Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

I have embarked on a few new endeavors as of late.  Some of which have been successful - others haven't.  You can probably guess which are which by looking at the pictures.

 

New Haircut

 

I am calling it a success, but I guess that's a matter of opinion.  It had been a long time coming.  I needed a change and "Jacque" gave me that change.  Sure he smelled like cigarette smoke, had bad breath, and was an ultimate queen, but I left Salon Professionals not wanting to put a bag over my head (and $40 poorer).  That's all you can ask for.

 

Dwarf Japanese Holly Bonsai

 

This also goes into the success category, because it has made an interesting centerpiece for our coffee table, and that was my main goal.  I've been looking at all these books on bonsai and still have no idea what to do to the litte guy other than water it, so hopefully that's enough.

 

Oatmeal Cookies

 

Not a success.  I have no idea what happened.  I just followed the recipe, which usually produces fairly good results in my experience, and then this happened.  They don't taste that bad believe it or not, but I have a feeling they're not going to get eaten.  1)  Because we bought this cool cookie sampler from Aldi the other day that has tons of cookies.  2)  Because there are a ton of oatmeal cookies.  3)  Because they're too ugly to bring to work and pretend that I'm treating everyone.

 

So, as far as new endeavors go, I'm two for three.  I can live with that.

 

The Good Life

Recently, Dave and I had the good fortune to spend a day with our friend Ryan Siebert.  He invited us out to his homestead in Protem, Mo. and treated us to a day on the lake in his family's ski boat.  And what a pretty boat it was. 

 

We got to eat lunch (turkey sandwiches, Sun Chips, cookies and grapes) on the water and just talk about life.  In my humble opinion, there are few sensations that compete with cruising on the water on a beautiful day with the wind blowing through your hair.  And in this case, Kylie Minogue was playing in the background (thanks Ryan).

 

Another highlight of the day was getting to meet Molly, the Siebert family's Golden Retriever.  She was so sweet and cute and cuddly.  She made me think that someday I'll have a Molly of my own. 

 

As if the day wasn't good enough, we got to go back to Branson that evening and hang out with the Wyatts, two people I wouldn't trade for the world.

 

For me, friends, the outdoors and good food add up to equal the good life.  I got to live the good life this past weekend.

This isn't a political blog but...

I am not usually one to begin a discussion on politics, but I feel more strongly than usual about the importance of this election year and what it will mean for our country.  I hope you will take the time to read the excerpts below taken from Dr. James Dobson's (founder of Focus on the Family) October newsletter as you consider who to vote for on November 4.  Here are a few sections of the letter that I felt were most important/compelling: 

• Let's start with the need to elect a pro-family, pro-life President. The importance of this objective cannot be overstated. Between 2009 and 2012, there will likely be two or more opportunities for the President to nominate new justices to the Supreme Court. Some court watchers say there could be as many as four resignations. That alone should give us serious pause as we consider for whom to cast our votes. It will likely affect the definition of marriage, religious freedom, and the protection (or lack thereof) of life in the womb.

 

• Senator Obama's record is more liberal than that of any other Democrat in the Senate. For example, when he was a state senator in Illinois, he voted four times in three years against legislation that would have saved the lives of babies that managed to survive the abortion process. The U.S. Senate subsequently passed similar legislation called The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act by unanimous consent.6 (Obama was not a U.S. Senator at the time.) State Senator Obama was chairman of the committee that opposed this protection of babies, and in 2001 and 2002 was the only legislator who rose to argue against the Illinois Born Alive Act. To further underscore Senator Obama's radical devotion to abortion rights, he has promised that "the first thing I'd do as president" would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. The FOCA is a devastating piece of legislation that would overturn nearly every local, state, and federal anti-abortion law passed in the last 40 years.  In fact, it's so broadly written that legal analysts suggest the bill may prevent institutions and physicians from refusing to provide abortion services by invoking the conscience clause.

 

• As for Governor Palin's qualifications to be Vice President of the United States and to assume the mantle of President, should that ever become necessary, she is much better suited for the job than the talking heads on the liberal Left would have you believe. She came out of nowhere to win the Alaskan gubernatorial race against a powerful incumbent. While in office, she bravely fought widespread corruption—including that within her own party—in the face of great opposition. Govenor Palin's critics suggest that her experience as mayor of a "small town" is somehow a liability, but it is an asset. In fact, her time as Mayor of Wasilla and then as Governor of Alaska gives her a greater degree of executive experience than Senator Barack Obama can claim. Her qualifications to be Vice President, I would submit, exceed those of Senator Barack Obama, who spent only 143 working days in the U.S. Senate prior to announcing his run for President.

  He authored no significant legislation during that time.

• Senator Obama's selection of fellow liberal Democrat Joseph Biden (Del.) is also extremely revealing. While the National Journal ranked Obama the most liberal Senator last year, Senator Biden was ranked 3rd on their list—just ahead of Vermont's Bernie Sanders, a self-avowed socialist.15 While the Senator of 36 years from Delaware stands in blatant opposition to the pro-family movement, many of you will remember him from his vociferous opposition to several of our finer Supreme Court justices, namely, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Alito and Thomas.

• It is likely, say the pundits, that both the House and the Senate in the 111th Congress will still be controlled by Democrats. If that party also takes the White House, a wave of anti-family, pro-homosexual legislation is almost guaranteed to pass in 2009. The bills put forward and advanced this year by Democrats reveal where they want to take the country. For example, they inserted hate crimes language into the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill, but were forced to remove it in conference, again under the threat of veto.

  While in the Illinois Senate, Senator Obama voted for a bill authorizing "comprehensive" sex education beginning in kindergarten. 

  Large portions of the agenda promoted by homosexual activists will also be enacted. The implications for a federal hate crimes law are clear. People speaking against homosexuality have already been prosecuted under hate crimes laws both in the United States and abroad. If a federal hate crimes law passes, there will be little to prevent the government from endeavoring to control and curtail religious speech, especially from the pulpit. It is entirely possible that a pastor could be charged with inducing a federal hate crime simply by preaching from one of the many biblical passages that address homosexuality.

• Congressional Democrats will also seek to pass the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, meaning businesses will be forced to accept and condone homosexuality —and possibly transgenderism—in making employment decisions. Further, business owners, including religious businesses, will not be able to make hiring and firing decisions based on their religious convictions. Earlier this year, Senator Barack Obama said, "I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepherd Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act."

 

Also, I know that Obama's claim that "95% of Americans will recieve tax cuts" if he is elected sounds very appealing since pretty much everyone reading this blog is probably making less than 200K per year, which means we would qualify for those cuts.  In addition, on the surface "universal healthcare" has a nice ring to it, but before you jump on the Obama bandwagon, please read this very informative article by Ken Blackwell (no, it's not from a conservative website).

 

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/obamas_patriotic_tonic.html

 

I am not trying to be annoying or preachy.  I just want to encourage everyone to be well-informed voters and to prayerfully consider your choice.  Whatever decision we make is going to determine the kind of country our children and grandchildren are raised in.  Obviously, no candidate is perfect, but I really believe that there is a lot at stake this election.  Read up and and don't take your decision lightly. 

 

 

Apartment life, or lack thereof

What were you doing this morning at 1:30 a.m.? I hope sleeping or doing something that you enjoy. I, on the other hand, was lying awake listening to what sounded like monkeys playing tackle football above me. Finally, after I had been laying there for an hour and half attempting to sleep while the thudding and booming above me continued, I decided to go up and ask nicely for them to quiet down. When I made it up the stairs, my trashy neighbor who is always cussing at her preschool-aged children (Example: Put down your f*!*&%$G baby doll!) was sitting outside with yet another random man (there's been several in the last few months). Here is the conversation that followed:

Me: Do you think you could tell your kids to quiet down a little? I've been trying to sleep for an hour and half.

Trashy lady: They're three years old (spoken in a hostile and sarcastic tone, which she maintained throughout this conversation)

Me: So because you have kids I have to stay up all night?

TL: That's what happens when you life in an apartment. Deal with it.

Me: Yes, we do live in an apartment. That's why you're supposed to be considerate of other people around you.

TL: They're three years old. It was his birthday. They had cake.

Me: Can't you tell them to just quiet down a little?

TL: It's the weekend. Do you have to get up and go to work in the morning?

Me: No, but my husband has to get up for a painting job and I'm going to be getting up with him.

TL: Well then you can go back to sleep when he leaves.

Me: It's 1:30 in the morning!

TL: Turn on a fan. Drown it out.

Me: We have the fan on.

TL: Then turn on some music.

Me: Music keeps me awake.

TL: There's 24 hours in a day. Find time to sleep. And if I'm not mistaken you're dog was out here a little while ago making noise (I guess his tags jingling qualified as noise) and I didn't complain about that

Me: *confused look on face: So you're comparing my dog being outside for 30 seconds to go pee to your kids jumping around for the last hour and half? My dog isn't keeping you up at night.

TL: I didn't say your dog was keeping me up at night

Me: *more confused: This is only the second time since you've lived her that I've ever complained about the noise (they've lived her for several months and are very noisy a lot)

TL: Yeah, you don't complain about the people next door playing their guitars!

Me: They're not out doing it at 1:30 in the morning!

TL: They're three years old. They knew we had kids when they moved us in up here.

Me: Fine. You can tell the police that.

TL: Fine!

Of course when I got back into my apartment I was seething. I didn't end up calling the police because I figured then I would have had to talk to them and I would have been kept up even later, but I might as well have because it took me an hour to calm down.

I told the management about this morning and they just said "We can't do anything unless you tell us when it's happening." I didn't know I had the option of telling them at 1:30 a.m., but apparently there's a number I could have called.

After my police calling threat of course they quieted down up there. I am just appalled that someone could be that dumb, rude, trashy, inconsiderate, hostile and downright mean. The second she saw me she was ready to fight. There was no apologetic tone, no attempt to even pretend that she cared. It was like talking to an angry brick wall with lower than average intelligence. Amazing.

I know who to call next time, but with people like her I'll probably end up with slashed tires or a keyed car once I put my money where my mouth is.

Recent Developments (in a nutshell)

Ok, so I haven't been blogging for a while because nothing worth writing about was happening, and then some stuff happened and I got distracted by the previously mentioned stuff and wasn't thinking about blogging. So, here are a few of the more significant or at least semi-interesting things that have taken place in the last several weeks.

1) I discovered an online design school that tickled my fancy (www.sessions.edu). I am enrolled in a class there now and plan to enroll in the graphic design program within the next few weeks. My concentrations will be print design and web design.

2) I am going to get a MacBook Pro and Adobe CS3! Woo hoo! The process has been complicated. After nearly getting scammed trying to get a MacBook on Craigslist, and then nearly getting scammed trying to get one on Ebay, I ordered one from a legitimate site, then my mom offered to pay for better one, so I cancelled the first order, became obsessed with placing the order for newer MacBook and am currently driving myself nuts while waiting for the green light to place the new order. I am also quite excited about the free iPod touch I will receive when I order my Mac. Words really don't exist to describe the level of anticipation and excitement I have about the whole Mac/design school happenings. It has been amazing how the Lord has answered my prayers on this subject. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support that I've experienced since I started seriously pursuing a career in design.

3) Some guy asked me out at the library, and when I responded nicely that I didn't think my husband would like that, he responded "Well he wouldn't have to know about it." I wasn't nice anymore. Creep.

4) I stepped in gum on the way into the library today. It was bright red. I'm thinking Bubblelicious-Strawberry Splash.

5) A bunch of peach juice leaked out of the tupperware I had the peaches in and into the passenger seat of my car, and now there's a big, dark sticky spot there and I'm dreading the day when someone actually needs to sit there.

6) We have been formulating a plan for a trip to Europe in March. We are planning to spend about a week in Paris and then a week in London. So I have also been flirting with insanity trying to find cheap lodging and cheap plane tickets for that pending adventure.

7) Dave has continued his training to teach at the University of Phoenix and has gotten an offer to teach his first class, U.S. Constitution, in October. Hooray!

Ok, I think that's everything worth mentioning. Until next time!

My Top Ten Simple Pleasures

In no particular order...

 

1.  Seeing the sunrise every morning when I walk my dog

 

2.  Getting swept up in an amazing book

 

3.  Stretching (it feels so good at the end of a long day)

 

4.  Listening to classical music at my desk on dreary mornings

 

5.  Cooking great food with my husband

 

6.  Lying out in the sun, especially if there's a nice breeze

 

7.  Spending a day alone doing domestic things and watching one of my favorite movies 

 

8.  Escaping to the library on my lunch break to read or surf the net

 

9.  Cheering on my favorite reality show contestants

 

10. Anticipating future adventures (trips, moves, etc.)

The Invention of Respect

"Respect was invented to cover up the place where love should be."

So says the bewitching, sinful and beautiful Anna Karenina. When I first read this quote on page 685 of my massive copy of the story, the insensitive, free-thinking, sometimes irrational part of me gave a hearty, mental "Amen!" Then the subdued, responsible, spite-fighting side of me said "Wait! That's not right..."

After a day to think more about it, I've decided that I agree with that debatable statement more than I disagree. Mainly because I feel that if there is love, or even a semi-signifcant like involved in a relationship of any kind, then respect should be clanking around somewhere among all those kind and endearing things that come along with the "L" word, like patience, forgiveness, etc.

Respect does always seem to be that opinion stifling, self-control using, fun-killing thing that is called into action when you happen upon someone who is genuinely unlikeable, despicable even, but who is genuinely your superior in some professional, societal or familial way. We've all heard it, "You don't have to like me, but you will respect me."

Oh yes, respect is there in our enjoyable relationships too, but we don't have to drag it into our mannerisms and conversations, prying its fingers off of door jams along the way. It's there because it wants to be there, because those people actually deserve it.

When Anna Karenina made this statement she was harboring fears that her lover was no longer under her spell and that he would leave her alone in the world as a ruined woman. Perhaps it was just a fleeting, irrational thought of a wildly jealous, fictional heroine. I see truth in it anyway.

Some Blogtastic Thoughts on Marriage

Today is our two year anniversary, and despite the fact that Dave has been mocking me for even having a blog by making up words like "bloggeriffic" and "blogtastic," I can honestly say that I am as happy as I was when we were in the blissful dating stage and we could do no wrong - spending way too much time in the car, freezing to death while we talked outside our dorms, and dodging C of O security (maybe it wasn't that blissful :).

 

Dave and I have both made it clear to one another on numerous occasions since that picture-perfect May day two years ago that we are both capable of doing wrong.  But I feel like we've also made it clear that it doesn't matter - that when we said "for better or worse," we really meant it.  Honestly, I don't think we've even tasted "worse" yet, but we're in it for the long haul just the same.

 

Before we got married, so many people told us "The first year is the hardest...If you can survive the first year then you'll be fine."  Dave and I didn't merely survive the first year - we loved it.  The second year was a piece of cake, and I can't wait to see what year three has in store for us.  So for anyone out there who is afraid of marriage just because of what it represents, a lifelong commitment, don't be.  If you are with the right person, nothing beats getting to spend every day with them. 

Backyard Beauty

This past weekend, Dave and I went to see Prince Caspian. I was really needing a little willing suspension of disbelief, so I enjoyed it thoroughly. Although, the sweeping camera shots of all those breathtaking landscapes made me sincerely wish I could visit Narnia, even if it isn't what it used to be.

After the credits started rolling and I realized that Narnia wasn't a real place, it made me sincerely wish I could visit wherever the movie was filmed. When I realized that probably wouldn't happen in the near future, my heart actually started to hurt. Not just because I wouldn't be able to visit the "set" of Prince Caspian, but at the thought that I might not get to travel extensively. I have such a strong desire to see as much of the world as possible because for me, it is one of the most awesome displays of God's majesty, and I wan't to see all of it I can.

The next day, Dave and I visited Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. We had been there once before, and I remembered it being pretty, but this time it was beautiful. I was actually overwhelmed with how beautiful and lush it was, and how the air smelled like honeysuckle. At that moment, it occured to me that I'm not sure my senses could have been more pleased by any place than they were right then, as I watched the wind make waves in the tall grass.

So I guess I'm saying that sometimes intense beauty is right in your backyard and you might not even realize it. I still plan to travel the world and the seven seas, but every time I consider the possibility that my plans might not pan out, I'll try to remember that day we spent in the tall grass just 20 minutes from home.

7 Comments on the "Comment"

Hello Readers,

 

The writer of the lengthy comment (that was pretty vain and guilty wasn't it?) on my "Clarification" blog chose to insult me in a personal way because they disagreed with my philosophy on work and life. Despite the temptation of posting the stellar rebuttal that I have penned, I have chosen to send that directly and privately to the commenter to spare them the embarassment that they tried to bestow upon me. 

 

However, I will make a few general statements that sum up my feelings on the above referenced comment.

 

1)  This blog was not meant for anyone specific

 

2)  Just because I don't work too much doesn't mean I can't express my opinion on people who do (if you disagree, maybe you're a fascist)

 

3)  No, it is not "necessary" to spend all of my free time with my spouse. I just want to.

 

4)  Working 40 hours a week does not make my job more important than God or Dave.  In fact, it's an important way of serving them both (see Proverbs 31:10-12, Proverbs 21:25).

 

5)  I do enjoy material blessings.  I admit it openly.  I simply will not sacrifice my home life to get them.  (see Matthew 6:19-20)

 

6)  It's obvious that this blog was upsetting to the commenter.  I think that person should consider why, since it honestly was not targeted at them.

 

7)  This blog was not created to be a debate forum, and I look forward to writing about a totally new topic very soon.  Keep checking back!

 

 

Clarification

Hello all.  It seems that my previous post has offended some who feel their overtime is worthwhile.  Perhaps I should have been more specific about my commitment to work vs. family.

 

Occasionally going the extra mile to do your job well and help out your company or co-workers is not what I was referring to in my address to "folks."  I am referring to those who consistently stay late in an effort to gain more money or more power or more of something else that doesn't matter at their family's expense. 

 

I hope that my stance on that matter is a little clearer now.

 

Ta ta

 

 

The Basics

I feel like I should outline my basic philosophy on life so that you, dear reader, will have some context for my ramblings.

Religion - I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I try to make my life something that will give Him pleasure and glorify Him, not me. I don't claim to be perfect, only forgiven. Neither do I claim that God's grace is a justification for sin. I am just grateful that I know the Lord and really hope that how I carry out my existence will lead others to Christ.

Love - The first thing that comes to mind when I use that word is my husband Dave, although it should probably be the guy in the previously discussed topic. I think that love flourishes when honesty is welcomed, forgiveness is quick and genuine, patience is infinite and humor is abundant. Dave continually amazes me with his unending selflessness, and I do my best to show him how much I appreciate him every day. So far whatever we're doing is working. We're almost two years in and happier than ever.

Life in General - God, family and friends (I try to keep them in that order) are priorities for me. Work is not. I enjoy my job, but would always rather be at home or out having fun, which is why I'll probably never "get ahead." I arrive at 8 a.m. and leave at 4:30 p.m. on the dot. Maybe that makes me just an average nobody, but this nobody would much rather spend her time with people that matter to me doing things that matter to me. Wake up folks...when the Lord calls your name, it won't matter how much overtime you worked, how much money was in your bank account, what car you drove, or how many square feet your house is. It will matter whose lives you touched and how many souls you won for Christ. Those things are eternal.

This One's for you Sara

I am dedicating this blog, my first, to Sara K. Anderson. After reading her blogs, I was inspired to carve out my own little niche in cyberspace where I can post thoughts that are probably only important to me.

But, maybe I'll inspire some other person to get out there and start writing about nothing. Most of my blogs will probably orginate from the library computer lab, where I am right now, since the cruel techies at my place of employment have deemed it necessary to block "blogspot" and other such sites.

I am already five minutes over on my lunch break and the person next to me smells like cheese, so I'm leaving now, but hopefully I'll be back soon writing about stuff that will make people think I'm awesome.