tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255308150735506982024-03-14T04:35:20.260-05:00Wit's EndLydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-73929860710279481032012-04-26T18:08:00.002-05:002012-04-26T18:08:28.667-05:00Fun with Fabric<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrQppt1vRiw/T5nQTbXzmqI/AAAAAAAAAHU/eHC1KQsmkb4/s1600/April+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrQppt1vRiw/T5nQTbXzmqI/AAAAAAAAAHU/eHC1KQsmkb4/s320/April+2012+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally decided to put my awesome Christmas present to work and whip out some projects. I made this for a friend who just had a baby. My own daughter has gone crazy over toys that crinkle so I hope this baby appreciates the color, tags, and crunchiness too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26UwTx06-SE/T5nRYssGrUI/AAAAAAAAAHk/22CcopSPSs8/s1600/April+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26UwTx06-SE/T5nRYssGrUI/AAAAAAAAAHk/22CcopSPSs8/s320/April+2012+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some super soft burp cloths for the same baby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zk9OttPSjE/T5nRoIVIo8I/AAAAAAAAAHs/h8kjoFoeUgs/s1600/April+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zk9OttPSjE/T5nRoIVIo8I/AAAAAAAAAHs/h8kjoFoeUgs/s320/April+2012+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little honey trying on a new bib I made from home decor fabric...very sturdy. Although when I look at it now it's not exactly "babyish" looking. Must have been thinking about myself.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFgw0zZxJlc/T5nR0jLfSJI/AAAAAAAAAH0/UgoMqFvMxkI/s1600/April+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFgw0zZxJlc/T5nR0jLfSJI/AAAAAAAAAH0/UgoMqFvMxkI/s320/April+2012+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNmdKSuWqg4/T5nSApSlVgI/AAAAAAAAAH8/oHBA5VOXe5o/s1600/April+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNmdKSuWqg4/T5nSApSlVgI/AAAAAAAAAH8/oHBA5VOXe5o/s320/April+2012+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud of myself for finally finishing Elsie's curtains! I'm super happy with the fabric my sister helped me pick out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-12115541954463459802012-01-16T17:36:00.002-06:002012-01-16T19:27:57.715-06:00ThriftingBeing thrifty, I love it.<br /><br />I'm all over bargains, clearance shelves and deals. Surprisingly, I'm not a huge collector of coupons but this is because I don't often see coupons for things I honestly need.<br /><br /> Some of my favorite ways to save though are these:<br /><br />-Making my own laundry soap. It only takes 20 min and a couple of dollars.<br /><br />-Cloth diapers. I mostly use the Flip brand because I can use the covers several times before washing. I think I have invested about $200 in covers and inserts so far. Most estimates per child for disposable diapers is about $3000. That's a lot of money which I'd rather put towards something else. Yes, I have to wash them (which is pretty inexpensive since I use my homemade non-scented soap). I have enough so I only wash them twice a week. Not bad. Plus my super cool Flip diapers are irresistible colors of fun. Big bonus, they hardly ever leak! Unless you've had a child who was always ruining clothes, you have no idea how awesome this is. Might I add that you can pass them on to the next child? Try that with a disposable. No, don't.<br /><br />-Consignment Shops. I adore them....but I've also learned to be careful. I only buy clothes that are in like-new condition and that I'm really getting for a great deal...not a "deal" I could easily get at the store with a sale tag. I love finding great brand name items for a few bucks verses a lot of bucks because I know how much better they are made and last longer. The big bonus is not handing out the $30+ for only one item.<br /><br />-Grocery Shopping. I love cooking and baking! But just because you cook at home, doesn't mean it's automatically cheap. Eating out is expensive and eating at home will be too if you're not careful. Sometimes it doesn't pay to get the off brand - I don't compromise on taste if it feels like a punishment while eating it later. Sometimes buying a cheaper brand on one thing allows you to pay more for that "good" brand of cottage cheese. Buy in bulk only when it makes sense i.e. you actually have the storage for it and you will definitely use it before it goes bad.<br /><br />Making a meal plan for the week so that you know exactly what you need in groceries will save you tons of time, havoc and repeated trips to the store. P.S. grocery stores can be so different with prices - look around.<br /><br />Living is expensive but it doesn't have to be near as expensive as they try to make you think. If you're willing to go to a little extra work you can save so much in so many ways.Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-14943029303098436542012-01-02T12:15:00.004-06:002012-01-02T13:26:41.300-06:00Focus<div align="left"> Years ago my dad was going through The Shorter Catechism with us and in answer to the question, "What is chief end of man?" we memorized "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." It's only a broad brushstroke of an answer but it is so true. I often find myself asking, "what is my purpose here?" and getting all frustrated and frazzled. If I adjust the question though and ask, "am I glorifying God in this?" it really changes my focus. Realizing that we are to glorify God in ALL things rather than just the really big ones is so vital. In this next year I want to see to it that I do this every day. What a joy to know that as I clean house, make meals, change diapers, constantly cleaning off spit-up and spend time with my little girl and husband I am not only bringing them pleasure at the same time I am glorifying God. Nothing against ministries outside the family - I endeavour to support them as well, but far too often I think the home is not seen as a real and chief place of ministry.</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-57777448273628817842011-08-02T14:24:00.003-05:002011-08-04T11:48:55.381-05:00Of Love and Logic<p align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"> <span ><span ><span >I realize it's human nature to defend and justify our sins...I am as culpable as anyone, and in so doing, recognize quickly how illogical a practice it is. There really isn't a "good" reason to sin, although we frequently do it in the interest of momentary self-gratification, which can easily mask itself as a good reason in a purely emotional mindset. This explains the commonalty of society's defence of immoral behavior; they have a lot of emotional arguments on their side, which may be effective in a secular realm, but will not survive in God's kingdom.</span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >As a Christian, I see the consequences of sin, whether they are physical, spiritual or psychological, as natural boundaries put in place by God. Whether you believe in God or not, you are still bound by the laws of nature on this earth.</span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >When God says, "Do not commit adultery" the fact that God tells us not to do something should be a pretty compelling reason...but we're fallen and susceptible and drawn to the forbidden, which causes us to sin frequently, even though we know there will be consequences. God is a god of love AND logic and He does not give us mindless commands. God truly wants what is best for us. Adultery is a sin, yes, but it also hurts and destroys our marriages, our children and cripples us spiritually. It destroys our sense of trust in ourselves and other people...the consequences differ from person to person, but are all disagreeable.</span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >Adultery is just one example and is rarely treated as defensible, BUT the facts about it remain true for many sins. Homosexuality is one sin which is commonly condoned and even celebrated, and although it is not my intention to write an enormous post on every possible argument surrrounding this issue, I do want to touch on one aspect. I am fully aware of the temptation to sin and why we commonly indulge, but I do not favor arguments in favor of homosexuality simply because “it's what they want/need” and non-support is framed as unloving, hateful and/or unfair. It has been said that they can't “help” being who they are...it is not a choice they are making.</span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >I recognize that some people legitimately struggle with being attracted to members of the same sex – just as some of us legitimately struggle with alcoholism, lying, or pornography...but indulging these sins does not help or heal us. If you struggle with homosexuality, acting on the temptation to engage in homosexual acts is not going to help you. The temptation is not the sin, but the act. If I support and help you in securing what you desire, I am not displaying love when I know that what you want will hurt you. As I pointed out in the beginning, sin has consequences. God condemns homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9) and tells us that they will not inherit the kingdom of God.</span></span></span></p><p style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >Supporting, allowing or encouraging people to engage in homosexuality is hurtful to them, and the negative health effects associated with homosexuality are overwhelming.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span ><span >-Risky behavior is on the rise among homosexuals<br />-Promiscuity is almost inevitable, multiplying diseases exponentially<br />-HPV<br />-Hepatitis (which increases the risk of liver cancer)<br />-Gonorrhea, which can cause permanent fertility damage<br />-Syphilis, which can lead to mental disorders, blindness and death<br />-HIV/AIDS<br />-High Incidence of Mental Health Problems among Homosexuals<br />-Lower Life Expectancy....by 8-20 years! One study concluded that half of the population of gay or bisexual men will not reach their 65th birthday</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2"><span ><span >Let me also add that God loves all of his creation and wants us to be with Him. He doesn't cause us to sin or revel in our doing so. His desire for us is to resist temptation and equips us with knowledge and discernment. However, God also gave us free will – which is often when we find ourselves in trouble.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2"> <span ><span ><span >I know there are many issues we could discuss here, but today I just wanted to point out this one and ask you, even if you remove religion, if it is really logical or loving to endorse such personally devastating behavior?</span></span></span></p>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-37812629213984025092011-06-13T08:53:00.003-05:002011-06-13T10:03:16.154-05:00DesireI was unable to keep my eyes open any longer last night so I finished the last ten pages of <i>That Hideous Strength</i> this morning before getting up. What a delicious book. I can't believe I waited to read the final book in the trilogy 6 years after the first two. <div><br /></div><div>The book awakened in my soul a longing for Heaven. The dreams of childhood fantasy. A wild desire for my own child to read, love, and appreciate the stories which open another world of thought, living, adventure and understanding. A world where good and evil are clearly seen and dealt with. A world of betrayal and courage. A world which appeals to our innate sense of kindness, duty and chivalry. But most importantly, stories which direct, cultivate and prepare us for life everlasting. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will never forget the impact At the Back of the North Wind (by George MacDonald), The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis), Lilith (MacDonald), Adventures is Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), The Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster), The Princess and the Goblin (MacDonald), A Christmas Carol (Dickens), Just So Stories (Kipling), The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson-Burnett), The Hobbit (Tolkien), Egyptian and Greek myth and others had on me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Children think in images and as a parent we can supply what those images will be - whether it's the world of television and computer games or books and games which inspire the imagination to cleave to and grow. Not that any film or television will immediately doom your child to a murky swamp and insipid lack of creativity, but alone, I don't believe it can have the same or as good an effect as hearing stories from their parents or reading themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though I blush to think of them now, I filled much of my childhood by attempting to write my own stories filled with secret vaults and doors, good people and bad people, just and unjust. Often I had a little brother or sister as audience with the promise that they would take their nap if I told them one more story. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I desire never to grow too old for these stories myself and to fill my bookshelf at toddler level with all of them.</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-39409652654556751562011-06-08T11:02:00.002-05:002011-06-08T15:19:02.183-05:00Growing Pains<em>"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." Isaiah 26:3</em><br /><em></em><br />It is amazing to me how much the child growing inside has taught and tested me physically and spiritually. It has been a frustrating process to learn that pregnancy exhaustion is like no other and when body and baby demand rest it is near impossible to fight it. One of the hardest things to accept is my complete inability to accomplish a fourth of the things I would like to. It makes me feel lazy, useless, and petty. John has been absolutely incredible in regards to this - never chafing me for what I do not accomplish and understanding the fact that I am sick and tired far better than I.<br /><br />Mr Drysdale, John's nickname for baby, has taken a recent delight in making me starving and light-headed and demanding nutrition to a feeling of either throwing up or passing out when I do eat. In the meantime constant punches, kicks, and somersaults ensue. I love feeling him move, but the rate at which he keeps it up is amazing. It's probably a warning that he or she is going to be crawling at 3 months and walking by 9 or 10.<br /><br />With pregnancy also comes a bodily reaction of loose joints....I think I've gotten my full measure.<br /><br />It is:<br />-why I dropped my father-in-law's fishing pole into the lake.<br />-why the olive oil jar shattered on the floor of the grocery store<br />-why my kitchen floor was splattered in yogurt<br />-why coffee granules went everywhere but in the filter (times 3)<br />-why it is treacherous to eat without a bib<br /><br />Then there is this realization that I do in fact have hormones and am capable of reacting to fatigue in the most extreme and ridiculous girly ways. It was one of those things I swore would not interfere with my life.<br /><br />Hitting the 3rd trimester over the weekend and Mr Drysdale deciding to go on another growing spurt made me even more aware of how it's suddenly a little harder to bend over, or move quickly, or roll over. Occasionally, the idea of removing your stomach for just a few hours so you can move around properly, sounds rather tempting.<br /><br />But through all of these many and extreme life changes, I remember who gives me strength and purpose in this world. Right now that purpose seems to mostly be growing this baby and remembering to listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br /><em>"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." -C.S.L.</em>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-14097141208904988792011-05-04T09:15:00.000-05:002011-05-04T09:15:58.911-05:00In Defense of Men<div>We women have been on the rampage for our rights in this country for well over a century now. 163 years to be exact since we demanded and attained our right to be treated equally with men. In the name of Equality we accomplished a lot to prove our individuality and ability. Already 118 years since the women of Colorado became the first in the nation to vote legally.</div><br />I enjoy the right to vote as much as anyone but I'm afraid the movement lost its motivation to gain equality long ago. We are no longer proving we're "equal to men" but have veered dangerously off that course to an ideal greater than that.<br /><br />As a Christian, I have never doubted my "equality to men". Why should I? God created us equally, yes, but that has nothing to do with the roles of men and women. How ridiculous and impossible it is for men and women to try and be the same. It can't and won't work. I no longer see women trying to attain equality with men, no, they want to be above men, and worst of all, above any and all authority.<br /><br />We're so consumed with this goal that somehow it makes perfect sense that we should have control over everything that touches our lives....especially when it comes to pregnancy. It's our body, end of argument. We have a right to do what we wish in this area as well. No matter that the child growing inside us could not and would not be there if half of the chromosomes which formed her were not from a man.<br /><br />My question is this, why do women have unlimited rights? Why and how does she have total say over how this child will affect its father?<br /><br />I am a woman and I am pregnant. Legally I have 3 options.<br /><br />1.) Parent the baby. In which occurrence I can force, if need be, the father to pay child support. In this case, he will legally be recognized as the father and has parental rights.<br /><br />2.) Make an adoption plan. In which case, under ND law all effort must be made to contact the father and he has every right to either give or deny permission for an adoption. Parental rights totally recognized.<br /><br /><div>3.) Abort the baby. In which case, not being a minor, I need absolutely nobody's permission. I don't even have to tell its father. He has, to be precise, no parental rights.<br /><br /></div><div>Why is it harder to make an adoption plan, where my child could be received and loved by a family, than to kill it? Why am I the sole arbiter of life or death of another human being? And who says when this time of being an arbitrator should end? If I kill my child in utero, I am simply doing what was best for me and my life. If I kill my child when she is 3 months or 3 years, I am a murderer and will be sentenced even if I have the exact same reasoning for my actions in both cases.<br /><br />It appears that women have replaced God and His authority with themselves. We no longer recognize life as a gift and something to nurture and treasure, but as something we may give or take at will. We need to step down and realize what we have done to ourselves and our men, but most importantly, how we have put God in a box so we can attempt to live our lives free of consequence.<br /><br />Men need to be just that and take initiative. They were created to take care of and defend women. Not because women are helpless but because women have a different role to fulfill. When we strip men of their ability to protect (yes, this includes their child in utero) a whole slough of problems begin to ferment.<br /><br />I am frustrated with laws that are inconsistent. Laws which recognize a father in every instance except when it comes to the option of death.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-78526441518248872802011-04-27T20:18:00.002-05:002011-04-27T21:00:13.438-05:00<span class="Apple-style-span" >The other day a friend asked me what made me passionate about pro-life. I found the question startling because I'd been muddling about the same thing of late. I was intrigued enough to pose the same question to my mom and husband to see if they had a cut and dry answer....for all of us it seems it was not one experience but a culmination of discussions and realizations which led us to recognize what happens when we accept abortion as a reasonable "answer" to the world's problems. The problems which are culture is experiencing begin long before a girl finds out she pregnant. Unwanted pregnancies are not the problem, the conundrum is how we got there and why we're dealing with the question.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The following is a gist of how I answered my friend:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >"It's so funny that you asked about why I am pro-life because I've been thinking about it myself a lot lately. It surprises me in some ways that I am as passionate about it as I am because I have never had any personal experience with it nor did I know anyone who had had an abortion before I got involved.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Part of it is my impulsive nature. When I do something, I'm either involved 100% or not at all. When I did TKD I went religiously every week and did not become involved in other things so that I could concentrate fully on it. I have always been "pro-life" in a certain sense I guess, morally I would have always argued for life. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >In 2009 when I went to a camp and actually learned something about the topic and also how I could become involved; I threw myself on top of the opportunity. I felt fulfilled in a certain sense, like I'd been looking to do something of this nature for a long time but didn't know how to find it. God just opened one door after another. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >I'm not an angry pro-lifer but what angered me was the injustice of abortion, the amount of lies which are told regarding it, and how many people are hurt because of it. Everything about abortion is so anti-American and to know it happens every single day in this country really troubled me. I honestly believe that most people who side with abortion are not doing so because they are horrible people who like to kill babies but because they really do not understand what abortion involves nor the consequences that surround it from society and families but especially how it affects women. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >I believe that how one views the issue of life shapes their view on how they perceive everything else. When I saw how rock-solid John was about being Pro-life and how it affected all of his thinking...well...it kinda made me fall in love with him quite hopelessly."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So yes, I am passionate about being pro-life and I am willing to do what I am able to bring an end to abortion and educate others on why it matters. Quite simply it is a matter of Life or Death. Not just the life and death of precious human life, but of our culture, society and our nation. </span></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-60094311661150316432011-01-06T19:43:00.002-06:002011-01-06T20:24:05.422-06:00Confessions of a Catastrophic CookI have loved cooking since as long as I can remember. Not just cooking but everything: planning, thinking of, and modifying recipes, thinking up entire meal weeks, and baking as well. For the past year or two my own diet forced me to exclude gluten and dairy but I have continued to love cooking for the people I love. I depend a lot on my nose and hope between that and my brain I don't end up too off when it comes to taste for many things. <div><br /></div><div>When I have an inkling to make something it won't leave my head until I do. So this afternoon while working at the shop with John I began to wonder what to make for dinner. Home-made pizza like my mama makes immediately seized my brain and I simply knew I had to make that for dinner or John would have to go hungry because I didn't feel I could make anything else. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have never made pizza entirely by myself - that is one meal my mom has <i>always </i>made herself every Saturday night. On my drive home I began to wonder how I was going to get past the first obstacle, Mum has always had her bread machine mix and rise her pizza dough. I don't have a bread machine. Hum. I called up home and my dad solved the problem and said I should just attempt to put it together by hand like "grandma's rolls". </div><div><br /></div><div>I did just that, the dough felt really good even though I dared to half the recipe which isn't always the smartest thing to do when dealing with bread. I had the pizza stone in the oven but, alas, no cornmeal. Cornmeal is used on the stone so the pizza slides on and off easily. Another call to mum and we finally decided yeast might work. I decided it didn't have a choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next, I realized I didn't have a pizza paddle to first make the pizza on and then transfer to the oven. Oh well. An upside-down cookie sheet would have to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Assembled, my first pizza did look rather dashing. Sauce, mushrooms, mozzarella, colby, pepperoni, parmesan. My heart twitched as I thought about transferring it to the oven. I began to lift it with a spatula but it ended with a heart-wrenching job of gradually pushing and pulling it off and messing up the whole top. Feeling like tears for no good reason I fixed it up as much as possible hating that I had started the project. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ugh. Why do I get these stupid ideas in my head?</div><div><br /></div><div>When John walked in I explained, "Well, I made you pizza for dinner but you can laugh at it when comes out because it looks horrible."</div><div><br /></div><div>A minute later I pulled it out. John breathed, "Mmm, that looks great."</div><div><br /></div><div>I examined and disagreed. </div><div><br /></div><div>But</div><div><br /></div><div>He said it tasted good, really good. He didn't even let it cool down but burned his mouth several times just because he wanted to eat it so much. He continued eating until half of it was gone. I kinda like my overly appreciative husband. </div><div><br /></div><div>I prefer to have things look and taste good....but when you only have one option, I guess taste is better than look. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nevertheless</div><div><br /></div><div>No more pizza until I have a pizza board and cornmeal. </div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-50568787117495615252010-11-17T15:55:00.006-06:002010-11-18T08:54:10.565-06:00Stand up. Speak out.Taking classes from a secular college with some extremely secularly-minded teachers has led me to some interesting conversations, at many times frustrated me to distraction, and more often spurred me to say and write <i>my</i> opinion and beliefs in my assignments. It's led me to find creative ways to find out how to make them a necessary part my of speech or paper and the fact that my teacher <i>must </i>read it is always fun. I don't mean it in a bad way and I don't do it without purpose. But after sitting day after day in class being stuffed with not information, but crappy opinion, my piston occasionally busts. <div><br /></div><div>Martin Luther King Jr. once said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"<span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Our lives begin to end on the day that we become silent about things that matter.” </i>I believe that this is true. But I also know how very easy it is to be smothered by secularism. To think that your voice doesn't matter. It really is so easy to go to class, take a few notes, and like a machine, produce information and papers made up of your teacher's opinions or the social norm. But in this, you will become a puppet, void of life. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As Christians we are commanded to live out our faith. I'm not saying the solution is always speaking aloud. Sometimes it's an action - a demonstration or prayer. It certainly is not always something in our comfort zone. But if we refuse to stand up for what we believe, for truth, for justice....as Mr King stated...our lives begin to end. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I have this English teacher who is obsessed with feminism. Give her any story and she will point out the most obsolete sentence as an indication that the male in the story is a raving or creeping misogynist. It gets old. I would like to say, "No matter how much you stomp on that overflowing garbage - no more will fit, lady." I have challenged a lot of her opinions in class especially when they seem to drift entirely off the story's course. We rarely come to an agreement. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My speech teacher, who would actually be a perfect definition for my English teacher of a misogynist, grates on me in an entirely different manner. But Monday's class was something different - I was actually incensed with anger.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My speech teacher was sorting out different kinds of speech outlines we can use and told two stories which I found absolutely false. The first story was about bible-boy and non-bible-boy and his summing point was that the bible says ALL killing is wrong. He was basing his claim off of the 10 Commandments and God commanding us not to murder - God ordered his chosen people to "kill" numerous times throughout scripture. The speech teacher also has a hard time with absolutes, like, one concept being right and one concept being wrong. He usually finds a way for them </span></span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">both </i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to be right. Stupid. Then Mr Speech Teacher went into a story about Doctor Kevorkian and pitying the fact that he was imprisoned merely for helping </span></span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">terminal </i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">patients to die a </span></span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">noble death. </i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, this is completely inaccurate information. Doctor Kevorkian is a creep who was dubbed "Dr. Death" because he didn't "help" terminally ill patients but people who were very much alive. In need of psychological help? Most assuredly. About to die? Certainly not from natural causes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So as I sat in the front of class watching these words spill out from Mr Speech Teacher's mouth I felt a feeling of such absolute anger sweep over me. I told myself, I am not hearing what I think I am hearing. I turned around, which is rather awkward to stare at everyone else in the room for no apparent reason, to see what effect this information was doing to them. No one raised a hand. No one said anything. I was flabbergasted. I felt I had to say something to refute. I found myself speechless...and feeling very hot and red all over. Class was instantly dismissed. I felt like a description from a book. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For the next two hours, every time I thought about that class, I flushed again. I knew I had to say something. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today I had my moment. I went to class and frantically tried to think and pray about how to really approach this. God placed the opportunity right in my hand. My teacher actually mentioned the bible-boy/non-bible-boy story and so I raised my hand..."actually," I said a bit shyly, "the bible isn't actually..." and I simply pointed out the error. Mr Teacher brushed it off that it <i>wasn't </i>material to his point. Oh well. At least the earth didn't open up and swallow me for saying so. Then he brought up the other story - Again, I raised and said, "Um, well, I have something to say about this one too." Mr Teacher sighed and allowed me to go on. I pointed out a brief fact about Doctor Kevorkian - the class chuckled - we had a short disagreement and Mr Teacher ended with, "well I supposed we could check the facts later." Like facts don't matter or something. Weird. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Stand up for what you believe. Sometimes it may not feel like you're making a difference but you never know whose heart or mind you might impress. Do I always speak up when I should? Definitely not. But each time you do so, it will become easier. Speaking in public terrifies me. I build it up in my head. With my imagination, you'd think we have persecution and executions occurring for speaking up. We don't. You can do it. </span></span></div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="UIStory_Message"><br /><br /></span></h3>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-17274704281740762262010-10-20T10:03:00.003-05:002010-10-20T10:26:41.388-05:00What Gets Me<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="http://nfl49ers.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/pink-nikes.jpg" /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I am sick of seeing softly pink-hued garbage bags, coffee mugs, stickers, shirts, flags, hats, backpacks, gloves, scarves, picture frames and pencils. I know who makes them, and I know they promote a lie. My problem is Susan G. Komen and her foundation built on exploitation. I do not lack compassion or concern for breast cancer patients. My complaint is not with them. My complaint is with Susan G. Komen and many doctors and industries obtaining money and making it look like they really care enough to help people. They have a huge audience because...breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, and also because breast cancer is the leading cancer in women. What I mean by that is, yes, it has a audience just because of the sheer number of breast cancer patients but also simply BECAUSE it is women suffering. It seems to be one of those untouchable topics, especially for men, and is a campaign endorsed by the feminists.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Susan G Komen's slogan is, Race for the Cure. Really? I guess maybe that's true. She is trying to find a cure...A cure that gets around the enormous link abortion and contraceptives have to breast cancer. Have you ever wondered why in the world suddenly everyone knows someone who has had breast cancer? Why did this epidemic emerge from seemingly no where? Well...believe it or not it has risen with the increase in abortion and the use of contraceptives especially before the first child. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="http://www.weisblum.com/images/Thumbnails/Pink%20Ribbon%20Amiel%20Weisblum.jpg" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I refuse to give to an organization which promotes killing the innocent. Between 2003 – 2008 Susan G. Komen gave over $3 million to Planned Parenthood, the leading provider of abortion in the United States. Does it really make any sense to give money to an organization who will in turn give it to another that not only ends the life of millions of babies, but in doing so is raising the risk of the very thing we are trying to prevent? SGK is all about preventatives and being aware...why don't they prevent abortion? Why don't they tell women about the effects abortion will have and how much higher their risks of breast cancer will be as result?</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="http://www.hi-cone.com/images/Pepsi%20Susan%20G%20Komen%20CureMedium.jpg" /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The truth is, they have an agenda. They really want to provide a way for people to live exactly as they wish without consequence. But this utopia cannot be formed. It breaks all that God has set in order for us. Since the beginning of time sin has been punished. Lucifer sinned and fell from heaven. Eve was deceived as well as Adam and the gate to the beautiful garden was forever fastened. The consequences of sin are for our betterment – and in the end, it is for God's plan and design for us and His glory. God created us the way we are for a reason and when we act against that design we destroy ourselves.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Countless companies are helping sponsor SGK - so before you give your money to them, please consider whose till it will really end up in. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=134729">http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=134729</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><a href="http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/">http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><a href="http://www.bdfund.org/breastcancer.asp">http://www.bdfund.org/breastcancer.asp</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><a href="http://ww5.komen.org/ResearchGrants/CommunitybasedGrants.html">http://ww5.komen.org/ResearchGrants/CommunitybasedGrants.html</a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-36625905015265910422010-09-02T11:04:00.001-05:002010-09-02T11:06:12.888-05:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(119, 119, 119); line-height: 28px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(119, 119, 119); line-height: 28px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. </span></div>Life is a beauty, admire it.<br />Life is bliss, taste it.<br />Life is a dream, realise it.<br />Life is a challenge, meet it.<br />Life is a duty, complete it.<br />Life is a game, play it.<br />Life is costly, care for it.<br />Life is wealth, keep it.<br />Life is love, enjoy it.<br />Life is mystery, know it.<br />Life is a promise, fulfill it.<br />Life is sorrow, overcome it.<br />Life is a song, sing it.<br />Life is a struggle, accept it.<br />Life is tragedy, confront it.<br />Life is an adventure, dare it.<br />Life is luck, make it.<br />Life is too precious, do not destroy it.<br />Life is life, fight for it!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(119, 119, 119); line-height: 28px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(119, 119, 119); line-height: 28px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-Mother Teresa</span></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-54478989553311567752010-09-01T10:46:00.003-05:002010-09-01T21:56:20.180-05:00From the Peanut GalleryTalitha (4): I'm fat<div>Esther (7): No you're not!</div><div>T (offended): Yes I am!</div><div>E: You're as skinny as a bell</div><div>T: I'm fat!</div><div>E: Not-ah. Your bones ache out</div><div>Mom: Jut out!</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-6280676080165049872010-07-03T22:35:00.002-05:002010-07-03T23:45:00.075-05:00Drat That Tomato.<p class="MsoNormal">Drat that tomato. You know, the one I joked about in the beginning…only it was supposed to happen to you, not me. Remember earlier when the wedding party was just arriving and we were traying up the salads with those adorable cherry tomatoes that like to roll their chubby selves all around? Yes, I was being my typical contained self and warning you that if one went rolling you were not to dash after the tomato but keep at the real job of passing out salads. You snapped back that you were well aware on the how to’s of waitressing…I laughed. You laughed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The head table went great…everything to the right person, no spilling someone’s glass like at the last one. Whew. Being a natural klutz and loving waitressing do not always blend well, especially when it is necessary. Serving 250 people demands a lot…most especially making sure you don’t fall into robot mode but keep a person air of interacting and smiling at all those happy people as you remember a zillion requests and comments.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So there was <st1:country-region><st1:place>Lydia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, trying her darnedest to do just that. She was stacking salad plates together and having them handed to her from all directions and half of them had those chubby red tomatoes still on them because certain people prefer to watch them roll around their plate, I guess. Why else would you not eat your tomato? For your information, plates don’t happen to stack very neatly when chubby red tomatoes are rolling around on them…so I shifted and squeezed them a bit to ease the perilous situation…squeezed them a little too hard considering they had leftover dressing on them (I love leftovers, especially leftover tomatoes) and fifteen slippery plates shot into the air showering me with Ranch, French and Thousand Island, paralyzing two lovely young girls in white background dresses, and sending me to my knees with a red face…very much like those chubby red tomatoes…wishing I could roll right out of there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shaken by this traumatic turn of events I made it disappear as fast as possible receiving several worried cold glasses from the wearers of the lovely white background dresses. Life went on. Carefully I came back to the traumatized table and began clearing their plates, they gave more uneasy glances. I had another stack by the time I was finished and was so uptight the entire stack dared to slip away…the mother of the wearers of those white background dresses, shielded her face and as I hurried away she gasped, “Oh that girl <i>nearly</i> did it again!”. <i>That girl</i>…shot into the back room with water pitchers and in her nervous state of trying to make the world all right drenched her shoes and pant legs while dropping a pitcher. She scowled…cringed…and carried on. Carried on with excellent service, snappy retorts, and a smile of service which forgot all errors. </p>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-90760595547699574062010-05-14T12:01:00.002-05:002010-05-14T12:04:09.705-05:00That Lewis and his profundities..."To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one... Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."<div><br /></div><div>C.S. Lewis</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-37015399471890222352010-04-02T00:10:00.004-05:002010-04-03T14:35:19.140-05:00I sure hope God has a sense of humor. I mean, it's pretty obvious he has a sense of humor - Look at the platypus - clearly a hodgepodge. And the pig with its curly little tail ridiculously out of proportion to its body...and look at man. But if we are laughable it is more because of brains than our bodies.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span></div><div>We, the creation - creation not creator - always trying to haggle deals with God. Convincing ourselves God doesn't see all things and know all things. We are like the thief who is sure he'll get away with his stealing though for umpteen years -thieves are repeatedly caught - but unlike the thief there is no chance we will get off <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">scot</span>-free. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why do we choose to pretend we can set the rules or that we are least equals with God? Creator - Creation, King - Servant, Master - Pupil...is it because we feel uncomfortable? We should feel a little unnerved! We ought to remember Nebuchadnezzar and his time spent in the fields. I think too often we want to make God our buddy-friend. God is not our buddy and we are not equal to him. This does not mean God is distant and angry, rather, if we maintain a biblical perspective then repeatedly we see God as a father: loving, protecting, guiding, and correcting his wayward children. Whatever example we look at in the bible whether it be Abraham, Moses, David, Paul or any of the disciples, they were who they were because they reverenced God, and because they humbled themselves before Him. And though in the New Testament Christ laid down new commandments never is this concept swayed. </div><div><br /></div><div>On bended knee we bow before Christ the King, our Maker and Redeemer. </div><div><br /></div><div>On bended knee we plead of him Mercy and Forgiveness.</div><div><br /></div><div>That we may rise, Forgiven, Humbled, and Freed. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-10317029700917332692010-03-30T13:14:00.004-05:002010-03-30T14:36:29.349-05:00Passing Through.Clouds are capable of giving one a pretty odd sensation. I am quite sure that the individual who decided Angels sat on them did not live near elevation, fog, and had never flown.<div><br /></div><div>In addition, the person who came up with that notion was hopelessly off his rocker, for the idea is inanely absurd. Where on earth (literally) did the assumption that angels are silly, charming, and stupid come from anyway? I'm pretty sure I'd be terrified of an Angel making himself known to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clouds. Utterly obscure, constantly changing - more than a woman, fickle though she be. </div><div><br /></div><div>When above them: elation, peace, wonder. The sun burns brightly on the white sea as it fleets mindless yonder. In this world of in between, this land of space with the only visible things being sun and depth of cloud, I think of Ransom being carried to Venus in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Perelandra</span>. But I lack my coffin of transportation, my mission from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oyarsa</span>, and Professor Weston to defeat. This abyss holds an odd sense of security. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sinking through them, surrounded, wondering what is East and West, momentarily holding oxygen flow until the claustrophobic atmosphere evaporates and reveals the interesting palate of objects and colors. The magic whispers my name but it is only in teasing mockery for it is gone, gone, gone. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ungraspable</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The biosphere comes into focus, blotches become roof tops, seas of fluctuating green - lusty trees, and those shiny moving specks merely modes of transportation. </div><div><br /></div><div>I liked the passing silvery ocean.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was drawn to the obscure in between - </div><div><br /></div><div>But the current view, yes, is where I belong, for the time being. </div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-72171965209877730192010-02-04T15:14:00.004-06:002010-02-04T19:10:48.204-06:00Musing.Johann Bach once said something like, "music is simply hitting the right note at the right time." This is basic and true - but the act isn't or we would all be musicians. Life is like music. It can be beautiful, intricate, peaceful, resonate and bounding. It requires hitting the right note at the right time. Music demands patience of her pupils. It is arduous and difficult and she always wants your very best. So God demands our best. It is not simple, but as we look at the composers and martyrs from ages past we desire it and know it is worth it. <div><br /></div><div>Practice makes perfect. In frustration we may bang the keys and their unwillingness to cope with taut fingers and strained mind. We must learn to not strive for perfection but excellence. Carry on through clashing chords and screeching strings and listen for the beat and rhythm of life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even great composers did not always find composing simple...the m<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">asses of notes spread hither and thither look like childish ugly ink patterns…until they are arranged by their creator. We all blunder in life but we must not let these imperfections stop us from being the scattered notes composing the harmony and melody of Christ’s kingdom</span></div><div><br /></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-48906556547851594682010-01-18T20:19:00.003-06:002010-01-18T20:27:55.767-06:00Truth is Simple. In an exquisite fashion."Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired." -Mother Theresa<div><br /></div><div>"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that gives value to survival." -Jack Lewis</div><div><br /></div><div>"It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness." -Leo Tolstoy</div><div><br /></div><div>"A great point is gained when we have learned not to struggle against the circumstances God has appointed for us." -H.L. Sidney Lear</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-83427185827924614452010-01-14T15:18:00.002-06:002010-01-14T15:25:42.442-06:00On Culture:"Also contributing mightily to the growing acceptance of Euthanasia is a form of pervasive cultural decay that I call ' "terminal nonjudgmentalism" ' (TNJ). Our society has become so steeped in relativism, so unable to distinguish right from wrong, that is increasingly fails to react to or criticize truly reprehensible concepts or conduct. When destructive ideas and practices are not condemned, it is effectively a form of praise. That which is not seen as wrong must be right. As the winds of the death culture blow with increasing velocity, the vitality of the equality-of-life ethic withers."<div><br /></div><div>Wesley J Smith, Forced Exit.</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-30110242030067190832010-01-12T12:57:00.003-06:002010-01-12T15:24:05.482-06:00Sight. Hearing. Touch. Smell. Taste.<div>I believe that covers the traditional five senses. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was thinking today just how incredible each one is. How often I forget the wonder of even one. And how happy and grateful I am that Chance and the phenomenal Big Bang worked together to collaborate them. >>>>>>>Okay. That sounds absolutely ridiculous. God is an amazing creator. </div><div><br /></div><div>In particular, I am so thankful for the sense of Smell. I think my nose is becoming more refined in it's ability to smell. I use it so much more of late! I have fallen into a dreadful habit of grudging the fact that I can't eat so many things. Actually that's not even it. Even stuff I can eat that shouldn't technically bother me, does. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided I'm going to revel more in the beauty of smell. Because really, although when we eat we use the sense of Touch (texture) and also Taste and Sight, these become almost nothing if there is no Smell. I suppose this is why I don't mind at all cooking things I can't eat. Smell spikes the imagination to grand heights ingraining itself in the memory. Which is why some people associate certain smells with poignant memories and places. </div><div><br /></div><div>Begin Breathing in the world around you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life would be so bland without smell. Not only would the pleasure of eating be diminished but literally everything else with it. When I think smell, I think: Walks, Spring, Fall, Haying, Tae Kwon Do, Plants, Rivers, Books, Gardens, Grandma's house, Clothes, Paper, Ironing, Old Buildings, Food...it goes on and on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Breathe yes, but inhale the savory, the twitchy, and the pungent with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wallow in this beauty of Life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-40402514151818311132010-01-03T16:03:00.003-06:002010-01-03T19:31:59.473-06:00Quirky.I don't know about you, but I have always been taught that I ought to respect old people. And although some old people make themselves a bit dis-likable there aren't usually very many reasons to disrespect them. <div><br /></div><div>In general I have a keen desire to get to know the elderly and do my best to be courteous and conversational with them. I will also admit that sometimes my expectations of people are too great but in general I adjust to the fact that, they are indeed human, alright-ly. But it still knocked me a little breathless yesterday when I was chatting with Ruth & Jerry. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are an elderly couple that comes every single day to Fry'n Pan for coffee. They are always discussing politics and seem to be most often on the conservative end of things. Don't ask me how but somehow she mentioned the death of her first husband which triggered my question of, "So, how long have you and Jerry been married?"</div><div><br /></div><div>For which she began to explain that they weren't. I imagine some of my shock must have showed on my face. Of which I am not ashamed. It was an honest response. Jerry was sitting reading the paper with a rueful brow right across from her. Behind me I had a feeling all ears were stretched in my direction. The ears being all my co-workers and Tammy, an assistant manger. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ruth turned determined upon me and demanded, "What? What is your little brain thinking?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"It's thinking it doesn't quite agree with you." I replied trying to pull myself together and feeling like the people behind me might explode. Ruth raised her brows at me and Jerry sank even deeper into his paper. "That isn't how God intended us to be. I think it's wrong." </div><div><br /></div><div>Ruth settled herself and began explaining that in general she would agree with me and saw my point of view. Jerry had proposed to her and they would have gotten married but they found out that taxes would change and it would be expensive. If she had been in child-bearing years...there would have been no question about marriage. She would never do that to her child and didn't like the idea of a child out of wedlock. But how it stood it was definitely easier...</div><div><br /></div><div>It was about at this point that Tammy shouted, "Lydia!" and I quickly excused myself. I had food up to take out but I knew she did it for a deeper reason as well. She was a nervous wreck about getting into an argument with a customer. And probably strongly disagreed that I should discuss anything of that kind in a work-environment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tammy said something to me about, "yes, Ruth could be that way and not to bother about it." </div><div><br /></div><div>"I don't mind, really, Tammy. We weren't fighting..and neither of us minded that we disagreed. It's okay."</div><div><br /></div><div>I went over to her again to insure that she was alright. Explaining that she had in fact asked me and she replied that she appreciated my honest answer but her situation was just different. </div><div><br /></div><div>::sigh:: I'm so sad that she doesn't see it as that big of deal. Especially when the reason was monetary. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was so crushing having an old couple do this. Of all people, they have the most experience and you expect so much more. It is deplorable what state our present generation is in...but really...this is what we have for an example?</div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many instances in the bible where the elders teach the young. What happened? Do we see this today? Did they give up? It felt so odd telling people at least 3 times my age how they ought to behave. </div><div><br /></div><div>I pray not. We need to bring back respect and with it the biblical concept of teaching and learning. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-88074511244096479702009-12-16T20:14:00.002-06:002009-12-16T20:29:25.675-06:00SerendipitousWhat a stupendous morning. Call me romantic but it was one of those days where you notice that you breathe and are filled with Joy. The sky is brilliant and everything is possible. Trouble does not fade away--but it is laughable. The importance of living surpasses all petty problems. You glory in Creation and just the crazy beauty of life. <div><br /></div><div>These days make me feel invincible and not exactly human. It is when these rushes of life come over me that I do incredibly silly things that seem absolutely sound and sensible in the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was in such a moment that I stood out in the yard a while back and was griped with the assurity that I was fully capable of doing a front flip in the air and coming back down on my feet. </div><div><br /></div><div>A rather awkward explanation soon followed as to why I could hardly walk and was coated with dewy grass clippings. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is this feeling that makes one far too confident - and all day you drop and spill things, yet, everything is still beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rejoice and revel in God's glorious creation! For He is the greatest of all Artists and deserves Praise.</div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-83686834259332189692009-12-14T23:48:00.001-06:002009-12-14T23:59:11.979-06:00Joy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SycjpaTdD6I/AAAAAAAAAGE/KpkV-xKt3bQ/s1600-h/Picnik+collage.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SycjpaTdD6I/AAAAAAAAAGE/KpkV-xKt3bQ/s320/Picnik+collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415336271278837666" /></a>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25530815073550698.post-54836909890444128772009-12-09T15:42:00.004-06:002009-12-09T15:54:58.394-06:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SyAcGjaf2XI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Boe1Ro641VQ/s1600-h/4148_81072891739_769431739_1679006_7869065_n.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413357651010509170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SyAcGjaf2XI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Boe1Ro641VQ/s320/4148_81072891739_769431739_1679006_7869065_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My darling little sister is 4 years old today.<br /><br />I can't believe it.<br /><br />Yesterday she began crying because I wouldn't be at home to celebrate it with her. Not for any selfish reason she just felt terrible that I had to work all day. I remember crying on this very day 4 years ago when she was born. ::laughs:: I was such a little twerp back then. It wasn't any gentle cry either...::sigh::...I was an absolute emotional wreck and I sobbed and physically shook for hours. Why? because my mom was in labor with her for days in the middle of a state-wide ice storm. I had been up for nearly two days when she did arrive and the shock of wonder at being able to see her come into the world was just a little too much on me.<br /><br />I love you Talitha. Quit growing up so fast!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SyAboRgVBDI/AAAAAAAAAFs/xEGZh8GkS6c/s1600-h/7619_190987309965_777334965_3988166_5562827_n.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413357130807051314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7lZmId1amb4/SyAboRgVBDI/AAAAAAAAAFs/xEGZh8GkS6c/s320/7619_190987309965_777334965_3988166_5562827_n.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Lydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18151497604600053194noreply@blogger.com2