I do not do parties to buy products.
I don't have parties to sell products.
If you do, that's okay...I still like you.
But, understand that this has been my philosophy for about five years due to a less than totally positive experience--mainly due to hosting my first party, but also outrageous shipping and less than stellar payouts on the "lifetime guarantee" pitches. I mean, it was a smash...everyone had a blast. I got some "good deals", and am still happy with what I bought. But I felt guilty and blew my budget on mine. Then when you had one, I could not support yours. I felt guilty that you helped me do mine. I could not get sucked into the party thing for the next thing you were interested in...I was tired. And I think it's hard to remain objective when there is only one line being sold. Of course it's The BEST! The BEST deal for the quality. ??? Sometimes.
Anyway, my life is much less stressful with the whole financial/budget thing if I just stay away from parties where there is an expectation that I will support you and your friend and your interests to be there. I'd rather compare prices, not have my friendships wrapped in financial ventures, and time people don't seem to have to socialize spent selling. Money sure motivates people to do what they wouldn't dare do before...get together and just have a good time talking about things they like, for example.
Now, burgers and chocolate dessert? I'll be there. Bring a friend! Get a free door prize!!!
Sort of.
I did say chocolate~!
~Me
10/08/2005
10/07/2005
A Morning with My Dad
A M
orning with my Dad:
Bright faces. Smiles.
Hugs.
Stories about horses.
Laughter.
Walk around the farm with sweaters and a hot cup of my fav. hazelnut coffee.
Kids running through the fields in fall boots, climbing dirt piles.
Dreams on the right tree limgs for swings.
Homemade loaded potato soup with fresh bacon and cheddar, O'Charlie's style.
Smell of apple pie (THANK YOU CINDY). Pics taken to add to scrapbooks. More coffee.
Scooby Doo Cartoons. Cool porch with homemade afgans. Giggling kids...silly questions.
Red "wuving" warm coffee in my lap.
Lots of warm fuzzies. I am blessed.
A morning to remember.
Thanks Dad.
Click for More Pics
10/06/2005
Sunset
Wow. Today has been a good day. Good deep questions. Good encouragement. Good fellowship. Good food! First potato soup of the season. I might share the recipe, given enough interest.
From where I started to where I ended up...there is a God in heaven who cares for me very much!
E.M--Stomping cans has proved therapeutic! You are the world's greatest ear.
C.J.--Good timing on the call and encouragement. This sky's for you.
J.A.--Great white Mexican cheese sauce! Mmm. Sent hubbie for some tonight!
TS --Thanks for prayers today. Sensitive observation.
Tunz--Thanks for prayers/thoughts today...understanding. Sorry about your daughter's hair issues.
Misty--Thanks for prayers/invitations/handling the chaos of my life with a laugh. Keep walking strong!
Up too late...not wanting to start over! I wanna play more!
~Me!
Note to Readers
Today I decided to write in several short blogs instead of one that jumped all over tarnation. If you've shown up and think, "Gee, how'd I get that far behind?" Well, the fact is, you aren't that far behind, I'm just much further ahead.
:-) Me
:-) Me
Do the Least Important Thing, pt. 2
Well, after two days, my thoughts are that you feel like you are surviving hitting the very top priorities...but if you never take a break and do some Level 2 and Level 3 "to do's" you never feel "together". As a follow-up to Do the Least Important Thing, here is my report on amazingly gratifying things I have gotten done since yesterday. These are my top priorities:
1. Feeding my kids & Mr. Wonderful
2. Clothing my kids & Mr. Wonderful
3. De-cluttering to a reasonably relaxing level
4. Mantaining some level of sanity doing the above three
After these, I rarely have time for much else.
I decided that wasn't getting enough done to satisfy me this week with MasterLife's challenges on time management. I was feeling so guilty about the massive accummulation of undone things that I wasn't in good conscience, able to volunteer with other things I could do to expand my "circle of influence" to reach more people for the kingdom.
So, here are some unimportant things I did yesterday to eventually reach more people for the kingdom. (Don't tell me my priorities are out of whack, I'm not buying that one this week--stay with me).
1. Putting away the 5000 stacked up tower of VHS children's tapes in the cabinet, in their cases.
2. Spot cleaning immediately anything I passed where the thought came through my mind, "soon I need to get to that". I made that time RIGHT NOW. Today, I am walking through my house not thinking that quite so much, and it feels good. The black spots are off the carpet (I still haven't vaccummed, but at least that fact is not glaring).
3. Organizing my materials for the scrapbooking party Friday night. Is that is a top priority? Well, wasting the 4 hours is not fun...so yes, if I wanted to get anything done, I needed to print pics and start thinking about layout before I'm around the hens talking our heads off.
4. Washing the bar stool cushions. Aaah. They look so much better.
5. Cleaning out the clutter from the van (yesterday).
6. Going by the professional vac machine with 75 cents to quickly super suck the crumbs out today. Next, I left it parked outside the garage to remind me to clean the inside windshield which has had Armor All oversprayed on the windshield since we bought it this SPRING. I will dust it, too. Have I dusted my house? No. But I have to sit and stare at the dashboard more than I do the house anyway. My priorities have been wrong all this time.
7. Kept my laundry folded and put away when I finished. I have made it a room to "clean" every day this week. I can still see the floor. I even used duct tape on duct work in there this week! (I have one of those shelves that flipped if you get too much weight on one end, and...well, I got too much weight on one end. It broke my dryer duct vent into! Mr. Wonderful was happy since he has so few things to fix and do around here this week, :- but I helped out. W made a good team!)
Now...my theory is that each person needs to accomplish more than the bare minimum in order to feel enough control over life to do the top three well--with good attitude. Not just recreational balance...but low priority balance.
Now, how's that for an idea. Try it! See how refreshed you feel. I'm finding I do the top three irregardless...we have to eat and be clothed! It's the lesser priority things that take more time, planning, and talent. Add one or to mindless tasks, or tasks that take a little planning...things that just need to be done. See how good it makes you feel. My feeling is, "My Mr. Wonderful will be so amazed, so thankful, so impressed with my effort!" My feeling is, "I can do all this! I actually got something 'extra' done!" My feeling is, "Wait to see what I do tomorrow!" I'll just keep you guessing as to what exciting thing that will be! (Bugs out of the lights? Ooooh. ;-) You just never can tell.)
1. Feeding my kids & Mr. Wonderful
2. Clothing my kids & Mr. Wonderful
3. De-cluttering to a reasonably relaxing level
4. Mantaining some level of sanity doing the above three
After these, I rarely have time for much else.
I decided that wasn't getting enough done to satisfy me this week with MasterLife's challenges on time management. I was feeling so guilty about the massive accummulation of undone things that I wasn't in good conscience, able to volunteer with other things I could do to expand my "circle of influence" to reach more people for the kingdom.
So, here are some unimportant things I did yesterday to eventually reach more people for the kingdom. (Don't tell me my priorities are out of whack, I'm not buying that one this week--stay with me).
1. Putting away the 5000 stacked up tower of VHS children's tapes in the cabinet, in their cases.
2. Spot cleaning immediately anything I passed where the thought came through my mind, "soon I need to get to that". I made that time RIGHT NOW. Today, I am walking through my house not thinking that quite so much, and it feels good. The black spots are off the carpet (I still haven't vaccummed, but at least that fact is not glaring).
3. Organizing my materials for the scrapbooking party Friday night. Is that is a top priority? Well, wasting the 4 hours is not fun...so yes, if I wanted to get anything done, I needed to print pics and start thinking about layout before I'm around the hens talking our heads off.
4. Washing the bar stool cushions. Aaah. They look so much better.
5. Cleaning out the clutter from the van (yesterday).
6. Going by the professional vac machine with 75 cents to quickly super suck the crumbs out today. Next, I left it parked outside the garage to remind me to clean the inside windshield which has had Armor All oversprayed on the windshield since we bought it this SPRING. I will dust it, too. Have I dusted my house? No. But I have to sit and stare at the dashboard more than I do the house anyway. My priorities have been wrong all this time.
7. Kept my laundry folded and put away when I finished. I have made it a room to "clean" every day this week. I can still see the floor. I even used duct tape on duct work in there this week! (I have one of those shelves that flipped if you get too much weight on one end, and...well, I got too much weight on one end. It broke my dryer duct vent into! Mr. Wonderful was happy since he has so few things to fix and do around here this week, :- but I helped out. W made a good team!)
Now...my theory is that each person needs to accomplish more than the bare minimum in order to feel enough control over life to do the top three well--with good attitude. Not just recreational balance...but low priority balance.
Now, how's that for an idea. Try it! See how refreshed you feel. I'm finding I do the top three irregardless...we have to eat and be clothed! It's the lesser priority things that take more time, planning, and talent. Add one or to mindless tasks, or tasks that take a little planning...things that just need to be done. See how good it makes you feel. My feeling is, "My Mr. Wonderful will be so amazed, so thankful, so impressed with my effort!" My feeling is, "I can do all this! I actually got something 'extra' done!" My feeling is, "Wait to see what I do tomorrow!" I'll just keep you guessing as to what exciting thing that will be! (Bugs out of the lights? Ooooh. ;-) You just never can tell.)
Health Update
I feel a little better now on Tylenol...wonder drug. I still a little droopy, but MUCH better than last night and this morning.
Also a lot of weird cramping, not sure what to attribute that to with all the female drama this month. Time will tell...five weeks I'd give it.
Five weeks!? Whew.
Also a lot of weird cramping, not sure what to attribute that to with all the female drama this month. Time will tell...five weeks I'd give it.
Five weeks!? Whew.
Gas Update
Today the plumbers were not coming to town, so we still don't know if we made progress with the gas leak even after the hole was made. My Mr. Wonderful chopped and dug and, bless his heart, with one good hand at this point. He and his dad worked so hard! Hopefully they'll be able to pinpoint direction from this initial hole and know which direction to trench.
Blogging...Forward or Backward?
Wow. I have another friend who has started a blog. She'll get bold enough before too long to let me list her link I'm sure.
You really get to know people's sense of humor about life when you read what they write...really a lot art.
We talk about the era of computers and how depersonalized it makes us...but really, what about the era of telephones? In conversation, we lost the art of journaling, letter writing, poetry writing...so many other forms of conversation and communication people relied on prior.
So, with blogging...are we moving forward, or simply going back!
You really get to know people's sense of humor about life when you read what they write...really a lot art.
We talk about the era of computers and how depersonalized it makes us...but really, what about the era of telephones? In conversation, we lost the art of journaling, letter writing, poetry writing...so many other forms of conversation and communication people relied on prior.
So, with blogging...are we moving forward, or simply going back!
Thursday StuFfs
I am certifiably stressed.
Hang the certificate on the wall.
Next week, Fall break.
A break from Bible study this week. I think I need the break. I got too heavy this week.
Today, we're digging through the driveway for the gas leak--just been on temporary gas. After four inches of blacktop, they found four inches of old heavy concrete.
I feel sick. I want to be in bed. A friend was supposed to come by today...doesn't look promising...we'll see.
Sigh.
Hang the certificate on the wall.
Next week, Fall break.
A break from Bible study this week. I think I need the break. I got too heavy this week.
Today, we're digging through the driveway for the gas leak--just been on temporary gas. After four inches of blacktop, they found four inches of old heavy concrete.
I feel sick. I want to be in bed. A friend was supposed to come by today...doesn't look promising...we'll see.
Sigh.
10/05/2005
Do the Least Important Thing Today
Today, I am committed to doing the small thing.
The "stuff" that seems like nothing.
The little odds and ends jobs that pile up.
The end of the priority list.
The things you never get to.
That group of things that always make you feel suddenly BEHIND AND UNAVAILABLE if someone asks you to commit to something else.
I want to "feel" more available.
I want to be up to date.
Caught up.
In order.
Ready.
I want the "stuff" pile done. Seems like the only time it completely goes away is when you move...the junk mail piles gone, letters you will never reply to off your desk! Items returned. Drawers cleaned out. Touch up painting done. Spare peices and parts dealt with.
I want the pictures developed, in albums.
I want to get my house decorated.
I want to find curtains/get inspired again. Prioritize my house.
Get it done.
Enough procrastination.
Enough delay.
This is going to take longer than today.
...but, let it be known! Attacking the BOTTOM of my priority list is my new goal. I think I could write a book with this. DO THE LEAST "IMPORTANT" STUFF TODAY!
I will get free, albeit momentarily, from the very real tyranny of the stuff list I will never have time to get to unless I prioritize it above the "important", "urgent", "must do today" pile!
Me!!!!!!!!!!
The "stuff" that seems like nothing.
The little odds and ends jobs that pile up.
The end of the priority list.
The things you never get to.
That group of things that always make you feel suddenly BEHIND AND UNAVAILABLE if someone asks you to commit to something else.
I want to "feel" more available.
I want to be up to date.
Caught up.
In order.
Ready.
I want the "stuff" pile done. Seems like the only time it completely goes away is when you move...the junk mail piles gone, letters you will never reply to off your desk! Items returned. Drawers cleaned out. Touch up painting done. Spare peices and parts dealt with.
I want the pictures developed, in albums.
I want to get my house decorated.
I want to find curtains/get inspired again. Prioritize my house.
Get it done.
Enough procrastination.
Enough delay.
This is going to take longer than today.
...but, let it be known! Attacking the BOTTOM of my priority list is my new goal. I think I could write a book with this. DO THE LEAST "IMPORTANT" STUFF TODAY!
I will get free, albeit momentarily, from the very real tyranny of the stuff list I will never have time to get to unless I prioritize it above the "important", "urgent", "must do today" pile!
Me!!!!!!!!!!
10/04/2005
Boy Nine
Nine years ago they said to me, "We just don't know if he'll make it at this point. He's very sick. And, I'll be honest with you...at this point, they generally get worse before they get better."
My first born: ventilator, blood pressors, lines everywhere. That, after two months bed rest for me! God speaking. Hard. Sure. Preparing. Reading Thank God for Pain.
God's promise. God's promise!!! God's rescue, after rescue, after rescue.
Now, nine. Almost double digits?
You laugh and smile and rise above! Both tentative and bold. Bright and funny, just like your Dad. Big little teddy bear of a boy. Computers. Playstation 2. Skateboard. Swimming. Transformers. Fads. Cartoons. Heroes.
I love you, boy of mine! How I want to love you more!
Mom
First Jitters Re: Sunday PM
So, now the doubt begins. I've been working to play aucostic as I lead for about a year now...did it a couple times with a backup aucostic in case I got tired or couldn't keep tabs on the prompters, order within the song, needed to give vocal cues. Worked pretty well, though having to match strumming after you have "your thing" going on practicing all week is hard.
Just found out tonight my backup I had lined up can't make it Sunday night. So, now do I keep it small and intimate for Fall Break (simple)? No, I may risk appearing too self important to not have others on stage with me. For that crowd, probably so. Uggh. Simple sounds good to me, even if I fail! But, I know it's probably not wise to put myself under that kind of pressure.
So, what now? I have maybe a drummer, no bass yet, and most singers will proably be out. Trying to find women's voices who don't overshoot mine is hard, --needaltos who are skilled in "mello" and yet able to fill when my voice wears out...also hard.
I don't know about this whole leading thing...how you guys do it week after week. The semantics wear me out. God deals with me in content. How to fit him into the service. How the flow of the whole works, where we can see Him.
I'm getting nervous I guess. I'm visualizing several testimonies broken up by music. That way, I get a break, listeners get a break. BUT, downfall...flow will be distrupted. Have to jump start them with dynamite some weeks anyway... very mixed crowd age wise. I love the older generation, but once you get them clapping, you better never stop.
Lord, show me what to do, sink or swim.
me
Just found out tonight my backup I had lined up can't make it Sunday night. So, now do I keep it small and intimate for Fall Break (simple)? No, I may risk appearing too self important to not have others on stage with me. For that crowd, probably so. Uggh. Simple sounds good to me, even if I fail! But, I know it's probably not wise to put myself under that kind of pressure.
So, what now? I have maybe a drummer, no bass yet, and most singers will proably be out. Trying to find women's voices who don't overshoot mine is hard, --needaltos who are skilled in "mello" and yet able to fill when my voice wears out...also hard.
I don't know about this whole leading thing...how you guys do it week after week. The semantics wear me out. God deals with me in content. How to fit him into the service. How the flow of the whole works, where we can see Him.
I'm getting nervous I guess. I'm visualizing several testimonies broken up by music. That way, I get a break, listeners get a break. BUT, downfall...flow will be distrupted. Have to jump start them with dynamite some weeks anyway... very mixed crowd age wise. I love the older generation, but once you get them clapping, you better never stop.
Lord, show me what to do, sink or swim.
me
A Good Laugh
Re: Click here for a most unusual phonecall. Need two minutes of sound and room to laugh.
Okay, so it wasn't like, "real"...but, when you are having a really bad day...the guy's laugh just does it!
My husband didn't get it...I think you have to be alone, or be caught off guard, or something! I rolled the first time I heard it!
~Me!
Okay, so it wasn't like, "real"...but, when you are having a really bad day...the guy's laugh just does it!
My husband didn't get it...I think you have to be alone, or be caught off guard, or something! I rolled the first time I heard it!
~Me!
Community, Spare Parts
Community...I may continue to mull this. But, today, a couple people bring up good points.
1. Sometimes God pulls us aside to Himself. We still pursue community, but it just didn't hit, doesn't stick, frustrates. Why? Various reasons. While there, focus. Rest. Take breaks from disciplines at times. Learn to play. Find joy, be a joy to Him.
2. As leaders, we need community outside our church bodies. Be real. Transparent. Vulnerable. But leaders require strength. Sometimes we have to vent elsewhere for the health of our bodies. Valid point.
3. Soul lifts occur in ways other than conventional community! That is still "valid community". Find it! Books, email, blogs, long distance friends, old friends waiting for revitalization.
We are meant to function in community. Serving, loving, giving, receiving, speaking, listening. Body life. We are not meant to be anything but PART OF a body. Often when I begin to feel burned out, I've been trying to function alone for a bit too long in my efforts to represent Christ to the world.
I am one kog in the wheel, not the whole vehicle. In trying to do "God-sized" things, it's easy to forget that we are to do what we are equipped or called to do...nothing more, nothing less. Obedience makes the thing "God-sized", not the fact that it may or may not seem impossible.
Well, all the deep thoughts for tonight.
1. Sometimes God pulls us aside to Himself. We still pursue community, but it just didn't hit, doesn't stick, frustrates. Why? Various reasons. While there, focus. Rest. Take breaks from disciplines at times. Learn to play. Find joy, be a joy to Him.
2. As leaders, we need community outside our church bodies. Be real. Transparent. Vulnerable. But leaders require strength. Sometimes we have to vent elsewhere for the health of our bodies. Valid point.
3. Soul lifts occur in ways other than conventional community! That is still "valid community". Find it! Books, email, blogs, long distance friends, old friends waiting for revitalization.
We are meant to function in community. Serving, loving, giving, receiving, speaking, listening. Body life. We are not meant to be anything but PART OF a body. Often when I begin to feel burned out, I've been trying to function alone for a bit too long in my efforts to represent Christ to the world.
I am one kog in the wheel, not the whole vehicle. In trying to do "God-sized" things, it's easy to forget that we are to do what we are equipped or called to do...nothing more, nothing less. Obedience makes the thing "God-sized", not the fact that it may or may not seem impossible.
Well, all the deep thoughts for tonight.
Considering Community
Our MasterLife study this week is on following the new command: to love one another as Christ has loved us. Our 40 Days of Community is on the "new command"...to love one another. Truly love. Real community.
Perhaps sometimes we get so stuck on the informal, town word, "community", that we forget what koinonia...the Greek word for it...means. Sharing things in common.
When I think about it, one test of this word is: how many people knew when you were in your worst mood last week? A lot of people may know the highlights. How many know the lowlights also?
Who do you call?
Do you have anyone to call?
This kind of community is not happenstance. It is often a gift, yes, but also our job to seek out and build. To have the kinds of people in our lives who see us as we truly are, even when we are down. We may not even know we've slipped, slowly, or are in denial...but they do. And their words and actions somehow speak life back into us...inspire...challenge...bring hope...rejoice in growth...edify.
There is truly nothing greater in the body of Christ than this capacity for true friendship. You know...the words that remind you to rest...deep down soul rest. Afterwards, you get a good nights sleep. You feel like, for the first time in many days, your mind has been at peace, in trust, faith-filled. You wake the day with a desire for order and ambition! Life!
So often, even our "small groups" are just teaching groups...prayer request groups for ailments of all sorts...emergency crisis groups...ministry groups.
Small groups should be all these things, but they should be more! They should hold deep level community. The best. I want to say "friendships", but honestly, it's not the type of friendship you normally cultivate. It's much more like family. You may or may not be "buddies" with the person. This kind of community is not to be abused or taken for granted. It is to be cultivated with high levels of wisdom and maturity and checks, for we are human and we are very prone to failure in our closeness...but community. Women mentoring women. Men mentoring men.
Do you have this kind of community?
Again...think about it. How many people knew of your worse day last week, or this month? Who were they? In the church, or not? Why or why not? If so, were you just complaining, or were you opening yourself up to solid, prayerful, faith-filled community?
I thank God He is growing me back into "real" community after a period of time with Him this summer. I could not live without people who can ask me hard questions, make me think, and raise me up when I've hit bottom. I long to be that kind of friend to more people.
~Me!
10/02/2005
RC CCM Guesstimates for October 2005
Here it is...RC's Guesstimates for October 2005. With his very own comments
(edited for a female's blog on the BarlowGirl comment...*ahem".) Enjoy.
Oh, and the song I was raving abut about earlier this week is on here! "What If" by Nicole Nordeman. Also, REALLY like the remake "What Are You Waiting For" (more notes below on background).
Whoever is doing video next Sunday night is going to be hearing from me on a make with it...(anybody out there?!) To be fair, the more I've listened to September's, the less "hard" it's seemed...or maybe familiarity is helping me "block" the ones I don't get into as much. Anyway...great stuff there, too! Go to iTunes and have yourself a treat. Great CD for October. Whew. Lovin' it, lovin' it. Set the alarm and it took me 45 minutes to get out of bed this morning. I wake better to NPR!
*--------------------*
Interview with the INfamous "RC" (sort of makes you think "not famous" that word? Continuing...)
Me: Give us the run down of your awesomely awesome guesstimates, pLease, and just why don't you give us some group info as you go this time?
RC: Well, you asked for it. Here's a start:
Come To Jesus ~ Third Day (Hello. Third Day. Enough said)
Perfect Day ~ Josh Bates (Casting Crowns is the backup band for this song. Good stuff)
One More Night ~ Inhabited (Had never heard them before. They have a track on the new WOW Hits 2006 coming out next week.)
Amen ~ Shaun Groves (This will be released as a single in the middle of October). His other single his label released in September for CHR – Christian Hit Radio – was called What’s Wrong With This World. I may use that one on down the line.
Only To You ~ By The Tree (Ooooo, a good praise band song)
What Are You Waiting For ~ Natalie Grant (A remake of a song done by Lindsey Lohan. The songwriter, Bridget Benenate, is a Christian songwriter. The version by Lohan was on the soundtrack to “Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen.” More info than you wanted to know)
All To You ~ Lincoln Brewster (I love this song. It’s the live version off his new CD. Has a two minute guitar solo that is just awesome.)
My Redeeming King ~ Jadon Lavik (Another praise band song)
You Are The Sun ~ Sara Groves (Nice play on words in this one)
With His Love – Sing Holy ~ David Phelps (Yet another praise band type song)
Walk On In ~ Iconoclast (Reminds me of Jars Of Clay. Might be the violins and harmonies. Good stuff)
Let Go ~ BarlowGirl (Last song I was waiting for to finish this one.)
The Line Between The Two ~ Mark Harris (Was going to put this on the last one but it got squeezed out)
Waiting For The World To Fall ~ Jars Of Clay (Off the Narnia Soundtrack)
What If ~ Nicole Nordeman (What if you are wrong and what if I’m right. Cool song)
Forever ~ Overflow (Nice ballad)
Me: Wow! Sounds great. Tell us about your track record for the WOW 2006 CD soon to be released.
RC: Yeah, well, I mentioned WOW Hits 2006 earlier. I got to see the rundown for all of the 34 songs that will be on it. I covered 28 of them this past year.
Me: Whoa, that's pretty good! Good ear. You must've been a DJ?
RC: It's true.
Me: So, what songs did you miss? 'Fess up.
RC: Alright, well, the songs I did not get this year were:
Carry You ~ Amy Grant. That’s what my CDs have been missing – AMY...what? You don’t agree?
Me: You know what I think. A standard, okay. Great Christmas album. Too much cross-over. Am I thinking of my lover or my Lord...confuses the heck out of me as a listener, though I recognize and appreciate the allegory and all.
RC: Okay...well, also,
All My Praise ~ Selah (Just couldn’t get into that one. Sorry)
Better Days ~ Robbie Seay Band (This is still really new music)
Be My Escape ~ Relient K (Thought about adding this one but it didn’t seem to fit)
The Way It Began ~ Krystal Meyers (Have this song and included it in on an earlier version of one of the CDs but it just didn’t fit)
Open My Eyes ~ Inhabited (Again, had not heard of them before iTunes)
Me: Well, not too bad!
You probably need to mow the lawn now after all this iTunes listening, so we'll let you go.
You still owe me a soda.
After our week, better make it two...the hubbie is crumping!
RC: Anytime.
We thank RC for that awe inspiring interview.
Just remember, you heard it hear first, at THE PURPOSE DRIVEN BLOG.
(Why I didn't come up with a more original name? To remind myself, and anyone else, that there IS a point to this whole "blog" thing for me. YUP! When you determine what it is...let me know. Just kidding.)
Well, there you have it.
Not enough? Okay. I'll close with this...Shut the office door (not offensive, but loud), give yourself two minutes, turn up the volume, and click here for a most unusual phonecall.
Signing off.
~Moi.
(edited for a female's blog on the BarlowGirl comment...*ahem".) Enjoy.
Oh, and the song I was raving abut about earlier this week is on here! "What If" by Nicole Nordeman. Also, REALLY like the remake "What Are You Waiting For" (more notes below on background).
Whoever is doing video next Sunday night is going to be hearing from me on a make with it...(anybody out there?!) To be fair, the more I've listened to September's, the less "hard" it's seemed...or maybe familiarity is helping me "block" the ones I don't get into as much. Anyway...great stuff there, too! Go to iTunes and have yourself a treat. Great CD for October. Whew. Lovin' it, lovin' it. Set the alarm and it took me 45 minutes to get out of bed this morning. I wake better to NPR!
*--------------------*
Interview with the INfamous "RC" (sort of makes you think "not famous" that word? Continuing...)
Me: Give us the run down of your awesomely awesome guesstimates, pLease, and just why don't you give us some group info as you go this time?
RC: Well, you asked for it. Here's a start:
Come To Jesus ~ Third Day (Hello. Third Day. Enough said)
Perfect Day ~ Josh Bates (Casting Crowns is the backup band for this song. Good stuff)
One More Night ~ Inhabited (Had never heard them before. They have a track on the new WOW Hits 2006 coming out next week.)
Amen ~ Shaun Groves (This will be released as a single in the middle of October). His other single his label released in September for CHR – Christian Hit Radio – was called What’s Wrong With This World. I may use that one on down the line.
Only To You ~ By The Tree (Ooooo, a good praise band song)
What Are You Waiting For ~ Natalie Grant (A remake of a song done by Lindsey Lohan. The songwriter, Bridget Benenate, is a Christian songwriter. The version by Lohan was on the soundtrack to “Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen.” More info than you wanted to know)
All To You ~ Lincoln Brewster (I love this song. It’s the live version off his new CD. Has a two minute guitar solo that is just awesome.)
My Redeeming King ~ Jadon Lavik (Another praise band song)
You Are The Sun ~ Sara Groves (Nice play on words in this one)
With His Love – Sing Holy ~ David Phelps (Yet another praise band type song)
Walk On In ~ Iconoclast (Reminds me of Jars Of Clay. Might be the violins and harmonies. Good stuff)
Let Go ~ BarlowGirl (Last song I was waiting for to finish this one.)
The Line Between The Two ~ Mark Harris (Was going to put this on the last one but it got squeezed out)
Waiting For The World To Fall ~ Jars Of Clay (Off the Narnia Soundtrack)
What If ~ Nicole Nordeman (What if you are wrong and what if I’m right. Cool song)
Forever ~ Overflow (Nice ballad)
Me: Wow! Sounds great. Tell us about your track record for the WOW 2006 CD soon to be released.
RC: Yeah, well, I mentioned WOW Hits 2006 earlier. I got to see the rundown for all of the 34 songs that will be on it. I covered 28 of them this past year.
Me: Whoa, that's pretty good! Good ear. You must've been a DJ?
RC: It's true.
Me: So, what songs did you miss? 'Fess up.
RC: Alright, well, the songs I did not get this year were:
Carry You ~ Amy Grant. That’s what my CDs have been missing – AMY...what? You don’t agree?
Me: You know what I think. A standard, okay. Great Christmas album. Too much cross-over. Am I thinking of my lover or my Lord...confuses the heck out of me as a listener, though I recognize and appreciate the allegory and all.
RC: Okay...well, also,
All My Praise ~ Selah (Just couldn’t get into that one. Sorry)
Better Days ~ Robbie Seay Band (This is still really new music)
Be My Escape ~ Relient K (Thought about adding this one but it didn’t seem to fit)
The Way It Began ~ Krystal Meyers (Have this song and included it in on an earlier version of one of the CDs but it just didn’t fit)
Open My Eyes ~ Inhabited (Again, had not heard of them before iTunes)
Me: Well, not too bad!
You probably need to mow the lawn now after all this iTunes listening, so we'll let you go.
You still owe me a soda.
After our week, better make it two...the hubbie is crumping!
RC: Anytime.
We thank RC for that awe inspiring interview.
Just remember, you heard it hear first, at THE PURPOSE DRIVEN BLOG.
(Why I didn't come up with a more original name? To remind myself, and anyone else, that there IS a point to this whole "blog" thing for me. YUP! When you determine what it is...let me know. Just kidding.)
Well, there you have it.
Not enough? Okay. I'll close with this...Shut the office door (not offensive, but loud), give yourself two minutes, turn up the volume, and click here for a most unusual phonecall.
Signing off.
~Moi.
New Spiritual Gift
I had a "doodle Sunday". (You know, when you can't concentrate on the service or the words to the songs, so you doodle to keep from tearful breakdown?) Yes, it's holy doodling...probably a spiritual gift.
Today, I created art. Colored blue sparkle gel pen robes on the disciples, children's bulletin. As I see it, the bulletins are a sound part of the church budget. I added several layers of shading, some additional wrinkles to add dimension in the garments. I thought it made them look more realistic upon completion.
I said, "God, I'm sorry. I'm just not with it today, not into this. Not into the group thing. Go sit me under a big oak somewhere and just let me be alone where things make sense and people aren't watching and I don't have to undersatnd anything. I just can't hear anything. I got dressed. Got my family here. My husband is obviously needing worship. I'm praying for him. But me? What about me, today. I hear the cry for service, for the lost. I hear. But, today...what about these problems? This pile of stuff? I just can't see past it today. I hurt too much. It's been a hard week. I just can't concentrate on another goal. Not now. Not today. I smiled, greeted guests, waved, worshipped for about 15 minutes...all I had.
I know you've already given more than I ever deserve. I hear about the cross.
Yet, still...my big pile.
I looked over, just to the left of the pile...saw my memory of the tiny little cross, like the one I wear....just there. Yes, always there. Faithful.
Yet, I said, "You know what? That cross is too small in comparison to my pile today...in my mind's eye, it just is."
So, we let it grow...up ("I am sacrifice for you."..."Yes. Bigger, please."), up some more ("I will rescue you."..."Bigger! Please."), up ("Overcomer!" "Yes. I like that, that does it.").
So, I said, "You are big...bigger...overcomer. But, I just feel so sandwiched and squished between the two. Squishing the life out of me."
I saw two fingers come down, pick my ragged, whiney, self up, and put me right up high into that cross, with Jesus, Overcoming One.
He said, "Better? How's the view now?"
"A lot different...better. the pile is rubble. You are in control, and I am here with you. But, I still hurt".
"Yes. Dying daily...you think that will feel good? I can't take the feelings away. You wouldn't want that. Just stay here."
So..we just sat and doodled for the rest of the service. I even drew my cross.
He seemed pretty content to just doodle with me today.
In fact, I had so much fun, I came home, sat in my prayer chair, and doodled some more...flowers.
It was even more fun.
I doodled again this afternoon...my name in funny letters, wacky. After I doodled, I felt like writing a song that came to mind. Next, a prayer.
I highly encourage the spiritual discipline of doodling.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Bicycled 12.5 miles in 40 minutes today...14.6 MPH average. Cut ten minutes off our ride in about 6 weekends! Stress does improve your athletic performance, doesn't it? My knee will thank me later this week. I can't wait. :-(
Me.
Nine Year Old Party Report
God is good.
Who needs games when you can make boats for dead crickets and sail them across the water?
Or when Grand-dad brings the 4-wheeler out from the farm for rides across the newly mowed fields and down the great hill?
Or when Dad lets us chace him down with silly string on it while he circles around us in the back yard?
The kids were beautiful climbing on top of the white fence waiting their turn for rides. Some were scared of the fence. Some of the neighbor's dog. Some of having their picture made.
Overall, a success. I had a blast and was scared of the great hill, but loved it. Wheeee! Such a girl, screamin' my lungs out...only because I knew he liked it.
Circles in the dirt. Boys dipping their heads in the pool, looking like swirlies had just occurred.
Girls being girls, getting in their space.
A nine year old's party...a great day had by all.
Outgrowing character cakes and decorations is sad on the one hand...on the other...you save quite a big of money. We downloaded some pics and printed them. Sis cut 'em. Uncle hung 'em. One big nine candle...not nine candles this year.
I made Heath Bar Cake...Edee says she's heard it called "Better than Sex" cake. Hmmm. A monk must have called it that.
Baked an apple pie for my Dad...and I'm eating it for him, (but that's another story for a day when I feel like talking about the aftereffects of divorce for grown children...okay, so I never feel like doing that.)
I love my family. I love my kids. I love their laugh and their fun and their excitment and their joy and their consumption with new things and toys and balloons and water and speed and dirt.
I love the things they pray for and say. I love the joy they have at the end of the day. I love their jealousy and love and trouble and messes (when I'm reminiscent anyway).
Nine. The good thing is...I still have until Tuesday before it's "official". Two more nights of eight year old kisses and wiggle noses.
Well, off to do the Sunday afternoon stuff we shouldn't have to do on Sunday afternoon. Things are a little backed up around here after this week.
We do have a temporary gas line and plans on how to most efficiently remove sections of blacktop at a time until we find the leak.
Who needs games when you can make boats for dead crickets and sail them across the water?
Or when Grand-dad brings the 4-wheeler out from the farm for rides across the newly mowed fields and down the great hill?
Or when Dad lets us chace him down with silly string on it while he circles around us in the back yard?
The kids were beautiful climbing on top of the white fence waiting their turn for rides. Some were scared of the fence. Some of the neighbor's dog. Some of having their picture made.
Overall, a success. I had a blast and was scared of the great hill, but loved it. Wheeee! Such a girl, screamin' my lungs out...only because I knew he liked it.
Circles in the dirt. Boys dipping their heads in the pool, looking like swirlies had just occurred.
Girls being girls, getting in their space.
A nine year old's party...a great day had by all.
Outgrowing character cakes and decorations is sad on the one hand...on the other...you save quite a big of money. We downloaded some pics and printed them. Sis cut 'em. Uncle hung 'em. One big nine candle...not nine candles this year.
I made Heath Bar Cake...Edee says she's heard it called "Better than Sex" cake. Hmmm. A monk must have called it that.
Baked an apple pie for my Dad...and I'm eating it for him, (but that's another story for a day when I feel like talking about the aftereffects of divorce for grown children...okay, so I never feel like doing that.)
I love my family. I love my kids. I love their laugh and their fun and their excitment and their joy and their consumption with new things and toys and balloons and water and speed and dirt.
I love the things they pray for and say. I love the joy they have at the end of the day. I love their jealousy and love and trouble and messes (when I'm reminiscent anyway).
Nine. The good thing is...I still have until Tuesday before it's "official". Two more nights of eight year old kisses and wiggle noses.
Well, off to do the Sunday afternoon stuff we shouldn't have to do on Sunday afternoon. Things are a little backed up around here after this week.
We do have a temporary gas line and plans on how to most efficiently remove sections of blacktop at a time until we find the leak.
10/01/2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
