1. My family. 2. Donny.
3. My home.
4. My job.
5. Laughter.
6. Pajamas.
7. My country.
8. First floor washer/dryer.
9. Coffee.
10. Jesus!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Attitude
This week's lesson? Attitude. Attitude! Shouldn't I already have learned that lesson? But the Lord, being a patient teacher, seems to finally be getting my attention. And do you know how you learn the value of attitude? By being in lots of situations that are very unpleasant! And boy oh boy, has this been a great week to learn about bad attitudes.
You know what I learned? This is embarrassing, but here it goes. The thing I learned is that my attitude often looks great (smiles, pats on the hand), sounds great (Sure! No problem!) and stinks (self explanatory.) It tastes bitter on my tongue even though the words sound sweet and it feels forced because it is.
I shared last week my couple of difficult confrontations. You know how it is when two people who truly love the Lord allow themselves to be chastised by one another? Iron sharpens iron and our friendship struck a blow against hell. The other one seemed to be quickly resolved until I realized I had been given the ultimate rejection, deleted from Facebook friends! Then there was the working weekend and the staffing frustrations that always come with. On my way to work Saturday morning was when I had that Aha! moment that simply was that God had never let me down. I knew that already, didn't I?
I think that the Lord had made my heart vulnerable to learning more about my attitude with the unpleasant week prior because I had spent a lot of time in prayer borne of frustration. There could be an entire blog devoted to why I need frustration to push me into deeper prayer. But there I was on Saturday morning getting worried about staffing before I got there and I think I was just worn out with worrying. I realized that attitude isn't really about taking a deep breath, walking into the hospital and putting on a smile. That's often what I do, with people complimenting me on my great attitude. But it's a superficial attitude. It's an attitude of "I hope." That's not the Christian's attitude. Our attitude is, "I know."
The world says, "We will see how this works." The Christian says, "I don't need to see it work, I know God's plan will always reign and I will play my part in whatever that is." A good attitude isn't about tolerating unpleasantness with a smile but the ever-present awareness of God in all. That knowledge generates peace which looks like a great attitude. And it isn't superficial.
I had two arguments, one deletion (lol), bad staffing for two days and let's not forget back to Weight Watchers and my weight right there in black and white! What a week! What a really really really...good week.
It was a week of waking up in the morning with a new understanding; my friend is angry at me but God loves me and he is a restoring God. My FB friend published her opinion of me on FB and then deleted me but God is a reassuring God who silences my accusers. My staffing is inadequate but God is a supplying God who makes ends meet. My weight is up but God is an enabling God who sees me through the blood of his son which makes me beautiful.
I would have chosen no arguments, no work problems and no weight gain if I'd been allowed to write my own script. I'd have chosen quick resolution, last minute fixes and less weight gain if I'd had finish the story.
Instead I got what I got. I got God in the middle of my mess.
On second thought, I don't think I really did get a lesson in having a good attitude. I got a lesson in having the right perspective.
I have told you these things so that you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
You know what I learned? This is embarrassing, but here it goes. The thing I learned is that my attitude often looks great (smiles, pats on the hand), sounds great (Sure! No problem!) and stinks (self explanatory.) It tastes bitter on my tongue even though the words sound sweet and it feels forced because it is.
I shared last week my couple of difficult confrontations. You know how it is when two people who truly love the Lord allow themselves to be chastised by one another? Iron sharpens iron and our friendship struck a blow against hell. The other one seemed to be quickly resolved until I realized I had been given the ultimate rejection, deleted from Facebook friends! Then there was the working weekend and the staffing frustrations that always come with. On my way to work Saturday morning was when I had that Aha! moment that simply was that God had never let me down. I knew that already, didn't I?
I think that the Lord had made my heart vulnerable to learning more about my attitude with the unpleasant week prior because I had spent a lot of time in prayer borne of frustration. There could be an entire blog devoted to why I need frustration to push me into deeper prayer. But there I was on Saturday morning getting worried about staffing before I got there and I think I was just worn out with worrying. I realized that attitude isn't really about taking a deep breath, walking into the hospital and putting on a smile. That's often what I do, with people complimenting me on my great attitude. But it's a superficial attitude. It's an attitude of "I hope." That's not the Christian's attitude. Our attitude is, "I know."
The world says, "We will see how this works." The Christian says, "I don't need to see it work, I know God's plan will always reign and I will play my part in whatever that is." A good attitude isn't about tolerating unpleasantness with a smile but the ever-present awareness of God in all. That knowledge generates peace which looks like a great attitude. And it isn't superficial.
I had two arguments, one deletion (lol), bad staffing for two days and let's not forget back to Weight Watchers and my weight right there in black and white! What a week! What a really really really...good week.
It was a week of waking up in the morning with a new understanding; my friend is angry at me but God loves me and he is a restoring God. My FB friend published her opinion of me on FB and then deleted me but God is a reassuring God who silences my accusers. My staffing is inadequate but God is a supplying God who makes ends meet. My weight is up but God is an enabling God who sees me through the blood of his son which makes me beautiful.
I would have chosen no arguments, no work problems and no weight gain if I'd been allowed to write my own script. I'd have chosen quick resolution, last minute fixes and less weight gain if I'd had finish the story.
Instead I got what I got. I got God in the middle of my mess.
On second thought, I don't think I really did get a lesson in having a good attitude. I got a lesson in having the right perspective.
I have told you these things so that you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
A True Story
When the young woman told her boyfriend that she was pregnant he first accused her of cheating. And then he said, "Get an abortion. I'll pay for it."
She chose to have her baby and so alone, she endured a difficult pregnancy while she worked full time to pay the rent on the apartment that would be her baby's home. She couldn't call in sick when she awoke vomiting and weak, there was no one else to go to work and pay the bills. She asked God, during those dark and frightening days, to soften the man's heart toward his child. She promised she would forgive him for his rejection. But the man never called and when she called him on the morning she gave birth to his daughter, he told her, "Go to hell" and hung up the phone.
The woman worked hard, finished school and was promoted at work.
One day when the little girl was four years old, the man finally called. "I want to see my daughter" he said. So the woman kept her promise to God and put her little girl into the back seat. But she was no longer alone. The man who had entered her life two years ago drove the car and held her hand as they made their way across town.
The father who had called for his daughter's death before her birth came out to the car and leaned into the window. He said to the little girl, "Hey there Beautiful, I'm your father." Then he looked into the front seat and pointed to the man in the driver's seat and said to the woman, "And who is this?"
Before the woman could answer, her daughter piped up in a happy voice from the back seat, "Don't be silly, that's my Daddy!"
Be very careful what you throw away, what you assume will always be there and what you treat with disregard.
It will be a kind of living death when one day, you see your treasure being lovingly cradled in someone else's arms.
She chose to have her baby and so alone, she endured a difficult pregnancy while she worked full time to pay the rent on the apartment that would be her baby's home. She couldn't call in sick when she awoke vomiting and weak, there was no one else to go to work and pay the bills. She asked God, during those dark and frightening days, to soften the man's heart toward his child. She promised she would forgive him for his rejection. But the man never called and when she called him on the morning she gave birth to his daughter, he told her, "Go to hell" and hung up the phone.
The woman worked hard, finished school and was promoted at work.
One day when the little girl was four years old, the man finally called. "I want to see my daughter" he said. So the woman kept her promise to God and put her little girl into the back seat. But she was no longer alone. The man who had entered her life two years ago drove the car and held her hand as they made their way across town.
The father who had called for his daughter's death before her birth came out to the car and leaned into the window. He said to the little girl, "Hey there Beautiful, I'm your father." Then he looked into the front seat and pointed to the man in the driver's seat and said to the woman, "And who is this?"
Before the woman could answer, her daughter piped up in a happy voice from the back seat, "Don't be silly, that's my Daddy!"
Be very careful what you throw away, what you assume will always be there and what you treat with disregard.
It will be a kind of living death when one day, you see your treasure being lovingly cradled in someone else's arms.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Uncomfortably Blessed
Listening to a radio show the other morning that was about weight loss, the doctor said that the greatest challenge to American dieters is that "Americans have an exceptionally low tolerance for discomfort of any kind."
Ain't that the truth?
That really does sum up the obesity epidemic in the United States. Our great blessings have made us not humbly thankful but turned us into gorging consumers in need of instant gratification. Hungry doesn't usually mean literally lacking food, it means not having immediate access to whatever we're currently craving.
I wonder how many people around the world even experience specific cravings. Or do they just become hungry because it's time to eat and then satisfied that they have eaten? We went to Applebee's the other evening for dinner because we didn't feel like cooking. Luxury. And then I had a silent invisible inside temper tantrum for a minute or two because they didn't have Weight Watcher's French Onion soup. They had tomato, chicken or potato soup. They had a 6 page menu of other options. But my supper was ruined! Well, not ruined but definitely disappointing.
Maybe this speaks only to me, but I do not want to be too weak to tolerate discomfort. As I rejoined Weight Watchers this week to re-lose that weight I've lost and regained, I know that my need for instant gratification got me here. Not just the caving in to fatty foods because they taste so good. But also the escape from boredom, sadness, frustration, tiredness that food provides me. The too many carry out/drive through/restaurant meals to avoid cooking and cleaning my kitchen because I'd had a long day. How many calories have I eaten to avoid discomfort?
Ahh, the high price of blessings. It reminds me again and again that although I know I cannot earn God's generosity, I can certainly be a better steward. Blessings do not cause a wise person to self-destruct.
Ain't that the truth?
That really does sum up the obesity epidemic in the United States. Our great blessings have made us not humbly thankful but turned us into gorging consumers in need of instant gratification. Hungry doesn't usually mean literally lacking food, it means not having immediate access to whatever we're currently craving.
I wonder how many people around the world even experience specific cravings. Or do they just become hungry because it's time to eat and then satisfied that they have eaten? We went to Applebee's the other evening for dinner because we didn't feel like cooking. Luxury. And then I had a silent invisible inside temper tantrum for a minute or two because they didn't have Weight Watcher's French Onion soup. They had tomato, chicken or potato soup. They had a 6 page menu of other options. But my supper was ruined! Well, not ruined but definitely disappointing.
Maybe this speaks only to me, but I do not want to be too weak to tolerate discomfort. As I rejoined Weight Watchers this week to re-lose that weight I've lost and regained, I know that my need for instant gratification got me here. Not just the caving in to fatty foods because they taste so good. But also the escape from boredom, sadness, frustration, tiredness that food provides me. The too many carry out/drive through/restaurant meals to avoid cooking and cleaning my kitchen because I'd had a long day. How many calories have I eaten to avoid discomfort?
Ahh, the high price of blessings. It reminds me again and again that although I know I cannot earn God's generosity, I can certainly be a better steward. Blessings do not cause a wise person to self-destruct.
Image:http://howlifereallyworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/instant-gratification.png
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
This Week
1. Got new contacts.
2. Had a couple of difficult conversations.
3. Went back to Weight Watchers.
4. Had a sinus headache. Have a sinus headache. Will have a sinus headache?
5. Found all of my Little House books in some boxes!
6. Changed to "Ginger Snap" Scentsies...Mmmmm.
7. Painted my nails red and wore blue scrubs with white shoes on Veteran's Day.
8. Removed the red nail polish on Friday.
9. Bought mascara and got one free at Wal Mart's.
10. Made an appointment with a new hair dresser.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Helloooooo
Wow, not a single post all week! That indicates a busy week I guess. Which it has been. I have had a sinus headache since last Friday. This morning I think it's a little better...thank you Jesus. Nothing touched it except the sinus medications that make you sleepy so I pushed through the week without much enthusiasm & only got relief when I went to bed.
I've also had two, yes two, different people this week accuse Dean or me of some very offensive stuff. Blaming us unfairly and being pretty aggressive about it. That probably contributed to my headache. With much prayer God enabled me to respond without anger but letting both of the people know that I would not receive their blame for things they were unhappy about. My flesh wanted me to list all of my defense arguments and throw in some of their own short-comings. But I didn't. I did my best to firmly set the limits of what I will tolerate. The real work comes in walking away without hardening my heart. Oh, how the enemy uses us against each other.
In other news, I attempted to make an appointment for new glasses but was informed that my insurance will pay for my exam now but not my glasses until January. Well that makes a tremendous amount of sense. Since I don't see the point in that, I'll wait until January. I am having my contact lens appointment today since insurance doesn't cover that. And I have a ton of housework to do since I haven't done anything around here all week except work and lie on the couch. Speaking of work, my weekend to work has rolled around again. Blech. But Dean has Monday off with me so maybe by then I will be headache free, chores done and can enjoy a day of rest.
And since, I didn't get to it yesterday, my thanks and love to everyone who has served in the military. It's a gift to your fellow man that I cannot comprehend.
Grace~
Image: my computer on the old farm table that used to be in the kitchen on The Farm.
I've also had two, yes two, different people this week accuse Dean or me of some very offensive stuff. Blaming us unfairly and being pretty aggressive about it. That probably contributed to my headache. With much prayer God enabled me to respond without anger but letting both of the people know that I would not receive their blame for things they were unhappy about. My flesh wanted me to list all of my defense arguments and throw in some of their own short-comings. But I didn't. I did my best to firmly set the limits of what I will tolerate. The real work comes in walking away without hardening my heart. Oh, how the enemy uses us against each other.
In other news, I attempted to make an appointment for new glasses but was informed that my insurance will pay for my exam now but not my glasses until January. Well that makes a tremendous amount of sense. Since I don't see the point in that, I'll wait until January. I am having my contact lens appointment today since insurance doesn't cover that. And I have a ton of housework to do since I haven't done anything around here all week except work and lie on the couch. Speaking of work, my weekend to work has rolled around again. Blech. But Dean has Monday off with me so maybe by then I will be headache free, chores done and can enjoy a day of rest.
And since, I didn't get to it yesterday, my thanks and love to everyone who has served in the military. It's a gift to your fellow man that I cannot comprehend.
Grace~
Image: my computer on the old farm table that used to be in the kitchen on The Farm.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Sunday
Psalm 84:2-4
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Cold weather is good because...
1. The wardrobe is kinder to the chubby girl.
2. Using the fireplace.
3. Baking & cooking doesn't make the house too warm.
4. The holidays are coming!
5. Snow is coming!
6. Who doesn't love a hoodie?
7. Life slows down.
8. I have a new red barn coat.
9. I have new LL Bean mocs.
10. You can wear a hat if you're having a bad hair day.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Anniversary Trip
Because I know you need need need to know about our mini-vacation; here is the much anticipated Smith 2010 Anniversary Trip in review!
To your left, 24 years of marriage! Us on Lake Michigan.
I think I took roughly 200 pictures of our get-away but I won't bore you with all 200! Mostly scenery and the rest all of those fabulous Facebook shots (you know, holding the camera at arm's length for your own picture.) I took a lot of scenery because I want to make a grouping for our bedroom wall. If I ever actually do that, I'll take a picture of the finished product. 
I will just share the highlights of our trip and really, there isn't much exciting to say. We have always enjoyed our anniversaries as time to be quietly together; relaxing and appreciating all that God has given us. So...
On Sunday afternoon we checked in to the Holiday Inn Express in St. Joseph. It was directly across the street from Lake Michigan up on a bluff. Let me insert a little Holiday Inn shout out here; we always reserve king jacuzzi rooms and we are never disappointed. Beautiful room with a kitchenette, giant jacuzzi, flat screen television and king size bed. During the late afternoon we took a leisurely walk along Silver Beach and were amazed at the breath-taking sight of Lake Michigan. I mean, we knew and yet you can't really know fully unless you are standing there how awesome God's creation is. It was windy and the waves were choppy and foamy. And on the beach it was cold! Still worth a slow walk to take it all in and feel those muscles relaxing.
Monday morning we had a small breakfast before heading out to Holland, MI. We traveled up the Michigan coast taking in the Autumn colors and then spent a few hours wandering in and out of galleries and small shops, finishing up with lunch before heading to the Holland State Park for more time on the Lake Michigan shore.
Back to St. Joseph in the evening we stopped for a jacuzzi warm-up and then to the beach again to watch the sunset. Are there words to describe it? Can a photograph even begin to capture it? No and no.
After the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, we went to Schu's for dinner. Steak for the Mr., grilled salmon for me. And then a stop at The Chocolate Cafe where the Mr. ran in to get us some hot cider to sip on our way home.
The Mr. also picked this out...
...for the top of our electronic tower.
I will just share the highlights of our trip and really, there isn't much exciting to say. We have always enjoyed our anniversaries as time to be quietly together; relaxing and appreciating all that God has given us. So... On Sunday afternoon we checked in to the Holiday Inn Express in St. Joseph. It was directly across the street from Lake Michigan up on a bluff. Let me insert a little Holiday Inn shout out here; we always reserve king jacuzzi rooms and we are never disappointed. Beautiful room with a kitchenette, giant jacuzzi, flat screen television and king size bed. During the late afternoon we took a leisurely walk along Silver Beach and were amazed at the breath-taking sight of Lake Michigan. I mean, we knew and yet you can't really know fully unless you are standing there how awesome God's creation is. It was windy and the waves were choppy and foamy. And on the beach it was cold! Still worth a slow walk to take it all in and feel those muscles relaxing. Monday morning we had a small breakfast before heading out to Holland, MI. We traveled up the Michigan coast taking in the Autumn colors and then spent a few hours wandering in and out of galleries and small shops, finishing up with lunch before heading to the Holland State Park for more time on the Lake Michigan shore. Back to St. Joseph in the evening we stopped for a jacuzzi warm-up and then to the beach again to watch the sunset. Are there words to describe it? Can a photograph even begin to capture it? No and no. After the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, we went to Schu's for dinner. Steak for the Mr., grilled salmon for me. And then a stop at The Chocolate Cafe where the Mr. ran in to get us some hot cider to sip on our way home.Tuesday we reluctantly checked out and drove east, away from St. Joseph and possibly the best anniversary trip we've ever enjoyed. Although I think I say that every year. Anyway...
Another stop in Marshall on the way back home for lunch and a stroll along main street including a stop at The Mole Hole to buy our annual Radko Christmas ornament. Every year the we get an ornament that reminds us of the year past. Here is the 2010 ornament choice. I'll tell you more about the reason why on another day.
The Mr. also picked this out......for the top of our electronic tower.And that is the 2010 Smith Anniversary Trip. We had a great time and are happy to be home in a blessed and happy house where we continue to stand amazed by grace.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Home
Ah, home sweet home. Although if you wanted me to spend a few extra days in St. Joseph, I wouldn't have argued.I'm unpacking and laundering and still to make an apple pie promised to my staff tomorrow when I'm back to work. Glad to be home, rested and refreshed and happy. Hope all is going well with all of you, I'll post something more substantial in the next few days.
Grace!
Top: Snuggled up on Lake Michigan waiting for sunset.
Bottom: Lake Michigan sunset.
Monday, November 01, 2010
St. Joseph
Good morning from St. Joseph, MI on Lake Michigan!
We arrived yesterday afternoon after stopping in Marshall, MI for brunch. Schueller's no longer serves their Sunday brunch! Still a great meal but disappointing, another tradition lost.
Anyway, it is amazingly beautiful here. Everyone who has ever stood on this shore must believe in God. We had dinner in a little beach side restaurant and walked along the lake yesterday evening. Back to the hotel to warm up in the jacuzzi and a good night's sleep.
This morning we are getting ready to head out to drive along the Lake Michigan shoreline and see the Autumn colors.
In the mean time, here is a photograph of a lighthouse I took during our walk.
Have a wonderful day!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday
Ecclesiastes 4:9:12
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Painting from our wedding invitation: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever/collections/graphics/large/theweddingmorning_large.jpg
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wonderful Weekend Stuff
1. I-94 West across Michigan.2. Lake Michigan.
3. Lighthouses.
4. New restaurants.
5. Wearing my L.L. Bean mocs.
6. Brunch at Schueller's in Marshall.
7. Jacuzzi.
8. Autumn in Michigan.
9. Relaxation.
10. The Mr.
Image of a Lake Michigan sunrise:http://soul-amp.com/pics/Pics_to_post_Lake_Michigan_at_minus_11/Lake_Michigan_ice_January_19_2008_6__soul-amp
Friday, October 29, 2010
Astonishing Extravagance
Happy Friday! I am working from home today and getting ready for our trip to the West Coast (of Michigan.) Getting my hairs did later this afternoon and then we have dinner reservations and nothing but relaxation ahead! I'm already feeling my muscles un-tense. Gonna do a home mani-pedi and enjoy every moment of the long weekend ahead. And boy am I glad I got my LL Bean barn coat and mocs, looks like the Lake Michigan shoreline will be brisk and beautiful. Not to mention my cream colored hat with the kicky little bill, got a charcoal gray one too! Can you tell I'm happy? Well I am!
I hope I never get used to God's blessings, that I am always like a little kid on Christmas morning...amazed at all of the wonderfulness. I remember very clearly anniversaries when we just barely had enough money to drop our little ones with my parents to go out to dinner. And worst of all, a few anniversaries when we just didn't love each other enough to celebrate. Then we progressed to going away overnight, bed & breakfast in Marshall and now looking forward to a few days in a hotel on Lake Michigan (with a jacuzzi!) How generous God has been to us! How abundantly he pours out good things. The word that always best describes him is extravagant.
Yesterday Daboyz asked me if I could go back to being 18, would I start over? My answer was absolutely not. Even if I could take the knowledge I now have with me and change my decisions? Still no. I can't possibly know what different paths might have led to but what I understand with certainty now is that God is a sustainer in poverty. I've had poverty of finance, of spirit, of hope, of joy. But he has always sustained. He has always held back the waves that wanted to crash over my life and drag my like an undertow into darkness. I wouldn't want to not know that. I love the astonishment I feel every time we go away for our anniversary at how far God has taken us financially as well as emotionally. I know the 18 year old me had smoother skin and a much better body. But this me has crow's feet, a thickening waist and a sexy rockin' gorgeous heart of gratitude.
So I gotta run. I gotta do some official work, gotta go get some new polish for my toes (thinking a very dark Autumnal plum, what do you think?) I'd like to pick up a sweater or two. Straighten the house and it'll be just about time to get my hairs did and then out to The Bone Fish Grill for dinner.
As for the celebration, that's perpetual.
Image:http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4275638228_6bce554b52.jpg
Grace!
Update: My hairdresser who does a great job on my hair just called to say she's sick and not coming in today. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence. I think I'm done with her. So if anyone knows a great hair dresser, let me know. Luckily, I just need a little root touch up this time so I'm just going to do it myself. And this is NOT going to ruin my weekend!
I hope I never get used to God's blessings, that I am always like a little kid on Christmas morning...amazed at all of the wonderfulness. I remember very clearly anniversaries when we just barely had enough money to drop our little ones with my parents to go out to dinner. And worst of all, a few anniversaries when we just didn't love each other enough to celebrate. Then we progressed to going away overnight, bed & breakfast in Marshall and now looking forward to a few days in a hotel on Lake Michigan (with a jacuzzi!) How generous God has been to us! How abundantly he pours out good things. The word that always best describes him is extravagant.
Yesterday Daboyz asked me if I could go back to being 18, would I start over? My answer was absolutely not. Even if I could take the knowledge I now have with me and change my decisions? Still no. I can't possibly know what different paths might have led to but what I understand with certainty now is that God is a sustainer in poverty. I've had poverty of finance, of spirit, of hope, of joy. But he has always sustained. He has always held back the waves that wanted to crash over my life and drag my like an undertow into darkness. I wouldn't want to not know that. I love the astonishment I feel every time we go away for our anniversary at how far God has taken us financially as well as emotionally. I know the 18 year old me had smoother skin and a much better body. But this me has crow's feet, a thickening waist and a sexy rockin' gorgeous heart of gratitude.
So I gotta run. I gotta do some official work, gotta go get some new polish for my toes (thinking a very dark Autumnal plum, what do you think?) I'd like to pick up a sweater or two. Straighten the house and it'll be just about time to get my hairs did and then out to The Bone Fish Grill for dinner.
As for the celebration, that's perpetual.
Image:http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4275638228_6bce554b52.jpgGrace!
Update: My hairdresser who does a great job on my hair just called to say she's sick and not coming in today. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence. I think I'm done with her. So if anyone knows a great hair dresser, let me know. Luckily, I just need a little root touch up this time so I'm just going to do it myself. And this is NOT going to ruin my weekend!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Too Early for Eloquence
Yawn, good morning.
The Mr. left for work this morning shortly after 5 a.m. as usual. I snuggled back in expecting to sleep another hour and a half but it seems that a certain person named Donny decided that he absolutely had to go outside immediately and no two ways about it! If you've ever tried to ignore a dog intent on going outside, can't be done. So I got up, let Donny out and made a pot of coffee. May as well start the day. At this moment, my furry friend is curled up sound asleep and snoring and I am too awake to go to sleep and too sleepy to be awake.
At this point I'm just counting down the week until we go away for our anniversary. Of course when you do that, the week slows down to a snail's pace. I believe this particular week has been 4 months long so far.
That's about all I have to say at this tender hour of the morning. Have a blessed Thursday!
Stretch.
The Mr. left for work this morning shortly after 5 a.m. as usual. I snuggled back in expecting to sleep another hour and a half but it seems that a certain person named Donny decided that he absolutely had to go outside immediately and no two ways about it! If you've ever tried to ignore a dog intent on going outside, can't be done. So I got up, let Donny out and made a pot of coffee. May as well start the day. At this moment, my furry friend is curled up sound asleep and snoring and I am too awake to go to sleep and too sleepy to be awake.
At this point I'm just counting down the week until we go away for our anniversary. Of course when you do that, the week slows down to a snail's pace. I believe this particular week has been 4 months long so far.
That's about all I have to say at this tender hour of the morning. Have a blessed Thursday!
Stretch.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Damascus
Driving down the highway alone the other day I look up at the beautiful Autumn sky. The clouds were high and white against a brilliant blue that can really only be called "sky blue." The sun was slicing through the clouds to create prisms across prisms across prisms.
And from heaven into my heart I heard (I tell you I heard), "Love you."
And from heart to heaven, "Love you too!"
And from heart to heaven, "Love you too!"
What a sweet perfect moment of wholeness and utter understanding. Not that I understood the structure of the atom and the small print on my mortgage and string theory. What I understood was what was real. And the atom, my mortgage and string theory do not compare to the realness of God and me.
There was a sudden break from the cloudy glass I squint through most of the time and the enormity of the sky above me was God, over around surrounding through ahead behind beside and within me. It was several minutes of absolute understanding. It was the absence of fear or worry or doubt. It was a timeline in my spirit showing me just how small this part of eternity is. It was the hearing of every prayer said and whispered and thought that God still remembers and continues to answer even I may have believed I have received the answer or forgotten I ever asked.
It was reality.
And the reality is that God is all powerful. He is always faithful. He is love and truth and justice. He is merciful. He smiles on his creation and adores us.
His word will not return void.
I have a determination from those moments on the freeway when I wasn't even seeking any kind of epiphany.I am determined to be foolish. I will believe in the fulfillment of every promise and celebrate before the trumpet.
I am going to forget to fear.
I come to the garden alone~
It sometimes seems to me that we are over-institutionalized. By that, I mean that we don't respect learning, supporting, thinking, growing or goals if they don't exist under a heading and a designated leader. How did we go for hundreds of years being close to God and schooled in his word before the creation of Men's groups and Ladies groups and youth groups and play groups and study groups and life groups and couples groups and and and and....
I am not opposed to organized fellowship and study. My frustration is that I see a great cloud of witnesses all about me who cannot function independent of it. I am not opposed to mentors and guidance, but I think it's a leap in the wrong direction when people call for help and direction without ever pausing with their own Bible and time in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I know this to be true because I have been called upon to lead someone through a challenge. I don't mind that, I feel honored. But of late I have started to begin those conversations by asking what work the individual has done so far, on their own, to find their answers. By a huge majority the answer is zero. "I don't even know where to start!" Well, cowboy up and figure it out. And I say that with love. If a person has known the Lord for more than a few months, they should be able to start the process of learning and growing to some extent on their own. I am not advocating living in bubble without support and guidance. I am comparing what I see in current culture to a child who is still being carried on their parents' hip when they are 8 years old because they just keeping getting carried and never try to stand. You know where that leads? To handicapped children whose muscles can't hold them.
All of my adult life, I have been in ministry on some level. I have held official positions of leadership and authority and I've given counsel and prayer one on one over coffee. I believe in this. It is Biblical and it is our duty to reach out, around and back to bring others forward in their journeys as we progress in ours. But I am saddened and alarmed at the loss of people sitting in the early morning or late night hours with a Bible in front of them searching and growing and finding God without an official group allegiance or person with a title assigning a study program. I have had a particular method to much of my mentoring over the years, it has been to teach others how to learn. In fact, during our years as youth leaders, every year we devoted several months to Wednesday nights we called "Learning to Learn." The kids would submit topics, prayer requests, questions and together we'd pull out Bibles and concordances and even go online as we searched out God's answers together.
I think we might be in trouble my friends. I see a generation of people who have never learned to learn. And I see an even more offensive trend, a generation of "leaders" who are growing fat and arrogant on the dependence of others seeking their help.
Finally, as that socially independent homebody free-thinker, I am an outcast. I'm fine with that. But still, I am sometimes the object of concern, of desperate pleas to join this or that group to prove my devotion. Yes, it is an invitation extended with love and it is not one usually spoken with judgement. But it is also a fact that my no thank yous are usually met with sadly shaken heads and remonstrations that I am missing out on the greatness of God by seeking him more often than not in empty rooms.
I have learned from those who went before me that without the determination to find God for myself, I cannot really become a Warrior.
Jacob wrestled with the angel and there is no record of the name of his life group.
God called for Samuel and did not allow Eli to be a part of the conversation.
Paul was struck blind and alone with a God who demanded his attention.
Paul was struck blind and alone with a God who demanded his attention.
Jesus went into the wilderness leaving behind his friends as he faced death.
Don't walk away from organized fellowship if it feeds and encourages you.
But know this with certainty, your relationship with Jehovah God is found between you and him only and you are seeing just a glimpse of the reality of him if you have not yet learned to be alone with him. 
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday
1. Got cramps.
2. Is Autumn not beautiful? Yes it is.
3. One more week until St. Joseph, MI!
4. Saw "Hereafter" yesterday. Wow, was it slow-moving and pointless! And I usually love slow-moving and pointless movies! I mean, I love "The Remains Of The Day!"
5. I slept great last night. I know you were wondering.
6. I would really prefer not to work this weekend. Actually, I don't mind working but am praying for minimal drama.
7. Seriously, I have cramps.
8. Soup weather! I am making a pot of something on Monday.
9. Would the person who told politicians that these ridiculous ads and signs have an impact on intelligent people please correct that?
10. Tonight, campfire with the Mr. & Daboyz.
2. Is Autumn not beautiful? Yes it is.
3. One more week until St. Joseph, MI!
4. Saw "Hereafter" yesterday. Wow, was it slow-moving and pointless! And I usually love slow-moving and pointless movies! I mean, I love "The Remains Of The Day!"
5. I slept great last night. I know you were wondering.
6. I would really prefer not to work this weekend. Actually, I don't mind working but am praying for minimal drama.
7. Seriously, I have cramps.
8. Soup weather! I am making a pot of something on Monday.
9. Would the person who told politicians that these ridiculous ads and signs have an impact on intelligent people please correct that?
10. Tonight, campfire with the Mr. & Daboyz.
Image:http://www.soupsong.com/soupsong.gif
Thursday, October 21, 2010
My New Cream Colored Hat and So On
Tomorrow I am going to wear my new cream colored knit hat with the kicky little bill.
That is because it is 10:15 p.m. and I have done all of my housework.
As I shoved the vacuum at Mac about half an hour ago and finished sweeping the front end of the house he asked what in the world I was doing and why didn't I just sit down and relax? Well, I'll tell ya why. It's because tomorrow is my day off as once again the third weekend has rolled around (that keeps happening) and I'm working. Do you realize that the past two weekends, when I have not been working, I have come home from work on Friday night and not left the house again until Monday morning when I went back to work? And do you realize that I did not leave the house the entire weekend I was off four weeks ago? I'm not complaining, mind you! No siree, lock me up in my house and I am a happy camper. The last two weekends I have cooked and baked and cleaned and shined and worn no make up and had two birthday dinners, one for Mac and one for the Mr.'s folks. I lurved every moment. But today I decided that tomorrow I wanted to wear my new cream colored knit hat with the kicky little bill and leave the house on my day off. So tonight I did my housework. As I explained to Mac, a person needs to earn a day completely off by taking care of one's responsibilities first. To make a habit of thoroughly enjoying yourself without doing so is kind of not so great. I think he got it although all he really did was tell me my hair was crazy but the house smelled really nice.
Now it is quite past my bed time and I'm ready to crawl between my clean fresh sheets in my clean fresh flannel pajamas and sleep a well-earned sleep. I'm already looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning with a whole day in front of me to do whatever the Mr. and I want to do. I will have my morning coffee in my bright shining (good smelling) house, put on my new cream colored knit hat with the kicky little bill and then...who knows what might happen next.
Lunch in a deli? A matinee? A trip to the library or The Henry Ford? Whatever the day brings it will be with the peaceful kind of pleasure that accompanies a day off that is truly well-earned.
If you're looking for me, I'll be out and about in my new cream colored hat with the kicky little bill!
That is because it is 10:15 p.m. and I have done all of my housework.
As I shoved the vacuum at Mac about half an hour ago and finished sweeping the front end of the house he asked what in the world I was doing and why didn't I just sit down and relax? Well, I'll tell ya why. It's because tomorrow is my day off as once again the third weekend has rolled around (that keeps happening) and I'm working. Do you realize that the past two weekends, when I have not been working, I have come home from work on Friday night and not left the house again until Monday morning when I went back to work? And do you realize that I did not leave the house the entire weekend I was off four weeks ago? I'm not complaining, mind you! No siree, lock me up in my house and I am a happy camper. The last two weekends I have cooked and baked and cleaned and shined and worn no make up and had two birthday dinners, one for Mac and one for the Mr.'s folks. I lurved every moment. But today I decided that tomorrow I wanted to wear my new cream colored knit hat with the kicky little bill and leave the house on my day off. So tonight I did my housework. As I explained to Mac, a person needs to earn a day completely off by taking care of one's responsibilities first. To make a habit of thoroughly enjoying yourself without doing so is kind of not so great. I think he got it although all he really did was tell me my hair was crazy but the house smelled really nice.
Now it is quite past my bed time and I'm ready to crawl between my clean fresh sheets in my clean fresh flannel pajamas and sleep a well-earned sleep. I'm already looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning with a whole day in front of me to do whatever the Mr. and I want to do. I will have my morning coffee in my bright shining (good smelling) house, put on my new cream colored knit hat with the kicky little bill and then...who knows what might happen next.
Lunch in a deli? A matinee? A trip to the library or The Henry Ford? Whatever the day brings it will be with the peaceful kind of pleasure that accompanies a day off that is truly well-earned.
If you're looking for me, I'll be out and about in my new cream colored hat with the kicky little bill!
Seasoned
Here I sit when I should be getting ready for work because this pre menstrual headache and cramps does not inspire motivation. I took the regular Motrin which hasn't kicked in, and won't really eliminate the discomfort. This I know from many years of experience. Don't be alarmed, it's status quo for me and doesn't indicate anything other than the usual.
The other day on the radio I was listening to a talk show about women's health and menopause. And on days like today, I say bring it on. I know that menopause brings its own set of stuff with it, but still. Today specifically the headache and cramps seems to be the worst of the possibilities.
Yesterday I didn't listen to the radio because I had a guest with me, my co-worker's car is in the shop so she was riding with me. Usually, to be frank, that wouldn't really make me thrilled. I am a weird sort who really enjoys my driving to and from work alone. It's thinking, praying and focusing time. So as utterly silly as it is, it is something of a (very tiny) sacrifice to carpool. My friend has a 3 year old who has to be taken to the baby sitter in the morning so I have a carseat in my truck now! As I sat there talking away to "Angelou", which is what I call her daughter and no, that is not her name, while her mom strapped in the car seat; I found myself happy.
Not happy for the company during my morning commute.
Not happy for the headache and cramps which I was also experiencing yesterday.
Happy that this moment in life is imperfectly exactly what it is supposed to be. A season in life, a time in my life different than the time in hers. No more little ones in car seats for me but very clearly I can remember days of needing to borrow my mom's car to get my kids to pre-school. I recall my grampa and gramma having their own car seats as did my parents not only because I occasionally needed help but because they just plain old liked having my kids around. Hard times while they were happening, survived without scars by the grace of others. People who were older. People who had not had babies in the cars for a long while. People who had enough money to have a dependable car. And people, here is the lesson, people who acted like it was their pleasure to strap my little ones into their back seats.
I didn't enjoy those times. I was stressed out and embarrassed. I was sure I was a burden. Yesterday as Angelou was showing me her blanket and explaining to me that there were cherries on her pajamas I looked over at her mom who thanked me for the ride and apologized profusely for not having a car. And I had an epiphany. I liked seeing Angelou in my backseat. I was enjoying her little girl voice and beautiful face and her excitement at "riding in the big truck!" And I liked, loved, was amazed and overwhelmed at something I didn't expect. I realized that it was my turn. It is my season to have the car, to extend the hand. My season to have someone else's little one in my backseat and not resent it but just to enjoy the beauty of her life. My opportunity to be made aware at how far life has come for me. I received grace and now I give it. And in the giving I am relieved of that old old feeling of having been a burden. It wasn't failure so much as just the seasons of life passing, blessing flowing from hand to hand.
What does this have to do with cramps? Well, just this. I do not enjoy my current state of being. But it's a season too. I will probably not love every moment of menopause, but it's a season. And every season has its beauty and its ashes.
Pain lives beside grace. Sure, in my case it's PMS living beside carpool, pretty silly I suppose. But the lesson remains true.
Pain lives beside grace.
Grace reigns over pain.
All seasons are beautiful.
The other day on the radio I was listening to a talk show about women's health and menopause. And on days like today, I say bring it on. I know that menopause brings its own set of stuff with it, but still. Today specifically the headache and cramps seems to be the worst of the possibilities.
Yesterday I didn't listen to the radio because I had a guest with me, my co-worker's car is in the shop so she was riding with me. Usually, to be frank, that wouldn't really make me thrilled. I am a weird sort who really enjoys my driving to and from work alone. It's thinking, praying and focusing time. So as utterly silly as it is, it is something of a (very tiny) sacrifice to carpool. My friend has a 3 year old who has to be taken to the baby sitter in the morning so I have a carseat in my truck now! As I sat there talking away to "Angelou", which is what I call her daughter and no, that is not her name, while her mom strapped in the car seat; I found myself happy.
Not happy for the company during my morning commute.
Not happy for the headache and cramps which I was also experiencing yesterday.
Happy that this moment in life is imperfectly exactly what it is supposed to be. A season in life, a time in my life different than the time in hers. No more little ones in car seats for me but very clearly I can remember days of needing to borrow my mom's car to get my kids to pre-school. I recall my grampa and gramma having their own car seats as did my parents not only because I occasionally needed help but because they just plain old liked having my kids around. Hard times while they were happening, survived without scars by the grace of others. People who were older. People who had not had babies in the cars for a long while. People who had enough money to have a dependable car. And people, here is the lesson, people who acted like it was their pleasure to strap my little ones into their back seats.
I didn't enjoy those times. I was stressed out and embarrassed. I was sure I was a burden. Yesterday as Angelou was showing me her blanket and explaining to me that there were cherries on her pajamas I looked over at her mom who thanked me for the ride and apologized profusely for not having a car. And I had an epiphany. I liked seeing Angelou in my backseat. I was enjoying her little girl voice and beautiful face and her excitement at "riding in the big truck!" And I liked, loved, was amazed and overwhelmed at something I didn't expect. I realized that it was my turn. It is my season to have the car, to extend the hand. My season to have someone else's little one in my backseat and not resent it but just to enjoy the beauty of her life. My opportunity to be made aware at how far life has come for me. I received grace and now I give it. And in the giving I am relieved of that old old feeling of having been a burden. It wasn't failure so much as just the seasons of life passing, blessing flowing from hand to hand.
What does this have to do with cramps? Well, just this. I do not enjoy my current state of being. But it's a season too. I will probably not love every moment of menopause, but it's a season. And every season has its beauty and its ashes.
Pain lives beside grace. Sure, in my case it's PMS living beside carpool, pretty silly I suppose. But the lesson remains true.
Pain lives beside grace.
Grace reigns over pain.
All seasons are beautiful.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Great Idea
So I had a great idea. Wednesday at work we are all wearing pink for breast cancer awareness/Bully Prevention Day. In order to show my appreciation to my staff, I had a great idea.
I was going to make sugar cookies and then put a pink candy in the middle of it! You know, like a breast!
And then I realized what might happen if my staff went to H.R. and said,
"My boss gave me a nipple cookie."
Another great idea bites the dust.
I was going to make sugar cookies and then put a pink candy in the middle of it! You know, like a breast!
And then I realized what might happen if my staff went to H.R. and said,
"My boss gave me a nipple cookie."
Another great idea bites the dust.
Image:http://www.erings.synthasite.com/resources/Breast%20Cancer%20Ribbon%20Paint.jpg
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Halloween
How should a Christian deal with Halloween? I've, frankly, never had much of a problem with it. My kids dressed up, did some Trick or Treating, took cupcakes to school and carved a pumpkin or two. So far there has been no progression to Satan worship and I do not personally know anyone whose child was kidnapped and sacrificed on October 31.
Yes I know that Halloween has pagan origins. Or Catholic origins. Or something like that. Depends on the current theory and shocking new information. Don't get me wrong, I don't like that Halloween seems to be neck in neck with Christmas and many streets glow with orange lights and the plastic undead. I'm just not afraid of Halloween. I don't feel the need to lock the doors and hide or spend the evening in church praying away the evil spirits. There are evil spirits, make no mistake. But they are not held within the 24 hour time frame of Halloween. I've seen too much of Christianity that has given a lot of power to secular issues by trying very hard to prove themselves set apart. One shouldn't be set so far apart one cannot see the very people we are supposed to be reaching. Public service announcement alert: do not give out tracts or Benny Hinn books for trick or treat. That's completely lame and it makes everyone go home and laugh at Jesus on behalf of his "followers."
What should the Christian do with Halloween? I don't care. Do whatever you want. Ignore it, watch The Great Pumpkin or go away for your anniversary (that's what I'm doing but I intend to hook up with Charlie Brown from the hotel room.) Carve a pumpkin and hand out Snickers. Wear a silly hat to work. Do the Monster Mash.
Just don't, don't, don't be more obsessed with Halloween than the world is. This is how I see Christianity vs. the world. Anything displeasing to God is only something satan twisted into a counterfeit. satan cannot create, he can only steal. So I pretty much spend my days taking it all back. I take back rock music. I take back dancing. I take back pride in my appearance. I take back enjoying life. I take back Halloween by having fun with it but keeping it maintained. I have a glowing pumpkin on my end table. It's not in honor of the devil or to signify my support of child sacrifice.
The little glowing pumpkin on my end table came from my Grandma Trent's house. Our Halloween is about little kids dressing up and doing something as silly as collecting candy. It's innocent and reminiscent. It ain't the world's Halloween.
It's God's.
Psalm 96:11-13Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.
Image: http://www.marciabaldwin.artspan.com/show-image/140046/Marcia-Baldwin/AUTUMN-TREE.jpg
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Misc
1. Making lasagna for Dean's folks and grandma tomorrow, all three of their birthdays in one week.
2. Determined to de-stress!
3. Reservations made for anniversary trip, St. John, Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan.
4. Finally had a good deep sleep last night and the Mr. woke me up early. Argh.
5. Contest at work is going great, my unit is winning!
6. Now that I'm awake, I'm hungry. I see waffles in my immediate future.
7. I officially have a pony tail, seriously this is tremendous news.
8. A local high school has voted in their 2010 Homecoming King, a young man with Down's Syndrome. Somebody in that community has been raising their children well.
9. My mom is with the Scarf Sisters this weekend, and although I hate traveling, I wish I was there. Love you guys!
10. Happy Sweetest Day!
2. Determined to de-stress!
3. Reservations made for anniversary trip, St. John, Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan.
4. Finally had a good deep sleep last night and the Mr. woke me up early. Argh.
5. Contest at work is going great, my unit is winning!
6. Now that I'm awake, I'm hungry. I see waffles in my immediate future.
7. I officially have a pony tail, seriously this is tremendous news.
8. A local high school has voted in their 2010 Homecoming King, a young man with Down's Syndrome. Somebody in that community has been raising their children well.
9. My mom is with the Scarf Sisters this weekend, and although I hate traveling, I wish I was there. Love you guys!
10. Happy Sweetest Day!
Image (Lighthouses on Lake Michigan)http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/lake-michigan-lighthouses.jpg
Friday, October 15, 2010
Done
I really don't think I've had a bad week but it hasn't been the best ever. The week needs to end or it runs the risk of becoming an officially bad week. At the moment, I'm feeling a little bit prickly. There is some patience and good humor left, but it's running low. Finding myself struggling not to confront issues that wisdom might tell me to stay quiet about. Not really wanting to go the extra mile.
I am ready for the weekend I guess.
With two days to renew myself I need some ideas; what do you do when you know you're burned out and you need a refreshing?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sick?
Am I getting sick? Hmm, maybe. Been really tired today, aching muscles. Slight headache and around 1:00 I started getting chills. But I'm home, neighbors have a fire going and it smells so good; like Up North. Going to take a looooonngg hoooottt shower in a minute and hope my work phone stays quiet for the evening. Maybe a quiet night, bed early and a bowl of soup will set me right by morning. Regardless, it's a pretty day and the trees are changing color and it smells like Up North.
So it's not all that bad.
So it's not all that bad.
Image:http://www.gelsiga.com/images/sopa-soup-2106.jpg
Monday, October 11, 2010
Double Dawg Dare
Most hospitals have nurse educators, a nurse assigned to each unit whose job it to; you guessed it, educate. Providing the most current information is actually a full time job in the world of health care. At my hospital though, we don't have nurse educators. We're just too small for the expense. So the managers have to play the part of educator. My partner Natosha and I have created the Nursing Enrichment Team, NET. Which is basically just the two of us taking it upon ourselves to provide opportunities for learning and growth and hopefully some fun along the way.
Hospital need to have something called accreditation in order to get full payment from Medicare/Medicaid and most insurance providers. These accrediting organizations set standards for best practice and safe care and then survey (inspect) the hospitals who subscribe to them on a regular basis for compliance. Our health systems happens to use The Joint Commission. And our Joint Commission survey is due any time now. In order to prepare, the NET (Natosha and I) created about three months worth of silly activities and competitions to make the staff feel comfortable and confidant about the survey. The Joint Commission Run Ready Challenge started today. Challenge number one; I hid ten cards on each unit (3 units total) with questions that a staff person might need to answer if a surveyor was on the premises. One point per question. Unit vs. unit. I also made a handbook for each unit with the questions and answers because we don't want to catch people not knowing the answers, we want to teach them.
So one unit puts aside the packet I prepared and tells me they are too busy to "play." Were they busier than the other two units? Probably not. At the end of the day they were in third place, no surprise. Then a staff person from another unit actually saved them by going to their unit and helping them to answer the questions and tie the score.
My point? I've been that person who is too serious, proud, self-absorbed or whatever. But today I realized, that isn't a flattering way to be. In fact, if you're trying hard not to look silly this makes you look exactly that.
My advice? Take a chance in life and have a little fun when the opportunity presents itself. Hey, The Joint Commission is coming ready or not. So join in the games and stop taking yourself so seriously.
And by The Joint Commission, I mean life in general is coming ready or not. And by games, I mean laugh, cry, try, fail and join the rest of us. No matter the outcome, it'll be a lot less lonely.
I double dawg dare ya.
Hospital need to have something called accreditation in order to get full payment from Medicare/Medicaid and most insurance providers. These accrediting organizations set standards for best practice and safe care and then survey (inspect) the hospitals who subscribe to them on a regular basis for compliance. Our health systems happens to use The Joint Commission. And our Joint Commission survey is due any time now. In order to prepare, the NET (Natosha and I) created about three months worth of silly activities and competitions to make the staff feel comfortable and confidant about the survey. The Joint Commission Run Ready Challenge started today. Challenge number one; I hid ten cards on each unit (3 units total) with questions that a staff person might need to answer if a surveyor was on the premises. One point per question. Unit vs. unit. I also made a handbook for each unit with the questions and answers because we don't want to catch people not knowing the answers, we want to teach them.
So one unit puts aside the packet I prepared and tells me they are too busy to "play." Were they busier than the other two units? Probably not. At the end of the day they were in third place, no surprise. Then a staff person from another unit actually saved them by going to their unit and helping them to answer the questions and tie the score.
My point? I've been that person who is too serious, proud, self-absorbed or whatever. But today I realized, that isn't a flattering way to be. In fact, if you're trying hard not to look silly this makes you look exactly that.
My advice? Take a chance in life and have a little fun when the opportunity presents itself. Hey, The Joint Commission is coming ready or not. So join in the games and stop taking yourself so seriously.
And by The Joint Commission, I mean life in general is coming ready or not. And by games, I mean laugh, cry, try, fail and join the rest of us. No matter the outcome, it'll be a lot less lonely.
I double dawg dare ya.
Image:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3854385682_95f6644d1c.jpg
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Celebrate!
Psalm 145:6-8
They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Misc.
1. Tomorrow is Mac's birthday party! Family and Patprikash (I just made that up!)
2. Got new jammies.
3. Making birthday cake for a person who doesn't want cake, just more Patprikash.
4. House-cleaning today.
5. Is there anything more irritating than waking up to mess left in the family room after you went to bed? Well? IS THERE?
6. If I moved to the guest room at 1:00 a.m. to escape Sir Snoresalot, do I have to change the sheets?
7. Got my new Scentsy stuff, mmmmm. My house smells loverly.
8. Got my new L.L. Bean barn coat just in time for cool mornings. Also loverly.
9. Gonna make a pot of cabbage soup.
10. Happy.
Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6CXFiioaCuw0Fer2_UndnadoTDkIsQd9uAuya512xUggB3ak0-avDxR9HYpULWcx3rJN3nrL1x3A9uNf5hnfazFPi_cejrmiUKUePc7jQs3AzCQ9KAf2OW5h0mr1v_p6JFn3/s320/birthday-cake-with-candles-burning-200135647-001.jpg
2. Got new jammies.
3. Making birthday cake for a person who doesn't want cake, just more Patprikash.
4. House-cleaning today.
5. Is there anything more irritating than waking up to mess left in the family room after you went to bed? Well? IS THERE?
6. If I moved to the guest room at 1:00 a.m. to escape Sir Snoresalot, do I have to change the sheets?
7. Got my new Scentsy stuff, mmmmm. My house smells loverly.
8. Got my new L.L. Bean barn coat just in time for cool mornings. Also loverly.
9. Gonna make a pot of cabbage soup.
10. Happy.
Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6CXFiioaCuw0Fer2_UndnadoTDkIsQd9uAuya512xUggB3ak0-avDxR9HYpULWcx3rJN3nrL1x3A9uNf5hnfazFPi_cejrmiUKUePc7jQs3AzCQ9KAf2OW5h0mr1v_p6JFn3/s320/birthday-cake-with-candles-burning-200135647-001.jpg
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
HESI
Our baby boy (who is 6'3" tall) passed his HESI yesterday. What is this you ask? The Health something Science something. It's the test you have to take to get into nursing school. I took the NET which is the Nursing Entrance Test. That was many moons ago when dinosaurs ruled and darkness was on the face of the deep. Now it's the HESI.
He has one more class to take in January (Anatomy Phys II) and then he'll be in The Program in the fall of 2011, graduating in 2013 or as Dean likes to call it, the year the boy gets the heck out of our house. I am not sure he'll be moving out the day after commencements but one can hope. Jay is contemplating a return to school part time but unsure of the direction to take. I will be entering the University of Michigan's Health Policy & Law program whenever I actually enroll. Keep on me about that, would ya?
Mac will be nurse #3. Manda, Trish's daughter will be nurse #4 as she is working on her pre-reqs now. I think that's about all the nurses this family has to offer for a while. It's somebody elses turn. :)
Happy nursing to all and to all a good night nurse.
Image:http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/profile-ak-snc4/object2/218/8/n2399248080_7734.jpg
Monday, October 04, 2010
Today I come to you to honor the ROTISSERIE CHICKEN. Oh Rotisserie Chicken, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
I love thee warm and fresh served with deli sides when I don't want to make dinner. I love thee chopped up in soup because cooking and chopping chicken is gross. I love thee shredded and added to casseroles because it's quick and easy. I love thee sliced on a sandwich. I love thee cold when I'm standing in front of the fridge at midnight when you are also calorie-free because I am eating standing up and no one sees me.
I love thee for around $5 at Kroger or The Westborn market.
And all God's people said...
Image:http://chicchickz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/rotisserie-chicken1.jpg
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Chicken Lemon Rice Soup
It has come to my attention that not everyone everywhere has had the pleasure of chicken lemon rice soup. It's a local favorite served at all the coneys, which are also local favorites. So in case you're interested, here's my recipe which I pretty much made up but it's a reasonable facsimile.
1. One rotisserie chicken, cut up
2. Some rice, however ever much you want or is left in the bottom of the bag.
3. 2 large cans of chicken broth unless you're Mrs. Mac in which case you can make it out of the chickens you raised from eggs. Not sure exactly how it's done, I think you squeeze them really hard.
4. 2 whole lemons
5. Flour to thicken if you want to.
Prepare rice per directions using one can of the chicken broth instead of water. When rice is cooked, add second can of broth and cut up chicken. Add zest of two lemons, juice of one. If you want it super lemony, add both. Add second can of broth and then water to top. Season with salt and pepper, thicken with flour and a little bit of cold water. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, eat. Although it's not coney-approved, you can add some chopped spinach if you want.
And there you have it.
1. One rotisserie chicken, cut up
2. Some rice, however ever much you want or is left in the bottom of the bag.
3. 2 large cans of chicken broth unless you're Mrs. Mac in which case you can make it out of the chickens you raised from eggs. Not sure exactly how it's done, I think you squeeze them really hard.
4. 2 whole lemons
5. Flour to thicken if you want to.
Prepare rice per directions using one can of the chicken broth instead of water. When rice is cooked, add second can of broth and cut up chicken. Add zest of two lemons, juice of one. If you want it super lemony, add both. Add second can of broth and then water to top. Season with salt and pepper, thicken with flour and a little bit of cold water. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, eat. Although it's not coney-approved, you can add some chopped spinach if you want.
And there you have it.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Birthday Boy!
Happy 21st birthday to Mac! One of the funniest, smartest, deepest, most irritating, cute, loving, loyal people I know. AKA, The Hungarian Man. We love you Mackadoo!
Friday, October 01, 2010
Smith B&B
Ahh Friday! Cool Autumn morning, cup of joe and a hound dog at my side. :)
Jay's surgery went really well, thank you Jesus! He's barely swollen and his pain has been really well controlled, in my opinion as a result of having a personal nurse. He was able to eat a little yesterday but it was mostly smoothies and soup. He couldn't handle the pancakes we had planned so those are probably going to happen this morning. Pumpkin pancakes to be precise! I might just bundle up and enjoy mine on the back porch. Jay said that if he ever lost his job, he'd be very comfortable moving back into our guest room. I informed him that our guest room would not involve turn-down service, smoothies at bedside and Vicodin every four hours if he lost his job.
All four of us are home today; Dean's day off, my day off, Mac doesn't have school on Fridays and Jay is in the Robert Gerhardstein Post Operative Suite. Bunch of nerds that we are, we are all excited to all be here together. I'm going to make an apple pie, although I think I'll prebake the apples so they are extra mushy for Jay. That's the cutting-edge life I live. Have a great day whatever your plans are!
Jay's surgery went really well, thank you Jesus! He's barely swollen and his pain has been really well controlled, in my opinion as a result of having a personal nurse. He was able to eat a little yesterday but it was mostly smoothies and soup. He couldn't handle the pancakes we had planned so those are probably going to happen this morning. Pumpkin pancakes to be precise! I might just bundle up and enjoy mine on the back porch. Jay said that if he ever lost his job, he'd be very comfortable moving back into our guest room. I informed him that our guest room would not involve turn-down service, smoothies at bedside and Vicodin every four hours if he lost his job.
All four of us are home today; Dean's day off, my day off, Mac doesn't have school on Fridays and Jay is in the Robert Gerhardstein Post Operative Suite. Bunch of nerds that we are, we are all excited to all be here together. I'm going to make an apple pie, although I think I'll prebake the apples so they are extra mushy for Jay. That's the cutting-edge life I live. Have a great day whatever your plans are!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Whole Tooth
UPDATE: Surgery went well, Jay is home (at our house) resting. Hungry, can eat and drink in about 15 minutes. Making him some iced coffee and pumpkin pancakes with a side of Vicodin! Thanks for your prayers!
Pray for Jay tomorrow? Our oldest boy is having oral surgery in the morning. Four impacted wisdom teeth. He'll be staying with us for a day or two as he recovers for a little old-fashioned home care. Surgery is at 9:00 a.m. Thank you in advance!
http://www.dentistkharbandrasantacruz.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wisdom_teeth1.jpg
Testify! When I started my job, I didn't know anyone and I was nervous to be leaving behind a place where I knew everyone and had support close at hand. I was sitting at a table outside of an office filling out new hire paperwork when from behind the closed door I heard, "This is the air I breathe..." The message? God is never not here. It was like Jesus had taken the chair next to me and said, "I've been waiting for you to get here!"
Pray for Jay tomorrow? Our oldest boy is having oral surgery in the morning. Four impacted wisdom teeth. He'll be staying with us for a day or two as he recovers for a little old-fashioned home care. Surgery is at 9:00 a.m. Thank you in advance!
http://www.dentistkharbandrasantacruz.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wisdom_teeth1.jpgTestify! When I started my job, I didn't know anyone and I was nervous to be leaving behind a place where I knew everyone and had support close at hand. I was sitting at a table outside of an office filling out new hire paperwork when from behind the closed door I heard, "This is the air I breathe..." The message? God is never not here. It was like Jesus had taken the chair next to me and said, "I've been waiting for you to get here!"
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Expected Grace
A few months ago I went out on a limb for something I wanted. I didn't get it. Denied. This morning I was ruminating on my way to work; why didn't I get it? I see no reason why this didn't work. Maybe I should go back and try again. Then the Holy Spirit dropped the answer into my heart...
"If you were to write the story of your life, its title would be, Living On Expected Grace."
Wow. Living on expected grace. Is that really what I am doing? Or rather, do I realize the difference between living on grace and living on expected grace. Do I expect good, glorious and anointed things? Am I so faith-driven that I can let go of the things I count as losses and thank God for expected grace? Do I live continuously excited and joyous about the days yet to come because I trust completely that unmerited favor is on its way?
The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I expect grace all the days of my life.
I am living with great expectations.
Testify! This year when we filed our income taxes we were hit with the news that we owed almost $2,000. Yikes! Well, yikes and ok because owing money indicates having made money. Not alot to complain about. Mac went to our tax guy a few days later and in doing Mac's returns, the guy realized that he hadn't claimed Mac's tuition as our dependent. He sent an addendum, the IRS said the first return was right, the Mr. called, the IRS reviewed the review of the addendum. Guess what? We recently got a check for $800 from the IRS. Which helped pay for new sewer pipes which have resulted in a dry basement. Which we didn't realize we needed to pay for when our taxes were first submitted. Had we received that money in the "right" timing, we would've spent it on a patio which would've had to be broken up for the sewer pipes. Hallelujah!
Image:http://throughanewlens.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/desert_flower-1.jpg
"If you were to write the story of your life, its title would be, Living On Expected Grace."
Wow. Living on expected grace. Is that really what I am doing? Or rather, do I realize the difference between living on grace and living on expected grace. Do I expect good, glorious and anointed things? Am I so faith-driven that I can let go of the things I count as losses and thank God for expected grace? Do I live continuously excited and joyous about the days yet to come because I trust completely that unmerited favor is on its way?
The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I expect grace all the days of my life.
I am living with great expectations.
Testify! This year when we filed our income taxes we were hit with the news that we owed almost $2,000. Yikes! Well, yikes and ok because owing money indicates having made money. Not alot to complain about. Mac went to our tax guy a few days later and in doing Mac's returns, the guy realized that he hadn't claimed Mac's tuition as our dependent. He sent an addendum, the IRS said the first return was right, the Mr. called, the IRS reviewed the review of the addendum. Guess what? We recently got a check for $800 from the IRS. Which helped pay for new sewer pipes which have resulted in a dry basement. Which we didn't realize we needed to pay for when our taxes were first submitted. Had we received that money in the "right" timing, we would've spent it on a patio which would've had to be broken up for the sewer pipes. Hallelujah!
Image:http://throughanewlens.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/desert_flower-1.jpg
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Help
I have a dear friend who has honored me with the opportunity to pray for a need in her life. God has impressed me along two lines, that He will provide and that while we wait I am to pray for her to be encouraged and sure that He will exceed her expectations. I'm asking you to claim the abundance of the Lord's provision for her with me. I'm also asking you do something very basic, remind yourself, the enemy and anyone else who runs across your blog that God is the keeper of His people. Please think about, no change that, please do one of these.
1. Post a link to your blog where you share the testimony of an answered prayer or
2. Share your testimony in the comment section on this blog any time or
3. Make the testimony of God's answer to your needs your Facebook status.
Here's the thing, I want a collection of testimonies. I want everything from the stunningly miraculous to the everyday hand of God. I want the internet flooded with Jesus. Make it a one-liner on the end of your blog posts, make it a top ten list, make it a daily Facebook status or change it every hour. The more testimonies in the most places is what we need. Let's encourage those who are waiting for their answers, let's catch the attention of the unbelievers and let's remind ourselves that we do not ask in vain.
Several years ago we returned from vacation in the middle of July, turned our air conditioning back on and ...nothing. The temps were in the 90s and our house had been shut tight for a week. One the one hand, we knew that people everywhere lived without air conditioning. On the other hand, it was dang hot!
I couldn't seem to let it go that I had a right to air conditioning. Not some kind of arrogant entitlement but a feeling that God had provided a house with central air and how dare that air conditioning not work for us. Silly or faith; you decide. So while Dean puttered and called people for advice and starting thumbing through the phone book for a heating and cooling company, I went into our bedroom, knelt down and put my hand over the air vent. You got it, I prayed over the air conditioning. Then I took silly faith a step farther...I told my family I had just laid hands on our air vents and it was just a matter of time until the cool was restored.
Silly faith is the best kind, that air kicked on within and hour and worked beautifully for the remainder of the time we lived that house. So often, we have not because we ask not.
1. Post a link to your blog where you share the testimony of an answered prayer or
2. Share your testimony in the comment section on this blog any time or
3. Make the testimony of God's answer to your needs your Facebook status.
Here's the thing, I want a collection of testimonies. I want everything from the stunningly miraculous to the everyday hand of God. I want the internet flooded with Jesus. Make it a one-liner on the end of your blog posts, make it a top ten list, make it a daily Facebook status or change it every hour. The more testimonies in the most places is what we need. Let's encourage those who are waiting for their answers, let's catch the attention of the unbelievers and let's remind ourselves that we do not ask in vain.
Several years ago we returned from vacation in the middle of July, turned our air conditioning back on and ...nothing. The temps were in the 90s and our house had been shut tight for a week. One the one hand, we knew that people everywhere lived without air conditioning. On the other hand, it was dang hot!
I couldn't seem to let it go that I had a right to air conditioning. Not some kind of arrogant entitlement but a feeling that God had provided a house with central air and how dare that air conditioning not work for us. Silly or faith; you decide. So while Dean puttered and called people for advice and starting thumbing through the phone book for a heating and cooling company, I went into our bedroom, knelt down and put my hand over the air vent. You got it, I prayed over the air conditioning. Then I took silly faith a step farther...I told my family I had just laid hands on our air vents and it was just a matter of time until the cool was restored.
Silly faith is the best kind, that air kicked on within and hour and worked beautifully for the remainder of the time we lived that house. So often, we have not because we ask not.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Favorites
1. Giant measuring cups that double as mixing bowls.
2. Speaking of mixing, my Kitchenaide stand mixer.
3. My camera that refuses to transfer my photographs. It's a complete mystery why but there are lots of great pics trapped inside the camera. Maybe it isn't my favorite.
4. My cement chickens. There is a picture of them...
5. Donny.
6. Autumn.
7. Fresh herbs.
8. Pasta.
9. Green Acres.
10. My farm table, of which I have a photograph...
2. Speaking of mixing, my Kitchenaide stand mixer.
3. My camera that refuses to transfer my photographs. It's a complete mystery why but there are lots of great pics trapped inside the camera. Maybe it isn't my favorite.
4. My cement chickens. There is a picture of them...
5. Donny.
6. Autumn.
7. Fresh herbs.
8. Pasta.
9. Green Acres.
10. My farm table, of which I have a photograph...
Image:http://www.hermann-uwe.de/files/images/leave.preview.jpg
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Photography
Frustration!
The Mr. bought me a new camera last Christmas and I have been determined to do a better job of taking pictures. And more or less, I've done a better job. I even started a daily pic blog stealing the idea from Kelly. That didn't last. Then I decided the better idea was to merge my own blog with pictures taken myself. So I started taking even more pictures. Specific pictures of an event or to illustrate a point. Pictures that inspired blogs or blogs that inspired pictures.
And just about the time I figured out my grand plan and captured a few charming photographs (for instance the bird perched on the head of my cement chicken-adorable); the transfer photograph to the computer part of the process went kaput.
I was using the actual Nikon transfer program that came with the camera. Then I tried to bypass the transfer program and transfer directly. I've tried everything I have ever heard of and it isn't working!! I'm sure my substantial ignorance isn't helping matters but why would it work before and suddenly not work? Ugh!
The Mr. can't figure it out. Daboyz can't figure it out. Donny has thrown up his paws.
So take my word for it; inside of my Nikon Coolpix L100, there lives a world of photographs.
In the meantime...
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