Then . . .
July 2005
Now
January 3, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ask and Receive?
Isn’t it great when you know a prayer is answered? Even a simple one?
I have had a little much needed time off. But I was not looking forward to returning to the routine. I love what I do, but there is apprehension with not knowing what to expect. So not liking the feeling of being slightly overwhelmed with the what if thoughts, I prayed. Prayed that God would use me, that I would feel invigorated about work. And it worked. I got to work and jumped in in getting set up. I felt energized and cheerful.
I asked . . . I recieved . . .
Now for not asking . . .
Then the snakes in my head woke up. Not about work, that part is still good. Traveler leaves back for school today. This holiday has been different from others due to the fact that we were the portal to World War Craft – online gaming, and we have internet, so she needed our home. We were in the presence of Traveler more than any other vacation/holiday. Granted, she was like The Man with his games, transfixed with the need to be only in the presence with the game itself. There was more interaction between the two of us, so that was a step in the right direction. Poor hubby has to deal with me wanting a friendly relationship and Traveler not being aware that there is any problem and being perfectly happy with things.
I had suggested last week that hubby take Traveler to lunch Friday, since she was leaving. That way they could have some “non-computer” time to chat. They did. We, hubby and me, had decided to take the boys to see a movie Friday night. I invited Traveler to go with us and she did. We had a really good time. While she was here, she made a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches on our little George Foreman. We were given a larger one for Christmas, so I offered for her to take it back to school. She is and she told her dad about it and was excited. She is vegetarian, so I sent two Loaded Baked Potato casseroles with her. Well sorta, she forgot them so we needed to get them to her today. She asked her dad to have lunch with her. I told him I would get them into a bag today and they could pick them up from me at the shop when they went to lunch.
Ok, so this is where the snakes come in. Inclusion – the state of being included. Somehow, this morning, in my mind, I decided they might invite me to join them. Many Tuesday’s I can’t leave for lunch, but today I could. Granted, hubby did not know that, but still, being invited, included would have been nice. So with all the aggravation and truly extreme differences in Traveler’s and my views, I still wanted to be included to feel accepted. Which I know if hubby read this would think is crazy! I also know that is rather narcissistic, but those were my thoughts, my desires.
So while one prayer was answered, I guess I forgot to continue to pray for the relationship between Traveler and me. I am sure come May, after graduation, we will have our next opportunity of togetherness. I don’t know what my prayer would be, except “Lord have Thine own way. . .”
I have had a little much needed time off. But I was not looking forward to returning to the routine. I love what I do, but there is apprehension with not knowing what to expect. So not liking the feeling of being slightly overwhelmed with the what if thoughts, I prayed. Prayed that God would use me, that I would feel invigorated about work. And it worked. I got to work and jumped in in getting set up. I felt energized and cheerful.
I asked . . . I recieved . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Now for not asking . . .
Then the snakes in my head woke up. Not about work, that part is still good. Traveler leaves back for school today. This holiday has been different from others due to the fact that we were the portal to World War Craft – online gaming, and we have internet, so she needed our home. We were in the presence of Traveler more than any other vacation/holiday. Granted, she was like The Man with his games, transfixed with the need to be only in the presence with the game itself. There was more interaction between the two of us, so that was a step in the right direction. Poor hubby has to deal with me wanting a friendly relationship and Traveler not being aware that there is any problem and being perfectly happy with things.
I had suggested last week that hubby take Traveler to lunch Friday, since she was leaving. That way they could have some “non-computer” time to chat. They did. We, hubby and me, had decided to take the boys to see a movie Friday night. I invited Traveler to go with us and she did. We had a really good time. While she was here, she made a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches on our little George Foreman. We were given a larger one for Christmas, so I offered for her to take it back to school. She is and she told her dad about it and was excited. She is vegetarian, so I sent two Loaded Baked Potato casseroles with her. Well sorta, she forgot them so we needed to get them to her today. She asked her dad to have lunch with her. I told him I would get them into a bag today and they could pick them up from me at the shop when they went to lunch.
Ok, so this is where the snakes come in. Inclusion – the state of being included. Somehow, this morning, in my mind, I decided they might invite me to join them. Many Tuesday’s I can’t leave for lunch, but today I could. Granted, hubby did not know that, but still, being invited, included would have been nice. So with all the aggravation and truly extreme differences in Traveler’s and my views, I still wanted to be included to feel accepted. Which I know if hubby read this would think is crazy! I also know that is rather narcissistic, but those were my thoughts, my desires.
So while one prayer was answered, I guess I forgot to continue to pray for the relationship between Traveler and me. I am sure come May, after graduation, we will have our next opportunity of togetherness. I don’t know what my prayer would be, except “Lord have Thine own way. . .”
Oral Fixations, Part II
Way back in the day, in the early days of this blog, way back in, well August, one of my early post was Oral Fixations. It was birthed by my frustrations with The Man and his chewing!
Yesterday, while the windows were open and the birds were chirping and I was refusing to go any shorter than capri work out pants (no shorts! It is still January!!), I was cleaning. Yes, spring cleaning, cuz I am going to be sitting on my rump while the rest of you are doing it in April! Just kidding, I'll have to do it again. Anyway, I digress, I did a little in The Man's room and thought I would update the unread post from back in the day.
See this assortment?
He had actually cleaned his room some over the weekend, so it is just a small one. See the empty box? 50 mechanical pencils were given at the beginning of school. How long should 50 mechanical pencils last? I mistakenly believed all year. I was wrong. I think the box was empty by Thanksgiving. He kept the box. Where are the pencils?
Well, see the small item to the right of the box?
Yesterday, while the windows were open and the birds were chirping and I was refusing to go any shorter than capri work out pants (no shorts! It is still January!!), I was cleaning. Yes, spring cleaning, cuz I am going to be sitting on my rump while the rest of you are doing it in April! Just kidding, I'll have to do it again. Anyway, I digress, I did a little in The Man's room and thought I would update the unread post from back in the day.
See this assortment?
He had actually cleaned his room some over the weekend, so it is just a small one. See the empty box? 50 mechanical pencils were given at the beginning of school. How long should 50 mechanical pencils last? I mistakenly believed all year. I was wrong. I think the box was empty by Thanksgiving. He kept the box. Where are the pencils?
Well, see the small item to the right of the box?
That is part of one. He either plays mechanic with the mechanical pencils and takes them apart, or he chews on them!
Monday, January 5, 2009
My World
What a strange world my world is lately. It is January 6th. It is in the 70's. We need to be in shorts - but I refuse!
And I followed the wornderful sweet scent to the Tea Olive . . .
So here is a little peak into my world today . . .
Dead grass is everywhere. The pine trees are losing their brown needles. So brown and dull green abound. And in the midst of it I found color! My camellias are loaded with buds, and then this one lonely bloom! But not for long, within days this bush will be weighted down with beautiful flowers.
I found red
And purple
And I followed the wornderful sweet scent to the Tea Olive . . .
Between the warm temperatures and bright days, now the color that is starting to peep through there are tugs at the strings of spring fever. But I know nature will take it care of it and a cold snap should come through any day now . Until then, I will continue with spring cleaning. Yup, so when spring is really sprung - I can sit back and relax!
Visit That's My World Tuesday for a peak into sites around the world - My World Tuesday
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Gifts of Friendship
Life is settling down, at least a bit, and I have some catching up to do.
In the midst of the scampering, scrambling, running, ducking and juggling of Christmas, I was blessed with being awarded. Twice!
The first one is the Spirit of Christmas award! While I was searching for it, Muse Swings wrapped it up as an award and sent it on . . .
It comes with 2 rules, the first is to name five things I love about Christmas and the second is to present this award to five other bloggers. Since Christmas is now over, I pass it on to all who would like to savor the season from the flip side. The calm side.
So, what do I love about Christmas?
1. Christmas music - love the music! In the stores, at home, in the car. Love it!
2. Christmas ornaments - it is exciting seeing what is tucked away in boxes waiting to be brought back out.
3. Salvation Army buckets - I love the bell ringing. I like it better when it is a cheerful bell ringer, but the bell works fine.
4. Christmas lights outside - it is fun seeing the child at heart displays set up by grown ups. Nothing short of cheerful
5. The calm that follows - the lack of demands and over crowded schedules. Sweet peace!
Check out the muse and save her from her hermit world!
...
I also received this delight of an award
From Gayle at Planet M Files home to kids, dogs, and crocheted guinea pigs! I have enjoyed watching her photography develop and sharing in her life.
I now pass this award on to:
Jane
Rhonda
DidiLynn
Linda
Sandi
Belle
And to all that I read. Narrowing this down is hard! I like all I read!
Have a great day!
" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."- Arabian Proverb
Friday, January 2, 2009
Puzzlement
CAPTCHA
That wonderful tool (I assume) that supposedly prevents us from getting spammed in our comment section.
When I first came across the true title for the verification code, I was impressed. It has it's own name.
Some of them I find annoying. They have weird lines through them that make it hard to sometimes to figure out what that letter or number is. Then some have spaces which they do not want you to include in the code. And are they case sensitive?
I enjoy some of the funny "words" that appear at times. Or the ones that are a true word and fits so appropriately with the content of the post.
But, those are characters of CAPTCHA that intrigue me. It is the little handicap icon to the right.
Have you ever clicked on it to see what it is about? I have, and it sounds awful, like something from a 1980's B rated horror flick, or playing someone’s record backwards. {side note - I guess CD's messed that up, no more hidden messages to be played backwards}.
Back on topic. So what intrigued me more is, who uses it? What handicap would this icon and audio verification aid? Dyslexia, maybe? Can't be blindness can it? If you can't see, you can't read. If you can't see, how would you know there was the icon to click to begin with?
Well, I have been home for a couple wonderful days. I use The Man's laptop to surf through bloggyland, just when he is not on it. So when he is online, and I wish to check out the world, I come this computer.
This computer that is about 7 years old now.
This computer that does not like to download all images.
This computer that is not friends with CAPTCHA.
Thus I need the handicap icon.
I can't see the icon, but I know it is there, and when I run my mouse over where it should be, it turns to the clicky hand and I click and I get the creepy voice with voices in his head that all can hear.
And I get to leave you a comment after all!
That wonderful tool (I assume) that supposedly prevents us from getting spammed in our comment section.
When I first came across the true title for the verification code, I was impressed. It has it's own name.
Some of them I find annoying. They have weird lines through them that make it hard to sometimes to figure out what that letter or number is. Then some have spaces which they do not want you to include in the code. And are they case sensitive?
I enjoy some of the funny "words" that appear at times. Or the ones that are a true word and fits so appropriately with the content of the post.
But, those are characters of CAPTCHA that intrigue me. It is the little handicap icon to the right.
Have you ever clicked on it to see what it is about? I have, and it sounds awful, like something from a 1980's B rated horror flick, or playing someone’s record backwards. {side note - I guess CD's messed that up, no more hidden messages to be played backwards}.
Back on topic. So what intrigued me more is, who uses it? What handicap would this icon and audio verification aid? Dyslexia, maybe? Can't be blindness can it? If you can't see, you can't read. If you can't see, how would you know there was the icon to click to begin with?
Well, I have been home for a couple wonderful days. I use The Man's laptop to surf through bloggyland, just when he is not on it. So when he is online, and I wish to check out the world, I come this computer.
This computer that is about 7 years old now.
This computer that does not like to download all images.
This computer that is not friends with CAPTCHA.
Thus I need the handicap icon.
I can't see the icon, but I know it is there, and when I run my mouse over where it should be, it turns to the clicky hand and I click and I get the creepy voice with voices in his head that all can hear.
And I get to leave you a comment after all!
Have you clicked the icon to hear your CAPTCHA code?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Superstitions
I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but growing up, our family did not have tons of traditions. Everything was understated. When we moved to Georgia, it was just the four of us. Holidays were simple. New Year's Eve was simple but looked upon with cheer. New Year's Day is my Dad's birthday, but it, too, was usually simple, for the most part, another day. As I grew up and then married, I learned there are a lot of traditions or superstitions that others observe. New Years is one of those holidays that makes me think of all the quirky little nuances that others might observe.
Got you confused yet? Well, this morning as I started the washing machine, I had my first chuckle regarding New Years. The first New Years spent with my ex husband's family was my induction to New Years in the South. Now some of this may be tradition every where, and I would just not know, but this was new too me. My, now ex, mother in law had called to see what we were doing and to make sure we were having black eyed peas, turnip greens and rice. We weren't.
On top of that, I was washing clothes. YOU DO NOT WASH CLOTHES ON NEW YEARS DAY!!
She was very upset. I am serious. Nothing playful about this, nor the lack of black eyed peas (for luck) or the turnip greens (yuck, for money) and the rice (I forget what that is/was). I stated we had dirty clothes, I was home, they needed to be washed. She then said "but if you wash them on New Years Day, you will be doing clothes all year!"
I held back my chuckle. I said I would be sure not to the following year, you know, just to test her intellegent deduction there. Right. Back to reality.
When it comes to superstitions, I tend to do the opposite. Step on a crack, break your mother's back. I step on the crack, not because I want to break my mother's back, just because it is a superstition. I bought my van on Friday the 13th . . . 6 years ago. I am so thankful for my van. My shop is in suite 13. Black cat in my path . . . I spook it! Turnip greens on New Years, yuck - not going to happen. As for washing? The wash is now in the dryer and another one will go in the washer.
My now inlaws celebrate New Year's in similar ways, at least with the menu and a few variations. There is not the do or die mentality associated with it. Just the fun of the traditions as opposed to the doom of superstition. So I will participate. The green does not have to be turnip greens. It can be broccoli or green beans. They do have black eyed peas and rice. They have one variation that makes it fun though. You know how many families have adopted the pickle in the Christmas tree tradition? Well, my mother in law (no, does not put a pickle in the food), adds a dime to the black eyed pea pot. Whoever finds the dime is supposed to have added wealth for the upcoming year. There really is no true emphasis put on that part, but the fun of finding the dime. The kids get excited to see who finds the dime. My husband added an extra dime a few years ago and did not tell anyone. That was funny when the second one was found.
What New Year's traditions do you hold dear or not so dear? Are you superstitious? Would you wash clothes on New Year's Day?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)