Randomness March 31, 2008

We have a birds nest in our attic. There may possibly be 852 birds nest up there. It sounds like thousands of little chirpers up there at random times throughout the day! It’s making Duke, the poo-Flingin’ Yorkie, go more insane!

Funny too that we just moved from 2 acres on the outskirts of town and didn’t really deal much with wildlife. Now we have tweets in our attic and occasionally wake up to Ducks swimming in our pool. IN THE CITY PEOPLE!!!

I cut the crust off all my sandwiches. I really don’t like crust. Life is too short to eat something I don’t enjoy AND it saves me extra calories and carbs. I encourage all you all to ax the crust…Guilt Free!

Last week when I was sick I got a burst of energy one night and decided to wash my bed linens. So I stripped the sheets, put them in the wash, got totally wiped out by that, went back to my bed to rest. 10 minutes into rest child #1 enters, “Mom? You really should rest for at least an hour, k?” Sure honey, I’ll start over…starting now! 15 minutes later child #2 enters…”Mom! Did you know that (insert random sports fact here)” No dear, I’ll be sure to dream about that when I get BACK to sleep. Shortly after, child #3 (hubs) enters, “TAM!!! You’re suppose to be resting!” Uuuhhhhh… “You took the sheets off the bed! - REST!” Uuuhhhh,Okay???

I LOVE my man! You all KNOW that! But sometimes. Sometimes. Sometimes, he is SO embarrassing! Our family went out yesterday afternoon, it was my first outing all week, and Vinny morphed into the public nuisance we’ve all grown to tolerate. Actually it started out fairly normal. Minimal disturbances. A few bodily noises and funny faces. Then he got a package in his hands. A bag with a shoe box in it. Shoe box was his Ammo and his son was his Target! All the way out of the Mall he swung that package around like a lasso aiming for Kota as Kota ran, ducked and rolled and screamed like a 2 yr old girl! My pace sped up rapidly as I high tailed for the Exit….Kass closely behind. Enter, Parking Lot. Open range. Lord help us all! In between Nike Box Assaults on his only son, Vinny thinks now would be a good time to sashe to our car like a woman! Making sure to use the entire aisle in between parked cars, he worked his imaginary runway! Still swinging his bag and box around being sure NOT to draw any attention to himself! You all have NO idea what it’s like!

When I think of “Pygmy Goats” it just doesn’t sound or seem right. Oxymoron perhaps? Kinda like “Almost Suddenly” and “Adult Male”.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Brain is still a bit numb from being sick. Thanks for all you well wishes and prayers friends. you rock!

One more thing…A good friend of mine asked me not too long ago if I would be interested in being a co-contributing author on a new blog she has created. Totally shocked and humbled, I accept! I will be sharing this adventure with two amazing women and am looking forward to seeing what unfolds in this new journey. You wanta know more go here. The official kick off is tomorrow, April 1st. Would love to see you there!

A Blogger Collaberation - Story #2 March 22, 2008

You all ain’t right! This is what happens when you give bloggers free reign of your blog

Rolling out of bed, I stretched my lower back and wondered if she had kicked me. My ribs were so sore and covered with pb&j. I need a shower! But the Zebra-Striped shower curtain was missing, OMGG!!!! So I figured more coffee would help. (hallucinations, hallucinations….)  I need more coffee still, thinking more clearly…still need MORE coffee. The coffee is turning colors. Green, Red Mahogany, Blue, Grey with floating hearts! Then it happens! Angels fly into my cup of coffee! Colorful angels. Angels say, “It’s Decaf!” Boring old angels :(  I brew a new pot of the strongest coffee and get my dance on, OH where is Vinny? I need some nose plugs, matchbox, 7 straws, and a piece of big red gum. Yes, I am McGyver! Finding the shower curtain in my closet I quickly put on my shower curtain cape remembering the PB&J, slipped on a banana peel left by angel drinking decaf again. I switch to those angels needing a new song. Suddenly at the window I saw a creepy figure peering in at me from an air vent on the floor. I can tell they were eyeing my Easter Lilies in the garden. Slightly paranoid I saw him…McGruber from SNL! But I’m McGyver! Now it’s a battle. I get my duct tape and a left sock, unwashed, to put around a plunger soaking in rose vinegar and I whack the eye in the vent staring at my Easter Lilies! Whacked it with the plunger ;)  I felt so violated! Said Vinny with an eye patch on due to a tragic fight with a wheel barrel attack by a rabid pigeon in Central Park. OH that McGyver-Vinny. He doesn’t remember which incident it was. Maybe the one involving the massage oil. Definitely not for the eyes or the ears and armpits! So he picked up a jar of pickled pigs feet and a bag of jelly beans. But thank goodness for that scented massage oil to boil them in a coconut shell found in the barn that was formerly a Hawaiian Hula Bra. Who will eat it??? I bet the turtle with no shell will while waxing his surfboard and listening to Ace Of Base “All that she wants is another baby…she’s gone tomorrow”. Shaking off traumatic 80’s flashback, he wrapped his head in bubble wrap and got into the convertible You know, cuz he couldn’t find his helmet and took off at lightning speeds saying “Yeah baby!” Before long he got to his destination stuck in a muddy ditch he cried, McGyver help! But it was too late. McGyver instantly appeared with red Jimmy Choos. McGyver is gay?! I said as I asked him what size those shoes were He assured me that it was only a spicy marinara sauce. Another hallucination involving a pile of laundry to fold and a chance meeting with an insane blogger with a taste for pink tights. Suddenly the phone rings. A munchkin voice is…and I hear a voice that says….can I get decaf? Sorry, we are out, he replied. He decided that maybe the Easter Bunny and Vinny could both wear pink tights. Vinny refused!!!! Because pink does not go with red shoes, but Tam said I will and posted it on her blog. This made McGyver very angry. But he loves pink and decided to join her in a game of dominoes and whispered, “hey, wanta go cow tippin’?” Again?!!! So you’ve been before? Twice with Papa, once with McGruber and 8 times with Vinny. But don’t ask about the time Vinny was displeased with lunch, or it was displeased, which made him unhappy with the purple monkey-people eater, OH MY!! Here he comes again! With that annoying little imaginary green dog. It looks like an interplanetary galaxy bound rocket ship with ears and eyes, screaming “Drop the chalupa!!!” But as I looked closer it wasn’t a chalupa after all, it was McGruber!!!! With my shower curtain as his Superman cape. It was then I realized it was pink with little green frogs and words that read, “McGruber and McGyver-Twins - Separated at birth” I love pie said Superloveman while throwing Easter flowers. No I love you more. Do you think? Very rarely, he said. Thinking is hazardous and should only be done in pajamas. Nighty nite, said the bed bug before he flossed his teeth, crawled in bed, closed his eyes, and waited for his snack. It wasn’t long before popcorn flew through the air and landed precariously on the tip of his nose as he inhaled so he blew a snot rocket! Ah -hahahaha. What a relief. Great balls of….UGH, said his mother in law as she watched it hit the wall. Clean that up! And slobbily slide across the floor toward the elephants poop and rolling into bed. We drifted off to sleep until I realized I was in bed with my mother in law, eewww, and then I awoke and realized it was all just a bad dream. Nite-Nite.

Meet-n-Greet March 2, 2008

I have met a lot of people since I started blogging last summer. I have friends all over the country and beyond now! That is so cool!

I was thinking about you all tonight and I’d really love to get to know you a little better. Vinny is doing this on his blog…kind of…except he made it all about himself - “Ooooo, ask me questions about ME.” 

So I wanta spend this week getting to know you more by asking you all random questions.

Here we go…

When did you start blogging?

Why do you blog?

What is your favorite thing about blogging? 

Fill-In Friday February 7, 2008

Hope you all had a great week! Looking forward to reading how you fill these in today!

For you first timers, you’ll find below some incomplete sentences. Fill in one, or all, to best fit you!

Have fun! Happy Weekend!

It’s not as easy to                          as you think.

If I were President, the first thing I’d do is                                     .

Reflecting February 4, 2008

I think God was protecting me. I spent most my time at the new house during our 2 day moving adventure, doing the “easy” stuff while my neck was still mending. I had mentioned before in an earlier post I realized that although I am a very clean and tidy person once you start moving things around and emptying cupboards you see you’re really a slob. So there I am, 2 days removed from the chaos and I walk into our empty home. There should have been yellow CSI tape wrapped around the entire house as a warning upon entrance! I have never seen such monstrosity! I wanted to gauge my eyes out with a plastic spoon. It was so hard to look at! I quickly grabbed what I needed, being careful not to get swallowed by the all the evil dust bunnies and wire hangers, then ran for my life!

Isn’t it funny how quickly your life can change?  Jason commented on my Sting of Defeat post how losing can be good. There truly is a season for everything. Here we are in a new home (new to us) and although I am still Tam and Vinny is still Brent, we are completely different people with a brand new life.

The last several years have been a tremendous growing process. We truly have learned how to get by on little and be content in that. It has been extremely humbling and if I’m gonna be honest, very frustrating at times. The past 3 years however have brought our little family so close together. We have such an appreciation for every little thing. I have a garbage disposal now…the sound of it munching cucumber peelings made me weep last night! The little things. Our last home was so tiny that you were always in someones business. We’ve learned to bend, to communicate openly and honestly, to enjoy each others company. We never want to forget that! I never want to be anything but humbled for what we have.

Bankruptcy has been a difficult process. It certainly has been humbling too. But it is not my identity. My significance is not found in it either. It doesn’t change a thing about my eternity. I am secure in that. But it is changing my character. It is building it. Strengthening it. Growing it. Teaching it. I don’t want to go through this or walk away from it unchanged. What a waste that would be!

Romans 5: 3-5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Survey says!!!…Satisfaction Guaranteed? January 14, 2008

Based on the links I provided in my last post - I’m curious to know a couple things.

What is your “criteria” in looking for a Church?

If you have a Church home - why that church?

How does what you’re looking for or what you’ve found line up with scripture…particularly pertaining to teaching, leadership, accountability, etc…?

If you are not a “Church” attender, why?

If you are not a believer, why? And I’m curious to know if any reasons in the UnChristian link apply to your stand?

This is a safe place, as always, no one is going to be ridiculed. We might challenge one another but I trust that will be respectfully done.

One Book Meme December 27, 2007

Miss Darla tagged me for a Book Meme. At first it made me nervous because I’m not as big of a reader as I used to be. But going through this has inspired me to read and write more…so thanks!

01.  One book that changed your life? 

Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. It’s one of the most creatively written books I have ever read. He tells the story of Ordinary (characters name) who leaves the Land of Familiar to pursue his big dream. On his journey he is confronted with obstacles and feelings of hopelessness as life and others, even if unintentionally, threaten the Dream. My summary is not doing it much justice. It is a MUST read! Super inspiring! Yes, I said “Super”.

02.  One book that you have read more than once?

The Heart of the Artist by Rory Noland. I’ve read this at least 4 times now. I love this book! As a member of a Music Team I have found this book to be a necessity as a great guide in all facets of this ministry. Rory confronts many characteristics, both good and bad, that effect individuals and a team. How to recognize them and address them. And so much more than this!

03.  One book you would want on a deserted Island?

“How To Survive On A Deserted Island”

04.  One book that made you laugh?

The Gingerbread Man. OK, I used to be a Co-Teacher in a 1st/2nd grade class of Behavioral Learning students. Koty was a 2nd grade boy with severe Autism. He looked no one in the eye…except for me. I had to read him this book every day. He would laugh so hard at the most not funny parts! But he loved it. I loved it!

05.  One book that made you cry?

Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Really, do I have to explain why? What a great read!!

06.  One book that you wish had been written?

Darla…you are so stinkin’ sweet! I am working on my book! And it WILL get completed!

07.  One book that you wish had never been written?

Any of those books on how to make homemade bombs in your garage. Look at how many teens have gotten a hold of those and destroyed so many lives.

08.  One book you are currently reading?

I’m actually not reading any right now. Is that horrible?

09.  One book you have been meaning to read?

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper. This has GOT to be good!

Feel free to answer any of these questions here if you’d like. It would be great to see what everyone is reading and what you’re interested in!

Conditioned December 17, 2007

I am so conditioned. Molded by years passed. It can have it’s advantages I suppose. When I was 4 and darted out into the middle of a busy street downtown my Mom had to jolt me back to safety by my wrist. It hurt so bad. But not near as much as the lashing I received right there on the sidewalk! Yes, this was well over 30 years ago when you could still spank a child without receiving the death sentence or being taken to court by your own child! Oops, bunny trail there…

This afternoon I was waiting in a very long and slow department store check out line. The first few minutes I did the usual. Eaves dropped on the conversation behind me. Sway back and forth. Squeeze my buns 10 times quickly for 5 repetitions ( I had a long coat on). Then something on an aisle end cap caught my attention. It was about 4 feet to my right and I wanted to see it real bad. I thought, “If I move out of line, even that short distance, I’m gonna lose my place. These wicked shoppers are gonna take my spot!” So, I turn to the nice old couple behind me, give them a sweet smile as if to say, “Hey! I am here. In front of you. Got here first. I’m just gonna scootch over there a couple steps and check out that item. I’ll be right back. To my spot.” I begin to inch over and started getting a little nervous. I step back in line. Turn and smile to Gramps and Grammies and try again. But I couldn’t. I needed to protect my place in line! “Tam, where is this coming from?! Seriously now. By the time Grams gets her walker out of lock position you’d be back in line.” Then it came to me. Jr. Stinkin’ High did this to me! I curse the days of Jr. High! Acne. Greasy hair. Boys who thought sweat smell was cool and manly. Uneven breast growth. And greedy little spawns of Satan in the lunch line! They did this to me! I went without so many lunches because the rowdy bunch and “popular” kids called the shots…for everybody! And they were still calling them today.

How many innocent things do I do are a result of others impressions on or perceived control over me? I had a conversation with a friend this afternoon and she asked herself what defines her. I think that is a great question. Does success at your job define you? The amount of money you make? How well your kids do in school? How much you weigh? I think another question is as good if not more important though…What motivates you? The questions I asked above fit well here too. But what causes our motivation?

Motivation: The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. Interesting isn’t it? I got angry with the sweet little old people behind me cause I knew they weren’t gonna let me back in my place. I feared Gramps pointing his little arthritic finger at me telling me to get to the back of the line. What was my reason for those thoughts? I had let the bully’s of my youth dictate my behavior today. And I didn’t even realize it until I challenged myself. I know this sounds petty and silly, but I think it goes much deeper. I cannot let other people dictate my behavior. Their opinions of me. Their expectations of me. Injustices. People and our past have as much control and power over us as we allow them.

Do you ever feel like something has a foothold over you and you just can put a finger on why? Do some searching. Are there times you catch yourself acting out of character? Do you ever set your own convictions aside as to not offend someone else…even if harmless? Why? What is your motivation?

Here With Us December 6, 2007

This song gets me each year! Especially the 2nd verse… Please take time to listen to it…Be blessed! For those having problems seeing the video, I’ve added the lyrics at the bottom…

It’s still a mystery to me

 

That the hands of God could be so small,

 

How tiny fingers reaching in the night

 

Were the very hands that measured the sky

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah

 

Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah

 

Son of God, Servant King, 
You’re here with us

 

You’re here with us

 

It’s still a mystery to me,

 

oh, 
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time

 

How His ears have heard an angel’s symphony,

 

But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah

 

Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah

 

Son of God, Servant King, 
You’re here with us

 

You’re here with us

 

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem

 

A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

Happy Birthday Brent! December 2, 2007

Today my man tuns 37! Yes, I am 3 weeks older than Brent

I have no amazing video for him of a bunch of strangers singing Happy Birthday like he did for me

All I have is an ever deepening love and respect for Brent.

I wish you all “really” knew him. He would quickly become a close friend.

You would admire his passion. His honesty. His humor. His integrity. His laugh. His compassion.

He is more than I ever thought I would have for a husband. He broke all my presumptions and ideas of what a real man is! He showed me that a woman can be safe in a mans presence. That she can be adored. Respected. Cared for. Treasured.

Brent you have been my “earthly” rescue! I love you way more than mere words can explain….

And you had me at “Hello……”