He fathers us, right? Yes. We are His children. Yes.
I have heard so many people over my life complain about what they perceive as this nazi god, He's so mean, all you ever hear from Him is NO no no no no. Don't do this, don't do that!
WELL, to all those people, (who are not reading this, but oh well), maybe that's all you are hearing because you are being a little disobedient brat. Guess what? If you do what He says, there is no need for Him to be drilling law at you. If you make it your business and/or perogative to do whatever the heck you want, yes, what's He left with to say, but no, don't do that. stop it, no no , stop it, no... Because He loves us, and being a good Parent, He has to inform us of what will be harmful to us and try to enforce it, to carry out consequences.
Ok, there's no hiding this is coming from a personal experience, so I'll cut to the chase. Up until the last month, Anna has been virtually effortless to parent. Seriously. I have gotten off SOOO easy. She obeyed everything at first suggestion and often didn't even have to be told stuff. I almost felt guilty when talking to other friends and hearing their struggles with their kids. She would eat whatever she was given, play with whatever you suggested, indefinitely, stop instantly if she learned something was not favourable to us. Now she is pushing, which I suppose is normal. They go in phases. But I realized, especially in the last couple days, how I didn't even feel like a parent that much to her. She was just my tiny little friend. We could hang out and there was never any tension cause she was perfectly agreeable and obedient. These last days, I am feeling like the big meany, the nazi, the nay-sayer. Because she refuses to do what she is told, and is not being compliant, that puts me in the position of being the stern enforcer. I never had to do that yet. She didn't make me. Now she is. I don't enjoy judgment and discipline, I far preferred being her chum, but I have to do it, if she is rebellious. When she is being obedient, we can just carry on happily like a couple buddies, and she might have never seen me even look stern.
And I said to myself, aaaahhhh.... we do that to God.
Maybe your own behaviour and heart attitude are determining/affecting how you see God. Your relationship could be different, better; heck, like a couple buddies.
I believe that with my whole heart.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
character corruptors and a giggle
Listening to the CBC this morning, I heard about a study done at the University of Michigan recently. They were looking at the effect of thought topic on social interaction, specifically, how people interact when they are thinking about money, or if there is any change in how people interact when they are/were thinking about money.
There were 2 groups.
The first group was given crossword puzzles etc. that they were to complete together as a group, and all the words in the puzzles were about money, salaries etc.
The 2nd group also had puzzles, but with words unrelated to money altogether.
The first group was less patient with each other in working together.
But the main test was afterwards. They put them in with some students in a social situation, this is the part I missed thanks to being asked a question by a toddler, but they were thrown in with students anyway, the circumstance I can't define. Anyway, the people in group #1 were far less likely to ask for help (humility) or to offer help to the students (generosity/service) than the people of group #2.
ALSO, interestingly enough, the people of group #1 distanced themselves from people. When placed on couches with others, group #1 made a point of sitting at least 10% further from their neighbour than people of group #2. The commentator suggested that was due to a primal self- protection instinct, 'guarding what is yours' kinda thing. (greed)
And all this from the subconscious suggestion of thought about money. Very interesting.
We have all heard the verse 1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..."
The LOVE of money... why does that always get confused with money itself. Little green papers are not intrinsically evil. Anyways, tangent.
It is the LOVE of money, the greed, the not-relying-on-God and trusting Him, but putting one's trust in the dollar (or man, yourself, and your ability to look after yourself), that are at the root of all manner of evils.
Looks to me, if I'm not over-concluding, which I probably am, that we have something in us, be it our sin nature or training from our greedy culture, that even the mere thought of money can begin to draw out darkness in us, including pride, selfishness and greed. Wow.
Just one more reason to be diligent in excercising control over one's thought life.
So here's an old Anna story that I kept forgetting to post.
On this day during lunch, Anna stopped with a start and called to me with huge eyes, while pointing to her belly.
"Mommy! My tummy is bouncing!"
She had the hiccups.
And remember the little crying kid at the church nursery she kept trying to comfort? Turns out he was sick and now Anna is battling that a little too. She got sick in her bed the other night, and this is her retelling of the events the following morning to my Dad on the phone.
*fairly graphic depiction : you have been warned.
"And I was sick! In my woom.. and I was dwipping... and .. and... it was food... and it was in my mouth! and then.... it was in my bed! and.... I choked.. and I coughed.... and...it was not a good idea."
There were 2 groups.
The first group was given crossword puzzles etc. that they were to complete together as a group, and all the words in the puzzles were about money, salaries etc.
The 2nd group also had puzzles, but with words unrelated to money altogether.
The first group was less patient with each other in working together.
But the main test was afterwards. They put them in with some students in a social situation, this is the part I missed thanks to being asked a question by a toddler, but they were thrown in with students anyway, the circumstance I can't define. Anyway, the people in group #1 were far less likely to ask for help (humility) or to offer help to the students (generosity/service) than the people of group #2.
ALSO, interestingly enough, the people of group #1 distanced themselves from people. When placed on couches with others, group #1 made a point of sitting at least 10% further from their neighbour than people of group #2. The commentator suggested that was due to a primal self- protection instinct, 'guarding what is yours' kinda thing. (greed)
And all this from the subconscious suggestion of thought about money. Very interesting.
We have all heard the verse 1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..."
The LOVE of money... why does that always get confused with money itself. Little green papers are not intrinsically evil. Anyways, tangent.
It is the LOVE of money, the greed, the not-relying-on-God and trusting Him, but putting one's trust in the dollar (or man, yourself, and your ability to look after yourself), that are at the root of all manner of evils.
Looks to me, if I'm not over-concluding, which I probably am, that we have something in us, be it our sin nature or training from our greedy culture, that even the mere thought of money can begin to draw out darkness in us, including pride, selfishness and greed. Wow.
Just one more reason to be diligent in excercising control over one's thought life.
So here's an old Anna story that I kept forgetting to post.
On this day during lunch, Anna stopped with a start and called to me with huge eyes, while pointing to her belly.
"Mommy! My tummy is bouncing!"
She had the hiccups.
And remember the little crying kid at the church nursery she kept trying to comfort? Turns out he was sick and now Anna is battling that a little too. She got sick in her bed the other night, and this is her retelling of the events the following morning to my Dad on the phone.
*fairly graphic depiction : you have been warned.
"And I was sick! In my woom.. and I was dwipping... and .. and... it was food... and it was in my mouth! and then.... it was in my bed! and.... I choked.. and I coughed.... and...it was not a good idea."
Monday, November 20, 2006
midnight scatterbrained mania
Stupid thing #1 : blogging at 1am. I should have been asleep hours ago. I will pay for this tomorrow.
Stupid thing #2 : deciding carelessly at 4:30pm to have a coffee, when your body is no longer accustomed to caffeine cycling in it. Nice. Thus facilitating stupid thing #1.
But since I'm up...
Yeah for inspiration! I have been musically dormant for a number of months, unable to find my mojo. Partly because I found I wasn't hearing anything that inspired me. I heard some today, yeah! Chris and I went to a ceilidh in Judique today with Mairi Rankin rockin out and Jackie Dunn-MacIsaac on piano. MAN Mairi is playing great, and it so got me all wound up, and looking to play again. Which is good, cause I was not happy in my stumped lethargy.
Otherwise, I am featured in an article in the November issue of Celtic Heritage magazine. This is their website, but it hasn't been updated for the current issue, and I don't see anywhere where a person can just buy one issue, I only see subscription options. Stinky. I am going to phone them, so if I learn anything more on that subject, for any interested parties, I will post the info. I wish I had seen the article, to know if I wanted anybody else to see it first!! Oh well! I'm being bold.
http://www.celticheritage.ns.ca/index.htm
So Anna and I went to church this morning. At one point, apparently, Anna found that the minister was a little long-winded in his prayer, and she piped up in a strong voice, "We thank You God for ALL these things, in Jesus' name, AMEN."
At which point, of course, myself and the people next to me nearly split themselves laughing. It was a beautiful moment. She is too much.
Then later in the nursery, I was with her, watching the kids, and she is just so grown up, it was hilarious watching her interact with the other kids. There was a kid 6 mo. older than her who kept kinda crying and pouting, and she kept going over to him, saying, "Awww, Sweety... it's ok," while petting his arm. Then she would come over to me to report, "He doesn't yike it. He's cwying." Then there was another one a couple months younger who was really shy and wouldn't go play wth the toys. So Anna took it upon herself to look after her too, so she kept delivering toys to her, trying to engage her and draw her out. SOO funny to me, esp. in the face of so many people's fears and comments that she would be socially inept because she spends 'too much time just at home with only her mother, and doesn't learn how to interact with other people.' I wish those people could have seen her this morning. If anything, she is more gregarious than any other kid she's had a chance to play with so far.
I'll take this opportunity for a complaint.
I am so homesick. Blech. Oh well. I have had a couple moments recently, even today, where I felt this suffocating sense of not being able to be me. It made me want to scream, jump around like a monkey and be really in-your-face sassy, as if to say, "and you thought THAT was annoying!" Of course, I did nothing, but stand and maybe look distant for a second, while I imagined myself with people who better received me... then continued on.
I am excited about Anna's Christmas presents. We ordered online all Irish stuff for her. 2 cartoon videos in Irish, 2 music cds and 2 books, of a series she already likes, so that's cool. Actually, one of the dvds is of Dora the Explorer overdubbed in Irish! Isn't that hilarious??!?? I cracked up when I saw it, and could not pass it up. These resources will be SO helpful for BOth of us. She needs to hear it from someone else other than me. I recently realized, she has never heard a conversation in Irish! She only hears one side of a conversation, ME. No wonder she doesn't understand how to respond to me usually, even though she knows the words, and understands whatever I say. So the videos esp. will be good for her. And for me too, to be hearing it more.
My morning sickness is now sticking to mornings, just a couple hours. Much more do-able. Now I'm starting to get excited about the prospect of what this little person will be like. So much potential, excitement, anticipation, and it's only beginning!
hmm... I guess that's about it.
Stupid thing #2 : deciding carelessly at 4:30pm to have a coffee, when your body is no longer accustomed to caffeine cycling in it. Nice. Thus facilitating stupid thing #1.
But since I'm up...
Yeah for inspiration! I have been musically dormant for a number of months, unable to find my mojo. Partly because I found I wasn't hearing anything that inspired me. I heard some today, yeah! Chris and I went to a ceilidh in Judique today with Mairi Rankin rockin out and Jackie Dunn-MacIsaac on piano. MAN Mairi is playing great, and it so got me all wound up, and looking to play again. Which is good, cause I was not happy in my stumped lethargy.
Otherwise, I am featured in an article in the November issue of Celtic Heritage magazine. This is their website, but it hasn't been updated for the current issue, and I don't see anywhere where a person can just buy one issue, I only see subscription options. Stinky. I am going to phone them, so if I learn anything more on that subject, for any interested parties, I will post the info. I wish I had seen the article, to know if I wanted anybody else to see it first!! Oh well! I'm being bold.
http://www.celticheritage.ns.ca/index.htm
So Anna and I went to church this morning. At one point, apparently, Anna found that the minister was a little long-winded in his prayer, and she piped up in a strong voice, "We thank You God for ALL these things, in Jesus' name, AMEN."
At which point, of course, myself and the people next to me nearly split themselves laughing. It was a beautiful moment. She is too much.
Then later in the nursery, I was with her, watching the kids, and she is just so grown up, it was hilarious watching her interact with the other kids. There was a kid 6 mo. older than her who kept kinda crying and pouting, and she kept going over to him, saying, "Awww, Sweety... it's ok," while petting his arm. Then she would come over to me to report, "He doesn't yike it. He's cwying." Then there was another one a couple months younger who was really shy and wouldn't go play wth the toys. So Anna took it upon herself to look after her too, so she kept delivering toys to her, trying to engage her and draw her out. SOO funny to me, esp. in the face of so many people's fears and comments that she would be socially inept because she spends 'too much time just at home with only her mother, and doesn't learn how to interact with other people.' I wish those people could have seen her this morning. If anything, she is more gregarious than any other kid she's had a chance to play with so far.
I'll take this opportunity for a complaint.
I am so homesick. Blech. Oh well. I have had a couple moments recently, even today, where I felt this suffocating sense of not being able to be me. It made me want to scream, jump around like a monkey and be really in-your-face sassy, as if to say, "and you thought THAT was annoying!" Of course, I did nothing, but stand and maybe look distant for a second, while I imagined myself with people who better received me... then continued on.
I am excited about Anna's Christmas presents. We ordered online all Irish stuff for her. 2 cartoon videos in Irish, 2 music cds and 2 books, of a series she already likes, so that's cool. Actually, one of the dvds is of Dora the Explorer overdubbed in Irish! Isn't that hilarious??!?? I cracked up when I saw it, and could not pass it up. These resources will be SO helpful for BOth of us. She needs to hear it from someone else other than me. I recently realized, she has never heard a conversation in Irish! She only hears one side of a conversation, ME. No wonder she doesn't understand how to respond to me usually, even though she knows the words, and understands whatever I say. So the videos esp. will be good for her. And for me too, to be hearing it more.
My morning sickness is now sticking to mornings, just a couple hours. Much more do-able. Now I'm starting to get excited about the prospect of what this little person will be like. So much potential, excitement, anticipation, and it's only beginning!
hmm... I guess that's about it.
Monday, November 13, 2006
kid update
In response to Katherine's inquiry.
I am 13 weeks, I have one more week 'til the 2nd trimester. The fetus has all its organs, fingernails, and even distinctive fingerprints! Nuts, seeing as how it is about 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce. Wow. I am starting to show, esp. if I wear a fitted shirt. Am looking a little more pregnant than just fat, which is cool.
Still enjoying food immensely and am ale to eat healthier stuff and drink water finally! Yeah. I would like to mention my jubilation that Anna is eating better now! She was going through this toddler picky period, although her picky period is more like some kids eating-everything period. But last night she totally CLEANED a bowl of chana masala I made for supper. OH ya! THAT's my Anna!!! Chana masala is a chick pea & tomatoe indian dish.
I am 13 weeks, I have one more week 'til the 2nd trimester. The fetus has all its organs, fingernails, and even distinctive fingerprints! Nuts, seeing as how it is about 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce. Wow. I am starting to show, esp. if I wear a fitted shirt. Am looking a little more pregnant than just fat, which is cool.
Still enjoying food immensely and am ale to eat healthier stuff and drink water finally! Yeah. I would like to mention my jubilation that Anna is eating better now! She was going through this toddler picky period, although her picky period is more like some kids eating-everything period. But last night she totally CLEANED a bowl of chana masala I made for supper. OH ya! THAT's my Anna!!! Chana masala is a chick pea & tomatoe indian dish.
life, death, and a ghetto boogie
Mmm.. sitting by the fire, reflecting.
Just a couple random thoughts from the last couple days.
One was about the circle of life and rejuvination. I heard a one of those songs that says that the holidays more or less stink and are depressing because of all the losses or pain that one has experienced over the years during this time that the season only seem to commemorate, or the loved ones that one does NOT have near them, because of death, or seperation of some variety like break-up, divorce, etc.
I haven't had any great history of tragedy coinciding with this season, which I know some people have. I can only cite the loss of my Grandma with whom I was very close, 3 years ago, Dec. 15th. Death and divorces bring one down, but then I looked at Anna, and I just realized how the cycle of life makes you look forward. Children are so very time consuming, but one benefit of that is that it makes you move on, and it supplies you with an abundance of new memories. They are so fresh and full of new life, new ideas, new explorations, excitements, innocence... you can't help but have a smiley face painted on the frowney spots in your memory. A built-in survival mechanism God put in our lives and world to turn sorrow into joy. Pretty cool. Of course I'm not offering this as a one dimensional cure for sadness, but that life does bring hope.
Then I heard one of my favourite songs again last night, for the first time in a couple years: Killing me Softly. Yes, the new ghetto version by Lauryn Hill. I love it. It came out when I was in high school, and I used to sing harmonies with a bunch of black girls in the orchestra room, doing our own little rendition of it. A great memory. I just love the song. Maybe some will find this sacreligious , but I find Sinatra's version SOOO white now. Oh well. My apologies to his faithful admirers. So I heard this song again, and all the associated memories came rushing up. My shoulders instinctively began that little shrugging/bounce dance thing that we always did and all these ghetto gestures, (the Mary J. Blige etc.) that are undoubtedly laughably out-of-date now to any current ghetto kid, nevermind my rural-white-mom rendition of them.
More often than not, when a person lets go, expresses themselves with very much freedom and liberty, they don't end up looking super cool. Like the interpretive dances I perform for Anna to various classical pieces, in my own little version of ballet/modern/freestyle. Ya. I grew up doing this style of dance on a daily basis, and loved it, my parents loved it, but they were biased. And Anna loves it. But she hasn't yet a concept of "cool", for which I am utterly thankful and dread her learning that word. There's singing too. I'm a "nobody's-home diva".
Boy, if there's no one to think critical thoughts, watch out Mariah, Jenni is on the stage.
I know full well that I neither sound the way I hear in my head, nor look the way I imagine when I dance. I can't actually execute these imagined beauties.
This is precisely what I am lamenting. That inability to express what one imagines. Beautiful songs I hear and dances I choreograph, but are stuck in my head to be enjoyed by an audience of one: me. Then there is the unfortunate reality that if I ever do my little shoulder shrug dance when Anna is older, even though it will seem perfectly cool and natural to me, I will look completely ludicrous to her. This stinks. I don't know how else to say it.
Just blather. No real commentary or anything deep to glean from it.
On a totally side note, I totally endorse Lauryn Hill's rant to the Vatican. You go girl.
Just a couple random thoughts from the last couple days.
One was about the circle of life and rejuvination. I heard a one of those songs that says that the holidays more or less stink and are depressing because of all the losses or pain that one has experienced over the years during this time that the season only seem to commemorate, or the loved ones that one does NOT have near them, because of death, or seperation of some variety like break-up, divorce, etc.
I haven't had any great history of tragedy coinciding with this season, which I know some people have. I can only cite the loss of my Grandma with whom I was very close, 3 years ago, Dec. 15th. Death and divorces bring one down, but then I looked at Anna, and I just realized how the cycle of life makes you look forward. Children are so very time consuming, but one benefit of that is that it makes you move on, and it supplies you with an abundance of new memories. They are so fresh and full of new life, new ideas, new explorations, excitements, innocence... you can't help but have a smiley face painted on the frowney spots in your memory. A built-in survival mechanism God put in our lives and world to turn sorrow into joy. Pretty cool. Of course I'm not offering this as a one dimensional cure for sadness, but that life does bring hope.
Then I heard one of my favourite songs again last night, for the first time in a couple years: Killing me Softly. Yes, the new ghetto version by Lauryn Hill. I love it. It came out when I was in high school, and I used to sing harmonies with a bunch of black girls in the orchestra room, doing our own little rendition of it. A great memory. I just love the song. Maybe some will find this sacreligious , but I find Sinatra's version SOOO white now. Oh well. My apologies to his faithful admirers. So I heard this song again, and all the associated memories came rushing up. My shoulders instinctively began that little shrugging/bounce dance thing that we always did and all these ghetto gestures, (the Mary J. Blige etc.) that are undoubtedly laughably out-of-date now to any current ghetto kid, nevermind my rural-white-mom rendition of them.
More often than not, when a person lets go, expresses themselves with very much freedom and liberty, they don't end up looking super cool. Like the interpretive dances I perform for Anna to various classical pieces, in my own little version of ballet/modern/freestyle. Ya. I grew up doing this style of dance on a daily basis, and loved it, my parents loved it, but they were biased. And Anna loves it. But she hasn't yet a concept of "cool", for which I am utterly thankful and dread her learning that word. There's singing too. I'm a "nobody's-home diva".
Boy, if there's no one to think critical thoughts, watch out Mariah, Jenni is on the stage.
I know full well that I neither sound the way I hear in my head, nor look the way I imagine when I dance. I can't actually execute these imagined beauties.
This is precisely what I am lamenting. That inability to express what one imagines. Beautiful songs I hear and dances I choreograph, but are stuck in my head to be enjoyed by an audience of one: me. Then there is the unfortunate reality that if I ever do my little shoulder shrug dance when Anna is older, even though it will seem perfectly cool and natural to me, I will look completely ludicrous to her. This stinks. I don't know how else to say it.
Just blather. No real commentary or anything deep to glean from it.
On a totally side note, I totally endorse Lauryn Hill's rant to the Vatican. You go girl.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Captain's Blog...
Earthdate (by Gregorian calendar, Atlantic time), Wednesday, November 8th.
I have discovered, or more appropriately REdiscovered a wonderful mystery and pleasure. FOOD!
For so long, it was hard to eat, harder still to find something I could think about enjoying. I now feel I have an idea what it must be like to come off a 40 day fast;
it is the REDISCOVERY OF FOOD!!!!
It is delicious! It is like Christmas in my mouth! I had forgotten what culinary pleasures the Lord instilled in our sustenance. He is so good to us!
Anyway, this feeling better thing is great, I think I mentioned that, and man, food is great, when you can enjoy it! I had a little piece of pumpkin coffee cake with cream cheese in the topping, and a wee little shot glass of coffee a few days ago for an afternoon "tea".... and I was transported. It was divinity on a saucer. Wow.
I need to nap, but I just wanted to share. Simple pleasures, people. Oh ya.
Oh, and about that 'movie bashing' post... at least that's how it came off...
I think I tend to come off a little aggressive in my delivery, and I'd like to take some of the heat out of it, as I'm concerned I've frightened or flustered some people. I didn't mean that movies or tv shouldn't exist, or that no one should ever watch one, or that entertainment is evil, nor am I singling out that one industry as being the source of evil and waste. I just meant that hundreds of millions of dollars might be better spent feeding the starving, clothing the poor, housing the homeless, healing the sick. That's it. Still no comments? Did I make people mad with that one or what?
I have discovered, or more appropriately REdiscovered a wonderful mystery and pleasure. FOOD!
For so long, it was hard to eat, harder still to find something I could think about enjoying. I now feel I have an idea what it must be like to come off a 40 day fast;
it is the REDISCOVERY OF FOOD!!!!
It is delicious! It is like Christmas in my mouth! I had forgotten what culinary pleasures the Lord instilled in our sustenance. He is so good to us!
Anyway, this feeling better thing is great, I think I mentioned that, and man, food is great, when you can enjoy it! I had a little piece of pumpkin coffee cake with cream cheese in the topping, and a wee little shot glass of coffee a few days ago for an afternoon "tea".... and I was transported. It was divinity on a saucer. Wow.
I need to nap, but I just wanted to share. Simple pleasures, people. Oh ya.
Oh, and about that 'movie bashing' post... at least that's how it came off...
I think I tend to come off a little aggressive in my delivery, and I'd like to take some of the heat out of it, as I'm concerned I've frightened or flustered some people. I didn't mean that movies or tv shouldn't exist, or that no one should ever watch one, or that entertainment is evil, nor am I singling out that one industry as being the source of evil and waste. I just meant that hundreds of millions of dollars might be better spent feeding the starving, clothing the poor, housing the homeless, healing the sick. That's it. Still no comments? Did I make people mad with that one or what?
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
bloopers and outtakes
So I told you about the pretty parts... Ooh, a pretty pumpkin, homemeade cinnamon rolls, almond milk and harvesting one's country garden.
But there was a dark side. It wasn't all from a Martha Stewart special. I wasn't wearing heels while doing all this if you were wondering.
First, with gardening, I was ill-prepared with long hair that I neglected to tie up, so it was CONstantly in my face, as I was totally hunkered over to do said harvesting, and gravity works! So my delight in the harvest action had its tainted moments where, incensed, I was violently pursing my lips in an attempt to control foul exclamations when with every turn, I was blinded by clumps of brown locks that of course, would not, nor could not, stay behind my ears.
Then, when I came inside from my harvesting to inspect my new specimens, I was again, slightly hunkered in viewing. Well, maybe I flipped my head slightly to turn to see Anna quickly or what, I don't know, BUT I shook my head somehow, and to my shock at horror, out flew an earthworm FROM within those old brown locks. I squealed, probably jumped a foot, proceeded to shake my hair wildly to dislodge anything else that might be lurking. (flattering visual, I know) I didn't find anything else... thank heaven... but one, let me tell you, was enough. I was apparently too enthusiastic in my earth-slinging. Lesson learned.
Then there was the explosion of pulp from the almond milk when I didn't notice the spinning liquid was gradually pushing up the lid... I just found some more little crumbs today, I am embarrassed to admit, like everything so far in this post.
Then there were the cinnamon rolls... which hey, sounds great right? But were not as great as great cinnamon rolls go, and in following days when I offered them to Anna, she turned them down! I couldn't beleive it. Apparently I was skimpy with my sugary filling. Not using a recipe, and it being the first batch I've attempted in a number of years, I'm not surprised that my ratios were imperfect. The people have spoken, bring on the sugar. Lesson learned.
And this is unrelated, but since we are making confessions, I will confess to temporarily being engaged and wasting time on REALLY stupid celebrity news. Like following Brangelina or whatever. If you know me at all, you are probably saying WHAT?!?!? to that one, as I am SOOOOO not the one to give the gas of an ant about such tabloidial matters. However, sensationalism snagged me for a period, and although I feel more or less free of it now, I do believe confession is good for the soul, and keeping the hidden things known, might help one avoid having hidden things that one DOESN't want known. It is a Biblical principle. So I'm offering myself up to scrutiny so as to try and live whiter.
Does that make me a Crest kid??? :P
p.s. ants CAN'T pass gas... and as a matter of fact, a wonderfully effective home-made anti-ant trick, is to whip up a mixture of molasses and/or honey, sugar water, and yeast... the yeast dissolves, then you dispense it along entrance routes and their trails... they are like!
"Woohoo! Lovin me up da Suga!"
But then the yeast gives them gas.... but they can't... well, toot... so... *ahem* you get the picture.
p.p.s.s. SO... what was YOUr anty voice like? how did you read their lil quote? I wish I could hear your inner monologue. :) but only for a second to hear the ant voice. Then I would go back to mine.
But there was a dark side. It wasn't all from a Martha Stewart special. I wasn't wearing heels while doing all this if you were wondering.
First, with gardening, I was ill-prepared with long hair that I neglected to tie up, so it was CONstantly in my face, as I was totally hunkered over to do said harvesting, and gravity works! So my delight in the harvest action had its tainted moments where, incensed, I was violently pursing my lips in an attempt to control foul exclamations when with every turn, I was blinded by clumps of brown locks that of course, would not, nor could not, stay behind my ears.
Then, when I came inside from my harvesting to inspect my new specimens, I was again, slightly hunkered in viewing. Well, maybe I flipped my head slightly to turn to see Anna quickly or what, I don't know, BUT I shook my head somehow, and to my shock at horror, out flew an earthworm FROM within those old brown locks. I squealed, probably jumped a foot, proceeded to shake my hair wildly to dislodge anything else that might be lurking. (flattering visual, I know) I didn't find anything else... thank heaven... but one, let me tell you, was enough. I was apparently too enthusiastic in my earth-slinging. Lesson learned.
Then there was the explosion of pulp from the almond milk when I didn't notice the spinning liquid was gradually pushing up the lid... I just found some more little crumbs today, I am embarrassed to admit, like everything so far in this post.
Then there were the cinnamon rolls... which hey, sounds great right? But were not as great as great cinnamon rolls go, and in following days when I offered them to Anna, she turned them down! I couldn't beleive it. Apparently I was skimpy with my sugary filling. Not using a recipe, and it being the first batch I've attempted in a number of years, I'm not surprised that my ratios were imperfect. The people have spoken, bring on the sugar. Lesson learned.
And this is unrelated, but since we are making confessions, I will confess to temporarily being engaged and wasting time on REALLY stupid celebrity news. Like following Brangelina or whatever. If you know me at all, you are probably saying WHAT?!?!? to that one, as I am SOOOOO not the one to give the gas of an ant about such tabloidial matters. However, sensationalism snagged me for a period, and although I feel more or less free of it now, I do believe confession is good for the soul, and keeping the hidden things known, might help one avoid having hidden things that one DOESN't want known. It is a Biblical principle. So I'm offering myself up to scrutiny so as to try and live whiter.
Does that make me a Crest kid??? :P
p.s. ants CAN'T pass gas... and as a matter of fact, a wonderfully effective home-made anti-ant trick, is to whip up a mixture of molasses and/or honey, sugar water, and yeast... the yeast dissolves, then you dispense it along entrance routes and their trails... they are like!
"Woohoo! Lovin me up da Suga!"
But then the yeast gives them gas.... but they can't... well, toot... so... *ahem* you get the picture.
p.p.s.s. SO... what was YOUr anty voice like? how did you read their lil quote? I wish I could hear your inner monologue. :) but only for a second to hear the ant voice. Then I would go back to mine.
Monday, October 30, 2006
I no program. I bake.
WHAT FUN I've had in the past 2 days being domestic! I am feeling a LOT better, and LOVING being able to DO stuff! LOVING it! I still have queasy spells or whatever, if I get too hungry or every time I brush my teeth for example, but I'm not just living with nasty nauseau. So I will reiterate from a previous post, I am APPRECIATING WELLNESS! It is a beautiful thing, let me confirm, if anyone was wondering.
One weird thing before the fun reports. I checked my weight on the scale yesterday... still 110 lbs... so I've actually LOST like 2 or 3, cause I had gone up a couple before getting prego, but I look and feel fatter now... I dunno if it's water or what. But I was sure I was gonna be 120 again. Anyway, not intersting to anyone but me I suppose.
SO on the fun stuff!
#1 Yesterday morning I made almond milk from scratch. We've been buying it in tetrapacks at the grocery store, but all along I've been meaning to make my own, just never getting around to it. So I finally found my round tuit. Soaked the almonds 24 hrs, peeled them (unnecessary but makes the milk a beautiful pristine white if you do), blended and strained and Voila! A gorgeous, delicious, nutritious, homemade beverage, that I SO prefer to the store-bought one. I can give the ultra easy recipe to any interested parties. 1/2 cup almonds makes 2 1/2 cups milk, or more, I guess, depending on how thin you like your milk, but we are/were whole milk people. Anyway, I was so pleased with the outcome I was all tickled. (if you are interested, I can also email you a speech on "Why almond milk?")
#2 Then later that night I got even MORE tickled (like where I'm bouncing - I had been worried that I lost my bounce- and giggling like I'm 5 again... most of you have witnessed this performance at one point or another... I never really grew out of it) because I went and bought a pumpkin and carved it all by myself, for the first time ever! I don't think I ever carved a pumpkin except for maybe in a grade 1 school art project or something. So I designed it first on paper, drew it out, cut it, and was SO proud of it that, you guessed it, I was bouncing. It was a nice outcome, and it also vented some artistic inclinations that have been busting to get out for a while now. I wasn't sure what to do with them. This helped! They were temporarily appeased. And I must have done ok on it, cause Chris almost didn't believe that I did it myself. He walked in the door after seeing it and said, "So I guess you were downloading patterns off the internet?" Which, apparently one can do, but I still don't think that way. Parts of me live 'in the now' and other parts don't. I would never have thought of that. I just thought, Ooh! Get a paper and pencil and let's figure out how we will do it!!! Which is a good thing, planning, cause without it, I would have STARTED by cutting out a GREAT BIG circle for the face, then realizing, a little too late, that now I just have a big hole, and I can't carve a face out of that. So ya, measure (or design) twice, cut once. The old adage lives on.
#3 This morning, just after waking I was basically laying around, still way too sleepy to play very energetically with the very energetic Anna, but then an idea hit me. I want cinnamon rolls! So I jumped up, and went and made them! Yum! Interested in what gave me this sudden burst of energy, Anna inquired. I said, "Ta barruil agam!" Which means, I have an idea!
And she said, "What's a barruil?"
And I said, "an idea."
And she said, "Ooooh! WOwy! What is it????"
So then she followed me excitedly into the kitchen, and "helped" me make them, which mostly consisted of spilling things and complaining that she couldn't eat them yet, and we had fun, and then the best part: eating cinnamon rolls!
#4 This afternoon, until dark, I took Anna outside to play. We visited our garden, and I noticed, good grief, there is still a good bundle of stuff out there, that is NOT frozen to my amazement, and looking to come in the house and "get in my belly!" to coin a phrase. So I went and got my garden tools, even with the muddy conditions, and she ran around hitting the ground with one littel shovel while I used the curved forky looking thing (I'm still a city girl, ok, give me some time) to dig up the rest of our carrots, which for some reason, gives me such a thrill! Harvesting is just awesome. There is just something divine about planting seeds and later on going out and pulling up your carrots, which are, by the way, the best, sweetest, most flavourful carrots I've ever eaten (or juiced- oh baby!). Had I known before tonight that a person could wait THIS long to harvest carrots, I wouldn't have harvested them when I did. They were more than twice as big this time, and doing excellently well. If only I had known. Next year! I didn't realize that the regular air temperature being below freezing doesn't mean the GROUND is frozen, nor does it constitute "frost" officially. So there ya go.
There were even cucumbers waiting for someone to come bring them home. I was of course, more than obliging.
So that is all my fun, maybe it doens't soudn that fun, but I was bouncing, what can I say. It's contagious. If you were here, you really might have bounced too, you can't guarantee you wouldn't! ;)
this is my punkin'! I only have a webcam so the quality is lame and unclear. He has eyebrows and a nose and there are stars all around him and across the sides. Oh well.
One weird thing before the fun reports. I checked my weight on the scale yesterday... still 110 lbs... so I've actually LOST like 2 or 3, cause I had gone up a couple before getting prego, but I look and feel fatter now... I dunno if it's water or what. But I was sure I was gonna be 120 again. Anyway, not intersting to anyone but me I suppose.
SO on the fun stuff!
#1 Yesterday morning I made almond milk from scratch. We've been buying it in tetrapacks at the grocery store, but all along I've been meaning to make my own, just never getting around to it. So I finally found my round tuit. Soaked the almonds 24 hrs, peeled them (unnecessary but makes the milk a beautiful pristine white if you do), blended and strained and Voila! A gorgeous, delicious, nutritious, homemade beverage, that I SO prefer to the store-bought one. I can give the ultra easy recipe to any interested parties. 1/2 cup almonds makes 2 1/2 cups milk, or more, I guess, depending on how thin you like your milk, but we are/were whole milk people. Anyway, I was so pleased with the outcome I was all tickled. (if you are interested, I can also email you a speech on "Why almond milk?")
#2 Then later that night I got even MORE tickled (like where I'm bouncing - I had been worried that I lost my bounce- and giggling like I'm 5 again... most of you have witnessed this performance at one point or another... I never really grew out of it) because I went and bought a pumpkin and carved it all by myself, for the first time ever! I don't think I ever carved a pumpkin except for maybe in a grade 1 school art project or something. So I designed it first on paper, drew it out, cut it, and was SO proud of it that, you guessed it, I was bouncing. It was a nice outcome, and it also vented some artistic inclinations that have been busting to get out for a while now. I wasn't sure what to do with them. This helped! They were temporarily appeased. And I must have done ok on it, cause Chris almost didn't believe that I did it myself. He walked in the door after seeing it and said, "So I guess you were downloading patterns off the internet?" Which, apparently one can do, but I still don't think that way. Parts of me live 'in the now' and other parts don't. I would never have thought of that. I just thought, Ooh! Get a paper and pencil and let's figure out how we will do it!!! Which is a good thing, planning, cause without it, I would have STARTED by cutting out a GREAT BIG circle for the face, then realizing, a little too late, that now I just have a big hole, and I can't carve a face out of that. So ya, measure (or design) twice, cut once. The old adage lives on.
#3 This morning, just after waking I was basically laying around, still way too sleepy to play very energetically with the very energetic Anna, but then an idea hit me. I want cinnamon rolls! So I jumped up, and went and made them! Yum! Interested in what gave me this sudden burst of energy, Anna inquired. I said, "Ta barruil agam!" Which means, I have an idea!
And she said, "What's a barruil?"
And I said, "an idea."
And she said, "Ooooh! WOwy! What is it????"
So then she followed me excitedly into the kitchen, and "helped" me make them, which mostly consisted of spilling things and complaining that she couldn't eat them yet, and we had fun, and then the best part: eating cinnamon rolls!
#4 This afternoon, until dark, I took Anna outside to play. We visited our garden, and I noticed, good grief, there is still a good bundle of stuff out there, that is NOT frozen to my amazement, and looking to come in the house and "get in my belly!" to coin a phrase. So I went and got my garden tools, even with the muddy conditions, and she ran around hitting the ground with one littel shovel while I used the curved forky looking thing (I'm still a city girl, ok, give me some time) to dig up the rest of our carrots, which for some reason, gives me such a thrill! Harvesting is just awesome. There is just something divine about planting seeds and later on going out and pulling up your carrots, which are, by the way, the best, sweetest, most flavourful carrots I've ever eaten (or juiced- oh baby!). Had I known before tonight that a person could wait THIS long to harvest carrots, I wouldn't have harvested them when I did. They were more than twice as big this time, and doing excellently well. If only I had known. Next year! I didn't realize that the regular air temperature being below freezing doesn't mean the GROUND is frozen, nor does it constitute "frost" officially. So there ya go.
There were even cucumbers waiting for someone to come bring them home. I was of course, more than obliging.
So that is all my fun, maybe it doens't soudn that fun, but I was bouncing, what can I say. It's contagious. If you were here, you really might have bounced too, you can't guarantee you wouldn't! ;)
this is my punkin'! I only have a webcam so the quality is lame and unclear. He has eyebrows and a nose and there are stars all around him and across the sides. Oh well.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
try try again??
ok stop laughing... it didn't work... I will get Chris to help me. Leave me to the fiddle and the bread making I guess. I'm lucky I can mostly type.
testing testing, 1, 2, 1, 2...
This post is just an experiment to see if my first attempt at d-i-y programming has worked. I tried to add a different comment program to my blog template (my brain was workin! Go ahead and laugh Ciaran, if you are there, and any other programmers out there.) so ANYBODY can comment without having a blogger account. Just click and comment! Here's hoping and praying it worked, and that somebody will comment! (kneels for quick prayer) Is anybody out there??? (btw, THANK YOU Katherine, for your faithful commenting! I know SOMEone is listening! It's not a TOTAL monologue) 3 comments in 3 months is a little lame. I will admit to having some "blog envy" of a friend of mine who averages 10 comments per post regardless of what she talks about. I realized, hmm... maybe it's her comment program. So I ganked it. Well, not gank really, cause it is free code, but anyway.
(for those of you who didn't attend my high school, 'gank' means to steal)
Another thing abotu attending my high school, somethign there was part of my blog name inspiration, which only Katherine will get. There was a poet's journal called the Poet's Voice. So I kinda ganked that too.
"Geez", you might say, "what a ganker..."
...sorry, I couldn't resist that one...
(for those of you who didn't attend my high school, 'gank' means to steal)
Another thing abotu attending my high school, somethign there was part of my blog name inspiration, which only Katherine will get. There was a poet's journal called the Poet's Voice. So I kinda ganked that too.
"Geez", you might say, "what a ganker..."
...sorry, I couldn't resist that one...
NEAR.... far..... NEAR..... far
SO I have a few questions about blogging that I don't have answers for, and I probably won't find these enigmatic solutions anytime soon, because I don't think there are easy answers for them.
I wonder whether this whole blog world and other online communication resources actually serve to bring people together or not, OVERALL. Yes, one can meet a lot of new people, and that is connecting. I know plenty of couples, successful legit ones, that were introduced in chat rooms etc. But for people who are alREADY friends... I dunno. Yes, I love being able to scan through and check a bunch of my friends blogs and be instantly kept abreast of their news/thoughts at my convenience and daily, if so desired. I could never PHONE or visit all these people every day, week, or every month even, nevermind time restrictions, I don't think ANY of them are even in this province. So yes, there is a vote for connection.
BUT, I have ALSO seen it, where I stop talking to some people because I am left with little curiosity about them after having gotten all the news from the blog, and we might go a long time without TALKing anymore. That would qualify as disconnection in my book, since I would hold person to person contact in higher regard (maybe wrongly, I dunno) than online faux-contact.
I wonder if people do less in-person visiting with the advent of these other resources. I know tv made a dent in that too, so as not to appear an imbalanced vilifier :P I know most families here sit at home, not communicating, not visiting among themselves or other households, just watching tv all night. Most older people are glued to the tv, and most young people are glued to the computer (look at me throwing stones while typing in a glass house)... and what has that impacted in our characters? How are we different people by not having to face each other in the eye? I would argue that deceit, and any other form of sin, is easier when you are not facing the person eye to eye. One feels a false sense of anonymity and boldness. I say false because NOTHING is hidden from God, including what you type or view on your computer when 'nobody' is looking at 3am. So I wonder if as a society of loner computer engagers, our feeling of secret freedoms is higher than it was pre-techno industry. Are these perceived liberties that we feel greater than if/when we were face to face with a real person, living a more REAL life, seeing the person's real response, a wince if you stab, laughter at your humour, tears at injury?
On an entirely different note!
There is a short 30 second video I'd like everyone to watch. It is from the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. I recommend it!
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf
I wonder whether this whole blog world and other online communication resources actually serve to bring people together or not, OVERALL. Yes, one can meet a lot of new people, and that is connecting. I know plenty of couples, successful legit ones, that were introduced in chat rooms etc. But for people who are alREADY friends... I dunno. Yes, I love being able to scan through and check a bunch of my friends blogs and be instantly kept abreast of their news/thoughts at my convenience and daily, if so desired. I could never PHONE or visit all these people every day, week, or every month even, nevermind time restrictions, I don't think ANY of them are even in this province. So yes, there is a vote for connection.
BUT, I have ALSO seen it, where I stop talking to some people because I am left with little curiosity about them after having gotten all the news from the blog, and we might go a long time without TALKing anymore. That would qualify as disconnection in my book, since I would hold person to person contact in higher regard (maybe wrongly, I dunno) than online faux-contact.
I wonder if people do less in-person visiting with the advent of these other resources. I know tv made a dent in that too, so as not to appear an imbalanced vilifier :P I know most families here sit at home, not communicating, not visiting among themselves or other households, just watching tv all night. Most older people are glued to the tv, and most young people are glued to the computer (look at me throwing stones while typing in a glass house)... and what has that impacted in our characters? How are we different people by not having to face each other in the eye? I would argue that deceit, and any other form of sin, is easier when you are not facing the person eye to eye. One feels a false sense of anonymity and boldness. I say false because NOTHING is hidden from God, including what you type or view on your computer when 'nobody' is looking at 3am. So I wonder if as a society of loner computer engagers, our feeling of secret freedoms is higher than it was pre-techno industry. Are these perceived liberties that we feel greater than if/when we were face to face with a real person, living a more REAL life, seeing the person's real response, a wince if you stab, laughter at your humour, tears at injury?
On an entirely different note!
There is a short 30 second video I'd like everyone to watch. It is from the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. I recommend it!
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf
Monday, October 23, 2006
graduated from a kidney bean
Heya,
ya, still pukey... I know it's not fun to read, that's why I'm not writing it more often.
BUT I set before thee a challenge! I dare you to go buy some Kefir, either at a health food store or check to see if your grocery chain has it in the health food section. I've read about it for ages, and finally broke down and got some and now I'm working on an addiction to it, as is Chris. He insists that he is making his own from now on, and that he might even give up coffee and take this everyday instead. It is super healthy, and if it is your first time... a little on the weird side... it is different, I won't lie to you, but even westerners can love it, as I have demonstrated in the previous sentence. It is basically like a yoghurt drink... but even way more healthy than yoghurt. Way more. So try it, even just once, cause I told you to. Your guts will thank you.
Here's hoping that whatever you find is a REAL Kefir, that still has the active cultures in it (a big part of WHY it is healthy). It is popular in Eastern Europe/Russia etc. where it is generally the first thing given to a weaned child. Kefir means "feel good" in Turkish.
Let me know how it turns out for you.
It's getting colder, and we have been building fires on most days. A fire (in a fireplace or stove) in one's living room is just so cozy. I love it. I still wish it wasn't cold though. I never have time to get summer out of my system while I'm here. Oh well.
Baby is a not quite a kumquat. Just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce. A kumquat that apparently likes its space!!! Gracious. I wouldn't want to share a bed with it later in life, I bet it'll be a space hog! No, I'm kidding. Actually, I just read that already my uterus has doubled in size. So, I guess it is routine, but goodness. A lot of room for a small visitor. I guess I can't begrudge'em. He will be beyond cramped soon enough! hehehe.
I hope for more interesting posts in the future, but if you have kids, you know how engrossing a period this can be.
ya, still pukey... I know it's not fun to read, that's why I'm not writing it more often.
BUT I set before thee a challenge! I dare you to go buy some Kefir, either at a health food store or check to see if your grocery chain has it in the health food section. I've read about it for ages, and finally broke down and got some and now I'm working on an addiction to it, as is Chris. He insists that he is making his own from now on, and that he might even give up coffee and take this everyday instead. It is super healthy, and if it is your first time... a little on the weird side... it is different, I won't lie to you, but even westerners can love it, as I have demonstrated in the previous sentence. It is basically like a yoghurt drink... but even way more healthy than yoghurt. Way more. So try it, even just once, cause I told you to. Your guts will thank you.
Here's hoping that whatever you find is a REAL Kefir, that still has the active cultures in it (a big part of WHY it is healthy). It is popular in Eastern Europe/Russia etc. where it is generally the first thing given to a weaned child. Kefir means "feel good" in Turkish.
Let me know how it turns out for you.
It's getting colder, and we have been building fires on most days. A fire (in a fireplace or stove) in one's living room is just so cozy. I love it. I still wish it wasn't cold though. I never have time to get summer out of my system while I'm here. Oh well.
Baby is a not quite a kumquat. Just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce. A kumquat that apparently likes its space!!! Gracious. I wouldn't want to share a bed with it later in life, I bet it'll be a space hog! No, I'm kidding. Actually, I just read that already my uterus has doubled in size. So, I guess it is routine, but goodness. A lot of room for a small visitor. I guess I can't begrudge'em. He will be beyond cramped soon enough! hehehe.
I hope for more interesting posts in the future, but if you have kids, you know how engrossing a period this can be.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Fun and Games?
Hey, sorry, been a while. I was waiting until I had something more interesting and pleasant to say than, "Man, I wanna puke.." which has been about all I have had to say for the last while. So I was sparing you. Aren't I generous? :P what a lady, I know, I know...
Kids amaze me. They have this passion for play which is not often found elsewhere. Adults in general are more lackadaisical about most things, no? I was changing Anna this morning, and immediately when I was done, she LEPT up and RAN out to continue her play like a shot. MAN! Don't make me miss a SECOND! There's serious playing time out there, I can't miss any!!!
What drives you that way? What makes YOU jump up, and RUN out of desire for something? Is there anything? What is it, if anything, and what does is say about you? Would you like to do that sometimes but are afraid to show that much enthusiasm? Why?
Another issue has been simmering with me, but I haven't the time or initiative to really research it, so it won't be more than a big rant, but hey. For a really informed argument about stuff you'll have to read Joy Eidse's blog.
It is the total mis-appropriation of funds globally. I was looking at movie and tv industries, which I see as largely useless industries (I welcome your input/challenge on that comment) and the TREMENDOUS amount of money expended in them, and for what? So people can make money.... off of what??? People wasting time? People entertaining themselves? Entertainment, that I would argue, that is by and large (if not almost completely), detrimental to the viewer. Look at the term AMUSEMENT . Does that not mean to NOT think? (A-muse)
The average blockbuster movie costs something around $100 million, but upwards to $200 million (Titanic). What about all these reality shows? I heard about one the other day where as a surprise they flew EVERYONE on the show to Paris for a day or something retarded, so, this includes filmcrews, lighting, whatever mess goes along with all the contestants. Now you think the airlines gave them a break on price for doing some on the fly? (no pun intended) Ya right. So there was a good many thousands there, in one episode... but the Amazing Race does that every episode. I am just incensed and utterly dumbfounded at what I perceive to be a total lack of conscience on the part of these people. How many hungry would that feed? How many sick might it restore, how many homeless could have a home, how many impoverished could have their debts paid? We are so rich, we are numb with self-satisfaction. It is repulsive to me. I can hardly watch a new movie or such now without getting maddened to myself, thinking, how could this money have better been spent? One mustn't have ever KNOWN hunger, to turn such a blind eye to it, when one has the means to end another's suffering. What if people would pool these insane resources which are obviously OUT there, or Titanic would never have happened, and what if these people had more altruistic hearts... what might happen in the world? Remember, as you read, the power and beauty of a need fulfilled, the impact on a person's life. One doesn't even need to go to Africa to find truly needy ones. I know people very close to me who often lack sufficient grocery money.
A question I heard: What do you not realize you've got until it's gone? Your health.
I would add, most blessings westerners enjoy, especially as children.
One a similar note, we were watching Beauty and the Beast the other night with Anna, (yes, movies still happen in my world, go ahead, laugh at me) and one of the opening lines made me laugh. "Although the prince had every luxury he desired, he was cold, selfish" etc...
I would re-write the text, "BECAUSE the prince had every luxury he desired, he was cold and selfish.." Just an idea. I laughed at the popular imbedded-though daily-proven-untrue view of money buying happiness/goodness etc. You might condemn that notion at first glance, but if you examine yourself further, you might be surprised at this insidious principle lurking in your heart somewhere, unbeknownst to you. I know I still find it sometimes, it creeps up, rears its ugly head, to my repulsion, and I must face my own Department of Corrections. :)
Some thoughts this morning.
Hope you all are well, enjoying autumn, whatever it looks like, wherever you are.
Kids amaze me. They have this passion for play which is not often found elsewhere. Adults in general are more lackadaisical about most things, no? I was changing Anna this morning, and immediately when I was done, she LEPT up and RAN out to continue her play like a shot. MAN! Don't make me miss a SECOND! There's serious playing time out there, I can't miss any!!!
What drives you that way? What makes YOU jump up, and RUN out of desire for something? Is there anything? What is it, if anything, and what does is say about you? Would you like to do that sometimes but are afraid to show that much enthusiasm? Why?
Another issue has been simmering with me, but I haven't the time or initiative to really research it, so it won't be more than a big rant, but hey. For a really informed argument about stuff you'll have to read Joy Eidse's blog.
It is the total mis-appropriation of funds globally. I was looking at movie and tv industries, which I see as largely useless industries (I welcome your input/challenge on that comment) and the TREMENDOUS amount of money expended in them, and for what? So people can make money.... off of what??? People wasting time? People entertaining themselves? Entertainment, that I would argue, that is by and large (if not almost completely), detrimental to the viewer. Look at the term AMUSEMENT . Does that not mean to NOT think? (A-muse)
The average blockbuster movie costs something around $100 million, but upwards to $200 million (Titanic). What about all these reality shows? I heard about one the other day where as a surprise they flew EVERYONE on the show to Paris for a day or something retarded, so, this includes filmcrews, lighting, whatever mess goes along with all the contestants. Now you think the airlines gave them a break on price for doing some on the fly? (no pun intended) Ya right. So there was a good many thousands there, in one episode... but the Amazing Race does that every episode. I am just incensed and utterly dumbfounded at what I perceive to be a total lack of conscience on the part of these people. How many hungry would that feed? How many sick might it restore, how many homeless could have a home, how many impoverished could have their debts paid? We are so rich, we are numb with self-satisfaction. It is repulsive to me. I can hardly watch a new movie or such now without getting maddened to myself, thinking, how could this money have better been spent? One mustn't have ever KNOWN hunger, to turn such a blind eye to it, when one has the means to end another's suffering. What if people would pool these insane resources which are obviously OUT there, or Titanic would never have happened, and what if these people had more altruistic hearts... what might happen in the world? Remember, as you read, the power and beauty of a need fulfilled, the impact on a person's life. One doesn't even need to go to Africa to find truly needy ones. I know people very close to me who often lack sufficient grocery money.
A question I heard: What do you not realize you've got until it's gone? Your health.
I would add, most blessings westerners enjoy, especially as children.
One a similar note, we were watching Beauty and the Beast the other night with Anna, (yes, movies still happen in my world, go ahead, laugh at me) and one of the opening lines made me laugh. "Although the prince had every luxury he desired, he was cold, selfish" etc...
I would re-write the text, "BECAUSE the prince had every luxury he desired, he was cold and selfish.." Just an idea. I laughed at the popular imbedded-though daily-proven-untrue view of money buying happiness/goodness etc. You might condemn that notion at first glance, but if you examine yourself further, you might be surprised at this insidious principle lurking in your heart somewhere, unbeknownst to you. I know I still find it sometimes, it creeps up, rears its ugly head, to my repulsion, and I must face my own Department of Corrections. :)
Some thoughts this morning.
Hope you all are well, enjoying autumn, whatever it looks like, wherever you are.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Yuckbug runnin' around
The unfortunate dilemma remains that nobody wants to hear the following goopy complaints. But as I made clear in my introductory post, I don't altogether care. I will write about what interests me, and hope for the best. And until I get through this next phase of life called the 'first trimester', there will probably be more posts like this one!
I'm sure no one would disagree with me that it is not fun to be nauseous all day long, and so superly high maintenance! By that I mean, I can't get too hungry or it gets worse, or too full, or too active, too tired or blah blah blah you name it. I have to snack about every 2 hours or so. A mere colour or turn of the head or anything really at all can potentially set me off. That's great! And I am turned off by anything healthy. All I really want (although I've not yet had it) is candy bars and french fries. They are not permitted in the house as I know they are no good for either of us, but I still want them. And it's not wanting like normal wanting, oh no, this is like get-out-of-my-way-and-don't-look-at-me-with-that-salad kind of savage desire. It's quite intersting really, especially after a year of diet/lifestyle changing that required a lot of self discipline, I almost feel helpless against this. Before I could talk myself out of stuff, take the craving-bull by the horns, as it were, but this is a seemingly overpowering desire. I cower in the face of it! The only thing keeping me from it is absence. We do not own a candy bar, so I'm not eating one. Interesting. And salt. I want salt salt salt. Cheese, olives, aforementioned fries, ranch dip (with a little carrot stick on the side). About all I can drink happily is orange juice or tonic water. Tonic water really helps.
Housework doesn't get done, Anna doesnt' get played with, dinners are VERY simple, I might have spoken one sentence to her today in Irish. When I'm focussing on functioning, I am finding very little mental evergy for using a different language, which is frustrating. Just one more thing to make you feel useless during a time when you are .... rather useless! Not to sound overly pitiful or depressed, cause I'm not, but let's say, I am really appreciating WELLNESS.
My mom had a hernia surgery this morning, and within 4 hours she was home! Crazy. She is recouping well so far, but will be moving on Monday! Luckily the church paid to hire some movers, or she would be quite stuck!
Anna is sick too, some kind of cold, her little voice is so rathspy and broken, the occasional cough, and a mild fever. Chris and all his family have had it by now, so I was surprised she made it this long, actually. This is really the first time she's had a little fever at all. She had a small one in response to one of her shots, but that is it. She has been a remarkably healthy child to date. No ear infections, no flu, cold, anything. Amazing, really! I think a 2 day runny nose is about the worst we've seen here, so I'm not complaining, but it's always sad to see your child unwell, even a little.
On a totally different note, I found out today that my interview dealy will be featured in the November issue of Celtic Heritage Magazine, and that copies can be ordered for $4.95 plus HST plus shipping, which I'm told is approx. $1 per copy. Isn't it exciting? I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know, but I'm looking forward to finding out!
I'm sure no one would disagree with me that it is not fun to be nauseous all day long, and so superly high maintenance! By that I mean, I can't get too hungry or it gets worse, or too full, or too active, too tired or blah blah blah you name it. I have to snack about every 2 hours or so. A mere colour or turn of the head or anything really at all can potentially set me off. That's great! And I am turned off by anything healthy. All I really want (although I've not yet had it) is candy bars and french fries. They are not permitted in the house as I know they are no good for either of us, but I still want them. And it's not wanting like normal wanting, oh no, this is like get-out-of-my-way-and-don't-look-at-me-with-that-salad kind of savage desire. It's quite intersting really, especially after a year of diet/lifestyle changing that required a lot of self discipline, I almost feel helpless against this. Before I could talk myself out of stuff, take the craving-bull by the horns, as it were, but this is a seemingly overpowering desire. I cower in the face of it! The only thing keeping me from it is absence. We do not own a candy bar, so I'm not eating one. Interesting. And salt. I want salt salt salt. Cheese, olives, aforementioned fries, ranch dip (with a little carrot stick on the side). About all I can drink happily is orange juice or tonic water. Tonic water really helps.
Housework doesn't get done, Anna doesnt' get played with, dinners are VERY simple, I might have spoken one sentence to her today in Irish. When I'm focussing on functioning, I am finding very little mental evergy for using a different language, which is frustrating. Just one more thing to make you feel useless during a time when you are .... rather useless! Not to sound overly pitiful or depressed, cause I'm not, but let's say, I am really appreciating WELLNESS.
My mom had a hernia surgery this morning, and within 4 hours she was home! Crazy. She is recouping well so far, but will be moving on Monday! Luckily the church paid to hire some movers, or she would be quite stuck!
Anna is sick too, some kind of cold, her little voice is so rathspy and broken, the occasional cough, and a mild fever. Chris and all his family have had it by now, so I was surprised she made it this long, actually. This is really the first time she's had a little fever at all. She had a small one in response to one of her shots, but that is it. She has been a remarkably healthy child to date. No ear infections, no flu, cold, anything. Amazing, really! I think a 2 day runny nose is about the worst we've seen here, so I'm not complaining, but it's always sad to see your child unwell, even a little.
On a totally different note, I found out today that my interview dealy will be featured in the November issue of Celtic Heritage Magazine, and that copies can be ordered for $4.95 plus HST plus shipping, which I'm told is approx. $1 per copy. Isn't it exciting? I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know, but I'm looking forward to finding out!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Leaves are turning...
and so is my stomach....
Goosebumps appearing...
as are the multitudinous trips to the washroom...
I am probably 3-4 weeks along-ish... it is about the size of 2 molecules. You can't tell me that that is putting pressure on my bladder, or that my stomach muscles already need to relax to make spatial accomodation ?!?!?
But it is. I'm glad to learn that my subconscious mind is much more on the ball about being prepared and having things done ahead of time than my conscious mind is. Because if it were up to my conscious mind to make these decisions, I would be thinking, oh gosh, it will be ages (months) before we need to do much in the way of space accomodation, and the bladder could certainly not be too affected for another few months, no? I am interested to know also, what is actually happening in the body chemically to make you nauseous 24/7. Is it hormonal? I mean really.
But here I am, to quote a famous modern poet, "I'd like to take a minute just sit right down, tell how my life got flip turned upside down..."
And by 2 molecules, no less.
Played the last of the summer concerts this weekend to a completely sold out crowd. Standing room only. There were 12 people (I counted them) standing outside the door looking in, listening, peering through the windows. Very cool.
For an update on some of Anna's new developments, you can check my husband's blog, the most erratic poster ever, but still, this new one is great! http://www.courtjester45.blogspot.com
Here's a new one of her. This was taken at Nanny's house last week. She is so gorgeous, and continues to defend her title as "Best Kid Ever"! She has graduated to a 'big girl bed', and after 2 days, she is already set in her new routine, never gets out after we put her in, Chris and I are just amazed, and immensely thankful.
Goosebumps appearing...
as are the multitudinous trips to the washroom...
I am probably 3-4 weeks along-ish... it is about the size of 2 molecules. You can't tell me that that is putting pressure on my bladder, or that my stomach muscles already need to relax to make spatial accomodation ?!?!?
But it is. I'm glad to learn that my subconscious mind is much more on the ball about being prepared and having things done ahead of time than my conscious mind is. Because if it were up to my conscious mind to make these decisions, I would be thinking, oh gosh, it will be ages (months) before we need to do much in the way of space accomodation, and the bladder could certainly not be too affected for another few months, no? I am interested to know also, what is actually happening in the body chemically to make you nauseous 24/7. Is it hormonal? I mean really.
But here I am, to quote a famous modern poet, "I'd like to take a minute just sit right down, tell how my life got flip turned upside down..."
And by 2 molecules, no less.
Played the last of the summer concerts this weekend to a completely sold out crowd. Standing room only. There were 12 people (I counted them) standing outside the door looking in, listening, peering through the windows. Very cool.
For an update on some of Anna's new developments, you can check my husband's blog, the most erratic poster ever, but still, this new one is great! http://www.courtjester45.blogspot.com
Here's a new one of her. This was taken at Nanny's house last week. She is so gorgeous, and continues to defend her title as "Best Kid Ever"! She has graduated to a 'big girl bed', and after 2 days, she is already set in her new routine, never gets out after we put her in, Chris and I are just amazed, and immensely thankful.
Monday, September 18, 2006
New life in the midst of autumn
The cycles continue.
One incidence of life came this morning. I discovered that the basil seeds I planted in a pot in my kitchen window, have SPROUTED!! I am very excited about this. In a matter of time, I will be able to cook with fresh basil! I cannot wait! What a difference this will make in Thai, French and Italian dinners!! Weehoo!
Secondly, if pee tests are as accurate as they say they are, I will be sprouting my own new life come next June! Well well well... one never knows what a day will bring. But new life in general today, huh? Wow. So, life will be a changin. Funny, the first thing I've been thinking about is where we will physically PUT it, will it get the guest bedroom and then we have no place to put guests? Or can it share a room with Anna? I have no idea. We have time to figure this all out though!
Other than that... hmm... I was nauseous this morning, but not bad. Nothing a piece of toast couldn't fix. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell everybody right off the bat like this, but since Katherine is apparently the only person who has ever read this (except you, Dad) , I feel it safe to share. I'm publishing this on my blog, and the news STILL isn't getting out! Hahahaha!!!! That is somewhat humourous. I really have the smallest readership on the web! That's great. :)
I'll have to get into some self-promoting. Hmm... maybe I can hire a publicist... or maybe I can chill out... I think that's the ticket!
One incidence of life came this morning. I discovered that the basil seeds I planted in a pot in my kitchen window, have SPROUTED!! I am very excited about this. In a matter of time, I will be able to cook with fresh basil! I cannot wait! What a difference this will make in Thai, French and Italian dinners!! Weehoo!
Secondly, if pee tests are as accurate as they say they are, I will be sprouting my own new life come next June! Well well well... one never knows what a day will bring. But new life in general today, huh? Wow. So, life will be a changin. Funny, the first thing I've been thinking about is where we will physically PUT it, will it get the guest bedroom and then we have no place to put guests? Or can it share a room with Anna? I have no idea. We have time to figure this all out though!
Other than that... hmm... I was nauseous this morning, but not bad. Nothing a piece of toast couldn't fix. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell everybody right off the bat like this, but since Katherine is apparently the only person who has ever read this (except you, Dad) , I feel it safe to share. I'm publishing this on my blog, and the news STILL isn't getting out! Hahahaha!!!! That is somewhat humourous. I really have the smallest readership on the web! That's great. :)
I'll have to get into some self-promoting. Hmm... maybe I can hire a publicist... or maybe I can chill out... I think that's the ticket!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Your 2 cents, please
I have a couple questions here, so if you will, I would like to take a wee poll, if anyone is actually reading this. Which I doubt, esp. after 10 days of inactivity. Oh well.
Question #1
I heard once an expression I really liked. "He puts the 'b' in subtle!" Now, the speaker was trying to say that the person in question was NOT subtle, that it was humourous how conspicuous this person was being in the given situation. But it made me later wonder, upon further retrospection, was that a correct usage of the expression? Isn't the person who put the 'b' in subtle, QUITE subtle, because no one can detect that b! Is it not excellently hidden? Or is the expression suggesting that when Mr. Obvious says the word subtle, you can hear the 'b', that he doesn't have the savvy that the rest of the populous has, to be able to say 'subtle' so discreetly? Is this what makes the person not-subtle? I really don't know. Comments? How would you interpret this?
Question #2
Is about art. 2 perspectives on art and I am wanting to glean some other opinions on this one. Perspective #1 about art is a common one: "[True or good] Art is timeless."
This is contrasted with perspective #2 : Art is alive in the moment, happens within that moment in time and would therefore always be changing with the time it is made. That position would hold that it is absolutely contrary to say that art is timeless, contrary to the nature of art, that it expresses that moment, ONLY that moment truly, with all the context that goes along with it, political, social, personal, everything. What do you think? I'm not sure what I think yet. I can see both points of view. I have experienced things I felt were timeless and vice versa... input?
As for reporting and updates, I had an incredible concert last night. I was chording for another exceptional fiddle player, and my my my.... I was simply SOARing, speaking of true art!!! So so good. What can be said? It can't be expressed. You had to be there! Too bad you missed it!
I am doing great in general, health good, Anna good, Chris good, music good, food good... can't complain! I am only sad to see the leaves turning... they are beautiful and all, but I hate to think of the onset of winter, which won't be too far off! * sigh * Oh well. The world, she keeps a cyclin! And she should. But really, this has to be the best time of year in Nova Scotia. Generally produce is quite expensive here, I assume because it has to be shipped in from afar, but this time of year, good grief. Everyone is harvesting their gardens, Mary (my mom-in-law) literally has a GArbage bag of fresh garden tomatoes and another of cucumbers! So Anna and I are eating them like candy every day, and wow, it is such a treat! Oooh, and plums! We have plum trees next door and apparently I am their biggest fan, so I can and am eating as many plums as I can manage. I have never had such a copious supply of FRESH produce, esp. from our own yard or neighbours. Wow. AWesome! It is such a luxury. So combine that with beautiful weather (although a LOT cooler than my American neighbours) and things are still green and gorgeous, and I'm playing music: Jenni is in her glory. I've also had an awesome time on the long drives home from the concerts because the last 2 times I've been on my own and got to enjoy sermons all the way home (1hr 15min) which has also been Such a treat! Another time of such luxury, to have all that quiet time to listen to this without distractions. It has been perfect, and I am learning a lot. Yeah!!!
Question #1
I heard once an expression I really liked. "He puts the 'b' in subtle!" Now, the speaker was trying to say that the person in question was NOT subtle, that it was humourous how conspicuous this person was being in the given situation. But it made me later wonder, upon further retrospection, was that a correct usage of the expression? Isn't the person who put the 'b' in subtle, QUITE subtle, because no one can detect that b! Is it not excellently hidden? Or is the expression suggesting that when Mr. Obvious says the word subtle, you can hear the 'b', that he doesn't have the savvy that the rest of the populous has, to be able to say 'subtle' so discreetly? Is this what makes the person not-subtle? I really don't know. Comments? How would you interpret this?
Question #2
Is about art. 2 perspectives on art and I am wanting to glean some other opinions on this one. Perspective #1 about art is a common one: "[True or good] Art is timeless."
This is contrasted with perspective #2 : Art is alive in the moment, happens within that moment in time and would therefore always be changing with the time it is made. That position would hold that it is absolutely contrary to say that art is timeless, contrary to the nature of art, that it expresses that moment, ONLY that moment truly, with all the context that goes along with it, political, social, personal, everything. What do you think? I'm not sure what I think yet. I can see both points of view. I have experienced things I felt were timeless and vice versa... input?
As for reporting and updates, I had an incredible concert last night. I was chording for another exceptional fiddle player, and my my my.... I was simply SOARing, speaking of true art!!! So so good. What can be said? It can't be expressed. You had to be there! Too bad you missed it!
I am doing great in general, health good, Anna good, Chris good, music good, food good... can't complain! I am only sad to see the leaves turning... they are beautiful and all, but I hate to think of the onset of winter, which won't be too far off! * sigh * Oh well. The world, she keeps a cyclin! And she should. But really, this has to be the best time of year in Nova Scotia. Generally produce is quite expensive here, I assume because it has to be shipped in from afar, but this time of year, good grief. Everyone is harvesting their gardens, Mary (my mom-in-law) literally has a GArbage bag of fresh garden tomatoes and another of cucumbers! So Anna and I are eating them like candy every day, and wow, it is such a treat! Oooh, and plums! We have plum trees next door and apparently I am their biggest fan, so I can and am eating as many plums as I can manage. I have never had such a copious supply of FRESH produce, esp. from our own yard or neighbours. Wow. AWesome! It is such a luxury. So combine that with beautiful weather (although a LOT cooler than my American neighbours) and things are still green and gorgeous, and I'm playing music: Jenni is in her glory. I've also had an awesome time on the long drives home from the concerts because the last 2 times I've been on my own and got to enjoy sermons all the way home (1hr 15min) which has also been Such a treat! Another time of such luxury, to have all that quiet time to listen to this without distractions. It has been perfect, and I am learning a lot. Yeah!!!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
A little post theft
So I was reading my friend's blog, and she had this great story with accompanying inspirational analogy, and it is all that is on my mind right now, so I'm sharing it. For anyone who reads Yvonne's blog, you will find this boring. So I'll see you back next week when I have something original. ;)
At the time of this old story, Yvonne had a 2 year old who could reach the low-placed light swithes in her house. She was taking a shower when the child came up and shut off the light to the bathroom, so she was stuck in blackness in the shower, unable to see anything. Nothing would get the child to turn onthe light, so she attempted to finish her shower in the darkness. To her surprise, she was able to find and use the conditioner, the loofah, adjust the heat, and finish her shower, with basically no sense of sight or any trouble, just on instinct. Initially, she was impressed. Then a spiritual correlation hit her and took the cool out of her pride.
She wondered how often we as Christians do the same thing in our lives. So do I.
To quote Yvonne, ""How dependant am I, really, on Jesus for direction?" Do I count on His light to show the way? Or do I simply fumble my way through on my own...relying on instinct and tradition?? In fact, people are able to live a "Christian" life, do "Christian" things...and yet sometimes operate almost completely on their own. (By instinct or simply living through the repetition or routine of the Christian-ese lifestyle".) And if we find ourselves operating on auto-pilot without Jesus....can we even call ourselves "Christians"? How legitimate is our claim then, to the title of "Follower of Jesus", or "Friend of God". Wow. Scary thought...
I don't want to adapt to Lightlessness..."
God, don't let me settle for the dark.
At the time of this old story, Yvonne had a 2 year old who could reach the low-placed light swithes in her house. She was taking a shower when the child came up and shut off the light to the bathroom, so she was stuck in blackness in the shower, unable to see anything. Nothing would get the child to turn onthe light, so she attempted to finish her shower in the darkness. To her surprise, she was able to find and use the conditioner, the loofah, adjust the heat, and finish her shower, with basically no sense of sight or any trouble, just on instinct. Initially, she was impressed. Then a spiritual correlation hit her and took the cool out of her pride.
She wondered how often we as Christians do the same thing in our lives. So do I.
To quote Yvonne, ""How dependant am I, really, on Jesus for direction?" Do I count on His light to show the way? Or do I simply fumble my way through on my own...relying on instinct and tradition?? In fact, people are able to live a "Christian" life, do "Christian" things...and yet sometimes operate almost completely on their own. (By instinct or simply living through the repetition or routine of the Christian-ese lifestyle".) And if we find ourselves operating on auto-pilot without Jesus....can we even call ourselves "Christians"? How legitimate is our claim then, to the title of "Follower of Jesus", or "Friend of God". Wow. Scary thought...
I don't want to adapt to Lightlessness..."
God, don't let me settle for the dark.
Friday, September 01, 2006
A bunny trail's moment to shine!
So Chris and I were in this big discussion about creation/evolution/big bang/state of matter (quite fascinating by the way, especially in his retelling of everything), and while I promise I was paying attention through it, this side note passed through my mind and intrigued me in that 500 words-per-second spare mental time I had in between his spoken words.
It pertains to man's struggle with his sin nature. To reference that bit from Romans 7: 15-20,
"15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. "
This corresponded for me to one wee phrase plucked from that long chew; he was talking about Genesis' version about how God made man from dirt/dust whatever. So we are made of dirt. Amen! It just kinda gave me a mental picture of Romans 7, how we live in a dirt box/tent/house, and are always wanting to be cleaner, but alas, we are dirt. Then it is only logical that we would struggle with dirtiness!
Good thing God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance! : )
It pertains to man's struggle with his sin nature. To reference that bit from Romans 7: 15-20,
"15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. "
This corresponded for me to one wee phrase plucked from that long chew; he was talking about Genesis' version about how God made man from dirt/dust whatever. So we are made of dirt. Amen! It just kinda gave me a mental picture of Romans 7, how we live in a dirt box/tent/house, and are always wanting to be cleaner, but alas, we are dirt. Then it is only logical that we would struggle with dirtiness!
Good thing God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance! : )
Thursday, August 31, 2006
a bunch of silliness
A public service message from the blog moderators.
"The following segment will be tongue-in-cheek
in order to increase positive-tone content of this blog."Oh I LOVE cleaning the oven by hand! Many of you didn't know, but I am, in fact, the Grime-inator. I'm not one of those rough and tumble superheroes, however. I'm more of a floaty, delicately graceful cleaning fairy, gently gliding the steel wool repeatedly over the encrusted surfaces and casually dismissing with a smile, the steel splinters, cuts and gashes from sharp edges inside the oven. The new and improved prune-like surface of my hands is a fruit (no pun intended) of the faucet's incessant- I mean, gentle waterfall carrying away the burnt grease and unidentifiable gook from uncountable rag rinsings. The best of it all, is the crook in my neck from the contortionist routine I execute while beautifying the splattered roof of the oven and its lovely grey metal sides. What a delight.
"We now return to our regularly scheduled funereal content. "
What? I'm not funereal!!! Maybe sober, meditative maybe? but not funereal! Sheesh.
But there was fun this morning, BAKING bread in my fresh & clean oven. Yeah! I love baking. Seriously, I do! Just not pies. Me and meringue don't get along. Bread, cookies muffins, yo, I'm all over dat action! But get BACK with that gelatinous filling!!!
Chris is doing well, loving his new job. Thank You, God!
I have tons of Anna stories. About 10 times a day I must crack up and say, I've got to blog that! But sieve-for-brains-girl here sits down to type and sings, "where have all the stories gone?" Good question. Have I mentioned that she can count to 20 in 3 languages? English, Irish, French. Her Irish amazes me all the time. She is doing super well with it. Now I need to get on the ball with my French so that I can feed little tidbits of that too while she's still a sponge. She is 29 months (almost 2 1/2).
I have seen again today, some answered prayers that more than blew my mind. They were definite cases of Him doing "abundantly exceedingly above what we can ask or imagine"!! (Eph. 3:20) It sure does something for one's faith to see stuff you would never have imagined possible. Without disclosing people's situations, I'll say: He made a way out for people where there was no way, when they were QUITe literally at the END of their rope, and He brought up springs in the dry bones desert place! WEEHOO! SO awesome!! What a MIGHTY GOD we serve! Isn't it an absolutely asTOUNDing thought, that we have the ear of the Most High??? The CREATOR is listening to US?? What is up with THAT?!?!??! It absolutely knocks me off my rocker. He moved on our behalf. And He does it all the time... but often, we just don't have eyes to see it. God give us eyes to see and ears to hear.
Chris is doing well, loving his new job. Thank You, God!
I have tons of Anna stories. About 10 times a day I must crack up and say, I've got to blog that! But sieve-for-brains-girl here sits down to type and sings, "where have all the stories gone?" Good question. Have I mentioned that she can count to 20 in 3 languages? English, Irish, French. Her Irish amazes me all the time. She is doing super well with it. Now I need to get on the ball with my French so that I can feed little tidbits of that too while she's still a sponge. She is 29 months (almost 2 1/2).
I have seen again today, some answered prayers that more than blew my mind. They were definite cases of Him doing "abundantly exceedingly above what we can ask or imagine"!! (Eph. 3:20) It sure does something for one's faith to see stuff you would never have imagined possible. Without disclosing people's situations, I'll say: He made a way out for people where there was no way, when they were QUITe literally at the END of their rope, and He brought up springs in the dry bones desert place! WEEHOO! SO awesome!! What a MIGHTY GOD we serve! Isn't it an absolutely asTOUNDing thought, that we have the ear of the Most High??? The CREATOR is listening to US?? What is up with THAT?!?!??! It absolutely knocks me off my rocker. He moved on our behalf. And He does it all the time... but often, we just don't have eyes to see it. God give us eyes to see and ears to hear.
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