1. It's really annoying when people email me and expect me to respond right away. I know they expect this because like 2 days later they're like, "Are you okay? I didn't hear back from you...etc, etc." But then when I respond they don't respond to me...EVER. Um, hello, double standard! UGH.
2. Blinkers. People driving with their blinker on because they forgot to turn it off after changing lanes is seriously ANNOYING. Pay attention, turn them off! Oh, and while you're at it, get on the right lane if you're driving 42 in a 60. Seriously?
3. Don't ignore my text messages. If you can't meet up with me on Fri because you have other plans, I don't care. It's one thing to forget. I do it all the time. It's another thing to ignore. I know when you're doing it because you respond to me at other times.
Seriously annoying.
4. Oh, if you break something of mine that's kinda valuable...you should probably offer to replace it. It's proper etiquette. It's biblical. I probably wouldn't feel right about you paying for the entire thing anyway. It's just the fact that you offered that matters. Assuming it doesn't matter really annoys me. Oh, and if your kid broke it, it's different. Kids are kids. They're meant to break things. That's what they do - eat, poop, and break things.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Baby Showers.
So at work recently, I overheard some ladies discussing baby showers. One of the ladies was running late to a baby shower...on purpose. She knows I'm pregnant, so she said something like, "...no offense. I'm just not into them..." Ugh, who is???
That same weekend, a friend of mine was texting me from a baby shower she had to attend, and the text messages read something like this:
Get me out of here.
If I see one more ____ (replace with whatever common baby item you see at showers), I'm going to scream.
OMG, now they're passing the gifts around.
All I could do was rub it in. I've been to a few baby showers, and to be completely and honest, most of them were dreadful. I've thrown a few, and those weren't too bad. Not to pat me on the back or anything...no, really, they had nothing to do with me. One of the showers was really cool because the mom reminded me a lot of me. She didn't want the typical pink or blue ribbons hanging all over. Without giving her identity away, she had a very cool, earthy-type thing, and we didn't play goofy games. Another shower I hosted was actually a collaboration. I got together with a few other friends to try to do something special for someone who was new. All of her friends and family lived else where, and we were pretty much her only family. It was just a few girls and a lady we loved and honored getting together to say "congrats." Just friends enjoying each other's company. Even though we did play corny games, it wasn't all awkward because we could at least cross our legs...and it was, again, friends.
The thought of sitting in a room with people who don't know each other and who are awkwardly trying to make conversation with each other doesn't sit well with me. Not only that, but then you have to pass the gifts around and listen to everyone go, "Aawww" for the bazillionth time...that doesn't sit well with me either. Oh, then you're already uncomfortable because you're huge and hormonal, and you can't cross your legs because of some silly game? Ugh.
So what to do? I had dinner with some close friends recently, and they convinced me that this was part of allowing people to 'experience' this with me. That's fine and all (I'm just not that deep). But seriously, we should consider creativity when it comes to 'baby showers.'
Okay, and I think it's a sign - I continue to have dream after dream of going on amazing world travels. I think somebody should seriously consider sending me to an exotic island before beanie baby comes...who by the way is no longer a bean. According to babycenter.com, baby now weighs as much as an apple. Maybe it was around this time that Gwyneth Paltrow (sp?) decided to name her kid Apple. Glad I didn't stop at bean.
That same weekend, a friend of mine was texting me from a baby shower she had to attend, and the text messages read something like this:
Get me out of here.
If I see one more ____ (replace with whatever common baby item you see at showers), I'm going to scream.
OMG, now they're passing the gifts around.
All I could do was rub it in. I've been to a few baby showers, and to be completely and honest, most of them were dreadful. I've thrown a few, and those weren't too bad. Not to pat me on the back or anything...no, really, they had nothing to do with me. One of the showers was really cool because the mom reminded me a lot of me. She didn't want the typical pink or blue ribbons hanging all over. Without giving her identity away, she had a very cool, earthy-type thing, and we didn't play goofy games. Another shower I hosted was actually a collaboration. I got together with a few other friends to try to do something special for someone who was new. All of her friends and family lived else where, and we were pretty much her only family. It was just a few girls and a lady we loved and honored getting together to say "congrats." Just friends enjoying each other's company. Even though we did play corny games, it wasn't all awkward because we could at least cross our legs...and it was, again, friends.
The thought of sitting in a room with people who don't know each other and who are awkwardly trying to make conversation with each other doesn't sit well with me. Not only that, but then you have to pass the gifts around and listen to everyone go, "Aawww" for the bazillionth time...that doesn't sit well with me either. Oh, then you're already uncomfortable because you're huge and hormonal, and you can't cross your legs because of some silly game? Ugh.
So what to do? I had dinner with some close friends recently, and they convinced me that this was part of allowing people to 'experience' this with me. That's fine and all (I'm just not that deep). But seriously, we should consider creativity when it comes to 'baby showers.'
Okay, and I think it's a sign - I continue to have dream after dream of going on amazing world travels. I think somebody should seriously consider sending me to an exotic island before beanie baby comes...who by the way is no longer a bean. According to babycenter.com, baby now weighs as much as an apple. Maybe it was around this time that Gwyneth Paltrow (sp?) decided to name her kid Apple. Glad I didn't stop at bean.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Belly Pictures
Expecting to see pictures? Like I told a friend earlier, don't hold your breath. I am not that person. Maybe I would've been 5 years ago, but I'm just not now. Maybe it's because I feel too old. Maybe it's because I think only the skinny people do it to show oh how skinny they were before they got pregnant (and no, I don't think I'm obese). I don't know what it is. I'm just not that person today who will post pictures of my growing belly. You wouldn't be very excited right now anyway because I'm just awkward looking. Oh, and I've also been too cheap to replace the camera that was broken back in November. Although, I'll probably give in within the next couple of weeks and purchase the camera, you still won't see picture of my belly at 6 weeks, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, etc. Not me. If I end up posting pictures, they won't be staged belly pictures. So there it is.
And no, it's not because I'm not excited. I'm thrilled. Just not one of those people.
And no, it's not because I'm not excited. I'm thrilled. Just not one of those people.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Because I'm not finished
Did you know that Japan attempted this whole thing before? The whole spending your way to economic recovery...they tried it. It didn't work. I heard it, looked it up. Basically it was the same thing.
I also heard most recessions last about 18-24 months. We could be out of this soon without all this ridiculous nonsense.
There IS a reason both Democrats and Republicans have a big problem with this bill. UGH!
I also heard most recessions last about 18-24 months. We could be out of this soon without all this ridiculous nonsense.
There IS a reason both Democrats and Republicans have a big problem with this bill. UGH!
Real Quick-Like
I will be the first to admit that when it comes to politics, I'm no expert. I'm very opinionated and consider myself to be pretty well-read, BUT I'm still no expert. I'll even go as far as to admit that other people sometimes know better than me what to do with...political issues. Now, the government doesn't know better than me about my personal health. They don't know more than I do about how to raise my children and that sort of thing.
When it comes to our tax dollars...well, we'll always disagree. BUT when it comes to this most ridiculous 'stimulus' package, they're ridiculously ridiculous. Okay folks, without getting too deeply into it, let's just be simple about it. If the first stimulus package didn't work, what makes them think this one will? We heard the craziness of CEO's making millions and millions of dollars from the money the government gave out the first time. So now we want them to basically 'make rules.' I understand, but it's not that easy. That would be the government telling people what they can't or can't do with their money...that's the government owning people...that's not just socialism; it very quickly becomes communism. Hey, I'm all for that :)
And what's with calling it a stimulus package. It has some tax cuts in it and they're saying it'll create some jobs. Even if that's true, from what I understand, that's a very small part of it. What I see from here is that they're moving forward with their own political agendas and are only filling in a few spaces with what will really 'stimulate' our economy. And their reasoning is that they want to kill two birds with one stone. That's a load. The thing is that this is the only way to get some of those agendas passed because it's the only way that the other party will actually approve it...because it's jumbled in with a few tax cuts. And if the Republicans were to knock it down, then the Speaker, who did so in the past, will come out and blame it all on them and blah blah. And then the long process has to start all over again. No, it's all about power with this bill.
I am no die-hard Republican. It doesn't matter what side of the isle I'm on here. I'm just ticked off that these people lie so much and continue to assume we're stupid Americans. AND the new administration also said that 'earmarks' would be cut out. Then what in the world is this killing 2 birds with one stone? It's a complete contradiction.
Is this bill really going to make a difference? What it WILL do is put your children and grandchildren in an enormous amount of debt...unless they come up with some other genius plan...which will then end up making us all slaves to some other country. That's a great stimulus package - whips on our backs. Our founding fathers would be so proud.
I have so many more opinions, but I really don't do political blogs much because it takes way too long to really get into it. I'm also not educated enough on these matters to speak to them. It's a good thing this is still my blog and not the government's.
When it comes to our tax dollars...well, we'll always disagree. BUT when it comes to this most ridiculous 'stimulus' package, they're ridiculously ridiculous. Okay folks, without getting too deeply into it, let's just be simple about it. If the first stimulus package didn't work, what makes them think this one will? We heard the craziness of CEO's making millions and millions of dollars from the money the government gave out the first time. So now we want them to basically 'make rules.' I understand, but it's not that easy. That would be the government telling people what they can't or can't do with their money...that's the government owning people...that's not just socialism; it very quickly becomes communism. Hey, I'm all for that :)
And what's with calling it a stimulus package. It has some tax cuts in it and they're saying it'll create some jobs. Even if that's true, from what I understand, that's a very small part of it. What I see from here is that they're moving forward with their own political agendas and are only filling in a few spaces with what will really 'stimulate' our economy. And their reasoning is that they want to kill two birds with one stone. That's a load. The thing is that this is the only way to get some of those agendas passed because it's the only way that the other party will actually approve it...because it's jumbled in with a few tax cuts. And if the Republicans were to knock it down, then the Speaker, who did so in the past, will come out and blame it all on them and blah blah. And then the long process has to start all over again. No, it's all about power with this bill.
I am no die-hard Republican. It doesn't matter what side of the isle I'm on here. I'm just ticked off that these people lie so much and continue to assume we're stupid Americans. AND the new administration also said that 'earmarks' would be cut out. Then what in the world is this killing 2 birds with one stone? It's a complete contradiction.
Is this bill really going to make a difference? What it WILL do is put your children and grandchildren in an enormous amount of debt...unless they come up with some other genius plan...which will then end up making us all slaves to some other country. That's a great stimulus package - whips on our backs. Our founding fathers would be so proud.
I have so many more opinions, but I really don't do political blogs much because it takes way too long to really get into it. I'm also not educated enough on these matters to speak to them. It's a good thing this is still my blog and not the government's.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
TaxEvaders. HFCS. Cocaine.
It's a pre-requisite now to have tax-evasion issues to be a member of the Presidential Cabinet.
And you know what else really ticks me off?
The HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) commercials. "HFCS is fine in moderation..." Who are they kidding? Hopefully not you. The thing is that most processed food (the stuff most people eat because of 'busy' lifestyles) contains HFCS. And what is 'moderation' anyway? There's no such thing. Do we realize who paid for these commercials? Hello! The commercials, themselves, state it.
Is cocaine fine in moderation?
And you know what else really ticks me off?
The HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) commercials. "HFCS is fine in moderation..." Who are they kidding? Hopefully not you. The thing is that most processed food (the stuff most people eat because of 'busy' lifestyles) contains HFCS. And what is 'moderation' anyway? There's no such thing. Do we realize who paid for these commercials? Hello! The commercials, themselves, state it.
Is cocaine fine in moderation?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How to Offend a Pregnant Person...Susy Style
Being with child brings on all kinds of questions from all kinds of people. I don't mind the questions or answering them. I found, though, that my way of answering is not the politically correct way of answering, and I'm wondering if I need to think about a better way to respond when someone asks about my due date.
It should be a simple answer, right? I mean, you get pregnant, go to the doctor, he asks you questions and gives you a date. Not that difficult. HOWEVER, I'm just not the typical person when it comes to all this and am not doing things the typical American way. I'm not going to a regular doctor. I'm using a mid-wife. I'm also not going to stress myself out over a due date; unless some major medical emergency arises, I will allow my body to do what it was created by God to do when the time is right. Now, just so you don't think I'm completely crazy, I have an idea of when this lil bean will be arriving. The thing is that I will not allow a doctor or a computer to dictate to my body what it should be doing when.
Why? It's stressful, and stress is one of the many reasons women have complications during pregnancy and child birth. Women rarely have their babies on the 'due dates' anyway, so why even bother with one specific date? Not only that, but then the doctors feel they're justified in their reasoning for drug-induced labor.
Less than 3% of pregnant women have a true medical condition requiring induction, but up to 81% receive Pitocin, and 75% of inductions put both the mother and baby at risk. The drugs used to induce labor cause vasoconstriction, which can decrease blood supply to the unborn baby. That's just the beginning and is reason enough for me. But there's so much more.
Cytotec is yet another drug used to induce labor, but one of the major risks is rupturing of the uterus. :0 Obviously if a woman's body hasn't gone into labor, her cervix isn't yet ready, and therefore even more drugs have to be used in addition to the inducing drugs and then more drugs to prevent complications from the drugs already administered. It's downward spiral. I am all about drugs and doctors when they are necessary, but when they're not, it's just another reason for doctors and pharmaceuticals to make money.
But back to my original point - I have an idea when PoffinBaby will arrive; I just don't have an exact date. As long as all continues to go well, we'll allow PoffinBaby to make the entrance when the time is right. For now, if you ask me a question and I give you a hippie answer, just deal with it. It's funny - several pregnant people have asked me about my due date, and I've pretty much had the same response. Most understand and respect my choices, but there are always the few that choose to be offended because they feel I'm saying that they're not doing what God created their bodies to do. Not it at all folks. I'm telling you what I'm doing because it's what we've chosen to do. You do what's right for you and your family.
It should be a simple answer, right? I mean, you get pregnant, go to the doctor, he asks you questions and gives you a date. Not that difficult. HOWEVER, I'm just not the typical person when it comes to all this and am not doing things the typical American way. I'm not going to a regular doctor. I'm using a mid-wife. I'm also not going to stress myself out over a due date; unless some major medical emergency arises, I will allow my body to do what it was created by God to do when the time is right. Now, just so you don't think I'm completely crazy, I have an idea of when this lil bean will be arriving. The thing is that I will not allow a doctor or a computer to dictate to my body what it should be doing when.
Why? It's stressful, and stress is one of the many reasons women have complications during pregnancy and child birth. Women rarely have their babies on the 'due dates' anyway, so why even bother with one specific date? Not only that, but then the doctors feel they're justified in their reasoning for drug-induced labor.
Less than 3% of pregnant women have a true medical condition requiring induction, but up to 81% receive Pitocin, and 75% of inductions put both the mother and baby at risk. The drugs used to induce labor cause vasoconstriction, which can decrease blood supply to the unborn baby. That's just the beginning and is reason enough for me. But there's so much more.
Cytotec is yet another drug used to induce labor, but one of the major risks is rupturing of the uterus. :0 Obviously if a woman's body hasn't gone into labor, her cervix isn't yet ready, and therefore even more drugs have to be used in addition to the inducing drugs and then more drugs to prevent complications from the drugs already administered. It's downward spiral. I am all about drugs and doctors when they are necessary, but when they're not, it's just another reason for doctors and pharmaceuticals to make money.
But back to my original point - I have an idea when PoffinBaby will arrive; I just don't have an exact date. As long as all continues to go well, we'll allow PoffinBaby to make the entrance when the time is right. For now, if you ask me a question and I give you a hippie answer, just deal with it. It's funny - several pregnant people have asked me about my due date, and I've pretty much had the same response. Most understand and respect my choices, but there are always the few that choose to be offended because they feel I'm saying that they're not doing what God created their bodies to do. Not it at all folks. I'm telling you what I'm doing because it's what we've chosen to do. You do what's right for you and your family.
Monday, January 19, 2009
WebMD???
I know, I'm full of thoughts today. Not really. I'm just pretty much sitting at home waiting for 24 to start. I seriously hope they pump up the energy a little. I was kinda bored with it last week. I hate to say that because I'm such the Jack Bauer fan, but I must be honest with myself.
Okay so that's not the point of this blog.
Isn't it crazy how we can pretty much Google anything and get millions of pages of information on any given subject? It's great. Thank you, technology, for giving me just about all the information I need. And all right at my fingertips.
What's sad about this is that we no longer take the information we read and make a judgment on it ourselves. Judgment based on logic, common sense, and history. History that has proven itself.
This is true when it comes to medical information. Why is it that we trust a doctor or WebMD over our grandmothers' cure for an ailment? Do we know who pays WebMD? It's all about money, guys. The pharmaceutical industry is all about money, and who do we think pays for websites like WebMD?
Why do we think they have all the answers? I mean, yeah, I've searched those sites for help before, but how much better to receive information from those for whom it has worked so well in the past? And answers that don't require chemicals.
Chemicals, doctors, medicines all have their place. I've said that before, and I still stand by that. I just don't believe those are the only answers. WebMD is not God.
Read this and this.
Okay so that's not the point of this blog.
Isn't it crazy how we can pretty much Google anything and get millions of pages of information on any given subject? It's great. Thank you, technology, for giving me just about all the information I need. And all right at my fingertips.
What's sad about this is that we no longer take the information we read and make a judgment on it ourselves. Judgment based on logic, common sense, and history. History that has proven itself.
This is true when it comes to medical information. Why is it that we trust a doctor or WebMD over our grandmothers' cure for an ailment? Do we know who pays WebMD? It's all about money, guys. The pharmaceutical industry is all about money, and who do we think pays for websites like WebMD?
Why do we think they have all the answers? I mean, yeah, I've searched those sites for help before, but how much better to receive information from those for whom it has worked so well in the past? And answers that don't require chemicals.
Chemicals, doctors, medicines all have their place. I've said that before, and I still stand by that. I just don't believe those are the only answers. WebMD is not God.
Read this and this.
Hypocrite. Hypocrite
Just a few days ago I blogged about how I upset I was or something about how these parents wouldn't allow their kids to socialize with these other kids because of karate.
I'm such the critic. And such the hypocrite. I was being just like the people about how ridiculous we humans can be.
about whom I was complaining. To each his own, right? Sorta. I guess I was just venting
I am a very opinionated person and know some very opinionated people. The cool thing about most of us is that we choose to accept each other no matter how much we may disagree. Over the years I've come to see that things aren't always black and white, there's a lil gray, and there's room for everyone's opinions. I've now come to not only accept our differences, but I welcome and enjoy them because it's what makes the world go round, right? I love it. I love individuality, uniqueness (is that a word?), and creativity.
On that note, isn’t it funny how I think I know what’s good for everyone else we all want to be so helpful when it comes to other people’s situations? My friend, Alisa, recently warned me: “…everyone is suddenly going to become an expert on your body and your pregnancy.” I honestly don’t mind when people give me suggestions and share their experiences with me. It’s all great until they expect me to change my views. Then I just get annoyed and probably get defensive.
So just now I was flipping channels, and yay, we have cable right now. I stopped at John & Kate+8. I honestly don't care if you don't care for them. I love kids and shows with kids. So in this episode, one particular child was being incredibly annoying with her whining and crying and whining and disobedience (isn't that just like a kid?), and I said really loudly, "Beat her! Spank her butt!" I don't care what Oprah has to say about spanking. I just know what my beliefs are and what I plan to do. But isn't if funny how we (I) soooo critique what everyone else is doing? In this case I wasn't necessarily critiquing. I was just responding. BUT I've been around people who refuse to watch this show because they don't agree with certain parenting techniques. That's fine. That's up to you. I just so enjoy laughing when these (or any) kids say funny things. It's adorable. So why can't we just look at the good stuff and ignore the rest? I don't know. I know I personally don't always do that, but still...just remind me.
Just thoughts.
I'm such the critic. And such the hypocrite. I was being just like the people about how ridiculous we humans can be.
about whom I was complaining. To each his own, right? Sorta. I guess I was just venting
I am a very opinionated person and know some very opinionated people. The cool thing about most of us is that we choose to accept each other no matter how much we may disagree. Over the years I've come to see that things aren't always black and white, there's a lil gray, and there's room for everyone's opinions. I've now come to not only accept our differences, but I welcome and enjoy them because it's what makes the world go round, right? I love it. I love individuality, uniqueness (is that a word?), and creativity.
On that note, isn’t it funny how I think I know what’s good for everyone else we all want to be so helpful when it comes to other people’s situations? My friend, Alisa, recently warned me: “…everyone is suddenly going to become an expert on your body and your pregnancy.” I honestly don’t mind when people give me suggestions and share their experiences with me. It’s all great until they expect me to change my views. Then I just get annoyed and probably get defensive.
So just now I was flipping channels, and yay, we have cable right now. I stopped at John & Kate+8. I honestly don't care if you don't care for them. I love kids and shows with kids. So in this episode, one particular child was being incredibly annoying with her whining and crying and whining and disobedience (isn't that just like a kid?), and I said really loudly, "Beat her! Spank her butt!" I don't care what Oprah has to say about spanking. I just know what my beliefs are and what I plan to do. But isn't if funny how we (I) soooo critique what everyone else is doing? In this case I wasn't necessarily critiquing. I was just responding. BUT I've been around people who refuse to watch this show because they don't agree with certain parenting techniques. That's fine. That's up to you. I just so enjoy laughing when these (or any) kids say funny things. It's adorable. So why can't we just look at the good stuff and ignore the rest? I don't know. I know I personally don't always do that, but still...just remind me.
Just thoughts.
The Church, according to Me
I had a good laugh today. I was emailing back and forth with my friend, Amy. Amy is one of those people with whom I can be completely honest, and whether or not she agrees with me, she doesn't hold anything against me. Nor do I hold it against her when she gets all girly mushy and emotional. She's that kind of girl. She wants to experience life and love fully, yet she's also rational and allows common sense to rule over emotion...sometimes. :)
So we were emailing about her search for a church home. Aren't we all in that quest? Okay maybe not. Having just moved back to Dallas, we are getting ready to church-hunt. I hate that. Hate is a strong word, but I really don't want to be one of those people who goes from church to church, looking to 'fit in' or whatever it is we all want. As a teenager, I went to one church, served in that church and loved the people of that church. No, things were never perfect because we are imperfect people, but that's what life is about - learning to grow, love in the midst of imperfect situations. Anyway, I don't want to be one of those church-hopper people. I believe in committing to something, committing to people because that's where I should be. Because that's where I can serve, love, grow, be.
So when Amy was sharing with a few friends about her quest for a church home, someone made this comment to her, "Just remember, we go to church only to worship Christ! Not for our comfort or our pleasure!!!"
Oh, my. If you know me, you know that this kind of comment is just waiting for me to come stab with my opinionated, narcissistic mouth.
Okay, what is the church? Or what should the church be? I don't know what the church is because it's been a while since I've been involved in one sole church. In Kansas, it was kind of a joke - our attempt with church, and last year...well, ok.
So I can't judge what I don't know. But here's what I'm thinking a church was in the NT and maybe what people are called to be.
I think the church should be a people not a location. Yes, those people gather in a physical place, some kind of building (a home, a big metal structure, a brick building, whatever), but they are people coming together to do something, right?
I do understand what the girl was trying to say with the comment about how church should be to worship Christ. Yes, that's what people do when they come together. They usually sing some songs, say a prayer and listen to someone teach/preach. It's the typical American structure, and it has its place.
The thing is that I believe there's more to it than just that. In a typical American setting, it's become a social club of facades and a program. Again, that has its place, but don't we want more than that?
I want to be involved with a group of people who worship Christ but not just with a song or dance. There are more ways to worship than just that. How about knowing people so well that you know when they have needs and can meet those needs? And it's not always about money. Sometimes people need help with their kids, need an hour away to get errands done and need a babysitter. Sometimes people do need a meal or help with their electric bill. How about meeting needs?
Yes, teaching is great. But how about taking it a step further and talking about how that could apply to our lives in whatever situations...but that involves knowing people beyond surface level.
I was reading about how back in New Testament days, many gatherings (churches) only had 1 Bible to share. So when they got together for 'church,' they would sit and talk about it, discuss it, have theological conversations. How about that?
One of the main reasons they took up 'offerings' back then was so that when someone was in need, they had $$ to give them. It wasn't to pay the pastor. Now, don't get me wrong. The American setting has its place. Yes, pay the pastor. But how about literally meeting others' needs when they really need something? How about feeding the hungry? How about helping single parents? 'Mentoring' single-parent kids? How about really loving people who don't know God? That doesn't mean shunning them from our lives. It means embracing everyone through everything. (Yes I'm on my soap box again.)
I want for my kids to be raised with the kind of people who don't stare at or much less gossip about weirdos but love them because we ARE them.
We have been way too caught up in perfecting church, in perfecting programs, that we have forgotten what it means to be THE CHURCH. It should be people with whom we can grow, by whom we are challenged and who love us (and who we love) through life. It's not a building of people. It IS people, imperfect people. It's loving hard, and loving through the hard.
So the point is taken - church is about, as the girl said, 'praising Christ.' Right. Praising Him involves way more than a song, a program and people asking but not really meaning, "Hi, how are you." "I'm good, how are you?" Praising Christ involves loving, which means I have to know them in order to serve them however I can.
Not the end, but the end for now.
Oh, and as for Amy, because she wants to experience love completely, she'll find a church, a people. She, among so many others, is my church.
So we were emailing about her search for a church home. Aren't we all in that quest? Okay maybe not. Having just moved back to Dallas, we are getting ready to church-hunt. I hate that. Hate is a strong word, but I really don't want to be one of those people who goes from church to church, looking to 'fit in' or whatever it is we all want. As a teenager, I went to one church, served in that church and loved the people of that church. No, things were never perfect because we are imperfect people, but that's what life is about - learning to grow, love in the midst of imperfect situations. Anyway, I don't want to be one of those church-hopper people. I believe in committing to something, committing to people because that's where I should be. Because that's where I can serve, love, grow, be.
So when Amy was sharing with a few friends about her quest for a church home, someone made this comment to her, "Just remember, we go to church only to worship Christ! Not for our comfort or our pleasure!!!"
Oh, my. If you know me, you know that this kind of comment is just waiting for me to come stab with my opinionated, narcissistic mouth.
Okay, what is the church? Or what should the church be? I don't know what the church is because it's been a while since I've been involved in one sole church. In Kansas, it was kind of a joke - our attempt with church, and last year...well, ok.
So I can't judge what I don't know. But here's what I'm thinking a church was in the NT and maybe what people are called to be.
I think the church should be a people not a location. Yes, those people gather in a physical place, some kind of building (a home, a big metal structure, a brick building, whatever), but they are people coming together to do something, right?
I do understand what the girl was trying to say with the comment about how church should be to worship Christ. Yes, that's what people do when they come together. They usually sing some songs, say a prayer and listen to someone teach/preach. It's the typical American structure, and it has its place.
The thing is that I believe there's more to it than just that. In a typical American setting, it's become a social club of facades and a program. Again, that has its place, but don't we want more than that?
I want to be involved with a group of people who worship Christ but not just with a song or dance. There are more ways to worship than just that. How about knowing people so well that you know when they have needs and can meet those needs? And it's not always about money. Sometimes people need help with their kids, need an hour away to get errands done and need a babysitter. Sometimes people do need a meal or help with their electric bill. How about meeting needs?
Yes, teaching is great. But how about taking it a step further and talking about how that could apply to our lives in whatever situations...but that involves knowing people beyond surface level.
I was reading about how back in New Testament days, many gatherings (churches) only had 1 Bible to share. So when they got together for 'church,' they would sit and talk about it, discuss it, have theological conversations. How about that?
One of the main reasons they took up 'offerings' back then was so that when someone was in need, they had $$ to give them. It wasn't to pay the pastor. Now, don't get me wrong. The American setting has its place. Yes, pay the pastor. But how about literally meeting others' needs when they really need something? How about feeding the hungry? How about helping single parents? 'Mentoring' single-parent kids? How about really loving people who don't know God? That doesn't mean shunning them from our lives. It means embracing everyone through everything. (Yes I'm on my soap box again.)
I want for my kids to be raised with the kind of people who don't stare at or much less gossip about weirdos but love them because we ARE them.
We have been way too caught up in perfecting church, in perfecting programs, that we have forgotten what it means to be THE CHURCH. It should be people with whom we can grow, by whom we are challenged and who love us (and who we love) through life. It's not a building of people. It IS people, imperfect people. It's loving hard, and loving through the hard.
So the point is taken - church is about, as the girl said, 'praising Christ.' Right. Praising Him involves way more than a song, a program and people asking but not really meaning, "Hi, how are you." "I'm good, how are you?" Praising Christ involves loving, which means I have to know them in order to serve them however I can.
Not the end, but the end for now.
Oh, and as for Amy, because she wants to experience love completely, she'll find a church, a people. She, among so many others, is my church.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
"The higher I go, the crookeder it becomes"
Something I've been thinking about for a long time...
Some time ago as I rode along with a friend, she mentioned that she wasn't sure if she was going to allow her kids to play with this other group of kids anymore. I wasn't really in the mood to talk about it because I think I could tell where it was going, but I went ahead and asked why...I mean, these kids were in fact her good friend's kids.
The response - well, those kids are allowed to participate in martial arts, and this other lady, herself, wasn't maybe the most 'spiritually mature.'Oh, and the most important part - she didn't want her kids damaged or tainted by associating with those kinds of children. (Susy rolls eyes.)
So I ask the obvious before she continued, "Wait. What's wrong with martial arts?" And I opened up the can.
Apparently there are churches and religious groups now openly preaching against it because it's a form of violence. According to them, it doesn't promote brotherly love...that when we're supposed to be loving our neighbor, in turn we're walking around thinking, "I can take him. I can take him down...etc." Oh, and martial arts has an Asian spiritual undertone, and Christians should NOT have anything to do with that. LOL
I didn't know where to begin with that because I was so annoyed with it.
Okay, so about the martial arts thing - it's evil, and so we shouldn't participate in it? Wow. This sounds more like someone has a personal problem, and whoever it is needs to deal with it.
Yes, there are forms of martial arts that have spiritual undertones. So that now means we shouldn't participate in it? What about Halloween, which Christian people say is pagan and rooted in evil? Most churches don't condone it. In fact they preach against it, yet offer 'alternative' events and/or activities. So why not with the martial arts or anything else? It's a total contradiction, and I'd love to write more about my opinion, but I really don't feel like taking the time to do it right now.
Moving on.
Okay so about her friend not being 'spiritually mature.' What does that mean anyway? How is she judging that maturity? Will she now ignore anyone who doesn't meet her standards? Give me a break.
So a comment she made was that she wanted to protect her children from being 'contaminated' by these other kids...because they're in martial arts and who knows what else. Our children are given to us by God to raise, and that is one of the greatest responsibilities we will ever have. Part of being a parent is protecting our children, right? Sure. But I believe there's only so much of that we can do. We can stress ourselves out by trying to protect them from all the evils in this world, and we will never succeed. We can only do so much, and the rest is up to the One who gave them to us.
Sure, there are hoodlums I wouldn't want my kids hanging around on their turf. HOWEVER, what happened to raising kids so that THEY are the influence on their peers? We can never raise perfect kids who will have perfect friends who will do perfect things. But what about doing our best possible to train them in the right way so that they know the difference between good/bad, right/wrong so that they can be the ones who speak up and make a difference in the lives of the people around them? What about that?
I understand wanting to be separate from the 'world,' but I don't think it has anything to do with disassociating ourselves with people. I think it has to do with actions, separating ourselves from certain actions.
I'm sure that there are kids I wouldn't want my kids to hang out with in their environments, but hopefully I can provide a place where any and everybody can come. Not just that but a place where people want to be because we welcome with open arms no matter what. We love.
I only HOPE to be that way. I can't say for certain that I will be and that I'll do what I say and how I imagine it. Things never turn out that way. But again, it comes down to how we love people.
There's so much more I could say and write about this, but I'm actually trying to to watch 24 and maybe cook something at the same time so I'm pretty much distracted. I will leave with something a friend wrote that goes so perfectly with my thoughts. She was visiting some dear friends and realized why she missed them so:
"These people loved me when I was slightly unlovable. We were a little rough around the edges when we first met them, and some conservative families would have pushed us away, for fear of 'contaminating' their children. These folks pulled us in and helped smooth us out, confident that the love of Jesus would far outweigh any negative effects we might have on their kids. And it did. We didn't have much in common, and we still don't! It's a diverse group of people, all loving each other right through their hang ups."
Can't we just do that?
Some time ago as I rode along with a friend, she mentioned that she wasn't sure if she was going to allow her kids to play with this other group of kids anymore. I wasn't really in the mood to talk about it because I think I could tell where it was going, but I went ahead and asked why...I mean, these kids were in fact her good friend's kids.
The response - well, those kids are allowed to participate in martial arts, and this other lady, herself, wasn't maybe the most 'spiritually mature.'Oh, and the most important part - she didn't want her kids damaged or tainted by associating with those kinds of children. (Susy rolls eyes.)
So I ask the obvious before she continued, "Wait. What's wrong with martial arts?" And I opened up the can.
Apparently there are churches and religious groups now openly preaching against it because it's a form of violence. According to them, it doesn't promote brotherly love...that when we're supposed to be loving our neighbor, in turn we're walking around thinking, "I can take him. I can take him down...etc." Oh, and martial arts has an Asian spiritual undertone, and Christians should NOT have anything to do with that. LOL
I didn't know where to begin with that because I was so annoyed with it.
Okay, so about the martial arts thing - it's evil, and so we shouldn't participate in it? Wow. This sounds more like someone has a personal problem, and whoever it is needs to deal with it.
Yes, there are forms of martial arts that have spiritual undertones. So that now means we shouldn't participate in it? What about Halloween, which Christian people say is pagan and rooted in evil? Most churches don't condone it. In fact they preach against it, yet offer 'alternative' events and/or activities. So why not with the martial arts or anything else? It's a total contradiction, and I'd love to write more about my opinion, but I really don't feel like taking the time to do it right now.
Moving on.
Okay so about her friend not being 'spiritually mature.' What does that mean anyway? How is she judging that maturity? Will she now ignore anyone who doesn't meet her standards? Give me a break.
So a comment she made was that she wanted to protect her children from being 'contaminated' by these other kids...because they're in martial arts and who knows what else. Our children are given to us by God to raise, and that is one of the greatest responsibilities we will ever have. Part of being a parent is protecting our children, right? Sure. But I believe there's only so much of that we can do. We can stress ourselves out by trying to protect them from all the evils in this world, and we will never succeed. We can only do so much, and the rest is up to the One who gave them to us.
Sure, there are hoodlums I wouldn't want my kids hanging around on their turf. HOWEVER, what happened to raising kids so that THEY are the influence on their peers? We can never raise perfect kids who will have perfect friends who will do perfect things. But what about doing our best possible to train them in the right way so that they know the difference between good/bad, right/wrong so that they can be the ones who speak up and make a difference in the lives of the people around them? What about that?
I understand wanting to be separate from the 'world,' but I don't think it has anything to do with disassociating ourselves with people. I think it has to do with actions, separating ourselves from certain actions.
I'm sure that there are kids I wouldn't want my kids to hang out with in their environments, but hopefully I can provide a place where any and everybody can come. Not just that but a place where people want to be because we welcome with open arms no matter what. We love.
I only HOPE to be that way. I can't say for certain that I will be and that I'll do what I say and how I imagine it. Things never turn out that way. But again, it comes down to how we love people.
There's so much more I could say and write about this, but I'm actually trying to to watch 24 and maybe cook something at the same time so I'm pretty much distracted. I will leave with something a friend wrote that goes so perfectly with my thoughts. She was visiting some dear friends and realized why she missed them so:
"These people loved me when I was slightly unlovable. We were a little rough around the edges when we first met them, and some conservative families would have pushed us away, for fear of 'contaminating' their children. These folks pulled us in and helped smooth us out, confident that the love of Jesus would far outweigh any negative effects we might have on their kids. And it did. We didn't have much in common, and we still don't! It's a diverse group of people, all loving each other right through their hang ups."
Can't we just do that?
Ode to Granny
So today is my Granny's birthday. I don't know her exact age, but that's on purpose because I don't care to know really. She's always been Granny to me. Hasn't aged or changed. Well, not to me. I know she has, but to me she's the same Granny today that she was 10 years ago.
I was around my Granny quite a bit when I was a little girl and built such a special bond with her that no matter how much distance or time passed, that bond remained.
What makes her so special? Can't really put it into words. But I can say that what I appreciate most about her (next to her cooking, of course), is the heritage that has been passed down through our family. Though our family, like every other family, has had its crazy ups and downs, Granny has been a rock. She has been faithful to God and has never stopped believing that all of her children would come to know Him. No matter how bad it got, she wasn't moved.
So happy birthday to you, Granny. Thank you for all you've sacrificed, all of your prayers, and most of all - the great food.
I was around my Granny quite a bit when I was a little girl and built such a special bond with her that no matter how much distance or time passed, that bond remained.
What makes her so special? Can't really put it into words. But I can say that what I appreciate most about her (next to her cooking, of course), is the heritage that has been passed down through our family. Though our family, like every other family, has had its crazy ups and downs, Granny has been a rock. She has been faithful to God and has never stopped believing that all of her children would come to know Him. No matter how bad it got, she wasn't moved.
So happy birthday to you, Granny. Thank you for all you've sacrificed, all of your prayers, and most of all - the great food.
Friday, January 09, 2009
How to be my BFF
I've come to realize that I'm surrounded by a pretty cool group of people. I love these people because they're imperfect, AND they also love me in spite of my imperfections. Sometimes maybe because of them.
I was recently talking with a friend who was telling me about a recent event in which she was involved. She was explaining to me how, though it was 'fun,' the expectations from the host even weeks before the event were too much to handle. She was mentally done with this even before it took place. Thankfully her role wasn't that of event planner. BUT what made this more stressful is that she was friends with the host and many of the attendees. I don't really know the people, so it was cool of her to vent her frustrations.
You know what I realized then? I have surrounded myself with friends who have no expectations from me in order to love me. It's such a freeing thing - knowing I don't have to measure up to or meet anyone's standards. What kind of love is that??? That's a very conditional kind of love which isn't really love at all. Not to me.
Just the other day, my friend, Crissi, wrote a really insightful article, in which she at one point was basically confessing her former self-righteous and judgmental ways . It reminded me of how I used to be as well. I'm sure I still have some of that in me, but I hate it. That's why I hate gossip. It's just a silly way for us to feel better about ourselves. We think, "At least we're not like such and such..." We may not say it, but we're thinking it. But yeah, I used to even judge people's character by their eating habits. Are you kidding me? No, I'm not kidding you. Although I still believe that we need to steward our bodies and therefore not become gluttons, I won't hold you in higher regard over Joe just because you're a spinach eater and he's not.
I don't think God extends himself only to people who strive to do 'good.' In fact, everything that we'll ever need to get to heaven (or attain righteousness) has already been done. I can't try to 'get' right standing with God or anyone else. It has already been done for me. Any other striving is only empty and pointless. All that striving...it's not good for us.
I think that when the man, Jesus, was on earth, he extended Himself to people that needed Him. The ones who had it all figured out...well, they had it all figured out and didn't need Him, according to them. They needed Him more than anyone but were too proud to admit it. Jesus was here for those who readily admitted their weaknesses (uh...sins or whatever) and their need for Savior.
Although Jesus came as the Savior, I don't think He was some kind of weirdo walking around town holding his head up high and mighty, too good to hang out with imperfect peeps. Because He was a man, I'm pretty sure He was like us (most of us) and had friends and stuff. AND I don't think He befriended people based on expectations. I mean, hello Judas, right? No, I think He pretty much extended His friendship to normal people who didn't have it all together. He probably had some pretty weirdo friends. At least that's how we would classify them today.
It's true. Go to any traditional church, and what happens if a homeless person walks in...or a tattooed crazy, or someone who just doesn't fit the mold? Everyone stares. We do that when we're just walking around Wal-Mart or wherever, much more in "God's House." Give me a break. That's such a load. And it's junk.
So to my point. We are not Jesus, nor should we attempt to be. What we should do is learn from Him because He was a pretty good teacher. He said so Himself...well, He wasn't bragging. He was just saying to learn from Him. At this point in life, I'm beginning to think that's a pretty good idea. It makes the world a better place when we befriend weirdos and when we befriend them with "no excuses, no exceptions, no expectations, and no reservations."
After all, you're a weirdo too.
I was recently talking with a friend who was telling me about a recent event in which she was involved. She was explaining to me how, though it was 'fun,' the expectations from the host even weeks before the event were too much to handle. She was mentally done with this even before it took place. Thankfully her role wasn't that of event planner. BUT what made this more stressful is that she was friends with the host and many of the attendees. I don't really know the people, so it was cool of her to vent her frustrations.
You know what I realized then? I have surrounded myself with friends who have no expectations from me in order to love me. It's such a freeing thing - knowing I don't have to measure up to or meet anyone's standards. What kind of love is that??? That's a very conditional kind of love which isn't really love at all. Not to me.
Just the other day, my friend, Crissi, wrote a really insightful article, in which she at one point was basically confessing her former self-righteous and judgmental ways . It reminded me of how I used to be as well. I'm sure I still have some of that in me, but I hate it. That's why I hate gossip. It's just a silly way for us to feel better about ourselves. We think, "At least we're not like such and such..." We may not say it, but we're thinking it. But yeah, I used to even judge people's character by their eating habits. Are you kidding me? No, I'm not kidding you. Although I still believe that we need to steward our bodies and therefore not become gluttons, I won't hold you in higher regard over Joe just because you're a spinach eater and he's not.
I don't think God extends himself only to people who strive to do 'good.' In fact, everything that we'll ever need to get to heaven (or attain righteousness) has already been done. I can't try to 'get' right standing with God or anyone else. It has already been done for me. Any other striving is only empty and pointless. All that striving...it's not good for us.
I think that when the man, Jesus, was on earth, he extended Himself to people that needed Him. The ones who had it all figured out...well, they had it all figured out and didn't need Him, according to them. They needed Him more than anyone but were too proud to admit it. Jesus was here for those who readily admitted their weaknesses (uh...sins or whatever) and their need for Savior.
Although Jesus came as the Savior, I don't think He was some kind of weirdo walking around town holding his head up high and mighty, too good to hang out with imperfect peeps. Because He was a man, I'm pretty sure He was like us (most of us) and had friends and stuff. AND I don't think He befriended people based on expectations. I mean, hello Judas, right? No, I think He pretty much extended His friendship to normal people who didn't have it all together. He probably had some pretty weirdo friends. At least that's how we would classify them today.
It's true. Go to any traditional church, and what happens if a homeless person walks in...or a tattooed crazy, or someone who just doesn't fit the mold? Everyone stares. We do that when we're just walking around Wal-Mart or wherever, much more in "God's House." Give me a break. That's such a load. And it's junk.
So to my point. We are not Jesus, nor should we attempt to be. What we should do is learn from Him because He was a pretty good teacher. He said so Himself...well, He wasn't bragging. He was just saying to learn from Him. At this point in life, I'm beginning to think that's a pretty good idea. It makes the world a better place when we befriend weirdos and when we befriend them with "no excuses, no exceptions, no expectations, and no reservations."
After all, you're a weirdo too.
Now They'll Fear You
I-SSUES. That's what Naticia (my SIL) and I say about my brother all the time when he complains about stuff. We jokingly always point it back to something from his childhood and tell him he can talk to us about it. We actually all do it to each other, but it's easier when it's 2 of us ganging up on one...and I'm pretty sure most of the time we gang up on my brother. Easy target. He does it to himself.
Today I was the one with serious issues, and it would've been great to have my bro and Naticia around to laugh with me. So Nathan & I were in the kitchen, and I started singing some kid's church song. I told him it was one of the few kid church songs I knew in English because my kid church time was spent in Mexico. He kinda laughed but didn't realize I was serious. I was like, "I'm for real, and I got made fun of when I was a teenager going to church because I didn't know the Christianese songs, language, and manners." I go on, "Kids are mean..." (not thinking of or referring to anyone specifically). Then I almost start crying. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I was such the drama queen. I don't even know where that came from today. I was a complete dork. I never wanted to be one of those people who blamed moods on hormones, but I will because I can. Poor Nathan responded with, "Uh...do you need to talk or something?"
The moral of the story? I don't have one, except to say that I have some serious issues if a crazy little song can almost bring me to tears...over what?? I don't even know.
So what's with the "Now they'll fear you," line? I've been watching the Godfather trilogy since yesterday. I watch these at least 3 times every year because deep down I think I'm Italian. Oh, and because they're so morally sound. :)
Today I was the one with serious issues, and it would've been great to have my bro and Naticia around to laugh with me. So Nathan & I were in the kitchen, and I started singing some kid's church song. I told him it was one of the few kid church songs I knew in English because my kid church time was spent in Mexico. He kinda laughed but didn't realize I was serious. I was like, "I'm for real, and I got made fun of when I was a teenager going to church because I didn't know the Christianese songs, language, and manners." I go on, "Kids are mean..." (not thinking of or referring to anyone specifically). Then I almost start crying. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I was such the drama queen. I don't even know where that came from today. I was a complete dork. I never wanted to be one of those people who blamed moods on hormones, but I will because I can. Poor Nathan responded with, "Uh...do you need to talk or something?"
The moral of the story? I don't have one, except to say that I have some serious issues if a crazy little song can almost bring me to tears...over what?? I don't even know.
So what's with the "Now they'll fear you," line? I've been watching the Godfather trilogy since yesterday. I watch these at least 3 times every year because deep down I think I'm Italian. Oh, and because they're so morally sound. :)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
'Tis the Season to be Pregnant
Life has drastically changed the past 2 months. Nathan & I moved to Dallas shortly after my last blog. I had planned on driving my mom up to Greenville, but she didn't feel she had recovered well enough to work 8-hr days. I'm proud of her for making that call and not pushing herself too early, something she's good at doing. During that time she decided she couldn't permanently move to Greenville. She and her husband didn't really think that he could pack up his business that quickly, and she would've had to live there alone. Too, the rest of the family lives in the Gulf Coast area, and she wants to be able to spend more and more time with her grandbabies. She will still work for the same company, but she'll work mostly from her home in El Campo. She'll travel to Greenville as needed.
Thanksgiving - Nathan & I went to the last Cowboys game that will be held at Texas Stadium on Thanksgiving Day (or any holiday). Next year they'll be at the brand new stadium in Arlington. We had a great time, and I would've taken pictures, but we've yet to replace the broken camera. We had AMAZING seats, thanks to our friend, Andy, and we sat next to some dudes that kept us laughing...AND they bought me a hat and Nathan some food because they felt bad about inconveniencing us literally every 7 minutes when they got up to use the facilities (we had the isle seats). We told them the gifts weren't necessary, but when someone insists, take it.
Christmas - since I was helping out at an office during the holidays, we stayed home and did our own thing. We had wanted to volunteer by serving meals at a soup kitchen, but I woke up with the yuckies...because I am now with child. We got to surprise our families with that great news on Christmas Day and little by little are passing the news on to our friends. So you may or may not have heard the news by now. I don't even know who reads this anymore. It's like this - you invite people to read your blogs, they do, they get bored but will still read them every once in a while. Then if you stop for a while, it's over. In our family bad news and gossip gets around quickly, but if it's good news, it takes a while for the word to spread. Isn't that just like us...humans?
Anyway, I'm due in late August. We're planning on a mid-wife and already have some great references. I think I'll begin calling them within the next couple of weeks. It's funny - it's like the home-birthing community is its own separate ...community. I don't even know how to explain it. My home-birthing friends and I think it's totally and completely normal and natural to give birth at home. The ones who don't will be like, "Well, make sure the birth center or whatever is near the hospital because there are always emergencies. When I..." and they go on to tell me their experience. I'm glad for both groups of friends. I'm thankful that I have friends who care and share their knowledge and experiences with me. I'm glad they share and then give me the freedom to make my own decision without judgment.
How am I feeling? I pretty much have constant nausea. Most of the time it's not bad; it's just there. When I gets bad, I just close my eyes, take sips of water and think of anything other than hamburgers. I craved those for about a week, but the thought of them now almost sends me running to the bathroom. Please don't talk about or eat them around me. Cravings - haven't had them like a wild-woman, but when a craving hits, it hits hard. Nathan's been so nice about going out at odd times to get me stuff.
So now that we're kinda getting back in the groove of things, I can attempt to blog more regularly.
Thanksgiving - Nathan & I went to the last Cowboys game that will be held at Texas Stadium on Thanksgiving Day (or any holiday). Next year they'll be at the brand new stadium in Arlington. We had a great time, and I would've taken pictures, but we've yet to replace the broken camera. We had AMAZING seats, thanks to our friend, Andy, and we sat next to some dudes that kept us laughing...AND they bought me a hat and Nathan some food because they felt bad about inconveniencing us literally every 7 minutes when they got up to use the facilities (we had the isle seats). We told them the gifts weren't necessary, but when someone insists, take it.
Christmas - since I was helping out at an office during the holidays, we stayed home and did our own thing. We had wanted to volunteer by serving meals at a soup kitchen, but I woke up with the yuckies...because I am now with child. We got to surprise our families with that great news on Christmas Day and little by little are passing the news on to our friends. So you may or may not have heard the news by now. I don't even know who reads this anymore. It's like this - you invite people to read your blogs, they do, they get bored but will still read them every once in a while. Then if you stop for a while, it's over. In our family bad news and gossip gets around quickly, but if it's good news, it takes a while for the word to spread. Isn't that just like us...humans?
Anyway, I'm due in late August. We're planning on a mid-wife and already have some great references. I think I'll begin calling them within the next couple of weeks. It's funny - it's like the home-birthing community is its own separate ...community. I don't even know how to explain it. My home-birthing friends and I think it's totally and completely normal and natural to give birth at home. The ones who don't will be like, "Well, make sure the birth center or whatever is near the hospital because there are always emergencies. When I..." and they go on to tell me their experience. I'm glad for both groups of friends. I'm thankful that I have friends who care and share their knowledge and experiences with me. I'm glad they share and then give me the freedom to make my own decision without judgment.
How am I feeling? I pretty much have constant nausea. Most of the time it's not bad; it's just there. When I gets bad, I just close my eyes, take sips of water and think of anything other than hamburgers. I craved those for about a week, but the thought of them now almost sends me running to the bathroom. Please don't talk about or eat them around me. Cravings - haven't had them like a wild-woman, but when a craving hits, it hits hard. Nathan's been so nice about going out at odd times to get me stuff.
So now that we're kinda getting back in the groove of things, I can attempt to blog more regularly.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Broken
Everything is breaking. Last week it was weird, un-heard of companies stealing $$ from me (yes, they really did and I'm the one who has to jump through hoops to make it right). Sunday morning - my espresso machine, Sunday evening - my camera. The espresso machine...I don't know. It pulled shots for my mom's latte, but then it wouldn't for mine. I haven't tried it since. My camera - in a hand-off to someone, they dropped it, and now it no longer works. Out of all of those, right now I'm upset about the camera because I've dealt with the $$ issue, and the espresso machine...well, it's not as upsetting as the camera. I CAN live without daily lattes. I wasn't even using it regularly anyways. The camera, however, goes (went) everywhere with me just like my phone does (did). Memories - I love making them, and the best way to capture them is now gone. I'm such the drama queen, but really, how annoying is it that I'll have to find a new one? So does the external turmoil reveal inner distress? Blahaha. I'm not that deep.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Firenze II
Enter the gardens...where by the way, we somehow attained VIP status. People were ever-so jealous when we got to skip the security line celebrity-style. It's too bad we didn't get a picture of that moment.
A lady asked us to take a picture of her between these to stats, and she was very adamant about making sure we got the entire statues, including their heads, in the shot. Upon returning the favor, however, she forgot the heads in our picture.
A moment of relaxation.
Then we saw this guy, and it was down hill from there.
And then we settle down and walk more streets in Firenze. This is by far one of my favorite photos from Italy. It speaks so much.
You'll never taste pizza like this anywhere else in the world...
...or Italian gelato...
(not frowning because of the gelato. something weird going on in the streets)
And the fruit...
Taking a much-needed break at the hostel.
A lady asked us to take a picture of her between these to stats, and she was very adamant about making sure we got the entire statues, including their heads, in the shot. Upon returning the favor, however, she forgot the heads in our picture.
A moment of relaxation.
Then we saw this guy, and it was down hill from there.
And then we settle down and walk more streets in Firenze. This is by far one of my favorite photos from Italy. It speaks so much.
You'll never taste pizza like this anywhere else in the world...
...or Italian gelato...
(not frowning because of the gelato. something weird going on in the streets)
And the fruit...
Taking a much-needed break at the hostel.
Firenze
Florence is the home of the ever-famous David, the Pitti palace, and the Boboli Gardens. The River Arno runs through the city, and the city is surprisingly pretty cool altogether. That wasn't my first opinion of the city. The walk from the train station to our hostel upon our arrival reminded me of Mexico somewhat. Not that I don't love my native country, but I just wanted to see something different. Our first evening did just that.
Hostel sweetness.
At the park, mapping out and preparing for Florence.
The most amazing tiramisu...
...at our favorite Italian ristorante (this go around anyway), Zio Gigi...
View from our hostel rooftop.
La iglesia.
Streets of Florence.
As the sun rose.
More Florence to come.
Hostel sweetness.
At the park, mapping out and preparing for Florence.
The most amazing tiramisu...
...at our favorite Italian ristorante (this go around anyway), Zio Gigi...
View from our hostel rooftop.
La iglesia.
Streets of Florence.
As the sun rose.
More Florence to come.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Because I'm tired of H&C tonight...
Randomness because I'm tired of the news this hour. So, you get to know me better.
Where is the person you miss most?
Kansas...but headed to Dallas soon.
Whats your current problem?
LOL. Seriously?
Do you keep grudges,or can you let them go easily?
I used to be terrible at letting things go. I'm a little more like butter now.
Could you go a day without eating?
Once in a while.
Who was the last person to smoke a cigarette in your presence?
I don't remember. If I'm out and someone lights up, I typically walk away...unless it's a friend, then I pull it out and smoke it myself. Just kidding!
Is there a high chance of you going out to the movies soon?
What is soon? In the next 2 weeks, prolly not.
What sport do you enjoy watching?
Football. So glad it's football season.
Do you find tattoos attractive?
Only if they cover your entire body. lol.
Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?
With Nicorette (is that what it's called?). And what's with all these smoking questions?
Where's the last place you went?
Outside. Quick walk with the mom.
Last thing you ate?
Microwaved wanna-be Chinese. I hate the microwave.
Last game you played?
Game...hmmm...I don't think I've played a game this entire year. How terrible.
How good is coca-cola?
Though it typically doesn't fit in my lifestyle, I can't resist a CHERRY Coke with some popcorn at the movies.
Who was the last person you were in a car with?
ugh? My momma.
Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you?
I don't know.
What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching the craziness.
Do you fight with your parents often?
No way. My mom's way too AWESOME for that.
How many texts are in your inbox?
Don't know. I'm working with this Wal-Mart phone that I still can't operate. Can't wait to get my G1.
Are you excited for anything?
Living with my husband again.
What's the greatest thing that you did today?
Lol. Umm...took a shower...???
Tell me about the shirt you're wearing?
Gray. I love gray clothing. It could take over my closet...I mean, my suitcases. Oh, and there's a yellow bird on it.
What do you currently hear?
Joe, the plumber, on H&C.
When was the last time you had your hair cut?
September. It's already grown like 2 inches. This is what stinks about short cuts on me.
When were you last outside?
A couple of hours ago.
Does your head hurt?
Nope.
Are you happy right now?
Sure.
Do you wish someone was with you right now?
Are you kidding me?
Is someone on your mind right now?
Uh, actually lots of someones.
Do you need to say anything to someone?
Most of them know.
When was the last time you were disappointed?
"Disappointment is a lover's word..." (The Interpreter.)
Um, prolly not a good question for me to answer.
What was something you disliked about your day?
The ridiculous emails with ridiculous comments about our new Pres-Elect. Opinions is one thing; rude stuff is another.
How does your hair look?
Crazy.
Is there anyone you would like to get things straight with?
Like Jess, I think I'm 'straight' with everyone.
Are you sleepy?
Not yet.
Anything you need to do?
Exercise. Eat well. Stop the laziness. Read a little. Grow a backbone.
If you were in the hospital would your family come see you?
I'm pretty sure. Ya.
Hows your heart been lately?
Sedentary.
Did you ever see the movie Pearl Harbor?
Yep.
Can you say all 50 states in alphabetic order?
Oh yeah. I learned this song in 4th grade that will stay with me forever.
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
About 6 I think.
Are you loud?
If you ask Nathan, yes.
Where is the person you miss most?
Kansas...but headed to Dallas soon.
Whats your current problem?
LOL. Seriously?
Do you keep grudges,or can you let them go easily?
I used to be terrible at letting things go. I'm a little more like butter now.
Could you go a day without eating?
Once in a while.
Who was the last person to smoke a cigarette in your presence?
I don't remember. If I'm out and someone lights up, I typically walk away...unless it's a friend, then I pull it out and smoke it myself. Just kidding!
Is there a high chance of you going out to the movies soon?
What is soon? In the next 2 weeks, prolly not.
What sport do you enjoy watching?
Football. So glad it's football season.
Do you find tattoos attractive?
Only if they cover your entire body. lol.
Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?
With Nicorette (is that what it's called?). And what's with all these smoking questions?
Where's the last place you went?
Outside. Quick walk with the mom.
Last thing you ate?
Microwaved wanna-be Chinese. I hate the microwave.
Last game you played?
Game...hmmm...I don't think I've played a game this entire year. How terrible.
How good is coca-cola?
Though it typically doesn't fit in my lifestyle, I can't resist a CHERRY Coke with some popcorn at the movies.
Who was the last person you were in a car with?
ugh? My momma.
Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you?
I don't know.
What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching the craziness.
Do you fight with your parents often?
No way. My mom's way too AWESOME for that.
How many texts are in your inbox?
Don't know. I'm working with this Wal-Mart phone that I still can't operate. Can't wait to get my G1.
Are you excited for anything?
Living with my husband again.
What's the greatest thing that you did today?
Lol. Umm...took a shower...???
Tell me about the shirt you're wearing?
Gray. I love gray clothing. It could take over my closet...I mean, my suitcases. Oh, and there's a yellow bird on it.
What do you currently hear?
Joe, the plumber, on H&C.
When was the last time you had your hair cut?
September. It's already grown like 2 inches. This is what stinks about short cuts on me.
When were you last outside?
A couple of hours ago.
Does your head hurt?
Nope.
Are you happy right now?
Sure.
Do you wish someone was with you right now?
Are you kidding me?
Is someone on your mind right now?
Uh, actually lots of someones.
Do you need to say anything to someone?
Most of them know.
When was the last time you were disappointed?
"Disappointment is a lover's word..." (The Interpreter.)
Um, prolly not a good question for me to answer.
What was something you disliked about your day?
The ridiculous emails with ridiculous comments about our new Pres-Elect. Opinions is one thing; rude stuff is another.
How does your hair look?
Crazy.
Is there anyone you would like to get things straight with?
Like Jess, I think I'm 'straight' with everyone.
Are you sleepy?
Not yet.
Anything you need to do?
Exercise. Eat well. Stop the laziness. Read a little. Grow a backbone.
If you were in the hospital would your family come see you?
I'm pretty sure. Ya.
Hows your heart been lately?
Sedentary.
Did you ever see the movie Pearl Harbor?
Yep.
Can you say all 50 states in alphabetic order?
Oh yeah. I learned this song in 4th grade that will stay with me forever.
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
About 6 I think.
Are you loud?
If you ask Nathan, yes.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
History
What a day and what a night, hey? Today I didn't care if I was like everyone else. I watched the drama unfold most of the day, except when I took my mom to vote and when my aunt brought over the best strawberry cupcakes with pink icing. They were huge, and I ate my entire cupcake. I love cupcakes because there's just something about enjoying your own delicacy rather than a slice from a big cake.
So you know what I was annoyed with today? Dumb emails from people trying to persuade me to vote one way or the other. Seriously? If an email is going to change my mind at this point in time, then we're in worse shape than I thought. And trying to tell me that I should vote this way because I believe in God or that way for the same reason is pretty annoying as well. We will always disagree on something. I mean, there are how many religions out there?? Even in Christianity, there are so many denominations - why? Because people disagree on something or other. Just my thoughts.
But you know what? I am glad that people are showing enough concern, and 10 years ago I might have been one of those emailers. Not only that, but I really do enjoy hearing different points of view. I've said it before, I love our differences because it's what makes the world go round. Hopefully, we can all be mature enough to look past those differences and love each other when it's all said and done. Love all.
You know what else was annoying? The ignorant comments people are making about either candidate.
So we have a winner, folks. And I'm still up listening to these anchors.
So you know what I was annoyed with today? Dumb emails from people trying to persuade me to vote one way or the other. Seriously? If an email is going to change my mind at this point in time, then we're in worse shape than I thought. And trying to tell me that I should vote this way because I believe in God or that way for the same reason is pretty annoying as well. We will always disagree on something. I mean, there are how many religions out there?? Even in Christianity, there are so many denominations - why? Because people disagree on something or other. Just my thoughts.
But you know what? I am glad that people are showing enough concern, and 10 years ago I might have been one of those emailers. Not only that, but I really do enjoy hearing different points of view. I've said it before, I love our differences because it's what makes the world go round. Hopefully, we can all be mature enough to look past those differences and love each other when it's all said and done. Love all.
You know what else was annoying? The ignorant comments people are making about either candidate.
So we have a winner, folks. And I'm still up listening to these anchors.
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