The Clock is Ticking

Ugh..this is what happens when you give yourself a break from the things you normally do. You get behind...

My friend Sharon, over at Reservoir tagged me this week. So, I'm not totally behind, but still. I would normally have seen it IMMEDIATELY and responded almost as fast!

So, here goes...

The rules (because they all have rules)

1. Link to the person who tagged you. Done..did you see that link up there?
2. Post the rules on your blog. Ahem...notice?
3. Write 6 random things about yourself. Keep reading
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them. ...
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog. ...
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up. ...

Hmmmm....

• My favorite place in my house is my bed. I love to lay (lie?) in bed and read a book. With all the work I've done and money I've spent to make it perfect, it's almost the most expensive thing I own.
• I used to long-hand write everything, even my blog posts before I typed them in. But, the more I used my computer, I developed some arthritis in my hands. So, unless I'm willing to take something everyday, there's some mornings I get up and can't hold a pen, unless it's a really, really fat one.
• That's why I prefer to use those kindergarten pencils that are chubby. No, that's just the excuse I use now. I've always preferred those.
• I don't eat raw tomatoes. Ever. It's a texture thing. But I've recently learned to lurve roasted ones. By recent I mean "just this week."
• I don't know how to swim. I'd love to, but I don't.
• I love greasy food...just love it. I know it's horrible for me, as nasty medical conditions that are aggravated by poor diets run in my family, but I can't help it. It's almost like grease is a comfort food.

Anyway, there they are, 6 random facts about me. I don't have 6 people I can think to tag, that haven't done one like this in the recent months...so....I tag anyone who wanders by! Just leave me a comment so I know you played!

Yes, I know I've been exceedingly absent from my blog for nearly a month.

Again.

But that's okay. I've been writing. In fact, I've got a document open in the other window with the scribblings for a new book concept I was attacked by this afternoon. I have the croonings of a former student and trip to the Christian bookstore to thank for this one. And, I think, since I've already got 6 pages of scribblings and chapter ideas in about 45 minutes, that this will be the one I actually convince myself to send off. Maybe. We'll see.

Anyway, Watch this space. I'm about to get busy. *grin*

Alrighty, so over at RevGal, Sally tells us that it seems a little strange that she, a Brit, is posting questions for the 4th (ahem)...but so what! It's all in good fun, anyway.

So lets have a bit of fun:

1. Barbeque's or picnics ( or are they essentially the same thing?) No, they aren't the same. Barbecue's have hot meats--brisket, burgers, hot dogs, maybe chicken or porck chops. Picnics have buckets of fried chicken.

2. The park/ the lake/ the beach or staying at home simply being? If I could find a quiet beach park or lake this weekend, I'd be there. Instead, I'll take the hammock at mom's.

3. Fireworks- love 'em or hate 'em? Love 'em. I think they're beautiful and they make me feel like a kid.

4. Parades- have you ever taken part- share a memory...Last year, with The Man's family, we were supposed to watch the neighborhood parade, which we discovered, just as we got settled in our spos roadside, had been cancelled. So, his sisters, DD, and I took the little ones back to the house and made paper plate masks and used kazoos and made our own parade down the stairwell in the house. (It was his dad's birthday, too, so the parade was all about "Poppa.")

5. Time for a musical interlude- if you could sum up holidays in a piece of music what would it be?



To see some other fireworks displays, check out RevGalBlogPals this week.

Over on Eternal Echoes, Sally poses an interesting question.

"I wonder, do we still have what Peter had? Do we have the faith to believe in a God who heals, that as we go about our everyday lives and are surrounded by suffering and needs are we able to reach beyond ourselves and place our faith in a God who has such compassion upon the suffering of humanity that he will bring healing there and then?"

It's made me think, because in my meditations during the last few weeks, I've asked for some healing myself.

Here's what I said on Sally's post:

I think that we often assume that we need to do something to kick-start the miracle. We've got to do something more than just pray. It's a human condition to "fix" things, to feel that inaction means no action will take place at all.
I also think we have a convoluted concept of healing--it doesn't have to be physical to be miraculous.

I think the miracle is in that God hears us at all. That I can say anything to someone who actually has the power to do something at all. Often, that is all I need. Sometimes, I think the fact that someone felt moved to speak to Him at all opens the door to move in someone's heart or to have Him stir the pot, so to speak.

It's been a while since I've done a post on what I'm watching on TV when I get up. It's a lazy morning, so I'll do that.

I've turned on CMT this morning. I really do like to watch music videos. I like to see what other people's ideas about the music. I like to see if my ideas are in line with ideas.

The first one I see is a live performance by Taylor Swift. It's her performance of 'Should Have Said No" on the ACMs this year. I like Taylor Swift because I think she really is talented, and I'm amazed that a 17 year old is doing this. However, I think as a live performer she's not all that great. Her voice lacks quality in my ear.

Hehe..Julianne Hough "That Song in My Head." What a fun song. And she's fun to watch. She's one of the Dancing with the Stars actually dancers (not the celebrity wannabe dancers).

Kid Rock's new one "All Summer Long." I'm not really much a Kid Rock fan, but I sure do like this song. It's my new summer favorite. (ok, so maybe not the part about "smokin' funny stuff")

Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene." I like this pretty girl gone witch. All of her songs are well..anthems for women who've been walked on. I love it.

"Home" by Blake Shelton. I love this sexy man. And this song is great. It's one of those things I can't explain, but it gets to me.

Sugarland's Stay. A song about "the other woman" realizing she doesn't have to lay there and wait for him to choose her--not that she should've put herself in that position in the first place, of course. Jennifer Nettles (1/2 the duo) is an emotional singer. She puts everything she has into what she sings. I saw them when the opened for someone else last summer. Amazing. Utterly amazing. And I love this blackbox video.

Jimmy Wayne..new guy out these days. Song's called "Do You Believe Me Now?" Apparently, the voice in this song had a premonition about losing his girl to another guy who looked at her. She laughed it off And then the guy got her. I like the song. It gives credence to all those who fear that sort of thing.

Alan Jackson "Good Time." Okay, cute song, I guess. I have this fear that I'm being sacrilegious here, I don't like Alan Jackson. Never have. I recognize his now some sort of country music icon, but...no.

Ok..it's a beautiful day. Find me poolside.

This afternoon I went to see The Incredible Hulk. Really, really good movie. Much, much better than the Ang Lee version in 2003. (Which, frankly, isn't too hard to believe. That one really stunk.)

Butt that's not why I'm sighing. No, I've been reminded that I find men who are well-formed bordering on scrawny so damn hot. For example, Edward Norton.

Okay.

Everyone's got that one singer or actor or whatever that reminds him or her of what life growing up was like. That just takes you right back, right?

This is mine. Okay...to be accurate, these are mine.



It would be incredibly appropriate to send me concert tickets for Houston some time soon. *grin*

This is WAY TOO COOL.

This 17 year old convinced his school board to let him take Latin via distance learning. Now, he's posting lessons on YouTube for others. He rocks.

LatinGuy

Trapster® - Speed Trap Sharing System

This is pretty cool. You can send a text message to this system, alerting others to speed traps and red light cameras. You'll also get to receive them. Cool.

Posted using ShareThis

It's Friday, the day when the Friday Five-game goes up at RevGalBLogPals. (Okay, rereading that, I realize how un-awake I sound. Well, duh, it's Friday you nut, when would you expect to find the Friday game? Tuesday? Sheesh.)

Blame it on the coffee being slow and the allergy meds being quick.

Anyway...on to the real show. *grin*

Mother Laura told us about her new beach-close home. And then asks us to take a beach trip..down memory lane and maybe soon!

1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"?
Well, sure, it's all beautiful in it's own way, but I just can't help but pulled to the sandy beaches on the coast. It's the sound of the waves that make it the beach for me. They drown out the noise in my head *wink*

2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place?
Well, living on the Texas Gulf Coast (which I know has faired relatively well over the last 25 years), I don't think I could live on the beach during hurricane season. If it weren't for that, I could sure do a near the beach situation, like Mother Laura's, but not on it. I have an aversion to sand--I really only tolerate it when I go to the beach now as it is.

3. Any beach plans for this summer?
Nothing specific, but when you've lived your whole life 20 minutes from a couple decent stretches of coast, you've got the opportunity to call for a beach day when you get up in the morning.

4. Best beach memory ever?
Actually, a fairly recent one. Last fall, there was a meteor shower expected and The Man (my very very bestest BFF) and I drove out to sit on the beach and watch for it. I don't think we ever saw one, though we didn't stick around for the peak hours anyway. It was wonderful to sit out there in the breeze, listening to the waves crashing, and just be together.

5. Fantasy beach trip?
Hm..someplace quiet...like a cottage with a private stretch of beach. I'd love to have a couple of my closest friends with me, lounging around with umbrella-decorated fruity drinks and some wonderful books. But I just love vacations that allow for solitude.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what the beach means to you.

Okay, I was trying to find a still shot from the movie City of Angels of just the angels at sunrise on the beach, but I guess I'm not looking hard enough. So, imagine that Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage aren't in this picture. *grin*

Couple with these words from the GooGoo Doll's song Iris. (Which is on the City of Angels soundtrack.)

And all I can taste is this moment And all I can breathe is your life

And I don't want the world to see me Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am

(Line spacing and arrangment is mine. It means something to me like this.)

To see what others have done on their mini-vacation beach trips today, check out RevGalBlogPals Friday Five for this week.

Okay, so I saw this over at Miss Judy's, who found it at Apartment Carpet's. It sounds like fun, and is certainly a different take on a meme.

And well...I've got some free time.

Here's how it works...

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name


And here it is ....

Mosaical Meme,originally uploaded by jaynemarche

I know it's small..sorry. My Flickr skills suck. Just click the name to see the big one. *wink*

So, let's see, I've been practicing being still for 10 days now.

It's not been easy every day. But it is getting increasingly easier. If you'll recall, there's a five- minute morning meditation, and then a one-minute hourly meditation. I don't do the hourly meditations as much as I would like. It's a little hard to stop mid-lecture in summer school and be still for a minute. 14 and 15 year olds look at you funny. And then they start talking, which would totally destroy my stillness.

I've been mad at myself that because I don't feel like I'm doing it right. Then, a few days ago, I found this quote..

To be is to do. (Immanuel Kant)

I collect quotes all the time. And it seems that I run across quotes all the time that speak to something important in my world at that time. Do you see where I'm going with this?

In order to be still, I need to do still.

So, I realized that part of my problem was that I was trying to work off of an imposed schedule. And that's why I was feeling bad--I couldn't keep to the schedule. And geesh, we'd even been given permission to not worry about the schedule.

So, I decided to alter what I was doing. I get up and do the morning meditation. And then, when I think about it. I've a tendency to fiddle with things, so I put a ponytail holder around my wrist. Every time I mess with it, I stop, focus, and pay attention to my breathing. I just let myself stay still. And it's working.

Anyway, 10 days into it, I'm feeling more calm, all the time. I'm sleeping better, which tells me that being still is having an effect on my blood pressure and heart condition. Obviously, that can't be good. Things aren't getting to me as quickly---not that things that don't bother me at all, but I'm slower to frustration.

I really feel like this is making a difference. I'm so glad Sharon turned me on to it. Thanks Sharon!

I think my mother's cat is possessed.

He's always had this "tail" thing going on. Sometimes he'll be lying there, seemingly asleep, and his tail is awake. Just his tail. It starts doing this thumping thing that you can hear in another room (big cat=big tail). Before you know it, he's attacking his own tail. Sometimes he won't stop until he draws his own blood.

He's been relegated to a strictly outside cat lately. His younger sister (who he normally dotes on) is scared of him. He's jumped her a couple of times. Like he wants to wrestle, not like he feels the need to be incestuous. No kidding. It's like some freakish kamikaze leap with a yowl that's only heard in horror movies. She now cowers in the corner if we let him inside (she's strictly and indoor cat because she gets lost and can't find home.).

We've suspicioned that this might in fact be hormonal on his part, as he's not fixed. But since he'd always been and indoor/outdoor cat, we figured he took care of his needs elsewhere.

This morning, I'm sitting on the back porch, quietly sipping at my coffee, a small WonderDog curled up next to me, and enjoying the quiet. Suddenly, I hear 2 cats sending warning rowrs at each other. There's a neighbor cat (Lucky, the one-eyed cat) who comes in the yard from time to time, but unless food's involved our big guy and Lucky get along just fine. I went to see what was going on, because I'd just put food down and I don't believe in serving a buffet for the neighborhood felines.

It was just the big cat. Both voices were coming from him. And that tail was just a thumping to beat the band. (For those of you who were in marching bands in other lives, it's like listening to a soft thump on bass drum #4, if #1 is the smallest one...freakish.)

What do you do when you think your cat might need an excorsism and you're not Catholic?

I've laid out a couple weeks, because school/work stuff got the better of me. And yesterday, well....I laid on the couch for a few hours after dealing with my parents banged up car (what a way to start a vacation..I'll tell you that story some other tim). But, today, I'm really into the prompt. It seems, to me at least, to go hand in hand with the my wanderings while doing the Stillness Experiment this month.

And so, Sally, over at RevGalBlogPals says:

This week I took some time out to stop and walk and take in the view; my son Chris is studying in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, too often we simply drive up there, turn around and come home! This time Tim and I took time out to take in the view. It occurs to me that we need to do that more in life....

With that in mind I offer you this weeks Friday Five:

1. How important is the "big picture" to you, do you need a glimpse of the possibilities or are you a details person? I think seeing the big picture is my goal setting opportunity. I need to see where I'm heading, even if I'm fully aware that the picture may evolve as I work through whatever it is.

2. If the big picture is important to you how do you hold onto it in the nitty gritty details of life? Depends on the project/experience. I'm a planner, so a lot of times at work, I'll make a chart or a list with the big umbrella being the final goal, the big picture. Then all the detail stuff I'll put underneath (I know you've seen these things before...they're SUCH an English teacher tool--hmm...I was an English major.). It helps me to see where my little detail fits in the big picture. And then there's the whole sense of accomplishment as I see the details being wiped out!

3. Name a book, poem, psalm, piece of music that transports to to another dimension ( one....what am I thinking....) Hm...Luke., as in "The Gospel of." I think it's because I feel like, him being a doctor and all, he's the most detail-oriented. Then the chorus "Sanctuary." That one gets me most every time. (I don't like the voices in this one, but you'll get the idea).




I get seriously caught up in Gone with the Wind, too. Okay, so darn near anything Southern, to be honest.


4.Thinking of physical views, is there somewhere that inspires you, somewhere that you breathe more easily? Yes, actually. I breathe more easily when I'm outside on a cool, quiet morning. I've been soaking it in the last few days, being off a week before the summer sessions start up. What's even better is laying out under a tree in the cool grass. The kind where you can feel where every blad of grass is touching your body. It's heavenly.


5. A picture opportunity... post one if you can ( or a link to one!)



Borrowed from AllSpice1's Flickr stream. Thanks!












To view some other thoughts inspired by the view, visit RevGalBlogPals Friday Five for this week.

So, I'm off this week, allegedly preparing to teach summer school. Actually, I am supposed to be prepping for that, but since I've done the same thing content-wise for the last 3 years, I'm not especially worried about it.

Instead, I'm doing the Stillness Experiment and planting vegetables on my patio. (And GLOATING about the vegetables.) I can feel a real surge in my writing coming on, because I find myself looking more closely at words and quotes lately.

So, because I see anything that encourages my writing as a blessing, I'm going to count the quotes that have stuck in my head the last week or so as my blessings this week. These are the words I am thankful for.

1. Some have been thought brave because they were afraid to run away. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

2. Faith and doubt are needed--not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve. (Lillian Smith)

3. The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. (Anais Nin)

4. Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity. (R. I. Fitzhenry)

5. Never fear shadows...that always means there is a light shining somewhere. (Jonathon Santos)


6. There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. (Albert Einstein)

7. Einstein was a man who could ask immensely simple questions. And what his work showed is that when the answers are simple too, then you can hear God thinking. (Jacob Bronowski)

8. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

9. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. (Randy Pausch)

10. And then, this song. Gary Allan--mmm...definitely about him *wink*.



Song lyrics | Like It's A Bad Thing lyrics

The Peace Globe project began in the fall of 2006 with a simple post from one blog, Mimi Writes. The post ignited a flame in the blogosphere. The flame became a passion. The passion became a movement. It amazingly traveled from blog to blog to blog across the globe. Bloggers wrote passionate articles on what peace means to them, along with the promise of three Latin words scribbled on a globe - Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) - branded with the integrity of their names or blog names. It was positively inspiring to watch. And it began to happen all over the world - from Singapore to China to Afghanistan to Brooklyn. It was simple. And powerful.

Won't you join us?

How To Get Your Peace Globe

Here's how to do it in 4 easy steps!

1.Choose one of the four Peace Globe in this post. Right CLICK and SAVE in JPG format.

2.Sign the globe using Paint, Photoshop or a similar graphics tool. Decorate the globe anyway you wish. You can even include the name of your blog. Click here for hundreds of inspiring examples from previous BlogBlasts.

3. Return the peace globe to Mimi email ~ mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com and sign the Mr. Linky below on her post. Let her know your blog's name and url by leaving a comment here. Your submission will be numbered and dated in the official gallery . Your globe and post will be listed on the Official BlogBlast For Peace website and The Peace Globe Posts page.

4. On June 4, 2008 DISPLAY YOUR GLOBE IN A POST. Title your post "Dona Nobis Pacem". This is important. The goal is for all blog post titles to say the same thing on the same day. Write about peace that day or simply fly your globe. Click here for examples of peace globe posts from previous BlogBlasts.

I will meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. -Psalm 119:15

Today, I was supposed to start, whole-heartedly, the Stillness Experiment. First, let me give you some background.

Please excuse my crappy video skills. This was taken on Phoebe, my cell phone.

We finally have an answer. However, this is at 7:18 in the evening. I stopped drinking coffee at noon.


Free quizzes, widgets, and gadgets at OnePlusYou

I found this over at Sharon's blog, Reservoir.

Is this not the best quote for my month? (Okay, I know you don't all know what my month has included, but I'm happy..that's all you need to know.)

The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.
~Frank Lloyd Wright

Here's a little challenge for whomever would like to play.

Tell me why this quote works for you today, this week, this month, this year (dare I say, this decade, century, millenium? heeeheeeeheeeeheeee!!!)

I'll share mine later today. Y'all go with you it. Post a comment here, and once I figure out Mr. Linky, I'll put make it available for this morning.

Today's "10 Things Tuesday" is brought to you by caffiene.

Or maybe by Advil.

Actually, I think it's brought to you by a totally off the wall sponsor--Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream. If you'll just read my list, I'll 'splain that one.

1. ONLY 3 days left with students before the school year ends. YAY!!!! I love my job, but OMG I need a break!

2. I get to stay late and earn some overtime (which never happens in education). I have to remind myself that this opportunity is a blessing...because I forgot I was scheduled to and really wanted to go home.

3. I've a new, geeky place to head when I need something to read. The Britannica Blog Yes, I found this because I like to read Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Hey.. I get free access from the state, why wouldn't I at least look?

4. I laid out Saturday, by the pool. (That's not the blessing.) I not only wore sunblock--SPF 30--I also made sure to reapply every 45 minutes or so. (Still not it.) I wound up horribly sunburned on my chest, which is apparently the fairest part of my body to ever be exposed to the sun. Yesterday, I awoke to itching on my chest so bad that I could not think straight and was crying--not just from the itching/pain but also from the frustration of not being able to do anything other than suffer. (Obviously, still not the blessing, wait for it.) Here's the blessing---Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream took it all away. I didn't hurt, I didn't itch, and I stopped crying.

5. I'm feeling super-introspective these days. I think I get what my problem's been lately. I've really just been 'making it' in terms of my own understanding of my relationship with God. I'm starting to determine what that's really supposed to be for me not for the masses.

6. Some of my former students, and current ones, are coming by to tell me thank you. I didn' even know they were listening.

7. It's still beautiful out. And going to stay that way for a few days. I love it. The sun light (even if it burns me) just does me in.

8. This site is cool. Earthlab.com It really helps you figure out where you can not only "live green" but where you can cut back on some of your own costs. And the recipes from Mario Batali are amazing!

9. Did I mention there's only 3 days left with kids in the school year? Hallelujah!

10. I'm just happy lately. Don't know why, just am.

Visit XBox Wife for more blessings today.

Today, I'm feeling seriously blessed...

1. THREE days in a row that are just beautiful. Sunny days make me feel so good.

2. Doing some reading, and really enjoying the thought processes coming out of it.

3. Bought a new toy...meet Chloe. She's the silver one.

4. Sat in tree last night. Did not see one of these

(posted by anewperspective)

But I did see one of these


(posted by jpstanley)

and it was beautiful.





5. I just colored my hair, a la Miss Clairol. This may or may not be a blessing. It is, however, significantly cheaper than paying for it. (That is a blessing.)

6. The WonderDog is a darling. I think he grew up all of a sudden. He's just so calm the last couple of weeks.

7. Running, running, running....I love to go running...

8. Been writing a lot the last few days. Good to get words on paper.

9. Only 8 days left in the school year. Only 6 with kids, for me. Yeehaw! I'm so ready for a change of pace, even if it's just a week off before I start teaching summer school.

10. Speaking of a change of pace....I'm not really sleeping better, as far as longer, but the quality is better.

Hm....I'm sure there's others, but I'm holding my cards close.

To see other blessings, visit XBox Wife's Ten Things Tuesday Carnival this week.

This started as a hand-written journal entry today. And morphed into an email I sent an acquaintance. It was his email that sent me into a tailspin. I'm going to try to piece it together for you, here.

I was asked what I really want. Well..I have to tell you that question is what sent me into a spin. I thought I knew, though I haven't voiced dreams or desires in some time. I can't think 2 years down the road right now, much less 10. And maybe that's because right now I feel secure in my job (which means I feel secure in the things that go along with being employed, like financial security). I mean, they've let me be in on a big project--it would be a cruel joke to not let me continue that. And my district is full of politics, but they aren't flat out mean.

I've been struggling of late with my faith. I'm not concerned that it's ailing--I'm quite a joyous Presbyterian, thank you. I even feel like, for the most part, I'm living an active and what I call a "naked eye" faith. Meaning that Christ in my life is visible to the naked eye. I know, quite certainly, in Whom my salvation lies. Moreover, I am a rejoicing Christian

I'm just feeling disconnected. Out of touch with my own personal faith. A 'medicine head' kind of feeling. I feel a little lost and like I'm doing things by rote, not by desire.

Church on Sunday, grace at the table, prayers at bedtime. Yeehaw.

I read something this afternoon that feels like it applies to me. The guy was describing a 20 year old leaving for his first away from home college experience. The kid is in a questioning place, and the big question is whether to keep hold of the faith that he was taught by someone else or to create his own relationship with Christ that may not look like his parents. In other words, drop the one-size-fits-all model for one that is tailor-made.

I feel like, after 25 years of the one-size-fits-all, I've outgrown it. So, I'm praying for the ability to define my relationship with my Savior, not the Savior.

By the way, the book I was reading today is Surprise Me: a 30-Day Faith Experiment. It's by Terry Esau. Yesterday I read Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. I'm not done with Surprise Me, yet. But I have to tell you that if there's any book (other than the Bible) I'm liable to tell people they MUST READ, it's Pausch's book. I am completely humbled by his words.

Destinations have actually been on my mind a lot this week. My brother and I have been discussing our not-so-annual vacation to celebrate our birthdays. (We haven't gone in 2 years, but we had gotten together for several years before that.) It's always a long weekend, usually the weekend in between our birthdays in October. And it's just us, much to The Mother's chagrin, disappointment, consternation--pick one, or add your own!

And, I reason to think we'll try to continue this as we move into relationships. I think it's going to wind up being very healthy and important for us to do it.

Anyway, the Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals is about destinations this week.

Name five places that fall into the following categories:

1) Favorite Destination -- someplace you've visited once or often and would gladly go again
Honestly, DisneyWorld. I love being there, it reminds you to be a kid, even when you are
fighting to be an adult (can you tell I went as a teenager?).

2) Unfavorite Destination -- someplace you wish you had never been (and why)
Hmm..Tulsa. For those of you long-time fans, you know I think Tulsa in July makes an
appearance in Dante's work. Otherwise, I don't really have an answer. I've always enjoyed the
places that I go, destination-wise. There are some situations I wouldn't visit again, though.

3) Fantasy Destination -- someplace to visit if cost and/or time did not matter
Spain. Specifically the Tarragona area. I'm seriously jealous of my parents for going.

4) Fictional Destination -- someplace from a book or movie or other art or media form you would love to visit, although it exists only in imagination
Oh, I thought this would be easy! It's not--totally a drew a blank. Narnia is a first, beloved
choice. Hazzard County (of Dukes of Hazzard fame), I've always been in love with Bo and
Luke Duke. *grin* And, also...because I've always liked the way life seems to move slower
there, Greenbow County, Alabama, from Forrest Gump. (As a librarian, I feel like I should
be picking more "literary" places. Oh well.)
5) Funny Destination -- the funniest place name you've ever visited or want to visit
I'll be honest, I can't think of any place. I'm sure there is one, but it's escaping me. I'll update
if I think of one.

For more ruminations about destinations, visit this week's Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals.

I just came across this on Mrs. Brownstone's blog.


It's just a beautiful performance piece. Do enjoy it, and have a blessed day!

Over at RevGalBlogPals, Sally reminds us that

Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....

Geez..this is SO true. Both that, and knowing that from day to day, I have a different experience with both prayer and waiting.

So how do you wait and pray?

1. How do you pray best, alone or with others? Mostly, I prefer to pray alone. Others wind up being a distraction for me. Not because of anything they set out to do, but because I notice things about them. Like, a sniffle, wiggling a foot, etc.

2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety? It really depends on what I'm waiting for. I'd love to say waiting is easy for me, but I have very little patience.

3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise? I am right now. I'm also struggling with the notion that the promise isn't what I want it to be. (Long story short--I'm single and don't like it much.)

4. Do you prefer stillness or action? Again, it depends. Sometimes, I want an answer yesterday. Some days, I'm content to be still and wait until He opts to make a move.

5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to receive? I should probably say patience, but then He'd be all about TEACHING me to be patient. I'd like courage, I'd like wisdom. I'd like a deeper knowledge and understanding of Him.

And time..I never feel like I have enough of it and I often fear that I'm not devoting enough to Him.

For more thoughts about prayer and waiting, visit RevGalBlogPals this week.

Hm...I haven't posted a 10 things in a couple weeks. Not that I haven't had plenty to be thankful for, I just haven't had time to sit and tell you what I'm thankful for. That's okay, I'll keep going to night until I run out of things to share (that'll make up for it, right? *grin*)

1. I met a man who knows what to do with these when he sees them:




For the record, it is not say "Ooo, look! A piggie!"




2. He makes me giggle ;).


3. The WonderDog has no fleas. Did you know that vinegar and lemon juice diluted with water can be sprayed on your dog and it will either kill or run off fleas? Then, if you put salt down on your carpets and leave it overnight, it'll dehydrate the fleas who are mostly water. So, when you vacuum in the morning, they all go bye-bye. Do it again in a week or so to catch any new births from eggs laid.

4. I survived 4 days in Dallas. And the car trip that got me there.

5. I've inherited my grandmother's stoneware dishes from the 60s, maybe the 50s. I had no idea she owned these, but they're mine now. I've often felt like she's watching me since she passed four years ago. Now I have a little bit of her in my home.

6. I'm losing weight! I won't ask how or go into details. Just say YAY!!

7. The old-lady creams and potions I got from Avon are WORKING!

8. I got a replacement phone in the mail Friday. It's so nice to discover it working better than the first one EVER did.

9. I'm sleeping through the night again. I bought one of those noise machines. I set it on the ocean wave noise, and I'm out like a light.

10. It's been pretty and warm lately. I love this time of year, I get to feel pretty in my little sundresses and skirts.

11. Pedicures are heavenly. Right up there with new socks.

12. Read several good books lately. All for teenagers.

13. WonderDog is sleeping through the night, too. I guess the noise machine drowns out all the outside noise for him, too.

14. Go to YouTube. Search for "canine freestyling." You will laugh. I promise. Anything that makes me laugh is a blessing.

15. I've just been happy lately. I smile more, and fewer things annoy me.

"It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know and I feel fine."
--R.E.M.

I've always kind of laughed at the lyrics to the R.E.M. song. I laughed freakin' hard when I saw the movie "Independence Day" in theaters (on, ironically, Independence Day). Pay close attention, the song playing in the opening sequence in the room where they're monitoring the skies is R.E.M.'s "End of the World as We Know It."

I've always laughed because I happen to think that phrase pretty regular. Like this year, at work. Things have been happening there that I don't like. Things involving the students. Since it's been in the news, I don't feel bad saying we've had a loaded gun on campus.

It scares me. Quite a bit. Since Columbine, either I'm more aware of things like that, or they actually are happening more often. I don't know which it is, and I don't guess that part matters. It's a huge problem to me that it's happening at all. I realize that lots of people see it at as a huge problem, too.

And really, after Columbine, I really had the words "it's the end of the world as we know it" go through my head.

I think we're on a downward spiral. We're outraged when something like a school shooting. But, you know, there were days and days and days of coverage after Columbine. After the Virginia Tech shootings, it was a week-ish. We're becoming desensitized and it's really rather sad. Evil should shock us, should make us stop and feel anger and fear. It shouldn't be one of those "oh my gosh, again? okay, what else is on?" deals.

Do I think there's hope for our future? Of course there is. There has to be. It can't keep going down without hitting a bottom somewhere. And once you're there, there's only direction to go--up.

Actually, the Sunday Scribblings prompt is about the future of the planet. Check it out to see other takes.

I never expected to have a spiritual 'ah-ha' moment in a room full of librarians, at the largest state conference of them.

But I did.

I never realized that a prayer for peace in my soul and sense of humor about a situation that would be fraught with annoyance would be answered in a foreign language.

But it was.

Fanga Alafia, ase, ase.

We were being entertained by a rhythm duo and were taught what we were told was a Liberian welcome song (I've since been researching and can find a similar form in Nigerian, and then listed as just a West African chant. Whatever. That part isn't pertinent to my moment.)

Fange Alafia, ase, ase.

They told us that it means "Welcome to peace, so be it."

My gosh, or--more accurately--My God! These dang goofballs making us hum on kazoos (because you don't blow on them) were God's agents to my heart. To my mind.

I joked as I dealt with my frustration over a particular situation I was put in, that I had not under any circumstances prayed for patience on this trip. I'm not stupid. I don't ask for patience because God doesn't grant virtues like patience. Rather, he provides teachable moments. Because I know that and I don't take well to force-fed lesson, I don't ever ask for patience. EVER.

No, no, I asked for peace. Did you know, as I now do, that those moments and things (and people) that try our patience are the things that God will sue to teach us peace.

Welcome to peace. So be it.

Peace doesn't always look like a pastoral scene. Or a white dove. Or a sleeping baby.

Remember, Jesus on the boat? Sleeping soundly though the storm raging around Him on the Sea of Galilee? That's peace--the ability to be calm when surrounded by a world that would have you be frantic, angry, frayed at the edges. To be calm when all inside you wants to be anything but. Because there is no point in falling prey to those feelings, they will not remedy the situation.

Fanga Alafia. Ase, ase.

Welcome to peace. So be it.

Over at RevGalBlogPals, the Friday Five is up. Certainly some good things to think about, I actually looked at it this morning, But wasn't able to stop and write because I was being bombarded! But I kept it in the back of mind.

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?
My laptop, Emily. And my cell phone, Phoebe. Yes, they're named. And they're synced. They get along quite well, thank you.

2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day? Why?
The alarm clock. Because it interrupts a perfectly good sleep cycle.

3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If so, do you use it (them)?
Personally? No. But we do have tape recorders at work.

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something else?
A mix--I love technology and really do enjoy learning the new stuff and being able to actually make my day more efficient. It's so exciting! On the scary side, we're training ourselves and our kids to not be self-sufficient without relying on the technology. Not to sound all Y2K here, but what if?

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.
The ability to live without all these tech pieces I am so reliant on. Easiness in silence--you know what I mean? You read about families sitting together on Sunday afternoon, not working, just resting quietly. Maybe reading the Bible, or whatever. But they weren't wired into noise makers. How do we get back to that? It's going to take concerted efforts to just enjoy God presence and realize that it's not at all related to the machines around us.

For more musings, check out this week's Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals.

Assault by Carrot

Thirteen Things about Jayne--Words I Love




1. Molybdenum

2. Aluminum

3. Grace

4. Plum

5. Coffee

6. Dale, Jr.

7. Blush

8. Breakfast

9. Pillow

10. Seep

11. Nap

12. Mint

13. Grrrr



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Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. (Albert Einstein)

Just doing a lot of thinking today. Ok, so I've been up for all of , oh, 30 minutes. Lately, I've been thinking about simplification. I think, sometimes, I complicate things because I can. That doesn't work, huh?

It's one of those things I need to work on. I say that I appreciate simplicity, and then I rework the things that I do or think. Not intentionally, it just happens.

Really, all that matters, is loving my God and being happy in my world. It really doesn't get any simpler than that, right?

This week's Friday Five is about moving. I don't enjoy moving. In fact, I don't plan to move again until I get married, whenever that may be. I keep saying I'd like to get out of apartment living and find a rent house, but the fact of the matter is, I won't. Unless rent gets much more ridiculous.

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time? Um, counting in and out of dorm rooms in college, 7 times.

2. What do you love and hate about moving? I hate the packing, unpacking, lifting, carrying. Hm..pretty much all the physical stuff. I love getting organized and discovering new spaces.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers? I've done it both ways. I've also recruited family and friends. Pretty much I try to find others who can do the heavy lifting, because I'm not supposed to.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move? Try to be organized and don't leave off packing until the night before. I also try to have a firm plan about where things need to go. I also learned to have the movers put the big stuff in the new place first--you can use that to stack boxes on afterwards so that you can still see the floor.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones? Yeah, trying to remind myself to simplify things. Not just things that I do, but the way that I think.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.

Oh, this is easy. I wrote this poem in high school, and I think it applies to so many different situations.

Things are not as they
teach us--the Earth is hollow;
I have touched the sky.


**To see more posts about "moving" posts, check out this week's Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals.

Ok..this week, I'm actually feeling thankful for a lot of things. So, I'll play again. *grin*


1. I changed The WonderDog's food 10 days ago. Apparently, what I'd been feeding him has been tearing his stomach up for oh...3 years. Now, he gets excited about me putting supper down.

2. And we've had no instances that require a gas mask! (You probably don't want to know that, TMI and all that, but you have no idea how wonderful that is.)

3. I've been reading a lot, which just feeds my soul.

4. I got some new clothes this week. Including NEW SOCKS!

5. I think I've lost some weight. The clothes definitely fit differently, in a good way.

6. I really haven't watched my television this week, and that's really a good thing. Especially since nothing good's been on.

7. My insomnia hasn''t been too bad this week. Knock on wood.

8. I'm still loving my coffee.

9. Mrs. Brownstone is a new blog pal--YAY!

10. It was quiet at work today, so I put some CDs on and sand along...loud.

11. Heading up to see my aunt and uncle this weekend. Gonna stop in and see Ms. Judy on the way.

12. My Avon order came in today--all old lady stuff, but I'm so excited it's here!

OOOOOO...LOOK! I was an over-achiever! Mark it on your calendar, it won't happen again anytime soon!!

To see what others are thankful for this week, check out Ten Things Tuesday over at XBox Wife.

HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam . Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands . HEMA also has stores in Belgium , Luxemburg, and Germany. In June of this year, HEMA was sold to British investment company Lion Capital.

Take a look at HEMA's product page. You can't order anything and it's in Dutch, just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens. Don't click on any of the products pictured, just wait and see what happens. And be sure you have your sound turned up.

This company has a sense of humor and a great computer programmer, ya?

HEMA

I love to look at pictures. This morning, as I was blog shopping, I landed on one that has some pictures that just do me in.

The Daily Coyote

I love to look at pictures of animals just enjoying life. Charlie is doing just that. I've always believed that when animals and people come together and it's a obviously a good thing, the animal has chosen them. I think Charlie's done that with Eli the cat and his human.

That's what I think about The WonderDog. He chose me. I didn't want a little boy dog. I actually, I wasn't picky at all. When the guy at work brought the puppies up, knowing I wanted one, he dropped them off in their laundry basket with one of the ladies in the front office. She called to tell me they were there and to come pick mine out.

He was sitting in her lap when I walked in, the only boy of the 5 puppies. I came through the door and he stood up and chirped at me. I patted his head and knelt beside the basket, a few feet away, looking them over. He walked to the edge of her lap, and she put him on the floor where he tumbled over and crawled in my lap. I think it took 2 seconds for him to curl up and fall asleep.

Now if that's not choosing me, I don't know what is.

And I tell you what, I wouldn't choose anyone else.

I'm not an endorser--unless it's a book or a good idea. Otherwise, you'll never know if I prefer Coke or Pepsi (Coke Zero), McDonald's or Burker King (Jack in the Box, actually), Nike over Adidas (Nike, all the way), blue states vs. red states (purple, to be honest).

In fact, the only thing you'll ever know for certain is that I much prefer Dale Earnhardt, Jr. over Jeff Gordon. If I have to explain that, you obviously aren't a fan.


jumping coffee beans,


But, I'm going to step out here and endorse some coffees. Yes, coffees.

Lola Savannah Coffee Company
This is a Houston native group. I started drinking Lola Savannah coffees when I discovered the food Mecca Central Market. I love good coffee, and love to buy good beans and grind 'em myself for my little coffee pot or my espresso machine. Grinding them yourself makes for a better coffee, regardless. Good beans just make it even better.

This morning, I'm having a spiritual experience over a new find. "Lunch with Elvis." Oh my..wonderful. The name caught my eye yesterday when I was browsing the beans. Then the description.."tastes like fried bananas and peanut butter!" (If you haven't had that particular delicacy, you need to try it.) And IT DOES! Mm..a little cream, a little sugar, PERFECTION! I'm singing Elvis Songs this morning. Okay, I'm thinking Elvis songs this morning, 'cuz I won't be singing much of anything with the coffee cup to my mouth.

Equal Exchange: Fairly Traded Coffee, Tea, & Chocolate
I can't feel bad about a company that is involved in fair trading. We've been involved with this project for only a little while at church, as part of the Presbyterian Coffee Project. (If you look at Equal Exchange's website, you'll find under the "Interfaith Program" tab that there are several denominations with coffee projects. Check it out, it's a good thing.) At our alternative Christmas market, we had a booth with fair trade coffees. I picked up a bag of the whole bean "mind, body, & soul" blend.

WOW. From the website...

"Popular on both coasts and points in between. Two roasts promote the hardiness of our Mexican beans and highlight the chocolate and spice that make this coffee a connoisseur's favorite. We blend the distinct characteristics of Oaxaca and Chiapas to bring true meaning to this smooth, soft and soulful cup of black gold. Our multi-roast blend accentuates the mellow body and light acidity along with the dark chocolate finish that beans from these two states are known for producing."

I'm here to tell you that it is in fact a soulful cup of coffee. And to know that I'm doing a little good because I'm drinking it makes me feel like I've put a point on my side of the Karma tally sheet. To be honest, I've tried a few of the different blends, and while this is my favorite, they're all good. You can't go wrong here.

You won't find me endorsing Folger's. I drink that only if there is nothing else--and even then I consider whether I really, really, REALLY need that cup of coffee before I put my lips to it. I figure if I'm going to have an addiction to something, I'm gonna be addicted to the good stuff, not the cheapy stuff.

I missed last week's Friday Five, though I think I'll go back in a bit and do it.

This week's is a good one, and I'm sorry I didn't stop to do it yesterday.

Sally writes,

" With this Sunday's gospel reading in mind, that wonderful revelation of Christ to the companions on the Emmaus road. I wonder where you might have been surprised by God's revelation recently."

How has God revealed him/herself to you in a:

1. Book Well, this might be a little backwards. I started reading A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose this week. You know, the Oprah Book Club selection right now that has everyone suddenly realizing all kinds of things. It's not a hard book to grasp, but I was getting incredibly frustrated by all that Eckart Tolle had to say. Some of this stuff is common sense. And so, while I was getting into a particularly verbose rant (bout how ambiguous and esoteric writing about things we already know can lead to confusion and, well "missing the point"), this deep voice rang in my ears "some people will only get the point that way." That deep voice is the one I associate with God.

2.Film I can't say that I've had God revealed to me lately in film. I mean, I watched Star Wars last night and now I'm watching I am Legend. I do find myself wondering how a person utterly removed from society (like Will Smith's character) would make it. While I know God would carry me through, I'd fear the quiet. We're not meant to be quite so solitary a creature.

3. Song The new Rascal Flatts release has been on my mind today. I heard it in the car on the way home last night. I'm sure the radio intention is a love song, but you can't miss that the heart of this group is their Savior.

You could have bowed out gracefully
But you didn't
You knew enough to know to leave well enough alone
But you wouldn't
I drive myself crazy trying to stay out of my own way
The messes that I made
But my secrets are so safe
The only one who gets me
Yeah, you get me
It's amazing to me

How every day
every day
every day
You save my life

I come around all broken down and crowded out
And you are a comfort
Sometimes the place I go is so deep and dark and desperate
I don't know
I don't know

How every day
every day
every day
You save my life

Sometimes I swear I don't know if I am coming or going
But you always say something without even knowing
That I am hanging onto your words with all my might
And it's alright
Yeah I am alright
For one more night

Every day Every day Every day
Every day Every day Every day
Every day Every day
You save me
You save me

Every day Every day Every day
Every day
You save my life

It just makes me think about the promise of each day. I may have failed yesterday, failed to be the best for Christ that I could've been, but I got up today, a new day and He saved me once again. See, I don't think salvation is a one time thing--it's renewed every minute of every hour of every day. You just have to keep holding on to His hand.

4. Another person I see God in others constantly. I work with high school age students and I'm regularly finding that they are more aware and often more faithful than we think. Watching them care for each other gives me hope.

5. Creation I went for a run this morning, the first I've gone in several months for various reasons. Even though it was a breezy 36 degrees (Fahrenheit, y'all), I was jazzed and raring. I love to run. Getting out there in the gray morning was amazing. Squirrels were up, birds were getting going. This one little rat terrier joined me for one leg of my path. He was just the happiest thing on the road. Jogging along beside me (not even breathing hard!), barking for joy. Joy for the morning, for being alive, for being able to run. It was awesome.

For more revelations, visit RevGalBlogPals Friday Five for this week.

Thirteen Things about The WonderDog



1. When I picked him up at 5 and a half weeks old, he weighed only 12.5 ounces. (He was 8 pounds now).

2. For Christmas that year (when he was 6 and half weeks old), my brother and I had pictures made for our parents' gift. I took some by myself with WonderDog.

3. His mom is a salt-and-pepper miniature schnauzer and his dad's a yorkie. Both are registered.

4. He has 9 older sisters (5 in one litter and 4 in his).

5. He's the cutest of all 10 puppies. Seriously. That's not just his mom talking.

6. He skips when he's in a good mood. It's way too cute.

7. The yellow chair in my bedroom? Yeah, it's his. Not mine. I'm not allowed to sit in it.

8. He gets so excited about getting a treat that he crows.

9. He has no use for dogs. By that, I mean, he doesn't like dogs. He doesn't count, because he's not one.

10. Somehow, he always knows when I want to take a picture of him. He'll stop whatever cute thing he's doing that I wanted to capture and pose for the camera. Everytime.

11. He loves limeades from Sonic.

12. He knows no strangers. He might not like you a lot, but he'll fake it for a few minutes.

13. He can identify each one of his toys by the name I gave them. And he'll grab the right one everytime you send him after one.


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Ms. Judy tagged me..like a long time ago. Ok, like a week ago. So, here goes...

The rules are:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules here
3. Share 7 random or weird facts about yourself
4. Tag 7 random people at the end of the post, linking to them.
5. Leave a comment on their blog so that they know they’ve been tagged.


Hm...randomness...ok...

--I used to be a professional flag twirler. Yes, that's right..professional. (Remember, to be considered a pro as opposed to an amateur all that really counts is that someone paid you to do it.)

--I am probably the only person Ms. Judy knows who can gracefully work in a comment about squirrels mating on a sidewalk into a campus tour. But only if the the tour group stumbles upon the squirrels in the act.

--I don't know how to swim. Ok, so, I know what you're supposed to do, but I can't make it happen.

--For all my technological know how with computers and VCRs (I am not a "blinking twelve"), I can't make the copy machine do what I want it to when I want it to.

--I think a new pair of really soft socks are Heaven on Earth. I also think freshly washed and starched sheets with tightly tucked hospital corners might be.

--I am a closet dork. Really.

--I am terrified of growing old and have no idea what you people who are going to do it "gracefully" are smoking. I've already considered the boob lift, I color my hair, and may well be the reason Oil of Olay is still in business.

I don't have too many "blog friends," (and Judy's one of them), so...I'll tag only 2.

EQ and XBox Wife.....you're up!