Quote of the day from yesterday: "I'm dumber than last year's old mud."
I just had a startling realization. It's going to get COLD really soon. You see, we have been waking up and the house is a little chilly. We tend to keep several windows cracked and the nights are getting colder. I'm used to that. I put on a fuzzy robe or sit on the couch and snuggle under a blanket. I didn't realize before this morning however, that it's not going to get warmer. It only gets colder from here. I'm SO not ready for this. Can we rewind or something? Or even better, let's just not have winter for a few more months! Ok? Ok.
When Cameron and I went for our walk Tuesday night, I noticed that there were swarms of giant gnats everywhere. That was odd to me, because I really haven't seen many bugs since I have lived here. My theory is that the bugs know that winter is coming to freeze their little tookuses off, so they are all having a last hurrah. I was thinking of trying to get a picture of these bugs (which I have since seen while driving down the street, walking into buildings, practically anytime I look outside) and sharing with you the enormous swarms of them. Then, I saw a picture in the paper yesterday beside an article about these bugs. You couldn't see them in their picture, so you probably couldn't see them when this amateur tried to capture them. You want to know what they really are? Ash aphids. Apparently they hatch and swarm around this time of year. I hadn't noticed. Just kidding.
I'm excited that it is Friday. I'm looking forward to the weekend. My plans: sleep, standing on my head, making Cameron stand on his head with me, and more sleep. Oh, and we'll probably eat at some point.
I hope you all have a splendid weekend! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Fingerprinting
For my job, I had to have a background check. I got really worried for all of five seconds. "What if they find out about my ties to the Oklahoma Chancellors?" Then, I decided I didn't care. Oh, wait. That is a good thing anyway.
I had an appointment on Tuesday to have my fingerprints taken. Did you know that once you have that done, you can never be identified again?! (Just kidding. I still have them. They just took an image of them. I know you were fooled by that though.) In elementary school, I was part of a program called SEARCH. We did fun activities that were supposed to help stretch our minds. One of them was a crime scene investigation. We took our fingerprints by coloring on our fingers with pencil and then pulling the lead off with scotch tape. It was awesome. Since I knew what to expect, I was really prepared for my appointment. I even had my own pencil with me. The technology used now is quite a bit more advanced, though. The only thing I had to put on my hands was hand sanitizer, and no scotch tape was used. Talk about disappointment! She had this nifty little machine that scanned my fingers. She held my hand up there (I was thinking, wow what kind of a job with this be? You have your own tiny office and get to hold the hand of every person that comes in. I don't think I would be good at this...) and pressed each finger on the little screen. I'm pretty sure now she will know all of my secrets.
Did I mention that when I arrived for my appointment, I royally embarrassed myself? I ended up parking around the side of the building and decided to use the handy entrance that was right in front of me. Big mistake. I walk in the door, and there is a huge conference room on my left full of people. They had the door open. I don't know why. I stood there in bewilderment for a moment. There was a glass wall in front of me and I could see a hallway on the other side. That is where I probably wanted to be. The only other door was to a reception area on my right. I decided going in there was probably better than barging through the conference room, so I chose that one. There was no one in there. A sign on the desk started screaming at me. "You are in the wrong place. Non employees are supposed to use the FRONT door. Now, get out!" I turned around and exited and calmly walked to the front like I knew what I was supposed to be doing the whole time. I wonder if my red cheeks gave me away? Or maybe when I said to myself, out loud, "That was awkward?" I doubt any of those people in the conference room noticed, but I still was pretty embarrassed. Such is life.
The moral of the story: If you ever have to get fingerprinted in Idaho, use the front door, don't bother bringing a pencil, and prepare to have your hand held.
Happy almost Friday, everyone!
I had an appointment on Tuesday to have my fingerprints taken. Did you know that once you have that done, you can never be identified again?! (Just kidding. I still have them. They just took an image of them. I know you were fooled by that though.) In elementary school, I was part of a program called SEARCH. We did fun activities that were supposed to help stretch our minds. One of them was a crime scene investigation. We took our fingerprints by coloring on our fingers with pencil and then pulling the lead off with scotch tape. It was awesome. Since I knew what to expect, I was really prepared for my appointment. I even had my own pencil with me. The technology used now is quite a bit more advanced, though. The only thing I had to put on my hands was hand sanitizer, and no scotch tape was used. Talk about disappointment! She had this nifty little machine that scanned my fingers. She held my hand up there (I was thinking, wow what kind of a job with this be? You have your own tiny office and get to hold the hand of every person that comes in. I don't think I would be good at this...) and pressed each finger on the little screen. I'm pretty sure now she will know all of my secrets.
Did I mention that when I arrived for my appointment, I royally embarrassed myself? I ended up parking around the side of the building and decided to use the handy entrance that was right in front of me. Big mistake. I walk in the door, and there is a huge conference room on my left full of people. They had the door open. I don't know why. I stood there in bewilderment for a moment. There was a glass wall in front of me and I could see a hallway on the other side. That is where I probably wanted to be. The only other door was to a reception area on my right. I decided going in there was probably better than barging through the conference room, so I chose that one. There was no one in there. A sign on the desk started screaming at me. "You are in the wrong place. Non employees are supposed to use the FRONT door. Now, get out!" I turned around and exited and calmly walked to the front like I knew what I was supposed to be doing the whole time. I wonder if my red cheeks gave me away? Or maybe when I said to myself, out loud, "That was awkward?" I doubt any of those people in the conference room noticed, but I still was pretty embarrassed. Such is life.
The moral of the story: If you ever have to get fingerprinted in Idaho, use the front door, don't bother bringing a pencil, and prepare to have your hand held.
Happy almost Friday, everyone!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Oh, what a beautiful morning...
I just want to say, I love gray mornings. I would love it more if I could spend the day sleeping, but there is just something cozy about these types of days.
I had the BEST day yesterday. Cameron and I actually went to bed at a decent time the night before, and so we were able to wake up in time to eat breakfast together. Lately, I have just been fixing breakfast for him, sending him out the door, and then eating cereal. It was so nice to have time together.
I spent the morning getting stuff done (laundry, dishes, ironing, etc). I had an 11 o'clock fingerprinting appointment. That was interesting. I will share that with you another time.
It was such a gorgeous, sunshiny day that Cameron and I decided to meet at the park and have a picnic for lunch. We found a table in the sun, and it just happened to be near the lake. Pretty soon, we had a seagull (lakegull?) walking slowly around our table, squawking and pretending not to look at us. It obviously was hoping that we had some food for it. It had no idea how much I like food, or it never would have wasted it's time. After a while, it (and the friends that had joined it) moved away. One of the gulls flew over by the lake and started squawking. If I could speak gull, I'm pretty sure it said, "Guys, there are some people over here who aren't sharing their food. If you come harass them with me, I'll share the food they'll leave behind." There seriously was a whole flock that flew up from the lake and landed in the grass in front of us. It was nuts. We still refused to feed them. Pretty soon, a little boy came along who thought he was born to chase gulls. He was my new favorite child, and I don't even know him! Thank you, little boy. You helped make my picnic better.
When we finished eating, I asked Cameron to take a picture of us on his phone so that I could put one up when I blogged about our picnic. He ended up taking several. "It's too sunny. I'm squinting," he said. "Let's go stand under this tree," he exclaimed. "Now our faces are too dark because of the shade," I retorted. (Sorry, reverting back to the way they taught us to write conversations in elementary school.) Eventually, we got this picture. While we both look a little goofy, the lighting was ok. :D
All that to say, I'm loving life. The end.
I had the BEST day yesterday. Cameron and I actually went to bed at a decent time the night before, and so we were able to wake up in time to eat breakfast together. Lately, I have just been fixing breakfast for him, sending him out the door, and then eating cereal. It was so nice to have time together.
I spent the morning getting stuff done (laundry, dishes, ironing, etc). I had an 11 o'clock fingerprinting appointment. That was interesting. I will share that with you another time.
It was such a gorgeous, sunshiny day that Cameron and I decided to meet at the park and have a picnic for lunch. We found a table in the sun, and it just happened to be near the lake. Pretty soon, we had a seagull (lakegull?) walking slowly around our table, squawking and pretending not to look at us. It obviously was hoping that we had some food for it. It had no idea how much I like food, or it never would have wasted it's time. After a while, it (and the friends that had joined it) moved away. One of the gulls flew over by the lake and started squawking. If I could speak gull, I'm pretty sure it said, "Guys, there are some people over here who aren't sharing their food. If you come harass them with me, I'll share the food they'll leave behind." There seriously was a whole flock that flew up from the lake and landed in the grass in front of us. It was nuts. We still refused to feed them. Pretty soon, a little boy came along who thought he was born to chase gulls. He was my new favorite child, and I don't even know him! Thank you, little boy. You helped make my picnic better.
When we finished eating, I asked Cameron to take a picture of us on his phone so that I could put one up when I blogged about our picnic. He ended up taking several. "It's too sunny. I'm squinting," he said. "Let's go stand under this tree," he exclaimed. "Now our faces are too dark because of the shade," I retorted. (Sorry, reverting back to the way they taught us to write conversations in elementary school.) Eventually, we got this picture. While we both look a little goofy, the lighting was ok. :D
Cameron needs a haircut. I don't cut his hair.
I spent the afternoon waiting on the mailman to arrive with my paycheck and finishing up laundry and just doing stuff around here. Then, Cameron and I had Chicken-Stuffed Manicotti for supper, (it was good, but the sauce all cooked down or evaporated or something), and went for a walk. I had a great time crunching leaves. I'm just a kid at heart.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Outside My Windows
Cameron and I actually got up in time to eat breakfast together this morning. Huckleberry pancakes, eggs with sausage and potatoes, and milk. The eggs and sausage and potatoes were leftover from the breakfast I fixed for him to go hunting this weekend. It was very good, if I do say so myself. ;) If you had been here, I would have fixed enough for you too. Since you weren't, I want to share with you the things you are missing out on.
Besides the food that I enjoy cooking, there are other unique things about living where I do. Outside my windows, there are dogs that sound eerily human when they howl. There is a pale blue van that rattles away at the strangest hours. Various people walk or jog down the street. One man is really hungry when he gets home from work. He said so. There are leaves falling, proving that fall is definitely here. Chickadees chirp. The office building's alarm goes off quite regularly. It's a blessing. I can hear a little bit of highway traffic, with semi-trucks jake braking as they come down the mountain into Coeur d'Alene. There is a sprinkler system that makes a strange hissing noise as it comes on at 5:00 am.
All of these sounds blend together in a strange harmony that sounds like home. I like my little apartment in town. When our house is built out in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure I will miss these sounds. The peace of the country/woods will be nice too, though.
Now that you know what it is like to sit inside my house, what do you hear outside your windows?
Besides the food that I enjoy cooking, there are other unique things about living where I do. Outside my windows, there are dogs that sound eerily human when they howl. There is a pale blue van that rattles away at the strangest hours. Various people walk or jog down the street. One man is really hungry when he gets home from work. He said so. There are leaves falling, proving that fall is definitely here. Chickadees chirp. The office building's alarm goes off quite regularly. It's a blessing. I can hear a little bit of highway traffic, with semi-trucks jake braking as they come down the mountain into Coeur d'Alene. There is a sprinkler system that makes a strange hissing noise as it comes on at 5:00 am.
All of these sounds blend together in a strange harmony that sounds like home. I like my little apartment in town. When our house is built out in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure I will miss these sounds. The peace of the country/woods will be nice too, though.
Now that you know what it is like to sit inside my house, what do you hear outside your windows?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Uncle Brook
I thought that my serious posts would all end up on Friday, but I felt like I should post this today.
Cameron has an uncle who is seriously ill. He contracted Lyme's Disease several years (I think 7) ago, but it wasn't diagnosed in time for the doctor's to be able to do much to help him. It has been attacking his body for all these years. His nervous system has been affected, his eyes are very sensitive to light, sometimes he can't speak because it hurts too badly, and his stomach rejects most foods. He has lost 60 pounds in 5 years. Because of the various infections and things that have attacked his body, he was down to only being able to eat meats and vegetables, certain kinds of nuts, and very few grains. Now, his body is rejecting some of those as well. By trade, he was a logger and loved the outdoors. His whole life has been reduced to sitting, mostly inside in the dark.
This dear man has clung to his faith in God despite being sick for so long. He is always upbeat, uncomplaining. He is trusting God to do what the doctor's cannot do.
Our church is having a special day of prayer for Uncle Brook today. In this situation that seems so hopeless, I'm making the same choice as Uncle Brook. I choose to hope in the God who created the world. I choose to believe that because of the love God has for us, He will heal Uncle Brook. Whether that healing comes here, or whether God takes him home and gives him a new body, Uncle Brook will be free of this illness. There is victory no matter what the outcome. Uncle Brook has never given up his belief. Like Job, he has had much stripped out of his life. Not once has he cursed God. "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith."
I want to be that firm in my faith that no matter what hard things come into my life.
If you think of Uncle Brook today, please agree in prayer with us.
I love this song. It says exactly what it means to be a Christian.
I Choose, sung by Ivan Parker
Master, may I be so honest?
Could I admit the way I feel?
I’m hurting, it seems that you’ve forsaken.
I wonder, is Your love for me still real?
Though my friends think that I am happy,
Unaffected by this trial,
They can’t see the pain I’m hiding,
Just under my smile.
Master, I can’t live this way anymore,
Chorus
I choose to believe that You are faithful,
And my heart is in Your hands,
And this mystery that I face today,
Is part of a greater plan.
I choose not to be discouraged,
When the sun will not break through.
I have the choice of trusting you,
So Lord this is what I choose.
I know this road will not be easy.
I know I’ll have my weaker days.
And Satan will tell me I don’t mean it,
When I say, “I’ll trust God all the way.”
But that doesn’t really matter,
I refuse to hear him out.
With my faith I’ll find the power,
That will overcome all doubt.
Lord, I’ve never felt so strong,
As when I’m resting in your arms.
Chorus
I choose to believe that you are faithful,
That my life is in your hands,
That this mystery that I face today,
Is part of a greater plan.
I choose not to be discouraged,
When the sun will not break through.
I have the choice of trusting you,
So, Lord this is what I choose.
Cameron has an uncle who is seriously ill. He contracted Lyme's Disease several years (I think 7) ago, but it wasn't diagnosed in time for the doctor's to be able to do much to help him. It has been attacking his body for all these years. His nervous system has been affected, his eyes are very sensitive to light, sometimes he can't speak because it hurts too badly, and his stomach rejects most foods. He has lost 60 pounds in 5 years. Because of the various infections and things that have attacked his body, he was down to only being able to eat meats and vegetables, certain kinds of nuts, and very few grains. Now, his body is rejecting some of those as well. By trade, he was a logger and loved the outdoors. His whole life has been reduced to sitting, mostly inside in the dark.
This dear man has clung to his faith in God despite being sick for so long. He is always upbeat, uncomplaining. He is trusting God to do what the doctor's cannot do.
Our church is having a special day of prayer for Uncle Brook today. In this situation that seems so hopeless, I'm making the same choice as Uncle Brook. I choose to hope in the God who created the world. I choose to believe that because of the love God has for us, He will heal Uncle Brook. Whether that healing comes here, or whether God takes him home and gives him a new body, Uncle Brook will be free of this illness. There is victory no matter what the outcome. Uncle Brook has never given up his belief. Like Job, he has had much stripped out of his life. Not once has he cursed God. "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith."
I want to be that firm in my faith that no matter what hard things come into my life.
If you think of Uncle Brook today, please agree in prayer with us.
I love this song. It says exactly what it means to be a Christian.
I Choose, sung by Ivan Parker
Master, may I be so honest?
Could I admit the way I feel?
I’m hurting, it seems that you’ve forsaken.
I wonder, is Your love for me still real?
Though my friends think that I am happy,
Unaffected by this trial,
They can’t see the pain I’m hiding,
Just under my smile.
Master, I can’t live this way anymore,
Chorus
I choose to believe that You are faithful,
And my heart is in Your hands,
And this mystery that I face today,
Is part of a greater plan.
I choose not to be discouraged,
When the sun will not break through.
I have the choice of trusting you,
So Lord this is what I choose.
I know this road will not be easy.
I know I’ll have my weaker days.
And Satan will tell me I don’t mean it,
When I say, “I’ll trust God all the way.”
But that doesn’t really matter,
I refuse to hear him out.
With my faith I’ll find the power,
That will overcome all doubt.
Lord, I’ve never felt so strong,
As when I’m resting in your arms.
Chorus
I choose to believe that you are faithful,
That my life is in your hands,
That this mystery that I face today,
Is part of a greater plan.
I choose not to be discouraged,
When the sun will not break through.
I have the choice of trusting you,
So, Lord this is what I choose.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Fowl activities...
After going to bed around midnight last night, my husband got up shortly after 3:00 AM to go duck hunting with the male portion of his family. First of all, I think he's crazy. Second of all, I sincerely hope he doesn't drive at any point during this day. It was nice however, to be able to go back to bed after he left and sleep without any interruptions. He likes to set an alarm for 7:30 on Saturdays, and I haven't been able to break him of it. I HATE alarms at ungodly hours on Saturdays. I just want my sleep - is that too much to ask??
I was trying to think of a way that I could incorporate my job into my blog. This is what I have so far.
1. I have decided that the main difference between babysitting a small child and an elderly woman is that the elderly woman can entertain herself.
2. I have to follow her around the house at arms length every time she walks to try to keep her from falling. I pray a lot. I decided that is a lot like life. At all stages, we have people within arm's length to help us when we are falling. We just have to let them help.
3. I don't ever want to get old.
As you can see, I haven't been able to get terribly philosophical about it. Maybe one of these days when I am able to breathe while I am there, I will have more insight.
I hope your weekend is perfect and sunny!
I was trying to think of a way that I could incorporate my job into my blog. This is what I have so far.
1. I have decided that the main difference between babysitting a small child and an elderly woman is that the elderly woman can entertain herself.
2. I have to follow her around the house at arms length every time she walks to try to keep her from falling. I pray a lot. I decided that is a lot like life. At all stages, we have people within arm's length to help us when we are falling. We just have to let them help.
3. I don't ever want to get old.
As you can see, I haven't been able to get terribly philosophical about it. Maybe one of these days when I am able to breathe while I am there, I will have more insight.
I hope your weekend is perfect and sunny!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Different Note
I have been thinking about how I want my blog to be, and have decided that one day every week I want to put up a serious post. My beliefs are very important to me, and while I love making people laugh, I want to change lives too.
Most of you know that I love to write and would love to write a book eventually. I'm lazy, thus the eventually. I have tossed around the idea of doing a devotional book. Since I'm planning to use some of them on here, that might never happen. I don't think you can really publish stuff that has been put up someplace else. I might be wrong about that, though. I hope today's post can be an encouragement to someone.
Most of you know that I love to write and would love to write a book eventually. I'm lazy, thus the eventually. I have tossed around the idea of doing a devotional book. Since I'm planning to use some of them on here, that might never happen. I don't think you can really publish stuff that has been put up someplace else. I might be wrong about that, though. I hope today's post can be an encouragement to someone.
Luke 14: 16-24
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
What is your injury? Is your soul poor, needing that Pearl of Great Price to enrich it? Perhaps you have been hurt deeply by someone who was close to you. YOU are one who the King has invited to his supper. He has prepared bountifully for your attendance, and is just waiting for you to come and eat. If you will sit down with the King and partake of his provision, you will soon forget your wound. The sting of those battle scars will disappear, and all you will see is the wonderful provision of the King. Will you answer the compelling voice of the Spirit? Will YOU be whole?
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