Prayer Monday, 8/1/2011

*Note To New Readers: Prayer Monday is NOT a closed group. Participate by sharing some of your requests on your blog and linking to this list. Then, read, say a quick prayer and comment on each participant's blog. We could all use a little encouragement and a lot of prayer.*

First of all, there will be no Prayer Monday next week--not a formal post anyway.  Favorite and I are going on vacation, and I have no idea what the internet situation will be in Florida.  Plus, I don't want to tie myself to a specific posting schedule if it doesn't work out.  Thanks for understanding.

Favorite and I have spent a lot of time contemplating the situations in our collective life.  We struggle to make decisions, because we don't want to make the wrong ones...all the while realizing that not making a decision can be just as wrong.

We are looking into the possibility of a new church.  This is difficult for a number of reasons--not the least of which is finding a church we fit.  But there are other considerations on the table:

1.  We have some pretty deep connections to a few people at our current church.  It's difficult to consider leaving those people; although, staying for a few people isn't really the right reason to stay, either.

2.  Familiarity.  Pretend it doesn't matter all you want.  I know different.

3.  Service.  I've been singing praise and worship with the same girls for the last 11 years.  Praise and worship does something for me that nothing else does, and I believe God called me to that ministry because He wanted to humble me.  Eleven years later, I would still cry through every single song we sing.  It draws my heart and fills me the way nothing else has been able to.  That ministry allowed me to open myself enough to allow God in through the chinks when I was intent on blocking Him entirely.  I needed that ministry.  I don't even know how to tell you what it's done for my life in Christ.

4.  Women's Bible Study.  Clearly, I would be leaving this behind, and that hurts me for similar reasons as Praise and Worship.  Unfortunately, this ministry has caused controversy of late, and I'm tired of being treated like a subversive person when I'm simply trying to follow something I felt God laid on my heart.

This decision isn't completely about me, though.  Favorites needs are obviously a consideration, and, after much discussion, we know that it may be necessary to consider a place that allows both of us to worship and grow.

This is hard, though.  I'm scared.  I've never been a church hopper, and I certainly don't intend to become one now.  All of these things are what make this decision extremely difficult.  Do we?  Don't we?  are still questions we are navigating.  Pray for us.  Gracious Jeebus...pray for us.

And, if you would, my brother still hasn't heard from this new job.  Pray that God would open/close doors as Ronnie and Sheena move into this new stage of life.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.  Link up.

Thought Provoking Thursdays, 7/28/2011

Welcome to Thought Provoking Thursday! Join us here.

1. What makes you smile?

SugarBean.  She cracks me up.  She's only five but uses phrases that make her seem much older.  Case in point:  She told her tee ball coach that we wouldn't be able to afford the pool party for the end of the season because it's been a bad farming year.  Then she proceeded to explain that she'd been doing dishes for the last week and she's getting pretty sick of it.

 

How do you not find that hilarious?

 

And knowing my friends and family are happy.  You can see it when people just exude happiness.  It's impossible to be jealous because that "happiness light" shines on everyone else and makes them feel so warm. 

 

I wish that light were more frequent, and I certainly wish I had the ability to make people feel better in my joy.

2. What do you want most?

To be a mother. 

3. What three questions do you wish you knew the answers to?

How do vitamins work in our systems and which ones do we really need to stock up on to feel good?

 

Why aren't donuts a vitamin?

 

If women are supposed to be smooth all the time, why weren't we born hairless?

Prayer Monday 7/25/2011

*Note To New Readers: Prayer Monday is NOT a closed group. Participate by sharing some of your requests on your blog and linking to this list. Then, read, say a quick prayer and comment on each participant's blog. We could all use a little encouragement and a lot of prayer.*

I don't have a lot to say this week.  My brother is waiting to hear back from a job that would be a very big deal for he and Sheena, his fiancee.  Please pray for God's direction in their lives at this point in time.

Link Up.

How Do You Rock?

I could be focusing on any number of things at this moment in time.  I am choosing to productively channel my attention into the pieces of lard that have taken up residence on my hips.

I think some people call them saddlebags, and I suppose that's appropriate (because I certainly feel like a pack mule).  I call them an annoyance to all things cotton/denim.

Here's the sitch (Yes, I may have watched an episode or two of Kim Possible.  What of it?):  I am not a small girl.  Despite my rather hulking appearance, however, I enjoy looking cute.  Cute becomes next to impossible when I have to consider walking out of the house without bottoms.

Because no one wants to see that. 

This may sound really stupid, but I woke up to the idea that I'm not a completely unfortunate looking human being.  There's a really strong chance I'll never win a Miss Photogenic competition, nor will I ever model for Dolce and Gabbana (hell, I'd give $1000 to be able to fit into something they make off the rack).  Sometimes it's just difficult to strive for something more when I feel unfortunate-looking.

I think I've spent the last two years giving PCOS 100% of the responsibility for my weight when it's likely only 25% responsible.  (Thirty-five percent at the most.)  In all actuality, I'm probably 75% responsible for an issue I just haven't wanted to look in the face.

I know that my body doesn't process refined carbohydrates well.  I know I need to cut back on my sugar intake (even though I can promise you it's not super high now).  I know I need to get off my ass and do something more often than I do now.

I guess there's just been a little too much to handle in the last two years.  I bought into the farce that I deserved to eat what I wanted.  I believed I was being cheated because I wasn't privileged enough to eat what I wanted.  But if we live our lives based in comparison, everyone loses all the time.

I'm more privileged than a lot of people I know in a lot of ways.  I can count blessings from now until next Thursday without taking a breath.  Likely, many of you can, too.

I have so many loves.  My Favorite who is hilarious and supportive and the best man anyone could ever hope to have (I know you think you have the best man, but you're wrong.  Haha.  Kidding.  You're probably right.  But he wouldn't be the best man for me.  I nailed that one.)  And I may not have my own children, but I have a niece who thinks I put the sun in the sky (or a cake in the oven...more on that later) and a Tobie who thinks I'm so wonderful she refers to me as her best friend even though she's only 9.

Ya'll.  I'm blessed.  Beyond measure.  And it's time I started reminding myself that I need to appreciate that blessing by taking care of what I've been given.  Because nothing shows appreciation like taking what you've been given and multiplying it (Matt 25).

Unfortunately, those blessings are easy to forget.  We spent so much time trying to keep up with the Joneses that we forget the only person who can compete with Heidi Klum is Heidi Klum (and a team of make-up artists).  What I really want to know, so much more than what is wrong with you, is how do you rock?  What do you rock?  What are your blessings?

Now's not the time to be modest.

Show Us Your Life: Marriage Advice

Welcome, Kelly's Korner visitors :)  Leave a comment and let me know you've been here.

Favorite and I celebrated our 8th anniversary in May, but they have been a full eight years.  We were young when we got married (a mere 21 for me and he was 22), and while I often think several of the things we faced were due to our youth, we've had the privilege to grow together through quite a discovery period.

But the best advice I received (and now pass on) is the advice that came in handy because of our youth.

A woman from Favorite's childhood church told me this:  When you get married, you will be a family.  It will be up to you and Favorite to make decisions for your family, but remember, because you are young, there are other people who will try to make your decisions for you.  There's nothing wrong with asking for advice from people who have more experience than you, but, in the end, it is your decision and no one else's.

We had difficulty with that advice for the first two years, and then we figured out exactly how important it is to make decisions together--without the interference of other people who may not know all the details of our situation.  It doesn't mean we've never asked for advice, but it does mean we've learned to trust each other and our instincts.

Have any marriage stories to share?  I'd love to hear them as I have several of my own.  Give me the link in the comments :)

Thought Provoking Thursdays 7/21/2011

KELLY'S KORNER: 

I very stupidly posted the wrong link. 

Click here to get my marriage advice.

Join us at Sing! Answer the questions on your blog then link up.

1. WHAT do you love?
I love the moment when you find yourself completely immersed in a good book and you become a part of the action--so much that you're a little sad when it's over.

I love sleeping "hard"--you know, when a middle of the day nap was almost exercise because you woke up groggy and refreshed.

I love water.

And, I love the power of possibility.

2. What makes you uncomfortable?
I don't like it when people look at me for too long.  Staring is completely and totally awkward, and often unwarranted.  And while this may invoke a "Stop Looking at me, Swan!" moment, I'm no Adam Sandler and I'm not trying to be funny.  Stop.  Looking.  At.  Me.

People who laugh or whisper right after you make eye contact with them or enter a room, etc.  I mean, seriously?

It makes me uncomfortable to think I may not be a good ambassador for a Christ I really believe.  It's uncomfortable and difficult to find a way to say, "I love you, but this is wrong."  Particularly when you yourself are not sinless.

Any event where I'm going to run into people I haven't seen in a while.  They may not say it, but my weight gain is always on my mind.  And in the same vein, any time I'm in front of people long enough for them to assess the size of my thighs.  See "staring."


3. What do you think about when you lie awake in bed?
I used to look at the clock and count the number of hours I had left to sleep.  During the school year, I'm sure I'll go back to doing that again.

Other nights, I tailor my thoughts with the concerns of the day.  Often, I think about where each member of my family may be, because I'm the weird girl who has to know where everyone is in order to be comfortable.

Buzzkill

Me:  I think a jetski would be a really good time.

Favorite:  Yeah, but that's a waste of money to buy something we would only use three times a year.  If we had a lot of disposible income, I would probably consider buying jetskis.  Then it would be worth it.

Me:  Yeah, but then we'd spend every three months in Cabo.  And I would get a personal trainer.

Favorite:  That would be a waste of money.

Me:  Why?  I think it would be good to have someone encouraging me to exercise.

Favorite:  Yeah, but I don't see that working for you.  He'd say, 'Go run a mile!' and you'd say, 'Um...no.'  Not only that, but if he tried to make you do anything you didn't want to, you'd fire him.  'You need to lift more weight.'
'Yeah...um...you're fired.'

Me:  *Grumble*

Just Call Me Gizmo

I think I'm a gremlin.

Don't feed me after midnight or I'll turn into a nasty green monster covered in slime (with the random mohawk).  Actually, I'll just gain four hundred pounds in a matter of minutes followed by a hormone freak out in which I'll dream my grandmother announces her pregnancy.  (I should probably clarify that most of this paragraph is a complete and total lie--except for the part about dreaming my grandmother announced her pregnancy.  Which is totally weird.  And does not really relate to becoming a monster at all.)

Don't let me get wet or I'll start reproducing evil, little furballs that will eventually become nasty green monsters covered in slime.

Ok, the wet part isn't completely accurate, but pump me full of the right medication and I'll definitely start oozing something not good.  Of course, riding the hormone wave that everyone else learned to navigate at 15 could also have the same effect.

Occasionally, I'll sing you a haunting melody.  Today it's a short little diddy I'd actually love to sing at a wedding.  That's totally unlike me because I HATE to sing at weddings...but this?  Haunting and gorgeous.  Eva Cassidy, eat your heart out.

I can't fit into anyone's backpack (no shock there), and my husband didn't get me from some weird Chinese guy.  I can't even come up with something funny there, because not one person in my family looks slightly Chinese, and weird Nordic guy doesn't have the same connotation.

I guess I don't have huge ears (comparatively speaking) and I'm not quite that furry.  (I promise I will shave my legs this week.  Promise.)

And that Ladies and Gentlemen is how I blog the random thoughts in my head for the day.

You're welcome.

I Need Your Help

I have a small problem.

See this picture?

Source

This is the Garden Nights comforter previously sold at Bed Bath and Beyond.

I love this comforter.  I have it in my bedroom.  But recent events have alerted me to the fact that a spare would be a mighty fine idea.  But?  No.  Can.  Do.

I can't find it.  Anywhere.

I realize online stores aren't always accurate regarding brick and mortar stock, and I also realize my searching skills probably aren't the best.  So I'm wondering if you can't do me a favor?

If you find this comforter (king size--I found a queen in my local store), would you mind alerting me?  Clearly, this would be an easier task for people I know in real life, but if you manage to find something online, I'd be THRILLED.

Please help me.  Please?  Please?  Please?

Obviously, if I know you (and the price is reasonable), I would be willing to pay shipping and everything.  That is, if finding it is even possible at this point :(

Prayer Monday 7/18/2011

*Note To New Readers:  Prayer Monday is NOT a closed group.  Participate by sharing some of your requests on your blog and linking to this list.  Then, read, say a quick prayer and comment on each participant's blog.  We could all use a little encouragement and a lot of prayer.*

I am a much better conversationalist than I am blogger...which is odd considering my anti-social tendencies.  But that's close to what I wanted to talk a little about tonight.

Condemnation.

Life is hard under a microscope, and few people who feel they can't do anything right will try.  You're going to have to trust me on this one.

Unfortunately, many of us have grown accustomed to treating our walk with Christ like a laundry list of do nots--then we crucify other people for committing those same acts all while requesting grace for ourselves.

I am no exception.  And it breaks my heart to say that.  I find it difficult to attend the church I'm in (and have been since childhood) because of the amount of condemnation I feel from many of the people there, but I often condemn people instead of bringing them to the fold and allowing God to make the transformation.

Understand that this doesn't mean you never make your thoughts known, but when you do, you have to be very careful about how you approach others.  If there is no condemnation in Christ (and there isn't.  Check Romans), then neither is it our job to condemn people.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, can be a difficult road to navigate.

So I need your prayers on that front.  I certainly struggle with condemnation, and with separating myself from others--generally due to some profound issues of acceptance within myself.  So I'd appreciate your prayers there, too.  And for my Favorite.  Always for him.

I'm praying for you.  Even when it's been a crappy week and prayer is the last thing on my mind.  I appreciate your prayers for me.

Link Up.

(PS.  I'm using linky tools for the first time--and probably from now on.  Feel free to tell me how you like it.  I can edit the type of linky list I use--once I figure out what I'm doing.)

Show Us Your Life: Announcements

Welcome Kelly's Korner :)

I feel like I have allowed myself to become a victim of taboos that shouldn't be allowed to own me.  Today, I'm taking one of those back and talking about something that meant the world to me--even though it didn't end the way I would've preferred.

By the time my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we had been trying for more than five years and had been married for more than seven.  People no longer asked fun questions like, "When are you two going to have a baby?" and moved on to a reminder that we were no longer as young as we used to be, and we wanted to be able to keep up with our children when they were young.

Truthfully, WE had started to believe it wasn't going to happen for us.

That weekend, as a means of relaxing, we took a weekend trip.  I was sure I was getting sick because I just couldn't keep my eyes open.  Anytime Favorite would suggest a particular activity, I would have to pull myself off the bed in order to get going.

By the time we got back home, I started to realize that I wasn't sick in the traditional sense.  My body was just different--in a way I'd never noticed before.

So like any good wife, I waited until my husband left the house and I immediately peed on a stick.  Then I stood at the front door for 45 minutes and waited for him to come home.  Stood.  The entire time.

He was flabbergasted.  We made a trip to Walgreens for a digitial (you know, just to make sure).  (Ok, ok.  It was actually 3 other tests.  It was nice to look at a positive as opposed to all the negatives we'd seen in the past.)  It also gave us that magic word we'd been waiting to read:  pregnant.  I took a picture of it on my camera (because carrying around a pee stick is gross).

A few days later, I took my mom to lunch to show her the picture of the front door on my camera, because Favorite and I were currently building a house.  As she scrolled through the pictures, the "pregnant" stick showed up right behind the red front door...and her face matched the color of the door once she realized what she had read.  She was thrilled.

For Favorite's family, we wrapped up baby frames.  We also gave some people large Hershey bars wrapped with a label that said

He or She

TBA December 2010

Finally, my father, who still didn't know, received a tape measure (because he'd been helping with the house).  When it pulled it out, it said, "We're adding two extra feet to our house."  He didn't understand why we were only adding two feet to a 3600 sq. ft. house, but when it hit him, he almost cried.

I know we went to a lot of trouble to give everyone a different story, but we'd had a lot of time to plan.  And it was so great that everyone was excited--my little brother whooped across my aunt and uncle's driveway when we told him. 

And those are the things I want to remember when I think about my son.  I want to remember how happy and excited we were.  I want to remember all the hope I felt then, because even though we lost him, that baby has been one of the best things that ever happened to me.  And frankly, I think that's worth talking about.

Thought Provoking Thursday 7/14

1. Who is the strongest person you know?

I could name a hundred different people who have survived horrific atrocities, but as I type this, the person who most comes to mind is my friend Courtney.

And despite her circumstances (which I will not be sharing on my blog), she's still an amazing teacher and a constantly smiling face.  I think she deserves a little bit of honor and some appreciation.

2. What are you uncertain about?

Cliched though it may be, it would be easier to make a list of the things I AM certain about.  But currently, these are the things making my uncertainty list:
*  I wonder if I'm really supporting people I care about.
*  I wonder if parenting is really in the cards for Favorite and I
*  I wonder if my body is just comfortable at this weight
*  I wonder if grad school was a good route--or even one I'm capable of completing
*  Church (not Jesus, ya'll.  Just church.  Chill.)
*  My teaching ability--this one is in constant rotation

3. What has life taught you in the last week?

B Complex Vitamins really do make functioning so much easier.

Harry Potter and the Theatre of Never Ending Sadness

Source

This week, the last Harry Potter movie makes its debut.

Seven books.  Eight movies.  Now, millions of fans finally get to see what will become of Harry.

And I can finally put my "this-movie-is-not-an-accurate-depiction-of-a-completely-magical-series-and-carries-none-of-the-same-wonderful-qualities-of-the-book" argument.

I'd like to say I fell in love with the books from the very beginning, but I actually didn't discover them until three volumes were already printed and popular.  By then, I just wanted to see what the fuss was about.

Source

When Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire made its appearance via a Barnes and Noble celebration, I was there.  I made a repeat performance for books five, six, and seven.  And, like any good friend, I forced Sheena and Kate to join me for a butterbeer in the lobby while we waited amid throngs of elementary aged people.  (Not to mention Big Bro who was an employee at B&N at the time and always made sure my name got on the reserved list.  In case you wanted to know, I would totally beat a fourth grader to get my copy of the book.)

I also stayed up all night to read each purchase.  Because I'm actually 12 years old.  Or I have the literary taste of a sixth grader.  Whichever you prefer.

I did, however, feel connected to the characters.  If Rowling can be commended for anything, it should be for her ability to draw readers into a story and get them to commit to the imaginary people she fleshed out over the course of a couple thousand pages.  I felt for Harry.  I cheered for Neville.  I wanted to be admirable like Luna (though, a little less weird).  Smart like Hermione.  Accepting like Ron.  Farsighted like Dumbledore.  (We'll stop here before I list every single character from the book. I would TOTALLY be willing to do that.  Every.  Single.  One.)

It's my commitment to those characters that makes me despise the movies with everything in me.  Three of the major actors have admitted they've never read the books.  If you read the article, you'll note that the actors who play Dumbledore, Snape and Voldemort haven't read the books because they feel it's enough to follow the screenplay.  Unfortunately, there is a personality that has been created and sustained--and that personality will be clearly played out in the books, guys.  You know.  The ones you refuse to read because you don't see it as necessary.

I waited in line to see the very first Harry Potter movie.  I almost wet myself in anticipation of seeing the mesmerizing words play out on the big screen.  Thirty yawns in, I realized the film misses something--and I don't just mean actors who don't capture the characters and scenes that don't quite match up to their literary counterparts.  There's just something that isn't quite right.

Now, I just reread the books almost every year.  Every time I put them down I feel a little sad that it's all over again...but I find the result of the fight between good and evil exhilirating--and that's a feeling I never got sitting in the theatre (Which was totally not the case with Lord of the Rings.  But that's another topic for another day.)

I'm just asking...because I need to offer my two cents... please, don't make your judgments on the movies.  I'm afraid they are a sad substitute for the real deal.

My Evening: School Consolidation

My evening consisted of sitting in on a consolidation study in order to determine whether or not this particular action would be beneficial for the schools in our particular area.

You see, hometown high is made up of three different feeder schools.

And while consolidation would mean very positive things for curriculum articulation, I don't believe very many people would be on board due to the other potential problems.

Problem #1--Tax Caps.

If every district chooses to be involved in this particular action, two of the districts that currently feed us would lose their tax caps.  I can guarantee you that 75% of the people in these counties aren't going to agree to losing tax caps--whether it benefits education in the long run or not.  And say all you want about tax rates in comparison to other counties.  No one in THIS county is going to see it that way.

Problem #2--Collective Bargaining Agreements

Consolidation would require one collective bargaining agreement as opposed to the four that are currently in effect.  This could create all sorts of issues, because no salary schedule is the same.  Ideally, all the other districts would be brought up to the salary level of the high school teachers, but that's certainly not a guarantee.  In one instance, that would mean doubling the average salary of the teachers involved.  Call me crazy, but I don't think many tax payers are going to see that added expense as a benefit.

PLUS, those of us with excellent collective bargaining agreements stand to lose some pretty hefty benefits.  There is no guarantee we WOULD lose them; however, there are no guarantees we would keep those benefits either.

Personally, I find that disconcerting.

Problem #3--Seniority

This problem doesn't really affect the high school at this current stage in the game.  But I could see how grade school teachers would get their panties in a twist about the loss of seniority and jobs.

In other words, it wouldn't matter which district hired you.  You would be graded according to how many years of service you have provided.  If your years of service are less than other teachers and the administration determines there are fewer jobs available due to consolidation, you now become unemployed--even if the person they keep OVER you was hired in a completely different district.

Here's another reason I find this issue so disturbing:  In my state, the government is pushing the concept of consolidation pretty hard.  If the government continues to promote these particular ideas, it isn't too over the top to consider high school consolidations in the future.  This means that even though I was hired at one high school in a completely different district, consolidation makes it possible for me to lose my job if we no longer need 8 English teachers and a teacher from another district has more years of service.

I might be 'borrowing trouble' with that last scenario, but experience has taught me that those over the top situations have a way of becoming reality before very many people consider the pitfalls of those decisions.  So I'm considering them now in hopes that we can look at all sides of the issue and the potentials that come along with it.

So there we are.  I don't think we'll see consolidation in the near future, but I also never believed Governors would be capable of renigging (or reneging--apparently either spelling is appropriate) on contracts--you know, since they're legally binding and all.

Feel free to share your opinions or your experiences.  I'm open to all suggestions despite my current opinions.

Dreeeeaaammm, Dream, Dream, Dream, Dream

I've been having these really weird, vivid dreams.

Last night I dreamed that Chris and I had separated for two weeks.  In those two weeks, I managed to find out I was pregnant, give birth and give my son up for adoption.  Then, Chris and I were miraculously back together and I spent the next few months hunting down my son so I could get him back.

And when I woke up, I almost called my mom to see if it had happened.  Of course, in those moments between fully awake and fully asleep, lots of things seem probable.

The night before, I dreamed that people were finishing our basement.  When I went down there, it was much bigger than my actual house--complete with vaulted ceilings, a home theatre and game area.  In my dream, my STBSIL paid for all of the new furniture and other people contributed to finish out the basement.

I also entered the basement like you enter a theatre--from around the side.  This is odd because it's certainly not how my stairs get into the basement.

Oh, and I've been having this recurring dream about snakes in a cabinet in my house--except Favorite and I built our house around an old house and we kept an under the stairs cabinet.  This is where the snakes hung out.  We just started referring to it as the snake cabinet, and walked around it. 

Weird, right?

Ever have extremely weird, vivid dreams?  I'd like to hear about them...

Prayer Monday, 7/11

I've been thinking a lot about something Paul says in the New Testament:  "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.Now 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" (Romans 7:19-20).

There are a lot of things I don't want, and there's nothing more frustrating than finding myself doing those things anyway.

I hate it.  Hate it.  And I don't know how to ask you to pray for it.  But I know you're creative so I'm trusting in your prayer creativity.  I don't want to be a mean person.  I don't want to be bitter.  I don't want a thousand other things.  Pray for those things.

I am also praying for several cancer-related situations that have my heart really concerned.  Also, my brother has a job interview this week so I'd like that you would pray God's will for him.

And please keep praying for my Favorite.  Always pray for him.

Prayer matters, right?

Oscar de la Renta

I have a confession.

I always flip through people.com's pictures of celebrities on the red carpet because I love to say things like "Ooooh....that's a pretty dress."  Honestly, though, the words Oscar de la Renta only register "expensive" in my vocabulary.

Stay tuned for prayer Monday.

A Prayer For Emily

I never want to get so involved in blogging that I forget there are real people in my real life who need me and my attention.  (It's one of the major reasons I no longer have facebook.)  In fact, this summer, I've been trying to be more open to get to know certain people. 

But sometimes I'm reminded that prayer really does span distance.  Sometimes there are people desperate for our prayers...our support...our love.  And isn't that what Christianity is all about?  Spanning distances and uniting ourselves under a common banner?

Emily is a little girl who lives in Britain.  She has recently decided to forgo all treatment for her cancer as nothing has been effective to this point.  She is 16 years old, and my high school teacher heart just breaks to think what she has ahead of her--the life I always want to believe she should get to live.

Then she posted this, and I realized that some people are faithful and brave.  I envy her for those things.

But right now, I believe she could use prayer, and maybe a little encouragement.

Thought Provoking Thursday 7/7/2011

1. Do you think crying is a sign of weakness of strength?

You should know that I actually hate the idea of being an emotional mess in front of anyone.  I don't like to cry in public and I mostly think that people I know shouldn't be privvy to the goings on in my life because, honestly, it's none of their damn business.

But then something strange happened to me.  My tear ducts became uncontrollable.  They would explode in really inconvenient situations.  They would ooze when I was most uncomfortable.  They were almost always coupled with horrible sobs and snot and weird breathing.

I am currently looking for a medication to control that crap.

So I guess I think it's a weakness, because I pretty much hate it.

2. What sustains you on a daily basis?

I'm pretty sure it's God.

That doesn't mean I don't wonder myself sometimes.

3. What do you do to relieve stress?

I haven't found any sure-fire techniques.  Mostly, I sleep or take a bath.  And I read.  A lot.  But I've mostly found that I am an avoider by nature.  So I'll pretty much pretend it doesn't exist until number one takes place.

Join up with Sheena to answer these questions!

And when you're done answering questions, go here and read something amazing.

I Wish That I Could Give You Something More...

Things I totally miss from some point in my life:

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Did anyone else drink this stuff like it was going out of style?

It used to be sold at gas stations--which is the height of good drinkin' popularity, right?

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Of course, my life didn't just revolve around ways to wet my whistle.  I was also apparently looking for a benefactor of the poultry persuasion.

He swam through his money, ya'll.  Swam.  Through it.

Cartoons have totally gone to crap.

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There's nothing like She-Ra, He-Man, ThunderCats or even the Smurfs on the tube anymore.

I'll give you Phineas and Ferb because I think they're pretty awesome.

But that's about it.  The only other thing people can compare would be SpongeBob SquarePants and I think he's ridiculous and stupid.

Geez. 

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I was at least excited to see that these have made a come back.

What girl DIDN'T wear jelly shoes in 1989?

A really uncool one, that's who.

Because they were the shiz.

If we said things like "shiz" back then.

It's possible we were all too busy tight rolling our jeans while listening to Richard Marx, because who WOULDN'T want to hold on to the nights or the memories?

Put your wayfarers on, baby, and tell me what you miss from your childhood.  Or teenage years.  In Living Color?  Bel Biv Devo?  Keds without shoe laces?

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I may or may not relate to every single one of those things.

Get In The Kitchen...

My Big Bro is a big fan of statements like the following:

"Get in the kitchen and bake me a pie."
"That's what she said."
"(insert the last word someone else said in a conversation that will make absolutely no sense repeated)"

But it turns out that one of his statements may actually have some credence.

Because there's no better way to occupy your time than to bake a pie.

Chess pie, as a matter of fact. 

And I would totally give you a picture, but I got a new camera for my birthday and haven't installed the software yet.  Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.  Or later tonight.

If I don't bake another pie to occupy time.

Notice for Prayer Monday--7/4/2011

I thought about this for a while, and even though I need your prayers this week, I'm going to cancel Prayer Monday for 7/4/2011.

First of all, few of us will likely be near computers because it's the fourth of July (and my birthday).

Secondly, I think it's always better to encourage people to be near their families and actually BE Christ as opposed to talking about Him.

So that's what we're going to do.  But, if you happen to have a prayer request you need someone to pray over, email me:  cryshsmn@aol.com.  I will pray for you this week.

And I'll try to update the birthday festivities at some point this week.

What I'm Lovin'

At this point in time during the summer, I usually give you a few things I'm really lovin' at the moment.  What I usually mean is that I'm lovin' lookin'--because 500 Coach purses just aren't in my budget right now :)

But, without further adieu, what I'm lovin':

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 This is the new Coach Flagship Buffalo Leather Dowel Flap.  That's a lot of name for a purse, but anytime you're going to fork over $800 for a handbag, you expect that sucker to have a good dog show name.

(Princess Dandyridge Brandywine, anyone?  Major points to those who actually get that reference.)

I like the handle options, and I especially enjoy the color.  The purse I'm carrying is a similar color (and also Coach--it was a gift) and I absolutely love its versatility.  But PS--there's a red/orange color that is also fabulous :)

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You all should know my feelings on maxi dresses.  I thought this one was adorable for a couple of reasons.

1.  The detailing on the top will draw the eye as to minimize the bottom half--which just so happens to be the Texas-sized part of my anatomy.

2.  It's an empire waist which naturally lengthens torsos and slims figures.

3.  It's purple--a very flattering color for those with green eyes.

And it's available in a couple of other colors...most notably a beautiful red color that would be worth your while.

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Tina Fey. 

Honestly, what can I say?  Not only am I jealous of her seemingly innate hilarity, I am also trying to figure out her particular persuasion of pretty.

Even the political agenda (or belief systems--whichever you prefer) in this book are hilarious--agreement aside.  Plus, I learned the rules of impromptu comedy which should come in handy during the school year.

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I despise foundation primers.  Most of them have just made my foundation peel off in what looks like skin colored kleenex residue.  Ick.

But this?  Is wonderful.  Not only does it minimize acne scars, it's the perfect base for foundation and gives your skin a healthy glow.

Isn't that what we all dream of?  Well, that, smaller thighs, and unlimited resources.

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Owls.

In particular, owl jewelry.

I can't even explain what I find so fun about these pieces. 

Maybe part of it is the fact that owls represent wisdom or insightfulness?

Nah.  Mostly I just think this stuff is cute.

I also tried to find a couple cardigan pictures for you, because I'm a lover of all things cardigan and 3/4 sleeved.  Unfortunately, my mission was unsuccessful.

So, aside from a few other things I can't find pictures of, that's what I'm lovin'.

Nighttime is the Right Time--For No Sleep

In a few minutes, I'm going to take a nap.

Feel free to mock me.

Fact is I'm not taking a nap because I'm about to turn 31 and have officially launched into the age of naps, denture cream and adult diapers.  I'm taking a nap because I haven't slept in the last two nights.

Favorite even got angry with me last night, but I just couldn't help it.  My mind was running 100 mph and it was affecting every muscle in my body.

Right now I can't share absolutely everything on my mind.  (Rest easy.  I'm not pregnant.)  But part of my concern is revolving around the impending weather for this weekend.

Because HOW am I going to lounge in the pool for my 31st birthday if it rains?  Or is 55 degrees outside?  C'mon weather.  Work with me here.