Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Being a Bit of a Rebel: The Simple Woman's Datebook for Wednesday, January 30, 2013

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/)
 


Outside my window … Stormy skies with the threat of tornadoes.  But on the up side, it’s 71 degrees.  J

I am thinking...
 about spring.

I am thankful...
for the miraculous in my life: the miracles that I can see and the ones I don’t see manifested yet (but the ARE coming). 

In the kitchen...
  if I can muster up the energy to cook, salsa chicken.  If not, popcorn.

I am wearing...
jeans and a t-shirt.

I am creating...
a painting. I said earlier that I wanted to do something with roses.  I’ve found the pattern for what I want to do.

I am going... nowhere today.  Not only am I not feeling well, but with the unpredictable weather, I think it’s best to stay in today.

I am wondering...
why a Civil War reenactment has to be politically correct!  In March, our city will be honoring Civil War hero Maj. John Pelham (for whom the main road in our town is named).  There will be reenactments, speeches, activities, and music.  The community band (of which I am a part of the percussion section) will be playing period pieces during the festivities.  Well, I asked one of the band leaders if we could play “Dixie.”  He became very uncomfortable and said that we probably couldn’t  because the event coordinators needed to keep it politically correct.  WTC?

Some facts you may need to understand:
  1. I am black (African American for the PC crowd).
  2. I am a former Jacksonville State University Marching Southerner (WHUP TROY!) and the song “Dixie” is part of our repertoire of “battle cry songs.”  When we are winning, we play it.  When we are losing, we play it to fire up the team and the fans to get with it.  I have never experienced this song in any kind of racial context.
  3. The only time anyone complained about the song was when we played it at Alabama A&M (a predominantly black school).  Don’t know if it was even the song they were mad at, or the fact that we whupped them all over the field and made their band look like a preschool rhythm band.  J
  4. The song IS a part of Civil War / Confederate history.

My point?  If the creators of this event want to keep it politically correct, why have it in the first place?  Why honor someone who fought for the state’s rights to continue the institution of slavery (I know that it’s not the only reason, but still…)  Why not just tear down all the Civil War/Confederate monuments and historical markers and rename the main drag of our town “Neutral Road” or “PC Avenue.”

I’ve been told by every history teacher I’ve had who was worth his salt that we study history so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.  So, I look at this event as not only a fun time to play some music, but to remind me of what our part of country used to be and hopefully will NEVER be again.  In my mind, playing at this event will be a testament to how much the South has changed; not how we are trying to stay the same. 

I am reading...
Still reading the book on prayer by Myles Monroe. 

I am hoping...
that this sinus ick will get gone.  I’ve got stuff to do.

I am looking forward to...
sharing at Meadowbrook Baptist’s Celebrate Recovery next month and sharing at ours in March.

I am learning
… that I can be my own worst enemy sometimes.

Around the house...
dishes, if nothing else.  
 
I am pondering...   my relationship with my Mom. 

A favorite quote for today... "When you see a big family, that's not a family that loves children. They're just trying to get one that's right." – Sinbad, Comedian

Product Details One of my favorite things... the Shirley Temple movie The Littlest Rebel.  It’s on my wish list to own it again. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  getting to where I feel better.  We’ll see after that.


A peek into my day...

 
(Yep, that how we do it.  BLOW SOUTHERNERS!)

UPDATE:  Our band did perform at the reenactment March 17, 2013.  No, we still didn't play "Dixie" (just a hidden snippet of it).  Yes, the speeches were boring and uncomfortable.  However, the concert we played went very well.  I'm glad I had the honor of playing.  That is all.



Friday, January 25, 2013

Spoiled Produce: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Friday, Janaury 25, 2013

Outside my window … The dreich Scottish winter has returned temporarily to our southern skies.

I am thinking...
 more and more about California.

I am thankful...
for God’s provision, for a peaceful heart, for opportunities on the horizon.

In the kitchen...
  Salad for lunch and whatever they’re having at CR tonight for dinner.

I am wearing...
Sweatsuit.

I am creating...
I think I’m going to paint something with roses.  Not sure yet, but I think that’s what I’m going to do.

I am going... To see my mentor/accountability team, then to workout, then head over to get a few groceries.

I am wondering...
what’s up with my throat.  I don’t have tonsils anymore, so there is nothing for rampant disease to cling to.  I’m not sick, but I sound like I’ve been gargling with gravel.  Ugh! 

I am (still) reading...
Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer by Myles Monroe.   Just read an awesome chapter yesterday about the prayer life of Christ and the even deeper meanings of the Lord’s Prayer.

I am hoping...
that spring is just around the corner.

I am looking forward to...
working a job I love.

I am learning
… not to buy fruit or vegetables out of season no matter how good they look in the box.  Yuk!

Around the house...
going to do one of Fly Lady’s Home Blessing Hours tomorrow.  Haven’t done that in a while, and I’ll be sure to have some boomin’ toons going.  

I am pondering...   the love of God and why we in the church can be so unmerciful and loveless sometimes, especially to ourselves.  I want to share an audio file from a series of messages I taught last year on this very subject.  Enjoy.  http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29899706/Player%209_%20%20Love.mp3

A favorite quote for today... Psalm 8:4-5 - What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?  5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

One of my favorite things... Ipod Nano / Classics.  Look, if you know me, you know that I don’t like Apple/Mac products (I’m a PC person).  BUT the Ipod Nano/Classic is the best mp3 player I’ve ever used (No, this is not a paid endorsement, although I wish it was J ).  Mine is hanging in there after being dropped, mashed, sat on, and washed in the washing machine.  I hope it holds out until I can get a new one. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Working out today and tomorrow.  Two church services Sunday and then some much needed rest.  Job hunting, and plowing away at a few more projects.

A peek into my day...

 
(Love this song about God's love)

 If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Doin' the Chop: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Saturday, January 19, 2013

Outside my window … A sunny sky that marks the end of our Scottish winter (hopefully).

I am thinking...  About California.

I am thankful...
for my improving health.  For sunshine and blue skies.  For my sweet mentors/accountability team.

In the kitchen...
  Leftovers

I am wearing...
Sweatsuit.

I am creating...
Not sure.  I’ve got the creativity bug but I don’t know what to do with it yet.

I am going... To workout.  Probably to the Dollar Tree to pick up a few items.

I am wondering... what my next job will be.

I am reading... Still reading the book on prayer by Myles Monroe. 

I am hoping...
to get back in my niche…and stay there.

I am looking forward to...
church tomorrow.

I am learning
… that distraction is one of my worst enemies.  I must refocus.

Around the house...
tidying up, dishes, putting clean clothes away.  

I am pondering...   the question of marriage.  No, I haven’t been asked (I don’t even have a boyfriend).  Just pondering on if it is in God’s plan for me or not. 

A favorite quote for today...You don’t like bacon?  How long have you been in Al Quida?”  - Craig Ferguson, Comedian

One of my favorite things... books. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Working out today.  Two church services tomorrow.  Job hunting.  Finishing up some projects.

A peek into my day...
 













 

 Would love one of these with "Auntie" and the number 33 1/3.

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Hey, is This Thing On?!

Job 7:11 - I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain. (NLT)
 
Psalm 39:2 - I was dumb with silence. I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. (KJV)

Have you ever felt like you weren’t being heard? It’s a miserable place to be. Both Job and King David knew the feeling well. Both were in anguish over pain and hopelessness. Job knew that to be free, we must express our anguish and soul pain, while David showed us what happens when we cannot freely express what is in our hearts–we are overcome with sorrow and we become so closed that we cannot even see or speak of good things.
 
We must have at least one person in our lives who can lovingly keep us accountable. A good accountability partner will hear your heart and let you be free to be yourself. A great accountability partner will hear your heart and then ask "Now, what are you going to do about it? If you can’t do anything about the situation, what healthy steps are you going to take to heal your hurt or conquer your habit or hangup?"

Finding a good accountability partner is sometimes difficult, but it is worth it. If you ask Him, God will guide you in the process. Don’t get discouraged, and don’t give up before the miracle happens!  

Do you have at least one good accountability partner? 
 Why or why not?







Saturday, January 12, 2013

Coffee Beans: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Saturday, January 12, 2013.


Outside my window … A rainy but warm day.

I am thinking...
 Where’s my coffee?

I am thankful...
for food on the table.  For some great clothes that were given to me.

In the kitchen...
  Going to try my hand at making homemade Spanish rice and my salsa chicken for dinner.

I am wearing... Sweat pants and a t-shirt.

I am creating... Hopefully doing some writing today.  Don’t really know.

I am going... To the gym.  Probably to the grocery store.

I am wondering...
what my next job will be.

I am reading...
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer.   

I am hoping...
to get back in my niche…and stay there.

I am looking forward to...
church tomorrow.

I am learning
… to continue to do things afraid, but to never do anything based on fear.

Around the house...
my favorite sport, laundry.  

I am pondering...   how to get where I need/want to be. 

A favorite quote for today...If we make right choices while we are hurting, there's no devil in hell that can keep us from having victory." - Joyce Meyer

One of my favorite things... Baby kisses. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Working out today.  Two church services tomorrow.

A peek into my day...
 
 
Would love a pair of these.
 
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)