Friday, April 23, 2010
Our world of DVRing
Tonight my boys went to my brothers house to play with their cousins. So, it was Shae-Lyn, Gerald and I.... all the way home she chatted up a storm. Non-stop, it was so cute. For the first time in a long time Gerald was in a chatty mood and he couldn't get a word in edge wise, it was so fun (I hadn't felt well earlier in the day).
She's an amazing young lady, she is small, petitie for her age. So, when I see her I see my little girl; when I look at her I see a young lady in the making.
She wants so much to be a help to people, but she gets so emotionally involved that she typically gets too worked up. And when she tells the story of the events unfolding it is quite humorous.
She loves animals... such a tender heart toward them and would take in a stray animal and as I found out last year a stray person. Last summer she was playing with some girls when I called her in for dinner she asked if they could stay, of course as a mom I said well they should probably go home; as it turned out their mom was gone and they were locked out of the house. Her oldest brother was appalled that she's invited 3 extra for dinner but I reminded him that we were examples of Christ and she was definitely walking out the love that Christ would have for those children.
Even as scared as she was of cats after she'd been attacked by her cat she would not hear of putting our outside cat back "outside" when we moved and she (Momma Kitty) had decided to become an indoor cat. Shae would hide and run from her... but when I offered to find her a new home she worried about who would care for her and how... and said no I want to make sure she is taken care of. She is no longer afraid of Momma Kitty and they are 2 peas in a pod...
Tonight as we spent time together, which wasn't all fun when we had to have 'another' heart to heart about her room and the organization of it... but we got all that done and then sat down and watched a chick flick, which I have to say is one of my most favorite parts of having a daughter. Getting to sit down under a blanket, our favorite drinks, and a good movie or show.
As we finished our movie and we began watching something that we'd DVR'd... during a commerical I said, "You can fast forward it". She looked at me and said, "I know but I like the commericals because we get to talk and I love talking with you Mom."
I am not sure that I will fast forward anymore while I am watching TV with my children....
I certainly don't want to fast forward through life with my children.... slow down and enjoy life moments with them....
She's an amazing young lady, she is small, petitie for her age. So, when I see her I see my little girl; when I look at her I see a young lady in the making.
She wants so much to be a help to people, but she gets so emotionally involved that she typically gets too worked up. And when she tells the story of the events unfolding it is quite humorous.
She loves animals... such a tender heart toward them and would take in a stray animal and as I found out last year a stray person. Last summer she was playing with some girls when I called her in for dinner she asked if they could stay, of course as a mom I said well they should probably go home; as it turned out their mom was gone and they were locked out of the house. Her oldest brother was appalled that she's invited 3 extra for dinner but I reminded him that we were examples of Christ and she was definitely walking out the love that Christ would have for those children.
Even as scared as she was of cats after she'd been attacked by her cat she would not hear of putting our outside cat back "outside" when we moved and she (Momma Kitty) had decided to become an indoor cat. Shae would hide and run from her... but when I offered to find her a new home she worried about who would care for her and how... and said no I want to make sure she is taken care of. She is no longer afraid of Momma Kitty and they are 2 peas in a pod...
Tonight as we spent time together, which wasn't all fun when we had to have 'another' heart to heart about her room and the organization of it... but we got all that done and then sat down and watched a chick flick, which I have to say is one of my most favorite parts of having a daughter. Getting to sit down under a blanket, our favorite drinks, and a good movie or show.
As we finished our movie and we began watching something that we'd DVR'd... during a commerical I said, "You can fast forward it". She looked at me and said, "I know but I like the commericals because we get to talk and I love talking with you Mom."
I am not sure that I will fast forward anymore while I am watching TV with my children....
I certainly don't want to fast forward through life with my children.... slow down and enjoy life moments with them....
from the beginning
There's always a beginning. To a story, a project...
Here's my beginning.
I am one of 2 children, I am the protective older sibling. My brother being about 2 yrs younger than me.
My mother is from a small town in Kansas, a large family being 1 of 8, the second oldest. Her mother died when she was 16... it was a tragic event in the childrens lives for more than one reason; although the true story varies. It's always difficult when you lose a parent. Her father 'remarried' soon after, Mom always remained in church and after she graduated high school she moved to Minnesota with friends from Kansas. Only recently did I find out that the reason they chose Minnesota was because they heard that a temp employee could make more money while they went to college up there. So, she ventured out, seeing her first escalator --that's all I know about that, or about all.
During that time she meets my father, a full blood Swede, the youngest of 2 children. The oldest being a sister. He is in the AirForce this is during the Vietnam War. The meet, get married in December of 64.... I am born on Mothers Day of 65, one day shy of my fathers birthday....we lived in Rapid City, SD. We soon moved to Rockford, IL; Mom and I lived with my dads mother while he was stationed overseas. He was an air rescue pilot... flew helicopters in and rescued soliders. We stayed in Rockford until dad was stationed to Wichita, KS then we moved there, which is where my younger brother was born in the fall of 67. Dad raced cars and worked at a gas station when he wasn't performing his military duties. To this day the smell of exhaust of race cars and the sound of the engines gets me giddy. Snowmobiles do the same thing for me, dad had one later in our life.
Eventually Dad had to take an honorable discharge to go take care of his mother who was very sick with cancer...
We lived in this 2 story house, it was white with red trim. The next door neighbors, Dorothy and Bruce...she had beautiful red hair, he reminded me a bit of Fred from I Love Lucy but not so loud. She would give us milk with an ice cube in it. Grandma Soderboom died... we moved into a new house and a neighborhood with families much more our age.
The family across the street ended up being a couple that my dad knew in school. They had 2 daughters, one my age, one my brothers.
The family next door a wonderful couple with 2 children younger than me. Lana kept an eye out for us often... Jerry worked at a car manufacturing plant, and drove a gold car and a corvette.... the things we remember. She made the best chocolate chip cookies...
So, I started school there, I was intimidated by my teacher(s), I remember being quiet, but I think that was just in my head; after seeing report cards with notes from the teachers.
Until 3rd grade, I wasn't afraid of my teacher, I liked her, she was pretty and young and kind. But it was also in 3rd grade that my life changed forever.....
I woke up one morning and my mom wasn't there, I asked my dad where she was and he told me that Deb (my best friend from across the street, whose parents went to school with my dad) had lost her mom, she had died of cancer. I recall going to my window and looking at Debs which was directly across from mine and being so sad for my friend. That was about August of 73 (if I am remember right).
Dad drank, quite a bit. I remember his behavior after drinking. But he was never mean, or cruel. We did things as a family, snowmobiling, camping, the 'club'... I suppose we were the All-American family. We had 2 cars, a camper he had a motorcycle.... life was good it was normal. We spent all of the holidays with his moms family, because his fathers side was pretty much gone. His sister was in Wisconsin, his dad died before I was born, he had an aunt but I believe she was out east for most of his life so I guess they were all that close.
Then in September of 73, my mom woke me up one morning with my godfather Nick standing beside her, her eyes where red and they told my brother and I that our dad wouldn't be coming home again. There'd been an accident.....
Our lives changed at that moment and would never again be the same-
Here's my beginning.
I am one of 2 children, I am the protective older sibling. My brother being about 2 yrs younger than me.
My mother is from a small town in Kansas, a large family being 1 of 8, the second oldest. Her mother died when she was 16... it was a tragic event in the childrens lives for more than one reason; although the true story varies. It's always difficult when you lose a parent. Her father 'remarried' soon after, Mom always remained in church and after she graduated high school she moved to Minnesota with friends from Kansas. Only recently did I find out that the reason they chose Minnesota was because they heard that a temp employee could make more money while they went to college up there. So, she ventured out, seeing her first escalator --that's all I know about that, or about all.
During that time she meets my father, a full blood Swede, the youngest of 2 children. The oldest being a sister. He is in the AirForce this is during the Vietnam War. The meet, get married in December of 64.... I am born on Mothers Day of 65, one day shy of my fathers birthday....we lived in Rapid City, SD. We soon moved to Rockford, IL; Mom and I lived with my dads mother while he was stationed overseas. He was an air rescue pilot... flew helicopters in and rescued soliders. We stayed in Rockford until dad was stationed to Wichita, KS then we moved there, which is where my younger brother was born in the fall of 67. Dad raced cars and worked at a gas station when he wasn't performing his military duties. To this day the smell of exhaust of race cars and the sound of the engines gets me giddy. Snowmobiles do the same thing for me, dad had one later in our life.
Eventually Dad had to take an honorable discharge to go take care of his mother who was very sick with cancer...
We lived in this 2 story house, it was white with red trim. The next door neighbors, Dorothy and Bruce...she had beautiful red hair, he reminded me a bit of Fred from I Love Lucy but not so loud. She would give us milk with an ice cube in it. Grandma Soderboom died... we moved into a new house and a neighborhood with families much more our age.
The family across the street ended up being a couple that my dad knew in school. They had 2 daughters, one my age, one my brothers.
The family next door a wonderful couple with 2 children younger than me. Lana kept an eye out for us often... Jerry worked at a car manufacturing plant, and drove a gold car and a corvette.... the things we remember. She made the best chocolate chip cookies...
So, I started school there, I was intimidated by my teacher(s), I remember being quiet, but I think that was just in my head; after seeing report cards with notes from the teachers.
Until 3rd grade, I wasn't afraid of my teacher, I liked her, she was pretty and young and kind. But it was also in 3rd grade that my life changed forever.....
I woke up one morning and my mom wasn't there, I asked my dad where she was and he told me that Deb (my best friend from across the street, whose parents went to school with my dad) had lost her mom, she had died of cancer. I recall going to my window and looking at Debs which was directly across from mine and being so sad for my friend. That was about August of 73 (if I am remember right).
Dad drank, quite a bit. I remember his behavior after drinking. But he was never mean, or cruel. We did things as a family, snowmobiling, camping, the 'club'... I suppose we were the All-American family. We had 2 cars, a camper he had a motorcycle.... life was good it was normal. We spent all of the holidays with his moms family, because his fathers side was pretty much gone. His sister was in Wisconsin, his dad died before I was born, he had an aunt but I believe she was out east for most of his life so I guess they were all that close.
Then in September of 73, my mom woke me up one morning with my godfather Nick standing beside her, her eyes where red and they told my brother and I that our dad wouldn't be coming home again. There'd been an accident.....
Our lives changed at that moment and would never again be the same-
Ah Did I mention I saw BonJovi!
Let me explain that I've had fun, done fun things. I've always dreamed of bigger more fun, exciting things.
When I was a girl in Illinois and Happy Days was so popular... I had a crush on Potsie... they were doing publicity jaunts at malls. Of course, Ralph Mouth came to our mall. I had mom take me... hoping that he would shake my hand or who knows what I truly expected at that age, something magical I suppose. He passed by the crowd of screaming girls and I seem to recall him brushing my hand, honestly I don't even know if that actually happened.
For years life was like that. The magical evenings that all teenage girls look forward to: first dates, homecoming, prom... the cutest date I ever had was a winter dance. But, no magic... fun yes but not magical.
I always kept my heads in the romantic clouds, hoping one day something dreamy would happen.
A couple years ago BonJovi came to a city near by... but we didn't go, I justified it by saying, well it is the winter and we always get ice during those months and it would be so disappointing to have the tickets and not get to go. Then finally in the city next to ours they built a new arena with promises of big names coming to town. I looked at my family and said, If Bon Jovi comes I so want to be there... (or something to that affect).
The announcement was made, the tickets went on sale... it looked as if it just wasn't going to happen. My spouse made promises... of tickets, 3 he said he had... the week before the concert he came home with 2... still I remained calm, trying not to think too much about the possibility of actually being in the same space as Jon Bon Jovi and breathing the same AIR as he would be...
The day of the concert came and hours before I allowed my excitement to come to the surface. I started saying outloud I am going to see Bon Jovi... (okay I went a bit nuts on facebook with it, but afterall it was BON JOVI) got dressed wore my favorite shoes, that make me taller and of course seem thinner. Certainly I wanted to present myself in the best possible condition you know just incase I was close enough for Jon himself to see me....
We got to the concert parking wasn't difficult as long as you were willing to pay anything from $20-$40... we got good parking for a minimal charge.
We got inside the arena, waited in line at the merchandise table.... and then stopped for refreshments, diet coke and ham sandwich for me.... on to the seats...
............wait let me rewind. I love to watch people, I am sure someone is watching me and scratching their head wondering "what was she thinking" on more than one occasion...... so let me say as an avid people watcher, one who finds pleasure in it, that I am not attempting to be mean spirited when I say "I have NO idea what most of those women were thinking". They were dressed in leather pants, dresses that looked as if they just stepped out of a set of MTV you know when MTV still showed videos and music; short, tall, thin, thick--mostly short and thick. Heels, flipflops, tennis shoes, orthopedics, slippers-okay maybe I didn't see slippers but there were over 16,000 people there (I heard) and I can tell you by the way some of those women were dressed someone had slippers on!
We stood in line for 45 minutes at the merchandise table and then suddenly someone posted a sign on us that said, "they are suckers you can cut infront of them".... seriously about 2 people infront of us they started cutting.... my husband was being oh so coi about it and saying outloud 'I know they aren't cutting!' I tapped the young girl on the shoulder and nicely said, hon we are next. And she was sweet about it while the adults that were infront of her were pushy and just rude enough to stay put and continue to tell the poor sales lady what they wanted. But it was okay we got our stuff we went on...
ONTO the seats-We walk in find out section 119, walk down the aisle to row E...X, W, U, V all way to K... finally I counted backwards, hubby walked down, we walked back up, the usher walked down, the usher walked up, she said your seats are covered with equipment (blah,blah,blah) she was so nice, "You'll have to go to the box office and tell them and they will tell you where you will sit" So, I waited with the usher, mainly because I was wearing my favorite shoes that until that time were the most comfortable shoes I owned, even more than my Pumas... but I made the mistake of putting too much lotion on my feet, and then my feet got sweaty and slipped around alot and were KILLING ME... so I waited. And I have to tell you I waited patiently. No, really I did. I stood there and I looked to God and I said, "Well, God let's just see what YOU are going to do for me (should've said us but it was Bon Jovi)... I know you have something better for us." Hubby showed up about the time the opening act was half way through... he walked down the aisle, and up the aisle and then motioned for me. By then I had decided to kick off the great shoes to get down the aisle.
We walked down and BAM! Yes, BAM! front row, not floor but front row, my seat was directly across from the stage edge, side that Richie would be standing on.... oh my good gracious, sakes alive! God is so GOOD!
We could watch them tune up guitars, and get ready for what was next whether it be BonJovi coming out, or making small changes to the stage....
The time had come and the lights went out, truly this was going to be a magical night (for me atleast). They came out, they were so close (and yet so far).... but closer than further. I was on my feet, screaming like a teen, jumping up and down, waving my hands in the air.... the whole rock concert thing--well I did keep my shirt on and no panties on the stage, after all I am an adult now.
Jon began walking around the stage.... oh my here he was coming to my side, oh my closer, finally closer to the edge....less than 10 yards way, I'd say about 5 yds away.... OH MY he was looking at me! No seriously he was! I wanted to turn around and look to see who he was looking at but I was afraid if I looked away he'd be gone.... it was quite the moment, one that I live in my head over and over.... one that everytime I hear a BonJovi song I can't help but have a big ol' smile on my face. I was trying to snap off pics on my iPhone (they wouldn't let me bring my camera in..ugh)... but I was so enraptured by the Jon-ness of the situation that it didn't matter....
Let me just say he is as charming as he appears, as beautiful as he seems and that smile, hair, face, skin, chest.... well it is all so very real!!!
*deep sigh, and big smile*
It was worth giving up the magical nights of prom, homecoming, first dates and yes even not seeing Potsie to wait for it at this time in my life and to share it with BonJovi.... forever in my mind....in my heart....no matter what you think I know that God had His hand in this magical night.... because He is a good God and He loves me so much!!
When I was a girl in Illinois and Happy Days was so popular... I had a crush on Potsie... they were doing publicity jaunts at malls. Of course, Ralph Mouth came to our mall. I had mom take me... hoping that he would shake my hand or who knows what I truly expected at that age, something magical I suppose. He passed by the crowd of screaming girls and I seem to recall him brushing my hand, honestly I don't even know if that actually happened.
For years life was like that. The magical evenings that all teenage girls look forward to: first dates, homecoming, prom... the cutest date I ever had was a winter dance. But, no magic... fun yes but not magical.
I always kept my heads in the romantic clouds, hoping one day something dreamy would happen.
A couple years ago BonJovi came to a city near by... but we didn't go, I justified it by saying, well it is the winter and we always get ice during those months and it would be so disappointing to have the tickets and not get to go. Then finally in the city next to ours they built a new arena with promises of big names coming to town. I looked at my family and said, If Bon Jovi comes I so want to be there... (or something to that affect).
The announcement was made, the tickets went on sale... it looked as if it just wasn't going to happen. My spouse made promises... of tickets, 3 he said he had... the week before the concert he came home with 2... still I remained calm, trying not to think too much about the possibility of actually being in the same space as Jon Bon Jovi and breathing the same AIR as he would be...
The day of the concert came and hours before I allowed my excitement to come to the surface. I started saying outloud I am going to see Bon Jovi... (okay I went a bit nuts on facebook with it, but afterall it was BON JOVI) got dressed wore my favorite shoes, that make me taller and of course seem thinner. Certainly I wanted to present myself in the best possible condition you know just incase I was close enough for Jon himself to see me....
We got to the concert parking wasn't difficult as long as you were willing to pay anything from $20-$40... we got good parking for a minimal charge.
We got inside the arena, waited in line at the merchandise table.... and then stopped for refreshments, diet coke and ham sandwich for me.... on to the seats...
............wait let me rewind. I love to watch people, I am sure someone is watching me and scratching their head wondering "what was she thinking" on more than one occasion...... so let me say as an avid people watcher, one who finds pleasure in it, that I am not attempting to be mean spirited when I say "I have NO idea what most of those women were thinking". They were dressed in leather pants, dresses that looked as if they just stepped out of a set of MTV you know when MTV still showed videos and music; short, tall, thin, thick--mostly short and thick. Heels, flipflops, tennis shoes, orthopedics, slippers-okay maybe I didn't see slippers but there were over 16,000 people there (I heard) and I can tell you by the way some of those women were dressed someone had slippers on!
We stood in line for 45 minutes at the merchandise table and then suddenly someone posted a sign on us that said, "they are suckers you can cut infront of them".... seriously about 2 people infront of us they started cutting.... my husband was being oh so coi about it and saying outloud 'I know they aren't cutting!' I tapped the young girl on the shoulder and nicely said, hon we are next. And she was sweet about it while the adults that were infront of her were pushy and just rude enough to stay put and continue to tell the poor sales lady what they wanted. But it was okay we got our stuff we went on...
ONTO the seats-We walk in find out section 119, walk down the aisle to row E...X, W, U, V all way to K... finally I counted backwards, hubby walked down, we walked back up, the usher walked down, the usher walked up, she said your seats are covered with equipment (blah,blah,blah) she was so nice, "You'll have to go to the box office and tell them and they will tell you where you will sit" So, I waited with the usher, mainly because I was wearing my favorite shoes that until that time were the most comfortable shoes I owned, even more than my Pumas... but I made the mistake of putting too much lotion on my feet, and then my feet got sweaty and slipped around alot and were KILLING ME... so I waited. And I have to tell you I waited patiently. No, really I did. I stood there and I looked to God and I said, "Well, God let's just see what YOU are going to do for me (should've said us but it was Bon Jovi)... I know you have something better for us." Hubby showed up about the time the opening act was half way through... he walked down the aisle, and up the aisle and then motioned for me. By then I had decided to kick off the great shoes to get down the aisle.
We walked down and BAM! Yes, BAM! front row, not floor but front row, my seat was directly across from the stage edge, side that Richie would be standing on.... oh my good gracious, sakes alive! God is so GOOD!
We could watch them tune up guitars, and get ready for what was next whether it be BonJovi coming out, or making small changes to the stage....
The time had come and the lights went out, truly this was going to be a magical night (for me atleast). They came out, they were so close (and yet so far).... but closer than further. I was on my feet, screaming like a teen, jumping up and down, waving my hands in the air.... the whole rock concert thing--well I did keep my shirt on and no panties on the stage, after all I am an adult now.
Jon began walking around the stage.... oh my here he was coming to my side, oh my closer, finally closer to the edge....less than 10 yards way, I'd say about 5 yds away.... OH MY he was looking at me! No seriously he was! I wanted to turn around and look to see who he was looking at but I was afraid if I looked away he'd be gone.... it was quite the moment, one that I live in my head over and over.... one that everytime I hear a BonJovi song I can't help but have a big ol' smile on my face. I was trying to snap off pics on my iPhone (they wouldn't let me bring my camera in..ugh)... but I was so enraptured by the Jon-ness of the situation that it didn't matter....
Let me just say he is as charming as he appears, as beautiful as he seems and that smile, hair, face, skin, chest.... well it is all so very real!!!
*deep sigh, and big smile*
It was worth giving up the magical nights of prom, homecoming, first dates and yes even not seeing Potsie to wait for it at this time in my life and to share it with BonJovi.... forever in my mind....in my heart....no matter what you think I know that God had His hand in this magical night.... because He is a good God and He loves me so much!!
If I told you were to find a treasure...what would you do?
The question arose tonight in a decision I was having.
Not a treasure chest, but a treasure for living live, yes, yes, I am talking spiritually.
Now remember these are my thoughts... seeds planted in my head that I am beginning to explore spiritually speaking to see if they line up with the Word of God--
If I go to God, and I seek Him, I desire to learn more about Him.... I follow Him and heed to His voice, what I feel He is telling me what to do... then I would expect that the rest of the things in my life will fall into place according to His will in my life.
Seems so simple, doesn't it? Almost too simple. Logically speaking it is simple 2+2=4, I have 2 cookies you have 2 cookies together we have 4.
So, if I say that I read the word of God and it tells me:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Judges 1:7-9
So this advice (scripture) says to me: Be strong, do not be afraid, obey the laws (word of God), meditate on the Book of the Law (word of God), be careful to DO what it says... then I will be prosperous and successful.
That gets me excited.... that tells me that if I do step 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 I will be successful!!!!!
And they are not hard steps, it isn't anymore than we expect of our children, than our employers expect of US...
Why then when you tell someone, when you show someone do they not get it, do they not feel the excitement that you do.
After all I just told you that God said, the creator of heaven and earth and all that is on it or has ever been on it, that if you meditate on His word, obey it and not be afraid.... you will be prosperous and successful! Just follow what He told Moses to tell us..... ah yeah the 10 Commandments.
Seems like I just told you (& I) where the X is now you (we) just have to dig through your (our) flesh, will, human nature and not be afraid to trust God....
Not a treasure chest, but a treasure for living live, yes, yes, I am talking spiritually.
Now remember these are my thoughts... seeds planted in my head that I am beginning to explore spiritually speaking to see if they line up with the Word of God--
If I go to God, and I seek Him, I desire to learn more about Him.... I follow Him and heed to His voice, what I feel He is telling me what to do... then I would expect that the rest of the things in my life will fall into place according to His will in my life.
Seems so simple, doesn't it? Almost too simple. Logically speaking it is simple 2+2=4, I have 2 cookies you have 2 cookies together we have 4.
So, if I say that I read the word of God and it tells me:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Judges 1:7-9
So this advice (scripture) says to me: Be strong, do not be afraid, obey the laws (word of God), meditate on the Book of the Law (word of God), be careful to DO what it says... then I will be prosperous and successful.
That gets me excited.... that tells me that if I do step 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 I will be successful!!!!!
And they are not hard steps, it isn't anymore than we expect of our children, than our employers expect of US...
Why then when you tell someone, when you show someone do they not get it, do they not feel the excitement that you do.
After all I just told you that God said, the creator of heaven and earth and all that is on it or has ever been on it, that if you meditate on His word, obey it and not be afraid.... you will be prosperous and successful! Just follow what He told Moses to tell us..... ah yeah the 10 Commandments.
Seems like I just told you (& I) where the X is now you (we) just have to dig through your (our) flesh, will, human nature and not be afraid to trust God....
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
When a day starts out on bad email....
Okay I will admit it and if you know me it's not a surprise, I am NOT a morning person. Never have been... it doesn't bother me much, when I have to be somewhere I get up and I am there, presentable... on a good day lookin' good. Most times I am on time especially if I don't have to get out the door with Coulson.
He's like the kids on Family Circle.... gets distracted easily and before you know it I am waiting for him at the door, he's not much of a morning person either, unless he stays with Mema (my mom) then he's up early, sitting around watching the news.... poor little guy had an overload of natural disasters last week after staying with her.
Where was I? Oh yeah getting distracted, haha!
So, when I wake up to the alarm on my iPhone because my alarm clock just doesn't always want to work....what is the first thing I do [?]... blink to clear out the dryness in my eyes, pick up the phone turn off the alarm and see that I have (typically) 60 something emails waiting for me. So, I glance through them and read the ones from PTA, or from friends or family I am waiting to hear from....
And this is where it all begins----you ready?
Is it too much to ask that IF you have something to accuse me of no matter how clever you think you are being with your indirectness and you do not have the nerve to dial my number then at the very LEAST wait until after 9 am and I've had a chance to get my children off to school with a happy mom in their presence not an irriated, and bit irrational ticked off woman!
When someone wrongly accuses or offends me especially when I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I am not guilty of what they are saying, I can literally feel my blood begin to get warm....my heart pounds hard....I can not concentrate on what needs to be done, my mind becomes boggled down with the lack of class or coothe that the person has.
I guess even in the "loud" home I was raised in my mom never was confrontational or accused me of things [until I was an adult and guess what she was right about what I was doing..]
So, despite my moms sweet, quiet dispostion (hee,hee) I am a peace-maker, I don't like people to not like me and quite honestly would never intentionally do something to hurt someones feelings, I would go out of my way to make sure I don't say something in a way that would hurt them. On the other hand I wear my heart on my sleeve and can really get my feelings hurt; I will at times say 'oh it was offensive' but it wasn't even that mature... it truly, flat out just hurt my feelings.
I attempted to take a deep breathe to begin what could be a day that made me sick, or should I say sicker than I already felt... that's another symptom of my offendedness (Debisms as my husband calls it) feeling sick to my stomach of course I have to be pretty upset to get that far.... very few situations/people have taken me that far.
I walked out the door, and went to take the kids to school. First chance I got I took out my bible and begin reading.....
There are so many times in my life that I have just let my bible open up and began reading where it fell; I have always felt it was 'divine' and that God was showing me what to read or study.... This time I KNOW it was God.
My bible opened to Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.... this fit perfectly what was going on at the moment... I felt vindicated by the Lord I liked so much what I read that I read on you know the feeling, oh yeah I was right they were SOOOO wrong....
Proverbs 12:16....(ouch a slap in the face) A fool shows his annoyance but a prudent man overlooks an insult. God truly has a sense of humor and I know when to take advice and correction and accepted that and repented and quite honestly laughed at myself for being 'called out' by my Heavenly Father.
From that point on I wasn't offended by what was said (or should I say typed), because I heard the advice of the Lord. --you know back to verse 15.... a wise man listens to advice, and the advice was overlooking an insult--
I went on to read Proverbs, one of my favorite books of the bible, it is so full of lessons and bits of wisdom that truly can be applied to life even if you aren't a believer you could apply these things to your life and make the world a better place---
Vs. 18, Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.....Oh more than ever I want to be wise.... listening, healing, overlooking insults can you imagine how peaceful your life (ok MY life) would be if I didn't allow things to insult me, {deep sigh followed by an inward peace}.
Proverbs 13:5, The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame AND disgrace.
Vs. 10, Pride ony breeds quarrels but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Vs. 13, He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
Vs. 18, He who ignores discipline comes to poverty & shame but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 2:7, He holds victory instore for the upright, he is a shielf to those whose walk is blameless.
Ecclesiates 8:1, Who is like a wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a mans face and changes its hard appearance.
So, I went on and my day was full of peace and joy; I felt support from friends near and far, I found a deep appreciation for the people (as far away as Germany and as close as Broken Arrow) that God has chosen to put my intersect my path with.... you see if I had not chosen to walk with the Lord, He would not have put YOU in my life no matter who you are, no matter if you believe like I do... God did put you in my life and I thank HIM for that. I learned so much that day when someone (thing) tried to start my day out with a bad email.... God truly turns things around for good to those who love Him!!!
He's like the kids on Family Circle.... gets distracted easily and before you know it I am waiting for him at the door, he's not much of a morning person either, unless he stays with Mema (my mom) then he's up early, sitting around watching the news.... poor little guy had an overload of natural disasters last week after staying with her.
Where was I? Oh yeah getting distracted, haha!
So, when I wake up to the alarm on my iPhone because my alarm clock just doesn't always want to work....what is the first thing I do [?]... blink to clear out the dryness in my eyes, pick up the phone turn off the alarm and see that I have (typically) 60 something emails waiting for me. So, I glance through them and read the ones from PTA, or from friends or family I am waiting to hear from....
And this is where it all begins----you ready?
Is it too much to ask that IF you have something to accuse me of no matter how clever you think you are being with your indirectness and you do not have the nerve to dial my number then at the very LEAST wait until after 9 am and I've had a chance to get my children off to school with a happy mom in their presence not an irriated, and bit irrational ticked off woman!
When someone wrongly accuses or offends me especially when I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I am not guilty of what they are saying, I can literally feel my blood begin to get warm....my heart pounds hard....I can not concentrate on what needs to be done, my mind becomes boggled down with the lack of class or coothe that the person has.
I guess even in the "loud" home I was raised in my mom never was confrontational or accused me of things [until I was an adult and guess what she was right about what I was doing..]
So, despite my moms sweet, quiet dispostion (hee,hee) I am a peace-maker, I don't like people to not like me and quite honestly would never intentionally do something to hurt someones feelings, I would go out of my way to make sure I don't say something in a way that would hurt them. On the other hand I wear my heart on my sleeve and can really get my feelings hurt; I will at times say 'oh it was offensive' but it wasn't even that mature... it truly, flat out just hurt my feelings.
I attempted to take a deep breathe to begin what could be a day that made me sick, or should I say sicker than I already felt... that's another symptom of my offendedness (Debisms as my husband calls it) feeling sick to my stomach of course I have to be pretty upset to get that far.... very few situations/people have taken me that far.
I walked out the door, and went to take the kids to school. First chance I got I took out my bible and begin reading.....
There are so many times in my life that I have just let my bible open up and began reading where it fell; I have always felt it was 'divine' and that God was showing me what to read or study.... This time I KNOW it was God.
My bible opened to Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.... this fit perfectly what was going on at the moment... I felt vindicated by the Lord I liked so much what I read that I read on you know the feeling, oh yeah I was right they were SOOOO wrong....
Proverbs 12:16....(ouch a slap in the face) A fool shows his annoyance but a prudent man overlooks an insult. God truly has a sense of humor and I know when to take advice and correction and accepted that and repented and quite honestly laughed at myself for being 'called out' by my Heavenly Father.
From that point on I wasn't offended by what was said (or should I say typed), because I heard the advice of the Lord. --you know back to verse 15.... a wise man listens to advice, and the advice was overlooking an insult--
I went on to read Proverbs, one of my favorite books of the bible, it is so full of lessons and bits of wisdom that truly can be applied to life even if you aren't a believer you could apply these things to your life and make the world a better place---
Vs. 18, Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing.....Oh more than ever I want to be wise.... listening, healing, overlooking insults can you imagine how peaceful your life (ok MY life) would be if I didn't allow things to insult me, {deep sigh followed by an inward peace}.
Proverbs 13:5, The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame AND disgrace.
Vs. 10, Pride ony breeds quarrels but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Vs. 13, He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
Vs. 18, He who ignores discipline comes to poverty & shame but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 2:7, He holds victory instore for the upright, he is a shielf to those whose walk is blameless.
Ecclesiates 8:1, Who is like a wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a mans face and changes its hard appearance.
So, I went on and my day was full of peace and joy; I felt support from friends near and far, I found a deep appreciation for the people (as far away as Germany and as close as Broken Arrow) that God has chosen to put my intersect my path with.... you see if I had not chosen to walk with the Lord, He would not have put YOU in my life no matter who you are, no matter if you believe like I do... God did put you in my life and I thank HIM for that. I learned so much that day when someone (thing) tried to start my day out with a bad email.... God truly turns things around for good to those who love Him!!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday MckLinky: April 19, 1995 - Where Were You?
April 19, 1995 – If you're a long-time Oklahoman you know the significance of this day. If you're not, well, you probably know the significance as well.
It was the day our state was rocked to its very core, the day our sense of security was shaken and the day we collectively asked “Why?”
At 9:02am on April 19, 1995, the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City exploded as a result of the most destructive act of terrorism American had ever known at that time. The bomb killed 168 people, including 19 children. More than 680 people were injured, 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius were damaged, 86 cars were destroyed, and the explosion shattered glass in 258 buildings close by. In addition to the deaths, building destruction and damage to property, people all over the state were, in an instant, knocked from the reverie of their normal day-to-day goings on and we all watched in horror as the event unfolded before our eyes.
So, where was I?
Much like when Elvis died (if you are old enough), Princess Diana, Dale Earnhart, Micheal Jackson, 9-11 you can not forget where you were the day you heard or saw what happened....
In 1995, I was working as in merchandise display at JCPenneys, we had to be at work very early so, I was already on break with the girls, I was standing by a table with a green apple in my hand.
I will never forget the feeling for helplessness and terror when they showed it, and absolute fright came over me when they said there were children in the building. I had just realized a few weeks before that I was pregnant with my oldest son. For the first time in my life I felt the horror of being a parent and seeing a child suffer, and know how a parent might actually feel.
As the time passed during that long morning everyone seemed to be walking in a fog. How could someone be so evil, so cold to set up people to die intentionally?
I will never understand why or how they could lay down to sleep at night and ever have a moment of peace within their minds.
It was the day our state was rocked to its very core, the day our sense of security was shaken and the day we collectively asked “Why?”
At 9:02am on April 19, 1995, the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City exploded as a result of the most destructive act of terrorism American had ever known at that time. The bomb killed 168 people, including 19 children. More than 680 people were injured, 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius were damaged, 86 cars were destroyed, and the explosion shattered glass in 258 buildings close by. In addition to the deaths, building destruction and damage to property, people all over the state were, in an instant, knocked from the reverie of their normal day-to-day goings on and we all watched in horror as the event unfolded before our eyes.
So, where was I?
Much like when Elvis died (if you are old enough), Princess Diana, Dale Earnhart, Micheal Jackson, 9-11 you can not forget where you were the day you heard or saw what happened....
In 1995, I was working as in merchandise display at JCPenneys, we had to be at work very early so, I was already on break with the girls, I was standing by a table with a green apple in my hand.
I will never forget the feeling for helplessness and terror when they showed it, and absolute fright came over me when they said there were children in the building. I had just realized a few weeks before that I was pregnant with my oldest son. For the first time in my life I felt the horror of being a parent and seeing a child suffer, and know how a parent might actually feel.
As the time passed during that long morning everyone seemed to be walking in a fog. How could someone be so evil, so cold to set up people to die intentionally?
I will never understand why or how they could lay down to sleep at night and ever have a moment of peace within their minds.
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