So I'm in a bloggy-funk, but I've gotten enough snarky comments from the three of you people who read me on a regular basis to protect myself from further snarks, and go ahead and post.
I was waiting until I got pictures up and going, but that's going to take too long, and this (non-photo) blog as been rolling around in my brain for a few days now.
I love good endings. If I invest a few hours of my life reading a book* or watching a movie, it's got to end well. That means: the guy gets the girl, the wedding happens, the baby is born, the family lives happily ever after. If it's not happily-ever-after, I don't wanna know about it. I see too much of the not happily-ever-after in real life. I read or watch movies to escape.
So, having the former in mind, I'm switching lanes. Fear not, I'm still on the mountain, I'm just meandering a little.
A girl I knew in college lost her younger sister to cancer about a week ago. The sister shares a birthday with my brother. I don't know why, but that made this hit closer to home. I knew the sister in college (it was a really small college). I didn't know she was sick until after she had passed away. Her story was too brief. The end of her story was unexpected and tragic. And crappy.
And yet, the ending was victorious. It truly was happily-ever-after for her. (See, I told you I was still on the mountain.) We are all to finish the race well. We are all to strive for the goal. She just beat alot of people to the finish line.
Our victory is assured. We don't have to wonder about the outcome. We don't have to be anxious about the end. The battle is won.
There is a happy ending here. Even in the midst of feeling unhappy.
*If you're not like me and let your books end not-so-happily-ever-after, Sea Glass by Anita Shreve is good. It's just not happily-ever-after. Definitely not.
Showing posts with label keeping it real. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keeping it real. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Call me a cheater...
I realize I have been absent from blog-world for a few months. My friend and I have been caught up in a never ending project for the last three months. But, contrary to it's name, this project did have an ending. I will pass the project off this evening. So I have spent some time today to catch bloggy world up on what I've been up to. Since I know you're wondering.
So, please feel free to link to the following blog posts to catch up on the previous three months. I feel like I'm coming out of a hole... and there's sunshine!
Feburary: MasterFollies, Lubbock
March: Spring Break, LC
March: Teacher's Workshop, LC
April: Bible Bowl, Abilene
April: AB visits, LC
April: The weatherman said there would be some storms, LC
Enjoy! And hopefully I will be a more regular presence in bloggy world again!
So, please feel free to link to the following blog posts to catch up on the previous three months. I feel like I'm coming out of a hole... and there's sunshine!
Feburary: MasterFollies, Lubbock
March: Spring Break, LC
March: Teacher's Workshop, LC
April: Bible Bowl, Abilene
April: AB visits, LC
April: The weatherman said there would be some storms, LC
Enjoy! And hopefully I will be a more regular presence in bloggy world again!
Monday, March 9, 2009
With Apologies to Jeff Foxworthy
If your working tv sits on top of your non-working tv,
Yoooooouuuuuu might be a redneck.
Welcome to the Deep South. We are the rednecks.
Friday, January 23, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
I realize it's the middle of the month, for crying out loud. I have thought about these for a while, and wanted to share my thoughts. Based on our (recently) former employment scare, J and I have thought alot about all we've been given by God. All the physical blessings that have "landed in our lap" at just the right time strengthened our faith.
In light of that, our decision (J doesn't like resolutions) this year was to live as Stewards of all God has blessed us with.
Stewardship extends to:
Stewardship of our finances: This is probably the easiest to see. We're going to be smart about how we spend and what we spend our money on. We will remember to use our blessings for others. We pledge to remember to worship God, not things. We will prayerfully decide where our financial resources would best be spent.
Stewardship over our physical bodies: God has given both of us the blessings of physical health. We will make this year one where we care for the physical side of ourselves. We both will be eating healthier. We both have decided to move more, either in formal exercising or informal lifestyle changes. I will be using my free time to plan healthier meals, with plenty of fruits and veggies. I have accepted Ralph's challenge to lose 27 pounds this year, and I hope that my efforts in the kitchen will also help J get a little healthier.
Stewardship over time: This is the most difficult for me. I feel so scattered, so many projects!! My goal this week is to start whittling down some of the half finished projects I have. I am trying to juggle working with being a wife that's present mentally and physicially. (I figured out that I wasn't always a *present* wife while I was working in my previous position). J and I both have the same amount of time as everyone else, and we're trying to use it more for the glory of God and be less wasteful.
I hope that by posting these goals, we are more accountable to each other to keep these. I also hope that people ask us about these from time to time to help keep us accountable that way.
May God bless us this 2009!
In light of that, our decision (J doesn't like resolutions) this year was to live as Stewards of all God has blessed us with.
Stewardship extends to:
Stewardship of our finances: This is probably the easiest to see. We're going to be smart about how we spend and what we spend our money on. We will remember to use our blessings for others. We pledge to remember to worship God, not things. We will prayerfully decide where our financial resources would best be spent.
Stewardship over our physical bodies: God has given both of us the blessings of physical health. We will make this year one where we care for the physical side of ourselves. We both will be eating healthier. We both have decided to move more, either in formal exercising or informal lifestyle changes. I will be using my free time to plan healthier meals, with plenty of fruits and veggies. I have accepted Ralph's challenge to lose 27 pounds this year, and I hope that my efforts in the kitchen will also help J get a little healthier.
Stewardship over time: This is the most difficult for me. I feel so scattered, so many projects!! My goal this week is to start whittling down some of the half finished projects I have. I am trying to juggle working with being a wife that's present mentally and physicially. (I figured out that I wasn't always a *present* wife while I was working in my previous position). J and I both have the same amount of time as everyone else, and we're trying to use it more for the glory of God and be less wasteful.
I hope that by posting these goals, we are more accountable to each other to keep these. I also hope that people ask us about these from time to time to help keep us accountable that way.
May God bless us this 2009!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Working with Ike
So today I'm working. Obviously not too hard, because I am writing on this blog. It's amazing to live in post-Ike. It's also amazing how quickly people become adapted to a new normal. Last night it got dark and I went to get a flashlight, even though our power was on. I had forgotten that our light switches worked again. It was dark, that means time for bed because there is nothing else to do. It will probably take a few days to get used to power again. The human spirit is resilient, and our brains are remarkably forgetful. At least mine is!
We were very blessed to make it through this terrible storm with our house mostly intact. And our yard was pretty much okay. I had a friend accuse me of cleaning my yard before I took a photo. We did have damage, but the plants are mostly okay. Two or three plants were uprooted. We staked them back down. They'll make it.
We are very blessed to have power back so early.
We are very blessed to have gorgeous weather this week. Low heat and low humidity; who can ask for more!
We are very blessed to have plenty of bottled water right now. We have our regular hurricane stash that we always have on hand this time of year, as well as plenty of bottles of water.
We are very blessed to have plenty of food to eat right now. Again, we have our regular hurricane stores of food, and the refrigerator was full of food. That may seem like a bad thing, but the office had power before we did, and we took our food to work and put it in the fridge here. Our pantry is overflowing.
We are very blessed to be working now. My office is open now, and we're seeing patients. Jeremy's part time gig is open now, and he's there helping them today.
We are blessed to be in a safe neighborhood, where, although we did sleep with the gun next to the bed one night, we didn't need it. There are still police everywhere.
We are blessed to know that our gas tanks are still quite full for the time being, and we don't have to wait in line for fuel. We still have several full cans in the garage, for when we start getting low.
We are blessed to know that when it was so hot and my dog had stopped eating and drinking because of the heat, we (and she) were welcome at a strangers home for the night for a hot shower and hot meal, cold air conditioning and cold refrigerators. We really needed that to recharge our batteries, and get her rehydrated.
We are blessed to have a water heater and oven that is gas powered so while we cannot drink the water, we can bathe in it, and allow the hot water to soothe our aching muscles.
We are blessed to know we still have the physical ability to clean yards that need it. I was wondering if my body could still do this kind of manual labor, and I can. Muscles are definitely complaining, and I have several new blisters to show for my efforts, but yards are clean and I was able to help those who needed it.
We are blessed with friends who will ask for help when they need it.
We are blessed with friends to work by our side as we clean.
We are blessed coming through this together as a family.
I am working in strange conditions. We have x-ray, but no lab. We aren't taking appointments, only walk-ins. Tetanus shots for everyone, including my sweet husband, who got his today. His injury included being bitten by our big cat, and now it's infected. The cat didn't do too well with the storm. Half of our staff has power at home, half doesn't. We're all a little distracted, and there are two single moms who nobody has heard from. I had to treat a guy today for broken collar bone, and I didn't have a DME store open for a brace for him. So I fashioned a figure eight brace out of ace wraps. For those whose eyes glazed over at that sentence, it's impressive, let me assure you. There aren't many places open for prescriptions to be filled. And, of course, I don't have a nurse. That pretty much goes without saying. Since all the schools are closed, the children of our employees are in the kitchen, and have turned it into a kind of pseudo-daycare. The portable DVD is fired up with free Willy, and they're cleaning out the ice cream that's left in the freezer. They set up rules for each other, and they posted them on the refrigerator. It's very Lord of the Flies. With minimal grown up supervising.
So there you go. We're very blessed and keep reminding ourselves that while it's mostly over for us for now, there are many people for whom this is just beginning. Please continue to keep those in your prayers. And thank you for your continuing prayers on our behalf. We really do appreciate it.
We were very blessed to make it through this terrible storm with our house mostly intact. And our yard was pretty much okay. I had a friend accuse me of cleaning my yard before I took a photo. We did have damage, but the plants are mostly okay. Two or three plants were uprooted. We staked them back down. They'll make it.
We are very blessed to have power back so early.
We are very blessed to have gorgeous weather this week. Low heat and low humidity; who can ask for more!
We are very blessed to have plenty of bottled water right now. We have our regular hurricane stash that we always have on hand this time of year, as well as plenty of bottles of water.
We are very blessed to have plenty of food to eat right now. Again, we have our regular hurricane stores of food, and the refrigerator was full of food. That may seem like a bad thing, but the office had power before we did, and we took our food to work and put it in the fridge here. Our pantry is overflowing.
We are very blessed to be working now. My office is open now, and we're seeing patients. Jeremy's part time gig is open now, and he's there helping them today.
We are blessed to be in a safe neighborhood, where, although we did sleep with the gun next to the bed one night, we didn't need it. There are still police everywhere.
We are blessed to know that our gas tanks are still quite full for the time being, and we don't have to wait in line for fuel. We still have several full cans in the garage, for when we start getting low.
We are blessed to know that when it was so hot and my dog had stopped eating and drinking because of the heat, we (and she) were welcome at a strangers home for the night for a hot shower and hot meal, cold air conditioning and cold refrigerators. We really needed that to recharge our batteries, and get her rehydrated.
We are blessed to have a water heater and oven that is gas powered so while we cannot drink the water, we can bathe in it, and allow the hot water to soothe our aching muscles.
We are blessed to know we still have the physical ability to clean yards that need it. I was wondering if my body could still do this kind of manual labor, and I can. Muscles are definitely complaining, and I have several new blisters to show for my efforts, but yards are clean and I was able to help those who needed it.
We are blessed with friends who will ask for help when they need it.
We are blessed with friends to work by our side as we clean.
We are blessed coming through this together as a family.
I am working in strange conditions. We have x-ray, but no lab. We aren't taking appointments, only walk-ins. Tetanus shots for everyone, including my sweet husband, who got his today. His injury included being bitten by our big cat, and now it's infected. The cat didn't do too well with the storm. Half of our staff has power at home, half doesn't. We're all a little distracted, and there are two single moms who nobody has heard from. I had to treat a guy today for broken collar bone, and I didn't have a DME store open for a brace for him. So I fashioned a figure eight brace out of ace wraps. For those whose eyes glazed over at that sentence, it's impressive, let me assure you. There aren't many places open for prescriptions to be filled. And, of course, I don't have a nurse. That pretty much goes without saying. Since all the schools are closed, the children of our employees are in the kitchen, and have turned it into a kind of pseudo-daycare. The portable DVD is fired up with free Willy, and they're cleaning out the ice cream that's left in the freezer. They set up rules for each other, and they posted them on the refrigerator. It's very Lord of the Flies. With minimal grown up supervising.
So there you go. We're very blessed and keep reminding ourselves that while it's mostly over for us for now, there are many people for whom this is just beginning. Please continue to keep those in your prayers. And thank you for your continuing prayers on our behalf. We really do appreciate it.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hurricanes in Life
Okay, you'll have to forgive another post on hurricanes. But they've been on my mind recently.
This is not a post on an actual hurricane, however. Just thoughts on life.
Isn't it funny that sometimes life throws you a hurricane? You're be-bopping along and you see it. A thundercloud on the radar. Perhaps it's just a storm, perhaps something bigger. And you start preparing.
The little rain cloud gets bigger.
Soon it is an overwhelming storm, buffeting you from all sides, dragging you from everything comfortable and showing you what REALLY matters in life. What you MUST have, at the barest minimum, to survive.
There are eyes in those storms, too. Pockets of peace where you're reminded that God is still in control. I'm in that eye now, just as a physical hurricane threatens my physical safety. In fact, it may be because of that physical hurrican that I am in a spiritual eye.
I'm not sure that the storm is over. But I do get a merciful break from the constant hammering for a little while, at least.
Thank you for your continued prayers for all this mess.
This is not a post on an actual hurricane, however. Just thoughts on life.
Isn't it funny that sometimes life throws you a hurricane? You're be-bopping along and you see it. A thundercloud on the radar. Perhaps it's just a storm, perhaps something bigger. And you start preparing.
The little rain cloud gets bigger.
Soon it is an overwhelming storm, buffeting you from all sides, dragging you from everything comfortable and showing you what REALLY matters in life. What you MUST have, at the barest minimum, to survive.
There are eyes in those storms, too. Pockets of peace where you're reminded that God is still in control. I'm in that eye now, just as a physical hurricane threatens my physical safety. In fact, it may be because of that physical hurrican that I am in a spiritual eye.
I'm not sure that the storm is over. But I do get a merciful break from the constant hammering for a little while, at least.
Thank you for your continued prayers for all this mess.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
About Grief
Well, if that isn't a cheery title. I've been thinking alot about this subject recently because my friend is losing her father, and I am losing my mind. Ever so slowly.
What is it about grief that sends us into a emotional fetal position? I think it's the unpredictability of the whole matter. There's no linear progression through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief. You memorized it in Abnormal Psychology in college. Or maybe just experienced it first hand. Denial-Anger-Bargaining-Depression-Acceptance. There. Linear on paper. All loopy-loop in real life.
My friend got word 5 weeks ago that her father had 24 hours to live. (Note: he's still with us) I got really tired of listening to her explaining to acquaintances that her entire month of June had been spent with her father and mother, and she had her two teenaged boys and husband to care for here, and her mother was cared for, blah, blah, blah. Nunya business why she's not on a plane immediately to be by her father's side. Why does she need to explain to everyone who asks? Why do people feel the need to ask? Concern, I suppoose.
Then I noticed a trend. Those of us who know her better moved on to other subjects. Children, car wrecks, school, life. Oh, and by the way, how is your dad? No disrespect. Just simple acknowledgement that while her grief and impending loss were acute, we also knew that good things, normal things, everyday things were also happening. And we could comment on those just as easily as we could slip into chatting about her father and how this last phone call went.
I think, and here I am editorializing, that you can tell alot about a relationship by the way people handle stressors. Deep friendships know there's another side to a person besides that acute grief. Sometimes the griever needs to talk about it, and sometimes just needs to talk about the fabulous scrapbook pages or card she made today. And that is just as valid.
Take it from someone who has a brain around here somewhere. Some days I just need a normal day. Which is when I stalk around here and read posts, and catch up on old friends newly found. And some days it's emotional fetal position for me. That's okay. Because it's a loopy-loop life.
What is it about grief that sends us into a emotional fetal position? I think it's the unpredictability of the whole matter. There's no linear progression through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief. You memorized it in Abnormal Psychology in college. Or maybe just experienced it first hand. Denial-Anger-Bargaining-Depression-Acceptance. There. Linear on paper. All loopy-loop in real life.
My friend got word 5 weeks ago that her father had 24 hours to live. (Note: he's still with us) I got really tired of listening to her explaining to acquaintances that her entire month of June had been spent with her father and mother, and she had her two teenaged boys and husband to care for here, and her mother was cared for, blah, blah, blah. Nunya business why she's not on a plane immediately to be by her father's side. Why does she need to explain to everyone who asks? Why do people feel the need to ask? Concern, I suppoose.
Then I noticed a trend. Those of us who know her better moved on to other subjects. Children, car wrecks, school, life. Oh, and by the way, how is your dad? No disrespect. Just simple acknowledgement that while her grief and impending loss were acute, we also knew that good things, normal things, everyday things were also happening. And we could comment on those just as easily as we could slip into chatting about her father and how this last phone call went.
I think, and here I am editorializing, that you can tell alot about a relationship by the way people handle stressors. Deep friendships know there's another side to a person besides that acute grief. Sometimes the griever needs to talk about it, and sometimes just needs to talk about the fabulous scrapbook pages or card she made today. And that is just as valid.
Take it from someone who has a brain around here somewhere. Some days I just need a normal day. Which is when I stalk around here and read posts, and catch up on old friends newly found. And some days it's emotional fetal position for me. That's okay. Because it's a loopy-loop life.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Top Five Reasons I Need Valium Today
Now, ladies and gentlemen, here are the top 5 reasons I could use valium.
5. I have been up for almost 4 hours, and it's only 9:30 AM.
4. I haven't slept well in two weeks. Could have something to do with the two Dr Peppers I drank last night after 8:30 PM. And the stress.
3. New computer system at work starts today. Everyone here could use valium.
2. My nurse didn't show up for work today. Number 10. I'm tired of this.
1. And the number one reason: My husband lost the job he interviewed for because he was letting the dog out. No, you did not read that wrong. And can you see the steam from my ears from there?
So continue the prayers for a job, for God's will for our family, and for wisdom for both of us. We're really struggling emotionally with a whole host of things, and it's not getting any easier.
5. I have been up for almost 4 hours, and it's only 9:30 AM.
4. I haven't slept well in two weeks. Could have something to do with the two Dr Peppers I drank last night after 8:30 PM. And the stress.
3. New computer system at work starts today. Everyone here could use valium.
2. My nurse didn't show up for work today. Number 10. I'm tired of this.
1. And the number one reason: My husband lost the job he interviewed for because he was letting the dog out. No, you did not read that wrong. And can you see the steam from my ears from there?
So continue the prayers for a job, for God's will for our family, and for wisdom for both of us. We're really struggling emotionally with a whole host of things, and it's not getting any easier.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Houston, we have an interview
There's a phone interview starting in 5 minutes. Please pray, even belatedly, for God's will to be done in this situation. There will be a more complete post later.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
My head has finally stopped spinning. . .
from the news. J lost his job last week. So if you know of any bioinformaticist jobs in H-town, we'd be interested to find out about them.
Our big struggle right now is not money. Thankfully, God has provided me with a steady job, and since people keep getting sick, it's pretty much secure. Our struggle now is with how to pray.
J needs specific working conditions for his job, and I love to ask God specific prayers. Otherwise, how can we be certain there is an answer from God? However, as I was reminded by a wise Christian woman, I don't want to pray myself into a corner. How do you pray specifically without doubting God? How do you pray for what you want but be open to God's movement in my life?
If I do that, I do feel that I am not praying in faith, but rather in doubt. Like "if you can't make J's job in H-town, I guess we can move." Although I'm not saying those words, I feel like they're part of the prayer.
Anyway, I'm not ready to move from this town, from my church, from my friends, and from my work. But we may be asked to do that soon. Please petition God on our behalf for a good job for J where he's happy and productive, wherever that may be. We're waiting on some information from his former boss, and then we'll be able to get his resume out, right into the hands of people who need to hire him.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. We appreciate it all.
Our big struggle right now is not money. Thankfully, God has provided me with a steady job, and since people keep getting sick, it's pretty much secure. Our struggle now is with how to pray.
J needs specific working conditions for his job, and I love to ask God specific prayers. Otherwise, how can we be certain there is an answer from God? However, as I was reminded by a wise Christian woman, I don't want to pray myself into a corner. How do you pray specifically without doubting God? How do you pray for what you want but be open to God's movement in my life?
If I do that, I do feel that I am not praying in faith, but rather in doubt. Like "if you can't make J's job in H-town, I guess we can move." Although I'm not saying those words, I feel like they're part of the prayer.
Anyway, I'm not ready to move from this town, from my church, from my friends, and from my work. But we may be asked to do that soon. Please petition God on our behalf for a good job for J where he's happy and productive, wherever that may be. We're waiting on some information from his former boss, and then we'll be able to get his resume out, right into the hands of people who need to hire him.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. We appreciate it all.
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