many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. to handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. anger is only one letter short of danger. if someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault. great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. he who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all. beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. learn from the mistakes of others. you can’t live long enough to make them all yourself. friends, you and me…you brought another friend…and then there were three…we started our group…our circle of friends…and like that circle…there is no beginning or end…yesterday is history. tomorrow is mystery. today is a gift, that’s why they call it the present. (unknown)
I really could not say it any better than that. Happy Saturday.
Archive for July, 2009
Poetic Truth
July 11, 2009Let It Rain
July 10, 2009There’s a thunderstorm going on outside as I write this.
I LOVE thunderstorms.
We’ve had some pretty great ones around here. It can get really exciting at times, when the lightning is flashing so bright that it lights up the whole sky in the middle of the night.
We were talking with a friend earlier about rain. She’s going through a hard time and was talking about her brother saying, “It rains on the just and the unjust.”
It got us talking about rain and how it gets a bad rap. Nate was talking about how rain is good…it makes things grow. It means good things are coming. A harvest…
Just another reminder of how that little shift in our brain can make all the difference in how we look at life. If we say, “Blah-blah, my life stinks, all these bad things are happening to me. I’m not a bad person. Why is all this happening?” We’re not seeing the whole picture. In fact, we’re probably missing the whole point.
It’s been a humdinger of a few months. You know this, you’ve been reading along with me. And know that I’ve only told you a small percentage of the drama. It’s just too much.
For those of you who have asked about the bug bite…it’s getting so much better. The outer ring was shaped like a heart a few days ago, it kind of comes and goes on any given day. The middle part is still going strong. I’m feeling a lot better, just still wanting to sleep all the time. I’m supposed to go back to the doctor later today, actually, to see if all is healing up the way it should.
But do you remember that a few months ago, I wasn’t getting any sleep at all? I couldn’t sleep through the night, longed for a nap…just think, now I’m catching up on all that sleep I’ve missed over the last year!
It was horrible when Nate was suffering with his back~ he’s so much better now too!!!~ but he was able to be home so much. It was a great time of being together as a family that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Sometimes, we don’t understand the rain. It’s hard, it’s cold, it’s drenching us, we can’t see through the pouring rain…but it’s making us grow strong and healthy, and sometimes birthing something completely new.
And if we’re really fortunate, sometimes there is even a rainbow on the other side.
I say, Bring it. Let it rain.
Do me a favor…go to this website and in the bottom left corner, click forward until you get to the song, “Thank You for the Rain.” http://www.philaud.com/
And then the next time it rains, go outside and lift your face up to the sky and let it pour down your face. You’ll be glad you did.
So Thankful
July 9, 2009Remember when I told you about my friend with cancer?
God healed her.
You know what? He healed her all through this horrible time. I have never heard her so happy, so thankful about life. She was afraid, but she had peace. That is a miracle in itself.
Yes, she had to have a scary surgery yesterday, but she had the surgeons laughing before she fell asleep. When they opened her up, they were shocked that she looked so much better than last time. When they told her how much better it was, she told them everyone had been praying…and that if the surgery had been a few weeks later, it probably would have been completely gone.
They got all the cancer.
She has been feeling GREAT. Unbelievably so. She was walking around the hospital last night. Every time I’ve talked to her, she’s been laughing and feeling so good. This afternoon she told me she wasn’t feeling any pain.
I’m so thankful. And I feel like my dear friend has been given another huge chance with life. She’s a new person. I really don’t think she’ll ever be the same again. She knows what a gift her life is.
Thank you for praying. God is so good.
I have made a wonderful bloggie friend since I started this blog. I just think she’s great. She is such an encourager, such a woman of faith. I would like you to go over and read her blog, The Magoos News, but more importantly…please pray for her and her family. Her dad has cancer. It’s really serious and he’s hearing all discouraging news from the doctors. Please pray for him. His name is Doug. He has written on Loren’s blog a few times and it is wonderful to hear how positive he remains through all of this. I’m praying that they will get a miracle too.
Bugs=Evil
July 8, 2009I had to get back on the horse and face my fears.
I’ve been down at the bonfire for the last two nights.
For those of you who missed the memo, I was scared of bugs because of this: http://girlymuse.com/2009/06/lyme-schlyme.html
I won’t lie to ya. I’m still scared. I covered myself and the kids with bug spray until we all gagged. I tried to distract myself by roasting an entire bag of marshmallows…and eating them all…myself. And…um, half of another bag.
Binging on mellows wasn’t entirely because of my fears, I also started a fitness challenge with some friends from church…which just makes me want to eat. We’re up against some girls in Chicago. I’ll let you know more about it as I get further into it. I’m going to have to start behaving here pretty soon and not do things like Marshmallow Fest.
But back to bugs…once I settled down, I had a great time. Good friends, good (tasty) food…and the fireflies were magical. When I thought of them as “Flying Lights,” I appreciated them a whole lot more.
However, I did miss a spot with the spray. For those of you who have read GM for a while…I’ll give you a clue of where I got a big bite…remember when I got a bad sunburn? Yep.
That did it for me. Bugs are evil. I’m not showing them anymore mercy. They have some nerve. Listen to this, bugs, you come in my path, you WILL be sorry! I’ll bite YOU, that’s what!
Anyone have any bug repellent solutions?
Breaking News
July 7, 2009A lot happened the last few days…everywhere…
Roger Federer made history with his 15th Grand Slam win.
Tiger Woods won…again…what else is new?
I went to California and back.
We celebrated Independence Day.
My dear friend/family, Courtney had a birthday…actually it’s TODAY. Happy Birthday, Courtney! You know I love you so.
And The Bachelorette went to Spain…
OK, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but The Bachelorette is my guilty pleasure. It is the only TV show I watch and it is NOT one worth watching. It’s pure craziness, alarming, unrealistic, and disappointing…but there is something about it that just pulls me in.
This season, the bachelorette is Jillian, who was rejected on last season’s Bachelor. What I liked about her was how easygoing she seemed…so fun…so down to earth. Well, it has been a shock to see how much DRAMA has been on Jillian’s quest for L-O-V-E.
She’s not perfect~ for example, she never closes her mouth. I don’t mean she talks all the time…I mean she literally doesn’t ever close her mouth all the way. Watch her one time and you’ll know what I mean. But you know, there are worse things.
I mean, really.
What seems to truly not be perfect about her is her taste in men. At first I thought she was a great judge of character, but as the show has gone on, she has increasingly kept the ones that just don’t seem worthy.
Also, I wish she’s stop saying, “Him and I…” I think I might send her Woe Is I by Patricia T. O’Connor.
Let’s just do a little re-cap of last night’s events…I’m warning you right now, this is a spoiler. Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know yet.
Kiptyn…
I’m just not seeing what she’s so crazy about. He seems nice enough, but just doesn’t seem to have much personality. They kind of talk the same though. They both sound Valley-girlish…Kiptyn with a lower range, of course. His mother alone, though, would have clinched it for me. She is SCARY.
I take it all back. She has done the right thing. I think she might be the first in history to reject the Suite card. I was proud of her in that moment.
Reid…
He has continued to grow on me in a good way. I like how honest they are with each other. They seem a lot different from one another, but complement each other well. It seems like they have a lot of fun together and are growing a real relationship. It’s surprised me and it seems to surprise Jillian too. He’s not her usual type…which could be a good or bad thing.
I think, as of this week, she thinks she’s in love with Reid.
Ed…
Now, Ed has been my favorite from day one. I think he seems genuine, smart, and is a great guy. He made a huge mistake in leaving for work. I don’t know if he can regain his footing after that, but she likes him so much that she wants to give him another chance. I’m rooting for him.
He likes karaoke. That gives me a slight pause.
Man, they’re kissing an awful lot. But still keeping it respectable. I like that.
OK, maybe she thinks she’s in love with Ed.
Wes…
I hate him. And you know we don’t say “hate.” He is so cocky and smarmy. Ugh. If he sings, “They Say…” ONE more time, I will scream. I think even if he hadn’t said the gross things behind the scenes…such as, “I’m not here for the girl, I’m here for my career,” etc…I still would have not trusted him. He just oozes fake. When she gave him another chance after hearing he had a girlfriend, I just wanted to shake her. There’s something about him that just makes her reject all sane thought. She WANTS him to be the one, but he’s not.
OK, whew. She finally got it. She finally read the signs. I wish she’d been mean to him, but she’s a nice person. So I can be mean for her: DO NOT BUY HIS CD, AMERICA.
His comment at the rose ceremony just cinched it for everyone. He is despicable.
It was no surprise that she didn’t pick Wes. Something just finally clicked over and she saw him for who he really was. When he got in the limo, he was such a jerk. He bragged that he was the first bachelor to make it to the top 4 already having a girlfriend.
I hope he trips and falls on his guitar pick.
See? It’s been a busy few days…
CMC
July 6, 2009My favorite ice cream in the world is Chocolate Malted Crunch.
When I was in SBCA, that’s South Bay Christian Academy…in San Jose, as a kid…sometimes for a little field trip, we’d head over to Thrify’s Drugstore and get treated to a cone.
Double Chocolate Malted Crunch rolled off my tongue like it was one word. There is nothing like it anywhere. Chocolate Malt ice cream with these little white balls of some kind of malty crunchiness.
Delectable goodness, that’s what that is.
After I moved away, I would look for the spin-off of CMC, but it is not out there. We don’t have Thrifty’s in Minnesota. Every time I visited my parents, I made a Thrifty’s run.
I was distraught when I heard Thrifty’s had been taken over by Rite Aid. But they knew they had a good thing going…they kept the ice cream! They don’t have the ice cream counter everywhere, but guess what…3 minutes from the place we’ve been staying…you guessed it…a Rite Aid with the cream.
It seemed all the stars were aligning. We even found a parking spot right in front of the store.
A heavenly choir sounded.
We walked inside and the girl that was in front of the counter happened to be enjoying CHOCOLATE MALTED CRUNCH. Oh yes.
When it was our turn to pick our ice cream, I excitedly said, “Chocolate Malted Crunch.”
The lady walked to the blessed container and then shook her head.
My heart stopped.
She held up the empty container and said, “There is no more Chocolate Malted Crunch.”
NOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nate said, “But we traveled 1,500 miles to get that Chocolate Malted Crunch. Are you SURE there’s not any in the back?”
No, there wasn’t any in the back. There wouldn’t be any until tomorrow…which is exactly when we’re going home.
I tried not to glare at the girl who was enjoying what should have been MY Chocolate Malted Crunch. She avoided my eyes.
Then the lady behind the counter said, “But maybe there’s a half-gallon in the freezer section that you could buy.”
Oh, sweet hallelujahs.
So, we found the freezer with the beautiful array of Thrifty’s ice cream.
No Chocolate Malted Crunch.
We looked high and we looked low. We were about to give up, when I got down on my haunches and moved a few and there…in the back…wayyyyyy down low…was Chocolate Malted Crunch.
Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will to man. He reigns.
Still there was opposition. That devil, he does try to trip you up on every side, he does.
We went to the counter and said, Oh sweet lady, will you please give us a cone and scoop it for us? Or something to that affect.
But, alas, it is against the rules for them to put their scooper in our container.
I was about ready to open it up and just lick it out of box, but we persevered.
“Oh, please, if we open it…we’re in a hotel (a little stretch of the truth…we’re staying in an apartment, but nary a scooper in sight), please…we will come to your defense,” Nate said.
She sighed a great sigh, looked around to make sure no one was watching…and scooped a great scoop into a sugar cone.
Merciful Lamb on high…I thank the Lord for that miracle. I think He smiled when I got that cream. He knows what’s good.
And oh…it was every bit as divine as I remembered.
It ended the great California weekend on a high note. Today we will go home.
It breaks my heart to leave that ice cream in the apartment freezer. It’d be almost worth another trip out here just to finish off that cream.
Holiday
July 5, 2009Friends and Food…
Our friends, Staci & Abe came to see us for the weekend. We have laughed until we hurt. Our dear family/friend Deborah is here for school. She works with us in Minnesota with the music, so it has been a piece of home here in California for us to all be together…such a treat to spend this time with her. And another friend, Kellye, who we haven’t seen in YEARS…came to dig in…bibs and all.
The best crab cakes EVER…nice little place in Laguna Beach.
These look like gross worms, but they were really GOOD worms!
I heart this girl. She is brilliant. And hilarious.
So, it turns out…it was really all about the food.
Laguna, what? I didn’t get a single beach picture…just food.
A lovely day…
God Bless America
July 4, 2009Usually we have a get-together at our house on the 4th, but guess what? Last night, Nate and I scurried back to Orange County, CA. It’s going to be a quick trip, but we are going to do a little work AND have lots of FUN while we are here.
I’m envisioning fireworks over the beach.
Today was my grandfather’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Paka~ you always knew all the excitement today was about you.
Enjoy your holiday, everyone. Let’s commit to praying for our country, our leaders, and our troops. We need God in a big way.
And if you don’t appreciate America quite as much as you should, rent the miniseries John Adams and you will gain a new respect for what our country’s leaders put into place.
God has always blessed America and I pray He will continue to do so.
Roarrrr
July 3, 2009I feel like a grown-up.
I am WOMAN. Hear me roar.
I had my first mammogram today.
I’ve heard horror stories, but it really wasn’t so bad. There was a very serious tone in the waiting room and then I was ushered to a private waiting room. I noticed it was a lot more upscale than the other waiting areas I passed.
I could have had my choice of any tea imaginable, but I was too nervous. However, the pink leather folder they gave me with all my information in it gave me a little flutter. It was cute enough to distract me for a minute.
“Lori?” A girl popped her head out of the door. She was around my age and dressed in scrubs.
“Yep,” I said. I couldn’t say more than that. A cat had my tongue, as my parents would say.
She led me to a tiny changing room with a locker, mirror, bench, and enough room to barely say, “Boo.” The bench had a lovely warm washcloth with lavender oil sitting on a glass plate, with a rose on the side.
They’re buttering me up, I thought.
The technician apologetically took me back to the Machine That Squeezed The Daylights out of me. Right before she grabbed me, I got my tongue back and started chattering.
Sometimes I do that when I get skeered.
I loosened Nice Tech up by warning her about my Lyme-infested area by my left you-know-what before she saw it. I was able to thoroughly gross her out and then I was comfortable getting nekkid.
Don’t know…that’s just the way I roll.
She was still having full body shivers about ticks as I left the room. Made me feel a little better about things.
And then I saw it…the thing that made it all worthwhile.
There in all its loveliness, sitting on a new glass plate, was a beautiful Dove chocolate.
As I put my clothes back on and saw the red marks on my chest, I remembered it really is good to be a woman. Not often, but occasionally, I have my doubts.
No man can appreciate chocolate the way a woman can.
Favorite Place To Be
July 2, 2009Home is particularly inviting right now.
I’ll tell you what I have always loved most about home…besides the people in it, of course.
My bed…no matter where I have lived or what my bedroom has looked like, my bed is the best thing.
Would you like to see it?
I need a step to get in it, but besides that, it’s so great. Just the right amount of cushiness. There’s such a pretty view out those windows, I couldn’t bear to cover them with curtains. I’ll show you the view another time.
I have never EVER fought sleep…sometimes it fights me, but I have always embraced it, loved it…I smile every time I get in bed.
Come this way…I’ll show you my other favorite room.
This is where I spend the majority of my time when I’m not in that bed…
We have only done a little bit of work in the kitchen~ painted the walls yellow and the cabinets white…it was overwhelming with all oak. I can breathe in here now.
Some of the very best times have been sitting at that table pouring coffee or tea for friends.
Where is your favorite place to be?