Black Ties and Other Perils

Did I mention we got 3/4 in of rain in 40 minutes. As a rather interesting follow-up to the last entry...the basement also flooded. I have been vacuuming for four hours.

My abs hurt. Was needing to work out today anyway.

Hubbie tells me it needs to be shampooed tomorrow. Just what I wanted to do.

Instant workout...there you go. Look for the positive!

Red's party to get ready for (thank goodness I got so much done today), a black-tie party for 50+ to help host Saturday night (thank goodness I'm almost ready--caterers on board, calls made, decorations planned--my husband and I are part of a cotillion club for ballroom dancing. No you don't have to be as good as they are on TV!) We seldom get to go, but it's our month to host. A live band month this weekend. I'm so excited. A date sounds great...even if I am serving hoirderves and hostessing.

Well, you know what sexy looks like? It's not a black tie, or even ballroom dancing...well, it is...but, not to me right now. At the moment, it is a husband at 11PM after a full week and a full day, fixing my van and then being surprised having to vac out water-- with no complaint. That is sexier than sexy. He's AWESOME. I love my man...truly. What a fine choice I did make. Like James Bond...black ties and intense schedules. Impressive.

And, now, time for an ice cream break and some rest.

Vent

You know. I need a good cry right about now. Sometimes the work of life just gets overwhelming. I had to skip church tonight so that I could vaccuum water off my back porch (carpeted) from a monsoon like rain that just hit. I didn't really want to go yesterday because I have so much that needs to be done at home this week. Now that I have to miss, it ticks me off.

My van is skipping...and not out of happiness. I got a letter from the extended warranty company the very next day that it went bankrupt in December.

Don't get me wrong. I had a great day. A friend offered to watch my kids overnight so I could get birthday shopping for Red done today. She was here washing my dishes, helping me get lunch on the table when I got back. Now...that's a friend. She glows with Christ. Servanthood. Selflessness. She was beaming out of the surprise. I love you, friend.

But now...I don't want to work. I want to sit down and have a summer evening.

I don't want to do the laundry. I don't want a spic and span house (though all the "stuff" cleared miraculously wouldn't bother me). I don't want to dry vac. I want the house decorated and furniture bought and walls painted, and trim touched up...

and...then what? Some other work to do to fill my time. To stress me.

So, I guess... why not rest and let it happen as it does? Enjoy it all a little more than I am right now?

Knowing I'm having parties here always totally motivates me to get "stuff" done...and totally overwhelms me because there is SO much to do. I know...I need a schedule to keep from being overwhelmed...and I REALLY hate the word.

What totally overwhelms you? And, more importatly, how do you snap out of it? (Other than getting toasted...which wouldn't really help me out considering).

Me!%$*&^@)( (That's "me"-- spazzed out)

Well, there it is. My first official swing of my own of my married life. Took me almost 14 years, but I made it! We had one in a rental house when my oldest was 1 yr. old. He fell asleep on my lap many times there in that unfamiliar place. Today, Red looked over the back, testing it out. He said, "Wow! I can see clear to Texas from up here!" Boy Wonder said, "I wonder how many hails they got bayed." "I mean...bails they got hailed...how many bails of hay they got!" He was obviously wonder struck with the swing. Goldilocks just bossed all the boys around, told them where to sit and what to do and finally ran them off so she could grab a blanket and pillow and cuddle in my lap...and tell me how to "host" her as her human pillow.

The Hay Bailed--19 Rolls. Our first year with our own hay on this land. No animals on our little farm yet. No Rain! Whoo-Hoo! (Wet Hay makes the Hay mold inside the bails...yucky). I'm not a farm girl, but I figure if I fake it long enough, I won't have to feed animals.

Toby Mac's "Diverse City"

I love this song...and I'm not even a fan of wrap. Check it out.
iTunes Link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=25516223&s=143441&i=25516190

Words: (Load 'em on the pod):
They call us Diverse City we're colorful good/It's like a freak show in your neighborhood/So, if you wanna pray you can come on down/ cause this freak show’s leaving the ground/

Up, up and away, baby we don't play, maybe you thought you was done for the day/He said, she said, I said this, that you can't get away from the moment of bliss/Stirring, we’ll lure you in and we'll make room for the shade of skin/Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, bigger./ Love is the gun and we pullin' that trigger/you send me and I’ll send you/ hope in the form of a new tattoo/Mine is the shiny city on a hill/ and yours, of course, is the colors that fill it/

We'll take you high, we'll take you higher/They call us Diverse City/we're colorful good/It's like a freak show in your neighborhood/So, if you wanna pray you can come on down/cause this freak show’s leaving the ground/

Now come to the city where you can praise/,if you’re black, if you’re white, if you're yellow or grey/In the morning, in the night, anytime of day/What's that place-Diverse City/With curls in your hair and braids on the side/Straight shake'em loose, just come on and ride/We're a body with parts, like you and me/Together we make diversity/We’ll take you high, take you higher/Welcome to Diverse City, we’re colorful good/It's like a freak show in your neighborhood/So, if you want to pray you can come on down/Cause this freak show's leaving the ground/Said we're Diverse City, we’re colorful good/It's just a state of mind, the way that we should, baby/So, if you wanna pray you can come on down/Cause this freak show's leaving the ground/

You bring the heart, I’ll bring the soul/I'll bring the flag, you bring the pole/We'll fly it high so the whole world knows/The dream of a king 'bout to unfold/We 'bout to do this thing for real/Diverse city got mass appeal/So put your hand in the hand of mine/And we'll spread this love like dandelions
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Blogger isn't reading any font well for this post...not sure why. Hopefully you can scan around it. Cool song on diversity. I love the line: "Love is gun and we're pullin' the trigger."

Death Clothes

Well. I'm exhausted. Red's birthday party is Saturday, which always throws me into a Martha Stewart tailspin. Well. Not to any extremes... I just start doing weird things, like wanting to touch up paint things that should have been painted two years ago. I spent all day painting and need to paint some more tommorrow.

Reminds me of the guest speaker yesterday. Well. Not Really. But, I just wanted to write about it and needed some segueway.

We had this guest speaker. He works with troubled teens across the country retraining them, eductating them, teaching them job related skills. Awesome concept. Anyway, he was preaching for us Sunday.

As many times as I've heard the passage on Lazarus, I've NEVER thought about the direction he took it.

1. Martha had to state her belief to him...again. This was imperative. He said that we all come to a point in life, even as Christians, where Jesus asks us, "Do you really trust me to handle this?" (Do you really believe I am the son of God?) She said, "Yes. I believe. But, if only..."

2. She knew his presence and power would have made the difference. We have to believe that he can make a difference, no matter what has happens. And that he can. And will. Somehow.

3. He called Lazarus by name to come out. Lazarus had to choose to get up and come. (I was a little shaky on this. I mean, can you imagine Jesus saying, "Lazarus, come forth!" And Lazarus says, "Uh, I'm okay. This is way cool. Thanks anyway, Jesu!"

4. This cracked me up. Martha says, KJV: "But, surely he stinketh!"

He said that people who are walking dead around us WILL STINK. HELLO. Get used to it. Death smells. Life smells. Are you willing to smell the stench of death to try to bring new life?

5. They had to get closer and obey his order to unwrap the cloths. Now...Jesus was really wise in telling them to do that for him in my opinion. No, seriously. The speaker said that we have to be willing to help people out of their death messes. Even after being saved, people can show up still tangled in that stuff. We have to help them out...unwrap them.

6. We are to have a passion for new life for people. That should be our driving purpose and mission. If it is not, we have lost perspective. 150,000 people die every day physically and many go to spend an eternity in hell.

The altar call was moving. Many prayed. I did. I needed my altar spot.

Do you see the church succeeding or failing where you are in "unwrapping" people? How do you see yourself in that role?

Hubbie is working on a swing for the back porch I found Sunday for $15.00. I painted and sanded on it all day today. I can't wait!

Sat Stuff

This week, my son won an iPod..actually his grand-dad did, and gave it to him. We've been introduced to the 1GB iPod Nano. Fun. It's a tiny little thing. We loaded 80+ songs on it the first day. He loaded words onto it. It's great to see him enjoy my taste in music at 9 yrs. old. I hope it lasts. Hearing him walk around the house singing, earphones dangling...so much fun. He wants me to find "Days of Elijah" to put on it. I don't have a copy. We've not had an iPod yet, so we're having fun learning how to use it.

This week, we went to a fair. Rode rides. I got sick.

Last night, I went to scrapbook night. Stayed til 11. Started my new gardening book. A journal of all the flowers and gardens I've had--something for me to enjoy. My favorite brand of paper and style right now is a company called "Rusty Pickle." Interesting name. Ironically, everything looks aged. Some scrappers (short for scrapbookers started this whole expensive, time consuming trend to keep things from aging, now go back and ink the pictures to make them look "timed". Soft. Worn. Loved.

I love the way scrapbooking keeps me thankful and celebrating the sweetest joys of my life. God creates. To create gives us also a sense of delight. Feels good to share that joy with Him. He is the maker of ALL things good. Creator God. CReAte!

Today has been a wonderfully refreshing and relaxing "family vacation day" at home. No projects...none planned or put in stone anyway. I very full week for hubbie at work. First, we stayed up until 2AM watching "Hitch". It was hysterical. Next, we slept in some, baked homemade Cinnamon yeast rolls & fresh brewed coffee, then had quiet times together on the porch, made some planning calls, and finally...gave each other foot rubs while the kids swam.

Now, THAT'S a relaxing morning. I love my man. He knows, or is learning, when we both need family rest together. We sat beside the water all day reading out loud to each other, parenting TOGETHER. Ah. Such a relief to enjoy that with a friend. My best friend. My helper. My defender. My man. I've been missing him lately more than I realized. We've been together with a lot of holiday and running and social obligation, but not a lot of focused :family: time together. For lunch, I took out simple lemonade and peanut butter and crackers.

I had bought some thin porkloins on sale yesterday for a big supper later on the grill. He grilled, I did veggies. Green beans, baked potatoes, mac and cheese. cole slaw. Relaxed dinner outside on the patio. Help. Togetherness. All running in the same direction, resting, doing the same thing. No hassles of traveling...just vacationing at home. I highly recommend it when you are both in the mood. My defination today of ecstacy.

He's gone to get a tractor to mow hay. I love to watch him out in the field...reminds me of the summer we courted. Me playing Nanny in his grandparents old farmhouse, him out in the fields, bringing me his Mom's home cooked "fiddles" for lunch. Her friend chicken is out of this world! Steak...right off the farm...fresh, purebread heaven.

I'm not sure if I said yes to him or the food! Very smart man.

God gives us all good things to enjoy. Oh! It feels SO good to slow down enough to soak for a day, rest, and be thankful...::: together:::!

Me

A Day in the Life of a Mom

Accomplishments for today: Learning how to vac the pool without blowing up the $800.00 pump, keeping prime in the pump while vacc-ing, having a temper tantrum after losing prime and having vac contents spill back into pool after an hour of vac-ing, and teaching children to not ask for favors while I'm M-A-D and T-I-R-E-D and F-E-D U-P!!! (Still working on that last one. They don't take normal hints well. Moms are ALWAYS available. Whew.)

A few minutes ago, 9 yr old son is helping me watch the pressure on pump. Watching all the work it has taken to deal with getting the pool ready. He says sincerely, sitting there on the side of the pool. "I love you, Mom."

I looked up from the aggravating job, suddenly quite gratified with my life work after a day of wondering why I don't get paid for this.

And...twenty minutes later, he asks if he can go to Grandmas. Take the moments while you can get them. Write it down.

Tonight, my brother and his family leave today for their new military home ten hours away. I'll sure miss my cute nephew as he grows. Yup, in this pic, he's reaching for ME! Being an Aunt is so much fun. Boo-hoo-hoo. Sniffle. Sniffle.

Wishing

I was just sitting here thinking, "There are days I wish I had a sister. Today is one of those days."

My little girl came up to me and said, "Mom, will you play with me, no one wants to. The boys are busy."

I am so thankful for my little girl.

Now, I have to go play.

~Me

Hump Day...I hope!

I just about blew up the pool pump after a meeting I didn't want to go to doing something I don't have time to do. Now, I'm waiting on parts, bored, not wanting to go to another meeting tonight necessarily.

Can't wait to get the pool opened and taken care of. Sometimes the expense and headache of it get the best of me. I just want it DONE. NOW.

I'll be glad to see the kids out there in it instead of in front of the TV and driving each other bonkers...and me bonkers!

All for today.

Me

Memorial Sunday 2006

This Memorial Day was much better than last. Johnny came marching home.

Last year, two days after the birth of his son, my brother was shipped to the Persian Gulf. He did get to see the baby's birth, a praise. But, bittersweet. Today, he was home and part of our Memorial tribute to those who've served.

An emotional climax to a full year of worry and waiting and wishing and missing. I felt so honored and blessed to have him and his family stay with us last night. We put out the flags and played softball, went fishing this weekend, made homemade ice cream, strummed guitars, sang, worshipped together, him harmonizing in his old familiar tenor beside me in church...long heart to heart talks, apologies.

Tonight... I'm moody and tired. Just "too much" almost. But, not really. Perfect...and not so much. Surreal.
Hard for words.

I got three runs playing softball. (I didn't have a pic of that. But, I did like this one of the fishin' hole.)

Spinnin' out Cinnabon yeast rolls for bro.

The Boys Strummin' a Lick on the 'ole porch swing

Flash in Motion

Yes, I caught a catfish. He tasted yummy.

The Lame Game

Here are the last 100 visitors to this site from sitemeter.com. (Which is free and fun to use for bloggers.) Which dot are you?

Below" stats for 2005 (starting in August) to today.













On Anne's blog, she had us play, "The Lame Game", asking everyone to let her know:
1. who they were, (or net alias)
2. where they found her link,
3. their blog link (if they had one),
4. age (or decade 20s, 30s...),
5. A favorite peice of advice you've received (which was fun to think about).

It was so lame, I thought I'd ask you to play! (It was actually fun to know others who read her blog).

You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but I'd love to hear from you! Thought you'd like to know a bit about each other...I know I would! Thanks for reading!

Harried Delight

Having three kids home and expecting overnight company Sat night, family reunion Sat (need to cook something of substance to take), time with all extended family...it has it's joys...so why do I feel so entirely STREsSeD OuT? My house is getting on my nerves, my kids are getting on my nerves...they are griping, complaining, arguing, fussing, picking, and getting hurt every 10 minutes.

Other than that, a delightful day.

We went for a family walk and got caught in a thunderstorm last night. That was fun.

DELIGHT!

Relationships are the hardest work there is.

Working on a relationship?
Fatigued?
Drained?
Tired of thinking--about anything?
Soul weary?

Relationships are the hardest work there is.

The most valuable work. The most rewarding work. The hardest work. Most of us won't work that hard. Christians do. They value relationships above all else. It's who we are. We do the hard work of relationships, and more hard work, and more hard work. And we rejoice for the fruit...because it is good.

To work hard, and at the same time, make sure we let go and let God. A tender balance. One I'm committed to.

Anybody there? Press in, pull back. Give time. Hop back on the horse. Wisdom.

A great plan, but right now, I'm finding myself exhausted and frustrated in emotion. Doing odd jobs and work to make sure I don't overthink and analyze when it's not mine to deal with...it's the Lord's. I have a couple relationship 'stumps' right now where I'm just not happy with where God has me. But, where He has me is His best.

So, my answer for today is to try to make sure my delight is in the Lord...not perfection. Yesterday I was thinking on "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

I've always focused on the cause and effect there, and it sounds like a plan.

But, yesterday, I realized the blunt reality that I can find delight in my Lord. Not just answers, hard conversations, "praying"...but delight. Not just worship, or singing, or ministering to Him, or even submission or servanthood. DELIGHT. It struck me: "When's the last time I just delighted in Him?"

At the time, I was working on my kid's scrapbooks. I took a blow for that hobby yesterday that wounded my ego. It was unintentional, but in that situation, I was sensitive. And, I thought to myself, "I delight in the Lord when I do this."

I create. Remember. Rejoice in my family, my children. Focus on their "wins". In this, I delight in the Lord.

I started cleaning for guests and caring for my house, and I thought, "I don't always have the best attitude, but I love what I do. I love the work the Lord has filled my life with. I'm not always the best steward, but I love this. This place. This opportunity. This season. In this, I delight in the Lord."

I delight in my husband, my family, my kids, my friends. That base level delight is mine to take, to have, to rejoice in, and find great pleasure in, no matter what is still left to be done in those relationships. REJOICE!

I have so much to delight in.

Today, I choose to delight. Not to sit and just be with the Lord...but also, to live with Him. To delight with him on my journey in all He's given me. Not just be thankful in a passive declaration...but to enter into delight of all the blessings.

Today I will not be be stressed by what I don't like or understand. Today, I will not be easily offended...not offended at all, not because I'm not human, but because it's not worth my time. Today, I'll work hard, play intentionally, and DELIGHT as much as possible.

Today, I will have ended this day with one overriding thought...no fixing the world's problems, or my relationships, but having had "delighted". Today, in this, the Lord is more pleased. Grace is low.

A scripture to be careful of your many counsels lest you grow tired like the diviners. (I read it recently in my notes, but can't find the reference at this moment. It's OT.) I think that means that sometimes, we are to let God be God, let Him counsel, and be okay with resting. Going on our way. Letting go. Waiting until we feel fresh again before we speak. Waiting for the grace to catch up with us to deal with things.

And, waiting is the hardest work there is.