As August comes to a close, I think I am going to take a blogging break. One blogger I follow took the entire month of August off. While I missed reading her posts, I understand the need to step away for a bit.
Instead of blogging almost every day, I plan to concentrate on "cleaning up" some of my previous posts. I also hope to continue with Music Monday and Thankful Thursday posts, and possibly one other post each week, as time allows.
Time off is a good thing. : )
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thankful Thursday
I talked with K tonight. She had just finished teaching at the community college in the Loop where she works as an adjunct professor and she was waiting to meet a friend for a late dinner and drink. Class had gone really well and she was upbeat.
It seems like forever since I have had a conversation with K where she wasn't sobbing or so deeply depressed she could barely talk. I know that K is still a long way from healing from her breakup with KC, but she is making progress.
I'm thankful that K is excited about teaching and I'm thankful that she is taking steps toward regaining her self confidence. K is a beautiful young woman, on the inside and outside. The hurt she suffered when KC broke up with her will never fully go away, but thankfully she's not letting his rejection define her.
It seems like forever since I have had a conversation with K where she wasn't sobbing or so deeply depressed she could barely talk. I know that K is still a long way from healing from her breakup with KC, but she is making progress.
I'm thankful that K is excited about teaching and I'm thankful that she is taking steps toward regaining her self confidence. K is a beautiful young woman, on the inside and outside. The hurt she suffered when KC broke up with her will never fully go away, but thankfully she's not letting his rejection define her.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Nothing to say
I had a less than satisfying conversation with my mom this evening. Lately it seems like this has been happening more and more often. : /
I've come to the conclusion that both my mother and I are depressed. I hope I'm wrong about my mom, but I know I'm right about me.
My mom and I are at a point in our lives where not much is going on. She told me years ago that the happiest time in her life was when my brother and I were in high school and college and the house was filled with our friends and she was involved with our activities and athletics. She didn't look forward to the empty nest years like some women do.
I don't know why I thought I would be different than my mom. Maybe because she was a thousand times better mom than I could ever hope to be . . . maybe because she didn't have very many friends and I had (or so I thought) lots of friends . . . maybe because I didn't want to think that I would lose interest in living my own life when my kids grew up and moved on with their own lives?
Now when we talk on the phone, my mom and I talk about my kids and what they're doing. If we talk about our own lives, the conversation is brief. There's just not that much to talk about.
I've come to the conclusion that both my mother and I are depressed. I hope I'm wrong about my mom, but I know I'm right about me.
My mom and I are at a point in our lives where not much is going on. She told me years ago that the happiest time in her life was when my brother and I were in high school and college and the house was filled with our friends and she was involved with our activities and athletics. She didn't look forward to the empty nest years like some women do.
I don't know why I thought I would be different than my mom. Maybe because she was a thousand times better mom than I could ever hope to be . . . maybe because she didn't have very many friends and I had (or so I thought) lots of friends . . . maybe because I didn't want to think that I would lose interest in living my own life when my kids grew up and moved on with their own lives?
Now when we talk on the phone, my mom and I talk about my kids and what they're doing. If we talk about our own lives, the conversation is brief. There's just not that much to talk about.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Music Monday
Praying for K and hoping that she will hold on to the One who loves her perfectly and will never disappoint her or reject her. Even in the hard times in life, God is blessing you K. Every day He is blessing you.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Lies moms tell
If a mom tries to tell you that she never lies to her children . . . she's lying.
I will readily admit, mostly without shame, that I have lied to my kids. One of the biggest lies I told my kids when they were little concerned the music truck.
I will readily admit, mostly without shame, that I have lied to my kids. One of the biggest lies I told my kids when they were little concerned the music truck.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Don't give in to weariness
It seems like I have spent all week planning for today. More specifically, planning for the meal that I needed to make and deliver to a family at my church. Originally I was supposed to provide the meal for Tuesday, but the mom decided that Friday would work best for them.
Last night I baked the chicken. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. I bought cut-up thighs and drumsticks, but they weren't skinless. No problem. I know how to skin and trim chicken. Well I don't know what Jim Perdue fed these chickens, but their skin was attached tightly enough to survive a nuclear holocaust. When I finally had my 10 pieces skinned and trimmed, my hands were aching. Mixing the baking sauce was easy and the chicken looked great when I took it out of the oven. Unfortunately I had to wait another hour for it to cool enough so I could put it in the fridge. It was past three o'clock before I climbed in bed.
This morning I prepped the veggies for fried rice and made fruit salad. Again, how hard could it be to cut up some vegetables and put together a fruit salad? I will admit, the fruit was easy; I used canned tropical fruit and Mandarin oranges and added in fresh strawberries and blueberries. The veggies were a different story. When I was finished dicing bell peppers and cubing carrots, my hands were aching again. I also had to thinly slice green onions and cut up snow peas. I give my hands and fingers a workout every day on my keyboard and mouse, but using a knife for an extended period of time obviously utilizes totally different muscles. Even all the warm, soapy water I used to wash the mountain of dishes I generated didn't soothe the ache.
As much as my hands hurt, my feet hurt even more. Normally I don't stand for hours on end, so that was a painful novelty for my feet that were already sore from a self-diagnosed heel spur. : / In the car on the way to drop off the meal, struggling with sleep deprivation and pain, I told G to stop me if I ever agreed to provide a meal again. Wisely, he said nothing.
Of course I will say yes when the meal coordinator or the event coordinator e-mail to ask for a salad for a bereavement luncheon, cookies for a new member reception, or a meal for a family that is experiencing a crisis. I may not say yes (or be able to say yes) the very next time I'm asked, but I will definitely respond to a need when it's within my ability to meet the need. I've been on the receiving end of meals when my third child was born and when my grandparents died, so I know what a blessing it is to not have to think about what to have for dinner when fixing a meal is the lowest priority in a day filled with emotion and exhaustion.
At the end of the day, and in the midst of the day, I was very physically weary. But by God's grace, as tired as I was, I did not grow weary of doing good. I'm thankful that I've learned that providing this meal was more about serving and glorifying the Lord than it was about making sure the W family was able to eat dinner.
Last night I baked the chicken. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. I bought cut-up thighs and drumsticks, but they weren't skinless. No problem. I know how to skin and trim chicken. Well I don't know what Jim Perdue fed these chickens, but their skin was attached tightly enough to survive a nuclear holocaust. When I finally had my 10 pieces skinned and trimmed, my hands were aching. Mixing the baking sauce was easy and the chicken looked great when I took it out of the oven. Unfortunately I had to wait another hour for it to cool enough so I could put it in the fridge. It was past three o'clock before I climbed in bed.
This morning I prepped the veggies for fried rice and made fruit salad. Again, how hard could it be to cut up some vegetables and put together a fruit salad? I will admit, the fruit was easy; I used canned tropical fruit and Mandarin oranges and added in fresh strawberries and blueberries. The veggies were a different story. When I was finished dicing bell peppers and cubing carrots, my hands were aching again. I also had to thinly slice green onions and cut up snow peas. I give my hands and fingers a workout every day on my keyboard and mouse, but using a knife for an extended period of time obviously utilizes totally different muscles. Even all the warm, soapy water I used to wash the mountain of dishes I generated didn't soothe the ache.
As much as my hands hurt, my feet hurt even more. Normally I don't stand for hours on end, so that was a painful novelty for my feet that were already sore from a self-diagnosed heel spur. : / In the car on the way to drop off the meal, struggling with sleep deprivation and pain, I told G to stop me if I ever agreed to provide a meal again. Wisely, he said nothing.
Of course I will say yes when the meal coordinator or the event coordinator e-mail to ask for a salad for a bereavement luncheon, cookies for a new member reception, or a meal for a family that is experiencing a crisis. I may not say yes (or be able to say yes) the very next time I'm asked, but I will definitely respond to a need when it's within my ability to meet the need. I've been on the receiving end of meals when my third child was born and when my grandparents died, so I know what a blessing it is to not have to think about what to have for dinner when fixing a meal is the lowest priority in a day filled with emotion and exhaustion.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians and encouraged them, and all of us, with these words: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I heard it on the radio
I should probably have a regular feature called I heard it on the radio. It seems like I've written a fair number of posts about topics or comments I've heard on Moody Radio and there have been lots more I could have written about but didn't.
Today I heard two things that resonated with me and my circumstances. The first one was actually pretty shocking. I wish I had caught this guy's name because what he had to say was unlike anything I had ever heard on Moody before. I almost expected a deep announcer's voice to break into the broadcast and give the standard disclaimer "The views expressed here are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of this station."
The speaker was talking about marriage relationships, specifically long-term marriages of 30 years or more. He said that it was NORMAL for people to not always be in love with their spouse. I don't think this man was talking about being peeved with your husband because he forgot to put the toilet seat down . . . again. I got the distinct impression that he meant truly not having loving feelings toward one's husband or wife for a prolonged period of time.
I cannot begin to tell you the relief I felt when I heard the speaker describe my feelings (or lack thereof) as normal. I'm not naive or stupid enough to think that all married couples that aren't on the brink of divorce, or contemplating it, are happily, blissfully in love with each other, but I had sort of assumed that my periodic apathy was peculiar to me. Apparently there are other people, lots of people, who have had the same experience.
The second thing I heard piggybacks onto the first. Pastor James Ford, Jr. was talking about people who want something that they're not prepared to handle. He used the example of someone who really wants and can afford to buy a huge house, but hasn't thought the matter through carefully enough to make sure they'll be able to afford the increased utilities, insurance, and taxes. Pastor Ford cautioned that a person may have what it takes to get into it, but does he/she have what it takes to maintain it?
I wasn't able to listen to the rest of the broadcast, so I'm not sure how Pastor Ford tied his statement and example to the rest of the message, but I was able to make an application based on my own life that connected with the program I had heard earlier.
For me, the statement described the approach many people take towards love and marriage. They have enough love to enter into a marriage, but it's debatable if they have enough commitment to maintain the marriage, especially if their love wanes or situations and circumstances change.
G and I haven'talways often properly approached and dealt with issues in our marriage. But I feel that there is one thing that we have done right. From the very beginning we determined that the commitment we made to one another on our wedding day was a lifelong commitment and we agreed that the word divorce would not be part of our relationship vocabulary. That certainly doesn't mean that there haven't been times that I've entertained the idea of divorce. I can't speak for G, but I'm pretty sure that the thought has crossed his mind once or twice -- I am not an easy person to live with. : / Thankfully we have been able, by the grace of God and belief in His Word, to continue to honor the vows that we made almost 32 years ago.
Even if there have been times when our love has been on life support, we've stood firm against taking the easy (and wrong) way out. When we got married, G and I had enough love to commit to one another and begin our life together. And years later we have enough love to maintain what we started.
Today I heard two things that resonated with me and my circumstances. The first one was actually pretty shocking. I wish I had caught this guy's name because what he had to say was unlike anything I had ever heard on Moody before. I almost expected a deep announcer's voice to break into the broadcast and give the standard disclaimer "The views expressed here are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of this station."
The speaker was talking about marriage relationships, specifically long-term marriages of 30 years or more. He said that it was NORMAL for people to not always be in love with their spouse. I don't think this man was talking about being peeved with your husband because he forgot to put the toilet seat down . . . again. I got the distinct impression that he meant truly not having loving feelings toward one's husband or wife for a prolonged period of time.
I cannot begin to tell you the relief I felt when I heard the speaker describe my feelings (or lack thereof) as normal. I'm not naive or stupid enough to think that all married couples that aren't on the brink of divorce, or contemplating it, are happily, blissfully in love with each other, but I had sort of assumed that my periodic apathy was peculiar to me. Apparently there are other people, lots of people, who have had the same experience.
The second thing I heard piggybacks onto the first. Pastor James Ford, Jr. was talking about people who want something that they're not prepared to handle. He used the example of someone who really wants and can afford to buy a huge house, but hasn't thought the matter through carefully enough to make sure they'll be able to afford the increased utilities, insurance, and taxes. Pastor Ford cautioned that a person may have what it takes to get into it, but does he/she have what it takes to maintain it?
I wasn't able to listen to the rest of the broadcast, so I'm not sure how Pastor Ford tied his statement and example to the rest of the message, but I was able to make an application based on my own life that connected with the program I had heard earlier.
For me, the statement described the approach many people take towards love and marriage. They have enough love to enter into a marriage, but it's debatable if they have enough commitment to maintain the marriage, especially if their love wanes or situations and circumstances change.
G and I haven't
Even if there have been times when our love has been on life support, we've stood firm against taking the easy (and wrong) way out. When we got married, G and I had enough love to commit to one another and begin our life together. And years later we have enough love to maintain what we started.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
A servant heart (sort of)
I don't naturally have a servant heart. I have to really stretch myself when it comes to some areas of service, and sometimes I don't even bother to stretch -- I just say "no." But one area where I find it easier to serve is providing meals for individuals or families that are experiencing a health crisis or other challenges.
Today I planned to take a meal to a family of 6: dad, mom, and four kids. The meal coordinator at church contacted me and I agreed to provide the family's dinner. After I said yes, the woman e-mailed back to let me know that one of the children is allergic to dairy and sensitive to gluten. Okay, that's good information to know, but it really complicates planning what to make. And to be honest, if I had known about the restrictions ahead of time, I might not have agreed so readily. That confession doesn't reflect well on me, but I'm being truthful.
I'm used to planning meals to accommodate my husband's pescetarian diet, but gluten-free is outside my repertoire and, to me, dairy-free is just wrong. I don't think I could live without cheese or ice cream. : / In cases such as this, the internet and Google are my best friends. After a little bit of searching, I decided to make a baked chicken entree that sounded similar to orange chicken and also fried rice. A fruit salad and store-bought, gluten-free shortbread cookies would round out the meal.
With the menu decided, all I had to do was shop, cook, and deliver the meal. Yesterday I contacted the mom to see when they would like to have dinner. No one answered the phone so I left a voice message asking her to call me back. By midday today I still hadn't heard from her. Fortunately she answered the phone when I called again. Unfortunately she told me that someone else was already bringing a meal to their family this evening and she asked if I could bring my meal another day.
Uh, sure. I mean I have everything in my refrigerator now, ready to go, but I guess it can keep another three days until I deliver the meal on Friday. I probably need to check the sell by date on the chicken thighs and drumsticks I bought; they might need to go in the freezer for a day or two to make sure they're still fresh.
So here's where I need to be honest again. When I ended the phone conversation, I was a little ticked off with the mom, but mostly with the meal coordinator. The mom asked me if I could bring the dinner on a different day, perhaps next Tuesday. I knew the food I had purchased wouldn't last a whole week (especially the two batches of rice that my husband had made in the rice cooker first thing this morning). But I also knew that the meal coordinator had another person lined up to bring a meal to this family on Tuesday. Apparently she hadn't communicated that info to the mom . . . just like she hadn't communicated that I was going to bring a meal today. : /
I think it's great that family, neighbors, and small group or adult Sunday School members are also stepping in to help out, but with clear communication, there shouldn't be miscues like the one I experienced today. I'm glad that I was able to respond to this family's need for a meal on Friday instead of Tuesday, but I feel like my heart, not just my hands, needs to be flexible too.
One of my former small group leaders (now at home with the Lord) said that hospitality is seldom convenient. I think the same could be said for service. Chances are life will already be uncomfortably full when the phone rings and someone asks you to provide a meal, drive an immigrant to a doctor appointment, or step in as a last minute substitute for a nursery worker. It's one thing to respond on your own terms -- when it's convenient for me, when it's something I want to do. It's another thing entirely to respond unconditionally without counting the cost or inconvenience. If I want to truly have a servant heart, I need to strive to respond selflessly instead of getting hung up on petty details or trying to put my needs first.
Today I planned to take a meal to a family of 6: dad, mom, and four kids. The meal coordinator at church contacted me and I agreed to provide the family's dinner. After I said yes, the woman e-mailed back to let me know that one of the children is allergic to dairy and sensitive to gluten. Okay, that's good information to know, but it really complicates planning what to make. And to be honest, if I had known about the restrictions ahead of time, I might not have agreed so readily. That confession doesn't reflect well on me, but I'm being truthful.
I'm used to planning meals to accommodate my husband's pescetarian diet, but gluten-free is outside my repertoire and, to me, dairy-free is just wrong. I don't think I could live without cheese or ice cream. : / In cases such as this, the internet and Google are my best friends. After a little bit of searching, I decided to make a baked chicken entree that sounded similar to orange chicken and also fried rice. A fruit salad and store-bought, gluten-free shortbread cookies would round out the meal.
With the menu decided, all I had to do was shop, cook, and deliver the meal. Yesterday I contacted the mom to see when they would like to have dinner. No one answered the phone so I left a voice message asking her to call me back. By midday today I still hadn't heard from her. Fortunately she answered the phone when I called again. Unfortunately she told me that someone else was already bringing a meal to their family this evening and she asked if I could bring my meal another day.
Uh, sure. I mean I have everything in my refrigerator now, ready to go, but I guess it can keep another three days until I deliver the meal on Friday. I probably need to check the sell by date on the chicken thighs and drumsticks I bought; they might need to go in the freezer for a day or two to make sure they're still fresh.
So here's where I need to be honest again. When I ended the phone conversation, I was a little ticked off with the mom, but mostly with the meal coordinator. The mom asked me if I could bring the dinner on a different day, perhaps next Tuesday. I knew the food I had purchased wouldn't last a whole week (especially the two batches of rice that my husband had made in the rice cooker first thing this morning). But I also knew that the meal coordinator had another person lined up to bring a meal to this family on Tuesday. Apparently she hadn't communicated that info to the mom . . . just like she hadn't communicated that I was going to bring a meal today. : /
I think it's great that family, neighbors, and small group or adult Sunday School members are also stepping in to help out, but with clear communication, there shouldn't be miscues like the one I experienced today. I'm glad that I was able to respond to this family's need for a meal on Friday instead of Tuesday, but I feel like my heart, not just my hands, needs to be flexible too.
One of my former small group leaders (now at home with the Lord) said that hospitality is seldom convenient. I think the same could be said for service. Chances are life will already be uncomfortably full when the phone rings and someone asks you to provide a meal, drive an immigrant to a doctor appointment, or step in as a last minute substitute for a nursery worker. It's one thing to respond on your own terms -- when it's convenient for me, when it's something I want to do. It's another thing entirely to respond unconditionally without counting the cost or inconvenience. If I want to truly have a servant heart, I need to strive to respond selflessly instead of getting hung up on petty details or trying to put my needs first.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Out of control
I feel like I'm out of control. Not in a wild way, but I'm definitely not in control of my time or will.
Today I walked past E's bedroom/G's office and saw that the light was flashing on the answering machine. I knew that I should listen to the message, but I couldn't make myself go in the room and push the button.
How stupid is that?
It took me most of the day before I could work up the energy to take a shower -- and then it was several hours later that I finally made myself go to Target to buy necessities that I had already put off getting for several days.
I need to write several thank you notes.
I need to go to the laundromat.
I need to go to the grocery store so I can make a meal for a church family.
I need to shave my legs.
I need to figure out some finance things with M's expenses.
I need to register for Women's Bible Study.
I need to practice my ukulele.
I need to go to bed earlier than 3:30am.
I need to wake up earlier than 11:00am.
I need to find the Patterson family Bible.
I need to have purpose in my day and in my life.
I'm out of control and I need help.
Today I walked past E's bedroom/G's office and saw that the light was flashing on the answering machine. I knew that I should listen to the message, but I couldn't make myself go in the room and push the button.
How stupid is that?
It took me most of the day before I could work up the energy to take a shower -- and then it was several hours later that I finally made myself go to Target to buy necessities that I had already put off getting for several days.
I need to write several thank you notes.
I need to go to the laundromat.
I need to go to the grocery store so I can make a meal for a church family.
I need to shave my legs.
I need to figure out some finance things with M's expenses.
I need to register for Women's Bible Study.
I need to practice my ukulele.
I need to go to bed earlier than 3:30am.
I need to wake up earlier than 11:00am.
I need to find the Patterson family Bible.
I need to have purpose in my day and in my life.
I'm out of control and I need help.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Back to blah
How quickly the fun feeling of a vacation or a brief getaway fades and it's right back to blah. I wish the excitement of seeing new places and trying different foods and activities could last long after the bags have been unpacked and life has returned to normal (whatever normal is).
M has been back at Purdue for a few weeks, but I still feel as if she's living here. I find myself wondering where she is and when she'll be back. But she isn't coming back, at least not until Christmas. It's just G and me and therein lies the blah.
M has been back at Purdue for a few weeks, but I still feel as if she's living here. I find myself wondering where she is and when she'll be back. But she isn't coming back, at least not until Christmas. It's just G and me and therein lies the blah.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Good-bye, too soon
Time flies when you're having fun, and we have had fun in Virginia with E and N. It would have been better if we could have visited over a weekend when N would have been home from work, but this was the only time we could come.
E, M, and J went hiking on the Appalachian Trail from one trailhead not too far from E and N's house to another trailhead 12 miles away. I guess it was a pretty challenging hike, especially at the end when they scaled the Dragon's Tooth.
E, M, and J went hiking on the Appalachian Trail from one trailhead not too far from E and N's house to another trailhead 12 miles away. I guess it was a pretty challenging hike, especially at the end when they scaled the Dragon's Tooth.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Leaving
We're leaving soon for West Lafayette. Bright and early in the morning we'll drive to Virginia to spend two days with E and N. M has missed her sister, especially since she was in Australia when E and N moved to Catawba. She's seen lots of pictures of their home, but she also wants to see it in person and meet the goats.
I really don't mind making the trip, although I wasn't planning on spending all that money on gasoline and food (restaurant meals and road snacks) quite so soon after our last trip. M's study abroad in Sydney took a big bite out of our savings and I was hoping we could economize and build up our reserve before Christmas.
To make matters more challenging, M's bf, J, is coming with us. M really wanted us to let her drive our Civic to Virginia with J so they could make the trip, just the two of them. Uh, no way. As a compromise we agreed that J could come with us. I am not looking forward to spending four days straight with J, including two days that will be spent almost exclusively in the car. Even in Virginia we will be together 24/7. I'm not sure how that will work, since J has made his dislike of me known and I am not fond of him either, but make more of an effort to be pleasant. For M's sake, and everyone else, I will make a very good effort. I just wish this was a "family only" trip.
I really don't mind making the trip, although I wasn't planning on spending all that money on gasoline and food (restaurant meals and road snacks) quite so soon after our last trip. M's study abroad in Sydney took a big bite out of our savings and I was hoping we could economize and build up our reserve before Christmas.
To make matters more challenging, M's bf, J, is coming with us. M really wanted us to let her drive our Civic to Virginia with J so they could make the trip, just the two of them. Uh, no way. As a compromise we agreed that J could come with us. I am not looking forward to spending four days straight with J, including two days that will be spent almost exclusively in the car. Even in Virginia we will be together 24/7. I'm not sure how that will work, since J has made his dislike of me known and I am not fond of him either, but make more of an effort to be pleasant. For M's sake, and everyone else, I will make a very good effort. I just wish this was a "family only" trip.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Almost over
The closing ceremony for the London Olympics 2012 is tomorrow. I have to admit I have grown a little weary of Olympic coverage, especially now that NBC has been forced to resort to fringe sports such as rhythmic gymnastics and wrestling -- ugh.
But there was some excitement today, especially if one of your favorite sport phrases is "Boiler Up!" Boilermaker diver par excellence, David Boudia, won the gold medal in the 10 meter platform diving competition! I was very happy for David. His hard work has paid off and he has been a great ambassador for Purdue University.
Boudia has also been a great testimony for the Lord. He's admitted that he went in to the Beijing Olympics 2008 totally focused on winning in order to gain glory for himself. After the disappointment of that competition (he ended up in 10th place) Boudia changed his priorities. He says it best in this quote from two months ago.*
But there was some excitement today, especially if one of your favorite sport phrases is "Boiler Up!" Boilermaker diver par excellence, David Boudia, won the gold medal in the 10 meter platform diving competition! I was very happy for David. His hard work has paid off and he has been a great ambassador for Purdue University.
Boudia has also been a great testimony for the Lord. He's admitted that he went in to the Beijing Olympics 2008 totally focused on winning in order to gain glory for himself. After the disappointment of that competition (he ended up in 10th place) Boudia changed his priorities. He says it best in this quote from two months ago.*
“In 2008, I was caught up in the hoopla of the Olympics. I was chasing
after things that vanish. This time I’m chasing the things that mean the
most to me and that’s enjoying the journey and glorifying God. The
results in London will take care of themselves.”
Congratulations David -- your gold medal winning performance has made your family and Boilermakers everywhere very proud, but I suspect you have pleased the Lord even more with your humble attitude and desire to bring glory to His name.
*quote taken from purdue.edu record-maker series.
*quote taken from purdue.edu record-maker series.
Friday, August 10, 2012
A day for me
After two days that were almost totally given over to helping someone else, today was a day just for me.
I slept in (sort of).
I finally got my hair cut and highlighted. It had only been four months or so and my hair was the longest it's ever been, even when I was in high school.
I made plans to see a movie tomorrow with a friend so a little bit of today's "all about me" attitude will carry over to Saturday. Yay!
Next week I'll be focused on keeping my family happy and civil on a quick trip to Virginia to see E and N. I'm glad today (and a little bit of tomorrow) was just for me. : )
I slept in (sort of).
I finally got my hair cut and highlighted. It had only been four months or so and my hair was the longest it's ever been, even when I was in high school.
I made plans to see a movie tomorrow with a friend so a little bit of today's "all about me" attitude will carry over to Saturday. Yay!
Next week I'll be focused on keeping my family happy and civil on a quick trip to Virginia to see E and N. I'm glad today (and a little bit of tomorrow) was just for me. : )
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Holding my breath
I feel as if I've gone through most of my life holding my breath, waiting for disaster to strike. So if disaster is lightning, thunder is rumbling uncomfortably nearby.
K called this evening, in tears, to say that she was pretty sure that KC was going to break up with her. She has no idea what happened to make things change, but something has changed . . . seemingly not for the better.
G and I have walked down this path with K before. Three years ago her DePaul boyfriend broke up with her over the phone on their six-month anniversary. K was blindsided. The timing couldn't have been worse -- a week or so before final exams. It took K a long time to recover from that hurt, a long time before she was willing to be vulnerable and willing to trust again.
If KC does break up with K, the repercussions will be huge. They work together in a relatively small (both in head count and square footage) office. They have a number of friends in common. KC's family likes K and she likes them. We, in turn, like KC and have enjoyed the time we've spent with him.
I love K and would do almost anything to keep her from being hurt, but it's already too late for that. She has been hurt and her trust in KC has been shaken. I don't know what to do except pray and hold my breath.
K called this evening, in tears, to say that she was pretty sure that KC was going to break up with her. She has no idea what happened to make things change, but something has changed . . . seemingly not for the better.
G and I have walked down this path with K before. Three years ago her DePaul boyfriend broke up with her over the phone on their six-month anniversary. K was blindsided. The timing couldn't have been worse -- a week or so before final exams. It took K a long time to recover from that hurt, a long time before she was willing to be vulnerable and willing to trust again.
If KC does break up with K, the repercussions will be huge. They work together in a relatively small (both in head count and square footage) office. They have a number of friends in common. KC's family likes K and she likes them. We, in turn, like KC and have enjoyed the time we've spent with him.
I love K and would do almost anything to keep her from being hurt, but it's already too late for that. She has been hurt and her trust in KC has been shaken. I don't know what to do except pray and hold my breath.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Music Monday
Someone posted something on K's fb page the other day that had me searching on YouTube for this classic. While I was at it, I checked out the lyrics too.
I can remember dancing to this song at a house party at ISU when I was probably a junior or senior in college, visiting girl friends I'd known since grade school. I'm sure there was alcohol involved, but I don't remember anything getting out of hand.
Fun times. : )
I can remember dancing to this song at a house party at ISU when I was probably a junior or senior in college, visiting girl friends I'd known since grade school. I'm sure there was alcohol involved, but I don't remember anything getting out of hand.
Fun times. : )
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Similarities and differences
Twenty-seven years ago today was one of the best days of my life. It was my due date for my first pregnancy and I had just celebrated my 27th birthday exactly one week earlier.
August 5, 1985 -- 8/5/85 -- a perfect day to have a baby. A perfect day to give birth to my first daughter, my precious E.
Today E is 27, the same age I was when I gave birth to her. The significance of her age isn't lost on me. I have often wondered if she would have a child by her 27th birthday. I didn't think she would, but the possibility existed.
In 1958 when I was born, my mother was 19; I know she wouldn't have wanted me to follow in her footsteps in that regard. She left college to get married and was never able to return to finish her degree.
Even though E and I both married soon after college graduation, our similarities have diverged from that point. E enrolled in graduate school and earned her MS; I started working for the company who would be my employer for twenty years. Three months before my 5th wedding anniversary, I gave birth to E. Three weeks ago E and N celebrated their 5th anniversary. Maybe E and N will eventually have a child(ren), but maybe they won't -- only God knows.
What I do know is that the "numbers" that E and I share are very interesting:
My birth year -- 1958
E's birth year -- 1985
When I was 30, E was 3.
When I was 41, E was 14.
When I was 52, E was 25.
At 54, E is half my age, 27 -- the age I was when I gave birth to her.
God willing, if I live to be 63, E will be 36.
God willing, if I live to be 74, E will be 47.
God willing, if I live to be 85, E will be 58.
God willing, if I live to be 96, E will be 69.
I'm not a math whiz -- I married G because he has an MA in math -- but there must be some sort of algorithm that explains this reflexive phenomenon. Without understanding the "why" behind it, I think it is just one more thing, a cool coincidence, that connects me to the daughter that I love so dearly.
August 5, 1985 -- 8/5/85 -- a perfect day to have a baby. A perfect day to give birth to my first daughter, my precious E.
Today E is 27, the same age I was when I gave birth to her. The significance of her age isn't lost on me. I have often wondered if she would have a child by her 27th birthday. I didn't think she would, but the possibility existed.
In 1958 when I was born, my mother was 19; I know she wouldn't have wanted me to follow in her footsteps in that regard. She left college to get married and was never able to return to finish her degree.
Even though E and I both married soon after college graduation, our similarities have diverged from that point. E enrolled in graduate school and earned her MS; I started working for the company who would be my employer for twenty years. Three months before my 5th wedding anniversary, I gave birth to E. Three weeks ago E and N celebrated their 5th anniversary. Maybe E and N will eventually have a child(ren), but maybe they won't -- only God knows.
What I do know is that the "numbers" that E and I share are very interesting:
My birth year -- 1958
E's birth year -- 1985
When I was 30, E was 3.
When I was 41, E was 14.
When I was 52, E was 25.
At 54, E is half my age, 27 -- the age I was when I gave birth to her.
God willing, if I live to be 63, E will be 36.
God willing, if I live to be 74, E will be 47.
God willing, if I live to be 85, E will be 58.
God willing, if I live to be 96, E will be 69.
I'm not a math whiz -- I married G because he has an MA in math -- but there must be some sort of algorithm that explains this reflexive phenomenon. Without understanding the "why" behind it, I think it is just one more thing, a cool coincidence, that connects me to the daughter that I love so dearly.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Not a good day
It was really hot and humid. : /
It stormed. Lots of lightning, wind, and rain. : /
G and I sniped at each other off and on all day long. : /
My desktop was acting up and G wasn't very responsive to my frustration. : /
We didn't have any decent food to eat. Our refrigerator is filled with condiments and that's about it. : /
Tomorrow is E's birthday and I won't be able to see her. : /
I hope Sunday is a much better day.
It stormed. Lots of lightning, wind, and rain. : /
G and I sniped at each other off and on all day long. : /
My desktop was acting up and G wasn't very responsive to my frustration. : /
We didn't have any decent food to eat. Our refrigerator is filled with condiments and that's about it. : /
Tomorrow is E's birthday and I won't be able to see her. : /
I hope Sunday is a much better day.
Friday, August 3, 2012
A nightmare
After I watched the prime time Olympic coverage, I switched over to Say Yes to the Dress. The episode I saw was about pregnant brides.
What a nightmare. One bride was 7 1/2 months pregnant and was planning to marry in a month. Another was just 3 1/2 months pregnant, but was shopping for the dress that she would wear at her wedding twenty months in the future. I guess she didn't feel a sense of urgency about tying the knot. The final bride was in for a dress fitting for her wedding that was still a month away . . . when she would be 8 1/2 months pregnant.
I think the definition of a nightmare would be if one of my daughters was a pregnant bride. Having already gone through gown shopping and wedding planning for one daughter, I can't imagine going through that fun, but stressful, process while also dealing with the challenges of preparing to welcome a baby into the world. Each event deserves to be celebrated on its own.
I know that the best laid plans go oft awry (apologies to Robert Burns) but I really hope that K and M wait until after they're married to start a family.
What a nightmare. One bride was 7 1/2 months pregnant and was planning to marry in a month. Another was just 3 1/2 months pregnant, but was shopping for the dress that she would wear at her wedding twenty months in the future. I guess she didn't feel a sense of urgency about tying the knot. The final bride was in for a dress fitting for her wedding that was still a month away . . . when she would be 8 1/2 months pregnant.
I think the definition of a nightmare would be if one of my daughters was a pregnant bride. Having already gone through gown shopping and wedding planning for one daughter, I can't imagine going through that fun, but stressful, process while also dealing with the challenges of preparing to welcome a baby into the world. Each event deserves to be celebrated on its own.
I know that the best laid plans go oft awry (apologies to Robert Burns) but I really hope that K and M wait until after they're married to start a family.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Losing to win
Shocking news from the London Olympics -- eight women's doubles players in badminton have been disqualified from competition. Their crime? Intentionally losing matches in order to qualify to play an easier opponent in the next round.
The teams from China, South Korea (two teams), and Indonesia all blamed one another for their actions. I guess they were using the "she made me do it" defense. Or maybe it was the "everyone is doing it" defense. Whatever. No one was buying what they were trying to sell.
In a last ditch effort to appear blameless, the athletes and their coaches claimed that the Badminton World Federation and the International Olympic Committee created the whole mess by utilizing a round-robin format for the tournament. This argument was their best effort to deflect the world's scorn and derision. While it is true that in a "one and done" arrangement teams and individuals must put forth their best effort or they risk spending the rest of the Olympics viewing the action from the nosebleed seats (assuming they can score a ticket), competitors are expected to put forth their best effort at all times, even in preliminary heats and pool play. Additionally, athletes should not act in a way that is abusive or detrimental to the sport.
Sadly, the expelled athletes failed on both counts. Their "losing" strategy failed spectacularly. Instead of losing in order to "win" and play another day, they lost and they lost it all.
The teams from China, South Korea (two teams), and Indonesia all blamed one another for their actions. I guess they were using the "she made me do it" defense. Or maybe it was the "everyone is doing it" defense. Whatever. No one was buying what they were trying to sell.
In a last ditch effort to appear blameless, the athletes and their coaches claimed that the Badminton World Federation and the International Olympic Committee created the whole mess by utilizing a round-robin format for the tournament. This argument was their best effort to deflect the world's scorn and derision. While it is true that in a "one and done" arrangement teams and individuals must put forth their best effort or they risk spending the rest of the Olympics viewing the action from the nosebleed seats (assuming they can score a ticket), competitors are expected to put forth their best effort at all times, even in preliminary heats and pool play. Additionally, athletes should not act in a way that is abusive or detrimental to the sport.
Sadly, the expelled athletes failed on both counts. Their "losing" strategy failed spectacularly. Instead of losing in order to "win" and play another day, they lost and they lost it all.
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