I was trying to think of a way to sum up all that was important about this past year.
Is it an alarming confession to state that the year really wasn't all that important at all? Perhaps that's not true. I want to invite you to reflect with me.
In 2006...
1. My eldest son turned 11, my youngest son turned 10, and I turned "pushing 40." Pushing 40 is a fabulous way to reveal my age, because it's a little ambiguous, and it gets people to say flattering things like, "You can't be that old! You look so young!" Which they would never be inspired to say if I lied about my age and claimed to be 30.
2. My sister had a baby girl, my brother had a baby boy, and Jenine didn't have a baby at all. I love my niece and Nephew, and I love Jenine's kids, who happen to be my cousins. Jenine just usually has babies, that's all. She is the Best Mother of Seven in the entire world. I admire and respect her. I want to be her, if you want to know the truth.
3. I earned my brown belt, and broke my Very Stupid Toe Thereby Endangering my Potential for Black Belt. Not that I will let that stop me, exactly. I may have to test with a broken toe, but what an accomplishment that would be!
4. We finished grades 3 and 5, and began grades 4 and 6 in homeschool. Both boys became good swimmers, and even better skiers. They are remarkable as people. I quite like them.
5. We spent almost the entire summer in Swimwear at Eagle Island with Kara. I there learned that my bikini attracts more attention than Kara's, though perhaps in a different way. Some of you will find this difficult to believe, but that's only because you don't know the story. I am not going to tell you either, you'll have to use your imaginations.
6. I broke up with Chuck so frequently, that I lost count. I only went to Seattle 4 times and I constantly complained about Dating. Although it was the total lack of dating, and not actual dates that illicite my ire. If I had a robust dating experience, then I could complain about men, and that would be far more blogable. As it is, I could complain about Chuck, but then I would regret it in our "on" phases, and that would be emotionally taxing. Of course, one day he is going to realize that he can't bear life without me, and he will show up and propose, and we will elope, and then you will be so surprised when I blog that I got married because you didn't see it coming. Or not.
7. I learned how to wield a Chinese Broadsword, and how to Bellydance. There are other things that I want to learn in the next year...how am I going to top swordplay and bellydancing? Hmmmm, I am not sure yet. But I will, you know. It's my nature.
8. I also learned that I am obsessed about my weight, I am an inadequate parent, I can gain or lose 10 ponds in the blink of an eye, I have abandonment issues, and I am emotionally unstable. Also, that I am "stubborn and Pigheaded", "stoic and vague", and have an unusually high tolerance for pain. It's been a humbling year.
9. I began attending a house church that I love with all my heart. House church is really very different that a regular kind of church. You should try it. It's not for the faint of heart. I, as you know, am many things, but I am not fainthearted. Some may wish I were.
10. Finally, (because a list of 10 is list enough), 2006 was a wonderful year because of the people in my life. You strangers in cyberspace whom I enjoy so much.
You close people who serve me and love me and put up with me.
And my family whom I love beyond measure.
May God bless your memories of the past year. May He surprise and delight you in the year ahead.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
I'm back
I have been negligent in the extreme, and it's all because of the season. Christmas is over and I now have to clean up. This is an alarming prospect.
You know, setting up the tree requires rearranging the entire living room until all the furniture is displaced. Now we have to work in reverse.
I have to un-decorate, disassemble the tree, and re-do all of the furnitre.
And all of the knick-knacks. Knick knacks all have to have a Christmas theme in the month of December, too.
We have this Nativity set that we keep under the tree in the living room. It's to remind us that Jesus is the Very Best Gift of All. The Shepherd has had a rough time of it this year. He was decapitated shortly after Thanksgiving. We were able to balance his head upon the remainder of his ceramic-self pretty well, though. You could hardly tell there was a problem. Then he met with further misfortune. He was rent asunder at the waist like Darth Maul. We could balance his torso on the legs, but the head wouldn't stay on after that. I am afraid the manger scene became a little macabre what with the shepherd's head lolling about underfoot. Some Elmer's glue seems to have done the trick, and he'll be ready to go for next year.
And music. Nobody blares AC/DC at Christmas time. There's a law or something that makes us listen to "Grandma got runover by a Reindeer" between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
All that is unique to the season. If you think about it, Christmas time is like an alternate reality.
Blogging is like an alternate reality, too. One I am happy to be back to. Welcome back, friends.
You know, setting up the tree requires rearranging the entire living room until all the furniture is displaced. Now we have to work in reverse.
I have to un-decorate, disassemble the tree, and re-do all of the furnitre.
And all of the knick-knacks. Knick knacks all have to have a Christmas theme in the month of December, too.
We have this Nativity set that we keep under the tree in the living room. It's to remind us that Jesus is the Very Best Gift of All. The Shepherd has had a rough time of it this year. He was decapitated shortly after Thanksgiving. We were able to balance his head upon the remainder of his ceramic-self pretty well, though. You could hardly tell there was a problem. Then he met with further misfortune. He was rent asunder at the waist like Darth Maul. We could balance his torso on the legs, but the head wouldn't stay on after that. I am afraid the manger scene became a little macabre what with the shepherd's head lolling about underfoot. Some Elmer's glue seems to have done the trick, and he'll be ready to go for next year.
And music. Nobody blares AC/DC at Christmas time. There's a law or something that makes us listen to "Grandma got runover by a Reindeer" between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
All that is unique to the season. If you think about it, Christmas time is like an alternate reality.
Blogging is like an alternate reality, too. One I am happy to be back to. Welcome back, friends.
Monday, December 18, 2006
lies and truth
Hey, good news!
I won the lottery, and am now grotesquely wealthy.
I lost 20 pounds and can comfortably wear a size 4.
The diamond on my left hand is too heavy to lift.
My children have insisted upon doing all the cooking and cleaning from now on.
And my foot is miraculously healed.
I'm lying.
I know, I know. I have been dreadfully remiss in my blogging. Do you hate me for it?
I have nothing funny to say.
My house is cluttered, my thank you notes aren't out, I should really get some shopping done, and I hate my pinky-toe.
So, really, there's nothing new here.
How have you been?
I won the lottery, and am now grotesquely wealthy.
I lost 20 pounds and can comfortably wear a size 4.
The diamond on my left hand is too heavy to lift.
My children have insisted upon doing all the cooking and cleaning from now on.
And my foot is miraculously healed.
I'm lying.
I know, I know. I have been dreadfully remiss in my blogging. Do you hate me for it?
I have nothing funny to say.
My house is cluttered, my thank you notes aren't out, I should really get some shopping done, and I hate my pinky-toe.
So, really, there's nothing new here.
How have you been?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Counting my Blessings...
1. Wine. I am so glad that I don't have enough wine in the house to get drunk. That would be a sin.
2. I am truly blessed that the crutches only chafe under my arms. Anywhere else would force others to gaze upon the unsightly sores.
3. My beautiful children. I am so thankful that I have two...any more, and the mess generated would be insurmountable.
4. I am thankful for my credit card, for that is how I handle medical bills.
5. My closet. It's large enough to contain complete wardrobes in 4 sizes. I'm going to be in the "high-end" clothes due to my sedentary lifestyle.
.....Can anyone say "poor attitude"?
I went to see my doctor today. We all know that I was fully expecting a pat on the back for my enthusiastic compliance with the restraints he placed on my activity level.
We all know that I was entirely delusional.
The good news is that my foot has begun to heal.
Barely.
He was rather hoping to see more progress.
He gave (by "gave" I mean that he added it to my bill) me a shoe-like thingy to wear at all times. This replaces the overkill boot I've been plodding about in. He said that my "foot is not to touch the earth without being in the shoe." He then added that it oughtn't to touch the earth much at all, and recommended crutches.
And so the saga continues.
The threat of surgery looms large before me.
I kicked a chair, for goodness sake! Not even on purpose. I would have aimed better if I'd meant to do it. Come to think of it, I just might go do that.
I am in despair.
Sitting still does not come easily. Neither does submitting to weakness. Nor submitting to anything, but that's another topic. I honestly don't like it when you people bring me food and clean my house.
OK, I lied. I like the food part.
But I don't like needing help, and that's the point. I don't like needing money, or service, or emotional support, or forgiveness. I don't like needing.
The Bible tells me "Be Still and Know that I Am God." I very often over spiritualize that. He wants me to be still in some sort of mystical way that won't affect my gym schedule or my friendships? Perhaps He wants me to sit down, and shut up, and be very, very without activity. Be Still.
And then there's that second part. The part about knowing. You know how the bible uses that word "knowing" for the way a man knows his wife? It's a hugely intimate sort of knowing. The kind of knowing that is experiential and complete. God wants me to know Him in a totally intimate way that includes experience and emotion. The comparison to matrimony was His idea, not mine, so don't be thinking I am all freaky.
The thing is, being still is quite literal.
And knowing God is deliberately active. The first part is forced upon me, the second requires more of my will. God would have me see how needy I really am.
hmmm...That's a lot to think about.
2. I am truly blessed that the crutches only chafe under my arms. Anywhere else would force others to gaze upon the unsightly sores.
3. My beautiful children. I am so thankful that I have two...any more, and the mess generated would be insurmountable.
4. I am thankful for my credit card, for that is how I handle medical bills.
5. My closet. It's large enough to contain complete wardrobes in 4 sizes. I'm going to be in the "high-end" clothes due to my sedentary lifestyle.
.....Can anyone say "poor attitude"?
I went to see my doctor today. We all know that I was fully expecting a pat on the back for my enthusiastic compliance with the restraints he placed on my activity level.
We all know that I was entirely delusional.
The good news is that my foot has begun to heal.
Barely.
He was rather hoping to see more progress.
He gave (by "gave" I mean that he added it to my bill) me a shoe-like thingy to wear at all times. This replaces the overkill boot I've been plodding about in. He said that my "foot is not to touch the earth without being in the shoe." He then added that it oughtn't to touch the earth much at all, and recommended crutches.
And so the saga continues.
The threat of surgery looms large before me.
I kicked a chair, for goodness sake! Not even on purpose. I would have aimed better if I'd meant to do it. Come to think of it, I just might go do that.
I am in despair.
Sitting still does not come easily. Neither does submitting to weakness. Nor submitting to anything, but that's another topic. I honestly don't like it when you people bring me food and clean my house.
OK, I lied. I like the food part.
But I don't like needing help, and that's the point. I don't like needing money, or service, or emotional support, or forgiveness. I don't like needing.
The Bible tells me "Be Still and Know that I Am God." I very often over spiritualize that. He wants me to be still in some sort of mystical way that won't affect my gym schedule or my friendships? Perhaps He wants me to sit down, and shut up, and be very, very without activity. Be Still.
And then there's that second part. The part about knowing. You know how the bible uses that word "knowing" for the way a man knows his wife? It's a hugely intimate sort of knowing. The kind of knowing that is experiential and complete. God wants me to know Him in a totally intimate way that includes experience and emotion. The comparison to matrimony was His idea, not mine, so don't be thinking I am all freaky.
The thing is, being still is quite literal.
And knowing God is deliberately active. The first part is forced upon me, the second requires more of my will. God would have me see how needy I really am.
hmmm...That's a lot to think about.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Going Camping
We have this whole thing at bible study, like Las Vegas, where what happens at bible study stays at bible study.
However, sometimes some very bloggable things take place.
As we all sat around talking last night, (and I don't remember the initial point of conversation), one of the girls commented that her Mother was in a box on the shelf of her office.
Not one of us batted an eye until we realized that she was, in fact, serious. Dead serious, if I may borrow the pun.
Her Mother is in the box because they have not yet taken her camping.
I am not wild about camping as a living person, and I do not imagine that death would improve my experience. Though, less would be required of one under those circumstances. The worst part of camping is all the work. Cooking, and doing dishes, and fighting back all the dirt. That's the worst part of camping. As a cremated person, one would actually Be dirt, a thought which just occurred to me. Why would I ever want to be that which I have been spending a lifetime trying to eliminate? Cruel irony, no?
So, we wondered, does cremation reduce a body entirely to ashes, or are there still parts? Chunks.
I wonder if they run you through a sieve so as to spare the family?
I think I would rather be mummified.
If I were mummified, I could be kept in a lovely sarcophagus in someone's living room. The girls at bible study suggested that Chuck should be the recipient of that particular gift. Then I could haunt him. I might be able to haunt him without being mummified, but it would sure be creepier that way. And more of a conversation piece. I like to generate conversation. Especially conversations with words like "sarcophagus."
So, all in all, bible study was very interesting.
We learned:
-That a dead duck needs to be separated from it's entrails immediately, or it will taste of rigor. (We then discussed the word "entrails." It's a wonderful word, and far underused in my opinion.)
-Cremation doesn't entirely reduce a body to ashes.
-The Roman's sacking Jerusalem in 70 AD actually resulted in the spreading of the gospel.
-And you should never go camping with Lynda!
However, sometimes some very bloggable things take place.
As we all sat around talking last night, (and I don't remember the initial point of conversation), one of the girls commented that her Mother was in a box on the shelf of her office.
Not one of us batted an eye until we realized that she was, in fact, serious. Dead serious, if I may borrow the pun.
Her Mother is in the box because they have not yet taken her camping.
I am not wild about camping as a living person, and I do not imagine that death would improve my experience. Though, less would be required of one under those circumstances. The worst part of camping is all the work. Cooking, and doing dishes, and fighting back all the dirt. That's the worst part of camping. As a cremated person, one would actually Be dirt, a thought which just occurred to me. Why would I ever want to be that which I have been spending a lifetime trying to eliminate? Cruel irony, no?
So, we wondered, does cremation reduce a body entirely to ashes, or are there still parts? Chunks.
I wonder if they run you through a sieve so as to spare the family?
I think I would rather be mummified.
If I were mummified, I could be kept in a lovely sarcophagus in someone's living room. The girls at bible study suggested that Chuck should be the recipient of that particular gift. Then I could haunt him. I might be able to haunt him without being mummified, but it would sure be creepier that way. And more of a conversation piece. I like to generate conversation. Especially conversations with words like "sarcophagus."
So, all in all, bible study was very interesting.
We learned:
-That a dead duck needs to be separated from it's entrails immediately, or it will taste of rigor. (We then discussed the word "entrails." It's a wonderful word, and far underused in my opinion.)
-Cremation doesn't entirely reduce a body to ashes.
-The Roman's sacking Jerusalem in 70 AD actually resulted in the spreading of the gospel.
-And you should never go camping with Lynda!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
limping along
Coffee is a wonderful thing. I wonder if I would still be a morning person without it?
I went to the grocery store last night without my Dramatic Boot Thingy on. When I wear the boot, people can see why I am limping.
When I don't wear the boot, I walk funny. Did you see The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Yeah, I walk like him. I sort of lunge forward, dragging my out-turned foot. Lunge, and drag...lunge, and drag...
It's very inelegant.
Sometimes it makes me want to use a slurred voice, and maybe drool a bit.
The thought of that is hysterically funny to me, but I doubt that others would be amused.
I have been sustaining myself in this forced inactivity, with the illusion that the Doctor will clear me for skiing when I go in on Thursday. The likelihood of that happening seems rather a stretch. Alas!
One of my girlfriends dropped by last night with her teenaged son. I was already in bed for the evening. The thing is, you can see right into my bed from the front door. M' opened the door, and there I was. "OH! Hiiiiii....I am in bed," I stated rather lamely.
I can do that, you know "state Lamely" since I am, literally, lame.
I jumped out of bed and quickly made myself, um, modest. I am afraid I was less than a gracious hostess due to my embarrassment. Sorry about that, Lisa!
Today, I am off to new adventures. First on the adgenda is a shower. Do you bathe every day? Until recently, I thought that all Americans did. They do not. Most of the people I associate with don't actually shower every day. I find this deeply fascinating. I mean, I don't always shower, either, unless I am going out in public. But I don't tell people! How often do you shower?
I went to the grocery store last night without my Dramatic Boot Thingy on. When I wear the boot, people can see why I am limping.
When I don't wear the boot, I walk funny. Did you see The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Yeah, I walk like him. I sort of lunge forward, dragging my out-turned foot. Lunge, and drag...lunge, and drag...
It's very inelegant.
Sometimes it makes me want to use a slurred voice, and maybe drool a bit.
The thought of that is hysterically funny to me, but I doubt that others would be amused.
I have been sustaining myself in this forced inactivity, with the illusion that the Doctor will clear me for skiing when I go in on Thursday. The likelihood of that happening seems rather a stretch. Alas!
One of my girlfriends dropped by last night with her teenaged son. I was already in bed for the evening. The thing is, you can see right into my bed from the front door. M' opened the door, and there I was. "OH! Hiiiiii....I am in bed," I stated rather lamely.
I can do that, you know "state Lamely" since I am, literally, lame.
I jumped out of bed and quickly made myself, um, modest. I am afraid I was less than a gracious hostess due to my embarrassment. Sorry about that, Lisa!
Today, I am off to new adventures. First on the adgenda is a shower. Do you bathe every day? Until recently, I thought that all Americans did. They do not. Most of the people I associate with don't actually shower every day. I find this deeply fascinating. I mean, I don't always shower, either, unless I am going out in public. But I don't tell people! How often do you shower?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
my # 100 post!
I thought that this should be a memerable post, sinse it's the 100th I've done. However, I have to use it instead to say HELLO and tell you what happened. My computer died. Totally. Like, Rest In Peace. My friend Lynda, the computer goddess, did something magical and wearying, and finally gave me a new hard drive. She spent days and days trying to make my computer come back to life. Amazing. She is as dear as she can be to give me the gift of her hard drive and her hours. THANK YOU LYNDA!!!!!! So, I am back. I have been trying very hard to stay off my foot, so mostly I have been reading. I am reading a facinating book about the Ark of the Covenant. It's non-fiction, and well-researched, and very long. I'm loving it. Today, however, I shall be sitting here writting to all of you who have emailed me over the past week. I have missed you all!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Regal Me
I am a Princess.
It's pretty much disgusting. You should have seen me yesterday...I sat on my bed with my foot propped up on pillows. I was reading a good book. Patsy and Celise cleaned my house for hours...Jessie dropped by with meals for my freezer, and lounged on my bed with me to keep me company. Celise also brought food...as did Lisa.
I am being pampered beyond belief. This will ruin me for any man, you know.
The down side is that I am growing fat and flabby. I can't exercise at all, and I keep eating. There are donuts and chocolates, and meals, and....oh, dear!
I am going to be a very large Princess. Like maybe a Hawaiian Princess. Didn't they consider obesity to be beautiful?
It's pretty much disgusting. You should have seen me yesterday...I sat on my bed with my foot propped up on pillows. I was reading a good book. Patsy and Celise cleaned my house for hours...Jessie dropped by with meals for my freezer, and lounged on my bed with me to keep me company. Celise also brought food...as did Lisa.
I am being pampered beyond belief. This will ruin me for any man, you know.
The down side is that I am growing fat and flabby. I can't exercise at all, and I keep eating. There are donuts and chocolates, and meals, and....oh, dear!
I am going to be a very large Princess. Like maybe a Hawaiian Princess. Didn't they consider obesity to be beautiful?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)