Don't Cry for Me Argentina!
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Posted:Feb 22, 2009 7:45 am
Last Updated:Feb 23, 2009 7:58 pm 3405 Views
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I have two chocolates left in the heart shaped box of candy I purchased at 75 percent off last Sunday. Personally, I think stale chocolate that has been on the shelf since December 26 tastes better at 75 percent savings. But then again, I, for one, do not need someone to give me a heart shaped box of candy to know that I am indeed loved.
I spoke to many friends who spent last weekend bummed out because they did not share last Saturday, Valentines Day, with a significant other in their life.
Of course, for several weeks leading up to the lovers holiday, we all have been bombasted by the media as to what and how we should spend the day and our money.
For me, Valentines Day has a whole different meaning. You see, my divorce was finalized 18 years ago on St. Valentine's Day and I still feel it was the best money I have ever spent.
For those of you about to post scripture on how God hates divorce, let me stop you right there! God also hates it when we marry the wrong people too!
(Side note: Jesus has forgiven me of both and wiped the slate clean as the past is just that....passed! It was indeed a topic, I had to get clean with God regarding!)
I wasn't a Christian when I got married. I was a stupid little without self esteem. I certainly didn't know Jesus.
As a , I wanted to be loved unconditionally and cherished so badly in my life, I would do anything for it. Often, that view led to volitile and violent relationships as a and my marriage was no different.
I was married for 8 very long years. The last few months of which I was separated and very pregnant. My divorce was finalized before my turned one.
And yes, my ex husband is indeed the father. Infidelity was not a problem in our marriage although, looking back, I am sure he played around. I was just happy to have time alone. I'm not going to go into details but let's just say I was safer when he wasn't there.
My, what a long time ago that was!
After my divorce, I set to raising an infant and I did date quite a bit. Mostly guys I could control because I now had a to protect. I was still attracted to the bad boys: Partying, motorcycles, rock n roll guitarists. They were just younger and mostly interchangeable and none were long term serious relationships by any means.
Without the partying, the motorcycle, the guitar, we had little conversational interaction and I would grow bored in a handful of dates in most cases.
When my started toddling around and becoming vocal, I tapered off going out and dating. I never wanted to be one of those moms whose had all these so-called "uncles" if you know what I mean.
I dated my first (and only) true Texas cowboy for about a year. He, too, was much younger than I, and we were both so very different and from two different worlds. I came from a world of sex, drugs and rocknroll. He was a two-steppin', two timin', drink a six pack on the way to the bar, starch in his jeans, big ole Texas mustache wearin' hunk of man. Unfortunately, you cannot base a relationship on sparks in the bedroom no matter how big the fire down below. It lasted about a year.
Not long before my little dirt magnet entered kindergarten, I became a Christian. Scratch that... I became a good Christian.
I went to church faithfully each Sunday. My was involved in Awanas. I did the ladies Sunday night bible study. We attended all the various events. I read my Bible faster than I can devour a heart shaped box of chocolates at 75 percent off.
I did all the "right" things and starting having incredible head knowledge about God and the scripture. But I didn't know Him!!
A couple of years later, I went through some real emotional stuff in my life and I knew something was missing in my life. I knew I needed true healing. I went through a very difficult restoration process.
However, it was through that deeply emotional process, I began to build a foundation for a relationship with Jesus Christ. I finally had something other than head knowledge of our Lord and Savior. I had heart knowledge. He filled the spot that was missing with His unconditional love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.
It was what was missing my entire life... the very security and love I was searching for as a , and then adult.
So here it has been 18 years since my divorce. Shouldn't I be lonely? I have my ups and downs and fleeting moments that I sucumb to the media lies and feel alone. But most of the time, I am just thankful. I do feel incredibly blessed and loved even when times aren't all that peachy.
I am not rich. I am not secure financially. I have my share of bills and worries. I do not partically care for my job right now. I am overworked and underpaid.
And yet, none of that matters compared to having His love! So for me, Valentines Day is just another day of the year. I have a different kind of love that lasts 24-7, 365, year in and year out in addition to sale priced chocolates!
This past 18 years has been a pretty good run so far. I've had my dates, good and bad, and a few romantic relationships here and there over the years but, most importantly, I have a wonderful solid heart filled relationship with Jesus Christ.
And it is now that relationship that is the foundation for my very life.
Now, does anyone have any milk?
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What the heck am I worried about?
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Posted:Nov 23, 2008 9:03 am
Last Updated:Feb 22, 2009 5:36 am 3905 Views
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For most part, I am pretty content with my life, just the way it is... Yes, I, too would love for the weekends to be longer, have more cash in my checking account, not to have to work so much but all in all, God really blesses me and life is pretty darn sweet. God provides and takes care of my needs.
The only time I really have problems with my life is when my thinking starts to conform with society this time of year...
Case in point: The Dreaded Office Christmas Party invitation that reads, "For You and One Guest."
Now I am at a point in my life where I just don't date. I am not anti-dating. It's just not right for my lifestyle. I don't have the time nor the want. So needless to say, I don't have a guest to invite.
Personally, I don't even like the office Christmas party and find it to be a tremendous waste of money. However, my company doesn't give bonuses for Christmas. This party is it! The thousands that the company spends for this big shindig could be better spent in giving us all bonuses! I figure it probably costs around $100 a couple for this party.
I'd rather have the money to use on Christmas gifts and I know many others at my work that feel the same way but alas, it is not our decision.
The last Christmas party I went to, I sat with two other ladies I knew and their husbands. Dinner was excellent and it was nice I didn't have to cook but wasn't worth $100 by any standards. Yes, there was a bar but I am not about to drink at an office function. And just sitting there getting drunk isn't my style anyway.
The band was good but I was not about to dance with someone else's husband! In fact, most of the ladies I know have enough problems getting their own husbands out on the floor. If they can get them out to dance, they should take full advantage of it.
Needless to say, I was bored to death by 9pm and dinner started at 8pm!
This year's theme is a Tropical Christmas so they will also have some Hawaiian drum group performing which will be different. I am sure I will enjoy that portion.
I just really hate going to these things alone. I saw a portion of a movie called The Wedding Date. The premise is the woman uses an service to arrange a date for herself when she attends her little sister's wedding. I fell asleep on the couch before I could see the ending but I don't think I would want to buy a date or be able to pull off why this fabulous hunk would go out with me to start with. After all, I am not Debra Messing!
Then I started to thinking... What the heck am I worried about? I don't know most of the people that will be at this thing. Who do I have to impress anyway? I am darn good at my job so it's not like my occupation hinges on who I bring to this party.
Why should I conform to the worldview that I have to have a date to go to this thing? I don't conform to the worldview on so many things because of my beliefs as a Christian.
I do, however, want to get my full worth out of this thing since it's in lieu of a well deserved bonus so I am going to bring my mom. She never gets to go out. She will probably have a blast with the free dinner and show by the drummers. And who cares if we are home by 10pm. I'm normally pretty close to getting ready to crash at that time anyway!
So I am definitely taking my mom to this thing! And together we will eat my bonus worth of food! And I am not going to let the lack of a date make me feel bad about myself because truly, I love my life and I have it pretty darn good! God continues to bless me immensely! And those are the things for which I am truly grateful. And it's my relationship with Him that is most important of all... It's through that relationship that I know who I am in Christ. The office party cannot change that... date or no date!
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Oh Dear!
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Posted:Nov 9, 2008 6:24 am
Last Updated:Nov 23, 2008 8:15 am 3518 Views
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I am seeing increasing amounts of deer in my neighborhood. I guess all the development in the area has left them little place to roam freely.
The other night there were two doe and two fawn in my yard and the other morning a very majestic looking doe ran right out in front of my car as I leaving my subdivision to go to work. I am glad I drive slowly in the neighborhood.
They really are such beautiful creatures. It makes me think of so many wonderous things that God has created here on earth.
Each time I see a deer I can't help but think of all the awesome blessings God has bestowed upon us. I can't help but to be grateful!
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Watching Paint Dry
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Posted:Nov 8, 2008 11:30 am
Last Updated:Nov 23, 2008 7:15 am 3391 Views
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I am sitting in the college library as I await for my to finish his GED testing. Finally, I have a few minutes to myself on a computer with internet. I am blessed to have a nice caramel frappe by my side!
Life has been hectic to say the least and this morning was about as much fun as watching paint dry but yet for each crisis, God provides some how, some way and everything works out fine.
I haven't had any time for blogging or really interacting with many of my friends lately. Between a hectic work schedule and the punkenstein, I am grateful to get to sleep.
But alas, my is my first mission field and the job is God's provision for us.
Even when I am not here to say it, I miss everyone at BC tremendously (well except for that weirdo guy over in the corner) and y'all remain in my prayers.
Tomorrow is yet another day and another battle. I will be going up against some major opponents.... ANTS!! I bought a big ole bag of poison and borrowed my parent's spreader. Watch out Ants, here we come! I am taking back my yard and God is on my side!
Happy Weekend y'all!
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If you are gonna do it then do it to it!
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Posted:Oct 24, 2008 8:15 pm
Last Updated:Oct 28, 2008 4:19 am 3623 Views
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Halloween is just around the corner. This is the time of year, many Christians debate whether or not to participate in Halloween festivities. I personally believe that the decision should be made between the person and God.
Now Revelation warns us about being lukewarm so may I suggest that if you are going to participate... then don't give out crappy candy!! I personally prefer Reeces peanut butter cups and other chocolate items.
Do not give out candy corn... It doesn't even taste like corn. At least candied yams taste like candied yams! Although I am not sure how many would want to receive a spoonful of candied yams.
Don't give out hard candy. Only old people like butterscotch hard candy and no one wants those peppermints you saved up from Sonic. What's next? Ketchup packets?
What's the deal with Smarties? First of all they claim to be fruit flavored but I don't know of a single fruit that tastes like chalk. You might as well just give out Rolaids... At least that will cure a tummy ache!
Does anyone remember Safety Pops? These are those suckers that don't come on a regular stick but a curved handle type thingy. They were supposed to be safer than suckers. Of course, everyone remembers the horrible sucker tragedy of 1972 when hundreds of trick-or-treating all simultaneously fell down on their suckers and died!
Do not hand out fruit! First of all, the don't want it and sheesh, it's expensive these days!
Forget handing out pennies as well. I don't even think bubble gum machines take pennies anymore.
Do not hand out little boxes raisens. While I do like chocolate covered raisens, I only remember the non-chocolate covered ones I received for Halloween. They are impossible to trade away.
Skip Licorice! Licorice is an acquired taste for a much more mature palate. Not only will the thank you but so will their parents. Nothing is scarier on Halloween than a five year throwing up licorice!
There was always some guy when I was who would hand out toothbrushes. What kind of treat is a toothbrush?! Believe me, there isn't a on the planet who is going to go through his bag of goodies and say, "Oh I don't want this Snickers right now because I am going to try out my new toothbrush."
Only dentists hand out toothbrushes and it has done little for improving their public image. Of course, my dentist attended the Marquis De Sade School of Dentistry! Enough said!
If you wish your home to remain TP, egg and soap free this year, I suggest going the candy bar route. Snickers, Reeces, Hersheys, Three Musketeers and KitKats are all sure fired winners.
And if you feel especially generous, then feel free to send some to me as well.
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Here Today; Gone Tomorrow: Another story of God's Provision
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Posted:Oct 22, 2008 5:43 pm
Last Updated:Oct 28, 2008 4:29 am 3111 Views
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If you read my last post, you would know that I had a desparate need to find an car wash open before work today thanks to an entire flock of birds who decided to make my cute little red car their public toilet. Although there are two really nice full service car washes next to my home, niether are open at 6:30am in the morning.
So my poor little Red Aveo and I made our way through traffic in half covered in bird poop this morning. And I do mean covered!!
When I arrived at work, my normal parking space was filled. In fact, the only spaces open in the parking garage were those outside on the 5 1/2 floor. I thought, "Oh great! Now the Texas sun will bake this stuff on real good!"
When I left my office tonight and made my way down the elevator, I had no idea it had been raining. When I stepped into the parking garage, I was surprised by a really big and bad thunderstorm.
I got soaked just running to my car. I didn't make it very far from the parking garage when I had to pull over into a fast food joint parking lot because the visibility was nil and the street was starting to flood to where only large trucks could pass.
I waited in my little car nearly an hour as the rain whipped the windshield in sheets. I really do not like big storms so I took this as an opportunity to converse with God a bit. (Of course during a storm usually this consists of me asking and begging for God to please let me get home safely and please don't let those thunderboomers be so loud and "Please, please make it stop!"
As soon as there was a bit of a break, I headed back out through parking lots until I could make my way to a less flooded section of the freeway frontage road and inch my way toward home.
Through the rain and on the side road, it took me 90 minutes to get home but it wasn't nearly as nerve wracking as it would be if I had tried to get on the freeway. Those people drive WAY too fast in the rain and, of course, someone ends up in an accident so then you are just stranded in more traffic as you wait for it to clear.
So I took the tortoise way home... slow and steady, hitting every light at every intersection.
When I got into my own driveway and got out to check the mail, I noticed, my car was completely clean of all bird droppings.
So God may not have provided an open car wash this morning but He certainly provided one tonight! And this one was even free!
God rocks!
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Chick Magnet
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Posted:Oct 21, 2008 7:42 pm
Last Updated:Oct 27, 2008 4:21 am 3098 Views
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Sometime between the hours of 10pm last night and 6am this morning, a flock of birds got together and decided my car would be the perfect place for a public restroom.
When I got into my car this morning, it was still dark outside and condensation covered the windows. I drove to the gas station for a quick fill up before work when I discovered the entire back end and passenger side was covered in bird droppings.
Not one or two but covered!! My car is now more white than red on that side and the back.
My poor little red Avea had been violated by our feathered friends in the worst way!
When I arrived home tonight I could see where my car was previously parked by the white splatters on the driveway.
I think birds must be like many women I know who all have to go to the restroom together when out in public.
It looks like an entire flock picked out my car to target and it was bombs away!
I guess the birds just dig my wheels dude!
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My Own Personal Rainbow Connection
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Posted:Oct 20, 2008 9:17 pm
Last Updated:Oct 27, 2008 4:13 am 3601 Views
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As many of you know by now, when Hurricane Ike hit, I left my mobile home to stay at my parents home who have a nice brick one story nearby.
I took the pictures off the walls, brought in the plastic chairs, stocked my freezer full of ice, grabbed some food and other belongings, said a quick prayer asking for protection of my home and left for my mom's a few hours before the first rains hit.
As the storm came in, we watched the television news intensely until the power went out sometime after midnight. We tried to sleep but the winds sounded like jet engines and things were constantly hitting the roof and walls of the house. At one point there was a loud shot like sound that concluded with the breaking of glass. We all moved to the other side of the house rather quickly. It was pitch black outside and we couldn't see a thing. None of us wanted to be too close to any windows anyway.
The eye seemed to make it's way over us around daybreak although it could have been as late as 9:30 in the morning. We had lost all track of time but that's when we could at least start seeing outside a bit. I watched a mighty oak in my mom's front yard be completely uprooted and slam across the street.
For the first time we could go out onto the front porch which is somewhat protected by walls and roof to see a bit of the damage. The winds had died down a bit but continued to be fierce as was the rain. The eye did not come directly over us.
It didn't seem long before the winds then reversed direction and we faced the latter half of the storm.
It was late afternoon before the storm subsided and the winds stopped. With a few hours of daylight, neighbors started helping neighbors and surveyed the damages. Every home on the street where my parent's live sustained some sort of damage from a tree falling on them somewhere.
I was amazed that the ones with the most damage were those where people no longer lived... foreclosures or ones up for sale. Everyone went to work to help everyone else clear the trees from their homes and other brush as well as clear the streets from fallen trees.
Many, many oaks were uprooted while the pines seemed to have been twisted and torn off by mini-tornados that occurred during the storm.
By nightfall, we were exhausted but at about 2am we were hit with a powerful series of thunderstorms. So much for sleep...
Finally Sunday afternoon, my and I ventured toward our own mobile home to see how we fared. As we surveyed the damage up and down my parent's street, I tried to prepare my for the worst. After all, if all these nice brick homes could sustain so much damage how on earth would my little mobile home fair in the next subdivision across the main street?
As we started to leave my parent's subdivision, my pointed out a rainbow. He remarked how the end of it looked to be right on our house. Jake said, "See Mom, there's a rainbow on our house. It's going to be alright."
I couldn't help but to think about how God showed Noah that rainbow as a sign of His covenant with him but at the same time I didn't want to get my hopes up. I needed to be prepared and stand strong for my . I wasn't sure how he would react to the possible and probable devastation that would await us just down the street a bit.
As we turned into our subdivision, we saw mobile homes totally destroyed by trees... homes that looked as though they were made of paper and devastated by the strength of the hurricane.
I don't even remember turning onto my street but I do recall pulling up into my driveway.
Everything looked fine from the front but who knows what the back would look like and how many of my 22 trees would be laid across my home so we went to the backyard before trying to enter our home.
Here I was trying to be so strong but as I got around to the back my knees buckled and I lost it totally!
He had protected my home completely. Trees were down all around our lot but not one of our trees came down. Nothing hit our home. Not a window was broken. A little bit of skirting was untucked but not even ripped away from the base.
My and his friend came over to me and we just hugged on the ground as I sobbed out a thank you to God for blessing us! I couldn't believe it but yet, my mobile home remained just as I had left it! For several minutes, all I could do is cry and say "Praise God!"
Some believe there are riches at the end of a rainbow...
I found my pot of gold in a brown mobile home that God protected from Hurricane Ike. And my was right, that rainbow ended at our home and everything was alright!! God rocks!!
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Two Tacos Shy of a Combo Platter
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Posted:Oct 19, 2008 6:51 am
Last Updated:Nov 23, 2008 7:03 am 3346 Views
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I heard a story on the radio this week about a 21 year old senior at Mesa State University, a 2A college in Colorado. This shattered his pinkie finger playing football.
The doctors advised having surgery to repair the finger but he would not be able to play for the rest of his senior college season. In time, the finger would heal and he would have normal use of it. But he ordered the doctors to cut it off so he could play.
Now keep in mind that this is not playing for Notre Dame, UT or any major university where football players are routinely scouted for the NFL. He isn't being scouted in any way, shape or form. To put it bluntly, professional football is not in this future.
If he was all that good at the sport, he would be at a large school on a full ride football scholarship but instead he is at tiny 2A Mesa State.
Now I live in a state where people breathe football 24-7 but I find this to be two tacos shy of a combo platter.
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Blessed Beyond Measure
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Posted:Oct 18, 2008 5:23 pm
Last Updated:Nov 8, 2008 11:00 am 3927 Views
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It's been a while since I have been able to get online but I did survive Hurricane Ike. Despite all of our preparations, I don't think anyone was ready for weeks without electricity!!
My home was sparred any damage and damage to my parents' home was minimal. My office was not so lucky. The roof was peeled away from the 12th floor. Despite this, we have been working the best we can there. My office is on the 11th floor. Nearly every floor sustained damage.
The walls are slowly being put back up. I think someone could make a fortune if they made drywall in a mint flavor. At least it would be a bit easier breathing it all.
We are working basically with bandaids and I have been putting in a ton of OT in recent weeks. I hope in the next few weeks we will get back to normal before we have to start working on year end.
All in all, this whole ordeal has made me very grateful for many things I used to take for granted.... like being able to flush the toilet, air conditioning, electricity, mosquito spray, easy access to gasoline and fresh foods, etc. etc.
And while the OT has left me exhausted, I have been able to pay off my new frig with the money I made on my last check.
God has blessed me like crazy. He kept my family safe during the hurricane and has continued to provide for our needs.
We never went hungry, had to stand in lines for food, or experience some of the trials others did during the aftermath of the hurricane.
Praise God!!
He even gave us a few moments of comic relief in the midst of it all.
For example, I had ventured to a local dollar store to find clothespins since we were without electric for the washer and dryer. I found one open that had a generator. While I was there, a large burly man came in. He was big, sweaty and covered with tattoos. The kind of guy you would want on your side in a fight!
In a husky voice, he asked the cashier if the store had any old fashioned telephones that didn't need electricity. The girl shyly responded that they had one left but she didn't think he would want it.
He said he didn't care but he needed a standard non-electric phone. The salesgirl retrieved the last such phone in the store... a pink Disney princess phone with the faces of Snow White, Cinderella and some other Disney heroines upon it.
He took one look at that pink little girl phone and responded in his gruff gravely voice, "Cute, I'll take it."
He paid his money and left. The salesgirl and I about died laughing when he left at the though of that big brute using his pink Disney princess phone.
Yep, blessed beyond measure, indeed!!
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