40 Days of Gratitude: Day 08: The Weekly Hodgepodge



Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What's something blogging has taught you about yourself?

Though it sounds trite, my answer is that it has taught me the power of words.  The words I've written have helped others, helped myself, started (hopefully) lifelong friendships, and rekindled old ones.  Blogging has taught me to better organize my thoughts so that I can present them in a more understandable manner.

Leftovers...are you in the 'reheat and eat' camp or the 'put them in the fridge until they spoil and then toss them' camp? What's your favorite thing to have leftover? What can you not abide as a leftover?

I'm in the "reheat and eat" camp.  Offhand, I can't think of anything I won't eat as a leftover; if I enjoyed it the first time, I'll surely enjoy it again.  With that being said, there are reasonable limits on reheating.  Once it doesn't have the consistency of food anymore, time to get out the Hefty bag.

This question makes me laugh.  Since I've moved into my own place, I've realized how for me, a microwave has transformed from a modern convenience to an absolute necessity.  Quite frankly, it sucks to not have a microwave and I'm horrible with reheating food any other way.  I'm planning on purchasing one ASAP.

'Me time'...your thoughts?

For you, Mrs. Joyce?  Sure, so for it!

For me?  I'm getting that now.  After three and a half years of housemates, I'm relishing my alone time.

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

At work, it's a myriad of administrative questions.  Outside of work, most people want someone who'll listen, someone who'll give advice, and/or someone to pray for them.  My family and friends have learned that if they don't want to hear the truth, don't ask me for advice.  I'm not in the business of telling people what they want to hear.  I've had (and have) great people in my life who don't tell me what I want to hear; they tell me what I need to hear to grow and succeed.

If your childhood had a smell what would it be? Tell us why.

The smell of the red clay soil of the southern United States.  From day one, I've played in that dirt (probably have eaten some of it too).  When I was older, I planted vegetables and flowers in that dirt.  I've even thrown pure terra cotta clay on the potter's wheel in ceramics class.  I loved the smell of that soil just before a good rain shower.  Strange as it is, that scent is comforting and homey to my nostrils.

Insert your own random thought here.

Yes, I know I'm missing some days.  I really shouldn't have committed to a daily post when I don't have internet at home.  #Duh  I'll catch it up somehow.  Stay tuned for some backdated posts.

This morning found me, for the first time in ages, not wanting to get out of bed.  Mentally, I was rip rarin' to go, but my body wanted to stay in bed.  After a few minutes of contemplation moaning and groaning, I got up, took a couple of Excedrin, drank a bottle of water, and cranked up some high energy music.  That did it!  After about 15 minutes, my body was ready to tackle the day.  Thanks Mylon Lefevre and Ricardo Sanchez!

Heading out to work, I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise:























The camera on my phone doesn't really do it justice, but you get the idea.  Thank you, Lord, for painting another beautiful sky this morning.

2017 Reading Quest 28

Book:  Uninvited.
 

Author: Lysa TurKeurst

Info:  Copyright 2016: Nashville:  Nelson Books

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✮

Where Acquired:  Library check out.

What it's about:  Drawing from personal experience, TerKeurst tackles the insecurity-inducing results of being uninvited—unwanted, rejected, and unloved.  She offers prayers, scriptures, and encouragement for those suffering from this type of mental damage.

Favorite Quotes: 

We project the lines of rejection we heard from our past on others and hold them accountable for words they never said.  And worst of all, we catch ourselves wondering if God secretly aggress with those who hurt us.  p. 8

In my research on rejection, I discovered two core fears that feed a person’s sensitivity to reject; The fear of being abandoned [and] The fear of losing one’s identity.  p. 17

What the mind focuses on, it feasts on.  p. 24

Live from the abundant place that you are loved, and you won’t find yourself begging others for scraps of love.  p. 30

No, God’s love isn’t based on me.  It’s simply placed on me.  And it’s the place from which I should live…loved.  p. 40

Grace given when it feels least deserved is the only antidote for bitter rot.  p. 80

Acceptance is like an antibiotic that prevents past rejections from turning into present-day infections.  The need for belonging runs deep.  The need to belong goes beyond the need for superficial social ties…it is a need for meaningful, profound bonding.  p. 94

No amount of outside achievement fixes inside hurts.  Those hurts have to be soothed by replacing the ties with truth.  p. 98

Rejection isn’t just an emotional feeling.  It’s a message that alters what you believe about yourself.. And the minute you sense that happening is the minute you must stop the runaway thinking with truth.  p. 105

So even as the closed doors and rejections seem more prevalent than the new opportunities you’d like to see, even as you’re seeking to readjust your thinking, remember that there is an abundant need in the world for your contributions to the kingdom…your thoughts and words and artistic expressions…your exact brand of beautiful.  p. 125

What I liked:

• The Kindle Edition has real page numbers.
• The author gets high marks for grammar and mechanics.
• The first two-thirds of the book weren’t so great, but the last third was powerful.  The prayers and scripture passages included were quite encouraging.

What I didn’t like: 

• Her incessant comparing herself physically with other women and self body shaming really got on my nerves. If this was an attempt at self-effacing humor, it missed the mark tremendously.
• I felt like this book was only for wives and moms.  The whole book was written like a mommy blog...a long, whinny mommy blog.
• OK, y'all already know how much I loathe the "aside box."  This book used its twin brother; what I call the "repeat bar."  It's a placement of text in large letters that repeats what the author JUST said.  Make...it...stop!
• I read the first two-thirds of the book back in July.  Then my check-out expired and I had to put the book on reserve again.  I didn’t get to re-check the book until this past week.  The only reason I was willing to wait so long was because I’d gotten so close to the end of the book.  Otherwise, it would have been relegated to my DNF category.  After finishing, I’m really surprised that the wait list for the book was so long.  It wasn’t worth it.

Takeaway:

After enjoying TerKeurst's book Made to Crave, I was looking forward to this offering.  However, I found this book to be very disappointing.  It was as if the author was saying "Crap happens; get over it.  If you're excluded, it's your fault for not being the right kind of...whatever."  While giving encouraging scriptures to see us through lonely times of rejection was helpful, I was hoping she would tackle the issue of stopping this nonsense.  Yes, I understand that the world is going to reject us because of the cause of Christ.  However, I wanted her to tackle the blatant rejection among Christian women--those given the power to decide who gets "invited" or "uninvited."  Why do we who are supposed to be sisters in Christ continue to cut each other to ribbons and toss out those who don't fit a very outdated, mutually exclusive mold?  Why do we as women of God keep allowing the world (and uninformed church people) to obliterate the beautiful image that God beautifully formed in His Word?  The author didn't do any of those things.  In fact, the way the book was written seemed to exasperate the situation.

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 06: The Simple Woman's Daybook

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

For Today:  Monday, November 27, 2017
 

Outside my window… Blue skies and temps in the low 70’s.  It seems that Colorado is having Alabama-type fall weather.

I am thinking…about how to slow down my thoughts and take things one day at a time.  Now that I'm settling into my own place, I have so many things I want to see and do.  I can't do them all in one day, so I don't know why I have to try to think about them all in one day. 

I am thankful…

 

I’m thankful for a great day of worship and leaning God’s Word.

I’m thankful for God looking out for me once again.  Turns out my tire decided to start losing air after I parked at church.  I made it to Wal-Mart without incident.  I was hoping they could patch the tire, however, it was too damaged to patch. So, the Auntiemobile has a new right front tire, and I am safe and sound.

From the Workshop…I now have a table upon which I can work, so you should be seeing some finished projects in the coming weeks.   I did print a few samples of one of my Christmas cards.

 

I am reading…

Reduce Me to Love by Joyce Meyer
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Over the Top by Zig Ziglar

Books I’ve completed since my last Daybook:

The Last Bus to Albuquerque by Lewis Grizzard

The Women of Christmas by Liz Higgs.  The review is here 

I am learning…

• How to put together various pieces of IKEA furniture.
• How to use the washer and dryer in my apartment complex more efficiently so I'll have clean AND dry clothes.
• Still learning where things are in my new town.  I'll be doing that for a WHILE.  Thank you, GPS.

Favorite quote(s) of the week…

 

I am looking forward to…

• Volunteering at the Christmas Shop on Saturday.  This is a ministry through my church that buys and collects money for brand new toys, sets up a huge Christmas shop, and sells the toys at pennies on the dollar to needy families.  This gives a good Christmas to the children and maintains the dignity of the parents.
• Celebrating Advent.  I've not successfully celebrated the Advent season before, but this year I have help.  My boss gave me an advent devotional that not only has readings, but guidelines for celebrating.
• JSU’s Saturday afternoon playoff game vs. Kennesaw State.  #FearTheBeak

 

And now for something totally different…

Five Minute Friday word of the week:  Familiar.

 

From Facebook:

 

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 05

Today, I entered a church ready for Advent and Christmas:

I'm thankful to God that my new church practices Advent.  I didn't experience advent until I started going to First Baptist in JackVegas.  Even then, I didn't get it.  I understood that we sang songs, lit the candles, and heard one of the children of the church mumble through a reading, but I didn't understand what things meant.   Hopefully, this year will be different.  Usually the more liturgical churches (Catholic, Episcopal) celebrate and understand Advent and Lent.  I'm glad that there are other denominational, non-denominational, and  interdenominational church who are embracing these kinds of traditions that help us focus on Christ.

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 04

Today was chore day.  I'm thankful for clean clothes and dishes.  Today was also the Iron Bowl--the clash of the titans between the University of Alabama and Auburn University.  I'm thankful that my football rivalries are not life and death, nor do they affect my life very deeply.  But I am thankful for technology that allows me to hear the games.

Yes, we lost. 

Next!

I keep taking peeks at my tire and thankfully, it seems to be holding well.  We'll see.

Five Minute Friday: "Familiar" [40 Days of Gratitude: Day 03]

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Today found me headed to the IKEA in Centennial.  But first, a not-so-quick stop at Wal-Mart for a small area rug and a couple a two-tiered end tables.  I came out to my car to find my right front tire was nearly flat.  I swung around to the Tire Express and got it aired up.  It seemed to be OK, but I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Today, I'm thankful for friends from my new church who volunteered their pickup truck and strong backs to help me get a few more furniture pieces for my apartment.  I now have a dining table and chairs, some bookshelves, and a writing table for my bedroom.  And for those wondering, no, they weren't hard to assemble.

So, what does this have to do with familiarity?

First, the dining table.  The wonderful familiar feel of having a designated place to eat.  Plus, now, I have a work surface on which to create.  I printed out some samples of my newly-created Christmas card and cut it on that very table.  I can get back to the familiarity of creativity.

Second, the bookshelves.  It's no secret how much I enjoy books and reading.  It was wonderful to finally get my books out of the boxes and crates and onto their new home on the shelves.

Third, the writing table.  Having pared down to my laptop, a large 47-piece computer desk is not necessary.  This table holds my laptop, books, notebooks, and anything else I need to create with words.  My printer and supplies are sitting on one of the small end tables.   The other end table is my new bedside table.

It's starting to feel like home.  It's starting to feel comfortable and familiar.

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Prompts provided by Mrs. Kate over at Five Minute Friday.

40 Days of Gratitude: Day 02

This morning, I awoke to a better frame of mind.

Wait, your Wednesday Hodgepodge wasn't that bad.

No, but because Mrs. Joyce sends the questions on Tuesday, I finished up the gratitude entry first thing Wednesday morning.

Tuesday was hard.

It started out as a fun day.  Since we're off until Monday, the plan was to decorate the front entryway for the Christmas holiday.  I really enjoy decorating and was looking forward to helping however I could.  However, the person in charge of the project wanted things done a certain way, and apparently, I couldn't perfectly execute what she wanted.  No worries, I thought I'd play some Christmas music for all of us to enjoy.  Obviously, not only is there certain ways of decorating, but there's also certain music that must be played.  So, a phone and Bluetooth speaker with "appropriate" music was brought out, and I was shut out again.

Sigh.

I'm usually pretty thick skinned about stuff like this (unfortunately, I'm used to it), but this really isn't what I needed my first holiday away from home and the familiar.  Earlier in the week, coworkers asked me if I were homesick.  My answer was that I missed the people back home, but not necessarily the place.

I don't know if it was because I was tired, or cold, or a hormone jumped the shark, or what, but I went home crying.  No, I didn't show it--don't worry.  I put on my bedclothes and crawled into bed before sundown.  It was that old tired, achy, depressed feeling that is all too familiar for me.  I was invited to a Thanksgiving celebration the next day, but I went to sleep secretly hoping the hosts would change their minds so I could just stay home.

I ended the day very unthankful.

Bea's Thanksgiving poem

As I said, today, I awoke in a much better frame of mind.  I'm not sure if it was a sermon or a podcast, but I'd recently heard someone say when we feel hurt or rejected, the worst thing to do it act as if we don't care.  Lying to ourselves about our own feelings is psychologically damaging.  So, I took my feelings to God.

He can handle it.

Annie & I

This put me in a much better frame of mind for the celebration ahead.  My sister-in-blog Annie invited me over for Thanksgiving.  Along with her parents, her husband's family were in full force.  I had a blast.  The food was great (they enjoyed my Southern Potato Salad).  The was much laughter and joyous conversation.  Annie's five year old, Beatrix (Bea) read a Thanksgiving poem before we ate.  All of the kids were preparing to put on a talent show when I left (long drive, otherwise I would have stayed longer). 

I'm so thankful for a great end to what could have been a horribly depressing day.

40 Days of Gratitude 2017: Day 01: The Weekly Hodgepodge

This week, Mrs. Joyce, is using the acrostic THANKS  to ask our hodgepodge questions.

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Tradition...how tightly do you cling to tradition when it comes to holiday gatherings and celebrations? For instance do you always do the cooking, never eat at home, always go to grandma's, never miss the parade, always watch football, never change the menu, always eat at 2 PM, etc.? Have you ever celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving away from hearth, home, and family? How did that feel?

I've not yet had the opportunity to establish my own holiday traditions.  There were things I did back home that were habitual, but they were for the benefit of others.  My Colorado friends don't understand why I'm OK with going through the holidays away from family.  For the past several years, work schedules and distance have kept me from family gatherings, so we've all grown accustomed to my not being there. 

Help...is it easy for you to ask for help or are you a do-it-yourselfer? How is that a good/bad thing?

I've had to work on getting up off my fear and pride and asking for help while preparing for the possibility of either having to take care of it myself, or it not getting taken care of at all.

Abundance...what is there an abundance of in your kitchen?

Cereal.  I was given two boxes of cereal to go with the unfinished box I bought a couple of weeks ago.  Now that I can cook whenever I want, cereal is the "I'm too tired to cook" food. 

Name...the smallest thing you're thankful for? the biggest?

Smallest?  I'm thankful that my apartment has a ceiling fan in the living room.  That's going to come in handy in the summer.  Biggest?  My increasing health.

Key...What do you think is the key to living a more grateful life?

Remembering where it all comes from:

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Remembering that being ungrateful is the beginning of backsliding.

Romans 1:21-23 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

State your own random thought here.

Day 1:






















Today, I'm thankful for my ability to read and write.  It's a gift that I never take for granted.  From childhood through my undergraduate years, reading standard print was physically painful for me.  I was at the mercy of finding available large print or audio book libraries.  Now that reading is much less difficult--praise the Lord--I'm devouring all that I can until I leave this earth.

2017 Reading Quest 27

Book:  The Women of Christmas.

Author: Liz Higgs

Info:  Copyright 2013: New York:  Waterbrook Press.

Where acquired: Library check out.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭

Category:  Impulse Read:  The ladies' Bible study I was involved in before I started working were doing a study on this book.  Since I couldn't attend, I decided to read the book.

What it's about:  Higgs focuses on the principle female characters of the Christmas story.  Taking a verse-by-verse journey through the account of Jesus' birth, the author zeroes in on Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna.

What I Liked:

• The book was a short, easy read.
• The Kindle edition had real page numbers.
• There were no aside boxes in the text.

What I didn’t like: 

• The choppiness of the text read like a quick cut-and-paste of the author's notes and a few salient comments from her Bible study group thrown in.  Reading it was like being part of a Bible study where all the participants knew each other, but you were the newbie who didn't understand all the inside jokes and nuances of the group. 
• The study questions at the end just didn't do it for me.  It still felt like I was sitting as the lone "dunce" in a class full of teacher's pets.
• While I applaud her use of various Bible versions to further amplify the meaning of some passages, the manner is which they were done was very disruptive to the already choppy flow of the narrative.

Takeaway: 

Years ago, I read Higgs' Bad Girls of the Bible and really enjoyed it.  While I didn't expect this book to be written in the same style, I did expect a more in-depth text that would inspire me to dig deeper.  It didn't.  Maybe studying it along with others would have been more helpful--but maybe not. 

Fall Festival: The Simple Woman's Daybook

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

For Today:  Monday, November 20, 2017
 

Outside my window …  Another cool, crisp, Colorado morning.

I am thinking...  

• ... about doing another 40 Days of Gratitude blog challenge.  It will start on November 22nd and take us through the end of the year.
• ... about the holidays and how I'll celebrate them in this new place.  We've already had a couple of fun Thanksgiving celebrations at work.
• ... about decorating plans for my apartment.  I've got lot's of ideas and it will be fun to experiment.

I am thankful...  Oh, for so many things.  So many things have fallen into place since we first planned this move out West.  Only God could have orchestrated what has happened.  To Him I give the glory.

 

From the Workshop...

 

Auntie's Workshop is on temporary hiatus as I furnish my apartment with the necessities.  As soon as I have a suitable workspace from which to create, I'll be right back at it.

 

I am reading...  

 

The Women of Christmas by Liz Higgs

The Last Bus to Albuquerque by Lewis Grizzard

 

Books I've completed since my last Daybook:

• Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins.  The review is here.



I am learning...

On my job, I'm learning new procedures, new computer programs, and new equipment. 

In my new city, I'm learning where things are and how things work.



  

Favorite quote(s) of the week: 

"Scripture doesn't call for us to lay out our lives without any semblance of a game plan and in defiance of mathematics and call it 'trusting God.'" - Dave Ramsey

"Genius tends to happen in community, not isolation." - Marshal Ferrell.

"Promotion isn't something an artist avoids; it's an essential part of the job." - Jeff Goins.
 

I am looking forward to... 

• A few days off for Thanksgiving.
• Saturday's Iron Bowl.  #RollTide
• JSU's first playoff game in December.  #FearTheBeak
• Going back to IKEA.
• Volunteering at the Christmas Shop ministry the first Saturday of December. 

Five Minute Friday: "Excuse"

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Romans 1:20 (KJV) - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

We are in a world full of excuses.  However, I believe for some of us, our efforts to not be excuse makers does us harm.  As I mentioned here, in trying not to make excuses for not keeping up with my runners club back home, I was neglecting my real needs.  My physical health was suffering from not getting enough rest.  My mental health was declining into a depressive mode of disappointment at not reaching someone else's idea of mileage I should be getting.  My health goals were going into the toilet because mileage was overshadowing progress I could have been making in other areas of fitness.
While not making excuses is a great virtue to shoot for, the goal is not to worry about what everyone else thinks.  The goal is to maintain integrity.
 

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Prompts provided by Mrs. Kate over at Five Minute Friday.

2017 Reading Quest 26

Book:  Real Artists Don't Starve.

Author: Jeff Goins

Info:  Copyright 2017: Nashville:  Nelson Books

Where acquired: Library check out.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭✭✭

What it's about:  Author Jeff Goins tackles the notion that a creative is only a "true" artist if he is constantly behind the eight-ball financially and must succumb to the image of the starving artist.  Through extensive research of both historical and contemporary examples, the author elevates the creative from starving to thriving. Woven through this volume are instructions and examples on changing one's mindset, marketing one's work, and dealing with money.

Category:  Impulse Read:  I was watching a video interview of the author on Michael Hyatt's Facebook page. I'd never heard of Jeff Goins before, but his description of he subject matter hit home and I was immediately curious.

Favorite Quotes:

"We must not only use our stubbornness to succeed,--we must harness it and apply it toward the right things, turning it into tenacity.  Otherwise, what helps us succeed can also be the source of our undoing.  p. 55

"When you're playing a game you can't seem to win, sometimes the best thing to do it not try harder.  None of us want to spend our lives playing by someone else's rules.  When the game is unfair, change the game you're playing.  Move to another city, create a new art form, get a different network.  If the group you want to be a part of doesn't want you, create your own."  p. 97

"Genius tends to happen in community, not isolation."  Michael Farrel, Quoted on page 111.

"Promotion isn't something an artist avoids; it's an essential part of the job." - p. 124

"Creative success is about getting to do your work without constraint.  Money is not the point, but it is part of the road we must walk to become professionals.  Charging brings dignity to our work.  It validates our offering to this world and allows us to keep working." - p. 139.

"The point is not to make a fortune or become famous, but to do the work.  We are all looking for a way to share our gift with the world without worrying about making a living.  That means building a life that allows us to keep creating." - p. 202

What I Liked:

• Goins has an entire section of references.  In other words, he gives proof that he thoroughly researched the subject and didn't just make this up off the top of his head.
• He doesn't advise quitting one's day job and just diving in.  That's usually the formula for the starving artist.
• Though it was scholarly research, the author's writing style wasn't dry, but read more like a mentoring session.  He also shares examples from his own life.
• Goins taught me a piece of Black History I never knew about; the Florida Highwaymen:  a group of painters of color who sold unique landscape oil paintings starting in the 1950's.  This group of creators sold art in a time and place where their actions defied cultural and racial norms.  I want to learn more about these fabulous trailblazers.

What I didn’t like: 

• I would have preferred that the author not to refer to reaping inspiration from our influences "stealing."  I understand that he's not talking about plagiarism, or presenting someone else's artwork as one's own, but his wording makes it sound that way.

Takeaway: 

I relish books that give me solid information that leads to a complete paradigm shift in my thinking.  This book ranks right up there with how Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course changed my views on money and Dan Millers 48 Days to the Work You Love podcast shifted my attitudes and techniques on finding lucrative, meaningful work.  Like many others, I had also been taught the myth of the starving artist without knowing how this apocryphal story became an assumed fact.

This book revealed my mistakes as an artist while providing steps to avoid other pitfalls.  My attitude about my own artwork is changing; hopefully, my strategies for getting more of it out into the world will grow as well.  I plan to purchase a copy of Real Artists Don't Starve for future reference and inspiration.

You Ain't From Here, Are You?: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What takes you out of your comfort zone?

It's not really one particular thing.  Like many others, I fight the Imposter Syndrome--the feeling that I'm not as good, talented, or smart as those around me, and that I will be "found out."  It's a terrible feeling that isn't unique to my new situation; I've dealt with this level of insecurity most of my teen and adult life.

Your least favorite spice?

OK.  First, I'm not sure of the difference between an herb and a spice, so I may be answering the question totally wrong.  

Anyway...

Of all the spices/herbs I've dealt with, I don't care for raw cilantro; it tastes like soap.  With that being said, I've had a dish with the cilantro cooked in it and liked it.  Maybe the cooking removes the soapy taste???

What's a small change you'd like to make?

Getting my total fitness program back to where I want it.  I'll be spending the rest of the year working on that.

Do you enjoy visiting historic homes? If so, of the homes you've visited which one was your favorite? What historic home near you is open to visitors? Have you been? Southern Living rounded up eleven of the best in the southern part of the US and they're as follows-Monticello (Jefferson's home in Virginia), Nathaniel Russel House (Charleston SC), Swan House (Atlanta), Ernest Hemingway's home (Key West), The Biltmore (Vanderbilt home in Asheville NC), Mount Vernon (Washington's home in Virgina), San Francisco Plantation (Garyville, Louisiana), Windsor Ruins (Port Gibson Mississippi), Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans), Whitehall (Palm Beach FL), and Pebble Hill Plantation (Thomasville GA) Have you been to any on the list? Of the homes listed which would you most like to visit?

I'm not sure.  The only historical home I've visited was George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon.  This was during our marching band's trip to DC.  It was such a whirlwind trip that I don't remember much of it.

What's something you think will be obsolete in ten years? Does that make you sad or glad?

Probably my cell phone.  Hopefully, I'll learn how to use something newer by then.

Insert your own random thought here. 

Now that I have moved into my own place, I can tell you the saga of getting there.

Don't worry, it's a brief saga...hopefully.

As many of you know, housing in Colorado is crazy.  There's more people than available housing and new homes and apartment buildings are being built any and everywhere.  This does cause price gouging in some areas--especially around Denver where I am.  Surprisingly, I found several places within my price range.  Not surprising, some contacts came with issues.  One guy was so creepy that I didn't care how much the rent was, I didn't want him being my landlord. Several never responded to my communication.  But these weren't the worst experiences I had.

The one place where I actually got a call back was actually promising...until I went to look at it.  The problem wasn't the place; it was small, but nice.  The problem was the attitude of the landlady and manager involved.  In short, they took me out of the running for the place because I wasn't from Colorado.  The manager actually said to me, "Oh, so you're not from Colorado?  You're not here for the weed are you?"

Apparently, my "no, sir" wasn't a good enough answer.  The fact that I work at a Christian college and couldn't smoke pot even if I wanted to didn't matter either.  He gave me this speech about how he wished all the potheads from out of state would go home.  Apparently, he believes there aren't any potheads native to Colorado.

Yeah, right!

Every time I called to check on the status of my application, the landlady kept fiddle farting around and changing her story about the place.  Evidently, she has the same attitude about "foreigners."  Well, I hope she found some nice Coloradians to take the place.

God had something better for me.

I'm enjoying my new place.  There's not much in it yet, but I'm sure that will change quickly.  I'm going to have so much fun decorating and creating.

Five Minute Friday: "Silence"

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Habakkuk 2:20 (KJV) - But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

 

Today at our monthly campus-wide Strategic Objective Workshop, we heard a stirring presentation by Dr. James Emery White.  His topic was "A Mind for God," based on his book of the same title.  I purchased the book, and if it's anything like his presentation, I'll most likely finish it in a weekend.

One of the points Dr. White made was that many people do not take the necessary steps to cultivate a healthy mind because they are unwilling to deal with silence.  From an overload of technology and media to internal stressors, the noise from without and within prevent us from even doing the basics of scholarly pursuits and learning how to think for ourselves.

One of the benefits of my move is that my new place doesn't have internet.  Yes, I'm not purchasing it for now because of budget.  However, I want to use this technology break to spend more time in quiet study and creativity.  Don't worry, I'll get on enough to post blogs and the necessaries, but I'm gong to enjoy the silence.
 

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Prompts provided by Mrs. Kate over at Five Minute Friday.

In the Groove: The Weekly Hodgepodge



Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

In a rut, in a jam, in the groove, out of synch, off balance, out of touch...which saying best fits some area of your life currently (or recently)? Explain.

In the groove...and it's all been God's doing.

What is it about somebody else's style of work (coworker/employee/shared volunteer project/household chore) that makes you crazy? Why?

It's not really someone's style of working, but their style of not working.  That's not much of a problem on my new job, but in other situations, it mystifies me how some people work extremely hard to get nothing done.  Sometimes I feel like this guy...

What's a tradition that always makes you feel at home

Watching or listening to college football.  That's how I've brought a little piece of home with me to Colorado (Thanks TuneIn radio).

A favorite song with a girl's name in the title or lyrics? Any reason why this is a particular favorite?

The instrumentation is what makes this jam one of my favorites.  One day, I'd like to learn to play this song on both bass and drums.

Share a favorite quote, verse, or saying relating to gratitude or thanksgiving.

Romans 1:20-21 (KJV) - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

I know that seems like an odd one to choose, but in it's context it's a warning that the root of backsliding starts with being unthankful.

Insert your own random thought here.

This time change has totally wrecked my sleep.  Monday, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.  Tuesday, I woke up at 4:30 and thought I was on the mend.  Then, this morning, I woke up again at 3:30.  Once again, I had to remind myself that I don't work for the YMCA anymore and don't have to get up at the butt crack of dawn.  Let's hope it works.  Technically, I've gone through the time change twice.  This summer, I had to make the adjustment from Central to Mountain time; now this.  Reminds me of a quote:  "What is daylight savings time, and if we're saving so much of it, who's got it all?" - Mike Warnke.

Well, on to good news.  Tomorrow I sign my lease and move into my new apartment.  My daily long commute is over and I'm getting back two hours a dayfor more constructive use.  Praise the Lord.  Once I've got the keys and get settled, I'll tell more of the story.

See y'all next time.

Five Minute Friday: "Need"

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Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Need is everywhere.  Having need is not anything new.  Seeing those in need is also nothing new.  The change is that for the first time, I feel like I have a chance to do a little something about it.

Our church has many wonderful opportunities to serve those in need.

God is taking good care of my needs because, quite frankly, I'm doing a better job of getting out of the way and letting Him.

Something else that's needed is healthy, adult discourse.  An online acquaintance posted a video about "white privilege."  I knew I shouldn't have commented, but I'm so tired of this discourse, I felt a need to try to add some sanity to the conversation.  I know, don't say it.  Of course my comments that it wasn't about race but about making wise choices were removed.  The claim was that the post wasn't about "white privilege," but that's what the video implied.

What I need is for my white friends to stop being made to feel ashamed of their race.  I also need my black friends to stop shaming each other when they make the wise choices that bring success.
 

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Prompts provided by Mrs. Kate over at Five Minute Friday.

Smile: The Weekly Hodgepodge



Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What does/did Halloween look like at your house this year? Did you decorate? Pick pumpkins? Carve pumpkins? Expect trick or treaters? Wear a costume to a party or event? Make a costume? Feel glad you didn't have to come up with a costume? Cook a Halloween themed treat? Eat all the leftover candy?

 

None of the above.  Maybe next year.

What are you waiting for? Elaborate

 

I'm waiting to hear from the apartment I applied for.  I'll know something by Friday.  So, Lord willing, I'll be moving this weekend.

Do you wish you were friendlier, braver, more creative, more athletic, or something else? Explain.

 

I'm always longing to be more than what I am.  From this list my top two are more creative and more athletic.  I feel like both are at kind of a standstill right now.  I believe the coming year will see vast improvement.

When it comes time to paint are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone? What was the last paint job completed at your house? What room most needs painting now? How do you feel about wallpaper?

Since I do not yet own my own home, I've not had the joy of picking out paint colors for the walls.  When I do get to that point, I'm hiring someone.  I can paint a landscape or still life on canvas, but I know nothing about painting a wall without making a mess of it.

What is one specific thing you felt gratitude for in the month of October?

I only get to pick one?!  Not a chance.

• A good church.
• My new job and great coworkers.
• The friends I've stayed with until I could get on my feet.
• Safety on the road during my commute.

 

Insert your own random thought here.

 

I'm so spent after my 31 days blog challenge that I think I've run out of words for now.  So, I'll just share a song.  See y'all next week.