Some thoughts on Psalm 139 from this weekend

I'm finally feeling better. Life is good! :) (You never realize how good you feel until you feel really BAD for a while.)

The speaker at last weekend's retreat gave us a lot of time alone with God, with suggestions for study. I really enjoyed it.

The first suggestion she had was to meditate on Psalm 139. This is one I'd memorized years ago, and I haven't spent much time with it since. Thinking about it was such a treat. I'll share some of what I came up with for the first five verses, and I'd love to hear your thoughts also.


1. O LORD, You have searched me and known {me.}

There is SO much in me (and in anyone) that would offend God, at the very core of His being. He is perfect, and we human beings are far from it. I know myself, and know that I am far from it.

Yet He makes a deliberate choice to go there. He is all-knowing. He already knows everything. Yet to "search" seems to imply some attention above and beyond that. He somehow directed the process, focused it more precisely, when it comes to knowing His people.

Now my first (negative) thought is that He's looking for hidden sins and yuckiness that needs to go away. Yet later, in verse 23, David ASKS God to search him for hidden sins. So this initial searching must be something different, yes? Maybe a desire to become more intimately acquainted with one who's loved? Maybe gazing on the reflection of the Lord Jesus, that's present (even in small scraps) in the hearts of those who have trusted him?

The word "me" is in brackets, which means it isn't in the original text, but is strongly implied. It's interesting to read it without that word. "You have searched me and known." There's something all-encompassing when you read it that way. The open-endedness (new word ... made it up myself) is comforting. He has searched, and He knows it ALL ... the motivations, the secrets, fears, triumphs. He just ... KNOWS.

2. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.


He cares about all the little details of our day -- the things that would be SO tedious to all but those who really care ... "When did you get up this morning?" "Did you sit and watch the sunrise?" "Was your headache any better today?" These things are fascinating when they involve someone you love.

The end is amazing. "You understand my thought afar off." I have friends whom I love dearly, and whom I can truly say I "know." Yet, the way they think is so different fro the way I think that there is a continual mystery in understanding their motives and choices. Yet God is afar off ... profoundly different in every way. Nevertheless, somehow, He not only CAN, but chooses to, understand my thoughts. So often I don't understand them myself!

3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

He "scrutinizes" or "winnows" my path. This sounds fearful, too, doesn't it? But only because I don't know HIM as well as He knows ME!

The use of "winnow" is interesting. Picking out the bad bits and blowing them away. Fortunately he adds in some good bits, so there's something left! It seems like a violent process, but it's a process with a POINT. There are times when violence is required in order to accomplish good ends. Surgery, or setting a bone, a soldier's boot camp or disciplining a child ... these would all seem violent to an observer who didn't understand the situation. Yet their end is healing, and maturity and strength.

"Path" or "journeying" makes me think of life and "lying down" of death as well as the day to day awake and sleep, or moving forward in our growth with God and times of stagnation. All of this, He knows intimately.

What a beautiful summary statement. "intimately acquainted with all my ways."

There's a story told, and I wish I could find the source. (help? anyone?) about a practical joker who sent anonymous notes to many people in his town. They all said the same thing: "all is discovered, flee now." And they did. Every one of them had a secret that, if it were known, would be so deeply shameful that they ran. We all do, don't we? If not something we've done, then something we've thought, or something we just ARE. But in God's case, all IS known, and there IS nowhere to flee. But there's also no need to flee.

4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.

Again, there's so much to know here that's abhorrent to me. There are things I've said that just make me flinch when the memory sneaks in unbidden. In James 3, it says "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity."

In those times of verbal idiocy, I often don't even known my words before they slip out. Yet God DOES. If tongue control is going to happen, I need to ask Him to do it!


5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.

I can tend to be claustrophobic in certain situations ... crowded rooms full of people, amidst clutter, when I can't see outside, etc. But this is a good type of enclosure, not like a cow in a loading cute!

I was thinking about reasons why we enclose things:


Because they might get lost
livestock, children, earrings

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, Lord,
Take and seal it.
Seal it for thy courts above.

Because there is danger to be avoided

There are hidden pits, evil people and treacherous pathways, and we'll wander into them chasing butterflies.

To set it apart for ourselves


My yard, my field, my last piece of chocolate cake ... we enclose it to show ownership.

Because it's valuable, and someone might snatch it away

Passports, cars, and beloved disciples who might listen to false teachers who would lead them into falsehood

Because we want to assign it value

If you're trying to sell something, putting it in a glass case automatically gives it a perceived value. If you have something that might appear ordinary, and you want to display it in your home, you set it apart, and it draws the eye, and curiosity. There's an allure to the apparently-every-day that is, for some reason, different.

Because it's fragile, delicate

Oh to remember this about other believers! It's so easy to be quick with advice, or criticism, or just un-useful words. We are all far more fragile than we let on. God wants us to deal gently with one another.

“Being perplexed, I say,
‘Lord, make it right!
Night is as day to Thee,
Darkness as light.
I am afraid to touch
Things that involve so much;
My trembling hand may shake,
My skilless hand may break;
Thine can make no mistake.’

“Being in doubt I say,
‘Lord, make it plain;
Which is the true, safe way?
Which would be gain?
I am not wise to know,
Nor sure of foot to go;
What is so clear to Thee,
Lord, make it clear to me!’”
-- Streams in the Desert

**************

So, there's what I've come up with. I'd love to hear your gleanings!

On another note, my robins are back, and building a nest on the balcony again this year. I shredded some rags last night, and put them out, to contribute something to the construction process.

quite possibly the least productive day ever

I was at our church's ladies' retreat Friday night and Saturday, and it was such a blessing. I have some gleanings I'd like to post on Psalm 139, but not tonight, I don't think.

Came home sick, and I've been sleeping ever since ... I mean for the last 24 hours, I've been awake about 5. And now, that I've gotten up, checked my mail, and typed this, I'm considering going back to sleep again.

Sure hope this passes before I need to be at work Tuesday morning (and I also hope no one ELSE came home with it.)

no one accuses the EPA of being anti-science

I am listening to the Mars Hill Audio Journal right now. It's an audio publication our pastor subscribes to that examines different aspects of culture, theology, etc.

It really is fascinating. The one that's playing now is about stem cell research, and the line in the subject really jumped out at me.

Those who are against embryonic stem cell research are portrayed as being anti-science. Which is, I suppose, true in a limited sense ... they believe that there are limits to where research should go. (i.e. - Joseph Mengele ... or however his name was spelled ... don't want to look it up, because I don't want to know any more about him than I already do!).

However, those who want to protect the environment would ALSO believe in restrictions on scientific research ... animal experimentation, biological weapons, things that would harm the environment, etc. However, I've never heard anyone claim that those folks are "anti-science."

It's all a matter of your world view, isn't it? This is a fascinating magazine - I'd encourage you to have a listen! They have a free podcast with little samples from the different articles, which is what I'm listening to right now.

things change

I was reading in Acts 21 this morning, and thinking about how different things were in the early church than they are now.

In college, I used to attend a church that thought it was very important that we follow the pattern of the early Christians.

Yet, there are SO many things that happen in Acts that are VERY different from how God has the church structured now.

This particular chapter, I was noticing how OFTEN people were hearing from the Holy Spirit, not just about their own lives, but also about others. Paul was getting all KINDS of communication through other people from the Holy Spirit.

But today, the Spirit communicates to the individual believer about their own life, but (in my opinion) doesn't go meddling with others. He will talk to me about ME, and He will talk to you about YOU. He doesn't need to use me to give you orders!

It made me think of how, when a baby is newborn, SO many things change ... the hole in their heart closes up, the soft spot in their heads firms up, their neck gets stronger, they gain weight, vision improves, etc. And it's SO SO FAST.

And it's the only time in life (except maybe adolescence) that everything is in such a state of rapid change.

Acts is kind of like a newborn. All kinds of things are happening to prepare the church for maturity and stability in the future. And while we learn a TON from it, I'm becoming less and less convinced that it's intended to be a pattern for how the church should function today.

In fact, it's amazing how LITTLE pattern God actually gives us for the church's function. We are told some about how the leadership should be, and some about how we should treat one another, but as far as details about when we meet, how long, what the music's like, what the building's like, what we should wear, etc. etc. ... God doesn't say a whole lot.

When you look at the intricate details He gave for old testament temple worship, that's really amazing, isn't it? They had specifications for EVERY THING having to do with worshiping God.

Yet for the new testament church ... there's all this liberty left.

I think it's a neat picture of how God is now focused on the internal condition of our hearts, rather than the externals of buildings and dress and music and blah blah blah. He wants us to worship Him in community with a local church, but how that's done? We're pretty free.

And how adaptable this makes Christianity. It's not a belief that only "works" in Israel in 50 A.D. or in America in 2009. It belongs to every culture who opens to it, and any time. The Dutch here who prefer music without any drums, or such-like (and kind of like their food without spice also ... I wonder if there's a connection?) can HAVE their plain way of worship. And those who like drums and dancing can have that too. It's all freedom and liberty. I like that!

Grey areas are very VERY nice in so many things!

Rambling post today ... if anyone read this far, I'm impressed. :)

Obama's latest

He's suggesting we charge military personnel for treatment of service-related injuries.

I am SO not kidding.

(He says "charge their private insurance" ... but, that means their insurance rates will rise dramatically, or they'll be dropped entirely ... when you charge an insurance company, you charge the people who buy the insurance.)

Read it! And write letters. Many, many letters.

Trinka

don't you just have days like this?

My oldest niece was having a bad day. Everyone was, apparently, out to get her.

She wrote the following missive. (Note the use of all-caps on the word "BAD"). :)



I've had days like this. Everyone in the world is just BAD. I'm buying an island and moving. :)

Often, I find that coffee helps!

we interrupt this blog

For a non-commercial announcement.

There is a free add-on, discussed in this LifeHacker article, which, when installed, will give you a tab on your Office '97 programs called "menu".


Upon clicking on this tab of wonder, you will get ... can you believe it? ... the Office 2003 menus!



You're welcome.




(I'm slowly learning the Office 2007 menus, but, when I'm in a rush, it's VERY nice to be able to just go to what's familiar, and grab what I need!)

Today's Dilbert

Love it!!! (If you only see two panels, click on it to go to the site, and see the third.)

It's good to be a girl ...

My insurance company recently sent a document to me that indicated they thought I was male.

The funny thing is ... this is NOT the first time this has happened, or even the second!

I'm quite a girly-girl, so at least it's not an indictment of my appearance.

But I DO have a strange first name, and my last name is a commonly-used man's first name.

So, often data-entry types will see my name, assume it's reversed, and assign me the wrong gender. One college I applied to made this mistake. I would have had a very interesting time in the dorms, if I'd ended up going THERE!

I think I've gotten insurance-company straightened out.

Which is good, since I'm wearing a skirt today, and I'd hate to have to go home and change. :)

Everything is Amazing ... Nobody's Happy

so many bad choices start with these words ...

"I'm afraid of ending up alone."

Good grief folks. There are WAY worse things.

Pull up your big-girl panties, learn to operate power tools, replace air filters and see the occasional movie by yourself.

Really ... it's not a bad way to live.

Relationships are great.

Relationships born out of desperation ... not so much so.

Bittersweet Facebook bios

I've been on Facebook for quite a long time, but used it infrequently - mostly to see the pictures posted by a few friends.

But recently, I've run into a large group of folks I knew about 20 years ago.

It's fascinating to get these little snapshots of their lives. Most have been the predictable "went to college, got married, had kids."

Then there are a few that were stories of great sadness and victory.

One fellow who was always a thinker has some books he's written.

Another who had the best sense of humor of anyone I've ever met has become a doctor. (Can you imagine how much more at ease you'd be with a doc who didn't take himself, or life, too seriously?) In the midst of rejoicing at seeing him have that success, I noticed that he's gone through a divorce, and some custody strangeness with his kids. So, you get 20 years of history, condensed into one 10 minute Facebook reunion. And you wonder ... do I send condolences, congratulations, what?

A lot, apparently, can get squeezed into 20 years. I, on the other hand, am still wearing some of the same clothes, and reading the same books. Some of us just don't DO change.

Letter from a Grand-dad

A very cute email forward. :)


Guess you heard that 68% of the youth vote went to Obama. My 20 yr old granddaughter called this morning to tell me she was one of them. I replied with this e-mail:

My Dear Susan,

The election of Obama comes down to this. Your grandmother and I, your mother, and other productive, wage-earning tax payers will have their taxes increased and that means less income left over. Less income means we will have to cut back on basic purchases, gifts and handouts. That includes firing the Hispanic lady who cleans our house twice a month. She just lost her job. We can't afford her anymore.

What is the economic effect of Obama's election on you personally? Over the years, your grandmother and I have given you thousands of dollars in food, housing, cash, clothing, gifts, etc. By your vote, you have chosen another family over ours for help.

So in the future, if you need assistance with your rent, money for gas, tires for your car, someone to bring you lunch, etc. ... Call 202-456-1111.
That's the telephone number for the Office of the President of the United States . I'm sure Mr. Obama will be happy to send a check from his personal or business accounts, as we have, or leave cash in an envelope taped to his front door for you, as we have.

It's like this. Those who vote for the President of the United States should consider what the impact of an election will be on the nation as a whole and not just be concerned with what they can get for themselves (welfare, stimulus checks, etc.). What Obama voters don't seem to realize is that the government's money comes from taxes collected from tax paying families. Raising taxes on productive people means they will have less money to spend on their families.

Congratulations on your choice. For future reference, you might attempt to add up all you've received from us, your mom, Mike's parents and others and compare it to what you expect to get over the next four years from Mr. Obama.

To congratulate Mr. Obama and to make sure you're on the list for handouts, write to:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington , DC 20500

Love you Susan, but call the number listed above when you need help.

Take Care!

Love,
Granddad

Dad's foundry burning

My father found this video last night that was taken when his foundry burned in 1991.

I had absolutely no idea the size of the fire. And the place was a 100-year-old building, located in an old area of Reading, with other buildings right on top of it - it's a miracle that nobody was killed, and the fire dept. was able to contain it before it spread.

I admit it ... I watch Survivor

My sister-in-law and I occasionally watch it "together." (meaning, we text message each other during the show.

It always takes a while to learn who's who, and their personalities. But for the initial few episodes, I'm always just hoping for people to get voted out who have brought inadequate swimwear. I live ALONE and I'm embarrassed.

Clothes ladies ... clothes are good.

They know they're going to play a game that's athletic, and long-lasting. Maybe a swimsuit that actually is ... you know ... designed to stay ON when you breathe?

And there is always complaining about being cold at night.

Again ... clothes ... maybe bring clothes containing actual fabric?

Instead of strategically-placed rubber bands?

critters at work

Today I shopped at a local trophy shop to pick up some name tags we had ordered for work.

I love going to this place.

"Why?" you may ask, "do you like visiting a store that's so obviously selling merchandise that doesn't interest you?"

It's because they have a dog. There's a sweet little poodle that greets me at the door whenever I go there.

There's something so warm about a business that has a pet. (Those with allergies would probably disagree.)

Bookstores so often have a resident cat. It changes it from a commercial enterprise to a giant cozy reading room when you see that fuzzy fellow looking down at you from the top of a shelf.

One of my few memories from when I was really little was going to my dad's foundry in the evening when nothing was happening, and there was a big German Shepherd dog wandering around. (Dad just sent an email and said his name was "Lance")

When I was a kid, my brother and I always wanted to go to one certain hardware store, because they had a Macaw. His name was Rascal, and he was a fun bird.

Then there was the time in high school when I actually worked at a pet store. The two favorites there were a green parrot and a white cockatoo that were chained to an open perch in the middle of the store. They were great fun, and SO smart. They learned to open the ages, and, if you weren't careful, would let the small birds out at night when nobody was watching.

Critters ... I'm in favor of critters. (at least the ones that don't have long, naked tails ... mice, gerbils, snakes ... nothing like that!) Fellow came in one day with his pet rat. No thanks. That's not a pet. That's vermin.

if I get attacked by a plate of Mongolian beef, I'm ready to defend myself

I've recently discovered a site for people trying to grow their hair long. It has some wonderful tips & tricks. (I'm now sleeping with my hair in braids laced with coconut oil ... and whether it protects it or not, I don't know ... but it smells WONDERFUL).

On this site is a section with all kinds of instructions for different ways of putting up your hair. The one I tried today weaves it around a pair of chopsticks. I love the way it looks, but I keep picturing myself pulling them out and tackling a plate of fried rice. :)

Kristen asked for a picture -- here's the best I could do with my cell phone camera over my head. :) It's not as smooth as it could be, because I did it with dry hair.

Define "Impertinent"

No ... really. I mean it. Think about it, and tuck the definition away in your mind behind your right ear.

Did you do it?

No?

I'm waiting ...


No. Don't look it up ... I want the definition from inside your own head.


Waiting ....


OK.


The word really has two definitions:

1. synonymous with impudent or cheeky (this is how I defined it.)

or

2. synonymous with irrelevant

The interesting thing is, if you ask a group of people what the word means, almost everyone will come up with one or the other, and will vehemently defend their position.

It almost always breaks down thusly:

Math/Science types will insist on definition #2. (irrelevant)

Literature types will insist on definition #1. (impudent)

And so far, NOBODY has said that it has two meanings.

So ... next time you're sitting around a table, and the seven-minute-conversation-lull hits, take a little survey, and feel free to let me know the results!

a sweet surprise

A group of kids and teens from church just brought me a rose, some cards and cookies for valentines' day. If that wasn't just such a neat surprise.

I'd just been griping about valentine's day being the depressing highlight of a depressing month ... and those sweet faces show up to brighten my day. It was a treat!

I want to vote for someone in four years ...

I've been thinking about the bleakness of the quality of politicians for whom we have opportunity to vote.

Other than Sarah Palin, there hasn't been anyone I'd vote FOR in this last election, other than Fred Thompson, who got out too early in the primaries. By the time it got to the election, it was "which is the least objectionable."

It seems that everyone is trying to be so moderate, that they aren't standing for anything. I want a fire-breathing, small-government, tax-cutting, pork-deleting, non-compromising dragon. I do not want a moderate.

Conservatives are becoming so moderate, that the liberals are turning us into another European country. (To those who only know what they see on the evening news ... this is NOT a good thing.)

I just wonder, if a third party sprang up NOW, and committed themselves to being conservatives ... real conservatives ... if in the next 4 years, they could give both the republicans and democrats a run for their money.

I'm almost tempted by the libertarians, if it weren't for the goofy drug-legalization aspect. (And don't they have some kind of thing going on where they don't want laws barring sex with minors? Not sure about this one ...)

The libertarians don't seem to take into account that mankind is basically evil. We NEED laws regulating behavior, or else we will have Lord of the Flies, lived out in front of us.

But we DON'T need socialism.

So how do you find someone to vote for, and a party to join, that understands, and is willing to stand on, that broad platform that lies between socialism and anarchy? It exists. Lots of folks in the past stood on it, but it's deserted now.

If someone steps up, and occupies that space, I think (I hope!) a great many Americans would be delighted to follow him or her in four years.

love it!

Questions that puzzle secretaries ...

When told that the person they are calling has left for the day ...

"Did he go home? Can I find him there?"

Gee ... he neglected to tell me his plans for the evening. Imagine!

When told that someone is not available to the phone.

When can I call back and reach them?

OK ... if you're not willing to leave a message and have him call you back when it's convenient, then you, sir, are a phone salesman or another form of annoying caller, and nobody will want to talk to you, no matter WHEN you call.

Distribution of your surname in the U.S.

Isn't this cool?

Distribution of the surname Jeffery

Where does your name come from?

I am sick to death of moderation

I was reading about the new RNC chair, and how he is a "moderate" ... how the Republican party desperately needs "moderates."

Can't anyone out there see that moderation is the LAST thing we need?

Good grief people ... stand for SOMETHING.

Thanks for listening ... I'm not feeling any better ... but at least I vented a bit.

If you want your computer keyboard REALLY clean ...

I'm working on a project for which I'm using pried-off keys from a LOT of broken computer keyboards. (speaking of such ... if you have any that are headed for the trash .... please send them my way).

Anyway ...

I had the idea of running them through the dishwasher.

Those keys are SPOTLESS.

Though, I suppose if it were a keyboard you actually wanted to USE again ... not such a good idea. :)

Army is closed

My brother's Army base is closed because it's icy.

Yep ... hope nobody attacks Kentucky today 'cause there ain't nobody protecting it.

Tanks, helicopters, big guns, all kinds of cool toys ... but they close for ice. :)

Israel

An excellent portrayal of the facts on the Middle East conflict, that the media can't be bothered to report:

http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

(probably not a video I'd watch with children around, just FYI).

Life Lesson for Today

No matter HOW sunny it is on one's lunch hour, it is still inadvisable to leave the car's sun-roof open when going back in to work after lunch, in Michigan, in January.

In other news ... we had a bat in the building this morning. My, but that was exciting. :)

Here's some kids getting a good foundation!

What software would YOU use, if you were me?

I am a church secretary, and a big part of my job is writing announcements for different events.

I'm trying to decide what software would be best to start saving these announcements, so I could re-use and reference them.

We're talking about 3-5 sentences of text, which would need to be cross-referenced in multiple ways ... by date, by the group having the event, by the room it met in, etc.

I'd thought about a database, but that isn't really exactly what I'm after, because it would need to be linked in so many different ways.

Suggestions? Anyone?

clock is done!

We ended up taking the clock to the folks at Eastern Avenue Clock Shop, as the works needed some work. I picked it up today, and am just loving it!

Adorable!

Now THIS is the proper use of the internet ... videos of hedgehogs eating carrots. :)

that's not funny!

OK ... actually ... it's ME that's not funny.

I have friends who are, naturally, funny.

D. comes from a family of story-tellers, and she can tell the simplest thing, and have a group rolling. T. has a naturally quick mind, and will come out with something hilarious before most of us have had time to process the situation she's referring to.

About the only naturally humorous gift I have is to tell "I did something dumb" stories. Fortunately I provide myself with a ready supply.

Why is she bringing this up? you may wonder.

Well, I'm having lunch with R. today.

She is one of the rare exceptions to the "Trinka's not funny" rule.

For some oddball reason, I am a regular comedian when I'm with her. She draws forth smart alec, goofy remarks, one after the other.

No idea why.

I have a few folks like this, and being with them is always a strange, yet wonderful experience. I come away thinking ... "this is what it must be like to be T." My handful of jollity-producing friends are as follows: two sisters I used to visit in Kirksville, Missouri, the nurse-practitioner in my doctor's office, and R--My handful of jollity-producing friends. So ... all of you with whom I laugh until my face hurts ... thanks! It's certainly a delight.

I suppose this is what "bringing out the best (or possibly worst) in me" means ... who can tell? :)

all hope of productivity is lost from henceforeth

I set up a Facebook account a couple years ago, but never really used it.

Until ... Friday ...

When I discovered it has these word games.

Word games you can play for hours and hours and hours.

Word games which might, if some kind of intervention is not planned, cause me to spend every free moment in front of my computer from now on. (No. I mean MORE than I already do!)

Pathwords and Scramble ... give them a try. REALLY addictive. Come, join me in the land of unproductivity ...

spring in my kitchen

While the snow falls outside, and they are predicting high temps in the single digits for the next several days, I'm encouraged to watch this little fellow.

R. gave me this bulb vase last year, with a hyacinth bulb to go in it. This year for my birthday, she gave me another bulb (of unknown type). It's been growing a little over a week now, and it's happening so fast that I could swear I see a difference every time I walk through the kitchen!

Trinka, the passive-agressive note writer ...

I have called my upstairs neighbor a few times to remind him of the quiet hours, and ask him to turn things down. (Christmas night at 11:15, and last night at 10:15.)

I thought that the quiet hours began at 10:00, but this morning, he had taped a copy of the bylaws to my door, and it says they begin at 10:30. (which he circled.)

OK. Fair enough.

But I also noticed that they START at 8:00 a.m. I had thought it was 9:00.

I left a note on HIS door this morning (since it seems he'd rather communicate through passive agressive notes, than picking up his phone).

I told him that, thanks to his kind information, I now realized it was 10:30. I also mentioned that I'd discovered my error about the morning hours ... how delighted I was to see that it was actually 8:00 a.m. I said that I was taking note of both times, and I thanked him for letting me know.

Happy New Year!

Today is the day when the differences between introverts and extroverts are most prominent.

Grand Rapids is having a big party downtown, with a ball dropping, live music, etc. The news is making a big fuss over it ... "yeah! free party! woo hoo!"

I can put myself in the shoes of someone who's extroverted and vivacious ... my step-brothers and their wives, several of my friends, my sister-in-law and one (or maybe both) of my nieces ... they would hear this and think, "wow! fun!".

Me? I would pay NOT to go! My favorite New Year's Eve memories involve small get-togethers to play games and visit. There was a group of us who met in college who gathered every New Year's for a few years after graduation, and it was always one of the highlights of the holidays.

But when I hear "FREE PARTY DOWNTOWN" ... all I can think of is looking for a parking place in the cold and dark ... fighting crowds ... noise ... freezing ... more noise ... then a long, cold walk back to my car in the dark, and a longer, colder drive home.

Think I'll just enjoy making jewelry tonight, and declare "midnight" some time around 10:30.

The extroverts reading this are thinking "pathetic" and the introverts are thinking, "perfect"!

a conversation from the Alamo desk at the Orlando Airport

When I went away a couple weeks ago, I got into Orlando about 9:00 p.m. I'm a morning person, so my brain doesn't fire on all cylinders at night.

I went to the Alamo counter to pick up a car ...

Alamo guy: "Where is your destination?"

Me: "Paisley, Florida"

Alamo guy: "and what part of Florida is that in?"

Me: "I don't know."

Alamo guy: "do you know what major city it's near?"

Me: "Nope."

Alamo guy ... obviously frustrated: "Ma'am ... how do you intend to GET there?"

At the time I was picking up the van, I wasn't particularly thinking about its use as a vehicle ... I was just looking forward to using it for a nap until my brother & his family's flight got in about midnight.

I had a GPS in my suitcase, and was counting on that to get me to my dad's house ... so I hadn't even looked at a map to see where I was going.

However, I realized that it must have sounded a bit odd to poor Alamo-guy ... I'm renting this car, and have absolutely no idea where I'm taking it. :)

the ultimate hard-to-clean-up mess

I've found it.

In trying to straighten a bent tube of unopened superglue, I discovered the bend had made a hole in the tube.

Fortunately I had a second-thought before I tried to clean up the drops on my buffet. I'd rather have clear, hard drops, than a smeared mess, if I MUST have superglue on my furniture forever!

Groan.

On the up-side ... I temporarily have no fingerprints on my left hand ... should I wish to rob a bank or some-such.

Life is so full of little surprises!

Here's some inspiration for you!

This is short clips from a bunch of movies (most of which I've never seen). It makes you feel all excited to tackle ... well ... to tackle SOMETHING anyway!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you were blessed today with thoughts of Him whose birth it celebrates!

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from the time at Disney with my nieces, brother, sister-in-law, dad, step-mom and her mother.



This is adorable niece #2 showing me the penny she found on the carousel. Oddly enough, on both outings I've had with her recently, she's found cash. I think they might do well to take her for walks regularly. :)

the weekend

I just returned from a lovely weekend in Florida. I met my brother, sister-in-law, and the adorable nieces down there, and we had some time with my dad, step mother, and her mother, at their place near Orlando.

We were able to watch the girls enjoy Disney on Sunday ... which was so neat. I can't imagine wanting to go to Disney as an adult ... but it was very enjoyable when you could watch little ones having a wonderful time!

I thought I'd post a picture of the girls enjoying the Florida sunshine (on Saturday), and one of what I came home to today. (Note the bobcat in the background clearing the snow out of the parking lot, so the plows would have room to work.) :)

I did have the pleasant and unique experience of being bumped up to first class for the flight home. I could become very accustomed to life up at the front! They had real meals, on real plates and silverware. The seats were comfy. It was quite nice!

Florida update

Well, my 2:30 flight is now scheduled to leave at 4:45. But I'm encouraged that it's still supposed to LEAVE!

I just tried to move my car to a non-awkward spot in the parking lot, since I'm leaving it over the weekend. It's buried. Totally buried. I left the keys in the center of my desk, and asked if someone would please move it once the parking lot is plowed. :)

I was planning to drive myself to the airport, but I'm getting a ride now from my boss, who has a big 4 wheel drive pickup. I've become recently very fond of the idea of four wheel drive.

Warm weather, here I come!

looks like a good day to go to Florida

This is the view out the church's front door right now. Schools and businesses are closed ...

And I'm heading to Florida for a long weekend.

Yep. Feeling real sorry for myself. Yes, I am.

wanna see an eyeball?

I went in for my eye doctor appointment today, and they had the coolest new test. It took a picture of the back of a person's eyeballs. I thought it was so nifty, I asked if I could have my eyeballs on my flash drive to take home with me. :)

I'll just post one since, really, they look basically the same.

I was encouraged to hear that I'm a good candidate for lasik. I'm seriously considering it. The doc said if he had my prescription, he would have jumped at it, and would have done so years ago.

Behold, the eyeball!

so adorable

Adorable niece #1 called and read me a story today. I found the plot a trifle hard to follow, but the "at" and "ad" sounds featured prominently.

Beginning in January, I'll be changing my office hours, to work four ten-hour days. We're bringing on a book-keeper (which I believe I rejoiced about several posts ago), and we're going to try having her work Mondays, and I'll work Tuesday-Friday.

Three-day weekends ... woo hoo!

did my third noggin transplant last night

I was working on doing a video for the funeral home last night, and one of the pictures the family gave me to work with had a man's head cut out from another picture, and glued onto a body in the picture I was working on.

Unfortunately, it wasn't done particularly well, and was slightly too large.

So ... I did my best to try and make it look natural. I haven't had as much education in photo-shop as I wish I had! Head transplants are a little above my education level.

But it made me remember that I've actually performed two previous similar operations.

One of our missionaries had asked me to do a prayer card for them. They wanted a family picture printed out, with all their names on the picture. They have 8 children, so it's nice to have them identified.

Well ... in the best picture, one of their boys wasn't smiling. So I tried to take his head from another picture, and insert it into the good one.

I worked really hard at this. If I remember correctly, I think I was using Microsoft Paint, or something equally basic ... plus I had no experience or training in such matters.

But I worked and worked, and finally got it to look pretty good.

Showed it to them ...

and then discovered I had made one very crucial error early in the process ...

I chose the wrong boy's head to paste in. :)

That's right. They had two of the same son in the picture, and one boy missing altogether.

Oops.

Fortunately, I had gleaned enough experience that it went MUCH smoother the second time, when I put the RIGHT boy's head in the picture.

So ... three head transplants, and I don't even have a medical degree (or ... unfortunately, any training in Photoshop, though I would like to pursue some!)

one of those fun forward things

Copy the list, and bold-face the ones you've done.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (this was a really bad idea ... as all who have heard me sing can attest!)
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning. ummm ... yeah ... a lot of "no fun"
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. it was a mental-health kid of thing!
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. (a teeny tiny organizer business)
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. (they can never FIND blood in me when I have to get it drawn, so I've never dared attempt it voluntarily! :)
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy Fred-Shep ... still stuffed in my closet somewhere. :)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt. during my junior high "I'm going to be a home-maker" phase :)
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job. NOT a fun day ... I still find myself wishing I could get in touch with them and correct the misunderstanding ... you know that "permanent record" they warned you about in elementary school? I feel like there's this enormous blotch on mine! :)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. I'm not sure it was speeding ... but it sure felt like it ... wonderful!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book. well ... helped OTHER people publish them anyway!
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible. Straight through?
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

the time has come

I believe my unfiled-pile has reached critical mass, and must-needs be addressed!

(note ... this is at home, NOT at work ... k? Just wanted to be sure that was out there! I'm MUCH more responsible at work.) :)

those catalogues

I made the mistake of ordering a shampoo rack for my shower.

"Why is this a mistake?" you may ask.

It has gotten me on the mailing list for a collection of catalogues that seem to be targeted at those over age 90.

They are full of long-handled gadgets promising to protect me from every having to bend over, or reach up, for anything again. There are special brushes and contraptions to clean anything and everything. They promise to "protect" me, and everything I own ... special bags to store magazines to "protect" them (from what? I don't know) ... special socks to put over the legs of chairs to "protect" the floor. (Though what happens when said chair slides away from the person sitting on it, I'm not sure. The floor's fine, but the broken legs? Not so much.

Then there are all the things to increase my "comfort" ... in areas where I never knew I was uncomfortable ... magic pads to sit on, sleep on, stand on ... things to inhale and swallow and wear ...

The catalogues have a kind of horrible fascination ... there's the thought that people out there, somewhere, are actually wasting their pensions on special brushes to get the lint out of their dryer vents, and tomato-shaped containers to hold their tomatoes.

But then there is the most repulsive-sounding consumer item I've ever seen ...

Terry-cloth toilet seat covers.

I am not kidding.

The very thought of it just makes me feel ill.

Merry Christmas

A friend and I put up my tree last night, and I thought I'd share it. :)

I bought a tree-topper (never had one before), and there's obviously a structural issue I had failed to anticipate. It's heavy enough that if I put it on, it slowly leans, leans, leans until it falls off. Very pretty thing ... just can't figure out how to apply it!

the work Christmas party by which all other work Christmas parties will be judged

The funeral home for which I work part time had their Christmas party last night.

I have not found company Christmas parties particularly enjoyable in the past, but I decided to go ... though I went alone so as not to subject anyone else in case it was awful.

But it was SO not awful!

Positive #1 -
No alcohol. I have no objection to moderate drinking, but as a non-drinker myself, I feel uncomfortable when people have drunk enough to be "not themselves". Company Christmas parties seem to be prime situations for this. Then I have to try and forget what I saw when I run into them at work later.

Positive #2 -
It was done open-house style ... you came when you wanted to, left when you wanted to, and felt no time-pressure.

Positive #3 -
It started at 5:00! woo hoo! It happened during the time of day when I was still AWAKE! :) Whenever something starts at 7:00 ... I'm already ready to be curled up at home with a good book when I first get there!

Positive #4 -
Delicious meal, nice gift-cards handed out as I walked in ...

Positive #5 -
The buffet was there by the door, and you went straight in, got a name tag, and sat down with your dinner ... no trying to look comfortable and "at home" during the awkward "punchbowl" time.

The perfect party for the solitary, conservative and socially awkward! Loved it!! :) If I ever get married, I've just seen how my reception will be handled. :)

the township has a new strategy this winter ...

If the current conditions in my neighborhood are any indication, it appears the township doesn't plan to salt the roads this winter.

They scraped all the snow off ... then left the ice there to entertain us.

It's a thrilling drive to work, but not in a good way!

I visited one of my neighbor's yards up close & personal, though by the tire tracks, I was neither the first nor the worst offender.

OK ... little hint to the road guys ... if you're not going to get rid of the ice, then don't peel off the snow!

one more picture of the nieces

I thought this one was adorable. :)

terrible traffic around Fort Knox!

time outs that work

If they were done this way ... maybe ...

don't try this at home

No. Actually. Don't try this anywhere.

I grabbed the wrong contact solution bottle this morning ... and squirted peroxide directly in my eye.

Not

Recommended

Ever!

progress on the old clock

Here's what we started with:

Here's what it looks like now:



Pretty big improvement!

She's been working on getting the works to function, and has bought a new face, which will need to be cut, and mounted. There's a new bezel and dial pan, which needs a hole drilled in it. I'm sure having a wonderful time watching it change!

a book-keeper for Christmas ...

The church treasurer came in yesterday and wanted to meet with me.

Gulp ... OK ... is this the "we can't afford to pay you this week" talk?

He said they were bringing on a part-time book-keeper to take over that aspect of my job.

woo hoo! This is me doing the happy dance!

I'd told them at my annual review that the workload had been getting heavier, and that eventually I would need help. I was just thinking of setting up a schedule for volunteers to handle receptionist tasks.

Instead ... they relieved me of my most-hated duty! The money stuff wasn't really part of my job as I started, but gradually got added in. Now I can pass it off to someone who's actually trained to do it properly, and loves it.

The lady who's taking it over is one who I've worked with before. She often subs for me when I'm out of town, and we work well together. She's organized, and LOVES money and numbers.

I'm just thrilled!

The poor treasurer ... he was trying to be SO careful not to hurt my feelings. I'm SO not hurt, that I can't even begin to express it. :) :)

see ... I think I COULD be in love ... if only ...

ordered my birthday present today ...

There were some news articles saying that there were a lot of folks out there buying guns, as they figure Obama will try and tax guns and ammo into oblivion when he gets in office.

So I went in to shop for my 40th birthday present a few weeks early. :) I'm glad I did, because they were sold out. It's on order. Hopefully it will be here in time for my birthday.

I'm still a bit puzzled at my interest in shooting. But I rented this same gun today and tried it out in the gun store's shooting range, and I still found myself really enjoying trying to perfect my aim.

language not often heard in church

There's a repairman doing battle with a stubborn elevator just outside my office.

He was here all day yesterday, and got here about 7:00 this morning to start again.

The frustration level is rising, and the language becoming louder and more ... well ... colorful.

I find myself stressed out, as though he's yelling at me!

Hoping that thing gets fixed quickly (preferably before any little old ladies wander into the building, as I think this might give them a stroke!)

good reminder this morning

I have a daily Bible reading sent to me from BibleGateway. (I find if I have a reminder sitting in my in-box, I remember to take a minute to read before I dive into my "to do" pile!

Todays's reading was 2 Timothy, chapter 2.

The first two verses caught my attention:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Am I praying for those in authority? I need to be. And I think it's particularly important since the upcoming president is one I didn't vote for. It would be easy to focus on the negative, instead of praying for God to use him.

It was good to note how God wants us to pray for our leaders ... we aren't to pray for economic prosperity, or for decisions to be made that we agree with. (though I'm inclined to do that occasionally!)

Rather we're to pray that government will, essentially, allow us to go about our business, living for God, without interruption.

Realistically, at least for the forseeable future, even a liberal government is very likely to do that! We're quite blessed in that regard here in the States.

But I do need to remember to pray for Obama. He's going to have an overwhelming job dumped on him very soon.

I also want to remember to pray for President Bush. In my opinion, he's been most unfairly maligned by the press. He's done a tremendous job under extremely difficult circumstances, and I'm sure he's looking forward to returning to a quiet life in Crawford!

Did I ever show you?

How the saddle turned out when I got it done, and hung up?

Can't remember ...

If not, here it is!

any male readers I have may want to skip this one ...

I just ordered this wonderful critter ... it SANDS the hair off your legs, so you don't have to shave.

It works great.

Consider this an unpaid endorsement!

thoughts on grocery store etiquette

I've once again been reminded why I avoid stores ... and particularly why I avoid stores on Saturdays.

Wouldn't it seem reasonable that, if a person wanted to chat with 5 or 6 friends, it would be pleasant to find a nice coffee shop somewhere? The appeal of gathering in a wagon-train-style circle, surrounded by grocery carts, blocking all traffic down supermarket aisles ... well ... it's one I just don't understand.

And I do hope that one day, I will have a life that is leisurely enough that I would be inclined to wander slowly through a store, casually looking over the merchandise in case something appeals to me. I can't fathom it ... but it sounds pleasant.

But if I do ... please let me remember to stay to one side or the other, so others who are trying to fit too much stuff in too small a time-frame have room to pass me, instead of clenching their jaw as they are forced into unwelcome-leisure as they dawdle behind me.

Anyhow ... yep ... I'm glad I can do most of my shopping online. :)

(and I'm sure anyone who would be stuck in the same environment with me is also very glad to NOT have me there!)

a local bank's new promotion

OK ... you tell me ... when you see this banner, what do you think?



It is hanging on the front of a local bank, and all I could think was ... "what a strange promotion they're having."

I read it as swipe (steal) this sign, and you get $500.

It's intended as a promo for their credit card ... swipe (use your credit card), sign the bill, and get $500.

Wondering how many of these signs will disappear if others read it the same way I did? :)

well, that was strange ...

Yesterday around 9:00 a.m., I was sitting at my desk, and a man came to the door.

We have an electronic locking system, so I buzz people in when I see them.

However, this fellow ran up to the door, yanked on it a couple times, and then yelled D_____ it! and ran around the side of the building, with a mustardy-yellow-jeep-thing driving right beside him. I had hit the button to open the door to let him in, but he was already storming off before he heard it open.

The music director heard this, and walked down to see what was going on. The jeepish-suv-ish thing picked the man up, and they drove back around the front of the building, saw music-guy standing in the door, and gave him the finger as they left.

This ... is ... very strange behavior.

I'm rather thankful that he didn't hear the door open!

I do get people coming into the building sometimes who are frustrated because they're lost, or who have to use the bathroom in a hurry, etc. But if it were something like that, I would have thought they would have stopped and come to the door again when they saw music-guy there.

Kind of makes me wonder if jeep-thing was a get-away car, and they had something illegal in mind!

weird!

I have never yet ...

seen a dog in a costume who didn't look either homicidal or deeply embarrassed.

There is one golden retriever who MIGHT be having a good time, but goldens are SO sensitive to their owners' emotions, that I'm guessing he's just trying his hardest to enter into the spirit of things. :)

acorns are little nuts

In honor of Acorn's tireless efforts to register voters amongst underserved populations - for instance, the dead, housepets, and Disney characters, it has been declared that anyone who was registered to vote through an Acorn voter-registration drive will be voting on Wednesday next week.

That's right - they get their own day ... since it was so hard for them to register on their own, we've set aside a special time slot just for them.

So plan on it ... next week Wednesday ... you get the polls all to yourself. Tea and cookies will be served.

bypassed beauty

I went for a walk with my camera this afternoon, just enjoying the leaves. It was one of those exceptionally windy days that makes the branches dance, and the leaves blow everywhere. It was quite lovely! I thought maybe you'd like to share it with me.



Every year this burning bush is particularly vibrant, and I love the way the tree in the foreground forms an arch over it.
























lace, made without hands.






The fellow who went with this house was out with a leaf blower, battling back the forces of nature. Beauty can be untidy ... and untidiness can not be allowed to run rampant. (Though with the wind we're having today, he might be better advised to put off the battle for another time!)






beauty lying in the gutter

Our pastor came to us from a Lutheran & Presbyterian background, so he brought with him some traditions with which we were unfamiliar. One of those traditions was celebrated today, and that was Reformation Sunday.

We took the time to look at the gift that was given to us, in that we have the Scriptures in our own language. This is a relatively new development, and yet we've become so accustomed to it, that it's easy to not notice.

The book that's right now sitting on the seat of my car, and copies of which are in almost every room of my home, is here because blood was shed to bring it to me. Just like those leaves lying along-side the road, it can become common-place. I need for it NOT to be. The gift of being able to read, and understand, the very words of God, in my own language, without fear of persecution, is a rare one. Not many have enjoyed this combination of circumstances down through history, and I need to treasure it more.

Sarah Palin polling really well with fast-food drive-through workers

The day after McCain picked Sarah Palin as his VP, I made a sign and stuck it in my back, driver's side car window. It says "Vote Sarah Palin for Vice President" and has a picture of the two on the bottom.

It's amazing how often I will drive through a fast food drive-through line (it's amazing how often I DO drive through fast food drive through lines ... but that's another subject), and the worker will make a positive comment when she sees the sign in the window. I find it most encouraging. :)

fun with Photoshop

I've been tinkering with Photoshop Elements, trying to learn how the tools work.

I haven't quite figured it out yet ... but I am enjoying playing with it!

Here's a couple of pictures from my trip to Italy that I was playing with - a pretty foo-foo from the Duomo, layered on top of the roof of the Galleria.

kids yogurt?

On meandering through the grocery store while a friend shopped last night, I noticed an entire section devoted to "kids yogurt."

I'm wondering ... what, exactly, makes it different from "adult yogurt"?

It's non-alcoholic? Does't require a driver's license to operate?

I've long hated the commercials for "Juicy Juice" ... not only is the name itself annoying to me (Juicy Juice, as opposed to "dry" juice? Or "sandy" juice?), and apparently, from the ads, it's marketed exclusively to parents in order to be served to children.

Then, today, I noticed a special line of "children's skin and hair care products."

Why? hair is hair. skin is skin.

These special "kids" products strike me as one of those areas where rich (compared to the rest of the world) Americans are being trained to have needs where none exist.

me and pop culture

I recorded Saturday Night Live last night because Sarah Palin was on it.

There's a whole world out there of which I'm ignorant (and gladly so). I understood maybe 20% of the jokes. :)

Now, the Sarah Palin parts were GREAT. I do like that lady.

I know ... I'm posting an awful lot of videos lately ...

But you've got to watch the two videos of this women speaking.

liberalism epitomized ...

Brian said I had to post this video

Let me say ... I can't QUITE believe this is real ... I'm sure it's just something someone has done to mock the environmentalists. But it's funny either way?

funeral home thoughts

I got called in to work today at 1:00 to make a video for the funeral home.

Since I started this job, I've found it to be kind of a strange mental situation ...

I'm on call for certain days, and may or may not get called in, and so I need to keep that in mind while making plans.

The odd part is this ...

I can plan ahead that I may need a 4-8 hour chunk of time on a certain day, and if I do, I'll also get a chunk of much-needed income.

Meanwhile, if I DO get called in to work, that means there is a family out there, who has absolutely NO IDEA that their life will change completely in that same time period.

It's weird, really ... planning for something that will make such a minor impact on my life, when those whose lives will be forever altered have no way to plan whatsoever.

On a happier note ... here's some funeral humor for you. :)

A Country Funeral


As a young minister in Kentucky, I was asked by a funeral director to hold a grave-side service for a homeless man, who had no family or friends. The funeral was to be held at a new cemetery way back in the country, and this man would be the first to be buried there.

I was not familiar with the backwoods area, and I soon became lost. Being a typical man, I did not stop to ask for directions. I finally arrived an hour late.

I saw the backhoe and the open grave, but the hearse was nowhere in sight. The digging crew was eating lunch. I apologized to the workers for my tardiness, and I stepped to the side of the open grave. There I saw the vault lid already in place. I assured the workers I would not hold them up for long, as I told them that this was the proper thing to do.

The workers gathered around the grave and stood silently, as I began to pour out my heart and soul. As I preached about 'looking forward to a brighter tomorrow' and 'the glory that is to come,' the workers began to say 'Amen,' 'Praise the Lord,' and 'Glory!' The fervor of these men truly inspired me. So, I preached and I preached like I had never preached before, all the way from Genesis to Revelations.

I finally closed the lengthy service with a prayer, thanked the men, and walked to my car. As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I heard one of the workers say to another, 'I ain't NEVER seen nothin' like that before, and I've been puttin' in septic tanks for thirty years.

what was your first computer?

This past week, a friend started doing some shopping because the (25 gig) hard drive on her laptop had filled up.

I was thinking of how unimaginable this would have seemed to me when I bought my first computer in 1989. I'm not sure we even USED the term "gig". :) I had a 200 mg hard drive, and I can remember deleting documents when I needed to make room for new software.

My very first computer was a 286 with a pretty amber monitor (the ones at the college were green ... I thought the amber was SO much nicer.) I had considered the cheaper 80/86 (is that the right term? can't remember for sure ...), but I decided to spend extra on the bigger computer, so it would LAST me a while.

It came with a funny windows-ish thing called Geoworks, and a dot matrix printer - all for only $1,100! What a DEAL! If I remember correctly, I was still using it in 1993 when I signed up for my first Internet service - AOL at 10 hours/month, I think. I used Pro-Write and WordStar mainly ... with occasional forays into some kind of really basic desktop publishing program. That was IT, and I thought I was really techy!

What was your first computer?

P.S. ... out of curiosity, I just looked at my own hard drive. I have 80 gig, and 28.8 is full. YIkes! What IS all that stuff? :)

introvert vs. extrovert

This week, one of my co-workers and I were discussing the differences between introverts and extroverts.

I have always associated "introvert" with "shy", but he described introversion and extroversion as where a person finds their energy ... are they energized by being with people, or is it wearisome?

I found it quite an enlightening idea. Because, while I am not particularly shy, I find social occasions exhausting. While I enjoy them, I am always relieved to get into a room alone and close the door afterward!

It never occurred to me that extroverted people don't experience that same feeling ... that they might actually gain energy the longer they're at a gathering, while I gradually wind down and start taking long breaks in the ladies' room, longing for things to end for the evening. Interesting!

On a different note ... here's a new picture of the adorable nieces. I thought this was great!

Neat quote today

This was on my google home page ... thought it was so good:

"Forgiveness is the answer to the child's dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is again made clean."
- Dag Hammarskjold

bored with the board

After last night's condo meeting, I decided that I'm just not condo-board material. (as opposed to board material, which would be wood, which, I'm not either, but I digress.)

Our condo board meetings are a picture of ineffectiveness if I've ever seen one. There are long, drawn-out conversations that have nothing to do with board business. And often these same conversations are repeated, almost verbatim, at every meeting.

(For instance, we have a rule on our bylaws against leaving trucks parked outside the building overnight. At every meeting, there is discussion as to why this rule exists, and whether vans and SUVs constitute "trucks.") No resolution is ever achieved, or attempted. It just seems to be a ritual pet-topic.

I'm a non-leader down to my bones, but the aimlessness of these meetings is such that I find myself pushing them forward, demanding answers, requesting the next agenda item, etc. Then I get home, grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw.

So, after last night's demonstration of inefficiency, I am going to tender my resignation. I'm tired of being infuriated by these gatherings!

I'll just write my monthly check, and consider that the extent of my contribution to the community!

dance like no one's watching

Here's adorable niece #2 doing just that. :)

my brother's new blog

I woke up this morning to discover an email from my sister-in-law, telling me that my brother has a new blog.

I already enjoy sister-in-laws blog very much, and it's nice to have brother blogging also. He used to write a newspaper column, and did a great job. So I'm glad to see he's putting his hand to a keyboard again. :)

Eugenics in America

Have a look at an excellent blog I read today.

amazon doesn't know what to make of me ...

I started my Christmas shopping this week. I know ... it's ridiculously early, but I find I make wiser decisions if I'm not doing it quickly, and I also find I enjoy Christmas more if the shopping is done before the busy-ness starts!

Anyhow, all that is to say ... Amazon is desperately trying to make recommendations according to my previous buying habits.

However, I've had one friend ask me to order power tools for her (she doesn't like shopping online.) I use my personal account to order books for the church where I work. I buy gifts for the adorable-nieces. Then there is my own stuff.

So ...

Amazon recommends power tools, and children's games, and deep theological books, and the occasional pretty necklace.

I'm almost tempted to throw in the occasional order for really cheap, random stuff, just to confuse their computers even more. :)

Have you seen this yet?

If not, take a second and watch it. This is one of our veterans.

communication confusion

subtitled:
how I discovered my sister-in-law's phone doesn't display from whom text messages come!

I texted my delightful sister-in-law to find out how adorable-niece-#1's doctor's appointment went. (Both nieces have selective mutism, and are going to begin treatment for it.)

She responded back with detailed reports, and a great deal of affection, and also mentioned that my absence was probably a contributing factor, but that treatment was promising.

I was thankful for the detailed reports, and I'll be glad to accept affection when I can find it!

(Insert information here ... that my brother was out in the field with Army-training-stuff, and didn't have his cell phone. He had told sister-in-law that he might be able to borrow someone else's phone to check in.)

Starting to get the idea?

Well, from my end, confusion wasn't too bad. There was only one text from her that made it obvious she thought she was talking to my brother.

I assumed she was texting both of us at the same time, and just had sent one to the wrong person.

So I responded back:

"I think that was meant for Cliff?"

This is where sister-in-law's day starts to get weird!

She, thinking she was originally texting my brother, assumes that last message was from "random guy" who had loaned brother his cell phone.

So the rest of the conversation she begins to assume is with "random guy" ... who is quite overly-familiar. Or with returned-to-phone-Cliff ... who doesn't sound at all like himself.

The text conversation ends ... and sister-in-law remains confused.

Until last night, when I again sent her a text message.

Which she now assumes is from either Cliff or random-guy. And doesn't know how to find out which.

A further comedy of errors continues until finally she asks, "who is this." It is then, after MANY messages, I finally think to mention my identity.

All becomes clear to both parties, and much voice-on-phone hilarity ensues.

On other news, I started my new job last night, and am having that first-day, lots-to-learn feeling. But I think I will really enjoy it. Need to find a copy of "Adobe Photoshop for Dummies". :)

a new job!

No, I didn't quit "the best job in the world" ... I'm not crazy. :)

But I did apply for a part-time job in the evenings to help fill in the gaps a bit.

I'm going to be making videos of families' pictures for a local funeral home. The hours are varied and flexible, and it's a nice low-pressure environment. Dead folks are SO non-demanding.

I'll be starting on Tuesday.

the mysteries of swimming pool etiquette

Situation:

You are trying to enter a pool full of children, in hopes of swimming laps.

Do you
a. tell the parent that you would like to have a little strip of the deep end for your very own?

b. try to swim back and forth, dodging children as you go?

c. ask the children to let you have a little strip of water, in hopes they listen to you, an unknown adult? (insert here the old saying about, "if you start to think you're powerful, try ordering someone else's dog around.")

d. stand outside the pool until a section drifts clear, and then start swimming in it like mad in hopes people will get the idea?

I tried "d." as it required the least communication.

It seemed to work for a while, until a young boy started jumping in right in front of me, causing me to snort water, and having to resort to a modified "b."

So ... I ended up giving up and coming inside after 15 minutes.

Isn't there a book somewhere on the proper way to phrase this kind of request, and to whom one should phrase it? :)

I am the allergy princess ...

what IS that body part halfway between a person's ear canal and the back of her throat ...

... the one that, somehow, reacts to pollen in such a way that the itching causes said woman to want to scrub the inside of her face with a wire-brush?

UGH! And this is me ON allergy meds.

I can still remember the first few weeks of school, when my allergies are the worst, I used to be so allergy-plagued I could hardly stand it - swollen itchy eyes, itchy ears/throat, runny nose, sneezing. I was the most miserable looking and feeling critter out there.

I'd beg my mom for allergy medicine, and when she would get it for me, it would put me into this half-trance state ... barely able to stay awake.

It was either misery, or coma ... no other option for September and October!

I'm thankful the allergy meds have improved since that time, but for some reason, they still don't touch the itchy ear/throat thing!

Now where IS that sandpaper?

A political candidate I can be excited about!

I remember hearing about Sarah Palin from somewhere ... maybe a blog? ... about the time Fred Thompson dropped out of the race.

When it became evident McCain was going to be the candidate, I was quite discouraged. However ... I have much-renewed optimism at Sarah's presence on the ticket!

She has strong conservative positions. She's not from the traditional Washington batch of folks.

I'm very, very happy about this!