Last week, I received TWO fun surprises...first - this adorable owl necklace. It came to me without a note...so I spent a few days trying to figure out which of my FABULOUS friends might've sent it. The first person that popped in my brain was LEAH...and I was right!!!!!! This owl looks Leah-ish. :) It brightened my week!!! The second package came from the Great Northwest. It's contents were ~ Ninja Turtle kneesocks, a Kermit PEZ dispenser, and an owl mirror/compact. The owl has a mustache and when I turned it over, there is a mustache on the mirror. It cracks me up and reminds me of my bestie!!! I have some of the nicest friends a girl could ever hope for... :)
The other morning while sorting through my under-the-bed box of stamps, I had an epiphany!!! I cannot believe this notion never crossed my mind before...
I, Angie Good, am going to stamp
with every single stamp I own.
Not all at once, as I am sure my
friend Kari is reading this and
thinking, Oh dear, I am going to
get some "special" cards in my mailbox. :)
Not so, my friend. No need to fear.
I am going to sort through all of my stamps. My goal is to make 4 cards with each stamp - one for my mom, one for Kari, one for Nancy, and one for me. While going through my stamp collection in this fashion, I am hoping it will afford me the opportunity to purge through what I have vs. what I really use and like. I am thinking that this stamping project will be like my spring/summer closet project ~ the whole turning-my-hangers-around-to-see-what-I-really-wear-and-donate-the-unworn-to-the-Goodwill.
I've accepted a speaking role in our Christmas cantata. I honestly had absolute peace about doing this. I must admit, at first, I was apprehensive. I've been known - in times past - to say "yes" just for the sake of being a blessing. Turns out that sometimes the Lord wants you to say "no" so that someone else can say "yes." I've been learning this on my journey of life. It's taken me a bit...but, by George, I believe I have caught on...maybe a smidge-bit. :)
Anywho...my character's name is Anne. She's kind of negative. One of her lines particularly breaks my heart - she tells another lady (who does not have children) that once this other lady has childre, she will then know the meaning of being busy. It always makes me sad when people say insensitive things like this...I know that the people in the script are fictional. But in real life -- THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!! Some people aren't able to have children and when you make general statements like this - it hurts. Same thing when you tell a single person that married people are more busy (i.e. more important) than they are. We all have a special place and purpose.
My character and I would probably not be close friends... or maybe we would be close friends if I took the opportunity to be REAL and let her know how hurtful her comments were/are.
(Sigh.)
I've been on a card-making binge (for lack of a better word). I believe I have over 100 cards made. Several are for Christmas... You may remember that last year, I did not send cards...well, truth be told, I think I sent 5. Tops. This year, I've been working diligently to get them ready to go in the mail in a timely manner. "Timely manner" means before Christmas Eve.
Well, there are sooo many other thoughts running through my pretty, little head...but I am out of time. My break is coming to an end so I will have to let you go.
A brand-new month. October. As we turn the page and hide the cram-packed month of September, I cannot help but turn my thoughts to gratitude. Gratitude in that the Lord helped me through a busy, busy month. And gratitude that He has allowed me another day to serve Him.
September was full of activities.
Travel out of town
A surprise birthday party
A sad goodbye
A salad supper
Farmtastic
Assembling a gazillion invitations
A leisure weekend
Choir practice starting up again
A change in Sunday school roles
Many intense projects at work
A coffee outing with the girls
Jury duty
A haircut
All of these items took time. I've been thinking a lot about my time and how I allocate my time. Rushing from one event to another leaves little time for rest & true relaxation and it also leaves me vulnerable for coming unglued.
A September ended, I prayerfully made a resolution to keep my October from getting over-stuffed. Before saying "yes" to anything, I am going to pray and consider each item. I've asked the Lord to help me in this endeavor - as it is my natural response to say, "Yes" when I should maybe say, "No, thank you." I have a tendency to get so wrapped up in wanting to be helpful that I forget that saying, "No" is equally helpful -- it's helpful to me. Saying "No" allows someone else the opportunity to be a blessing. How does my October look... Week #1: Ladies Bible study, dinner with a friend, and Christmas Cantata introduction party Week #2: Columbus Day holiday -> stamping with Nancy Week #3: My last sad goodbye & celebrating National Boss Day. Week #4: Stamping extravaganza @ the end of the week Week #5: Celebrate the beginning of November
I have a friend who reads what I email her and wittily comments. She, also, reads what I don't write and knows when something is amok. She knew yesterday that something was wrong because of what I didn't say. She took the time to call me last night. She let me be...well, she let me be ME. "I don't do well when I have things planned every day of the week." ~ I lamented.
My charming friend listened with a sympathetic ear. Her advice - cut something. "Is there anything that you can say 'no' too?" my charming friends asked. "Not really. Not right now," the curly haired girl replied.
This week - now that it's Friday and I can safely look back to Monday - reminds me of cookie dough. You take a variety of ingredients and mix them all up...during the mixing-up, it's not pretty. It's not pretty at all. Eggs, sugar, butter, flour, baking soda (or is it powder? I haven't baked chocolate chip cookies in sooo long!), etc. All of those ingredients get thrown in a bowl and then mixed-up...like my week...
Jury duty (2 days) + trying to squeeze in trips to the gym (which is what I needed to do) + normal Bible study + meetings + coming back in to work after having my mini-two-day-jury-duty-vaycay + packing for retreat + making sure I had the craft supplies for retreat + getting groceries and the list goes on and on and on and on...
You see where I am going with that.
I'm pretty sure jury duty was the proverbial straw that broke the poor camel's back. Can you imagine having a broken back? The pain that the poor camel must be in...I mean HELLO -- he has humps on his back too. Ouch!
Where was I? I digress. Oh - yes, jury duty. It was exhausting. All day Wednesday, I kept mentally replaying all that I heard over the course of the two days...all that wasn't said by the witnesses. I don't know how people recover from serving on juries for extended periods of time.
Last night - I cashed my $13 jury duty paychecks and treated myself to a manicure and a tall iced beverage from Starbucks. I sooo wanted to post on Facebook, "Thank you, criminals of Winnebago County for making my manicure and iced beverage possible"...but I thought twice and realized that wasn't quite appropriate. It was funny but wrong.
Here it is Friday and I have pretty fingernails. They are a pink sparkly color. My cuticles look fabulous.
My car is loaded up with all my retreat supplies - bedding, clothes, jammies, craft supplies, etc. I have one hour left in my workday and then I will be heading up to Camp Joy. I'm thankful that I will have 2 passengers - our choir director's wife and their lovely son. The Lord knew that I needed a passenger (or two :)) to help make the trip up more enjoyable and less lonely.
Our retreat theme is contentment. Our speaker Mrs. Gliser. Details to follow.
Have a lovely weekend, Blog-stalkers!!! Go to the apple orchard!!! Enjoy this Autumn-ish weather we are having!!! As I look out and see the squirrels scurrying about gathering nuts, I have to wonder if we are going to have an "early" winter. Hmmmm...it's something to consider.
Hello Blog-Stalkers. How are you? We haven’t
chatted since last Friday which was 6 days ago if you count today…and since
it’s after 3 p.m., I am totally counting today. Wow!6 whole days.You are probably dying of curiosity to know what I, the girl with curly
hair, have been up too, right? Well…it’s been remarkable, to say the least.
Friday – after work, I managed to bribe myself
with the promise of a chick flick and comfy jimmies, if I went home and cleaned
the cottage.It worked like a
charm.See, I’m a simple sorta gal. Oh,
I did skip the gym on Friday…mostly because my friend Lauren and I are doing
the “Girl Power Weights” at the gym and my arms were killing me.It was dreadful.How do birds flap their wings and migrate
hundreds of miles? I would not make a good bird.I’m just sayin’.
Where was I?Oh yes…the
chick flick of choice…drumroll
please…You’ve Got Mail. Meg Ryan
and Tom Hanks. I love this classic movie! Boy and girl meet in cyber world.
They email and fall in love. Months later, they decide to meet. Boy realizes
who the girl is – his
enemy – and
then boy works diligently to woo girl…(sigh)Makes me want to grab a
piece of dark chocolate and press PLAY.
Saturday – I got a haircut and thankfully Missy worked her
magic on my highlights. While relaxing and knitting mid a sea of tinfoil (which
I am pretty sure I could’ve
picked up radio stations in Seattle!),
my dear friend Mrs. T came in.We had
such a lovely little chat while Missy worked more magic on Mrs. T.You know what – I’m convinced God sends us little blessings when He
puts people in our paths…First it was Mrs. T at the hair place…and then on Monday,
when I had jury duty – He
sent my choir-neighbor DeDe.What a HUGE
blessing it was to see a familiar face in the sea of other potential
jurors.And three cheers for Facebook
status updates because that is how I found DeDe!!!Well, Facebook and my friend Lauren.
Where was I?Oh yes –
Saturday.Bergner’s on North Second Street
has a Clearance Room now.It’s official.They put a big banner on the side of their
store. Inside the clearance room – bedding, shoes, boots, more bedding, other
linens, etc.The shoes and boots were
$29 and under. I didn’t
purchase any.My trip in to the
Clearance Room was for research purposes only.
After the research trip, I went back to the
cottage where I spent the remainder of my Saturday. Don’t you just love being
at home? I do. Given the choice of being out-and-about or being at home, I
would hands-down pick staying home. Seriously! The cottage is so comfy and
cozy.
I digress. I digress often, don’t I? You can be honest
and agree. It won’t
hurt my feelings nor will it change my digressing-tendencies.
Sunday was marvelous. We discussed Daniel and the
lions’ den.
After church, I managed to squeeze in a quick work-out. It was very relaxing. I
knew that the next week would not afford me many opportunities to get to the
gym sooo I made good use of my free-time. My Sunday evening concluded with a
trip to the red bull’s eye
to find a watch. I figured I had better get a time-telling-device because of my
jury duty commitment the following day.
A watch was procured and a good night’s sleep was had by all
inhabitants of the cottage.
Monday morning began bright and early for yours truly.After a fabulous court-worthy outfit was
chosen – dark jeans, brown sweater, Autumn Leaves scarf, and brown stacked-heel
loafters…I was ready for my first day of jury duty.I have never been summoned to jury duty
before.
I have to
admit that the parking situation in downtown Rockford had me more nervous than the actual
appearing and being questioned in the jury box.I really, really, really did not want to get a parking ticket.When I got near the downtown correctional
facility, I saw a police officer who seemed like a kind gentleman who would be
more than happy to aid a damsel in distress (aka:Me!).He was quite helpful and informed me that the parking lot I was an ideal
place to park.I thanked him many times
and pulled in to a parking spot.
Realizing
I had about 15 minutes ‘til my appointed time, I meandered down State Street -
noting a cute coffeeshop on State
Street.It’s called Restoration and ran by the Rockford Rescue Mission.It’s open from 7:30 to 2 p.m. everyday –
Monday through Friday.I recall Trudy
telling me they had great coffee…mark that place down for a potential lunch
stop.
When I
arrived at the courthouse, I wasn’t sure what to expect.I guess I thought the building would’ve been
more glamorous.I was wrong.When you enter the courthouse, you are
subject to a metal search.
Did you
know that knitting needles are “safe” according to Delta Airlines, Alaska Air,
and every-other airline.Knitting
needles are considered “WEAPONS” at the county courthouse.Here’s my theory…
The day I
see the Ninja Turtles using knitting needles to nab the bad guys…or even Chuck
Norris wielding size 10 purple knitting needles to catch a criminal, then and
ONLY then will I believe that knitting needles are dangerous and/or weapons.Until that point…I will resign myself to know
within my heart of hearts that knitting needles are, infact, quite safe.
Goodness.
Thankfully
I was able to determine said knitting needles are unsafe before they were
confiscated.I left my knitting bag
containing the needle “weaponry” in my Corolla.
After
sitting in a large room with approximately 100 others for 2 hours, we were
dismissed for lunch.We were informed to
report back at 1:30.I thought this was
very generous – a 2.5 hour lunch break!!!My destination lunch spot was Restoration.An over-sized, comfy leather chair with an
ottoman was where I partook of my lunch and small decaf coffee.It was reminiscent of being at the
cottage…the stuffed chair, the ottoman, and the cup o’decaf coffee.It was a marvelous, relaxing lunch break.
Upon
arriving back at the 5th floor juror waiting area, I discovered that
my choir-mate DeDe was in the same room!Who would’ve thunk?We were able
to sit and chit-chat for a few minutes before she was called out with the
second group.I was in the third group.
After
questions galore…my 2 favorites…what are your hobbies?Knitting, reading, and working-out.And how do you get your news?I informed the attorney (and I quote), “I
read the Fox News ticker at the gym and my co-workers.”
I was
selected to be one of the 12.
I went
home Monday night literally exhausted.I
hit the gym only because that’s what good girls do.After the gym, it was supper, jimmies, and in
bed by 8:45.
Tuesday –
trial day.
Nothing
really exciting to report.We waded
through evidence.We spent over an hour
making our decisions.It’s funny because
the verdict that took the longest was the one that…
A)the defendant claimed that he did
do it;
B)the
witness said she saw him do it;
C)the
police were convinced through deduction that he had done it
I kept
thinking, WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?THE
GUY SAID HE DID IT!
After
that thought, the next thought through my pretty, little head was…I’m so
thankful that I read the book Unglued because I realize that I cannot change
this situation.I can only control my
reaction.I need to be calm and
confident. Coming unglued won’t change a thing – other than my blood pressure.
6:20ish –
decision made.We were done.
After the
verdicts were read and everything was concluded, the judge came in to our juror
room and talked candidly with us about the legal system and how appreciative he
was of each of us for taking time to perform our civil duty.
The
neatest part of the whole experience was – it felt like I was on a field trip.As I sat there soaking in the whole
experience, I couldn’t help but utter a “Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful
opportunity to see how our court system works and to be a part of this.”Even when we were in that tiny room and we
weren’t all on the same page – I knew that everything would be ok and that the
Lord would direct us to the right
verdict.
I believe
I arrived at home around 7 p.m.I was
completely wore-out.The only glimmer of
hope was that tomorrow (Wednesday), I would be able to return to work.Return to my crazies.Return to my normal routine.Be able to be outside on my lunch break.Drink coffee and come & go mostly as I
please.
If the
rumor is true, my name will be withdrawn from the jury pool for the next 12
months.Hip hip hooray!This is one rumor that I hope is completely
true.
And here
it is Wednesday already…middle of the week.It seems surreal.It feels like
I’ve been gone longer than just 4 days (if you count the weekend and let’s
count it!)…
Who
would’ve thunk that work would be such a joy!!!
Sooo today was the blood drive at work. Twice a year the Rock Valley Blood Center sends their pink bloodmobile to my place of employment for a Blood Drive. It's a wonderful way to help others...giving them blood. It really is the gift that keeps on giving.
I signed-up for a later in the day slot...not thinking at all that I would spend the entire day fretting the thought of being impaled by a needle. It's how I am. It's what I do. :) Just keepin' it real...
To prove that I was kind of a mess today...
8:05 this morning
Me: Insert babbling about my morning to my co-worker
Said favorite co-worker: "Sooooo how many cups of coffee have you had this morning?"
Me: (pointing to my mug infront of me): "One at the cottage and this half-a-mug here. Why?"
Favorite co-worker: "Are you sure?"
Me: "Yes, oh, but you know what it is?" (Insert miniscule pause) "I am donating blood today and the needle creeps me out...even thinking about it." (The entire last part was said as a run-on sentence.)
Favorite co-worker: "That explains sooo much!"
Later in the day after donating blood...
Me: "I am kinda like a superhero. I donated blood and saved lives. Oh - but WAIT - I don't have a cape on"
Same favorite co-worker: "Aren't you wearing a cape?"
Me: "No Silly. This is a poncho/shawl thing."
I am thankful that I was busy today at work because had I not been busy....danger-danger. I would've spent the entire day contemplating that wretched needle impalement!!!
I started a new knitting project. It's a Christmas present. It's a ribbed-cowl scarf. I found the pattern online. (Hip hip hooray for online free knitting patterns!!!) You use circular knitting needles. Cast on 88 stitches (or any multiple of 4). Knit 2, Purl 2. Repeat the ribbed pattern until the cowl measures 10". Cast-off. Simple! I actually said that like this....
"SIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMM-PULLLLL!" :)
Tonight I am being forced to skip the gym - per the nice blood bank lady that stabbed me. :) It's such a dreary Thursday that I am going to leave work and head straight for the cottage where I plan to don my flannel jammies & slippers...make a mug o'tea...put in the DVD Big Miracle (many thanks to Nancy for finding that on Half-Dot-Com's website!!!!!)...and relax. Donating blood took a lot out of me. Literally a pint of blood. One pound. Can you believe it? That's all it took. I learned from my impaler...
It will take my body 72 hours to re-create the 1 pound of fluid I am currently without AND it will take my body approximately 45 days to re-create the red blood cells. Sooooo I will be good as new (or atleast as good as September 13th before circa 3 p.m.) by November 1st-ish...
Oh - yesterday I did get the package mailed across the pond. I'm looking forward to seeing how long it takes to make it to its destination. I want to remember this for future packages -- if it's under 4 pounds, it must go Priority. Over 4 pounds and we have options. :)
Happy Thursday!!!
P.S. The impaler was making chit-chat about the apple orchard and now I want to go...
Sometimes I compose blog posts in my head...and now that I am without a computer at the cottage, I find myself posting imaginary blog posts MORE now than ever before. Scary, the thoughts that go through my pretty, little head. :) Yet, you keep coming back for more. Who's the crazy one now? (Laughing.)
Well, my friend and I started a new ab work-out and let me tell you...as weird as it's going to sound...I kinda enjoy it. Not in a weird, deranged sort-of way...I don't need my head examined. I like it mostly because I think it's going to work. I love this piece of equipment at the gym that I refer to as "The Twister" -- it does what it says. Twists and works your oh-bleaks. Phonetics. I heart them. Well...we've given "The Twister" a break and we now use weighted exercise balls. We do three reps of several different motions. I love the 2nd set because I tell myself, "Angie Good" (yes, I use my first and last name when I chat with myself in my head!), "Angie Good, you are 2/3 of the way done." Can you imagine what my blog would be like if I wrote every single thought that was going through my head? I will save that for another day...maybe in the winter when I am snowed-in...and have consumed my body weight in Dark Hot Chocolate...and maybe some of those gluten-free muffins that I love ever so much. I digress. I digress often. :)
I feel like I have so much to tell you and share...but now that I am sitting here at a computer, I cannot remember and it makes me sad. Let me think...
Last night I put together a care package for my friend who's currently residing "Over the pond." I would blog about what I put in it - but then when she stalks my blog, she will know before it arrives. I'm really excited about sending her this package. Oh - and this Friday, she's going to join us for coffee...via Facetime. Yahoooo! I miss her.
I'm getting in the mood to start knitting Christmas presents. I have the yarn to make 3 cowl-scarfy things. Gray, black, brown and purple. Oops - I guess that's 4. My mistake. I forgot about the purple yarn until I mentally pictured my yarn basket and realized the 4th. I will post pictures of them. I'm going to use the simple pattern that I found last winter.
Well, I think shall publish this post and call it a day. Not really a day...it's only 3:20 Central Standard Time.
Do you ever feel yourself
coming to the end of your rope and knowing that something has to give in order
for you to remain “sane”?I had that
moment on Friday.I had had a long week
at work and I knew that if I did not remove something from my weekend To Do
list that I would be frazzled, crazy, and not quite myself…and who really wants
to be around someone who’s frazzled?Not
me.You see – I don’t even want to be
around a frazzled version of myself.There you have it.The whole
truth and nothing but the truth.There
are times when I take on too many things and then none of the things get the
best version of me.They get a worn-out,
semi-cranky, not-really-wanting-to-be-there and clearly-not-a-blessing me.And that’s sad but oh, so true.
Sooo Friday night after
working-out with Lauren, I went home and immediately began cleaning the
cottage.I cleaned as if my life
depended on the cleanliness of my humble dwellings.I swept, vacuumed, scrubbed the floor and
dusted and did laundry as if were back at PCC performing a White Glove cleaning
to avoid demerits.Yes, demerits.I only received them one for White Glove and
when I did not re-clean the item in question, the lovely dean removed all the
W.G. demerits.All 5 of them.(Smiles.)
After cleaning, I donned my
jimmies and watched the movie Big Miracle.It’s based on a true story.In
1988, three whales were trapped off of northern Alaska.I vaguely remember this happening.The movie is well-written.
On Saturday, the one thing
that got scratched off my To Do list was the church picnic.Something had to give…and I am realizing that
no matter what I say “no” to that someone won’t be happy with me.Either it will be others who don’t understand
why I need to say “no” or it will be frazzled, disgruntled me that will be unhappy
with myself for NOT saying “no.”I have
to pick and choose and realize that I cannot make every single person
happy.Some people go their whole lives
and never learn this – and they end-up burned-out or always stressed-out and
overwhelmed.I don’t believe these are
pleasing to the Lord.
I spent the majority of the
day at the cottage – leaving only once for errands and a quick stop at the
gym.It was so relaxing and
enjoyable.Every now and then, it’s nice
to just be home and not have to rush about.
My September is crammed full
of activities…and I knew that starting the weekend with a relaxing sort-of
Saturday was a splendid way to start the month of busy-ness.
I managed to haul in all of
my fall decorations and get summer packed away nicely.I sorted through several storage totes and
managed to go through a box of pictures.Oh, the memories.The 2001 trip
to Rhode Island
for a special Thanksgiving with the sweetest elderly couple and my friend
Mandy.I found my old library work
ID.Old plane ticket stubs.A pile of emails from the weatherman.Most of these items went in to the recycle
bin.A few of them – I held on too…I’m sentimental
like that.
This time seeing the Rhode Island pictures
did not hurt.I looked at myself and
remembered the girl I was then and considered how much life has changed since
that time…and it didn’t make me sad.I
realize that my Father has planned it all and this is His perfect plan for my
life.The girl in the picture didn’t
know heart-break and how to relate to others who were hurting.The girl in the mirror now – she knows.She has more compassion than the girl in the
picture.
Sunday ~ I realized that I
had made a mistake and studied for the wrong lesson.Somehow in my brain, I thought I had read
that I was to teach the children about Daniel in the lions’ den.It seemed odd because that experience
happened near the end of Daniel’s life…and why was the curriculum skipping over
the beginning of Daniel’s life?It
seemed strange to me.Well, I should’ve
double-checked the week.Instead of
preparing for Fall Week 1 ~ I was on Fall Week 3.Thankfully I had been reading through the
life of Daniel for my devotions so I just shared with the children what I had
been studying and learning.
I’ve since triple-checked
next week’s lesson.It is the events of
Daniel chapter 2.Yeah!!!Now I am paranoid about teaching the wrong
lesson.What’s amazing is that the Lord
had me read the right text for my devotions, I just studied and prepared for a
lesson that is 2 weeks away.He knows
best.And well, the lesson has been
learned.The girl with curly hair will
double-check the lesson number from now on.
After Sunday school ~ I spent
the afternoon organizing verse memorization cards.Lauren and I had been piling up the extras
and we had quite a stack…I had a
sorting epiphany!I decided to sort the
cards in Biblical order.It made it a
snap to get them organized.And now –
they are safely locked in a cabinet in my Sunday school classroom.I need to find something with a lid to keep
them safe and sound.Right now – the box
is not what I would label as “sturdy.”It will do in a pinch.
Last night was the first
Sunday night that I have not had my side-kick with me.Miss Alisa has moved with her family to the
great PromiseLand
(Michigan).I missed sitting by her last night.I missed hearing her cheerful singing voice
and her infectious smile.
And here it is…Monday.Actually it’s nearing the end of my workday
which is wonderful.My last break of the
day.My last blissful 15 minutes of the
day.The remainder of the day will be
spent proofreading documents and getting my piles organized for tomorrow.
After work, I am going to our
Ladies’ Salad Supper.It’s the kick-off for
our monthly Bible study.I’ve decided to
make a healthy salad dish so that I will have something safe to share and to
enjoy.I’m looking forward to our new
Bible study.And wouldn’t you know – the
title of the book was on the tip of my tongue and now that I’ve mentioned it, I
cannot remember the title.Well, you
will just have to stay tuned for more on the book study.
Speaking of book studies, I’m
about 2/3 of the way through Lysa TerKeurst’s Unglued.She has this uncanny ability to totally step
on my toes and make me smile and rejoice over the toe-stepping.Her vulnerability to be real and to keep her
book very real is what makes me love her writing.She understands.She keeps her truths grounded in God’s
Word.Her books let me know that I am
not alone in these struggles.You know –
I was thinking about this over the weekend…Satan loves when he can feed us the
line that we are the only ones struggling in a particular area.He loves it when we eat up that lie hook,
line, and sinker.He has us trapped and
we are our own worst-enemy.He’s a
liar.It’s what he does.He lies to us.The closer I am to God – the less room there
is for his stinkin’, lying ways.When I
am surrounded by the Truth, there isn’t room for lies…and if he does try to
lie, I see him for what he is…a liar.The enemy.A roaring lion.Lion – liar.They start with the same sound.Interesting.
I’m only fond of one spider…Charlotte
of E.B. White’s classic, Charlotte’s Web.Charlotte
is fictional…thus the only spider I like.
Two weeks or so (give or
take), I discovered a brown spider living in my cottage.He/she was residing in the corner of my
kitchen underneath the lip of the counter and the wood-cover that hides my hot
water heater.
The first morning I noticed
spidey, I did my best to not freak-out while I frantically grabbed for my
sandal which would send one spider to the “big web in the sky” where all
spiders belong.Well, this plan
backfired.The toe of my sandal was too
wide for the small space and the spider won.Sandal 0; arachnid 1.
Day #2 – I tried using a
different shoe.Same result.Sandal 0; arachnid 2.
I would like to note:This spider was apparently nocturnal because
he/she was never out when I would get home from work.It would only appear in the morning with a beautiful
web that I would immediately remove.(YUCK!)
Days 3 through 10 – Different
shoes – same results.Sandal/Flip-flops/Closed-toe-shoes 0; arachnid 10+!
By Day 10, I gave up.Too help drift off to a peaceful slumber, I
assured myself that eight spider legs could not carry the arachnid in to my
bedroom to crawl on me, right?Right, I
would answer myself thus affording me peaceful dreams.Plus – as a P.S. the spider was too busy
spinning a web, which according to E.B. White’s fictional spider tale – the web
took a lot of strength.
Around Day 14, a scary
thought entered my brain – what if this spider is a female and she’s preparing
to leave behind her sac of babies?Ummmmmm…I pulled out the vacuum and
sucked up the web and the spider in one fell swoop!
To get there, I will be arising from my slumber very early (as in 3 a.m.) to catch the 4:30 bus to O'Hare...where I will go down the escalator and follow the signs to the Blue Line Metra Train. I will insert $2.75 in to the kiosk (Note to self: Get cash!!!! One time, I only had a $5 and had to put the entire bill on the card.) and board the Metra. For the next 45 or so minutes, I will journey to the heart of Chicago.
Upon departing the Blue Line, I will walk 2 blocks to Union Station, take another escalator downstairs, and board the Amtrak train that will deliver me to Jackson, Michigan.
It seems like a lot of rig-a-ma-roll, right? Well...it's actually better than driving (in my humble opinion). There's something sooo un-nerving about the Chicago Skyway. If I can avoid it and spend 4 hours on-board a train knitting and reading and people-watching...I choose this!!!!! :) I actually really do enjoy the adventure of the train.
I did hear a rumor that Amtrak might come to Rockford. HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE???? I could board the train here and not skip the bus to the Blue Line and the Blue Line to the city!!!! FUN! FUN! FUN! It's one rumor that I hope is true!!!!
“Could I trust God and believe that He is working out something good even from things that seem no good? You see, if I know there is potential good hidden within each chaotic situation, I can loosen my grip on control. It’s easier to loosen my grip when I can see the good. When I can’t immediately see the good, loosening my grip becomes a matter of trust.” ~ Lysa TerKeurst, Unglued, p. 24
Soooo I bought the book – an actual bound book and not an e-book…a book to be marked in, to fold the corners of the pages over, to highlight quotes that speak to my heart…a book to sit on my bookshelf as a reminder of what I’ve studied and learned. A book to thumb through next month and the month after and the following year…and years to come. I love books. I love the feel of a book in my hands…not that I don’t love my Nook and the simplicity of packing something so lightweight…it’s just I’m a book sort-of girl.
I love it when I read something that is totally applicable for right now…this exact moment.
When I first picked-up Unglued and skimmed the chapter titles, I thought to myself, Well, I don’t freak out and blow-up…I wonder if I should spend the money on this book. Lord, should I buy this? His response in my heart was an emphatic YES!!!! And I can tell you now…this book is not just for blower-uppers…but it’s for the rest of us…unless, of course, you aren’t at all like me. Human and prone to falling apart when your ideal little world has changes crashing in upon you and you can take it with stride. Not me…not so much.
God has something good even when everything familiar around you is changing. That whole mantra of “Change is good” – who started that nonsense? I’d like to meet them…and by “meet them” – I mean, put them in a chokehold! Seriously. Change hurts. That’s me. That’s me keeping it real.
Sixteen goodbyes. Yes, you read that right…16 goodbyes.
As I read the quote at the top of this post, I thought to myself, All of this change is my chaos right now…all of these painful goodbyes…there is something GOOD that God is trying to show me and obviously He knows that I need a repeat performance…16 times repeated.
Moment by moment, I am loosening my grip and learning to trust that God knows what He is doing and His plan is always best.
For the past 27 minutes, I've been sitting Indian-style on my ottoman, staring at my computer screen (the blank blog post form), contemplating what to blog about this evening. It's weird that the Olympics are over. And I would like to go on record for saying the closing ceremonies were awful. I only watched (and I use the term "watched" loosely as I had to turn away from the t.v. screen) about 6 minutes. The music was atrocious. The clothing...ICK! I just don't understand. The opening was...well, during the Industrial Revolution -- that part was a little slow...but it was the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION! Back to the Closing...I wonder what kind of people are elected for the Olympic Ceremony Committee. (I say the title of the committee as if I know that it's the official name...Confession: I don't know that for a fact.) I just finished up my Picnic Committee duties and am free for another 11 months, I could be on the Olympic Ceremony Committee...we have 4 years to plan. Rio. Hmmmm...I wonder what the theme will be in 4 years. Actually, there will be Winter Games in 2 years. The other day I was thinking about how old I will be during the next Olympics and it made me a little morose. I mean, I will be 4 years wiser...let's hope. :) Anyway...Closing Ceremonies: TWO THUMBS DOWN! [Insert "Boooo!" and "Hiss!"] After enduring the 6 minutes of the closing, I turned the moving picture box (AKA: T.V.) off. The truth is -- aside from the Olympics and a smidge bit of news I really don't watch t.v. all that much. I get my fill of Fox News during my gym time. It's win - win...cardio and information. Speaking of the gym...tonight was the first night in about a month that I actually enjoyed working-out. For the past 4 or 5 weeks, I've only gone to the gym because I knew deep down, I needed it...but tonight, it was nice to enjoy being there. Thirty minutes of elliptical and I went home a happy girl. Home. (Sigh!) It's soo lovely to be home. You do realize for the next 3-5 days, this is all I am going to blog about, right? It's kinda like the first month of Sweater Weather...you know how I feel about Sweater Weather!!!!!!!!! I suppose I should remind you...Edward's Apple Orchard opens in 11 more wake-ups! Oh for a mug of warm apple cider... You see, I'm a simple sort of girl. A mug of warm apple cider, cooler temps, jeans, and a hoodie. I'm set. Oh, wait -- a good book. And a friend to chit-chat with. And maybe some of those gluten-free pumpkin muffins that I make using a gf boxed cake mix, can of pumpkin, and an egg. Today I was thankful for a busy day at work...I'm not kidding - I punched-in at 7:50-something and the next time I checked the clock it was 11 (time for break)! Around 1 p.m., I accidentally selected SHUT DOWN under my Start menu...so down went what I was working on and instead of letting that bother me, I laughed OUTLOUD and went to lunch. My co-workers, I'm fairly certain, thought that I was finally cracking-up. I wasn't. Not yet anyway...I'm sure that will come...eventually. At 2 p.m. we had a Picnic Committee meeting to wrap things up and talk about suggestions to make 2013's Picnic more fabulous! And the next thing I knew, it was 4:29 and people were proceeding to the timeclock to punch-out and yours truly was still sitting on her computer trying to get the thing to shut down. Why is it that at 1 p.m. when I accidentally shut everything down, the computer seemed to operate more quickly than at 4:29? Probably because I really, really, really wanted to leave. After work, I had to make a quick stop at the airport and drop something off at UPS. It's sounds glamorous saying that I stopped at the airport. It's not glamorous. It's Rockford's airport and it will forever be Rockford's airport - no matter the fact that they officially call it "Chicago-Rockford International Airport." They could add a bunch of other cool cities and it would still be Rockford's airport. :) No one ever asks my opinion...I think it's the naturally curly hair. After UPS, a quick stop at the eye doctor because my new and improved...all .05% of the right eye...contact lenses are in. I didn't feel like pointing out to the employee who called about my lenses that when I purchased them, the little man said he would ship them directly to the cottage. It seemed like a lost cause...and really, I could make the eye doctor on my way to Gloria's! Tonight I got to help a friend in need. It was a nice feeling being able to rearrange my schedule and help Gloria. I did a walk-through of her house and pretended that I was a potential buyer. I got to open drawers and closets and comment. It was kind of fun! After the walk-through and final touch-ups, we went to Pier One where we oooohed and aaaaahed over a beautiful red rug. It was truly a work of art. It was technically a rose but if I am going to be honest, it reminded me of a Poinsettia. It was beautiful! I'm pretty sure the Pier One guy was wanting to make a sale tonight...but instead he was stuck with two window-shoppers who happened to be in a hurry to get to Panera for nourishment. :) Said nourishment - Fuji Apple Chicken Salad. I did explain to the Panera girl, "Please no bread anywhere near my plate. No gluten. I will get sick here." I think it makes food workers nervous when you mention that you may get sick...in their restaurant. I learned that little tip from the Gluten-Free Girl book that I read. :) She is a genius! Salads and conversating. What a beautiful combination. At 7:00, I sent Gloria on her merry way to Indianapolis and I headed off to the gym. What a great way to end a Monday!!!
I feel as though I should make a t-shirt..."I survived house- / dog-sitting 2012!!!" If I were to create said t-shirt (and let's be honest, it would look fabulous on a coffee mug too), I would want the background color to be raspberry and we even add a picture of my two canine friends. Yes, we are friends...as, on Day #3, I found myself conversing with them. It was apparent that I had officially cracked-up. Before church this morning, I told the dogs, "Your humans will be home this afternoon!!!" and from that point forward those dogs were semi-neurotic. I hate to call them flat out neurotic and/or crazy...but FOR REAL...they were!!! We sat outside on the porch awaiting the arrival of the four humans that left them in my trusty care. Don't get me wrong -- those dogs were totally spoiled while I was there. SERIOUSLY...we ran out of dog treats....ummmm....3 boxes of treats!!! I let them lay beside me when we watched the Olympics. They were spoiled and they knew it. And let's face it, they loved it!!! Although my house-sitting gig was only 11 days (which happens to be 4 days shorter than the normal duration), I'm thrilled beyond words to be home. There's no place like home. Dorothy had it right. I do not have ruby slippers lest I might've been transported here sooner. Hmmmm...note to self: Find some ruby slippers. I will, however, miss... ...the dogs. Even though last night, they decided to obnoxiously bark until 11:30. I thought about reprimanding them but what if a burglar got in...would they think in their little dog brains, Angie Good does not want us to bark. Hope this big, burly guy doesn't hurt here. Goodnight. [Insert dog snores!]...even though they barked last night, I will still miss them. They are snuggly and lovable! ...the Keurig coffeemaker. (Sigh.) ...the huge bathtub. I think that's about it. :)
