Perspective. Some times it's hard to gain. Other times it smacks into us relentlessly like choppy waters against the side of a boat.
Yesterday was a day that found me grumbling and generally crabby with the days events. Sweet Princess Pigtails once again had a random fever and her glands were swollen. Not really any other symptoms, but I was not comfortable going forward with our plans to go to the beach with some friends. So, we were here all day. Princess Pigtails was questionably sick and understandably whiny all day. Whiny makes me crabby.
DH was, by no fault of his own, later leaving the office than I had hoped he would be. Later leaving equates to worse traffic and a longer commute putting him home later than I expected. I try to be understanding about these things. But last night? I was crabby about it. It cramped our time for dinner as a family. I could make excuses about the day wearing on me and that being one more thing. But those would just be excuses for me choosing a poor reaction.
I had a final planning meeting for vacation Bible school scheduled for last night. The hope was that all six of us that have been involved in the planning process could be there. We were not all there and in reality it was fine. But given my attitude for the day, I was crabby about it. Big shocker, huh?
I came home and wallowed in my crabbiness to DH. (Who once again listened and tried to encourage me...) And yet, I went to bed with that nagging feeling. You know. The one where the Lord is gently nudging you to give to Him and let it go. But I wasn't ready. I guess I was having too much "fun" grumbling about how bad my day was and how disappointed I was.
Then this morning my mom called with news that brought perspective upon me with frightening speed. A young woman from a former congregation that my dad served had passed away from cancer yesterday morning. She was 25 years old. We've been praying for her and her family during this 2 1/2 year battle, reading the updates on her CaringBridge site and wondering when she was going to finally get some good news.
Her healing came in God's perfect timing and in His perfect way. The Good News did come. Not in the manner that our human minds and hearts hope for but in a way that our souls unexplainably understand. She is with our Lord now. She is pain free and the struggles she endured as a result of this journey have come to a close. Faith allows us to mourn and celebrate her life and faith simultaneously.
While I was whining, grumbling and complaining--Brittney was called Home. While I was lamenting about how the day could've, should've gone--that dinner was quick, my darling child was whiny and people missed a meeting--a family began mourning the loss of their daughter.
Tears streamed down my face upon hearing the news and the deafening sound of the waves of perpective burned my ears.
6.27.2008
6.26.2008
Things I Love Thursday--Bagolitas by Janice
I've written about Bagolitas before--but for those of you that missed it...This week, I'd like to introduce you to Bagolitas by Janice! Bagolitas are a line of absolutely gorgeous spunky handbags, tote bags and accessories. You really must visit her website and look around. Every time I visit her site I find something else that I think I can't live without.
Beautiful, sassy handbags like this one:
This is the "beverly" style in the Chicklet pattern. Love it. Love. It.
The bag I have was a speciality bag that her team did as a fundraiser for an organization that I am a part of. DH bought the "benny" style for me and it is absolutely perfect as a tote for my Bible study books and other meeting materials.
So, go and check out Bagolitas by Janice. They are celebrating their third year and have some speciality bags in honor of the occasion. There are bibs, eye glass cases, pursemates and she has recently added a line of spunky kitchen items--spunky aprons, oven mitts and gloves!
And by the way--this is by no means a paid advertisement or product review. Just me, a happy customer with a sassy, spunky bag passing the word on because this is one of the Things I Love and it is Thursday!
For more products that you can't or shouldn't live without head over and see Jill at Diaper Diaries.
Beautiful, sassy handbags like this one:
This is the "beverly" style in the Chicklet pattern. Love it. Love. It.
The bag I have was a speciality bag that her team did as a fundraiser for an organization that I am a part of. DH bought the "benny" style for me and it is absolutely perfect as a tote for my Bible study books and other meeting materials.
So, go and check out Bagolitas by Janice. They are celebrating their third year and have some speciality bags in honor of the occasion. There are bibs, eye glass cases, pursemates and she has recently added a line of spunky kitchen items--spunky aprons, oven mitts and gloves!
And by the way--this is by no means a paid advertisement or product review. Just me, a happy customer with a sassy, spunky bag passing the word on because this is one of the Things I Love and it is Thursday!
For more products that you can't or shouldn't live without head over and see Jill at Diaper Diaries.
6.25.2008
Don't Toss! Reheat and Eat!
I cringe every time I toss left over meat or an entire steak that didn't get eaten (after it has sat in the fridge for a week). But what do you do with it--outside of mixing the ground beef in spaghetti sauce or with Manwich? Anyone else dislike that "micro-waved" taste of reheated ground beef or left over steak? Well, I've got two simple little tips for you that I recently picked up. Can't take credit for either of them, but they are too easy to not pass on!
Tip #1--This one that I picked up from my Grandma--When reheating ground beef or left over hamburger patties in the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the meat for the duration of the reheating process. Remarkably, it does help tremendously!
Secondly, my mom discovered that the Green Giant teriyaki stir fry kit (the just add meat kind) is great way to use the left over steak. Just slice the steak, reheat in the skillet and then dump the stir fry kit and sauce in. It's super easy and very tasty. Nearly impossible to detect that "reheated" taste!
For more tips, hints and other things that just work--head on over to Rocks In My Dryer!
6.23.2008
A Spoonful of Sugar
We have a huge rhubarb patch in our yard. I am not necessarily a fan of the plant/weed but have begun to acquire a tolerance of it. I actually do not totally turn up my nose at the mention of it now. And I rarely make gagging noises if it is served to me. I'm growing as a person, what can I say?
In light of said growth here's a favorite cobbler/rhubarb recipe. Further proving the theory that anything will become delicious if mixed with a spoonful (or 20) of sugar! Great on it's own, with some ice cream or my personal favorite-fresh whipped cream! Enjoy.
Rhubarb Cherry Cobbler
3 cups chopped rhubarb
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter
Spread fruit and pie filling in a 9x13 baking pan. Sprinkle with sugar and butter. Cover with crust batter.
Crust:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
Cream shortening and sugar in mixing bowl. Add egg and beat well. Combine flour and baking powder; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Pour over fruit. Bake at 350 for approximately 50 minutes.
In light of said growth here's a favorite cobbler/rhubarb recipe. Further proving the theory that anything will become delicious if mixed with a spoonful (or 20) of sugar! Great on it's own, with some ice cream or my personal favorite-fresh whipped cream! Enjoy.
Rhubarb Cherry Cobbler
3 cups chopped rhubarb
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter
Spread fruit and pie filling in a 9x13 baking pan. Sprinkle with sugar and butter. Cover with crust batter.
Crust:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
Cream shortening and sugar in mixing bowl. Add egg and beat well. Combine flour and baking powder; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Pour over fruit. Bake at 350 for approximately 50 minutes.
6.20.2008
Transparency--Not Just for the Overhead Projector Anymore
I have been out of the habit of writing and journaling for so long that it has taken me a great deal of time to find my voice on this blog. There are many aspects of other blogs that I enjoy thoroughly and find myself at times hung up in efforts to emulate other writers rather than continuing on the path of finding the bloggy style that best suites me. Somehow for me emulating something or someone is often easier than being vulnerable and digging below the surface. Why is it that I can fool myself into accepting an imitation as genuine while all the time the genuine, true self would be so much less work?
Perhaps it is the vulnerability required to put myself out there issues and all in both my writing and my relationships. If I just gloss over those issues both big and small, put on a front that I perceive to be pleasing to those around me--somehow that is easier and requires less self-examination. And ultimately how appealing are those flaws? Those issues? And yet I know that when my own friends behave that way, I feel as if I have been deprived of the opportunity to truly know them, to relate and to encourage and/or be encouraged.
I often catch myself behaving in that way with my faith. Glossing over struggles and my own innate sinful nature. Sometimes it is intentional. Sometimes it is subconscious. If I just disconnect and spew the "churchese", I don't have to share my disappointments or my hurts. I don't have to acknowledge the dry seasons of my faith or confess sins. Sharing those deepest aspects of myself would make me vulnerable and lets face it--people can be harsh, hurtful, judgmental and unforgiving. Including myself.
I am slowing accepting that sharing those experiences, those exact hurts are what we as believers are called to do. As difficult as they are to share, to put voice to those hurts and scars--that is what we are to be doing. When we fail to confess, when we gloss over "the living" that we've done, we deprive our own relationship with Christ and one another. We are called to share those things that weigh heavy on our hearts. To carry one another's burdens and to be as Christ to one another. In order to minister and to be ministered to. God is bigger than those things--Christ wants to meet us in those shared experiences to heal us, strengthen our faith and to strengthen our community, our friendships for further ministry.
A deeper, more vibrant faith life and stronger relationships with those around me is what I desire. Why is being transparent so difficult?
"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." Galatians 6:1-3 (The Message)
Perhaps it is the vulnerability required to put myself out there issues and all in both my writing and my relationships. If I just gloss over those issues both big and small, put on a front that I perceive to be pleasing to those around me--somehow that is easier and requires less self-examination. And ultimately how appealing are those flaws? Those issues? And yet I know that when my own friends behave that way, I feel as if I have been deprived of the opportunity to truly know them, to relate and to encourage and/or be encouraged.
I often catch myself behaving in that way with my faith. Glossing over struggles and my own innate sinful nature. Sometimes it is intentional. Sometimes it is subconscious. If I just disconnect and spew the "churchese", I don't have to share my disappointments or my hurts. I don't have to acknowledge the dry seasons of my faith or confess sins. Sharing those deepest aspects of myself would make me vulnerable and lets face it--people can be harsh, hurtful, judgmental and unforgiving. Including myself.
I am slowing accepting that sharing those experiences, those exact hurts are what we as believers are called to do. As difficult as they are to share, to put voice to those hurts and scars--that is what we are to be doing. When we fail to confess, when we gloss over "the living" that we've done, we deprive our own relationship with Christ and one another. We are called to share those things that weigh heavy on our hearts. To carry one another's burdens and to be as Christ to one another. In order to minister and to be ministered to. God is bigger than those things--Christ wants to meet us in those shared experiences to heal us, strengthen our faith and to strengthen our community, our friendships for further ministry.
A deeper, more vibrant faith life and stronger relationships with those around me is what I desire. Why is being transparent so difficult?
"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." Galatians 6:1-3 (The Message)
6.19.2008
Things I Love Thursday--Swaddle Designs
Jill over at Diaper Diaries does a weekly segment on Thursdays called "Things I Love". This week she has invited others to join her and link back to share. So because I'm always looking for bloggy material I thought I would participate.
My first post for "Things I Love Thursday" is to share my love for the Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket. A friend gave us our first Swaddle Designs blanket at a baby shower when I was preggo with Princess Pigtails. To be honest, I really hadn't done much reading about swaddling and wasn't sure that I needed a particular blanket for said business. But I was so wrong.
If you are a believer in swaddling your little one--which I am now-- then you know that not just any old receiving blanket will do. Most are too small and/or have some obnoxious graphic or print on them. The Swaddle Designs blanket is awesome! It is a perfect square and is BIG (42"x42")--which is ideal for swaddling. It is super snuggly soft and maintains that softness despite all of the laundering. I found myself wishing that I had six more--because of the number of times I stood impatiently waiting at the dryer for the blanket to be done so I could wrap the precious one up! The blanket is a great weight and the color options allow for coordination with nearly any nursery. It was a nice transition to a "blankie" for Princess Pigtails once she was past the swaddling stage. You know I ran out and bought one for The Little Man before I could consider the nursery "baby ready"! I should've picked up a package of the absolutely adorable Baby Burpies or one of the Baby Lovies while I was at it!
Head on over to Diaper Diaries to read about more items or products you shouldn't or can't live without!
My first post for "Things I Love Thursday" is to share my love for the Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket. A friend gave us our first Swaddle Designs blanket at a baby shower when I was preggo with Princess Pigtails. To be honest, I really hadn't done much reading about swaddling and wasn't sure that I needed a particular blanket for said business. But I was so wrong.
If you are a believer in swaddling your little one--which I am now-- then you know that not just any old receiving blanket will do. Most are too small and/or have some obnoxious graphic or print on them. The Swaddle Designs blanket is awesome! It is a perfect square and is BIG (42"x42")--which is ideal for swaddling. It is super snuggly soft and maintains that softness despite all of the laundering. I found myself wishing that I had six more--because of the number of times I stood impatiently waiting at the dryer for the blanket to be done so I could wrap the precious one up! The blanket is a great weight and the color options allow for coordination with nearly any nursery. It was a nice transition to a "blankie" for Princess Pigtails once she was past the swaddling stage. You know I ran out and bought one for The Little Man before I could consider the nursery "baby ready"! I should've picked up a package of the absolutely adorable Baby Burpies or one of the Baby Lovies while I was at it!Head on over to Diaper Diaries to read about more items or products you shouldn't or can't live without!
6.18.2008
To do or not to do?
So another full week and a half have gone by without a post. No excuses just that we have finally had some consecutive days of absolutely beautiful weather and I am finally trying to work out the summer routine. As always, I am trying to balance the activities, "at home" time and the to-do list. But that is no different than normal, I guess, only that I also want the moments to just sit out and enjoy the warm sun. Perhaps now that it does not appear that it will be raining/storming/wind blowing 90 miles an hour everyday, maybe it will be easier to get the routine down and work in a few projects as well.
Speaking of projects, BooMama is hosting a "before and after" bloggy extravaganza and I am considering participating. Because I for one could use a little accountability and might actually accomplish one of the projects that way. But then The List. The List is so long. Where to start? And how much can I reasonably expect to accomplish with Princess Pigtails and The Little Man here with me?
But the project I am considering tackling is this: The basement bathroom. Because it houses our only real shower (so really it is the equivalent to the main bath even though it is in the basement) I think that the impact would be significant. And quite honestly it is ugly. It was ugly long before we bought this old house. I've tried to tone it down by painting the upper part of the wall blue and accessorizing with blues and tans, but really how successful are my efforts going to be when the tile that goes half way up the wall all the way around is green. Like celery green. And the towel bars and toilet paper holder? Made of the same tile and tiled to the tiled wall. It is really quite lovely if you are obsessed with celery green in the tile form. And the floor? Varying shades of green in 1" tile. The ceiling also needs to be finished from a dry wall patch job that DH had to do when he replaced the vent/fan.
Possible solutions: Ideally, I would like to gut the whole thing and start over. However, I do not believe that is realistic. So, other options? I read recently that you can paint tile. I could just paint it. I mean what's the worst that can happen? Other than it looks horrible, I hate it and tear it down any way? The other possibility is just to take the leap and pray that the dry wall will be in decent shape and pull the tile off? But what condition can I expect the drywall to be in? Anyone know?
And the floor? Can I just vinyl over top of it? Also, I would like to paint the cabinets. But not sure--black? Paint the walls a warm brown? The towels currently in this bathroom are a light blue, navy blue and tan. The toilet and sink are white and the shower surround is tan. I am open to suggestions. Anyone have ideas?
Speaking of projects, BooMama is hosting a "before and after" bloggy extravaganza and I am considering participating. Because I for one could use a little accountability and might actually accomplish one of the projects that way. But then The List. The List is so long. Where to start? And how much can I reasonably expect to accomplish with Princess Pigtails and The Little Man here with me?
But the project I am considering tackling is this: The basement bathroom. Because it houses our only real shower (so really it is the equivalent to the main bath even though it is in the basement) I think that the impact would be significant. And quite honestly it is ugly. It was ugly long before we bought this old house. I've tried to tone it down by painting the upper part of the wall blue and accessorizing with blues and tans, but really how successful are my efforts going to be when the tile that goes half way up the wall all the way around is green. Like celery green. And the towel bars and toilet paper holder? Made of the same tile and tiled to the tiled wall. It is really quite lovely if you are obsessed with celery green in the tile form. And the floor? Varying shades of green in 1" tile. The ceiling also needs to be finished from a dry wall patch job that DH had to do when he replaced the vent/fan.
Possible solutions: Ideally, I would like to gut the whole thing and start over. However, I do not believe that is realistic. So, other options? I read recently that you can paint tile. I could just paint it. I mean what's the worst that can happen? Other than it looks horrible, I hate it and tear it down any way? The other possibility is just to take the leap and pray that the dry wall will be in decent shape and pull the tile off? But what condition can I expect the drywall to be in? Anyone know?
And the floor? Can I just vinyl over top of it? Also, I would like to paint the cabinets. But not sure--black? Paint the walls a warm brown? The towels currently in this bathroom are a light blue, navy blue and tan. The toilet and sink are white and the shower surround is tan. I am open to suggestions. Anyone have ideas?
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