Friday, November 28, 2008

Thankful...

Today I am thankful for...
  • Friends who support, encourage and love me for me
  • Snuggles and kisses from Train Guy and Adventure Boy
  • New clothes
  • 10% off coupons and discounts that making buying said new clothes a little less painful
  • A roof over my head and some funny, frustrating and wonderful housemates (Just being honest)
  • Old movies...(watching the Music Man on netflix as I write this)
  • Christmas music on the radio
  • White Chocolate Mocha's and the barista at Star$'s who makes them correctly
  • A job that challenges me
  • A God that challenges me
  • People who allow me feel what I feel, when I feel it
  • Books that inspire me, encourage me and just help me relax
  • Family
  • Blogs that inspire me, encourage me and make me laugh out loud!
  • Life

And I'm thankful for all of you who read this blog! Having an audience is awesome! :)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Just whining

I like the concept of extra days off. Really I do. I don't like the work load that comes with those extra days off. It's annoying. Add to that 3 sick days and viola! a whole mess of work that now needs to be completed in a shortened amount of time. Add in the frustration mentioned yesterday (multiplied by several other people today) and a cough that strikes in the middle of conversations and you will find that I am not fit for human company. I needs to get over this soon! Middle School students descend in 30 minutes!

What would really help right now is about 20 minute walk. But it's dark and cold and rainy outside and that's not gonna happen. BUT in another week or so there will be a lovely treadmill at the garage at home on which I can walk away my stress and worries while watching a fabulous episode of Friends on DVD. Okay I think I just cheered myself up.

Monday, November 24, 2008

There are moments...

like right now when I wish, I wish that I was an anonymous blogger so that I could vent my frustrated feelings into the blog-atmosphere and let them go away.

But I'm not and I can't. Grrrr....

Friday, November 21, 2008

Where do we draw the line?

A couple of years ago gentleman A started coming around the church for showers and food to help him get by in life. He would come to the worship services, sit in the front row, clap, laugh uproariously and in general show his appreciation for the worship service very loudly. No problem. Except this all happened with a bottle of "water" or "lemonade" in his hands. It became clear that gentleman A had some problems that went far beyond his current living situation. The church worked with him until the day that he got into a confrontation with one of the church members when they asked him to take his bottle of "lemonade" outside. Then things went downhill. The church was eventually took a stand that felt uncomfortable but necessary.

It turned out that we weren't the only ones. Others in our area had done the same thing with the same gentleman. Every time I see him around town I get a little frustrated that there isn't someplace that people who need more psychological help can go to live, be treated well and get the help they need.


A few weeks ago Opinionated Friend shared about gentleman B that they had at their church that they had to take an uncomfortable but necessary stand with. Last week gentleman B showed up at our church. We offer showers and food but not shelter or a place to just hang out all the time. Unfortunately gentleman B doesn't understand that. Our fabulous Office Manager is extremely uncomfortable with gentleman B which I get, there's just something that isn't setting well with me either. He needs help that goes beyond what we are capable of giving him and from what I understand he isn't going to get that help willingly.


The dilemma for me is that gentleman B is starting to hang around the entrance to the youth and children's area, which is behind the church out of sight without neighbors. At night it's dark, with few lights (believe me that's an issue that I've brought up a bazillion times and no one wants to listen) and can be a great setting for someone wanting a place to crash for the evening. Unfortunately youth group meets at night. Usually I leave the door unlocked so students can freely enter and exit the building on youth group nights. I am often there at night by myself and I park near that entrance. There is a safety issue here. I don't want to turn gentleman B completely away from the church yet there needs to be limits. Unfortunately I'm not sure that he will really understand those limits.

That's where I ponder, where do we draw the line? How much do we help others and where does the help take a turn to enabling someone? How much do we do? Do we allow behavior from people that is threatening or harmful to others (this goes way beyond just one particular set of people) or do we call people on that behavior? Which brings up another thought that is rattling around my head, are we too quick to call the "less fortunate" on their behavior and not quick enough to call the "more fortunate" on their behavior? In many ways it seems like a judgement call and it's an uncomfortable call. What complicates things even more is the scripture and sermons that run through my head, like those I've read this week from some of my favorite RevGalBlogPals that say "love people, nurture people, care for people, feed people" and on and on. Where do we draw the line, if we draw the line at all?

Tonight I had to make a judgement call. Tonight I had to decide whether I was going to confront someone (gentleman C) about camping out on the church property, let it slide, call in other reinforcements or call in the sheriff. And here is where the line was drawn. See, we offer a place for food, a place for showers and a place of worship but we don't offer a place to stay overnight. We don't say "Hey, no worries, just stay downstairs under the overhang when it's raining." We don't open the doors and allow people to come in and campout for the night. Tonight I needed to draw a line, not because I wanted to be mean and uncompassionate, believe me the whole "what if this was Jesus" thing kept running through my head. No, I needed to draw a line for the safety of those God has called me to be in ministry to...the youth. I kept the door locked, made sure the youth got to and from cars safely and waited until they left before making the call but I drew a line...with a little help from my friends. It feels uncomfortable but necessary.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I've been watching way too much TV

Being sick has it's advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: time off. Disadvantage: time off being sick. All I've had brain power for is to stare blankly the TV and fall asleep, amongst the whole trying to breathe thing. Today I realized that I was feeling much better because I had a thought during that TV time.

I've been watching those Makeover shows on TV. Two particular ones.
This one:
and this one:

I did a little digging and the first one the individual has to send in a request themselves to be on the show. The second one friends nominate them and the individual gets bombarded by the hosts and have to make a split second decision about whether or not to be made over.

Now, I can understand in the second show a persons reluctance to hear that their wardrobe is not up to par, needs to be thrown out, how their hair is bad and needs to be changed, etc., etc. (though sometimes the one host could be a little more gentle). They didn't really ask for this to happen to them. I have sympathy for the person.

The first show, though, I have no sympathy for them. If you've put a request in for someone to come in and revamp your wardrobe and style then ditch the attitude! You've ASKED for it! Geesh.

Yep, I'm feeling better.

Sick

Last week I felt a little icky. Seeing as how I had a Bridal Shower to host last Sunday I knew that I couldn't afford to be sick and fought it off...until Monday. Monday I awoke with a raw throat and knew that it was my turn to be sick. K had it a couple weeks ago, Jon-boy had it, Opinionated Friend had something similar, everyone around me seemed to have some variation of the cold.

I survived Monday but packed a bag from work Monday night with stuff to do at home in case I decided to stay home. Tuesday morning there was no option. I was sick. I was in bed all day. Tuesday night my chest started feeling really tight and I had a hard time getting a full breath. Chest congestion meds and a hot shower helped but it wasn't a pleasant night. Wednesday morning was worse but luckily I have the best mom in the world who fetched some lovely medicine and by Wednesday night I was breathing easier. But still coughing and stuffy but better.

Today I have pulled out my computer and am getting some work done but I'm not moving very fast or very far. Being sick is no fun but I'm certainly glad that there are people who can cover for me when I am...not to mention all those sick days I have stored up!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Favorite things from the weekend

This weekend listened to this CD over and over and over again. If you are into guitar driven, slightly country tinged music with amazing vocals and good rhythm, get this CD.



Friday Night was my bargain night. I had a coupon for 25% off of my total purchase at Cost Plus, which saved me money on favors for the Bridal Shower Tea I'm hosting next Sunday. I had a $15 Borders Reward which bought the above CD and a book. Then I went to the members only night at the friends of the library used book sale and bought a bunch of books for under $10. It was awesome! Though I didn't allow enough time...the people at that sale are really serious about their books!

And then there was the cake that I baked as a test for the Shower next Sunday. Sponge cake with a Meringue layer and Raspberries and Cream filling. Yep, it was good, good, good...though not so pretty. Got to work on that!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Friday Five--Funny Papers

Presbyterian Gal over at RevGalBlogPals brings today's Friday Five:

After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!

1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?--Peanuts, Dennis the Menace and Family Circle

2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone?--Adam at Home, Pickles or Baby Blues.

3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?--Good question. I'm thinking a combo of Marcie and Sally. The side kick but with a little more spunk. But then I relate to Woodstock too!

4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?--It seems so. Comics so easily speak to our everyday lives that many times I find truth about life within them, with a little humor thrown in.

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?--They are simple and easy to relate too. That's appealing to me!

Bonus Question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?

That's easy...Calvin and Hobbes.

Sad

Hurricane Katrina continues to claim lives. My heart is a little heavier today.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

If you aren't so excited about the President Elect, don't read this post.

The last few years Papa Bear has become Mr. Political. Yo Momma and I have had to reign him more than once to keep the peace amongst Papa Bear and friends with differing opinions. He's been pretty passionate about this election and had a definite idea about who he wanted to see become the next President. We've had some lively conversations in the last few months but I was a little grateful that Papa Bear and Yo Momma weren't going to be home when the election results came in...just in case it didn't go his way. As it turns out they were in Washington D.C., last night, with Bad Duck and his lovely wife who have the same political views as Papa Bear.

I wouldn't have been home last night yet all day I was plauged by a migraine. That sneaky thing just wouldn't go away no matter what I did. So my Chiropracter (aka K) took me to task for being a martyr and made me call in replacements for last nights youth group. Which meant last night at 8pm PST I was home on the couch. Watching TV.

As most of you know the news stations called the election pretty quickly after 8pm PST. At 8:07pm PST my cellphone rang, followed within mere seconds by the home phone. I have caller ID on my cellphone picked it up knowing that it was Yo Momma's phone. Her jubilant voice came over the line and my reply was "Is Papa Bear calling me on the other line?" My question was quickly answered when his voice came booming over the machine "Get out of bed! Answer the phone!". For a few seconds I had both phones up to my ears and both parents laughing excitedly. Neither one of them knew that the other was calling me. I have crazy parents. Papa Bear won the phone contest and we talked until he started getting teary watching people on TV getting teary. Just a big ole softy. I love that guy.

Listening to President Elect Obama's acceptance speech last night I was really impressed with one line in particular. It resonated with me. "I will listen to you, especially when we disagree." I really, really hope that this President Elect lives up to that promise.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Sunday Morning Bloopers

There are some Sunday mornings when I am not a happy camper. In fact, that would be most Sunday mornings. I am not a morning person at.all. so getting up and being coherent and in a good mood tends to be a little difficult. This last Sunday, though, I was super happy. I'd gotten an extra hours sleep (I am such a fan of the fall back time change), the rain was a soothing sound in my ears all night, I had gotten myself together soon enough to get coffee before Worship Team warm-up and we were sounding pretty good as a team.

We had laughed with the couple who came in at 10 after 8 wondering where everyone was for the worship service and after being reminded of the time changed pronounced "But nobody told us!" We had laughed with the kids racing around the Sanctuary and my wonderful friend Norm had even found a moment to work on the huge knot that I call a shoulder.

Then the worship service started. Everything was going along swimmingly until the 2nd song One moment I'm playing the next minute I'm desperately trying to hold on to my guitar. At first I thought I had lost a string (which has happened before) and looked wide eyed at Meg standing next to me to see if it had whapped her but no, apparently the strap on my guitar decided that NOW would be the time come loose and just gave way. Being ever the professional that I am, I continued to play, albeit very quietly and sing through the rest of the song while holding the guitar, while standing up. Not an easy feat.

Of course we were supposed to go right into the next song and I knew that I wasn't going to be able to make that happen, so we spontaneously had a "meet and greet" session while I retied the strap to my guitar and prayed that it would hold!

It was as I was in the back of the sanctuary later double checking the strap and trying to figure out what had happened, that I realized my pick was missing. I then had to leave the sanctuary to go shake my guitar to get the pick out from the inside of the guitar. My happy morning had quickly disintegrated and yet it really wasn't that bad. In fact, it makes a for a good story and a gentle reminder that even on the best of mornings things can go wrong.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Post by the numbers

1 youth group member on Homecoming Court
+
1 football game
+
1.5 inches of rain
=
1 princess, 14-6 win for the home team and 3 very soaked youth leaders.

The memories...priceless.