As we finished reading the paper this morning and Hon started fantasizing about the delicious omelet he wanted the good fairy (yes, that would be me) to make, I noticed there's an all out Patrick Swayze movie marathon this weekend. I relayed this news to a salivating (over the thoughts of mushrooms and Swiss cheese, not Patrick Swayze) Hon.
"You know there's only one good Patrick Swayze movie?" he replied.
??? "You mean Point Break?"
"No. That one is pretty good though. But there's only one really good one. You know which one I mean." he said with assurance.
"Youngblood? The hockey one?"
"No."
"Red Dawn?"
"No. What's that?"
"You can't mean Ghost?" What man ever picks Ghost or Dirty Dancing?
"No. I mean the really good one. You know what I mean."
At this point I am scanning the list of movies offered wondering how many Patrick Swayze movies he'd seen when...
"You can't mean Road House???? That's like the worst one." Besides the North-South mini-series which I secretly LOOOOVED.
"Yeah! That's the one. It's great. When does it come on?"
So here's to Patrick Swayze. Thanks for years of entertainment and movies you can watch over and over again.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Witness of God's Kingdom
This week is shaping up to be stock full to the brim of blessings. Praise the Lord, and Whoohoo!
Last year I started volunteering at a local homeless day shelter. I am blessed more in those few hours washing dishes than I can yet wrap my earthly mind around. However this summer I wasn't able to volunteer due to those little treasures I call children. For some reason it seemed like they were around all the time; that is if I wasn't driving them to an activity. Summer sure can wear a Momma out if she's not at the beach.
Anyway, more about my blessings. Guess what? People were excited to see me at the shelter. That just made my heart sing. I reconnected with familiar faces. I work behind a counter in the kitchen, but I have the opportunity to talk with anyone who walks up for coffee. I witnessed a tender moment shortly after I arrived. A man greeted a buddy with, "Man, where have you been. I was ready to send a search party for you. I've been worried about you. How is life treating you?"
There was humor and teasing in his voice, but his care and love were enough to bring a tear to my eye and joy to my heart. The Lamb Center is a place where God just pours buckets of love on tender souls. Some are parched for care. Such as guest who normally is just a dear. She was clearly having a bad day. She was upset, and it was hard to understand what she needed. You know how it is when you've had a terrible day, and you end up yelling at the person who is trying to help you. God's spirit of peace was interceded. With her voice trembling full of emotion she finally conveyed what she needed. She was still upset and blew off a little more steam, but it was also clear that she knew someone was trying to help her. Many of us prayed for her day to improve.
Later the center received a phone call from a guest that is in the hospital. He complained that the food was just terrible, so he needed the director to bring him a piece of that good gooey chocolate cake the center has. Someone laughed that they weren't sure the director could drop everything to deliver cake, but I realized that this guest feels love and comfort at the Lamb Center. He wanted his community to continue to care for him. Or maybe he had an intense chocolate craving. Love comes in many forms.
Speaking of food - we were almost drowned in it Monday. I've never seen so much food come in at one time. At one point every counter was covered several dishes high as I stood in the middle of the floor holding a fruit salad the size a kiddie pool with no where to put it. May God pour extra blessings on those who follow His prompting to donate to the homeless. I can vouch that very hungry people walk into the center. They worry about getting any food. Monday there were smiles all around as they realized God had provided them with a mighty banquet.
To witness these modern day miracles feeding the hungry, care for the careworn, love for the sometimes hard to love is to witness God's Kingdom here on earth. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to your glorious riches.
Last year I started volunteering at a local homeless day shelter. I am blessed more in those few hours washing dishes than I can yet wrap my earthly mind around. However this summer I wasn't able to volunteer due to those little treasures I call children. For some reason it seemed like they were around all the time; that is if I wasn't driving them to an activity. Summer sure can wear a Momma out if she's not at the beach.
Anyway, more about my blessings. Guess what? People were excited to see me at the shelter. That just made my heart sing. I reconnected with familiar faces. I work behind a counter in the kitchen, but I have the opportunity to talk with anyone who walks up for coffee. I witnessed a tender moment shortly after I arrived. A man greeted a buddy with, "Man, where have you been. I was ready to send a search party for you. I've been worried about you. How is life treating you?"
There was humor and teasing in his voice, but his care and love were enough to bring a tear to my eye and joy to my heart. The Lamb Center is a place where God just pours buckets of love on tender souls. Some are parched for care. Such as guest who normally is just a dear. She was clearly having a bad day. She was upset, and it was hard to understand what she needed. You know how it is when you've had a terrible day, and you end up yelling at the person who is trying to help you. God's spirit of peace was interceded. With her voice trembling full of emotion she finally conveyed what she needed. She was still upset and blew off a little more steam, but it was also clear that she knew someone was trying to help her. Many of us prayed for her day to improve.
Later the center received a phone call from a guest that is in the hospital. He complained that the food was just terrible, so he needed the director to bring him a piece of that good gooey chocolate cake the center has. Someone laughed that they weren't sure the director could drop everything to deliver cake, but I realized that this guest feels love and comfort at the Lamb Center. He wanted his community to continue to care for him. Or maybe he had an intense chocolate craving. Love comes in many forms.
Speaking of food - we were almost drowned in it Monday. I've never seen so much food come in at one time. At one point every counter was covered several dishes high as I stood in the middle of the floor holding a fruit salad the size a kiddie pool with no where to put it. May God pour extra blessings on those who follow His prompting to donate to the homeless. I can vouch that very hungry people walk into the center. They worry about getting any food. Monday there were smiles all around as they realized God had provided them with a mighty banquet.
To witness these modern day miracles feeding the hungry, care for the careworn, love for the sometimes hard to love is to witness God's Kingdom here on earth. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to your glorious riches.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
What a Difference a Summer Makes
I looked just a few posts back and realized that the last time I posted it was the weekend after Memorial Day. Here we are the weekend after Labor Day. Wow, it looks like I gave myself a summer vacation.
It was a fabulous summer vacation. Thank you very much for asking. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle life again.
Okay, so here's the real reason I've stayed away from blogging. I've struggled with this blog concept. I enjoy journaling about life. I like my blog.
But...
I'm struggling with whether or not to share my journaling publically. Am I just looking for attention? I certainly hope not. Am I embarassing myself with what I do reveal? Writing the true drivel that comes out of my mind does confirm that, "Yes, that's really the stuff she frets over, contemplates, wants to share with the world."
I'd love to chronical our lives just for me. But that certainly isn't blogging, that's scrapbooking. Not to mention Hon is very anti pics of the family on the web.
So to blog publically or not?
I miss it. So even though I don't consider myself a writer at all, I'm just a girl with WAY too much to say in her own head. If I write it rather than stay on the phone 24 hours a day, my friends might actually enjoy talking to me thankyouverymuch.
It was a fabulous summer vacation. Thank you very much for asking. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle life again.
Okay, so here's the real reason I've stayed away from blogging. I've struggled with this blog concept. I enjoy journaling about life. I like my blog.
But...
I'm struggling with whether or not to share my journaling publically. Am I just looking for attention? I certainly hope not. Am I embarassing myself with what I do reveal? Writing the true drivel that comes out of my mind does confirm that, "Yes, that's really the stuff she frets over, contemplates, wants to share with the world."
I'd love to chronical our lives just for me. But that certainly isn't blogging, that's scrapbooking. Not to mention Hon is very anti pics of the family on the web.
So to blog publically or not?
I miss it. So even though I don't consider myself a writer at all, I'm just a girl with WAY too much to say in her own head. If I write it rather than stay on the phone 24 hours a day, my friends might actually enjoy talking to me thankyouverymuch.
What is the Question to the Answer 42?
Fred loves "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." It makes him belly laugh until he cries tears of joy. I love watching him laugh that hard. Although I've seen the movie twice (the parts where I kept my eyes open) and heard him recite major portions of it to me more times than I remember, I'm not completely clear on the exact story line. Apparently a major part of the story line is they ask some all knowing computer (I think) what the answer to life is, and it says, "42." So the answer becomes a question.
What is the question to the answer 42?
As Fred watched me make alfredo sauce yesterday he finally discovered the question to the answer 42.
"How many tablespoons of butter does it take to make the perfect meal?"
What is the question to the answer 42?
As Fred watched me make alfredo sauce yesterday he finally discovered the question to the answer 42.
"How many tablespoons of butter does it take to make the perfect meal?"
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Difference a Year Makes
It's amazing the difference a year makes.
While these particular pictures aren't the best at showing how much he's grown, on the left is Fred at the end of 7th grade after the National Jr. Honor Society Induction. On the right was last week, end of 8th grade as he received his pin for NJHS. (I still think parents should at least get a sticker for planning and providing all transportation for the 15 hours of community service.)
As he walked across the stage a mom in front of me commented, "He looks ready for high school. He'll fit in; he's the right size."
She's right. He's ready. And amazingly I am too.
I read a post the other day about a mom wanting to freeze time and stop her kids from getting any bigger because time is moving way too fast. I agree that at times it does move way too fast. I miss squeezing those chubby legs and hearing peals of giggles while playing chase. I also teared up the other day in Target when I saw the graduation supplies and realized we were only 4 short years from that milestone. However, these two years of middle school have also been precious. I love watching Fred grow physically and mature in all ways. Oh, I've worried myself silly and annoyed my friends with endless conversations on the subject of "what in the world are we going to do with Fred?" But I've been blessed that those same worries led me to prayer and granted me God's blessed answers to those prayers. Sometimes we get a glimpse that he does listen to us. We do help form his life and choices. As we as parents grow and release him to make some of his own choices, he makes good ones and gains confidence.
The general opinion in our area is that middle school is tough and once you get to high school it seems a little better. Fred came to me over that little bit of insight yesterday.
He said, "Mom, middle school has been great. I don't know why everyone worries about it. I was thinking on the bus today, that if I liked middle school, its the best school I've ever been in, maybe high school will be awful for me instead."
There's my positive thinker. I assured him that life was only going to get better. I pray it does only get better. I'm going to continue to enjoy his growth. I'll always have me sweet memories of a little boy with a big belly laugh, but I don't want to miss any of the new things to come.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Longest Week Ever
I just want to state for the record that last week was the longest short week of my life. Having a holiday for Memorial Day only seemed to make the rest of the week more hectic. Adding a barbeque for our Small Group on Monday might not have been the most relaxing way to spend an extra day off. Especially when I spent the first 2 hours stressed that I had not made enough baked beans or bought enough Diet Coke, and what would we do if we ran out of either? Should I send Hon, who was busy entertaining everyone with bocce ball to the store for more? Oh, the dilemna!
You'll be happy to know that the Diet Coke drinkers happily switched to my preferred Diet Pepsi, and we did run out of beans just before the last person went through the buffet line - me. To be honest, I had probably tasted more than a serving's worth while making the woefully small amount of baked beans.
I spent the rest of the week wondering what day it was and why was it not Friday yet. We started swim team practices, tried to start tennis, had many rain outs, a National Junior Honor Society Pinning, and more basketball on top of our normal stuff. Why wonder I'm having trouble pulling myself out of bed before 7 am. I also had a major stand off with the school "powers to be" over the Dude's schedule for middle school.
I know the above paragraph may be boring, but its probably better than a post about each of those events. I'll save myself the time and trouble of long posts and sum up what I learned last week.
1. Always buy 3 2 liters of Diet Coke for our small group. They love the stuff.
2. Keep bandaids on hand for older teenage boys. Apparently bloody hands from using a splinter filled fence as home base is not enough for them to actually use the tree next to the fence instead. Bandaids are a mark of honor.
3. I must be an advocate for my children, even though I hate confrontation. Just because something is the right thing to do and makes sense, does not mean a school system will do it. Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel does get the attention. While that principle makes me steam, my children are well worth it.
4. It's a really good thing I'm already on blood pressure medicine, so I can handle situations like # 3.
5. Saving up all the laundry for a week is a great excuse to finish an excellent book. World Without End was almost as good as Pillars of the Earth. Good enough that I'm already saving up laundry for a re-read.
You'll be happy to know that the Diet Coke drinkers happily switched to my preferred Diet Pepsi, and we did run out of beans just before the last person went through the buffet line - me. To be honest, I had probably tasted more than a serving's worth while making the woefully small amount of baked beans.
I spent the rest of the week wondering what day it was and why was it not Friday yet. We started swim team practices, tried to start tennis, had many rain outs, a National Junior Honor Society Pinning, and more basketball on top of our normal stuff. Why wonder I'm having trouble pulling myself out of bed before 7 am. I also had a major stand off with the school "powers to be" over the Dude's schedule for middle school.
I know the above paragraph may be boring, but its probably better than a post about each of those events. I'll save myself the time and trouble of long posts and sum up what I learned last week.
1. Always buy 3 2 liters of Diet Coke for our small group. They love the stuff.
2. Keep bandaids on hand for older teenage boys. Apparently bloody hands from using a splinter filled fence as home base is not enough for them to actually use the tree next to the fence instead. Bandaids are a mark of honor.
3. I must be an advocate for my children, even though I hate confrontation. Just because something is the right thing to do and makes sense, does not mean a school system will do it. Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel does get the attention. While that principle makes me steam, my children are well worth it.
4. It's a really good thing I'm already on blood pressure medicine, so I can handle situations like # 3.
5. Saving up all the laundry for a week is a great excuse to finish an excellent book. World Without End was almost as good as Pillars of the Earth. Good enough that I'm already saving up laundry for a re-read.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Balancing Committments and Friendships
This week I've made more of an effort to just enjoy some of the special friendships I have. As I mentioned on Monday, lately I've been a little bit of a hermit - Holding on to the little time I have.
You know what? When I look back on the time I hoarded to vacuum, do errands, and let's not forget worry, it's not as valuable as the time I spend laughing with friends.
Both friends I spent time with on Tuesday had almost identical conversations on this subject. And no, I did not bring the same subject up twice. We talked about when we become so busy that we feel stressed and pulled that we push away and hide. Yet, it is time in relationship that brings us comfort and joy.
We all have way too much to do. We all feel the guilt of not "doing it all." Often we push time for friendship out the door first before all the other "necessary" committments in our lives. While I know I personally need a little down time, there is a balance. Yet, that place of balance continuously sifts as the circumstances in our lives shift. I'm just happy that I feel my time of pondering alone at home is over. I'm ready for some giggles with my peeps.
You know what? When I look back on the time I hoarded to vacuum, do errands, and let's not forget worry, it's not as valuable as the time I spend laughing with friends.
Both friends I spent time with on Tuesday had almost identical conversations on this subject. And no, I did not bring the same subject up twice. We talked about when we become so busy that we feel stressed and pulled that we push away and hide. Yet, it is time in relationship that brings us comfort and joy.
We all have way too much to do. We all feel the guilt of not "doing it all." Often we push time for friendship out the door first before all the other "necessary" committments in our lives. While I know I personally need a little down time, there is a balance. Yet, that place of balance continuously sifts as the circumstances in our lives shift. I'm just happy that I feel my time of pondering alone at home is over. I'm ready for some giggles with my peeps.
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