another day older....
what a blessing! right?
i know there are aches and pains that are associated with aging and there are times with they can be so intense that we lose sight of the everyday blessings.
just one reason why i love social media...i am reminded of all the blessings that have touched my life. having had what seems like 1001 jobs, lived in a few different areas/communities, been involved in a variety of activities, social groups and churches, i've encountered quite few people....friends, acquaintances. and because life comes at each of us in a different manner it would be so easy to be like two ships that pass in the night never to meet again.
instead, i'm blessed to see and be in touch with so many people. as i get older i've enjoyed seeing former students become parents, friends become grandparents, college graduations, mission trips, and leisure trips. i've had to opportunity to pray for and with folks who requested or not expressed a need/care/concern. not to mention the celebrations. we've talked books, recipes, restaurants, movies etc... shared tips, thoughts, and laughs.
wow what a joy! what a joy to get older! what a joy to have another day to live! take a moment and reflect on you joys, your blessings! and here's to getting older! enjoy the ride!
oh & one more thing.... the neck, doesn't lie! :P embrace every wrinkle but don't let it define you!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
i'm right! i'm right! i'm right! O CRAP! I'm right!.....
ever had that feeling?
a while back a change of events took place that directly involved my daughter and her extra curricular activity of choice. i was blown away by what had transpired and left shaking my head. what i was not, was left speechless. (that would probably take a cataclysmic event for that to happen) i was engaged in many conversations where there occurred concerns, speculation, rants, problem solving for problems that would undoubtedly come our way. there were convos with parents, ad's, and other folks in the community. perhaps an error on my part, as perceived by others would've been my lack of communication with the person at the helm, leading the way.
i gotta be honest i struggled with the placement. and did so based on my own experiences with this person as a fellow parent. for during her time as just a parent she remarked often about how she'd handle things, her take on some of the other participants and their parents, former persons in charge, etc... it's safe to say there was an agenda! a hefty one at that. WARNING WARNING WARNING!
and here we are....some time later....& O CRAP!
sad really! many young folk have had life lessons and experiences that some adults haven't even had to deal with yet. there's been a heavy dose of disappointment on many levels that has involved families as well as participants. and what was once a top-notch program is no more. (ohhowthemightyhavefallen)
i really really REALLY! wish i as wrong....
ever had that feeling?
a while back a change of events took place that directly involved my daughter and her extra curricular activity of choice. i was blown away by what had transpired and left shaking my head. what i was not, was left speechless. (that would probably take a cataclysmic event for that to happen) i was engaged in many conversations where there occurred concerns, speculation, rants, problem solving for problems that would undoubtedly come our way. there were convos with parents, ad's, and other folks in the community. perhaps an error on my part, as perceived by others would've been my lack of communication with the person at the helm, leading the way.
i gotta be honest i struggled with the placement. and did so based on my own experiences with this person as a fellow parent. for during her time as just a parent she remarked often about how she'd handle things, her take on some of the other participants and their parents, former persons in charge, etc... it's safe to say there was an agenda! a hefty one at that. WARNING WARNING WARNING!
and here we are....some time later....& O CRAP!
sad really! many young folk have had life lessons and experiences that some adults haven't even had to deal with yet. there's been a heavy dose of disappointment on many levels that has involved families as well as participants. and what was once a top-notch program is no more. (ohhowthemightyhavefallen)
i really really REALLY! wish i as wrong....
Monday, January 21, 2013
so a week ago i received a stern warning/threat from a someone via fb on his wife's account, regarding a comment i made, in light, on a status of a friend who doesn't live in our community. my comment was vague and for those who know me would've known the following 1) it's nothing i wouldn't say to the 'powers that be' 2) i'm a jokester....9/10 times. ANY way, as i thought about the incident all i could think about is why? why would he bother? what was gonna be my punishment? what was i to be "careful" of exactly....or what? friday school? iss (eek)? my child kept from something s/he loves? seriously based on past experiences i'm left to wonder just how the foot shall come down. in addition and more puzzling to me i was left wondering what the 'fear' of me was or was based on. although outspoken and of my own mind i 1) hate conflict and avoid it and confrontations at all cost 2) can not recall even one time when in public* that i've been rude to another and/or confrontational to them. (*by public i mean live in person....not fb or blog - as those are locations i opt to speak my mind, state my opinions and what not. like a radio/tv, if you don't like what i say you don't have to tune in. moreover - 99.9% of my fb status' are restricted to my fb friends only)
so, back to my original pondering....where's the scary? is it that my opinions might be shared by others? is it that my take is a truth, and perhaps an ugly one? is it that i challenge that which doesn't make sense? is it that i tend to call a spade a spade and am not blind to the elephant in the room? i get why some of those qualities might not be to your liking or comprise someone you want to hang around with, especially if you cannot persuade them to do your bidding or just go along with what ever and turn the other cheek when need be. and if that's the case fine....we'll skip coffee & fellowship. but seriously is it necessary to threaten/warn?
for the most part i'd describe myself as pretty laid back, easy going, accepting and tolerant....even of persons who i'd consider to be boobs at best. my opinion of some doesn't comprise my opinion of the whole - that would be dumb.
so yeah....i'm not good at pretending, but i'd say i'm generally kind. but some people just seem to be mean and malicious. whew, that's gotta be exhausting. we're all a work in progress....it'll be interesting to see in what manner we continue to do so.
so, back to my original pondering....where's the scary? is it that my opinions might be shared by others? is it that my take is a truth, and perhaps an ugly one? is it that i challenge that which doesn't make sense? is it that i tend to call a spade a spade and am not blind to the elephant in the room? i get why some of those qualities might not be to your liking or comprise someone you want to hang around with, especially if you cannot persuade them to do your bidding or just go along with what ever and turn the other cheek when need be. and if that's the case fine....we'll skip coffee & fellowship. but seriously is it necessary to threaten/warn?
for the most part i'd describe myself as pretty laid back, easy going, accepting and tolerant....even of persons who i'd consider to be boobs at best. my opinion of some doesn't comprise my opinion of the whole - that would be dumb.
so yeah....i'm not good at pretending, but i'd say i'm generally kind. but some people just seem to be mean and malicious. whew, that's gotta be exhausting. we're all a work in progress....it'll be interesting to see in what manner we continue to do so.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
So do you ever really give much thought to 'how you're doing?'?
Take a minute and think about it...
....
....
....
What exactly did you consider? Your job? Family? Relationships? Finances? Emotional well-being? Physical well-being?
Did you consider how you're doing with YOU?
I've seemed to be very reflective lately on just how I'm doing. And I think I, like our pastor mentioned a couple of weeks ago...."I'm not perfect but I'm a lot better than I used to be!" I'll chalk up all the reflection to a few things...1) the passing of my mother 2) reconnecting with so many different people from different stages of my life via social networks 3) age and maturity. I have had so many voices and words replay in my head and some made me smile while others caused me to pause and give thought and consideration to what was said....said about me. I've thought about who I thought I was, who I think I am and who I want to be. And then I've had to rethink it all and question weather or not it is at all in line with who God wants me to be. And there it is....the bottom line.
You see, I cannot define me, nor can my family, friends, social status, church, or this world. I'm defined by God. I'm an unfinished set of works and I hope I'm improving in such a manner that I am becoming better than I was and more and more pleasing to Him. For pleasing Him is really all that matters.
There are so many elements of ME that I want to improve upon and I feel that I'll get that accomplished. It is for certain a process.
So how are YOU doing?
Take a minute and think about it...
....
....
....
What exactly did you consider? Your job? Family? Relationships? Finances? Emotional well-being? Physical well-being?
Did you consider how you're doing with YOU?
I've seemed to be very reflective lately on just how I'm doing. And I think I, like our pastor mentioned a couple of weeks ago...."I'm not perfect but I'm a lot better than I used to be!" I'll chalk up all the reflection to a few things...1) the passing of my mother 2) reconnecting with so many different people from different stages of my life via social networks 3) age and maturity. I have had so many voices and words replay in my head and some made me smile while others caused me to pause and give thought and consideration to what was said....said about me. I've thought about who I thought I was, who I think I am and who I want to be. And then I've had to rethink it all and question weather or not it is at all in line with who God wants me to be. And there it is....the bottom line.
You see, I cannot define me, nor can my family, friends, social status, church, or this world. I'm defined by God. I'm an unfinished set of works and I hope I'm improving in such a manner that I am becoming better than I was and more and more pleasing to Him. For pleasing Him is really all that matters.
There are so many elements of ME that I want to improve upon and I feel that I'll get that accomplished. It is for certain a process.
So how are YOU doing?
well, after having been gone a few days this week my favorite fella came home Friday evening and we had the privileged of having a date night. we took in Silver Linings Playbook and we both really enjoyed the movie. quirky yet interesting it moved right along and i really enjoyed the plot and the characters. i tried so hard to make it through the movie with out any popcorn....i failed! i swear that stuff is crack! lol i only made it through the last trailer. but hey, what's a movie without the pop corn? it really adds to the ambiance!
saturday brought about quite a full day! senior day and final end of year swim meet & banquet, eye appointment, mani-kat, pedi-me, and then evening out with the supper club. it was our first outing of the new year. destination of choice was Day & Night located in Peru. what a nice atmosphere and setting for our area. nicely decorated, beautiful bar and good selection of menu items set the tone for a great dining experience. hope to return on a tuesday evening sometime, as tuesday's are Cole Porter night which features live entertainment & 1/2 price martini's (although i've never had a martini). we rounded out the evening back at Paul & Jessicas for dessert! Rachel, Jake & Chelsea made the yummiest of cake balls and pretzel bites.
today is sunday....the kids will be leaving soon for winter jam. they'll be gone all day and i'm certain they'll be filled with the spirit. not sure what today will hold for andy & i. i'm hoping we will take to the road and take in some local fare. without a doubt he'll want to get over to amboy to tie up some more loose ends.
saturday brought about quite a full day! senior day and final end of year swim meet & banquet, eye appointment, mani-kat, pedi-me, and then evening out with the supper club. it was our first outing of the new year. destination of choice was Day & Night located in Peru. what a nice atmosphere and setting for our area. nicely decorated, beautiful bar and good selection of menu items set the tone for a great dining experience. hope to return on a tuesday evening sometime, as tuesday's are Cole Porter night which features live entertainment & 1/2 price martini's (although i've never had a martini). we rounded out the evening back at Paul & Jessicas for dessert! Rachel, Jake & Chelsea made the yummiest of cake balls and pretzel bites.
today is sunday....the kids will be leaving soon for winter jam. they'll be gone all day and i'm certain they'll be filled with the spirit. not sure what today will hold for andy & i. i'm hoping we will take to the road and take in some local fare. without a doubt he'll want to get over to amboy to tie up some more loose ends.
