Wonder Woman

Since Monday I have made 6 dozen gourmet cookies for my son's baseball team, delivered them to their opening game - 2 & 1/2 hours away - watched the whole game in the cold and wind, took pictures and videos of my son's performance; bought a scanner and set it up; scanned video clips and sent them to my son (I sent important documents out for my husband, too, lest you think I would buy a scanner just to send video clips); ministered to a friend; went to a funeral; re-caulked the upstairs bathroom; worked on a story I am trying to publish; battled with the insurance company; ministered to another friend; cleaned my house; helped my daughter work out her summer and fall class schedule; cooked wholesome dinners for me and my husband (we are dieting so I am cooking fresh spinach, asparagus, carrots and peppers everyday - yummy); and went to an advanced Pilates class. It's only Thursday morning! Before the week is over we are going to another baseball game - 3 hours away - I'm making brownies, (a bit of advice: don't bring boys in a military school gourmet cookies, not one of those boys even chewed a cookie, it was more like gulp and swallow, not one of them mentioned the touch of cinnamon, the cranberries or the hint of maple syrup - hmpf); then we're visiting with friends, going to our son's new church and driving 3 hours to come home. The only thing left for me to do this week is solve a crime : )

Life Is Like Coffee

There is an email circulating about how life is like coffee. It matters not what the coffee is served in, it only matters that it is served. The gist is that we should enjoy the coffee whether it's served in fine china or a paper cup. The analogy is that life is like coffee and should be enjoyed whether it's served in something fancy or something plain. On the surface I agree with this. But, when I dig a little deeper I have some thoughts. First, coffee is not a necessity. Some of you will argue, but coffee provides no nutritional benefits. Hence, it's a luxury. So, if you're going to have coffee, why not have it in the best dang mug you can afford. I'm not saying go out and buy a gold goblet to drink your coffee in, but get something you like. They way I figure it, God made us to enjoy fine things. He has told us that the streets in Heaven are paved with gold and the gates are made of pearls. He promises jeweled crowns. God wants us to enjoy fine things. We had a puppy (bad puppy) who lapped up spilled coffee from the ground (after he knocked it over). He would not have enjoyed that coffee any more if it were in a beautiful cup. But, we are not animals, we are humans, made in the image of God, meant to enjoy fine things like sunsets, seasides, mountain views and coffee served in beautiful mugs. Yes, life is like coffee and we should enjoy it no matter how it's served, I just think it's okay to enjoy it more if it's served in something pretty.

Pilates Class

I joined a Pilates class. It's awesome! There are some serious Pilates students in my class. Did you know you can buy Pilates clothing? Yup, pants, tops and undergarment designed to give you a better Pilates workout. Me, I wear my baggy sweats and a baggy T-shirt. You can also buy other accessories for Pilates, like mats, balls, rings, bands and weights, all designed to give you a better workout. I want a better workout. I want to look like my instructor (though my husband says she looks like a man). So, I went to Target with my daughter's friend to buy a Pilates mat. If truth be told, I just don't want to use the gym's mats because not all Pilate students smell very nice and sometimes they leave their smell on the mats - ewww. By the way, if you are ever looking for a Pilates mat, they are in the last isle you would think of looking in. We picked out a nice purple mat (it was on sale). To celebrate the success of my purchase we stopped and got donuts. Powered sugar ones. Did you ever drop a powdered sugar donut in your car? Powdered sugar gets all over EVERYTHING. So, the next time I went to my Pilates class, I sat next to a serious Pilates student with her fancy Pilates gear on. I sat proud on my purple mat that was sprinkled with powdered sugar, wearing my baggy clothes and thought at least I don't smell like nor look like a man : )

Sheesh

There is a new commercial (maybe it's not new, but I watch so little TV, it's new to me) where a young man gets up to go to the bank and realizes he can now deposit his check by taking a photo of it on his phone and sending it to his bank. In less than 30 seconds the task is done. So, now this guy has some time on his hands. He sits back and relaxes in his chair. On the surface this looks like a great thing, right? I'm thinking I've got to get me one of those new fangled phones (okay, I didn't think that nor do I talk like that). But, here's the thing, is it so bad to have to go to the bank? Is it so great that this guy now has all this time on his hands? Is it good that he had no personal interaction at all? I know I would never remember if I ever really deposited a check or not. I mean, I would likely remember if I got in the car and drove to the bank, however, I probably would not remember a task like hitting a few buttons that took less than 30 seconds. Knowing me, I'd end up trying to deposit the same check a dozen times. Then, I may get arrested for bank fraud, leaving my family and friends to fend for themselves, causing heartache and sorrow for all concerned. How is that a good thing? Get off your duff and go to the bank, sheesh!

Spring Fling

Folks in New Jersey have the best weather in the country! We have the fullness of all four seasons; cold and snowy Winters, wet and blooming Springs, hot and humid Summers, cool and crisp Falls. With each season there is something so delightful. The Winter season brings most folks inside to hearth and home with shortened days and bitter cold nights. The Spring brinks folks outside during the day to sweep away debris of Winter and to plant. The Summer keeps folks outside till late at night because of the cooler temperatures of the evening and the light of the late setting sun. Also, gardening in New Jersey (The Garden State - duh) is a great summer New Jersey pastime. The Fall brings relief of the long hot days and keeps our sights on the red, orange and gold foliage. It's funny to me that so many people feel exactly the same way as I do about the weather in New Jersey, yet all I hear is folks waiting on the next season. It seems everybody is in a rush for the next season to begin. If I hear one more person say, "I can't wait till Spring," I may explode. And, no, that wasn't me outside today whispering, "Grow tulips, grow..."

Abounding!

Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

For me, these verses speak to the heart of Christian living. To listen to the world-view today, the goal in life is to be completely satisfied physically, financially and emotionally. To seek and enjoy many riches. To fill our gluttonous selves to the brim and then just a little bit more. Some of you are nodding in agreement thinking, it's the "just a little bit more" that gets us in trouble. But that's not really the truth behind our dissatisfaction. If we know Christ, we are already abundantly rich! When our circumstances stink, Paul tells us that Christ can and will strengthen us. The knowledge of knowing that, even in bad situations, in times of trouble and need, we have the strength of Christ in us to accomplish all things, is the kind of contentment that every worldly thing is empty of. In other words, what the world has to offer is void of soul satisfying joy. But what Christ has to offer is teeming with unspeakable joys. These verses to me are saying a life adapted to the world is lacking (abased), but a life adapted to Christ is rich (abounding).

Shhhh - It's a Secret

How dumb are we? Wait, don't answer that. I was at the check-out line in the supermarket and started browsing the magazine rack. Each magazine had the word Secret on the front cover. The Secret Live of Celebrities, The Secret To Losing 10 Pounds, The Secret To An Uncluttered Life, The Secret Dual-Life of The Stars, The Design Secret You Need To Know, The Health Secret You Need To Know, The Diet Secret You Need To Know. . . and so on. Don't these magazine editors realize that once they divulge all those secrets, we won't need to buy any more magazines? And really, are these things really secrets? I know all these "secrets" and a few they forgot to mention. Celebrities are messed up; if you eat less you'll lose weight; if you throw stuff away and stop buying new stuff, you'll uncluttered your life; TV personalities live differently than their TV characters; when decorating remember that less is more and (drum roll). . . the big design secret - window treatments (I have to admit I peeked at that one); if you walk more each day you'll be healthier; and if you drink more water while dieting you will lose more weight because you are filling your stomach and flushing out toxins and fat. Hey, maybe I should write a magazine. Would you pay $4.95 for 10 pages of ranting . . . I mean advice?

Empty-Nest

I now know how the term empty-nest really came to be. Empty-nest syndrome is a phrase that was coined by someone to describe the feelings parents feel when their children fly away from the nest, or in other words, leave home. But I have a new understanding of empty-nest. For me, it is an opportunity to empty the nest of all the stuff my kids were holding on to. Heh-heh-heh. No one is here to stop me from throwing out old sneakers and T-shirts and games and toys and empty photo frames with broken glass and old books. My daughter even had a plastic container that was labeled, "Odd game pieces". Guess what folks, I am emptying my nest and it feels pretty good! Good-bye odd game pieces, heck, good-bye odd games. Does anyone really ever play Old Maid? And, not for nothing, but I never liked Candy Land or Shoots and Ladders. Can you say, "boring"? I used to pay the babysitters to play those games with my kids. Now, don't think that I don't miss the little birdies, because Lord knows I do. It's just that it's easier to keep the old nest neat without all the clutter. Less is more. Can I get an Amen? And when the little birds come home, I better not hear a peep out of them over this. . .

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

This is from my daughter's Italy blog. It sounds like something that would happen to me :)

Written by daughter #1:

So let me set the scene for this picture . . . We get dropped off in Verona pretty much right in front of the huge arena (which looks exactly like a smaller version of the Colosseum), where there are multiple characters dressed up in the streets, like angels, pharaohs, and Roman soldiers, who people take pictures with and then are guilted into paying. The boys see the Roman soldiers with their massive pretend swords and armor and recruit me to take pictures for them. They act super dramatic, choking the soldiers and having sword fights and pretending to have their heads chopped off. Then they say to me, "Hey, you go take a picture with them, it will be funny!" and I think, "Why not? I want to have a sword fight too!" But as I walk over I realize that the soldiers do not want to have a sword fight with a young American girl, they want to hug her and kiss her hand and wink at her and make suggestive faces and generally be rude Italian men. And the boys, of course, think that this is hysterical and snap lots of pictures and do nothing to rescue me from the clutches of the lewd Roman soldiers. Hmpf

I Want Details & Hugs

So, my husband took a surprise trip to our son's Military school to see his last home basketball game. I was nervous about how it would go. It seems funny to me that I would be nervous for father and son to see each other considering they have had a wonderful relationship the boy's whole life. But, dads are different than moms. Moms ask questions like, "How do you feel?", "Do you have enough pairs of underwear?", "Is the food good, like mine, I mean, does it taste good?", "Are you getting enough sleep?" Men on the other hand say, "Hello," and basically, that's it. What would they talk about without me? Would my husband find out the important stuff - you know, about the food and the underwear? Would my son offer any information if it weren't asked directly? I debated on giving my husband a list of questions to ask, written on a little white index card. I decided against that. So, when my husband called me 3 hours after he left, at half-time, I asked, anxiously, "How is he? Did he lose any weight? Did he grow? Does he need underwear?" My husband responded in his usual dry manner, "Which question should I answer first?" "Augh, just tell me if he was happy to see you?" "Yes," he said, "he came right over and shook my hand." "Shook your hand!?" I fumed. "Yes, sweetheart, that's what boys in Military school do." And that was about all the details I got. I think I'll go to Wal-Mart tomorrow and get some underwear . . . just in case.

Unexpected Blessings - In The Midst

So, two weeks ago we sent our 16 year old son to Military School. The school is about 3 hours from home. It was (is) a good decision. He has so many opportunities there and this could be the best time of his life. A way for him to cement the future he has always planned for himself. With that being said, it was a very difficult decision and a very sad good-bye. It was never our intention to have our son away from home before college, nor did we expect to be empty-nesters yet. However, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry (whatever that really means). So, the day after my husband and I were officially empty-nesters, we got a phone call for my husband to teach a class in Florida for two days. Guess what? We were both free. We made reservations, packed, hopped on a plane, arrived to 75 degree weather, had dinner with our sweet daughter (which went by way too fast - miss you honey), walked the beach, sun bathed, drove to Tampa, my husband had paying work, we met Indian Lake Papa and Mama for dinner (which also went by way too fast), a little more work and now we're heading home. I am humbled by the continuous provisions from God . . . the unexpected blessings . . . in the midst of this life - adapted.

Cat Adoption Highlights (is lowlights a word?)

For sure, this cat adoption project has been interesting. I made a commitment and you all know what our mamas taught us about commitments, you follow them through. Can't you just hear your mama's voice? "Well, you shouldn't have said yes if you weren't sure, but since you did, you have to see it through." Augh! yes, mommy. Here are a few highlights from my "commitment."
- I sorely failed at witnessing Christ to 2 people I knew needed it
- I began witnessing to Sylvia, but she and her husband are already believers, in fact, they adopted a cat with a fatal illness because of their Christ like spirit
- I should have witnessed to my co-workers because at least 3 of them took credit for cats that I adopted and thus stole my commission
- I complained because the shelter gave me the ugliest, oldest, fattest cat they had to show at an adoption. This cat, "Beefy," had jaw surgery so his mouth doesn't close, he has a runny eye, he's 15 and he sat in the corner of the crate shaking with fear
- I almost talked this man into adopting Beefy, but then he told me how his wife died, then his dog died and he wasn't sure he was ready yet. They died 15 years ago. I told him he wasn't ready for Beefy.
- I cried with a woman who had just dropped off her son at Basic Training and promised to pray for him, Joe
- I talked to a woman who lost her husband to cancer a few months ago. She has 9 cats and each one has a "unique" story (unique meaning very long), I listened to every story
- And the final insult, I asked my husband to come with me (which he did) and he got a man who wants to meet him at the shelter to look at cats together - go figure!
Mommy, can I quit yet?

Ciao Little Bird

After a very long ordeal, my bird got to her new nest away from home - Italy! She proved herself a strong and able traveler. When one route was closed, she flew another one. She did it all by herself, just like she's been begging to do since she was 2. I can hear her little high pitched, stuttering voice in my head, "M-m-m-mommy, me do!" She's always been determined to do things on her own, in her own way. When she was 5 she didn't like to be watched when she painted. So one morning she got up really early and painted a picture. I got up to find she had dragged a chair to the sink so she could wash the brushes. The first thing I noticed was how precariously she was standing on the chair over the sink, then I noticed the spilled paint, then I noticed she hadn't put on her smock so her clothes were covered in washable (not) paint, then I noticed the paint in her hair. And just before I could speak, I noticed the picture she painted, a girl and her mother picking flowers. Finally, I noticed, above all, was that my little bird was grinning from ear to ear, proud of her accomplishment, awaiting my applause. "Good job, honey," I said, in my best motherese, smiling, resisting the urge to clean up for her, "I'm going back to bed. Wake me up when you're all done." And so, 16 years later when she got delayed and stuck at the airport and she re-routed her flight, I said to her, "Good job, honey. I'm going back to bed. Call me when you're all done." To myself, I said, "Ciao little bird."

Fly Safe

The little birdie is flying away from the nest. She's been doing it for years, but I think one wing was clipped because she couldn't get very far. I hope her wings are strong because they must get her all the way to Italy! Yup, my baby (daughter #1) is going to Italy tomorrow for three months! I couldn't be more proud of her. She's stepping outside of her comfort zone and going to another country to study and evangelize. It's something she's always wanted to do and when this opportunity came up, she grabbed it. For two and a half years at college she has worked hard and made good connections, and that work is paying off. She is one of one going from her school to Italy. She's a pioneer, a trailblazer, a pilgrim, a trendsetter, a pacesetter . . . a little bird flying off. Did I mention I was proud of her? A new and exciting adventure awaits her in the land of her ancestors. And she won't just fly away from the nest . . . she'll soar. This I know because she seeks God in all she does and God promises this:
". . . those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary.
They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
God bless you, honey and fly safe.

Cat Adoptions? Part IV

There are one hundred cats at the shelter in need of homes. Our wealthy benefactor wants to see each one adopted. He is paying a fee to each person who adopts out a cat, plus he's giving each new cat owner a 2 month supply of free litter and food. I now see this as a double opportunity. A way to make some money (I almost said extra money but that would imply I had money already) and an opportunity to share Jesus. You know how my first attempt turned out. . . So, I was bound and determined that I would not let my next chance slip away. I was going to share the good news of Jesus with the very next person who wanted to adopt a cat. This very gruff sounding man answered an ad I placed and he agreed to meet me at the shelter. He showed up on his motorcycle (clue #1 he really didn't intend to take a cat home, they don't even make helmets that small) and wanted to see only tiny, black kittens with white paws (clue #2) and wanted the free food and litter before he adopted a cat (clue #3). Even still, I prayed for an opportunity or an opening to say, "Hey, do you want to know about Jesus?" but the skull and cross bones on his T-shirt and his leather jacket and his motorcycle intimidated me. When he left, I prayed he wouldn't crash on the way home. BUT, I said to myself, "Self, be encouraged, there will be more opportunities," and don't you know when I got home, the answering machine was blinking . . .

Conversation With Husband Re: Christmas Decorations

Husband: "What are you doing this afternoon?"
Me: "Taking down the Christmas decorations."
Him: "Oh, don't. I love the Christmas decorations, leave them out for a while longer please."
Me: "If they stay out longer, they'll need to be dusted. I'd rather put them away so I don't have to dust them. Of course, if you really want them out longer, you are free to dust them."
Him: "No, you can put them away."
Me: "Gee, thanks..."

America Resolved

I am fond of New Year's resolutions. I feel that we all have a thing or two we could resolve to do better. I am so fond of resolutions that I often assign resolutions to others. I once asked a friend if she would honor my resolution for her before I told her what the resolution was. She said, "Yes." I said, "Okay. Resolve to work on your marriage." She said, "Grrrrrr." But she did and that was a good thing. I have been thinking that there are few things that our country can improve on. So America, listen up. This is your short list (long list to follow).
1. Resolve to give the children back their childhood. Turn off the electronics and send the kids outside to play. Someone said to me once, "Young kids need to learn how to use electronics so they don't fall behind." I asked, "Fall behind what?" I learned how to use a computer when I was in my twenties and believe it or not, even at that old age, I took to it pretty quickly. I have never thought at the end of a day, "I wish I had spent more time on my computer." However, many times I have thought, "I wish I had gotten outside more."
2. Resolve to censorship. Yes, folks, zip the lip. I am actually censoring myself right now. Censor all unholy language, images, thoughts, music and activities. Train yourself to restrain yourself.
3. Resolve to practice kindness. I'm not talking "random acts of kindness," I'm talking purposeful acts of kindness. Think to yourself, "What kind thing can I do for someone on purpose today?"
4. Resolve to be a good citizen. Wake up America! Why should God Bless America if we're not being good citizens?
And finally, an alliteration,
5. Resolve to practice prayer, patience and peace. Praying for others teaches us to be tender hearted, grateful and humble. Patience teaches us to be. . . well, patient for those we pray for. And peace flows from prayer and patience which makes practicing peace a good practice.

Happy New Year!

Family's Gift OR Where Are The Caches?

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is finding treasures (or caches) hidden outdoors by using a GPS device. The caches are hidden in public places outdoors and then their location is published on the Internet. You plug in the location on your GPS and then your treasure hunting begins. Some caches are camouflaged, some hung in trees, some buried in brush, some hidden in logs. So far we have found 3 caches. After you find the cache, you write your name and the date on the log in the cache container and if there is a treasure, you may take it, providing you leave behind another treasure in it's place for the next seekers to find. And, NO, you may not leave one of your children behind as a treasure for someone else to find, tempting as that may sound, it just wouldn't be right! . . . right . . .?

Our Gift OR Where Are The Tissues?

Need I say anything more?

Husband's Gift OR Where Are The Bandaids?

Can you guess what I got my husband for Christmas??

Below is a clue. . .

Need I say anything more?

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!