So, I'm taking a little break from packing. In this break I'm reading more of a book I've been reading for a while. As I have been reading it, at different spots of the authors (in my opinion) opinions, I find myself thinking "this is stupid!!"
Then I realized, "Stupid" is a very powerful word. It can bring thoughts, ideas, and dreams to ashes. (But not opinions. Opinions are pretty resilient...) But then I realize, it usually is used when something is found to be intimidating or when the subject matter (right or wrong) is not wanted as acceptable. It's an easy word to use, instead of delving deeper into the truth of the matter behind our emotional responses to stimuli. It's easier to say something is "stupid' instead of trying to find out why it offends me.
I think, for a week, I'm not going to use the word "stupid" as a descriptor.
Except for when I'm speaking about my husband's smart phone.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
On cats and manta rays and being a woman
This weekend I went to the beach. It was great. Slept on the beach, woke up to the sound of ocean's waves crashing on the beach. Saw beautiful sunsets. Enjoyed food by portable grill, (granted with a bit of sand.... :p. Watched my kids play in the ocean, and get very brown. Built a sandcastle. Saw manta rays riding the waves in the ocean (before my Kayak tipped and I thought I was going to die). Collected shells, and saw a real life Portuguese Man-of-war, All in all...it was great. Then I got home, and had a little black kitten run up to me, meowing. She's so happy that we're home.
The joy's of life are simple, and the kitten helped me remember that. one thing this weekend I spent time doing is contemplating what it means to be a Woman. Not just female. I realize without realizing, I've spent several years wanting to become a Godly Woman. Not just inside, with prayer and faith but on the surface as well, with character and actions. I realized I've been searching for a purpose in life, one not linked to acquiring income. I read a book, and the book mentioned that (in short) the husband's duty is to make the living, and the wife's duty is to make life worth living. I guess why that's why I LOVE being a wife. And deeper still, that's why I LOVE social work. I was created to make life worth living. Not only for my self, but for my husband, children, and community.
I feel it is very important for every woman to be educated, and able to stand on her own two feet before she gets married. One never knows what trials God will allow in your life. However, I am, more and more convinced, the reason why our society is experiencing a decline in morality, propriety, and overall happiness is because in our relationships, both are working to make the living, and no one is focusing on making life worth living. To make life worth living is such a huge responsibility; to be truthful, it is such a big challenge it deserves its own college degree ("yea, I've got a bachelors in The Art of Making Life Worth Living. I'm starting my masters next year....:p)
Which brings me back to the cat. I enjoy the rubs on my face by hers. I enjoy the soft purrs, they relax me. Her rough tongue licking my skin makes me laugh. Although sometimes annoying, and often making me want to throw her across the room, I appreciate her. She, in a small way, makes my life worth living.
If a cat can make life a little bit more bearable, what more can I, a human being, do for those I love in my life?
I feel, in a small way, that God has shown me my calling. Not to run out into the world and "bring home the bacon" or even "supplement" it; but rather to take the "bacon", and create a beautiful, amazing, enjoyable, memorable meal for my family. One my kids will forever be talking about, and aspire to recreate for their future families. One who's recipe will be passed on for generations.
For, if I don't do it, then who will?
The joy's of life are simple, and the kitten helped me remember that. one thing this weekend I spent time doing is contemplating what it means to be a Woman. Not just female. I realize without realizing, I've spent several years wanting to become a Godly Woman. Not just inside, with prayer and faith but on the surface as well, with character and actions. I realized I've been searching for a purpose in life, one not linked to acquiring income. I read a book, and the book mentioned that (in short) the husband's duty is to make the living, and the wife's duty is to make life worth living. I guess why that's why I LOVE being a wife. And deeper still, that's why I LOVE social work. I was created to make life worth living. Not only for my self, but for my husband, children, and community.
I feel it is very important for every woman to be educated, and able to stand on her own two feet before she gets married. One never knows what trials God will allow in your life. However, I am, more and more convinced, the reason why our society is experiencing a decline in morality, propriety, and overall happiness is because in our relationships, both are working to make the living, and no one is focusing on making life worth living. To make life worth living is such a huge responsibility; to be truthful, it is such a big challenge it deserves its own college degree ("yea, I've got a bachelors in The Art of Making Life Worth Living. I'm starting my masters next year....:p)
Which brings me back to the cat. I enjoy the rubs on my face by hers. I enjoy the soft purrs, they relax me. Her rough tongue licking my skin makes me laugh. Although sometimes annoying, and often making me want to throw her across the room, I appreciate her. She, in a small way, makes my life worth living.
If a cat can make life a little bit more bearable, what more can I, a human being, do for those I love in my life?
I feel, in a small way, that God has shown me my calling. Not to run out into the world and "bring home the bacon" or even "supplement" it; but rather to take the "bacon", and create a beautiful, amazing, enjoyable, memorable meal for my family. One my kids will forever be talking about, and aspire to recreate for their future families. One who's recipe will be passed on for generations.
For, if I don't do it, then who will?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Take time....
I tell myself, "I'm just gonna hop on facebook and see whats up. I dont have much time...." I'm always so busy, being 'grown up', being 'a parent'.
I glance at people, and dont really mention much. I guess I've fallen out of 'social networking'. (that's 'maturity', right?...)
Then I notice a post of a friend. Her and her husband are going through a rough time. I realize, how distanced I'd become from those I once cherished. I realize how little I pay attention now; to people, places, events....
Humans are really special. Especially those whom one chooses to call "friend". In realizing how distant I've become, I've also realized how short life can be...and how much I NEED to keep in touch. Maybe not a phone call a week, but hey. A letter. A note. A prayer.
God places people in your life for a reason. Everyone in my life has a purpose, whether it be with me or not.
I plan to cherish them a bit more this year.
maybe social networking is more needed in my life than I realize. Without it, I'd forget how special individuals are.
I glance at people, and dont really mention much. I guess I've fallen out of 'social networking'. (that's 'maturity', right?...)
Then I notice a post of a friend. Her and her husband are going through a rough time. I realize, how distanced I'd become from those I once cherished. I realize how little I pay attention now; to people, places, events....
Humans are really special. Especially those whom one chooses to call "friend". In realizing how distant I've become, I've also realized how short life can be...and how much I NEED to keep in touch. Maybe not a phone call a week, but hey. A letter. A note. A prayer.
God places people in your life for a reason. Everyone in my life has a purpose, whether it be with me or not.
I plan to cherish them a bit more this year.
maybe social networking is more needed in my life than I realize. Without it, I'd forget how special individuals are.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Something old, Something new....
Old traditions can make wonderful new hobbies.
As some of you know, I've taken up cake baking. I do it from scratch; no box mixes for me, I do the whole shebang, icing included! And I love it. I started it as a way to save money...and It has turned out into quite an expirience.
I had the privilage of marrying a wonderful man who's mother was a professional cake decorator in her past (as well as a professional seamstress, but thats another blog!!). She had taught some Wilton Cake Decorating Classes in her past, so she helps me out with icing the cake, and we both do decorations. But I bake.
The first big cake we did was my wedding cake. It was a three tier cake, 3 different flavours. it was fantastic! I did a chocolate, strawberry, and white cake....and found the best chocolate and strawberry cake recipies known to....me. I progressed to doing cakes from different pan molds, and did a cute dinosaur for my sons birthday (see prior post). my newest accomplishment...my second wedding cake. Some friends asked me to do the cake, and I agreed. we had a blast. It was awesome. I know, I have a lot of growing to do in my technique and baking...but for the second biggest project i've ever done, I think it went well. I baked, and made the icing; my mother in law iced, and we both decorated.
I learned one thing in this venture. Weddings, birthdays, and BIRTHdays......they are the little blurbs of joy in an otherwise very stressful, very exhasuting world. For me, expiriencing moments of complete non worry. living in the present, no concern of future, do dwelling in past...just the enjoyment of a beautiful, tasty cake...it's such a rarity...I completely enjoyed the exhaustion of today. :)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Odd Fondness...
So, earlier this summer a spider moved in.
Well, she didnt move into our home, she moved into our hallway, and established a web above our storage unit.
every night, she would build a beautiful web, and catch bugs. every morning...she was hiding in a corner, waiting for night.
She didnt bother us, and I decided to let her stay.
The entire summer has gone by; she got larger and larger, and her web got larger, but she stayed above our storage unit; when we opened the door, it did not alter her web (she had not attached any part of it to the door or anything) and she didnt drop down below the web to bother us, and so we ignored her. Every now and again though, we took pleasure in watching her do her thing, and got to show my son how spiders do thier thing. We developed a fondness for the spider. She never invaded on our storage unit space, just stayed right above it; every night, doing her thing...every morning, gone.
Well, she got pretty darn big. I was getting scared, and was thinking about 'reliving' her of her position. but I decided to wait a bit more. Recently, we looked for her in the evening....and she wasnt there. Well, she wasnt on her web. she was curled up, underneath the eaves of our storage unit, where the door opened. It was very hard for her to move(she was REALLY FAT by this time)...and she looked very uncomfortable.
Tonight, we saw that she had moved, and had created a very large egg sac on the outside side of the unit, where the door does not open.
My husband and I decided to look her up; if she was any threat, we would destroy the eggs. We found out she was a '"barn spider"; perfectly harmless, they actually used a barn spider as one of the main characters in 'Charolette's Web. (In reflecting on the book, after seeing her egg sac, I can understand how the pig must have felt carrying it in her mouth....it is a LARGE egg sac!)
We decided we will let them live. We've gotten very fond of the spider. We may relocate the egg sac, to a safer place, but not destroy them.
Its odd how things grow on you. :)
Well, she didnt move into our home, she moved into our hallway, and established a web above our storage unit.
every night, she would build a beautiful web, and catch bugs. every morning...she was hiding in a corner, waiting for night.
She didnt bother us, and I decided to let her stay.
The entire summer has gone by; she got larger and larger, and her web got larger, but she stayed above our storage unit; when we opened the door, it did not alter her web (she had not attached any part of it to the door or anything) and she didnt drop down below the web to bother us, and so we ignored her. Every now and again though, we took pleasure in watching her do her thing, and got to show my son how spiders do thier thing. We developed a fondness for the spider. She never invaded on our storage unit space, just stayed right above it; every night, doing her thing...every morning, gone.
Well, she got pretty darn big. I was getting scared, and was thinking about 'reliving' her of her position. but I decided to wait a bit more. Recently, we looked for her in the evening....and she wasnt there. Well, she wasnt on her web. she was curled up, underneath the eaves of our storage unit, where the door opened. It was very hard for her to move(she was REALLY FAT by this time)...and she looked very uncomfortable.
Tonight, we saw that she had moved, and had created a very large egg sac on the outside side of the unit, where the door does not open.
My husband and I decided to look her up; if she was any threat, we would destroy the eggs. We found out she was a '"barn spider"; perfectly harmless, they actually used a barn spider as one of the main characters in 'Charolette's Web. (In reflecting on the book, after seeing her egg sac, I can understand how the pig must have felt carrying it in her mouth....it is a LARGE egg sac!)
We decided we will let them live. We've gotten very fond of the spider. We may relocate the egg sac, to a safer place, but not destroy them.
Its odd how things grow on you. :)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Converting
So, today I was thinking about converting to Islam. I read an article on CNN.com; it was about a former agnostic that had converted. She said something that really struck a chord with me. She said that after she converted (non pressured, by her own reading and research) she was sitting with another Muslim friend (who was wearing the hijab) at a diner or something, having tea. An individual came up, and saw her with her friend; he greated her friend with the formal Islamic greeting, and looked at her and said "hey, whats up?". She said she took offense to that, becasue the individual did not greet her with the formal greeting, even though she was a Muslim too...then she realized, he could not tell becuase of her appearance. That was the point she decided to wear the hijab.
It got me to thinking.
Okay, honestly, I dont want to convert to Islam. I am strong and sound in my faith, and yet, it got me thinking. When people pass me on the street, what do they see? Does my appearance portray an individual strong in thier Christian faith....or am I dismisssed like "everyone else"? Outside of words, professed belief....what sets Christians apart? I am wondering, is there any way to "make a statement....without saying a word"?
As I write this, a verse pops into my head. "Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart".
I dont need to wear a hijab, or a bracelet, or anything to profess my faith. I can if I want to (and, I think I will make an honest effort to revamp my closet to express more clearly a woman of modesty) but my heart is what matters.
I'm sure if I get my heart straight, everything else will take care of itself.
:)
It got me to thinking.
Okay, honestly, I dont want to convert to Islam. I am strong and sound in my faith, and yet, it got me thinking. When people pass me on the street, what do they see? Does my appearance portray an individual strong in thier Christian faith....or am I dismisssed like "everyone else"? Outside of words, professed belief....what sets Christians apart? I am wondering, is there any way to "make a statement....without saying a word"?
As I write this, a verse pops into my head. "Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart".
I dont need to wear a hijab, or a bracelet, or anything to profess my faith. I can if I want to (and, I think I will make an honest effort to revamp my closet to express more clearly a woman of modesty) but my heart is what matters.
I'm sure if I get my heart straight, everything else will take care of itself.
:)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
strange...
anyways, so its been forever since I blogged. A LOT has happened....I have wanted to blog a lot, but mostly complaints. I cant say I have much to complain about now, which is good. God is good, all the time...and all the time, God is good!! Many changes are a'comin for our family, all of them good. Even when things dont seem to be very good....things are better than what they could be.
So, tonight, my dear husband has put on Netflix some oriental superhero movies.
Its amazing how bonding changes over time....for those who know us, who would'vd thought this is great bonding for us?
I love blogging....but now, I love my husband more. :) so, I guess I'm off to a night of possibly rediculous, possibly funny, very silly non english superhero movies.
I guess everyone needs a superhero, eh?
So, tonight, my dear husband has put on Netflix some oriental superhero movies.
Its amazing how bonding changes over time....for those who know us, who would'vd thought this is great bonding for us?
I love blogging....but now, I love my husband more. :) so, I guess I'm off to a night of possibly rediculous, possibly funny, very silly non english superhero movies.
I guess everyone needs a superhero, eh?
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