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March 27, 2007
Still Here
Some thoughts I've been pondering:
Why do I want a fairy tale? I want the Happily Ever After that fairy tales and movies have taught me. This is not Biblical. Why am I disappointed when I relearn over and over that life here on earth is not a fairy tale.
I miss doing what I've been called to do: teach. How can I teach again? I miss it, and I'm restless and dissatisfied because I'm not doing my call.
I've missed my female friends. I have cell phone for 1) Mom and 2) Sister and email for 3) SiL and 4) my friend who just moved to Dallas (I miss you but I looooove that you are so happy. Keep glowing) in addition to 5) various other friends who are moving back from overseas. But I miss sitting down for coffee or in the Great Hall with a girlfriend and having a heart-to-heart. AND I didn't know I missed it so much until a friend of mine from college days called me up last week and we picked up RIGHT where we left off. I'm so glad she is back. I also didn't know how much I missed it till all the ladies in my church had a Dinner Out to honor one of our own who's moving to South Carolina (or maybe NC. Whatever...she's moved to Carolina) and I sat at the table that had all the Younger Ladies who Aren't Married (that is, they are [save one] college age or younger). But they're fun and young and I like them and being fun with them. The point of this paragraph is in the first sentence: the thesis. I miss female companionship. Where are all my girl friends?
I love the weather but the pollen and smoke are wreaking havoc on my poor immune system and its hypersensitivity to allergens. Plus my car is yellow. Ick. I hate to touch it.
I love the feeling of empowerment I get from a day in which I was productive. The productive days don't seem to come unless I stick closer than sap to my planner. It's my best friend, now.
Got to go, the Dude needs my (professional) help.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 07:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 20, 2007
What am I supposed to Say?
I think I am hitting a blogging wall. I think great things but by the time I get to a computer or get my home computer to load all this stuff, I can't remember what I was going to say.
Anyway, here are some things I am working on:
Sister's grad school graduation is in 5 weeks. SisterinLaw's college graduation is in 5 weeks. Sadly, they are on the same day and so I can only go to one...Sister's. Thankfully, they are graduating! Woohoo, congrats to both. But I have to choose and blood wins. The Dude will go to his sister's college graduation.
My parents are coming down in 4 weeks to spend a weekend with us before Sister's graduation. I am prepping for that.
My inlaws (5 of them!) are coming down for SiL's graduation. I am prepping for that.
My house is still filled with the previous tenant's dishes, cookware, bakeware, cleaning supplies, and decorations. She didn't want to hassle with it, so she gave it to me. I'll make some money in a garage sale.
I have the 31st off so I guess I'll have my garage sale in 11 days. Yay. That's good and soon, but holy cow how will I get it done so soon??
The Dude's semester is driving forward of course. No matter what else happens, that treadmill never slows down and always seems to speed up. Now he also has Track Season and that just adds speed to the treadmill. Pray that he doesn't burn out/we don't burn out.
I am working at consistent meal plans and chore charts for myself. I have done this for three weeks in a row and am excited about that but wonder about this garage sale in 11 days. Yikes.
Thank God for a job but now I have less time for myself which is after all a good thing...it provides less time for me to be self-indulgent and lazy and selfish. But my sinful self hates giving up all that ME TIME and is finding it really hard to pry the little fingers off what is mine. Picture a little toddler here crying like her heart will break holding on to the ratty grody dolly, crying "Mine! Mine!" That's me and it's exhausting to be fighting that. But fight it I will, and all of you faithful readers keep encouraging me. Sooner or later the little toddler will tire out and realize that the dolly is grungy and that there are better toys to play with and better ways to spend her time. Sooner or later I'll grow up and pass this sanctification test. Can't wait.
Well, that's all. No, wait: I had a cold a week and a half ago. The Dude got it from me last weekend. What with two coughers in one bed sleep doesn't come as easily. And we had a major scheduling scare, as well. A whole week, folks. A week. What else? I have a sore throat, I'm counting down till I see my family cause I MISS THEM LIKE MAD, and I'm counting down till the fun fest week on the Gulf Coast we are having because We Can't Celebrate All Summer, so Let's Celebrate Everything in this One Week family Festival. Doesn't that sound enticing? The beach. Aaaah. I haven't been to a beach since Hawaii, and I haven't been to a beach on the mainland since....hm....I graduated from college 5 years ago. It's about time.
Just a moment while I look in my calendar...
And the vacation:
Yessssssss.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 07:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 16, 2007
Friday 5 dot org 3.16.07
- What’s something that’s generally considered bad manners that you don’t think is a big deal? For some reason, people don't like to hear me sneeze and not excuse myself. I sneeze so often I forget to say excuse me every time.
- What’s something you think should be considered good manners that you don’t think most people pay any attention to? I really, really don't like it when people shake hands badly. You should look the other person in the eye when you shake hands, and don't dead fish your hand. Squeeze the person's hand! And I hate it when Southern Ladies turn their hands in a handshake so that the other person ends up holding their hand like they're getting ready to Kiss the Damsel's Hand. Get it right, people.
- In what way are you especially well-mannered? I want to make the shy and quiet people at a party or social event feel comfortable, not neglected.
- In what way are you especially ill-mannered? I tend to ignore the new people in a group because I want to touch base or catch up with my current friends.
- If you owned a beautiful, enormous house high upon a hill, what would you name your manor? The Work House. Hah.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Five on Friday 3.16.07
I wasn't going to do this meme today but it's a food topic. And I work at a food place now.
Soup to Nuts
1. Are you a fan of soup? Yes.
2. What is your favorite kind of soup? I love chicken noodle. My mom makes awesome beef stew. And Mrs. Salt makes yummy veggie soup.
3. Are you a fan of nuts? Yes.
4. What is your favorite kind of nut or dish containing nuts? Peanut Butter Pie. I am at work, or I would post the recipe RIGHT NOW.
5. If you had to eliminate either soup or nuts from your diet for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Nuts.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 05:29 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Secrets
I like to read postSecret. I'm amazed that at least half of the secrets people have sent to the book and to the website are secrets I share. Well, maybe a third.
They say they feel so much better for writing them down and sharing them anonymously with the world. I feel better for telling them to my family, my husband, or God. Usually I tell God. Sometimes I tell others too.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 05:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 12, 2007
Changes
I said about a month ago that I'd be blogging more specifically, and I listed 4 categories I'd pursue. Here's the first post about how I've changed in the last year or so...
But the more I think about it, the more I realize now is not the time for that kind of self-examination. I do not feel that I've improved in the last two years. I might have, but right now I am tired and sick and fighting a cold and not sleeping well and overwhelmed. So it is NOT a good time for self-study like that.
Check back later. Maybe I'll find some meme questions that focus the topic better and are easier to answer. But for now...just let me get through this week and I'll come back later.
Toodles!
Posted by The Newest Worker at 04:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 10, 2007
Vaardnica
When I was teaching, I checked dictionary.com all the time. It was easier to look the word up on-line than get up from my desk and actually open the dictionary and look for the word.
It's been a while since I've been there, but look at this! It gives you multiple-language translations of words you look up, and I love that it includes Latvian words. Supercool and very handy for translation.
Posted by The Newest Worker at 06:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Where's Solomon's Wisdom When You Need It?
Posted by The Newest Worker at 05:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March Errata
Look at that! It's been a while since I posted. It's a new month already and I have been thinking, I just haven't been posting my thoughts here. But I'll share some thoughts and updates here.
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I have a job, which I'm thankful for. I have good colleagues, which I'm thankful for. It's a motivating job, and that's a nice change. It's also a full-time job, which is lovely for our checking account, but a tough adjustment to my schedule and pace of living.
I really struggle with laziness. And self-centered-ness. I want things my way, which usually means to do nothing all the time. And when we had only one income, we had no extra money for actual, planned-out grocery runs, for meals planned for a week ahead, for focus and discipline like that. Now that we have money, I don't have the time I used to for getting things done.
No matter! I will prevail! So I'm on a quest to do better. To plan ahead. To add a new chore or event to the week's schedule every week so that I grow and stretch and strengthen in my battle against sin and selfishness. To that end, I will take a break RIGHT NOW in this blog post to meal-plan next week and write my grocery list.
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Wow. That only took ten minutes...I'm surprised. It goes to show that the tasks I put off because I'm a procrastinator aren't that bad. I should just do them.
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I have some more things to say but will say them in their own posts. How is that, me hearties?
Posted by The Newest Worker at 03:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack