So I said I was going to read 6 books this summer that I didn't want to...
And I haven't. Boy, I really haven't.
I've read some books I wanted to, some books I had to for work, some books to Flash, and the book for church book club. So I'm extending my Summer Reading Plan to include Fall.
The Church Book club book is Father Joe : The Man Who Saved My Soul by Tony Hedra.
So far it is excellent and I'm only on page 133.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Thankful Thursday
For health and safety,
For Family, Friends and strangers,
New neighbors and the ones we miss,
New vocations, opportunities and the freedom to explore them
For your faithfulness and peace when we need it,
For your forgiveness and counsel when we need it,
Thank you God
For Family, Friends and strangers,
New neighbors and the ones we miss,
New vocations, opportunities and the freedom to explore them
For your faithfulness and peace when we need it,
For your forgiveness and counsel when we need it,
Thank you God
Real good news
Today I have real good news. My friend's husband has been looking for just the right teaching job for over a year. And it has finally found him. Middle School PE. And the assistant softball coach too. Starting Monday. He's over the moon about it. God bless him.
Flash's happy life
In a discussion about our dogs...
Q. So, what are they? Are they people?
A. No, they don't talk as much.
We've also backfired (already) on our fledgling toilet-training attempt. Apparently if you pee in your big boy underpants, you get to wear another pair! Hooray!
And the boy across the street gets a chocolate chip when he uses his potty successfully, rather than a sticker. My sticker mania is crushed.
Q. So, what are they? Are they people?
A. No, they don't talk as much.
We've also backfired (already) on our fledgling toilet-training attempt. Apparently if you pee in your big boy underpants, you get to wear another pair! Hooray!
And the boy across the street gets a chocolate chip when he uses his potty successfully, rather than a sticker. My sticker mania is crushed.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Sticker Mania!
Isn't great how kids go wild for stickers! I give them out at the library all the time and the children just beam. They put them on their shirts and hands and cheeks. They show them to their friends. Our Flash gets them for special things like toilet training and extreme goodness.
But it seems like they are "coming back" I even saw the puffy kind when I was out this weekend. Are sticker books next? Collecting? Scratch and sniff? Shinys?
And while we are regressing... The movie of the book How to Eat Fried Worms comes out next weekend! I can't wait.
But it seems like they are "coming back" I even saw the puffy kind when I was out this weekend. Are sticker books next? Collecting? Scratch and sniff? Shinys?
And while we are regressing... The movie of the book How to Eat Fried Worms comes out next weekend! I can't wait.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Family, Anger and Peace
Our pastor's sermon was about anger today. About letting it go, letting the Holy spirit take it away, not letting it turn into sin or giving the Devil room to play. And although I joked with my hubby about our arguement last night about housework (naturally), I was really thinking about my sister and my Dad.
They don't talk, they don't understand each other and most of the time they don't care. Its an old, old hurt that has been reinforced several times. Its not abuse. Its just....I don't know. Right now he wants to reconnect, see his grandson, and she is beyond it. I can't blame her.
I love him. Can't help it, he's my Dad and I do. I love her too. I kind of wish she'd forgive and forget and magically remain stupid enough to think that he won't bring it up again. I wish he'd change his tactics...and leave her alone...out of love. Weird, huh?
I've prayed for this situation to iron itself out but I'm realizing that its been a selfish prayer. I want then to stop talking to me about it. Several years ago I was in a similar situation and I had to ask someone I love that when I talked to her I wanted to talk only about my life and her life only...because it was too hard to talk about the other party (and that maybe if they wanted to talk about the other person, they should talk to that person, or to a counselor). Looks like I'm going to have to have that conversation again. Come on Holy Spirit!
They don't talk, they don't understand each other and most of the time they don't care. Its an old, old hurt that has been reinforced several times. Its not abuse. Its just....I don't know. Right now he wants to reconnect, see his grandson, and she is beyond it. I can't blame her.
I love him. Can't help it, he's my Dad and I do. I love her too. I kind of wish she'd forgive and forget and magically remain stupid enough to think that he won't bring it up again. I wish he'd change his tactics...and leave her alone...out of love. Weird, huh?
I've prayed for this situation to iron itself out but I'm realizing that its been a selfish prayer. I want then to stop talking to me about it. Several years ago I was in a similar situation and I had to ask someone I love that when I talked to her I wanted to talk only about my life and her life only...because it was too hard to talk about the other party (and that maybe if they wanted to talk about the other person, they should talk to that person, or to a counselor). Looks like I'm going to have to have that conversation again. Come on Holy Spirit!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Friday 5: Fruits of the Spirit
Its been a long hard week for me. Todays' Friday 5 from the revgals seemed very well chosen.
Love fruit, need spirit.
Galatians 5 describes the Fruit of the Spirit.
With all the sadness and despair out there, we certainly need it!
So, the Friday Five is simple.
Pick any five of the following attributes and go wherever the Spirit leads you... your choice! If you're feeling light-hearted--just assign a fruit to each one.
Love - Strawberries? They look a little like a heart (except for the seeds), are sweet and are often eaten in romance movies. I like them, but my hubby doesn't really care for fruit except for cantelope.
Joy - Watermelon! Such a large, happy fruit. We were at Grandma/Grandpas' earlier this year and a watermelon was resting on a chair in the dining room, waiting to be eaten after dinner. Flash, somehow, got it down onto the ground and tried to bite into it. But watermelons are tough.
Peace - Olives. This has been the toughest for me. I've been through all of the others and I'm still stuck on this one. So, olives. They are a fruit. Think of "extending the olive branch". They are also peaceful because I won't touch them. Yuck.
Patience - Coconut. I'm not sure that God intended us to eat these. In their original state, they are very hard to get open.
Kindness and Generosity - Pineapples. They are a symbol of hospitality in the South, but not really a part of the cooking. Isn't that odd? Pictures of them often appear on hotel stationery and such becauue pineapples convey this message somehow. I love them!
Faithfulness - Apples. They are pervasive, around at all times of the year ( here anyway). They are delicious whole, in pies, as applesauce. They have many sayings about them "apple of my eye", " an apple a day keeps the doctor away". They are referred to in the bible and in folklore. Do you remember twisting the stem of an apple while saying the alphabet? Whatever letter the stem twisted apart at, was the initial of your future love. I know so many of you are going to say self-control because of "the Fall" and, lest we forget, Snow White, but my reasons for apples stands true...He is everywhere and apples are everywhere.
Gentleness- Bananas. They are a baby's first food. (Try not to think of Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl song though, sigh.)
Self-control - Blueberries. I have NO self-control around blueberries. Do they ever get made into muffins or pies? No. Do they even accompany ice cream? No. Does my family know I usually buy two pints? No.
Love fruit, need spirit.
Galatians 5 describes the Fruit of the Spirit.
With all the sadness and despair out there, we certainly need it!
So, the Friday Five is simple.
Pick any five of the following attributes and go wherever the Spirit leads you... your choice! If you're feeling light-hearted--just assign a fruit to each one.
Love - Strawberries? They look a little like a heart (except for the seeds), are sweet and are often eaten in romance movies. I like them, but my hubby doesn't really care for fruit except for cantelope.
Joy - Watermelon! Such a large, happy fruit. We were at Grandma/Grandpas' earlier this year and a watermelon was resting on a chair in the dining room, waiting to be eaten after dinner. Flash, somehow, got it down onto the ground and tried to bite into it. But watermelons are tough.
Peace - Olives. This has been the toughest for me. I've been through all of the others and I'm still stuck on this one. So, olives. They are a fruit. Think of "extending the olive branch". They are also peaceful because I won't touch them. Yuck.
Patience - Coconut. I'm not sure that God intended us to eat these. In their original state, they are very hard to get open.
Kindness and Generosity - Pineapples. They are a symbol of hospitality in the South, but not really a part of the cooking. Isn't that odd? Pictures of them often appear on hotel stationery and such becauue pineapples convey this message somehow. I love them!
Faithfulness - Apples. They are pervasive, around at all times of the year ( here anyway). They are delicious whole, in pies, as applesauce. They have many sayings about them "apple of my eye", " an apple a day keeps the doctor away". They are referred to in the bible and in folklore. Do you remember twisting the stem of an apple while saying the alphabet? Whatever letter the stem twisted apart at, was the initial of your future love. I know so many of you are going to say self-control because of "the Fall" and, lest we forget, Snow White, but my reasons for apples stands true...He is everywhere and apples are everywhere.
Gentleness- Bananas. They are a baby's first food. (Try not to think of Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl song though, sigh.)
Self-control - Blueberries. I have NO self-control around blueberries. Do they ever get made into muffins or pies? No. Do they even accompany ice cream? No. Does my family know I usually buy two pints? No.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Minor League Magic
Just got home from a minor league baseball game! The seminary got a block of seats together. We go every year. This is the first year Flash noticed the game going on. He danced to the music, yelled Goooooaaaall when there was a home run (oops...World Cup fever...gotta love it!) and had a wondeful time. I know because he told his babydoll, Baby, all about it before he went to sleep. Even sang a little bit of "Take me out to the Ballgame".
Tickets for the whole family was under $15. Seats were great. Entertainment was great. Snacks were overpriced but not crazy. Why can't major league sports be like this? Yeah we would have had a great time. But we wouldn't be home yet because of the traffic. And it would have been a lot pricier. And we wouldn't have seen the game from our nosebleed seats.
In my husband's home town on Friday nights in the Fall everyone goes to the football games. Everyone. The whole town. It costs very little. And everyone has a great time...especially if the home team wins (Go Raiders!).
It is sport and community.
I feel so good tonight! I had a great night out after a horrible day at work and I feel like this game was a community event! I have a good opinion of the team, although I knew none of the players.
A lot of sports don't feel that way anymore...to the point where I've pretty much given up on most pro sports with their overpaid actors and scandals. Yes, I said actors. But minor league, most college and high school games are still refreshing entertainment. I recommend it!
Tickets for the whole family was under $15. Seats were great. Entertainment was great. Snacks were overpriced but not crazy. Why can't major league sports be like this? Yeah we would have had a great time. But we wouldn't be home yet because of the traffic. And it would have been a lot pricier. And we wouldn't have seen the game from our nosebleed seats.
In my husband's home town on Friday nights in the Fall everyone goes to the football games. Everyone. The whole town. It costs very little. And everyone has a great time...especially if the home team wins (Go Raiders!).
It is sport and community.
I feel so good tonight! I had a great night out after a horrible day at work and I feel like this game was a community event! I have a good opinion of the team, although I knew none of the players.
A lot of sports don't feel that way anymore...to the point where I've pretty much given up on most pro sports with their overpaid actors and scandals. Yes, I said actors. But minor league, most college and high school games are still refreshing entertainment. I recommend it!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Vacation Planning
I have been trying to sit down and talk to Hubby about vacation for a few months now (I know, I know). First it was after school ends, then after GA and now its Ords. This summer is all about studying for ordination exams (coming up August 24-31). And last night I finally figured it out.
He doesn't want to go anywhere!
I'm somewhat relieved!
But disappointed too.
But relieved!
He doesn't want to go anywhere!
I'm somewhat relieved!
But disappointed too.
But relieved!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Book Tag
This could be dangerous for me but here goes...
Rambling About Books...
1. One book that changed your life: Man's Search for Meaning - Victor Frankel and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People are high on my list. As for fiction...ummm...
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Watership Down - Adams, Cat Among the Pigeons- Agatha Christie. I read a lot of books repeatedly, but these two stood out.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: That yellow survival Guide book, whats it called? Oh and that book my sister has that could basically tell you how to set up civilisation if you needed to start from scratch (kind of a hippie title...out of print). But to read?
4. One book that made you laugh: anything by Dave Barry, Carl Hiaissen or Christopher Buckley.
5. One book that made you cry: Karen, Diary of a Young Girl but I try to avoid sad books.
6. One book that you wish had been written: hmmm. I'm always coming across topics that a kid wants to know about, but that we either don't have the book or its impossible to get. Can't think of one of those right now, of course.
7. One book that you wish had never been written: Ha! You're not gonna trap me with that one!
8. One book you’re currently reading: Girl Sleuth about the women who wrote Nancy Drew and The Owl and Moon Cafe. Just finished a book called Lucy's Laundrette. My Summer Reading plan isn't going well, can you tell?
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: All of them! The Maltese Falcon - Hammett has been on my list for a few years.
Ask me tomorrow and I bet I'll have totally different answers...so i'm not sure this will be helpful to anyone.
Oh well.
Rambling About Books...
1. One book that changed your life: Man's Search for Meaning - Victor Frankel and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People are high on my list. As for fiction...ummm...
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Watership Down - Adams, Cat Among the Pigeons- Agatha Christie. I read a lot of books repeatedly, but these two stood out.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: That yellow survival Guide book, whats it called? Oh and that book my sister has that could basically tell you how to set up civilisation if you needed to start from scratch (kind of a hippie title...out of print). But to read?
4. One book that made you laugh: anything by Dave Barry, Carl Hiaissen or Christopher Buckley.
5. One book that made you cry: Karen, Diary of a Young Girl but I try to avoid sad books.
6. One book that you wish had been written: hmmm. I'm always coming across topics that a kid wants to know about, but that we either don't have the book or its impossible to get. Can't think of one of those right now, of course.
7. One book that you wish had never been written: Ha! You're not gonna trap me with that one!
8. One book you’re currently reading: Girl Sleuth about the women who wrote Nancy Drew and The Owl and Moon Cafe. Just finished a book called Lucy's Laundrette. My Summer Reading plan isn't going well, can you tell?
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: All of them! The Maltese Falcon - Hammett has been on my list for a few years.
Ask me tomorrow and I bet I'll have totally different answers...so i'm not sure this will be helpful to anyone.
Oh well.
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