Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Loneliness

I saw "Last Chance Harvey" at the movie theater today. It was a sweet movie. Quiet, slow, and sweet. It really spoke to the vulnerability of the human heart and all of the daily heartache and burdens that we grow used to carrying. 

I think I often forget just how lonely people are. How many people live with their thoughts and dreams kept mostly to themselves because there is no one in whom they would trust to care for such precious things. I am abundantly thankful for the husband, family, and friends that I have who listen to those things in my heart. And I invest my prayers and my heart into the many who don't have that. 

I'll listen to anything you want to say :) I'm a good listener.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Trip to the Library

Spontaneity

"Spontaneity is an underappreciated dimension of spirituality. In fact, spiritual maturity has less to do with long-range visions than it does with moment-by-moment sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. And it is our moment-by-moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that turns life into an everyday adventure. Spiritual growth is a conundrum. The key to spiritual growth is developing healthy and holy routines. We call them spiritual disciplines. But once the routine becomes routine, we need to disrupt it. Why? Because sacred routines become empty rituals when we do them out of left-brain memory instead of right-brain imagination." 

~Mark Batterson 

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Would I Do It Differently?

The thought I have been ruminating on this week is, "What if I knew when it would all end?" and if I knew, "what would I be doing differently?" I guess what I was most posing to myself was the question of whether I am letting circumstances, money, inconvenience stop me or postpone me from doing bigger things. To be truthful, I don't have the answer yet.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Make Me Laugh


I long to one day be an author who makes people laugh. I am never so awed in fiction as when the author can captivate me with the story and create such detail of the characters or the atmosphere so that I laugh out loud. Some recent examples...now granted, this may only appeal to my humor but I was thoroughly amused.

"Tink, where are you?' She was in a jug for the moment, and liking it extremely; she had never been in a jug before". 

"Certainly they did not pretend to be sleepy, they were sleepy; and that was a danger, for the moment they popped off, down they fell. The awful thing was that Peter thought this very funny. 'There he goes again!' he would cry gleefully, as Michael suddenly dropped like a stone". 

"The little house looked so cosy and safe in the darkness, with a bright light showing through its blinds, and the chimney smoking beautifully, and Peter standing on guard. After a time he fell asleep, and some unsteady fairies had to climb over him on their way home from an orgy. (hope that means something else) Any of the other boys obstructing the fairy path at night they would have mischiefed, but they just tweaked Peter's nose and passed on." 

Oh there are so many more. Truly, pulled out of context I'm not sure those are even as funny as in the context of the entire story. J.M. Barrie was brilliant. Those are from Peter Pan if you have not figured it out yet. 

For some reason the Lord has been urging me to read Peter Pan. It has been pursuing me over the last few months. I cannot recall every circumstance but all of a sudden Peter made himself a friend and familiar face in my life. How very like him. I have finished it. I'm still not entirely sure of the purpose or the point rather that God is trying to make to me but I think it has much to do with Wendy's character and the idea of the importance of mothers in the lives of children.  

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Lines

 "All of these lines across my face, tell you the story of who I am". - Brandi Carlile

How is it that in one day I get mistaken for a teenager and I have this picture taken with such distinct age lines I can't even believe? It's not that I even hate the lines or fear them and what they might symbolize. It's just so new to see such physical proof that I am "growing up" and life is really happening all around me. I suppose I should be thankful for each and every time that someone thinks I'm 17, who knows if it will last. 

Sunday, October 19, 2008

100 Things you Didn't Know About Me?

I'm going to try to list 100 little known things about me. Mny of these strange quirk are known by those closest to m but maybe I can throw in one or two to stump them ;) I think this is going to be harder than I think but here goes:

1. I can't drink milk from anyone's refrigerator but my own, even though I don't drink milk..I only have it in cereal or bake with it. But it grosses me out to drink milk anywhere else...even my parent's house so don't be offended.
2. I almost joined the National Guard-I probably would have done it if it weren't for the video of them coldly jabbing you with needles as you prepared for training. I conquered the idea of the gas chamber but the needles?...deal breaker.
3. I loved the name Henrietta when I was younger. I thought it was the most beautiful name I'd ever  heard.
4. I was 18 when I had my first kiss.
5. I bet I could beat you in  burping contest...seriously
6. I'm a rotten delegator
7. I like noise. Background noise at least. The quiet makes me uncomfortable.
8. Of all the guys on Empire Records, I liked Joe
9. I can quote the majority of the movie "Clueless"
10. I'm a grammar fanatic, especially with words being pronounced correctly
11. Once upon a time I was a very stubborn ass.
12. I am extremely claustrophobic
13. I was addicted to old school Nick at Nite. Taxi, Mary Tyler Moore, Get Smart, etc.
14. I used to read myself to sleep every night when I was little and before I got in bed I put the books in order of how I wanted to read them
15. I have to eat a handful of skittles in order from least favorite to favorite: orange, yellow, purple, green, red
16. I cannot watch Christmas movies or listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving.
17. I used to think winter was one of my favorite seasons and I have slowly become a summer girl. While I love the idea of cold weather and cozy fires and good smells the reality of heavy coats that you don't know what to do with once you get inside, cold sheets, cold floors when you wake up in the morning, getting dark at 4 p.m., completely unmotivate me to even get out of bed in the morning.
18. No matter how hard I try I cannot make my make-up routine longer than 15 minutes and usually more like 5.  
19. My ideal height has always been 5'6 and though I literally prayed every day for God to make me taller I am still only 5'2
20. I'm super sentimental and keep ticket stubs, notes passed in high school, letters I receive and copies of letters I write, old instant message conversations, etc etc. 
21. I still sleep with an old stuffed animal named Rufus. He just fits perfectly right on my chest under my neck
22. I have always favored the underdog
23. I am a rule-follower. I am married to a risk taker. This means me getting very flustered when he decides to make a U-turn when I am staring at a sign with a U and a line through it!
24. I love justice and I hate it when people get way with things without paying the consequence. Of course exceptions are made if it is grace extended to them.
25. I'm not much of a fan of a clean-shaven guy. I like scruff. 
26. I love coffee. Black
27. Sometimes I go to Strabucks or Dunkin Donuts not because I feel the need for the caffeine but because I feel the need for a little something to look forward to
28. I am very pragmatic. My husband has helped me become more of a dreamer but it's hard for me to invest my thoughts on something unless it is a near reality
29. I would love to live in Alaska for a few months. It's a dream of mine to see the Aurora Borealis.
30. I love the idea of going places but I hate the getting there. I get motion sickness and tired really easily when I travel
31. I wonder if I'll ever live near the ocean again
32. It's hard for me to break beyond what is comfortable.
33. I hate surprises (most of the time) I need time to prepare
34. I'm a terrible procrastinator. 
35. I once told my sister to go to hell. It was a long time ago and I still feel bad about it if I think of it. Oh yeah which leads me to....
36. I have a quick temper though it is much much better than it once was
37. My idea of romance is simple. I'd rather be home with  good movie and great conversation than dressed up and out at a frou-frou restaurant.
38. I am very uncomfortable in fancy places. No matter who I'm with I never feel like I belong...even as simple a place as a nice salon/spa
39. I hate being the center of attention. I like being behind-the-scenes.
40. Quality Time is my love language.
41. I feel so much better when I have a tan
42. I have stood at Platform 9 3/4
43. I only like movies and music that are happy. there's enough reality of heartbrokeness and death and loss in life so I want a movie with none of those things.
44. I usually have a list for every day of my life.
45. I hated the movie Titanic
46. I usually hate the really popular movies. 
47. I have gifts I am too afraid to use
48. I did not get along with my 1st grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, 4th grade teacher, high school youth pastor, science teacher substitute, off and on with my Literature teacher, and my Biology teacher...think I had authority issues? Yup.
49. I once attempted to run away from 3rd grade because they were going to give my hamster's babies away. (they had been our class pet). I put those hamsters in my backpack and got as far as the bathroom before I realized I didn't know where else to go.
50. I take 20-30 minute showers
51. I love traditions.
52. I have a photographic memory...this and fairly good discernment are two of the things I am most thankful for in life
53. I never went through a rebellious phase. A stubborn and slightly moody phase, yes but never rebellious. The Lord has always had my heart.
54. I think I fear rejection more than I ever realized even in circumstances or with people who I know would never reject me.
55. I really hate football. It's the only sport I just cannot get into. 
56. I have so many things I want to do in life but never spend enough time on one thing to accomplish it which is probably why I am usually reading 5 books at one time.
57. I wish fame didn't exist and that no one person was thought to be better or more interesting than anyone else.
58. I almost never forget a face. Occasionally a name, though it is rare but never a face.
59. I have nothing to say when I'm in a big group but usually a lot to say one on one.
60. I love to love the unloveable
61. I have a few business ideas and just need the start-up money to do them
62. I love the Disney Channel!
63. I have sat front row at 2 or 3 Harry Connick Jr. concerts
64. Jayme thinks I have too many shoes...trust me I don't
65. I once threw my shoes at Jayme when he trapped me in the closet in an argument about wearing practical shoes to the zoo...hahahaha I'm laughing just remembering it.
66. I don't very often get told that I look like anyone famous...I very often get told that I look like my sister. I'll take it!
67. I love family vacations...I never laugh so hard!
68. I hate crowds of people
69. I hate sleeping late (with a few exceptions), I always feel like the day is already gone
70. Everything in my purse or diaper bag has a very specific spot assigned to it
71. I can be extremely organized and a little messy all at the same time
72. I have texture issues with food. 
73. I have almost passed out many times but never actually blacked out
74. I really got to that whole "screaming woman in labor" point with Evangeline. 
75. My heart breaks for every child who does not have someone who adores them unconditionally, cares for them, protects them, takes joy in them- and I know I am supposed to do something about it.
76. I do NOT work well under pressure. If pressure's on I usually quit before I begin
77. I can't stand it when things get super intense, be it a game, a movie, tv show. It takes everything in me not to change the channel
78. I'm usually a fairly quiet person but when I'm around people I'm comfortable with I can get pretty loud...I know it's bad when MY husband tells me to keep it down
79. I'm not competetive in the least
80. I have a lot of pity for people...even those who really don't deserve it. I can't help it.
81. I played basketball and softball once upon a time. I won Most Improved player in softball and I'm still not sure if that's a compliment ;)
82. I have a habit of looking at the clock on the 53rd minute
83. I love the color green
84. I adore seeing baby pictures of people. I just love to see the history of one life and I'm constantly amazed at how some traits we have have been with us for as long as we can remember. I enjoy God's unique creativity from person to person
85. Free people is my favorite brand of clothing
86. I think I could literally buy every single thing in Anthropologie
87. I don't trust doctors very often...trying to be balanced in that
88. I have a lot of conspiracy theories and can be a little neurotic at times
89. I lock the doors to my car even if I'm only going inside for a minute
90. Wal-Mart gives me anxiety. I wait in the car any chance I can
91. Barnes and Noble is my peaceful place
92. I act like an idiot around people I really respect...I almost push them away, not sure why
93. Even though they put the words on the street backwards so you read it like "Bike Lane" or "Right Turn Only" I still read them as "Lane Bike" and "Only Turn Right" 
94. I suffer from inappropriate laughter syndrome
95. I remember falling alseep on the couch as a kid and groggily waking up as my dad carried me up the stairs to bed, usually because my foot hit the wall. 
96. I completely detest roller coasters. The stuff of nightmares for me.