Posts
We were having a baptism in our morning service today.
But we have no baptistry. So we rented a hot tub.
Know what? When hot tubs leak ... there is a LOT of water involved. :)
I'm just saying ...
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
another one for the depressing songs list ...
See the tree how big it's grown
but friend it hasn't been too long it wasn't big
I laughed at her and she got mad the first day that she planted it was just a twig
Then the first snow came and she ran out to brush the snow away so it wouldn't die
Came runnin' in all excited slipped and almost hurt herself and I laughed till I cried
She was always young at heart kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so
I surprised her with a puppy kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago
And it would sure embarrass her
When I came home from working late cause I would know
That she'd been sittin' there and cryin' over some sad and silly late late show
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
She wrecked the car and she was sad and so afraid that I'd be mad
But what the heck
Though I pretended hard to be guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my neck
I came home unexpectedly and found her crying needlessly in the middle of the day
And it was in the early spring when flowers bloom and robins sing she went away
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
Yes one day while I wasn't home while she was there and all alone the angels came
Now all I have are memories of honey and I wake up nights and I call her name
And now my life's an empty stage where honey lived and honey played and love grew up
And a small cloud passes overhead and cries down in the flower bed that honey loved
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
(For those concerned about my mental state ... I'm enjoying these because they are SO maudlin that they make me laugh). :)
Exercise ... it not happening. But it needs to. I hope to get a walk in later today.
Study ... it's not happening either. But it ALSO needs to.
Life should be getting back to a semblance of "normal" some time soon!
Saw "The Nativity" Wednesday night. I was very impressed.
but friend it hasn't been too long it wasn't big
I laughed at her and she got mad the first day that she planted it was just a twig
Then the first snow came and she ran out to brush the snow away so it wouldn't die
Came runnin' in all excited slipped and almost hurt herself and I laughed till I cried
She was always young at heart kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so
I surprised her with a puppy kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago
And it would sure embarrass her
When I came home from working late cause I would know
That she'd been sittin' there and cryin' over some sad and silly late late show
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
She wrecked the car and she was sad and so afraid that I'd be mad
But what the heck
Though I pretended hard to be guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my neck
I came home unexpectedly and found her crying needlessly in the middle of the day
And it was in the early spring when flowers bloom and robins sing she went away
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
Yes one day while I wasn't home while she was there and all alone the angels came
Now all I have are memories of honey and I wake up nights and I call her name
And now my life's an empty stage where honey lived and honey played and love grew up
And a small cloud passes overhead and cries down in the flower bed that honey loved
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
(For those concerned about my mental state ... I'm enjoying these because they are SO maudlin that they make me laugh). :)
Exercise ... it not happening. But it needs to. I hope to get a walk in later today.
Study ... it's not happening either. But it ALSO needs to.
Life should be getting back to a semblance of "normal" some time soon!
Saw "The Nativity" Wednesday night. I was very impressed.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
world's most depressing song
I've recently begun pursuing a collection of "the World's Most Depressing Music."
The original leader was this Dan Fogelberg song:
But ... this morning, I heard the current champion -- Randy Stonehill's "Christmas at Denny's"
So ... anyone got any to add to my collection? If you can beat "Christmas at Denny's" the prize is a mention on a nationally-read blog ... yes ... it's true. :)
The original leader was this Dan Fogelberg song:
Same Old Lang Syne
Met my old lover in the grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
But then her eyes flew open wide
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried
We took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totalled up and bagged
We stood there lost in our embarrassment
As the conversation dragged
We went to have ourselves a drink or two
But couldn't find an open bar
We bought a six-pack at the liquor store
And we drank it in her car
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
She said she'd married her an architect
Who kept her warm and safe and dry
She would have liked to say she loved the man
But she didn't like to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
And that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence, another 'auld lang syne'
The beer was empty and our tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned in to rain...
But ... this morning, I heard the current champion -- Randy Stonehill's "Christmas at Denny's"
CHRISTMAS AT DENNY'S
They got Christmas Muzak
Piped in through the ceiling
And the refills of coffee
Are always for free
And the waitress on graveyard
And the surly night manager
Are wishing that all of us losers would leave
There's a star on the sign
At the Texaco Station
Like the star long ago
On that midnight clear
As I look all around
At these cold, empty faces
I doubt that you'd find many wise men here
And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy Night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
But somewhere down the road
I gave up that fight
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight
Once I had a home
And a wife and a daughter
Had a company job
Earning middle-class pay
Then Lisa got killed
By a car near the school yard
And my wife started drinking
Just to get through each day
I will never forget
That little red wagon
Turning to rust
All alone in the rain
One morning I flagged down
A truck on the highway
I just couldn't bear
To go back there again
And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
Well, it's not just the blind man
Who loses his sight
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight
They say
Life's made of cruel circumstance
Fate plays the tune and we dance
Dance til we drop
In the dust and we're gone
And the world just goes on
The cop at the counter
He's the guardian angel
He watches these orphans
Through dark mirrored shades
And the register rings
Like a bell sadly tolling
For the fools we've become
And the price that we paid
Oh when I was a boy
I believed in Christmas
Miracle season
To make a new start
I don't need no miracle
Sweet baby Jesus
Just help me find
Some kind of hope in my heart
And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
But I'll still be here
At the morning's first light
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight
Written by Randy Stonehill.
So ... anyone got any to add to my collection? If you can beat "Christmas at Denny's" the prize is a mention on a nationally-read blog ... yes ... it's true. :)
the weed lady, part two
Our deacon chairman went to see the weed lady last night.
Now ... in his day-job, this man is a police officer. He sees a LOT of nutty people.
However, following his visit with T.W.L., he called and said, "wow ... you weren't kidding."
Ah ... yes ... it's nice to have others' experience confirm my own. :)
Now ... in his day-job, this man is a police officer. He sees a LOT of nutty people.
However, following his visit with T.W.L., he called and said, "wow ... you weren't kidding."
Ah ... yes ... it's nice to have others' experience confirm my own. :)
the avoidance of the grocery store ...
As I went to McDonalds for the umpteenth day in a row to get breakfast on my way to work today, I thought:
"do other people avoid going to the store this time of year?"
I ran out of milk two weeks ago, and, rather than buying more, I've been eating at McDonalds almost every morning.
This is a bad thing ... both for the budget, and the calorie count!
I just hate going into stores around Christmas. It has only been the advent of internet shopping that has allowed me to enjoy the holiday.
But ... really ... people buy milk every day. I should be able to manage. (Particularly since there are 24 hour grocery stores everywhere, and I could do it at 5:00 a.m. when they are relatively empty.)
Time to quit acting like a college-kid and just get it done! (Particularly since I comitted to bringing a salad to Christmas-eve dinner, and I don't have a shred of fresh produce left in the house either!)
Hmmmm ... we'll see ... I suppose I could make a salad from canned fruit and jell-o ... and the McDonalds staff is starting to recognize me now, and it would be a shame to quench budding friendships ... :)
"do other people avoid going to the store this time of year?"
I ran out of milk two weeks ago, and, rather than buying more, I've been eating at McDonalds almost every morning.
This is a bad thing ... both for the budget, and the calorie count!
I just hate going into stores around Christmas. It has only been the advent of internet shopping that has allowed me to enjoy the holiday.
But ... really ... people buy milk every day. I should be able to manage. (Particularly since there are 24 hour grocery stores everywhere, and I could do it at 5:00 a.m. when they are relatively empty.)
Time to quit acting like a college-kid and just get it done! (Particularly since I comitted to bringing a salad to Christmas-eve dinner, and I don't have a shred of fresh produce left in the house either!)
Hmmmm ... we'll see ... I suppose I could make a salad from canned fruit and jell-o ... and the McDonalds staff is starting to recognize me now, and it would be a shame to quench budding friendships ... :)
Monday, December 18, 2006
the weed lady
as soon as I heard the voice on the phone, I KNEW it was her ...
the weed lady
Our church bought the property behind our building - about ten acres with a house, a barn, and a pasture.
Ever since, the weed lady has been calling us.
You see ... the weeds from the pasture blow onto her property.
I know ... I know ... it's hard to imagine how she endures it.
We've started having the pasture mowed several times during the summer, in an effort to placate the weed lady. And we thought we had succeeded.
Until today.
The weed lady called, saying that leaves had blown in her yard from our uncared-for field. She spent a good bit of time talking about her inability to clean up the leaves, and how much it would cost to have the leaves picked up when they WERE bagged, and how irresponsible we were.
I don't get it.
There are no trees in the field ... just grass. As near as I can tell, she wants us to not only mow the pasture, but also rake up all the grass clippings? (ten acres?)
I gave her my most pleasant, sweet voice ... but I've got to wonder, "how does one please a person like this?"
Went for a long, hard walk after work ... the weed lady had me plenty stressed out, and I needed the exercise!
the weed lady
Our church bought the property behind our building - about ten acres with a house, a barn, and a pasture.
Ever since, the weed lady has been calling us.
You see ... the weeds from the pasture blow onto her property.
I know ... I know ... it's hard to imagine how she endures it.
We've started having the pasture mowed several times during the summer, in an effort to placate the weed lady. And we thought we had succeeded.
Until today.
The weed lady called, saying that leaves had blown in her yard from our uncared-for field. She spent a good bit of time talking about her inability to clean up the leaves, and how much it would cost to have the leaves picked up when they WERE bagged, and how irresponsible we were.
I don't get it.
There are no trees in the field ... just grass. As near as I can tell, she wants us to not only mow the pasture, but also rake up all the grass clippings? (ten acres?)
I gave her my most pleasant, sweet voice ... but I've got to wonder, "how does one please a person like this?"
Went for a long, hard walk after work ... the weed lady had me plenty stressed out, and I needed the exercise!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
well - worrying sure solved THAT one
Just went online and looked at my bank account -- the teller caught the error and corrected it the same day ... no need to make a nasty, complicated phone call tomorrow.
God is so good to me sometimes. OK - ALL the time ... because if I HAD been made to do battle with the forces of the banking industry, it would have been good for me.
I hope it's OK that I like it better this way, though. :)
Whew!
God is so good to me sometimes. OK - ALL the time ... because if I HAD been made to do battle with the forces of the banking industry, it would have been good for me.
I hope it's OK that I like it better this way, though. :)
Whew!
Oh goody - a bureaucratic nightmare
Just got done paying my bills, and when I went to enter my bank deposit into M.S. Money, I discovered the teller missed a digit, and entered last week's paycheck as one tenth of the real amount.
Oh. Groan.
I signed the slip. Never looked at it. They never made a mistake before.
WHY couldn't it have gone the other way? It would be so much easier to convince them I had several thousand dollars of THEIR money than it will be to convince them that they have several hundred dollars of MY money. My stomach is already in knots at the thought of tomorrow's phone call!
On a positive note, I had a nice visit today to small-town-where-I-grew-up (Stwigu). I got to go to the church I attended in Jr. High and High School, and then spent an hour or so walking around Stwigu until it was time to go to the family Christmas at my aunt's house. It was interesting to have the time to walk there, and look at all the places I remembered, but hadn't really seen in almost 20 years.
A few observations ... My old church in Stwigu has peacocks wandering around the property. I think this is a good addition. They're pretty things, and I LOVE the sound they make - mournful and startling in a "have you considered where you'll spend eternity" kind of way. :)
The eccentric family still owns the funeral home. (Ever hear someone say, "you'll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul?" Many of us who grew up in Stwigu HAVE seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.)
A new addition to their general quirkiness is that now one of them has opened a chiropractic clinic directly across from the funeral home. Everyone in town KNOWS he's a mortician ... so here's the thing ... do you want a mortician cracking your back? Really? Is he used to working on living people? Is he trying to drum up business?
I suppose that's all for now. I need to focus all my energy on worrying that the credit union won't believe me, and will keep my paycheck money. Because, you see, worrying will make ALL the difference in the outcome. ;)
Me
Oh. Groan.
I signed the slip. Never looked at it. They never made a mistake before.
WHY couldn't it have gone the other way? It would be so much easier to convince them I had several thousand dollars of THEIR money than it will be to convince them that they have several hundred dollars of MY money. My stomach is already in knots at the thought of tomorrow's phone call!
On a positive note, I had a nice visit today to small-town-where-I-grew-up (Stwigu). I got to go to the church I attended in Jr. High and High School, and then spent an hour or so walking around Stwigu until it was time to go to the family Christmas at my aunt's house. It was interesting to have the time to walk there, and look at all the places I remembered, but hadn't really seen in almost 20 years.
A few observations ... My old church in Stwigu has peacocks wandering around the property. I think this is a good addition. They're pretty things, and I LOVE the sound they make - mournful and startling in a "have you considered where you'll spend eternity" kind of way. :)
The eccentric family still owns the funeral home. (Ever hear someone say, "you'll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul?" Many of us who grew up in Stwigu HAVE seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.)
A new addition to their general quirkiness is that now one of them has opened a chiropractic clinic directly across from the funeral home. Everyone in town KNOWS he's a mortician ... so here's the thing ... do you want a mortician cracking your back? Really? Is he used to working on living people? Is he trying to drum up business?
I suppose that's all for now. I need to focus all my energy on worrying that the credit union won't believe me, and will keep my paycheck money. Because, you see, worrying will make ALL the difference in the outcome. ;)
Me
Saturday, December 16, 2006
I sing the praises of the bluetooth headset
My phone battery needed to be replaced, and I was eligible for a free phone from Sprint for renewing my contract, so I got that rather than buying a battery. I also picked up a bluetooth headset for it.
The little critter is great! I have never found driving while on the phone to be problematic, until I bought my current car, which has a manual transmission. Steering, holding the phone, AND shifting requires more hands than I possess! This little headset will not only allow me to talk but it will also dial the numbers for me if I speak them ... very clever little thing. If I'd known how handy they are, I'd have gotten one ages ago. Of course I look like the Borg assimilated me, but I'll get used to it.
I had a delightful birthday today - with some productive accomplishment (got my Christmas cards ready to mail, and a Christmas-present-project finished), a nice long nap, and then a dinner out with a couple friends tonight. They took me to Noel - which is a Christmas-themed restaraunt in an old church -- very beautifully decorated, with delicious food.
Then when I got home, I discovered some sweet "happy birthday" posts from the folks on Meet Christians, and also on Bill and Glory's blog.
Exercise is going OK. Contrary to my deepest fears, taking the day off last week did not lead to a catastrophic meltdown. Whew! (I'm glad to see Bill understands this danger! We're all just one Twinkie away from total disaster!) :)
I've been reading about King Saul's gradual decline into disobedience, and eventually madness. Just like the one Twinkie, or the one day without exercise, can start a snowball that destroys months of effort. So can a deadening of our walk with the Lord lead us gradually into decisions and decisions we might never have considered when we were in close communion with Him. Saul had SUCH a promising start. But no amount of promise can make up for a dependence on God.
The little critter is great! I have never found driving while on the phone to be problematic, until I bought my current car, which has a manual transmission. Steering, holding the phone, AND shifting requires more hands than I possess! This little headset will not only allow me to talk but it will also dial the numbers for me if I speak them ... very clever little thing. If I'd known how handy they are, I'd have gotten one ages ago. Of course I look like the Borg assimilated me, but I'll get used to it.
I had a delightful birthday today - with some productive accomplishment (got my Christmas cards ready to mail, and a Christmas-present-project finished), a nice long nap, and then a dinner out with a couple friends tonight. They took me to Noel - which is a Christmas-themed restaraunt in an old church -- very beautifully decorated, with delicious food.
Then when I got home, I discovered some sweet "happy birthday" posts from the folks on Meet Christians, and also on Bill and Glory's blog.
Exercise is going OK. Contrary to my deepest fears, taking the day off last week did not lead to a catastrophic meltdown. Whew! (I'm glad to see Bill understands this danger! We're all just one Twinkie away from total disaster!) :)
I've been reading about King Saul's gradual decline into disobedience, and eventually madness. Just like the one Twinkie, or the one day without exercise, can start a snowball that destroys months of effort. So can a deadening of our walk with the Lord lead us gradually into decisions and decisions we might never have considered when we were in close communion with Him. Saul had SUCH a promising start. But no amount of promise can make up for a dependence on God.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
yikes! it's all for nought!!!
This morning I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof. It was SOOOOO soothing.
While that was nice, it means I sat there in a trance for a half hour, and never did get down into the basement and onto the treadmill before work!
I have plans after work, so that means no exercise at all ... none.
One day without exercise is NOT that big of a deal, except that I immediately start to imagine myself giving up entirely, and becoming one with my recliner! This must not be allowed to happen. :)
While that was nice, it means I sat there in a trance for a half hour, and never did get down into the basement and onto the treadmill before work!
I have plans after work, so that means no exercise at all ... none.
One day without exercise is NOT that big of a deal, except that I immediately start to imagine myself giving up entirely, and becoming one with my recliner! This must not be allowed to happen. :)
Friday, December 08, 2006
stolen from Jane's blog
My first...
car:
$600 1981 burgandy Ford Escort (that dramatically went up in flames in the yard 5 months after purchase)
music purchase:
Sean Cassidy's "Born Late" ... thanks to my cousin Denise's crush on him!
major concert:
I wonder if Petra counts ... my brother and I went in high school
movie (that I remember):
Charlotte's Web
drink:
don't think I've ever had anything that would qualify! a sip of wine here & there
presidential election as a voter:
1988 - George Bush Sr.
You?
car:
$600 1981 burgandy Ford Escort (that dramatically went up in flames in the yard 5 months after purchase)
music purchase:
Sean Cassidy's "Born Late" ... thanks to my cousin Denise's crush on him!
major concert:
I wonder if Petra counts ... my brother and I went in high school
movie (that I remember):
Charlotte's Web
drink:
don't think I've ever had anything that would qualify! a sip of wine here & there
presidential election as a voter:
1988 - George Bush Sr.
You?
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
like a turtle on its back ...
was my dear little Saturn Ion last night.
Ever since I got my first front-wheel drive car, 17 years ago, I've felt fairly confident driving on bad roads, provided I could go slow enough, and take my time.
However, last night I discovered that my cute little Saturn's light weight makes for absolutely NO momentum to rock free when stuck. None at all. THIS is an important consideration!
A retired couple from church has the staff over for a Christmas party every year. It is SUCH a nice evening, and last night was this year's gathering.
This couple has a lovely home about a half-mile back from the road.
At the end of the evening, I snuck out a little before the others, since I get up early for work.
Their driveway ends in a steep uphill grade onto the road.
As I gunned the car to make it up the grade on the ice ... I saw headlights coming down the road.
BOTHER!
So, I slow down, feeling the wheels starting to slip backwards ... and sideways ... and then ... stop.
It wasn't stuck that badly. But it also would NOT rock free, no matter what I did. I'm guessing this is due to the lighter weight. I'd been noticing it seems to slide around more than my previous cars.
The men came out and pushed me out, for which I was very thankful. But I'm going to have to exercise a bit more caution from now on. I've always been able to free myself before, but it seems that won't be happening with this car!
Trinka ... who really DOES not like winter driving
Ever since I got my first front-wheel drive car, 17 years ago, I've felt fairly confident driving on bad roads, provided I could go slow enough, and take my time.
However, last night I discovered that my cute little Saturn's light weight makes for absolutely NO momentum to rock free when stuck. None at all. THIS is an important consideration!
A retired couple from church has the staff over for a Christmas party every year. It is SUCH a nice evening, and last night was this year's gathering.
This couple has a lovely home about a half-mile back from the road.
At the end of the evening, I snuck out a little before the others, since I get up early for work.
Their driveway ends in a steep uphill grade onto the road.
As I gunned the car to make it up the grade on the ice ... I saw headlights coming down the road.
BOTHER!
So, I slow down, feeling the wheels starting to slip backwards ... and sideways ... and then ... stop.
It wasn't stuck that badly. But it also would NOT rock free, no matter what I did. I'm guessing this is due to the lighter weight. I'd been noticing it seems to slide around more than my previous cars.
The men came out and pushed me out, for which I was very thankful. But I'm going to have to exercise a bit more caution from now on. I've always been able to free myself before, but it seems that won't be happening with this car!
Trinka ... who really DOES not like winter driving
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)