Are you currently operating at 100% capacity? If not, what % are you? What's keeping you there?
One hundred percent capacity of what? My stomach? Sure. 😊
I'm not sure if I'm working at full capacity of mental capability. My sleep has been rather inconsistent lately. It's getting better, but I'm still working on getting a good night's sleep more than one night in a row. Lack of sleep can be taxing to the brain.
Have you done your taxes? Planned/booked a summer holiday? Thought about or started your 'spring cleaning'? Besides what's listed here, tell us one task that needs doing before spring rolls around.
My taxes are in process.
I've planned several days off in the summer, but other than hopefully going to a ladies retreat in Colorado Springs in July, I've not made specific plans to go anywhere. I want to get this car business squared away before I budget for anything else.
Haven't been in my apartment long enough to need to spring clean.
Before spring rolls around I need to pump the tires, oil the chain and take a spin on my bicycle. I haven't ridden since summer and the Green Hornet thinks I don't love her anymore.
What's a favorite food from your part of the country?
To quote the great Mark Lowry:
Bill Gaither - "What's your favorite animal?"
Mark Lowry - "Fried chicken."
This isn't a leap year, but let's run with it anyway...look before you leap, a leap of faith, grow by leaps and bounds, leap to conclusions, leap at the opportunity...which phrase might best be applied to your life currently (or recently)? Explain.
What I want to apply to my life is to "grow by leaps and bounds." I've got a lot of catching up to do for many years of missed opportunities and growth.
As the month draws to a close list five fun and/or fabulous things (large or small) you noticed or experienced in February.
The most fun book I read in February was Jan Karon's To Be Where You Are.
The most fun blog post I wrote in February was this one.
The College of Adult and Graduate Studies had their big semester update meeting last week. I thought it was fun.
The most fun YouTube video I saw in February was:
If I said that I couldn't think of any more, would that make me a sad person?
Man, I need a car.
Insert your own random thought here.
In case you don't read my Daybooks, I am repeating my request here.
I am considering doing something for Read Across America.For the past two years, I’ve volunteered for the United Way of CalhounCounty’s participation in the yearly celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.Each volunteer goes to a local school, reads an age-appropriate book to a Kindergarten class, then presents the book as a gift to the class.Unfortunately, I discovered that the Mile High United Way here in the Denver area does not participate in this program, nor do they participate in answering their e-mails either.
Anyway...
Here’s my idea.I’m thinking of reading this year’s book, or one like it, either as an audio podcast, or as a video this weekend and posting it online.Would any of you who have small children (or large children, for that matter) be interested in hearing/seeing it?Since I can’t give my love of reading to children here in Lakewood, I’d like to give it to anyone interested.Hit me up in the comments, or by e-mail at auntiesworkshop@outlook.com. Now, if I don't hear from anyone, I'm not going to do it. I don't need to hear me read the story; I want to share it with you.
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: Sunday, February 25, 2018
Outside my window …
A cold sunny day marking the end of a very cold week.The next few days look warmer with no snow in
the forecast.
I am thinking...
…about children’s literature.When I was younger, Beverly Cleary was among my favorite authors. I never read the
entire Ramona series, but I did read Ramona the Brave and Ellen
Tibbits over and over.Now **mumble**
years later, I decided to read the Ramona series starting with book one and glean the same enjoyment
I had as a child.That’s not what
happened.To be clear, my disappointment
has nothing to do with Mrs. Cleary’s books; she’s an excellent writer. I think the problem is that as an adult, I understand the family dysfunction much more. The more I read Beezus and Ramona the
sadder I got.Why?Because in the grand scope of things, I was
Ramona and my sister Ida was Beezus.I
am eight years younger, and though not nearly as disobedient and prone to
tantrums as Ramona (I got my tail torn up if I acted like that), I know I got
on my sister’s very last nerve, and I’m sure she was just as frustrated with my
existence as Beezus was with her younger sister. I wasn't a brat like Ramona, but I wasn't the delightful, imaginative child many in the story saw her to be either. I was a sickly burden who got thrust on my sister to entertain. Reading this book made me understand the family dynamic between my older
siblings and me—at least the ones who were still at home when I was growing up. It’s just too bad I can’t fix it; all I can do is apologize. It is what
it is.I don’t believe I’ll go back and
read any more of the series.I don’t
need that kind of emotional mayhem going on.I’ve got enough to deal with.
CCC's Latest Sermon Series
I’m pondering on today’s sermon.ColoradoCommunityChurch
is in the throws of a series on the Ten Commandments.Today, Pastor Robert taught on “Thou shalt
not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)I
have to give him props for this message.One, he flat-out defined fornication and adultery without tiptoeing around it.(Some people really do need to know what they
mean, or at least they act like they do.)Two, he showed the example of
God’s grace by using the account in John, chapter eight, of the woman caught in
adultery.Third, and most important to
me, he is the first Pastor I’ve ever heard tell those who are single something
I’ve always said; that faithfulness begins before marriage, before dating,
before anything.His approach is a total 180 from any marriage
sermons I’ve heard.I’ve talked about it
before, but the church in general has a bad habit of a) blatantly teaching
females that their only purpose on this earth is to be a wife and mother, b)
ostracizing, dehumanizing, and/or questioning the sexual orientation of any single
woman over the age of 18 ¾, c) honoring women who’ve slept with any and
everybody simply because they have produced children, rather than honoring and
encouraging those who are saving themselves for marriage as God intended.This mentality subliminally encourages
fornication and adultery. It’s as if they’re saying, “Please ladies, just sleep
with somebody and have a baby.You’ll be
one of us and get much better treatment that way.”This was not that kind of sermon.Also, at the closing prayer, he left no one
out.His prayer was for both the married
and the unmarried.And, no, he didn’t
pray for “those single women who desperately pray for a husband and children”
(because that’s all single women pray about, right?)For the first time, I left a marriage sermon
without feeling like I had the word “freak” flashing over my head.Thank you, Pastor Robert.
Now, back to children’s literature...
I am considering doing something for Read Across
America.For the past two years, I’ve
volunteered for the United Way
of CalhounCounty’s participation in the yearly
celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.Each
volunteer goes to a local school, reads an age-appropriate book to a
Kindergarten class, then presents the book as a gift to the class.Unfortunately, I discovered that the Mile High United Way
here in the Denver
area does not participate in this program, nor do they participate in answering
their e-mails either.
Anyway...
Here’s my idea.I’m
thinking of reading this year’s book, or one like it, either as an audio
podcast, or as a video this weekend and posting it online.Would any of you who have small children (or
large children, for that matter) be interested in hearing/seeing it?Since I can’t give my love of reading to
children here in Lakewood,
I’d like to give it to anyone interested.Hit me up in the comments, or by e-mail at auntiesworkshop@outlook.com. Now, if I don't hear from anyone, I'm not going to do it. I don't need to hear me read the story; I want to share it with you.
I am thankful...
for good weather so I could make it to the bus stop for
church.
for a mentor who is willing to continue to give me advice
and encouragement though I’m far away.
for a better week.I
felt rather peaked last week.
for the DMV agent finally getting my eye color correct on my license. It's been wrong ever since I've had a state ID or license.
From the Workshop...
I have several paintings in the works, but nothing complete
to show yet.Still don’t have everything
to finish my big project yet.
I am reading...
I Thought it Was Just Me by Brene Brown.
Word Made Art: Lent by Heather Caliri
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
The Greatest Thing in the World and Other Addresses by Henry Drummond.
Books I’ve finished since my last Daybook
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary.Mentioned earlier.
Braving the Wilderness by Brene’ Brown.Please see the review here.
The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.I reread that one near the end of winter
every few years so that I remember that my winter is nowhere near as bad. I really needed it this year.
I am learning...
that as well as I’m doing with my health, I still make keeping
myself nourished a very low priority.I’m
not budgeting the proper amount of funds to procure enough food to last until
the next pay period.It’s not that I
don’t have the money; I just feel like spending that much on food for me is a
waste.It should be used for something
more important than what I shove in my pie hole.I haven’t figured out how to deal with this
mentality, but if I want to continue and maintain good health habits, the
paradigm must shift.
Favorite quote(s) of the week:
"There are two types of millennials; Sucks and Awesome. There's no middle ground." - Dave Ramsey on his 2/20/18 radio show.
"I believe if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade
and try to find someone whose life has given them Vodka and have a party." – Ron
White
“…God has made humans in his image reflecting God’s very
nature.You’re here to bear fruit,
reproduce, lavish life on the earth, live bountifully.” – Genesis 9: 6b-7. The
Message.
"I can confidently say that stories of pain and courage
almost always include two things:praying and cussing.Sometimes at
the exact same time." – Brene’ Brown
"Far too many Christians have only come through Calvary, but not through Pentecost. So as a result, we are butterflies when we are meant to be eagles." - Charles Spurgeon, quoted by Bianca Olthoff
I am looking forward to...
Colorado Christian University’s Strategic
Objective Workshop this Friday.
Can I be honest? If I have to make my pizza crust out of cauliflower, I better save more than 60 calories. I better save like 6,000 calories. If you eat cauliflower pizza you should automatically get amazing abs. Like first bite." - John Acuff
Author:Brene’ Brown Info:Copyright 2017.New
York:Random
House Rating (on a scale of
1-4 stars):✮ Where
Acquired:Library check out. What
it's about: Brown takes on the
wilderness of loneliness, encouraging the art of what she calls “true
belonging,” while encouraging others to hold true to their beliefs even if they
are standing alone.She uses research
and personal stories to support her thesis. Favorite
Quotes:
Even in the context of suffering—poverty,
violence, human rights violations—not belonging in our families is still one of
the most dangerous hurts.That’s because
it has the power to break our heart, our spirit, and our sense of self worth.
–p. 13
Sometimes the most dangerous thing for
kids is the silence that allows them to construct their own stories—stories
that almost always cast them as alone and unworthy of love and belonging. –p.
15
I can confidently say that stories of pain
and courage almost always include two things:praying and cussing.Sometimes at
the exact same time. –p. 24
Unchecked loneliness fuels continued
loneliness by keeping us afraid to reach out. –p. 54
Based on studies across diverse fields,
[Susan] Pinker concludes that there is no substitute for in-person
interactions.They are proven to bolster
our immune system, send positive hormones surging through our bloodstream and
brain, and help us live longer….’In fact, neglecting to keep in close contact
with people who are important to you is at least as dangerous to your health as
a pack-a-day cigarette habit, hypertension, or obesity.’ –p. 140
Takeaway: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed several of Brown’s
books. They normally cause me to think and usually bring shifts in my thinking
that help me live a more authentic life.However, this volume baffled me.First of all, it is a conglomeration of her previous works, rather than
infusing anything new.Second, it was
confusing as all get out.She talks
about the dangers of loneliness (which freaked the crap out of me) and being
left out, while at the same time saying that you should stand alone and not
worry about belonging.Her thesis was
based on a quote by Maya Angelou:
You
are only free when you realize you belong no place—you belong every place—no
place at all.The price is high.The reward is great.
What the Sam Hill does that even
mean?
Third, it was a smattering of political
correctness, while saying that one doesn’t need to be politically correct.I was terribly disappointed with this
volume.I was hoping to find real strategies
for dealing with loneliness, learning to be more authentic and free so that I
can help others, rather than needing help all the time.Instead of helping, this book was very
wounding to my soul.Instead of helping
me find “true belonging,” I felt more and more isolated, lonely, and depressed.
This book read like Uninvited—if
you feel lonely and left out, too bad because you’re not like me. You should
feel lonely and left out.While speaking
about not labeling, dehumanizing, and marginalizing our fellow human beings,
she labeled, dehumanized, and marginalized those who don’t agree with her.While there were some great quotes in the
book, I couldn’t drink the Kool-Aid of Brown’s Hippie Manifesto.
