I was teaching Spanish at St. Paul's Elementary School. Cinco de Mayo was coming up and I was ready with a little song, a little dance, a little salsa in my pants. (Nice rhyme, eh? Don't worry- I didn't really have salsa in my pants.)
Basically, one of the only ways that I could teach Spanish to fidgety children was with a little song, little dance. So I made up random songs for everything. Hola, ¿Como Estas? Muy bien, gracias. Tengo una familia grande... en una casa, muy pequeno.
Anywhoos, Back in Waco, Cinco de Mayo meant going to On the Border and sitting out on the patio. Bright beads, chips & salsa, festive drinks, enchiladas. Also, biggest brother's birthday is on Cuatro de Mayo. Why isn't that on the calendar, biggest brother? This time last year, we were getting ready for the big move- up to yankeeland, Pennsylvania. I didn't know that I'd soon be celebrating Italianfest, Polishfest, Greekfest, and I love Erie days.
Olé.
4.30.2008
4.29.2008
Love & Respect
Usually I'm a serial reader. I start one book, finish it, then start another. However, I've somehow ended up juggling four books at once. I mean... I'm actually actively reading them- not like I quit reading one and started another. I even have a big schedule written out on posterboard, taped onto our refrigerator to let me know when to read each book and when to transition (just kidding).
I was only juggling three books when my pal, Bethany, dropped this book off for me. She was listening to the book on tape and had told me all about it. At first, I groaned. I was already reading three books, yo! But I reluctantly opened the cover and began reading and was instantly hooked.
Love & Respect. People, it's mind blowing. I feel like I have received so much revelation from this book and I'm only into the 4th chapter! Basically the premise is this: People talk about unconditional love in marriage all the time. They quote Ephesians 5:33- Husbands love your wives. But we often forget about the 2nd part- Wives, respect your husbands. This book basically explores these crazy cycles that marriages can easily get on: When the wife feels unloved, she responds disrespectfully- then, when the husband feels disrespected, he withdraws and responds unlovingly. And so on, and so on.
It's funny because I would never say that I'm disrespectful to Adam. But as I read, I realized that there are plenty of times that I've criticized something he's done or questioned a decision that he's made or whined about something. And that often comes across to a man as disrespect- that I don't admire him or that I don't like who he is a person. The book says that most husbands feel loved by their wives- but they often don't feel respected.
Anyways, it's a really insightful book. There's a lot more good stuff in there and a many excellent points. In fact, it addresses the fact that women are already really good (by nature) at loving (agape- unconditional) their families. That's why it's not commanded. However, in 1 Peter, it's commanded for women to love (philia- brotherly, respectful) their families- because although women have unconditional love as motivation- sometime's we don't show favor to the one's we're closest to.
Anywhoos, the book isn't like, 'Submit wives and bow down to your husbands' or anything like that, so if I've made it sound that way, that's my fault. But it's a great book for folks to read, I'll tell ya that.
And as Omar would say:
... if you want to know the rest, read the book!
I was only juggling three books when my pal, Bethany, dropped this book off for me. She was listening to the book on tape and had told me all about it. At first, I groaned. I was already reading three books, yo! But I reluctantly opened the cover and began reading and was instantly hooked.
Love & Respect. People, it's mind blowing. I feel like I have received so much revelation from this book and I'm only into the 4th chapter! Basically the premise is this: People talk about unconditional love in marriage all the time. They quote Ephesians 5:33- Husbands love your wives. But we often forget about the 2nd part- Wives, respect your husbands. This book basically explores these crazy cycles that marriages can easily get on: When the wife feels unloved, she responds disrespectfully- then, when the husband feels disrespected, he withdraws and responds unlovingly. And so on, and so on.
It's funny because I would never say that I'm disrespectful to Adam. But as I read, I realized that there are plenty of times that I've criticized something he's done or questioned a decision that he's made or whined about something. And that often comes across to a man as disrespect- that I don't admire him or that I don't like who he is a person. The book says that most husbands feel loved by their wives- but they often don't feel respected.
Anyways, it's a really insightful book. There's a lot more good stuff in there and a many excellent points. In fact, it addresses the fact that women are already really good (by nature) at loving (agape- unconditional) their families. That's why it's not commanded. However, in 1 Peter, it's commanded for women to love (philia- brotherly, respectful) their families- because although women have unconditional love as motivation- sometime's we don't show favor to the one's we're closest to.
Anywhoos, the book isn't like, 'Submit wives and bow down to your husbands' or anything like that, so if I've made it sound that way, that's my fault. But it's a great book for folks to read, I'll tell ya that.
And as Omar would say:
... if you want to know the rest, read the book!
4.28.2008
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
These flowers are growing in our front bed. Although they're pretty, I kinda feel like if I bent too close to smell them that they'd shoot up and suck my face in. Kind of like a venus fly trap? Or a flower in Alice in Wonderland? But boy are they pretty.
Asbury Woods, Erie's Little Treasure
I really like having Saturday night church because then Sunday stretches out before you (Like a really long slip n' slide...). I think Adam & I are more so daytime people and love being in the sun, so that works out well for us. It probably wouldn't work out as well for vampires, raccoons, and Teen Wolf as they are more nighttime people.
Well, Sunday afternoon, Adam took a study break and we headed out to Asbury Woods with Powers. We hadn't been since last August & It is beautiful this time of year!
Powers' booty as he sprints through the "chilly" water.
Then, Adam spotted some steelhead trout in the river. Then, Powers jumped into the river to try & catch some fish. We were laughing so hard that I didn't even get a picture of him swimming around, diving for the fish dadgummit!
These yellow flowers stretch out forever! The woods are filled with 'em!
A big ol' tree. Powers & Adam look like tiny little plastic figurines in comparison.
Do these neon pink shorts make my butt look big? "Yes!" I realized after Adam took this picture.
All in all, great day with the best husband alive & Powers with that lovely "wet dog" smell.
We big pink fluffy heart Asbury Woods.
4.27.2008
Fantastic Pasta!
4.26.2008
Nip, Tuck, Lift, Suck
Yesterday there was an article on msn's home page about America's obsession with looking young. Basically, the thought was that we have confused youth with beauty. I think I agree. I, at a month shy of 25, notice the laugh lines around my eyes. And shouldn't those be beautiful? I mean, I laughed and smiled to get them, right? Nonetheless, I've begun using a little preventive eye cream around the eyes. The author even commented that many people who seek cosmetic surgery to look 25 end up looking weird, not young. Deer in headlights! (No offense, Priscilla Presley)
She also wrote that we've so narrowed the scope of beauty to where we only consider one generation beautiful- 20's. Your teens are spent anxiously preparing for your 20's and your 30's and on are spent in an attempt to reconquer the youthful look of the 20's decade. We're weird, I tell you what. What happened to Mrs. Robinson? (not as in seducing a young man but the beauty and grace of an older woman)
Along those lines, have you heard about the new book, My Beautiful Mommy? If not, google it. It's a childrens' book that explains how to talk with your kids about your approaching plastic surgery. Thoughts?
She also wrote that we've so narrowed the scope of beauty to where we only consider one generation beautiful- 20's. Your teens are spent anxiously preparing for your 20's and your 30's and on are spent in an attempt to reconquer the youthful look of the 20's decade. We're weird, I tell you what. What happened to Mrs. Robinson? (not as in seducing a young man but the beauty and grace of an older woman)
Along those lines, have you heard about the new book, My Beautiful Mommy? If not, google it. It's a childrens' book that explains how to talk with your kids about your approaching plastic surgery. Thoughts?
Whoopsy.
No sooner had I written that dadgum last post that we walked out the door to take Powers on a run. And the wind started a-blowing and the rain started a-pouring. Go figure, eh? I guess you weather folks were right...this time.
Hammocks & Piper
I love me some weekend. I tell you what. This morning, the sun was out (even though they had predicted rain- yes!) and so Adam and I layed in the hammock and he studied, I read, and Powers chased voles around the backyard. Speaking of the weather, the past couple of weeks, the weather people have predicted rain, rain, rain and it hasn't rained. I actually kind of like this because then you get it in your head, you know, that it's going to be ugly and rainy this weekend. THEN, when the sun's out, you're like, "Yes!!!!" because your expectations were so low. So, keep it up weatherfolks.
I'm still working on "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's taking me a while to get through. One chapter in the book is about pain & suffering as followers of Jesus. He talked a lot about Paul in Galatians and how Paul's ultimate desire was death, that is, to be united with Christ. However, while he lived, his goal was Christ- that is, to make disciples of Jesus & to encourage them in their faith. Meanwhile, Paul suffered while he was on Earth. Piper addresses the suffering that we as believers will walk through and says that we are to consider it mercy. Because as things we value are stripped from us (comfort, approval of man, what have you) and we find our contentment, our peace, in Christ alone- he is glorified.
Piper also also says, "He himself is what we need. If we only trust Christ to give us gifts and not Himself as the all-satisfying gift, then we do not trust Him in a way that honors Him as our treasure. We simply honor the gifts."
On a different note, I think that voles are really slow and kinda blind because Powers catches them all the time. and he's not the best hunter. He doesn't bring them to us like a lab would. He just puts his paw on it and sniffs it. Then he bobs his head up and down and lifts his paw and lowers it. He's kind of like a cat, that one. Except then he let's them run away after a few minutes. Hopefully, they'll remember him and burrow somewhere else.
I'm still working on "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's taking me a while to get through. One chapter in the book is about pain & suffering as followers of Jesus. He talked a lot about Paul in Galatians and how Paul's ultimate desire was death, that is, to be united with Christ. However, while he lived, his goal was Christ- that is, to make disciples of Jesus & to encourage them in their faith. Meanwhile, Paul suffered while he was on Earth. Piper addresses the suffering that we as believers will walk through and says that we are to consider it mercy. Because as things we value are stripped from us (comfort, approval of man, what have you) and we find our contentment, our peace, in Christ alone- he is glorified.
Piper also also says, "He himself is what we need. If we only trust Christ to give us gifts and not Himself as the all-satisfying gift, then we do not trust Him in a way that honors Him as our treasure. We simply honor the gifts."
On a different note, I think that voles are really slow and kinda blind because Powers catches them all the time. and he's not the best hunter. He doesn't bring them to us like a lab would. He just puts his paw on it and sniffs it. Then he bobs his head up and down and lifts his paw and lowers it. He's kind of like a cat, that one. Except then he let's them run away after a few minutes. Hopefully, they'll remember him and burrow somewhere else.
4.25.2008
Let's Review.
I detest the sound of people touching balloons and the sound that pieces of styrofoam rubbing against each other make. (Incidentally, I was just trying to spell "styrofoam" like this: "Styrophone". I think that's how I always say it, too! Augh, I'm an idiot! It's like that episode of Everyone Loves Raymond where he's asked to be on the t.v. show and says "ax" instead of "ask" and "astericks" instead of "asterisk." Anyone?) Anywhoos, those are the noises that I detest. Some people can't stand to hear toenails or fingernails clipped. I think that's strange- it's barely a noise. It's like a click. An everyday click.
4.24.2008
Push!
Okay, admittedly, the last past was lame. My apologies.
Tonight I had my girls' group. And what happens when a bunch of childless ladies get together with their pregnant gal? Billiions of questions, of course! What do you feel like? Do your boobs hurt? What's happening with your bellybutton? Breastfeeding? Will you have an epidural? How are babies made?
Concerning the epidural question, we had a good laugh the other week when a pregnant friend said, "You know, I thought a long time about if I would do the natural childbirth thing. But then I realized, 'Hey. It's not like you get a trophy or anything if you don't use drugs!'" Regardless of your thoughts, that's a pretty funny comment.
Tonight I had my girls' group. And what happens when a bunch of childless ladies get together with their pregnant gal? Billiions of questions, of course! What do you feel like? Do your boobs hurt? What's happening with your bellybutton? Breastfeeding? Will you have an epidural? How are babies made?
Concerning the epidural question, we had a good laugh the other week when a pregnant friend said, "You know, I thought a long time about if I would do the natural childbirth thing. But then I realized, 'Hey. It's not like you get a trophy or anything if you don't use drugs!'" Regardless of your thoughts, that's a pretty funny comment.
4.23.2008
B-B-B-Bennie & The Jets
Oh, Laawdy. How y'all doin tonight? I don't have anything really, really exciting to write about for you fine folks tonight. And although I'm tempted to give you a play-by-play of my day's activities including each item of food, trip to the bathroom, and thought rolling throgh my head- I bet you'd appreciate me not doing that.
I have something important to show all of you:
I think that I have found the theory behind all the madness in LOST. Click here.
I have something important to show all of you:
I think that I have found the theory behind all the madness in LOST. Click here.
4.22.2008
BPA WARS
Nalgene/Camelbak bottle: Muhahaha. I am so granola & superior to you.
New Swiss bottle (With milk-maid/swedish voice): Oy! But Vait. Weren't you made with BPA? I zink that you were pulled from the retail stores and are being replaced with moi! He he he.
Nalgene/Camelbak bottle: Listen up, newbie. You could never last on a 8 day hiking expedition. You could never survive a hit from a baseball bat or be run over by a boulder. Muhahaha. I may or may not contribute to colon cancer in people but I am very, very cool and durable.
New Swiss bottle (with milk-maid/swedish voice): Oy!Oy! You are so very rugged. Yet I am gentle and free of BPA so I must go now. People are buying me and not you.
Nalgene/Camelbak bottle: You disgust me. I spit Propel flavored water in your general direction.
(For background on this conversation, read here)
Also, know that Nalgene and Camelbak have recently come out with new, BPA-free bottles. Which is good because I'm not so sure about my new SIGG bottle. I feel like I drink a lot of air.
WANTED:
dead or alive...
4.21.2008
Faux Healthy
Ever since the great Tofurkey debacle, I've continued eating it and reminding Adam of how healthy I am because I eat tofurkey. So, this week at the grocery store, I bought a pack of tofurkey wieners for myself. (I am such a role model) Adam, meanwhile, bought a pack of regular hot dog sausage wieners stuffed with cheese. I smirked and thought about how superior & disciplined I was and how wonderfully healthy tofurkey is.
Well, I got home and, to prove the point, flipped over the packages of our respective wieners. Guess what? Tofurkey is horrible for you! My tofurkey had more calories, fat, and sodium per wiener than Adam's cheese-filled sausages! Unbelievable! Obviously, Adam loved the irony and burst out in joyful laughter. The point? Sometimes "health food" ain't so healthy and the real thing might be well worth it!
************EDIT***************
There has been a question about these tofurkey allegations. Let us calculate:
Tofurkey Wieners : 270 calories 13 g of fat sodium 620 mg
Cheese Wieners: 160 calories 11g of fat sodium 590 mg
Oh, wait.. wait a second. The tofurkey is 100 g per wiener and Smith's is only 68 g per wiener. Hang on, folks. I need to do some math.
....cross multiply..... carry the 1......
Okay, drum roll please....
We had to break it down to actual grams and did a few calculations. So PER GRAM (that's how I always measure food, anyway.. right?)
Tofurkey fat= .13 per gram ** Cheese sausage fat= .16 per gram
Tofurkey calories= 2.7 per gram ** Cheese sausage calories= 2.35 per gram
Tofurkey sodium= .0062 per gram ** Cheese sausage sodium= .008 per gram
YES, TOFURKEY WINS 2 OUT OF 3!
Picture me doing a victory dance around the living room while the Rocky theme plays in the background.
But then, mid-song, I realize that I just spent 25 minutes doing calculations on tofurkey and cheese wiener nutrition.
single tear...
Then I recover and dance around anyways. Go tofurkey... it's your birthday.
Well, I got home and, to prove the point, flipped over the packages of our respective wieners. Guess what? Tofurkey is horrible for you! My tofurkey had more calories, fat, and sodium per wiener than Adam's cheese-filled sausages! Unbelievable! Obviously, Adam loved the irony and burst out in joyful laughter. The point? Sometimes "health food" ain't so healthy and the real thing might be well worth it!
************EDIT***************
There has been a question about these tofurkey allegations. Let us calculate:
Tofurkey Wieners : 270 calories 13 g of fat sodium 620 mg
Cheese Wieners: 160 calories 11g of fat sodium 590 mg
Oh, wait.. wait a second. The tofurkey is 100 g per wiener and Smith's is only 68 g per wiener. Hang on, folks. I need to do some math.
....cross multiply..... carry the 1......
Okay, drum roll please....
We had to break it down to actual grams and did a few calculations. So PER GRAM (that's how I always measure food, anyway.. right?)
Tofurkey fat= .13 per gram ** Cheese sausage fat= .16 per gram
Tofurkey calories= 2.7 per gram ** Cheese sausage calories= 2.35 per gram
Tofurkey sodium= .0062 per gram ** Cheese sausage sodium= .008 per gram
YES, TOFURKEY WINS 2 OUT OF 3!
Picture me doing a victory dance around the living room while the Rocky theme plays in the background.
But then, mid-song, I realize that I just spent 25 minutes doing calculations on tofurkey and cheese wiener nutrition.
single tear...
Then I recover and dance around anyways. Go tofurkey... it's your birthday.
4.20.2008
My Buddy.
My pal, Bethany. Her husband is in Adam's class and we've helped each other through the transplant & transition. She prays for me and challenges me and has a lot of great wisdom. We laugh a lot and hide in the aerobics room at the YMCA to lift weights. Last night, we did toe touches, for fun, and I realized that I probably shouldn't do that because I'm not 16 any longer and may have pulled a hammy.
Thank you, Lord, for my friend Bethany!
4.18.2008
DOS AMIGOS
Powers' breath smells like:
a. roses
b. spearmint
c. old, dirty fish that sat out in the sun for a week during a heat wave in Cuba.
It was about ye' big!
Ah, my husband & his big fish. It was about ye' big! And it wanted to eat Adam in one of those pictures!
Don't worry- he threw it back. It swam away as a happy little trouty.
The weather is beautiful and my sweet husband got to take a break & enjoy catching a big ol' fish.
Nat Attack's Fabulous Supper Party
The birthday girl with her hood on.
We celebrated the birthday of my tiny Ukranian wonder friend, Nataliya. (Literally, you could pick her up with your pinkies & break her over your knee. She's adorable.) Anywhoos, Nat was turning the big 2-5 and so she had a bunch of gals over and she cooked us supper. We said, "Nat! It's your birthday- shouldn't we cook you supper? Or go out to eat and buy yours?"
Nat says, "No. I want to cook for my friends and celebrate." She's cool like that. It was a really nice night & we all dressed up in true Nataliya style. Fun times.
A few pictures from the evening:
NatyPat sweetly telling Filipe to leave.. it was girls' night.
Sippin' the Italian Soda
(Which, if I had to describe the taste, is like a flat sprite with a jolly rancher in it.)
My wonderful pal, Bethany.
My Texas pregnant friend, Sarah. Baby's coming in September whoop! whoop!
4.16.2008
Not Just An Ordinary Garden Gnome
Camille: Hey Rumplestiltskin. Are you excited about spring?
Rumple: Yeah, you know it.
C: Give it to me straight, Rumple. Did Powers ever... you know... mark you?
Rumple: ...
Powers: ...
C: Oh, Gnome he didn't!
Get it? Get it, Rumple??
Rumple: I've heard that one before.
C: Whatever, Rumple. Listen, how did you end up here? Guarding our ivy? Greeting our guests?
Rumple: Well, there's only so many things for tiny, bearded men to do. The Keebler elves were snobs! You can't make ANY mistakes- if you confuse baking soda with baking powder even once.. forget about it. Then I tried to join up with the shoe-making elves but they were all hopped up on pixie sticks so that they could work all night. I got peer-pressured into trying them and developed an addiction. A few months later, I hit rock bottom when I sold my lumberjack's axe for a pack of fun dip. I got into rehab, got clean, and I decided a life of solitude in the ivy was for me.
C: There ya have it. Wow. Thanks, Rumple. For this thought-provoking look into your life. You just say, "No." okay?
I have issues. Who knew? Hey, guess what?? Spring is here!!!! Look- from our front yard.
Am I becoming a crazy old lady who talks to gnomes and takes pictures from her yard? Next thing you know, I'll be bird watching and recording the species that I see in my bird journal. No offense, bird watchers. Birds are great, but I'm 24. But the spring does remind me of this: God can bring life out of dark, dead places. I see it all around me and in my own life, the Lord has brought joy & peace where there was fear & darkness. Yes, thank you Jesus!
And thank you for these two yahoos.
4.15.2008
Snakes on a Plane!
One thing that I do not miss about the south is snakes. Whenever Adam & I were running at Cameron Park, I was always terrified of seeing a snake on the trail (Hey, it happened a few times and one time I even found myself inches from a water moccasin sunning by the river- eeeek!) One time, we were running and a snake wriggled across our path and I jumped at least 4 feet high and sliced open Adam's back with my new engagement ring. Sorry, honey! It was always funny because after we saw a snake or even after I heard a rustling beside us, I always found a new gear and could sprint away like you wouldn't believe. That would be a good way to motivate me to kick at the end of a race, now that I think about it. Anyways, Adam didn't love snakes but he couldn't understand my terror, my great fear of the snake.
Then I thought back and I realized where this fear had come from... my loving, caring brothers. Looking back, many of my irrational fears were formed while spending quality time with my big brothers. However, let us examine the snake. We grew up in a house in the woods, so snakes were not uncommon. I don't remember being really scared of them until one particular day. My dad had found a snake in the driveway and had blown it's head off with a b.b. gun. My brothers came down to the backyard where I was peacefully playing with our black lab and said, "C'mon Camille, we have something cool to show you." Delighted to have the attention of my older brothers, I skipped alongside them to behold this cool, dazzling thing. It was a snake. With it's head blown off. In the middle of the driveway. No big deal, right? I tried to be cool, "Oh. That's cool," I said.
"Touch it." My middle brother said.
Now, I didn't know much about snakes but I knew better than to touch one. Still, here were my two cool, older brothers. And for once they weren't sitting on my head and tooting or hiding me in the laundry chute.
I hesitated.
"C'mon Camille- it's dead. Just touch it."
I timidly stuck my white Ked out and barely touched the snake when it began slithering wildly about the driveway. "AUGH!!!" I screamed and sprinted down the driveway, crying in terror. I didn't know about the chicken with it's head cut off thing yet. Regardless, it was horrifying and in the weeks following as I rode my bike down the driveway past the fateful headless snake incident, I would glance at my back wheel to make sure that there wasn't a snake slithering up it. This fear was probably compounded by the fake rubber snakes my brothers would chunk towards me at random. I'd like to say that I've overcome. Well, at least I've come over to a land of no snakes?
P.S. I love you, brothers, even though you tooted on my head. You still would've beat up anyone else who tooted on my head.
Then I thought back and I realized where this fear had come from... my loving, caring brothers. Looking back, many of my irrational fears were formed while spending quality time with my big brothers. However, let us examine the snake. We grew up in a house in the woods, so snakes were not uncommon. I don't remember being really scared of them until one particular day. My dad had found a snake in the driveway and had blown it's head off with a b.b. gun. My brothers came down to the backyard where I was peacefully playing with our black lab and said, "C'mon Camille, we have something cool to show you." Delighted to have the attention of my older brothers, I skipped alongside them to behold this cool, dazzling thing. It was a snake. With it's head blown off. In the middle of the driveway. No big deal, right? I tried to be cool, "Oh. That's cool," I said.
"Touch it." My middle brother said.
Now, I didn't know much about snakes but I knew better than to touch one. Still, here were my two cool, older brothers. And for once they weren't sitting on my head and tooting or hiding me in the laundry chute.
I hesitated.
"C'mon Camille- it's dead. Just touch it."
I timidly stuck my white Ked out and barely touched the snake when it began slithering wildly about the driveway. "AUGH!!!" I screamed and sprinted down the driveway, crying in terror. I didn't know about the chicken with it's head cut off thing yet. Regardless, it was horrifying and in the weeks following as I rode my bike down the driveway past the fateful headless snake incident, I would glance at my back wheel to make sure that there wasn't a snake slithering up it. This fear was probably compounded by the fake rubber snakes my brothers would chunk towards me at random. I'd like to say that I've overcome. Well, at least I've come over to a land of no snakes?
P.S. I love you, brothers, even though you tooted on my head. You still would've beat up anyone else who tooted on my head.
4.14.2008
25 Cloth
Two of my friends from Baylor have started this business that you must check out!
They sell cool t-shirts and the profits bring fresh water to Rwanda, where nearly 80% of deaths are caused by filthy water. Go here and give it a looksie- you won't regret it!
25 Cloth T-Shirt Company
www.25cloth.com
4.13.2008
Green Bone Follies & The Centipede
I awoke this morning to.. guess what.. snow! Weird, huh? I never thought of "April" and "snow" in the same sentence. In fact, before I move here, the saying about "April Showers bring May Flowers" was kind of strange- we didn't get a whole lot of April rain back down south. However, this morning's no-stick snow made me super appreciative of this wonderful, sunny afternoon that we're enjoying now, thank you Lord.
I'm still reading my book, "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's a difficult book to read at times because #1. every sentence is chock-full of truth and deep insight. There's no fluff here, people. So you read a sentence and then read it again and then think and then read it again and ponder some more. #2. It's a very convicting read. Now, it's a good-convicting not condemning, ya know? But there's still truths that you have to deal with- you can't walk away from these scriptures & revelation and do nothing, you know? Yet it's also full of promises & hope about a life centered on Jesus. They're all hand-in-hand. So, excellent read but not always an easy read.
Adam R. Jennings & I just took Powers the dog out for a run. Oh, speaking of- any dog people out there? One time in my "Boxers for Dummies" book, I read about this game that Boxers (and other dogs) really like. Here's how it goes: Basically, I take Power's favorite toy (green bone) and walk over to Adam's office with Powers following behind. Powers walks into the office and I stand in the doorway and say "Green Bone, Green Bone". Then I shut the door, leaving behind Powers in the office. Then I go and hide green bone somewhere in the house. After I've hidden green bone, I open the office door and say "Where's green bone?!" (in a very excited, baby-talk voice, of course) and then Powers takes off looking for Green Bone. Usually this part takes a while as Powers is not the sharpest tool in the shed. But he'll sniff and walk around and stand on his hind legs to see the high places. When he finally finds green bone, we have a celebration and he wags his nub. Green bone can also be replaced with Adam or myself- we've done this a few times and it's a lot more fun.
So, in case you needed a game to play with your dog while it snows outside on an April morning.
I leave you with a joke. Okay:
A man goes into a pet shop and tells the owner that he wants to buy a pet that can do everything.
The shop owner suggests a faithful dog.
The man replies, "Come on, a dog?"
The owner says, "How about a cat?"
The man replies, "No way! A cat certainly can't do everything. I want a pet that can do everything!"
The shop owner thinks for a minute, then says, "I've got it! A centipede!"
The man says, "A centipede? I can't imagine a centipede doing everything, but okay... I'll try a centipede." He gets the centipede home and says to the centipede, "Clean the kitchen."
Thirty minutes later, he walks into the kitchen and... it's immaculate! All the dishes and silverware have been washed, dried, and put away the counter-tops cleaned the appliances sparkling the floor waxed. He's absolutely amazed.
He says to the centipede, "Go clean the living room."
Twenty minutes later, he walks into the living room. The carpet has been vacuumed the furniture cleaned and dusted the pillows on the sofa plumped, plants watered.
The man thinks to himself, "This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. This really is a pet that can do everything!"
Next he says to the centipede, "Run down to the corner and get me a newspaper."
The centipede walks out the door. 10 minutes later... no centipede.
20 minutes later... no centipede. 30 minutes later... no centipede.
By this point the man is wondering what's going on. The centipede should have been back in a couple of minutes. 45 minutes later... still no centipede!
He can't imagine what could have happened. Did the centipede run away? Did it get run over by a car? Where is that centipede?
So he goes to the front door, opens it... and there's the centipede sitting right outside.
The man says, "Hey!!! I sent you down to the corner store 45 minutes ago to get me a newspaper. What's the matter?!"
The centipede says, "I'm goin'! I'm goin'! I'm just puttin' on my shoes!"
I'm still reading my book, "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's a difficult book to read at times because #1. every sentence is chock-full of truth and deep insight. There's no fluff here, people. So you read a sentence and then read it again and then think and then read it again and ponder some more. #2. It's a very convicting read. Now, it's a good-convicting not condemning, ya know? But there's still truths that you have to deal with- you can't walk away from these scriptures & revelation and do nothing, you know? Yet it's also full of promises & hope about a life centered on Jesus. They're all hand-in-hand. So, excellent read but not always an easy read.
Adam R. Jennings & I just took Powers the dog out for a run. Oh, speaking of- any dog people out there? One time in my "Boxers for Dummies" book, I read about this game that Boxers (and other dogs) really like. Here's how it goes: Basically, I take Power's favorite toy (green bone) and walk over to Adam's office with Powers following behind. Powers walks into the office and I stand in the doorway and say "Green Bone, Green Bone". Then I shut the door, leaving behind Powers in the office. Then I go and hide green bone somewhere in the house. After I've hidden green bone, I open the office door and say "Where's green bone?!" (in a very excited, baby-talk voice, of course) and then Powers takes off looking for Green Bone. Usually this part takes a while as Powers is not the sharpest tool in the shed. But he'll sniff and walk around and stand on his hind legs to see the high places. When he finally finds green bone, we have a celebration and he wags his nub. Green bone can also be replaced with Adam or myself- we've done this a few times and it's a lot more fun.
So, in case you needed a game to play with your dog while it snows outside on an April morning.
I leave you with a joke. Okay:
A man goes into a pet shop and tells the owner that he wants to buy a pet that can do everything.
The shop owner suggests a faithful dog.
The man replies, "Come on, a dog?"
The owner says, "How about a cat?"
The man replies, "No way! A cat certainly can't do everything. I want a pet that can do everything!"
The shop owner thinks for a minute, then says, "I've got it! A centipede!"
The man says, "A centipede? I can't imagine a centipede doing everything, but okay... I'll try a centipede." He gets the centipede home and says to the centipede, "Clean the kitchen."
Thirty minutes later, he walks into the kitchen and... it's immaculate! All the dishes and silverware have been washed, dried, and put away the counter-tops cleaned the appliances sparkling the floor waxed. He's absolutely amazed.
He says to the centipede, "Go clean the living room."
Twenty minutes later, he walks into the living room. The carpet has been vacuumed the furniture cleaned and dusted the pillows on the sofa plumped, plants watered.
The man thinks to himself, "This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. This really is a pet that can do everything!"
Next he says to the centipede, "Run down to the corner and get me a newspaper."
The centipede walks out the door. 10 minutes later... no centipede.
20 minutes later... no centipede. 30 minutes later... no centipede.
By this point the man is wondering what's going on. The centipede should have been back in a couple of minutes. 45 minutes later... still no centipede!
He can't imagine what could have happened. Did the centipede run away? Did it get run over by a car? Where is that centipede?
So he goes to the front door, opens it... and there's the centipede sitting right outside.
The man says, "Hey!!! I sent you down to the corner store 45 minutes ago to get me a newspaper. What's the matter?!"
The centipede says, "I'm goin'! I'm goin'! I'm just puttin' on my shoes!"
4.11.2008
Happenings 'Round Here
Mothers Day 5K
Support the Erie Runners Club in this year's event at Presque Isle State Park to benefit the House of Healing and the Erie Runners Club Scholarship Fund. Visit www.erie-runnersclub.org for more information.
Now what better gift could I give ol' mom than the gift of running in her honor? No, seriously, have you met my mom?
Erie Micro Brew Festival
Where fun and good taste are always appreciated
April 19, 2008
Enjoy different brews from around the region at the Brewerie at Union Station in downtown Erie
Two Sampling Sessions: 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
Ticket Information is posted at wqln.org
I would buy a t-shirt with that genius picture on the front.
Hobby-Man
Adam is a hobby-man. He'll become interested in something and he'll read about it, study up on it, research gear, and do it. When we were dating, it was triathlon. We did two triathlons together (which is the best relationship therapy you could have, I think. Nothing like getting off a bike with jello legs and then having to run in a wet bathing suit to bring up all your frustrations and emotions). Then after triathlon, it was the jeep. He loved his jeep and was always learning about it and how to do things to it and looking online at jeep stuff. (By the by, the jeep was my least favorite hobby. We definitely had a few discussions about ol' Ruby the jeep).
Then he traded in the jeep and got really into flyfishing. Now, fly fishing is my favorite hobby of Adam's. I can get behind a man out in creation. He gets to have guy time on the river and he can do it with our future children and how adorable is that to think about? Plus, the guy needs a break from studying his dance pants off. DoublePlus I can sit beside the river/creek and read a book in the sun or even cast a time or two. Adam's still into flyfishing but he's starting to look at kayaks to combine with the flyfishing. Kind of a dual hobby, if you will.
And these are just the hobbies since we've been dating! I didn't even touch on road biking, golf, boxing, climbing, backpacking, running, fly-tying, snowboarding, or wakeboarding! Adam and I have discussed this before and he thinks it stems from motorcross. You may or may not know that Adam is a retired professional motorcross racer. Yes, it's true! Growing up, he spent hours and hours on his Suzuki, training for races every weekend. He retired young, praise Jesus he doesn't have a broken back, and since then, he's needed an active outlet, a pursuit to improve upon. I'm more of the "Let me be good immediately or else I'll quit after one try" school or the "20 hobbies at once" school but that's just me. The point is: I like Adam and his fly fishing. Man is different than woman. Sushi sounds good right now.
Today's post was brought to you by the letter "E", the number 3, and viewers like you!
Then he traded in the jeep and got really into flyfishing. Now, fly fishing is my favorite hobby of Adam's. I can get behind a man out in creation. He gets to have guy time on the river and he can do it with our future children and how adorable is that to think about? Plus, the guy needs a break from studying his dance pants off. DoublePlus I can sit beside the river/creek and read a book in the sun or even cast a time or two. Adam's still into flyfishing but he's starting to look at kayaks to combine with the flyfishing. Kind of a dual hobby, if you will.
And these are just the hobbies since we've been dating! I didn't even touch on road biking, golf, boxing, climbing, backpacking, running, fly-tying, snowboarding, or wakeboarding! Adam and I have discussed this before and he thinks it stems from motorcross. You may or may not know that Adam is a retired professional motorcross racer. Yes, it's true! Growing up, he spent hours and hours on his Suzuki, training for races every weekend. He retired young, praise Jesus he doesn't have a broken back, and since then, he's needed an active outlet, a pursuit to improve upon. I'm more of the "Let me be good immediately or else I'll quit after one try" school or the "20 hobbies at once" school but that's just me. The point is: I like Adam and his fly fishing. Man is different than woman. Sushi sounds good right now.
Today's post was brought to you by the letter "E", the number 3, and viewers like you!
The Great Cookie Cake Debacle
Last night, I had my girls group over and we discussed our book & celebrated Sarah's 25Th birthday with cookie cake. I found the recipe online- well the cookie cake wasn't a recipe- you just got a roll of slice & bake cookies and pound it out on a pizza sheet. But for the icing you mix cool whip, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. It was good on the cookie cake but even better for dipping fruit into! In case you need a fast recipe for a delicioso dessert.
The unfortunate thing about hosting an event at your home with tasty treats is that you end up picking off the leftovers after everyone leaves until you're quite certain that the button on your pants will pop off and take someone's eye out. This morning Adam says, "I can't believe I had cookie for supper."
I say, "Please, it's the top rung of the food pyramid- which is the most important." Duh, that's why it's on top, people. That's what the Egyptians intended when they built the pyramid, after all. Plus the fruit that we dipped cancelled out the bad stuff.
The unfortunate thing about hosting an event at your home with tasty treats is that you end up picking off the leftovers after everyone leaves until you're quite certain that the button on your pants will pop off and take someone's eye out. This morning Adam says, "I can't believe I had cookie for supper."
I say, "Please, it's the top rung of the food pyramid- which is the most important." Duh, that's why it's on top, people. That's what the Egyptians intended when they built the pyramid, after all. Plus the fruit that we dipped cancelled out the bad stuff.
4.09.2008
News of the Millenium
Hello, New Kids on the Block reunion tour.
It's been 15 long years.
I'm definitely going and wearing my stir-up pants, hypercolor t-shirt tied to the side, and (obviously) neon scrunch socks. Also I'm going to need help teasing my bangs so someone bring the White Rain. Oh, maybe I should wear my red girbauds, instead. Decisions decisions.
I leave you with:
The first time was a great time
The second time was a blast
The third time I fell in love
Now I hope it lasts
I can see it in you walk
Tell it when you talk
Can see it in everything you do
Even in your thoughts
-New Kids on the Block
4.08.2008
Stank Shorts.
Got home from work, took a run with the husband & pup, threw back some day-old sushi, quick shower, and am now about to head out for small group but first had to share this quick story:
These dynamite NorthFace shorts are legendary. If I had a #1 fan, they would spend thousands on these off of ebay. The aforementioned shorts were purchased from Ross Dress for Less for $3.99. (Yeah, I know- good deal for North Face shorts). So right off the bat, they're already miracle shorts. I purchased them my senior year in college, copying my uber-cool roommate, Cara "Latin Sensation" Sanders.
I wore them all the time. To walk around, to hang out with my new boyfriend, Adam Jennings, to the store- I loved them. Adam & I hadn't been dating too long when college ended and Cara & I moved into a little rent house. The former tenants (friends of ours who went to our church) still hadn't moved out completely, so we were kinda sharing a house with all our junk and the ac wasn't working too well (Not great for June in Texas). Well, my hamper was buried somewhere in the garage so I just used a big, black garbage bag. So one day I had gone for a run in these miracle shorts and thrown them in the garbage bag of clothes and drew the yellow stringy thing and hung it on the closet door. Well, a few mornings later, Adam & I were going to go on a run with Powers before work. I couldn't find any shorts so I pulled my miracle shorts out of the dirty clothes trashbag, threw 'em on, and ran out the door. Adam & I began running Powers.
Now, for some reason, Powers is acting really weird on the run. Like, he is all up in my grill even though Adam has the leash. And he keeps shoving his nose into my shorts. "Quit, Powers!" I playfully holler. But I'm getting nervous. "What's that smell?" Adam asks.
"Um, I don't know," I reply, now perfectly realizing that it's the fragrance of my sweaty shorts left for 3 days in a sealed garbage bag in a 90 degree house.
By now, I'm getting tangled in Power's leash as he tries to inhale the fragrant aroma of my shorts.
A few minutes later: "Is it on your shoes?" Adam asks.
"Um, no, I don't think so."
A few painful minutes later: " I think it might be your shorts. Is there something in your pocket?"
Long story short, I don't know how Adam continued dating me and, behold, married me after getting a whiff of these shorts. My roommates cackled and howled and it took many a wash to get the smell out. Even today, after a hard work out, you can smell the faintest whisper of stank. Okay, maybe it's not so faint. But these were the miracle shorts and so even today, I must run in them. $3.99, people!
These dynamite NorthFace shorts are legendary. If I had a #1 fan, they would spend thousands on these off of ebay. The aforementioned shorts were purchased from Ross Dress for Less for $3.99. (Yeah, I know- good deal for North Face shorts). So right off the bat, they're already miracle shorts. I purchased them my senior year in college, copying my uber-cool roommate, Cara "Latin Sensation" Sanders.
I wore them all the time. To walk around, to hang out with my new boyfriend, Adam Jennings, to the store- I loved them. Adam & I hadn't been dating too long when college ended and Cara & I moved into a little rent house. The former tenants (friends of ours who went to our church) still hadn't moved out completely, so we were kinda sharing a house with all our junk and the ac wasn't working too well (Not great for June in Texas). Well, my hamper was buried somewhere in the garage so I just used a big, black garbage bag. So one day I had gone for a run in these miracle shorts and thrown them in the garbage bag of clothes and drew the yellow stringy thing and hung it on the closet door. Well, a few mornings later, Adam & I were going to go on a run with Powers before work. I couldn't find any shorts so I pulled my miracle shorts out of the dirty clothes trashbag, threw 'em on, and ran out the door. Adam & I began running Powers.
Now, for some reason, Powers is acting really weird on the run. Like, he is all up in my grill even though Adam has the leash. And he keeps shoving his nose into my shorts. "Quit, Powers!" I playfully holler. But I'm getting nervous. "What's that smell?" Adam asks.
"Um, I don't know," I reply, now perfectly realizing that it's the fragrance of my sweaty shorts left for 3 days in a sealed garbage bag in a 90 degree house.
By now, I'm getting tangled in Power's leash as he tries to inhale the fragrant aroma of my shorts.
A few minutes later: "Is it on your shoes?" Adam asks.
"Um, no, I don't think so."
A few painful minutes later: " I think it might be your shorts. Is there something in your pocket?"
Long story short, I don't know how Adam continued dating me and, behold, married me after getting a whiff of these shorts. My roommates cackled and howled and it took many a wash to get the smell out. Even today, after a hard work out, you can smell the faintest whisper of stank. Okay, maybe it's not so faint. But these were the miracle shorts and so even today, I must run in them. $3.99, people!
4.07.2008
Band of Misfits
Saturday night at church, Derek did the coolest sermon on Jesus calling his disciples. Over 40 times in the New Testament, Jesus is called 'Rabbi'. Derek talked about how prestigious it was to become a Rabbi back then. When you were 6, you went to school and learned all about the Old Testament and memorized the Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible- hello! Have you read Numbers??) You stayed there until you were 9. After that, most students were sent back home to learn their family trade but the best of the best got to go to Level 2 Rabbi school- there, they memorized more of the Old Testament & learned about interpretation. This lasted until age 13. Then, most students went back to their families to follow in the trade and what-have-you. But, the best of the best of the best went on to Level 3 Rabi school. Basically at this point, you find a renowned rabi and you beg him to take you on as his disciple. He would give you some kind of test and if you passed, you could follow him around everywhere hoping to become like him. If you didn't pass, he'd tell you to go home, love God, do your trade but he didn't accept you as a student.
What was wild about Jesus is that he called these fishermen. Basically, because they were fishermen this meant that they didn't make it through Rabi school. Plus, they didn't have to come begging him to let them be his shadow- he said, "C'mon" and they went. These misfits. Following the Brilliant Creator of the Universe! It reminded me what an honor it is to know Him & follow Him. Who am I that he would call me & save me from my selfishness? Who are we that he would let us learn from Him & change us to become more like Him? Who are we that He offers us his friendship?
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light."
-Matthew 11:29-30
What was wild about Jesus is that he called these fishermen. Basically, because they were fishermen this meant that they didn't make it through Rabi school. Plus, they didn't have to come begging him to let them be his shadow- he said, "C'mon" and they went. These misfits. Following the Brilliant Creator of the Universe! It reminded me what an honor it is to know Him & follow Him. Who am I that he would call me & save me from my selfishness? Who are we that he would let us learn from Him & change us to become more like Him? Who are we that He offers us his friendship?
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light."
-Matthew 11:29-30
This Weather.
This weather makes you glad you made it through the winter. This weather reminds you of carefree times- honeymoon, barbecues, sitting outside enjoying the night. This weather where you pull out sunglasses that cover your entire face & flowy sundresses. This weather makes you want to lie in the hammock, bare feet, and laugh about silly, silly things.
Yesterday we got so happy from the sun that we raked the backyard, pulled out the hammock, grill, and patio furniture, and grilled some meat. We ate outside while Powers chased tiny voles through the ivy. Summer's finally coming.
Yesterday we got so happy from the sun that we raked the backyard, pulled out the hammock, grill, and patio furniture, and grilled some meat. We ate outside while Powers chased tiny voles through the ivy. Summer's finally coming.
4.05.2008
Fun With A Real, Live Camera
What a beautiful Saturday! We got to take Powers on a nice run this morning and we definitely enjoyed this gorgeous weather- thank you, Lord! I even had to take off my fleece. Then this afternoon, while Adam was studying, I annoyed Adam and Powers by taking an obscene number of pictures. However, the pictures themselves were not obscene- please do not confuse the two.
The bay windows bring in a lot of light (although they'd probably bring in more light if I'd windex 'em once in a while, but hey) and so we enjoy nice, bright afternoons in the den.
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