "proven" to whiten your teeth, then go ahead.... SHOW ME YOUR TEETH. Show me that you've used it, and show me that it works. So.... below is a list of five things I struggle with. Read them, and then post five things of your own. Maybe we can help each other.....

1. I struggle with feeling like a resource instead of a person. The phone only rings when people want something from me.

2. I struggle with why people do or don't get healed from sicknesses, and I'm not afraid to ask questions about it.

3. I struggle with mediocrity.... simply existing, and never really making a difference.

4. I struggle with fear about what the future holds.

5. I struggle a lot with rejection.

Wow.... that's really not easy, is it? Still, I've opened the door. Now it's your turn, and remember.... be transparent!

Who Decides??

Doctors are great. They work hard, they study hard, all in the name of making the world a better place. I don't particularly enjoy going to the doctor, and rarely find the need to do so, but I am extremely grateful for the time they take to make sure I stay healthy.

With physical health, there is a science to just about everything you can imagine when it comes to the human body. If you tweak this, it makes something else goes nutty, or if you tweak that, it makes something get better.

However, I'm not so sure I believe that emotional health is a science, and thus the reason for this post. I would like to know something....

WHO decides when you're emotionally healthy, and what gives them the right? Does a degree make you qualified to tell someone that they should be done with a certain part of a grieving process? Does eight plus years of schooling mean that you can decide when someone should move on.....stop feeling bad..... stop having a pity party...... quit crying.... stop this.... stop that.... start something..... do something......??

In my line of work, I hear multiple times every week about how people are hurting, desperate for help and answers. So many of them are lonely, scared, exhausted, depressed, grieving, and more miserable than they can sanely bear. And what answers do we have to give them? Pull yourself up by your boot straps? Get over it? Quit your whining?

Our society has set up this standard of living that people must rise to and live by. We've studied our way into codes and formulas that require us to graduate from level to level in order to be declared emotionally healthy. We get tired and irritated when someone is crying too much, or, as we like to call it, wallowing in self-pity.

I am certain that my opinion of this will cause some controversy, nevertheless, it contains three very bold words........ How DARE we.

How dare we have the audacity to say when someone should and shouldn't be done dealing with stuff. How dare we tell people to stop crying.... get over it.... move on. How dare we act in judgment, rather than with love, compassion and patience. There is not ONE medicine that works for every person to become physically healthy, so why do we presume to know how to emotionally "fix" everyone with formulas and standards?

Speaking to myself and my fellow followers of Jesus' teachings, WE are the ones who should have our standards based on just that, Jesus' teachings, NOT human docrine. We so often quote I Corinthians 13. You know the verses, right? The ones we quote at weddings and funerals. The ones that we affectionately refer to as the "love scriptures".....

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

....but do we really LIVE them? Or... gosh... do we only live them until we get tired of dealing with people? I, like Paul, am the chief sinner when it comes to walking in the true sense of the word, love, and I'm pretty sure I fail more than I succeed. However, far be it from me to judge when someone should be "done" dealing with things.... "done" hurting.... "done" crying about it. I have no right, and neither does the rest of the world.

People are not projects that we can check off of our lists.

We speak to people of a loving, patient God, who made us in his image, but YIKES!! I don't know about anyone else, but this concept makes up a very scary equation. If God is love, and we're quoting the "love scriptures" to people while we're being impatient and judgmental, then why in the world would people want anything to do with Him?

Okay, okay, okay, I'll wrap it up. But please, at least think about it. Next time you start to get impatient with someone who's been dealing with stuff for a long period of time, remember that it's not our job as humans to declare people emotionally healthy. It's our job to love.... to REALLY love.... to wait.... to help, not abandon.... to be patient, kind and as gentle as we can possibly be.... and it's God's job, through Jesus, to declare when it is finished.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

SWD #15

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (January 12, 2009)...

Outside my window... It's snowing pretty hard. We're supposed to be in for a large dump of snow and sub-zero temps. I don't mind, though. I am one of the few people I know who REALLY enjoy winter.

I am thinking... about how much I miss my mother.

I am thankful for... one more day with the people I care about. Life is not guaranteed, and you just never know when you're going to lose someone.

From the kitchen... I'm thinking something warm and cozy is in order for dinner.

I am wearing... black pants, pink turtleneck, black shirt, awesome earrings, funky pink and purple socks.

I am going... to be very busy over the next three weeks.

I am reading... the bills. Not much fun.

I am hoping... to stop the clock. If only I hadn't left my super powers at home.

I am hearing... people making funeral arrangements for their 101-year old mother who just passed away.

Around the house... I still haven't put all the Christmas stuff away. I may just leave it sitting on the floor for the next 10 months.

One of my favorite things... my cat. He's simply amazing.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Check in with some people on house sitting duties.
Church.
Work.
Yeah.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... My friend and I were able to make candy before Christmas. Here's a pic of the chocolate covered cherries and peanut butter cups. I think we made a little over 400 pieces this year. Yum!

SWD #14

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (January 5, 2009)...

Outside my window... It's amazing how 27 degrees can feel HOT.

I am thinking... about what a superdork I am for posting an SWD on Friday, thinking it was Monday.

I am thankful for... the truth, and that when you know the truth inside your heart, no one can take it away from you no matter how hard they try.

From the kitchen... I made a pie. It was lovely. I ate the pie. The whole pie.

I am wearing... blue turtleneck, black shirt, black pants, funky socks, black shoes.

I am going... to have to face the fact that my dear friends are leaving for three months. *sigh*

I am reading... what other people have to say on their blogs.

I am hoping... to purchase a new computer in the next few months. We'll see how it goes.

I am hearing... the clanging of my bracelets on the desk.

Around the house... my cat yakked on the bed.... and the towel.... and my stinking slippers. Cat yak. On my slippers. Awesome.

One of my favorite things... crazy socks. Crazy socks rock.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

I don't know. I just have no idea.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... My brother and his wife own a 1912 mansion. It's so freaking awesome. Here's a picture of part of it from the back left corner.

Use Me Till I'm All Used Up...

Do you ever have those times when you need a supernatural word to describe how you're feeling? By supernatural, I mean a word that hasn't yet been invented. A word that's BIG enough to describe the intensity of emotions roaring through your body. I need these kinds of words when my skin confines me to humanness.... when I really want to just crawl out of that skin, toss it aside and be completely emancipated and celestial.

That's the kind of word I need to describe how I feel about the next few paragraphs....

I know a man who is a pastor here in Minnesota. He went to school to be a pastor. His livelihood, the church. His heart, the people. Several years ago, this pastor was diagnosed with throat cancer that landed him with, among other things, a permanent trach tube. He carries with him a small white board to write on, because the cancer also took nearly all of his speaking ability, and left him with not much more than groans.

I confess, it makes me angry to think about such a thing. WHY that?? WHY his voice... his passion... his heart...? Why? As a professing follower of Christ, I have been religiously trained to never ask why, but to trust. I have been told countless times, in various dialects of Christianese, that God's ways are bigger than our ways. While that's true, I've really never been good at not asking questions, so I DO ask why. However, I also trust that God is big enough and gentle enough to handle my doubts and fears, my questions, my humanness in its silliest form. If He's not big enough to handle ALL of that, then why trust in Him at all?

But, I digress...

This man was a GREAT pastor with powerful, meaningful sermons, but when he became one of the physically "un-pretty" people, he was, in a sense, tossed aside by the powers that be. As in, "well, you have this issue now, you know, so I guess there's really no place for you in the church. It's awkward and so.... um... bye."

His livelihood.... gone. Just like that.

Since all of this happened to him, he has been rejected in more ways than most people I know. My heart breaks when I see him, and I am moved, sometimes to tears, when I think about all he has lost. But you know what's strange? You will never see him without a smile on his face, and eyes that are illuminated with love for everyone around him.

He recently got involved in a ministry at the church I work for - a ministry involving caring for people who are receiving care through the local hospital - and his eyes light up with fervent excitement when he is called on to visit and pray with someone.

In a recent conversation with him, one of my co-workers was expressing her concern about calling on him too often, over-working him and wearing him out. His bout with cancer has left him with multiple health issues, and she wanted to be very aware and respectful of that fact.

What he said back to her was a simple, yet powerful statement, "Use me till I'm all used up."

(Insert supernatural word here.)

Use me till I'm all used up.............

In my religious experiences, I have discovered that the church universal is full of beautiful people with "nice, sensible" haircuts, tailored suits and the perfect shade of lipstick. They are eloquent, they are studied and have their various degrees from theological schools and doctrate programs. (Don't mistake my intention here, I think degrees are fine, and if you want a "sensible" haircut and a neutral-coloured lipstick, I say go for it! My intention is not to be judgmental or hypocritical in that way.) They fuss and fidget until the "new" Christians are conformed to the correct image of what a church person should look and act like. I know of many, many churches that even require a strict kind of dress if you want to step one foot on their platform.

But, ooooooh boy.......... DARE I step out on this shaky little limb?? So often, the "beautiful" people are SO busy running the church business, making the decisions about who can and can't take a leadership role, even deciding when one is "qualified" and has it "together" enough to do any kind of ministry at all, that they forget about who they're supposed to serving. Man-pleasers..... let's make things real pretty so people will like our church, our building, our leaders. Sometimes I wonder, if Jesus walked into our churches and asked to teach, would he be pushed to the back row until he could get his act together?

No, it's not this way in all churches, and I think (and hope) people are starting to see through the pharisitical, pompous attitudes, and get down to the dirty, wash-your-feet kind of ministry. But it is this way a lot of the time, and my question is, of course, WHY? WHY do we push the "uglies" out of the way to kiss the rings of the beautiful?

Okay, so enter my pastor friend. On the outside, he's not beautiful. His colour isn't quite right, his head is permanently tilted downward. He has no eloquent voice with which to deliver the perfectly fluctuated ten-minute sermon, and he can't really wear a tie anymore, due to the trach tube that protrudes from his neck. But I can tell you that this man is more like Jesus would want us to be than nearly anyone I know. He doesn't appear to care about being pretty, or official. He doesn't allow the communication challenge to stop him from doing exactly what God would want him to do..... care for His people. His heart is right.

Now, I try not to make a habit of randomly quoting scriptures just to back up my own opinions, as they are just that.... opinions. However, this man's life has deeply impacted me, and I am reminded of I Corinthians 1:27 (you should read the whole context - it's really good), "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

I have to wonder who really is doing the greater "ministry", the beautiful seat-filled churches, with leaders in matching outfits and glossy shoes, or the humble man writing on his little white board, "Use me till I'm all used up"....

It's not mine to judge, but I know I personally can pray with abandon, "God, make me the most foolish of the fools, so that YOU can be glorified for who YOU are, not for who I am."

*shrug*

SWD #13

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (January 2, 2009)...

Outside my window... It's 3 degrees, and there's really nothing exciting going on.

I am thinking... about Frank Simmons, my co-worker's brother who is in excruciating pain due to cancer. How I wish I could be the relief fairy and take it all away.

I am thankful for... everything..... really..... everything.

From the kitchen... last night, Jonathan made the biggest stinking cheesecake I've ever seen. It had orange zest in it, and was layered between two made-from-scratch chocolate cakes, with chocolate whipped cream frosting. It was approximately 7 inches tall and had enough calories to equal six-thousand workouts, but holy buckets, was it ever delicious.

I am wearing... hunter green turtleneck, jeans and comfy Friday shoes.

I am going... to try to get my house back in order after a month of being on the run constantly.

I am reading... through the icanhascheezburger.com website. So cute.

I am hoping... to find something interesting to say. Right now, I have nothing.

I am hearing... nothing. It's silent again.... one of those rare moments.

Around the house... I just replaced my Coca-Cola decorative stuff in the bathroom with the new black bear stuff I got for Christmas. SO exciting!!

One of my favorite things... I have too many favourites right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Sleep.
Clean.
Finish a game of Mexican Train Dominoes.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... My mother had this shadow box made for me for Christmas. It has "Grandma stuff" in it - one of her pillow cases that I have had for years, three pictures of her, and the necklace she's wearing in the middle picture. It was one of the best things I've ever received. So awesome.

SWD #12

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (December 29, 2008)...

Outside my window... Let's see... I'm at my mom's house in Ohio... will have to look. It's sunny and windy. There's a patio chair that was overturned by the wind, leaves everywhere and the old faithful blue truck sitting in the driveway.

I am thinking... about how many people in my life got horribly sick with the stomach flu this past week. Really makes Christmas an adventure.

I am thankful for... the fact that, even though sickness sort of overtook us this season, it's nothing compared to cancer..... or starvation.... the loss of a loved one.

From the kitchen... my mother made me a lovely turkey sandwich for breakfast, like only she can do. :o)

I am wearing... jeans, black striped shirt over a black t-shirt and vacation hair.

I am going... to play the Wii with my mom, my brother and his fam.

I am reading... nothing. I'm on vacation.

I am hoping... to get home without any more major catastrophes.

I am hearing... my nephew talking to my mom about Alice in Wonderland.

Around the house... I'm not at my house, but around this house, signs on Christmas are starting to disappear.

One of my favorite things... spending time with my mom, and my brother and family.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Hang out for a couple more days, then try to make it home.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
I don't have a picture thought today, because I'm not near my own computer. However, if you can picture 9 cases of stomach flu in 5 days, bad weather, canceled trains, dead car AND truck batteries, keys locked in running cars...... you'll know some of what an adventure the last week has been. And I'm still smiling. I'm pretty sure it's only because I've lost my mind. :o)

Happy New Year!

SWD #11

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (December 22, 2008)...

Outside my window... It's -13 degrees with a windchill of -35. The snow is beautiful and crunchy, and my hair froze solid when I went outside.

I am thinking... about how I really don't want to be working this week.

I am thankful for... the fact that my mother arrived safely for Christmas. I'm also thankful for the wonderful time we're having together.

From the kitchen... The only thing I've had from my kitchen in the last five days is a glass of milk.

I am wearing... navy turtleneck, black sweater, navy pants, black shoes.....

I am creating... bulletins bulletins bulletins bulletins bulletins. Oh yeah, and bulletins.

I am going... to remember to warm the truck up so I don't have to sit in it and shiver.

I am reading... a lot of emails. I'm behind. Shock. Gasp. Faint.

I am hoping... to make these next few days the best ever.

I am hearing... my bed calling me. Come hooooooome..... cooooooome hooooooooome.....

Around the house... since I haven't been around much, my cat is now requiring me to show my ID at the door so he can make sure it's me entering.

One of my favorite things... Kids. Kids are so amazing... they can do ANYTHING. While most of the time, we think we should be the ones teaching, often we should be watching them and learning!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Bulletins.
Bulletins.
More bulletins.
Some bulletins.
Larger bulletins.
Shopping.
Games.
Christmas fun.
Travel to Ohio.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... we had white out conditions the other day, and I, again being the rule-following driver that I am, snapped a shot of the road I was traveling on to remember what it looked like. THEN... while my mom and I were shopping, Mother Nature painted a GREAT picture on my windshield. Add some eyes, a nose and mouth and VOILA!

SWD #10

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (December 15, 2008)...

Outside my window... It's -6 degrees with a windchill of -32. The sun dogs are HUGE and gorgeous.

I am thinking... about what a busy weekend it was with four shows and a Christmas program. Wow.

I am thankful for... the talents God has given me, and the ability to use them.

From the kitchen... let me put it this way.... I haven't been home in the evenings since last Monday. I'll just leave it at that.

I am wearing... black turtleneck sweater, tan pants, black shoes..... and BRIGHT red and silver jingle bell earrings.

I am creating... thoughts and lists to finishing my Christmas shopping.

I am going... to attempt to clean my house before my mother gets here on Friday.

I am reading... welllllll..... I actually moved a book from the shelf to the night stand. I read the title now and then when I have a minute.

I am hoping... to not run out of money before I finish shopping.

I am hearing... the heater running.

Around the house... I thought something was wrong with the PS2 memory card because it wouldn't save my Katamari game. Turns out I was just dumb (surprise, gasp, faint). My brother helped me learn the PROPER way to save a game and all is well. Now I don't have to keep starting over.

One of my favorite things... hearing lots and lots of people singing together. Last night I heard them singing Christmas carols. It was fab.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Christmas shopping.

Brush-up rehearsal.

Mom arrives.

Three more performances.

Crash and burn.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... what is it with cats and Sorry!? The grey cat is Allige. The orange cat is my friend's cat, Reilly. They both INSIST on being in the middle of everything. Weirdos.

SWD #9

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY (December 8, 2008)...

Outside my window... It's 19 degrees and the clouds are preparing to dump a few inches of snow on us..... so they say. Well, the weather people say, that is, not the clouds. Clouds can't talk, you know. Or maybe they can talk and we just don't know their language. I don't speak cloud.

I am thinking... about what clouds might talk about. "Hey Whitey, did you see that dragon shape Bob made yesterday? He really has a gift for shapes. My specialty is hail."..............................

I am thankful for... everything.

From the kitchen... the dishes actually did start crawling out of the dishwasher. I had to call in the kitchen gnomes to assist.

I am wearing... navy blue pants, navy blue turtleneck, black sweater, black shoes. And yes, I CAN wear blue and black together if I want to!

I am creating... um.....chaos?

I am going... to be very frugal with time and money this week.

I am reading... schedules of the coming weeks' rehearsals and shows.

I am hoping... to keep track of everything, and not lose the joy of the season.

I am hearing... two people talking in the background. Bing Crosby singing Christmas songs. Sing it, Bing!

Around the house... let's see..... my cat still remembers me, even though I don't spend much time there right now.

One of my favorite things... Christmas trees. I LOVE Christmas trees.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Rehearsal.
Rehearsal.
Rehearsal.
Rehearsal.
Church.
Concert.
Meeting.
Party.
Performance.
Performance.
Performance.
Performance.
Performance.
Oh yeah.... and maybe a light snack.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...It's not a picture, but it's a Garfield comic strip that made me laugh. (Copyright Jim Davis)

Until You've Had An Addiction...

I wonder how many times in my life I've said the words, "They got what they deserved" to people in conversations. I used to think it was a perfectly rational line of thought, as in, if you're going to dig your hole, don't be surprised when it caves in on top of you.

It's taken me a long time to realize what a nasty attitude that is about people and life in general. When I make a mistake, or royally mess something up, the last thing in the world I need is to be given the proverbial "you made your bed, now you have to lie in it" speech. Yet, how many times do we give that speech, either face to face, or worse, behind the scenes, without a clue of how hurtful it comes across to the defeated comrad?

I've prayed for God to give me more compassion over the years, and since watching people or animals suffer nearly sends me to the ground in agony, I'm calling Him Faithful on that one. In my search for a genuinely caring heart, I've discovered that addiction is one of the areas in which I've found a new interest.

For people who have never had an addiction, it's hard to understand why you can't "just quit" on the spot. Just make the decision to do it, right? Well, okay, but really, whether it's drugs, alcohol, television, computers, video games, sports, or any other thing we may latch on to, when it becomes and addiction, it takes over your life and leaves you with little self-discipline or control. That's WHY it's called addiction.

I highly doubt that anyone wakes up one morning and says, "Hmm... I think I'll see what I can get addicted to today." It just happens. We make decisions, yes, and we're accountable, yes, but we're also human. I know that, for me personally, if I could ever go a day without messing SOMETHING up, or making a wrong decision, I would probably wonder if I was having an out-of-body experience. This begs the question....

Why do we feel we have the RIGHT to judge or draw the line on what is an acceptable mistake and what's past the point of no return? Which mess-up deserves grace and mercy, and which deserves condemnation and finger-pointing shame?

I'm not negating the importance of consequences here, because unfortunately, consequences are sometimes the best teachers, but don't you think a "compassionate" God would want us to extend the hand of mercy, even in the worst of circumstances? If God is truly who He says He is, then He loves us NO MATTER WHAT, and when we get into trouble, or make a bad decision, He doesn't point the almighty finger at us and furrow His brow with rejection and anger. Rather, His unconditional love for us has Him extending both arms, pulling us close to his heart and walking us through our circumstances gently.

I suppose it should be no different for us in the way we treat people, especially those with addictions. We should be gentle, patient.....merciful..... even in the face of an addict who has "made their bed" and is now lying in it. Addiction destroys reason, obliterates rationality, sometimes even steals your sanity.

Compassion revives - WE could be the misty horizon of hope for someone struggling with addiction in a particular area, but we can't do it by sticking our self-righteous fingers in their face. Too harsh? Maybe, but isn't there a simple truth to all of this? If WE want to be given the second, third, tenth, hundredth chances when we mess things up, then I think we should probably start giving the same grace to others.

Or, perhaps once again, I am just another babbling blogger........