All things

Shut the old door

2012-02-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

We just replaced an old aluminum storm door on our house. When we bought the house, most of the interior had been remodeled but the exterior had pretty much been left alone. The house had one of those old style half moulded timber, half wavy edged window, fake iron hardware, butt banging ranch home doors that was quick to close but never really shut. The storm door was in a hurry to close but barely latched and the wind would cause a thump thump thump all day long. It's no wonder Boomer jumped whenever he was within tailshot, and we still have last fall's collection of stinkbugs in the house.

For a long time, not realizing that the latch really didn't hold the door shut, I blamed my husband for not shutting the door all the way. I kept asking him to pull the door shut.

"Can't you pull the door shut behind you?" I'd nag.

"I did." He'd say.

"Please be sure the door is shut when you go in and out." I'd quote the common courtesy book of rules. I could feel him rolling his eyes.

"The door isn't shut again, I hate that door," I'd say to no one in particular. I started noticing other homes and their storm doors and realized how far storm doors had come since the last time I needed to pay attention, which was 20 years ago when we lived in Wisconsin. Full glass storm doors seem to be in style, even my parents have had one for years. That's what I wanted.

That's what I got for Christmas, and it's installed now. I love the new door. Mostly. Sunlight streams in, there's a full view out, and, guess what? There's a full view in! No more hiding the bottom half of my pajama clad self, or the stack of stuff waiting to be carried out to the car. Now there are cat nose prints in a row on two levels, inside and outside. And, I think I noticed the door doesn't always stay latched. I've had to pull it shut sometimes.

Be careful what you wish for. The new and improved, the step up, doesn't mean there won't be problems. They're just different. They may even be as annoying and challenging as before but they'll look better because they're new.

Are you like me, wished for a new job and when you got one, it's not all that? Wished for a new place to live, and it's not all that? Wished for new people in your life and they disappoint? What's the common denominator? My finger is pointing at me.

The door, the job, the place, the people, all may change, be new and improved, but unless I change the results will likely stay the same. This is what I'm praying about, this is where my thoughts are working. There's no way I'd like to put the old door back up on the house. It's just done. It's being re purposed. The old familiar hinge positions are gone. The new door can be adjusted and so can I.

***

Thanks for stopping by to read my posts. I'm going to be combining my two blogs soon. I'm not sure if my wordpress blog is moving here, or this one is moving there. One is older, the other is nicer looking...

Do more, resolved for 2012

2012-01-01T23:32:00.001-05:00

Resolutions, or motivational words are on my mind today. Last year, besides resolutions, I decided my "word" would be "do." I actually had more success with that than the resolutions. It was easy. The bare minimum of day to day living resulted in at least a little "doing." What did I do? My best do list includes:

Got a mammogram
Got diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
Got a new garden and planted stuff
Got my husband to go on vacation to the Homeland
Got a full time J-O-B

Plenty of doing, none of which were my resolutions. We didn't find a church, I didn't get smarter about writing, I did even less in fact, and I for sure didn't learn to knit socks! And, I might add, knitting socks is almost as important as finding a church. My feet suffer socks. Regular store bought socks don't fit my feet. The tops are too tight and pinch my swollen ankles. The heels in most socks slip downward. Some socks are too coarse and make my feet sore. I really need to learn to knit custom made socks. The same goes for finding a church in a strange way...but more about that in another post.

If I evaluate the year on what I didn't do, I'm miserable and a failure and that's just what the enemy would have me believe and focus on. I'm not having that. I did not have a failure of a year. Far from it.

So, I am sticking with those same resolutions, because I still want to accomplish those things. But, what I learned from my "do" focused New Year...do became the small voice in the back of my mind when a new decision had to be made. The two letter word was often enough to push me to action. So I'm adding a new word this year...more...more writing, more church, more health. And look how great it goes with do....

Happy Do More Year!

***

Personal touch fundraising

2011-12-25T18:34:00.000-05:00

"Unfold to see Kate's name and mini-bio. All best, Elaine Davenport, Co-Chair, BWS Fund"

The handwritten card fell out onto my lap from a very colorful brochure celebrating the 20th Anniversary Party back on October 1 for the Bess Whitehead Scott Scholarship Fund. The event had been held in Austin, Texas, exactly 1500 miles away from where we are now, and 16 years after our daughter received the honor of the scholarship at Texas A&M. Yet Ms Davenport remembered and took the time to be sure we had a copy, along with a bookmark, and information on the website and the latest fundraising efforts. It took me about 10 minutes to get to my computer, and with a couple of clicks I sent a contribution. I appreciated the effort and thought, and the fact that the scholarship made a difference. I appreciated those personal words, as if Ms Davenport was sitting next to me knowing just how much I love to see our daughter's name on slick paper.

Fundraising can be an agonizing chore. Non-profits and Churches count on fundraising for annual budgets, and for designated spending. The sad truth is, despite Malachi 3:10, in these economic times, giving is down, and the discipline of giving is becoming last on the budget list. Staff is being laid off, routine and basic maintenance is being delayed simply because the funds are not available. Mission statements of outreach and service tighten and groups find themselves struggling to do their work.

^"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10

There has been much written about raising funds. Malachi 3:10 is a directive and a promise. In my experience it makes people squeamish and so does heavy-handed fundraising tactics. Blanket and impersonal methods also fail. You can't count on people to just do the right thing, not when they very often are struggling. Ms Davenport had it exactly right, personal and low-key worked for me at this moment in 2011. Why? Because she didn't appeal to my intellect, or bang me over the head with facts and figures, she appealed to my heart. In one simple handwritten sentence.

So what are some personal touches for fundraising?
1. Put a face on the project. Recognize the people involved, tell their stories, show their pictures.
2. Use print, web, and personal messages, video and music too if you can.
3. Remember your history, use your database, keep your database updated.
4. Don't forget to use your fundraising event and materials, even after it's long over and far away! As long as you have brochures and a database, keep sending them out. Repeat if needed. (I could use more copies for the grandparents!)

Look at and adapt ideas and concepts from your own mail. Right now most organizations are sending out materials. I confess I rip most of them up. They are FAR from personal. The handwritten address caught my eye, along with the personal return address label. And personal worked!

Reminder: It's the last week in December. Get your 2011 contributions in to your favorite church or charity by Friday. And, in case you are wondering, The Bess Whitehead Scott Scholarship Fund is administered by the Austin Community Foundation - www.austincf.org/bwsfund

***

It's not about the turkey...

2011-11-24T15:06:00.001-05:00

"It's not about the turkey," she said, "it's about family." Then she added, "Please don't feel bad."

Grateful tears stung my eyes and I thanked her for about the seventh time. It was the last thing I expected to hear. I had just told her the turkey we shipped by overnight express wasn't going to make it to her house in time for Thanksgiving. Not just any turkey. A certified organic, certified humane® heritage breed turkey that the farm I am the Internet sales coordinator for, pasture-raised for the last half year. A turkey that cost as much as a week's groceries.

The call before her, didn't go as well. The man was disappointed and angry, and felt the need to pelt me with insults over the phone, not just once, three times. He called back twice to tell me "it ain't right to treat people like this" he said in his deep South accent. He was so verbally abusive, when I got off the phone the first time, I sobbed. People don't talk like that to me. I wasn't raised that way. I don't hang around people that talk that way to each other. The worst part was he wouldn't listen, and he accused me of not being truthful.

Even though we prepared to ship our orders, planned the boxing, triple checked our orders, in the end there were a few mistakes made. Just one was totally our fault. Make that, my fault. That's the one that weighed heaviest on my Sister Mary Responsibility shoulders. The one that I waited until last to call. The one I expected to be worse than the worst.

But it wasn't the worst.

It was a grace-filled conversation. Because there is four hours difference between our coast and hers, she still had time to run out for a substitute. "It won't be as fantastic as yours," she said, " but this will be our turkey adventure story for 2011." She thanked me for letting her know and and her final words washed away the hurt of the previous call, and some of the exhaustion of the last few weeks. She blessed me. I consider her a gift, and answered prayer.

Because really, it's not about the turkey, it's about family. It's about thankfulness. I'm thankful to be working. I'm grateful to be busy. I'm grateful to have problems to solve and connections to make. I'm grateful to realize what's important, and what's a distraction, that even in imperfection there are perfect lessons to learn.

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours.

***
Graphic from Clip Art Etc.
Description: A male turkey, sitting in front of a barn. Source: S. G. Goodrich Animal Kingdom Illustrated Vol 2 (New York: Derby & Jackson, 1859)2:247

Update, declutter, depersonalize, or not?

2011-10-04T06:17:00.000-04:00

What's the first thing you think when you look at this picture knowing this house is going up for sale? I'm guessing you'd say what the folks around the table told the owner. You'll have to update, declutter, and take down all the personal stuff so buyers can picture themselves in this house. Buyers don't want to have to update. Buyers get turned off by clutter. Buyers need stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.

This is a picture of my mother-in-law's kitchen. Her former kitchen. Her kitchen in the house she put up for sale in July. The one she just closed on and was only on the market for NINE days. Contrary to most advice, most home hunting and selling shows on TV, and publications dedicated to selling a home, the house sold in nine days, and for above asking price. You read that correctly, ABOVE asking price.

The family got together in July and talked through the options and expectations with my mother-in-law, preparing her for what typically is a long haul when selling a house these days. We optimistically thought a timeline might be to be sold and out of the house by December. We pictured and sketched out the work ahead to clean up and pack what 33 years of living had accumulated. We thought we had time to spare.

Instead, in the time it took to accept the offer until closing day, the relatives and friends that live close by managed to help my widowed mother-in-law get packed up and moved into a lovely senior community apartment complex close to her church. It was a massive operation that involved dumpsters, and yard sales, and inspection repairs. I'm in awe of what the family accomplished, and grateful for their work. And, just as I suspected, a weight has been lifted, the burden of old house maintenance is no longer a worry for my husband's mom, and the family that cares about her.

Having been involved in a couple of home sales and purchases, this experience confirms my thinking. Don't get caught up in the "shoulds" of popular thinking of the moment. This house was immaculately clean, and pretty well maintained. And by that I mean, it was obvious when my father-in-law was alive, they did the best they could, and when they could do better, they did. That's more important than what color the appliances are, or whether the windows have ruffled valances or pleated shades.

For anyone who owns a house, a recent figure to use for yearly maintenance and upgrades is 3-5% of the home's value. For do-it-yourselfers that's a pretty good budget. In our house that's the budget that routine things come from like furnace filters, plumbing fixes, but also new paint for the front door, and a new back door. Yes, this means you have to plan out big projects like a new roof, or new landscaping, and have a vision for the years ahead. The purchase of a home, upgraded or not, doesn't freeze its condition for all time. Age happens. Needs and taste change. Spending money on your home is an investment in better living.

Why did this house sell so fast? It's probably several reasons. It was priced well. There was a motivated buyer, and realtors who nurtured their clients through the sale. And there was an entire team of people praying over the home's sale and the transition for the owner from one place to the next. I talked to my mother-in-law last week and she sounds happy to be making a new home and she's making new friends and getting situated in new surroundings. We're all happy she's happy!

***

More thoughts and lessons learned from this experience in the next few weeks. Do you have a parent you've helped through the sale of their house and downsizing?

I say tomatoes, they say, what? Be sure your team has answers

2011-09-11T22:21:00.000-04:00

"Yes, we sell organic heirloom tomatoes again this season in our store," I typed. "In fact, there's a tasting going on this weekend." I added the store information, and attached the event flyer, then clicked, Send.

By we, I mean the company I monitor e-mail for. Not we as in me personally. I'm not the one growing organic heirloom tomatoes nor am I the one that owns a store. On behalf of my client, I try to give good information and customer service, so I do invest personally in each message.

Later in the afternoon my e-mail chimed and I had a return message from the tomato inquirer. "I called the store and they said they don't have your organic heirloom tomatoes this year." I immediately provided the store manager's name and personal contact information, but said I'd confirm and get back to her by phone this time. I suspected that the employee that answered the store phone was new.

What I found was that the customer called and asked for farm named organic tomatoes, when in fact, the organic tomatoes sold in the store come from several local growers and are put together by heirloom type in produce baskets. So true enough, the employee would not see a basket with the farm name in the tomato type, but indeed, the store sells organic heirloom tomatoes!

Frustrating situation for everyone! The collective we, ended up looking silly. I know I felt silly. This situation can apply as an example to most everyone that deals with clients, customers, or members or patrons.

Cutting training corners ends up costing in my opinion. In one of my very first jobs, training began with 90 days probation and intense training in a employee manual that was 4 inches thick. We were paired with a more experienced employee and tested and retested on the materials before we were set off to represent and serve the public on our own. Now days, most training looks far different. We hope people come to us with good work ethic, team spirit, and a serving heart. Often they don't.

What can be done? What would you do? We could talk about training and team building but let's move forward with what we have. It goes without saying leadership is key. In this situation the bar needs to be set higher for basic product and service knowledge which starts with listening. If there is any doubt, it should be encouraged to pass the question to someone who can correctly answer, but even better, who can teach how to answer better. In this case, I'd like to see a tag team habit of passing along information, communicating what's new, what's coming up, where to find answers.

This area isn't up to me. I'm just a contracted worker, but I feel called to help lead people up in the way they should go. First, I should take my own advice and listen, but I also need to be a teacher. And before any more time is spent in meetings looking backward, talk about what's important, the mission at hand, equipping, and supporting our work, our clients, customers, patrons, and members in the future.

And for me, caring about the work, in His Name.

***

Data stewardship

2011-08-16T14:37:00.000-04:00

I was talking to a someone this week who discovered that the backups on their small network server weren't being done, and in fact, some data was lost. When she went to investigate she discovered someone had removed the external drive on which backups were saved. When I asked her how that happened and if she knew who might have been responsible, her answered surprised me.

"Someone must have needed the drive," she said.

The drive turned up in another building on the property attached to someone else's computer, where it remains. Backups aren't being done for the time being. Their IT guy has been notified on a service request but he is on vacation.

How many issues do you spot in this situation? Could this happen to you?

I'm not even going to pretend I'm an IT expert here so all I'll say is be sure your systems have backups of your financial and membership data first and foremost. If you don't know what that means, make yourself smart about it ASAP. And I mean AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Contracting out IT duties to a company is a great way to be sure systems are automatically backed up and set up correctly in the first place. If you are a small company or organization you may have to rely on building it into someone's job description, possibly yours.

Being a good administrator/manager means being a good steward of all property which includes data. It should be as secure as the dollars you care for. You wouldn't leave offering or income sit in an open box on your front porch would you? That's crazy talk in the words of my favorite youth director.

I'm less adamant about backing up creative work or documents unless you are storing historical documents and images, and especially if there are no paper copies. In my mind creative work can be recreated and usually improved so I'm not as inclined to worry too much about backing that up. The exception is writing especially if you have staff or pastors who publish, and hopefully they are keeping backups of their work. It's the financial, technical, membership or customer-client personal data that needs to be the most secure, in my opinion.

Besides the obvious password protection, a server should be kept secure, in a locked, limited access area. There should be no possibility for the above situation to happen. Computers provided by your business or organization should be well cared for by the employees and volunteers who use them. Standards should be set and kept. There should be no possibility an employee takes a key piece of hardware for their own use!

Computer policies are standard now and if you don't have one it's easy to find samples and adapt. This starts with you whether you are an administrator or manager or an employee in my opinion. If you work with data in any way, you should have interest in securing it and your hardware. They are your tools and we are charged with taking care of them, respecting their use, and their power.

My last thought to add is to never feel bad about asking questions, communicating, learning about and sharing needs, striving for better. These are important things that I think build respect and integrity for everyone, which are also key words for data.

***

Policy resources I've used:

Frieze Consulting
ChurchSafety.com
YourChurchResources.com

More virtual work? Weigh the options

2011-08-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

Since I work at home doing remote or virtual work for clients as a subcontractor, work load varies. I bill by the hour at this point which seems more fair to me and to my clients. I haven't thought about flat rates at all. This summer, work has fluctuated from a handful of hours per client to nearly a full time schedule. This is an okay situation for the summer because we've been able to do family activities and I've managed to do some home projects like get our landscaping project started. And, I took on a volunteer, non-profit project since I had the time. The fact is my work is portable so even if I do go on the road, I can take it with me. I love technology!

I've thought about taking on more clients but only if I can provide good service. It's not about more income, at least not totally. I know from last year's seasonal work, I'm about to enter a very busy time, with 50 plus billable hours per week. Is it possible to accept more work? Another client? Here's how I am weighing the options.

Additional work load from a client
Take a look at what is requested. Is it compatible to what is currently done or is it completely different? What kind of communication and approval process will be required? Will there be multiple points of contact? Does autonomy or authority change? These are key components for me. And does the additional work dynamic change or fit with my work style and my skill set? Does it offer new opportunity?

New client work
New clients either come to you or need to be sought out. How much work is that process? Is there expense involved? For example, will new or different software or equipment be required, is travel involved, or specialized training? Who covers the expense? What about security, and what references will be required? Then there's the work itself. Setting up reporting, and good communication right away is key. Be sure to be clear about who is the main communication contact point and how to get quick responses when there are questions. Under no circumstances should client work be accepted that requires financial outlay or jeopardizes personal finances. EVER.

While it appears that a new client seems more daunting to add, sometimes additional workload from a current client can be just as daunting or even troublesome. The appealing thing about virtually working for someone is there are few dramas and personality conflicts to get embroiled in. Having worked in real world situations where day to day "stuff" took just as much time if not more than the actual work, it's important to weigh this if it's problematic.

Quick aside: One of the keys to staying out of any kind of drama is to keep communication professional and just what is necessary. Trust me. As one who has said far too much in e-mail, this I know. Learn from your politicians. Never say anything in e-mail or by text, or for that fact, in your social media, that you wouldn't want blasted from the front page of any newspaper, or sent to your children or loved ones.

When is it time to add an assistant?
Some of what I do could be subcontracted out by me should the time come when I can't handle the workload. I've structured my hourly rate to allow for just such a circumstance. My thinking is that at some point it could be possible I am not available for whatever reason. It would be nice to continue and retain my clients, and provide them seamless support. Some or all of the parts of the customer service work I do could easily be done by someone working under me and my banner. Perhaps this is the answer to the question then, accept any and all work.

Motivation
Money motivates, but so does the work itself. For me, work is play, and play is work. I love to work. The bottom line is I like to be busy more than I like to have free time. But, the first thing I need to do is commit this to prayer. He might lead me somewhere else entirely!

"Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

***

Photo: Boomer assists each morning as the day gets started.

Let's hit the high spots

2011-08-10T13:55:00.000-04:00

Moehrke Family - Delavan Wisconsin - July 2011

Writing regularly this summer was a goal I've failed to achieve. The lazy hazy days of summer in the Blue Ridge never really materialized. In fact my days have been full tilt busy. We've been busy with family and projects. We also traveled a bit, going to Wisconsin (our homeland) to meet the newest member of the family who eloped-in with my niece back in February, and for family reunions, and for our high school reunion. Our days were a whirlwind of people, places, and things, less than restful, and not at all quiet. The return home has been much the same. I thought I'd post some things I'll likely jump off from for future blog posts.

I got a hand written thank you note yesterday in the mail. It's like a big paper hug and I've positioned it close by to admire and read. It just makes me want to write a thank you note for this thank you note. Not to mention, to tell the sweetie who wrote it how marvelous I think she is. As I was basking in the glow of the note it made me wonder if I've done as good a job sending notes? Have you?

We got the chance to sit around the deck and patio at my sister's house, all together except for three who couldn't be there. For fun we had a white elephant exchange of treasures from my parents. We had a great time together and we love our newest member. He fits right in. At one point I looked around and felt incredible love and admiration for everyone there. We are lucky to have each other.

My mother-in-law decided to sell her house and move to a senior apartment community. It's time to have less to worry about, less to care for. It's time for life to be easier. She called the family together and got everyone's blessing. So the transition has begun. She is 750 miles away and we are struggling with how helpful we can and should be. My mother-in-law lived in the house since 1978. We are the only ones with recent move and house selling experience. All the others have been at the same addresses nearly since they left home. Just when we thought she might be in for a long wait to sell, her house sold in NINE days. That my friends, is the power of prayer. Our prayer now is for the next stage to go smoothly.

We went to our 40th high school reunion. I know, you thought we were younger but alas, we are indeed, 40 years out of high school. We had a great time visiting with our old friends which was made much more comfortable by how many of them are my Facebook friends. Seriously. It also was much more comfortable because of the setting and the organization. It made a huge difference. The only thing we would have changed was the weather, but summer seems made for reunions, yes?

We have a mess going in our house right now following a plumbing repair. Things are out of order, a little dirty, and further repairs have yet to happen. I can't do anything about that big project but I can do other things. For instance, I washed the windows in my office. Clean windows cheered things up considerable and helped me relax a bit. Even Boomer seemed to appreciate them. And, I went ahead and hired a job out that needed to be done. What I learned from the plumbing repair is that there are perfectly amazing craftsman out there that want and need work. Do-it-yourself isn't the answer for everything.

That's everything on my mind at the moment. Just a hit of the high spots, as my Dad would say. Always an advocate for thorough work and an excellent job, my Dad would move us along with the idea that sometimes it's just necessary to hit the high spots with the promise to go back later and do a better job. Here we are in August, summer has nearly flowed right out from under us. It has been pretty memorable. Has yours?

***

"I wanted to know if you needed any help?"

2011-07-11T13:24:00.002-04:00

Work in the neighborhood affects everyone.

She stood there at my front door, her speckled and freckled face glowing from the heat, fists tight around her walker. I had opened the door after the doorbell rang repeatedly. I didn't expect to see anyone there because our wireless doorbell malfunctions all the time. We think another neighbor has the same doorbell and ours rings when their's does. But, Nell, my 95-year-old neighbor, had escaped her house restrictions and walked herself over to stand on our front porch (I wondered how), wearing slacks, t-shirt, and straw hat. One turquoise pants leg was up by her knee and she had on white sneakers and white socks. I held the door open and she started talking.

"I wanted to know if you needed any help with the dirt?" she asked.

Oh no Nell, we're good." I say looking down into her face. I thought she was referring to our recent landscaping project in the front yard.

"It's just something that has to be done. It's no one's fault," she says.

"What's going on?" I ask. Perhaps I've misunderstood.

"I have extra blinds in my basement," she says. "And a wooden ladder. It's old but it's still good."

"Do you need help in your basement Nell?" I'm now starting to think I'm not tracking on the right topic, I'm not always a good neighbor and don't pay attention to neighbor fence chat. Or maybe Nell isn't...I step down to the front porch with Nell and peek around to see if there's dirt or signs of digging in Nell's yard and everything looked pretty normal.

Nell raised her eyebrows and said, "No, but I have a metal ladder too if you need to use that instead."

"We don't really need a ladder, but thank you Nell." I say.

"You could put the blinds up to help protect your house from the dirt," she said. "It's got to be a mess."

I try not to look alarmed but I was beginning to be alarmed. What the heck was she talking about? I asked her, "Is there a problem with dirt I should know about?"

"It can't be helped, the pipes...." Her voice trails off.

"It's just awful!" she exclaimed. "I woke up in the night and couldn't stand my hair anymore it was so dirty, so I got up and washed my hair."

Right then I noticed there was a plastic shower cap on her head underneath her straw hat, and in fact, there were cobwebs on the green cotton bow of the hat. I wondered if she managed to get down her stairs to her basement but then decided it was probably hanging in her garage.

"You should have seen all the dirt in the sink," she said.

"Oh my goodness Nell," I exclaimed. "Does Pat know you have a problem with dirt?" I mention the woman's name, a neighbor up the street, who comes down to check in and take care of Nell. I wondered if Pat was close to checking in. It was then I decided Nell was more confused than I've ever seen her. "Maybe you should show me where they are digging."

Nell glanced around and said, "I'm keeping you, I should go. I just wanted to know if you needed help. Do you have books about flowers? I have some."

"I go to the library and check out gardening books," I say, glad for a topic change. "I have a lot to learn about gardening. Let me put on my shoes and I'll walk you home."

Nell protested and said she could make it home without me. But you have to understand how wobbly she is, and there she was, standing two steps up on my front porch. I imagined what a struggle that was for her. I looked through the door window to my son-in-law working inside and wondered if he were paying attention and would come help me get Nell down the steps. She cheerfully showed me how she goes down steps with her walker and I held her arm and was ready to grab her by the waistband, the way I learned when working in a nursing home years ago. I ask Nell to show me how she got to our house and she traces back through my flower bed and across the lawn to her driveway. We walk, half step by half step, Nell protesting all the way that I was bothering to walk with her.

"I just want to hear more stories," I say. "Tell me about your rose bush."

"Oh, I planted that rose bush years ago for when I get planted..." She looked off into the distance down the street. "Come over and see me sometime," she says. "You know I have more than 100 relatives on the Pacific Coast and the same on the Atlantic? I have a lot of people."

I note the Southern use of the word people. "Wow," I say, "is that right? That's a lot of relatives!" I wonder if any of my elderly relatives ever went to the neighbors to talk about dirt concerns. Then I wonder what any of Nell's 200 relatives are doing on a Sunday afternoon. I promise to come check in with Nell and ask to see her gardening books very soon.

I wondered who to call. I don't even know Nell's last name. I have no phone numbers on hand, not even Pat's who is supposed to be Nell's keeper, except I guess the whole neighborhood has that responsibility. I plopped down in my living room and looked out over the neighborhood. I love my new neighborhood. We have lovely neighbors who seem to have spent a lifetime together and have welcomed the new folks in with open arms. It's like a gift really. After 19 addresses, this one truly feels more like home than any other. People are sweet here.

The conversation with Nell was running back and forth in my head. I worked to put the pieces together. Our neighbor across the street is having some drain work done. Suddenly it made sense. Nell has lived here longer than anyone, she probably lives in one of the first houses. It's her neighborhood and she feels the same way I've come to feel. That drain problem is her problem, our problem. She was offering to help me as a new neighbor. She needed to help me. I need to help her back, and beyond walking her back home. I need to walk up and talk to Pat and get some contact numbers so I can do a better job of watching out for my sweet neighbor. Then, I need to plan to go ask about gardening books.

*******
Matthew 22:36-40 New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

I heart compost, a loss of the heart, and a heart song

2011-07-08T16:49:00.001-04:00

Everything I learned about compost, well not everything, just everything about the science of it, I learned from Malcom Beck in my Master Gardener training classes. He also appears nearly weekly on local San Antonio Texas radio shows. I was pleasantly pleased and surprised to see a Tweet telling me there was video of him on the Science Friday website. That's so cool! Here, take a look:

Malcom Beck's Website

Early in my childhood my parents, children of the Depression, composted kitchen scraps and garden waste. We always had a pile going. My mom had a huge garden which I swore she had only to keep us five kids busy with weeding and picking chores. Most all of our vegetables came from the garden and were preserved for use during winter months. All things I didn't appreciate until I was much older. I didn't even have a garden of my own until we had our first house and then it was not really much of garden.

It wasn't until I was thrown into the totally strange surroundings of Texas did I make a serious, and seriously flawed attempt, to garden. There is no way anything learned about gardening in Wisconsin applies to gardening in Texas. It's just not the same. Except for composting. Composting is about rot, mixing, watering, and mixing some more. Composting is pretty much the same everywhere.

Nature invented composting. Look at any forest floor and turn over the layers. You'll see the entire process right there. It's slow. Good stuff takes time. Growth takes time. So really, nature does its job in the amount of time needed. We can speed things up by turning over, watering, adding more to the pile.

Composting is about taking old stuff, stinky stuff, even failures, and making something useful. Once compost is mature or finished, it serves to lighten, feed, nurture, heal, and increase the soil to grow things once more. Soil needs microbes and beneficial fungii to be at it's best. There's a garden saying, dirt is dead, soil is alive. Compost makes for healthy and productive soil.

Recently, I had some help with cutting in new gardens. (Read more about our anniversary garden here.) Finally, after full year, and experiencing seasons in our new Virginia home, it felt good to get started on our garden plans. I discussed my design and needs, ordered the landscape materials and had them dumped on our driveway ready and waiting for the work to begin. Our landscaper (his title for what he does, not mine), and let's call him Tractor Man, came with his tools and two helpers. Tractor Man said in all his years, no one had ever asked him to add compost. He repeated that several times in the prep stage and during the early hours of the work day. By the end of the work day, and he called his work complete, we still had at least half the pile of landscape/compost mix left. It turns out, Tractor Man was unable to do something new, something contrary to his Tractor Man method.

So we finished ourselves. The proof is in the plantings. Within 24 hours of planting, an examination of the root systems show the roots extending out, practically jumping into the new rich soil. We're giving our plants a head start. We're investing in the soil to gain beauty and harvest in the future. This enrichment of the very basic, making use of what has come before, will feed my future apple tree, peonies, roses, and perennial border. And we'll continue to nurture and add to the soil on a regular basis.

*******

My heart aches for my friends today, who lost someone dear last night. I'm richer for having met this gentle man just a few times, and I'm most definitly richer because of his influence in my friends lives. We all go on to bless and encourage in a way that celebrates and honors this influence. Whatever pain coming from our loss is best used to benefit our future.

For some reason, talk of compost, talk of passing, I'm reminded of a Girl Scout song from long ago. Forgive me if I remember the words incorrectly. It went something like this:

Happiness runs in a circular motion,
life is but a little boat on the sea,
everything's just a part of everything anyway,
you can be happy if you let yourself be.

*******

I love you Lord.

Side effect soup

2011-06-24T23:26:00.000-04:00

Last January I got a call about my lab results. Not surprising to me, my new doctor said "You've crossed over the line into Type 2 Diabetes. I'm calling in a prescription you should start taking right away." She said more but that's about all I remember. I've had high and higher results over the last few years, and there's a family history, several generations even. I had hoped to hold off the diagnosis and keep in control with diet and exercise but that was before I started working at home in front of a computer 8-10 hours per day and across time zones.

I started taking a tablet of Glipizide first thing every day according to instructions, which in retrospect, started the slow spiral downward that I've experienced over the last six months. By slow, it was slow, not necessarily noticeable to me but still, it WAS noticeable. I've gained nearly 30 pounds since January. That's on 1500 calories per day watching and counting everything! It was my weight that had me thinking that's why my joints started aching and then my back ached, and my legs hurt walking. I got leg cramps at night, but also during the day, after activity, or after no activity. It was a morning thing but also an all day thing and an excuse not to move much.

Allergies seemed intense this Spring, making me sneeze "my fool head off," as my dad would say, and carefully rub my eyelids gently to massage away the soreness and eyeball ache. Sometimes I'd wake up blurry eyed and I'd blame my gooey eyes, or forgetting to take my vitiamins, or being out in the sun, which also made me blotchy red and woozy. I avoided being in the sun or outdoor places with no shade.

Some days the earliest I get myself out of bed is close to 10 a.m. Lately, I've made more effort to get to bed early so I can wake up earlier but it's difficult. I started not promising to meet with clients early, or have projects ready early. I can't count on being able to wake up most mornings much before 7:30.

Normally I love to write and at the drop of a hat can write about most anything especially if challenged, but my fingers have been silent. It's even been a chore to e-mail my family. There have been times I come stare at my screen and keyboard and pray for words, yet none come, none I've wanted to put together. In fact, words have seemed much more like a vat of alphabet soup, letters or chunks of words, and extremely floaty. When working with data, I usually enter flow state and can stay focused losing track of time and space for all day. Normal, lately, has been confusing. Confusing as in, I have to study what the point is or how to put order to the chaos.

My daily glucose tests were good with my average running about 119. I have had issues with low blood sugar in fact. My 3 month checkup ended up being just labs to check the numbers and I got a phone call saying things looked good. It's a numbers game, this type 2 Diabetes. Sometimes I think too much so, because I wonder where the individual falls? I'm a cancer survivor because someone finally paid attention to my numbers that appeared normal but had changed. And I have other questions about the focus on numbers as opposed to well-being. This week, I got to the point where I wondered why I needed to feel so bad in order to have such good numbers...and why it wasn't mo' betta to have bad numbers but feel fine?

I wasn't looking forward to my Doctor's appointment today. I could hear the lecture in my head. I could feel the discomfort with getting on the scale, watching the skinny minnie nurse rock the extra weight up the scale bar. I even prayed for scale failure this morning! I especially wasn't looking forward to having my feet inspected, which for me, is a new humiliation. My feet are extremely private and I'm sensitive about them. I don't show my feet, or even my ankles. I was in full anxiety mode most of the day so is it any wonder my blood pressure was a little high?

My doctor has a Physician's Assistant that starts the exam time and logs in answers on a computer. Only after endless questions does the doctor enter the room. We talked a bit then she announced she was changing my medication since it appears Glipizide doesn't agree with me since I've had a rapid weight gain, and was obviously depressed. She went on to describe the new drug she was prescribing but I was stuck on her last sentence. Rapid weight gain....obviously depressed....two side effects of Glipizide? So no matter what I've done, it wasn't me? It was the drug?

You might wonder why I didn't research this before. I can be a bit suggestable. If I read about a symptom, I get it. If I read a list of side effects, I'm sure I'd have them. But I should have read the list because every drug's advertisings tiny print says to contact your doctor if there's a reason. Here's a list of what is considered a side effect, some even listed as rare, but all of which I'm having as if a big pot of side effect soup is brewing inside me:

Anxiety
Blurred vision
Itching
Numbness
Confusion
Depression
Difficulty moving
Dizziness
Increased hunger
Joint Pain
Leg cramps
Muscle aches/stiffness
Shakiness
Tiredness/weakness
Redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
Back pain
Sensitivity to the sun
Swelling of the face, ankles, hands
Mood changes
Rapid weight gain.

I read that list and sat and pondered those effects and what I might look forward to next. And I will be looking for the tiny print this time. My new prescription starts tomorrow. I'm relieved, but I'm also going to be more careful about the things my body is telling me. It's not hard to make yourself smarter about Diabetes or Depression. A quick check and I found plenty of information. Click the cartoon below and find out more about it. I'll be doing the same, but most of all I'm hoping for a better experience with my new meds. I pray that it be so.

Do you have or know someone who has Type 2 Diabetes? I'd love to hear about your resources if you have good ones, especially information on cooking and meal plans, two of my biggest struggles. Do you pay attention to side effects?

I'd also covet your prayers. This has been very difficult on several levels.

An anniversary garden

2011-06-13T14:12:00.001-04:00

It was our first anniversary in our house a couple of weeks ago and our 38th wedding anniversary this last week. Anniversaries are always cause for reflection.

We've lived a full year in our house and have come to know the creaks and groans of the floors, and the sound of the air conditioner and the hum of the dehumidifiers in the basement no longer catch me surprised when they kick in. They've become part of the sound of the house breathing. We've gotten to know which windows capture the evening breezes, and where my house plants love the light best. The kitchen, with its new cabinets and flashy black appliances, while attractive to me at first, have proven to be at the top of the list to be replaced at some distant future time. But we know where things are. Things are familiar. Things feel like home.

We've managed to take in stride the stress of moving twice in two years, and finding our way around our new state and our new jobs for the most part. We've been careful and intentional about our home improvements and projects, dealing with the issues revealed in our home inspection first. We're here to stay and some things will be best if developed over time. Things like the kitchen, or the exterior landscaping, were put on the more distant schedule of things we'll accomplish. There's a plan.

About two months ago though, my husband started talking about having help with digging flower beds and removing shrubs, and bringing in proper soil. He started pointing out plant nurseries as we drove around, and telling me so and so recommended a particular tree farm, or so and so said this grows great here. I usually listened and reminded him we have a plan and I'm fine with waiting. It was a little interesting if not amusing that he was talking about this stuff since our yard and landscape haven't been his thing—he's the mower of the lawn usually, and that's usually it. I'm the gardener.

One day I caught him talking to his friend about how much he'd like our yard to look like our yard back in San Antonio, back when I was a certified master gardener. That stunned me. It stunned me because it was immediately exhausting. How can he expect me to garden? I have a home business. I'm working and don't have that kind of time. I'm older. I don't feel good. I have Type 2 Diabetes now. I weigh more. My knees hurt. My hips hurt. I feel weak a lot. My medications say stay out of the sun. I don't have good garden shoes anymore. I feel like I need to sleep more. I'm so exhausted I don't even write much. It's too soon. It's not the plan.

So my husband talked to the guy that does the landscape maintenance at his plant. He brought home his phone number and said he was expecting my call. Then he asked me every day if I called yet. "No. I was busy today," I'd say. "Can you call tomorrow?" he'd ask. I'd promise to call. Finally, after three months or so I called. He seemed nice enough. We scheduled a meeting but I explained I had a plan and this wasn't it, that there were other things more important. He came over anyway. We talked options and ideas, and budget. I was sure he wouldn't call back. I'd be fine if he didn't. This just wasn't the plan. Just talking about it exhausted me. He called back. I was going to let him down easy and put him off until next year, but something he said about not ever working with compost flipped over a brain cell. I think I actually felt a twinge in a very dark spot in my head.

New home, new state, who has the compost operation in the area, I wondered? And why doesn't this guy know about compost? Someone should teach him about the benefits of compost. And, I wonder what the soil pH is in this area? It was 8.5 back in San Antonio. It must be lower here. My neighbors have Azaleas. I wonder what the house would look like without the overgrown yews out front? I took a minute to check the Internet for sources and extension service information and before I knew it several hours flew by. I made some calls and found a couple sources for compost and landscape materials then happened on a local company that removes trees and stumps. Still, this wasn't the plan.

I was staring out the front window picturing where to put a row of peonies when my husband got home from work one day. I had walked the yard and done some drawings, even did plan a and plan b, and had a few future ideas in a list down the side of the worksheet. He sat down and listened to all my reasons for sticking with the plan, and our budget. Then he simply said, "I think it's fine. We should get started."

First thing, the local company I found came out and removed the overgrown shrubs. In two and a half hours what I spent a year ignoring, and weeks plotting and planning the if and but of, and shoving farther into the future, were gone. And, I felt a heavy veil lifting.

On our anniversary four piles of materials were delivered. Ironically, the 38th anniversary gifts are minerals, yes usually in jewelry form, but mine came in piles. They were beautiful to me! I posted a picture for my friends to see and one them said, "not just a bouquet, but bazillions of them." That's the truth and the miracle to me.

My husband of 38 years is giving me a garden, and so much more than a garden. I don't have more words to explain what this means to me right now. I'm grateful and blessed by his love. I'm even more grateful to have answered prayer.

Photo: Front to back: Pile 1-Bluestone gravel 21A for side walk and drive area. Pile 2-White Pea gravel, for front porch inset area. Pile 3-Shredded hardwood mulch, for over flower beds. Pile 4-Landscape Mix, a perfect 7 pH, to replace native and builder's grade topsoil.

***

Note: I think I realized I was in depression back in February. I've been in denial. I didn't think it was showing either. I thought I was doing a good job of being "normal." I'm aware depression can be a side effect of medication, and also of Type 2 Diabetes, and certain life events have the tendancy to stress. I need to know more and have an appointment scheduled with my endocrinologist.

Rapture rumor cracks open a door

2011-05-23T15:31:00.002-04:00

I stood back and watched the Rapture stuff happen last week for the most part. I confess to not know a whole lot about Revelation or end times so it behooves me to not look a Christian fool, or worse. But, plenty fun was cracked, some darned uncomfortable. And yes, some was funny.

BUT, here's the thing, I saw some doors cracked open in some places that have been closed to things of the Bible, things of God.

As Christians I think it would be a good time to gently stick a toe in the cracked doors and lend an ear, or offer to guide our friends to, or back to Jesus! Look around your social media, check your electronic communications—be encouraging, in His Name! Now would be a good time to share a Worship song, tell someone you are praying for them, hook them up with a pastor you respect, invite them to Church. Let's not waste a cracked door!

Instead of thinking crackpot thoughts about the orginator of the non event, let's take advantage of the hole poked in some of the walls and get the right information out there. And thanks Mr Camping for the opportunity to learn more about the Bible, and to minister.

***
Photo from: http://www.cbsnews.com/

Brutus the bully cat

2011-05-17T17:49:00.001-04:00

Boomer checks for signs of the wild cats.

Brutus the bully cat is a yellow tom that stalks the neighborhood. He has a harem of five floozy cats that are probably related. Sorry, but that's probably true. And, I'm pretty sure at least one of them is pregnant right now. If the others aren't they probably will be.

These cats live in the neighborhood sheltering in whatever shed is available, eating whatever is available. Our neighbor has made friends with a few of them and sets out food. We did too. We set out the reject food from Boomer, our spoiled rotten former wild and spare cat. It seemed a waste, especially since there are starving cats wandering the neighborhood. It would usually disappear within minutes, especially in the dead of winter. But we won't be setting out food anymore.

We won't be setting out food because Brutus the bully cat beat up on Boomer. A couple of times. He drew blood! Even after we tried dealing with him by scaring him off, catching him nearly in the act! Stupid Brutus the bully cat insisted on coming back to make his mark, and scare the stripes off our cat. Granted, he was here first and doesn't really have someone to love him. Even the floozy cats give him wide berth and run from him. It's not surprising Boomer has stories to tell.

"Hey kid. Move it. Take your tail and go." That was the first thing he said to me. I was sitting on the patio watching the birds go by. Then he spit on me and growled and pinned my face to the doormat. When he turned to go, he sprayed all over me. It was disgusting. "This is my house now," I hollered. When he turned back toward me, I threw up a little. Sheesh he is a big. I should have shut up. One of my people came to the door and I was glad to run inside. They acted like it was my fault I smelled though.

You have to understand, my people have moved us twice in a year and one of those was from far far away. Sure I got to ride with the guys in a truck but things were way different where we landed. I was born in a much warmer place. Much warmer. I kind of think of myself as tough. Heck I grew up where thorns and fire ants sting and I was great at not getting caught on the roof. I had a buddy too. Junior was my best buddy. He wanted to be just like me, right down to the stripes. He hated his real name, Hersheys...see? Silly. So he liked it fine we called him Junior Boomer, Junior for short. He had to stay back where I came from. My new place is okay. It has rain, snow, cold, mud, and no good places to litter box. I'm sure I'll be fine. My people will be fine. We'll be fine. Really.

Last summer we watched a batch of kittens play in the summer sun. They slept under my husband's workshop and came out mid day with their mother. She'd leave them for a time and disappear into the woods and they'd attack grass, jump for bugs, and wrestle with each other. Boomer and I would watch from the patio. They were cute but wild. We were never able to get close. At first we thought there were just three, a gray, a yellow, a tortoiseshell. But it turns out there were two grays. At least one of the gray ones isn't around anymore and we think the rest are now part of the harem.

Boomer came to us as a stray. He just appeared in the neighborhood and started hanging around. He'd lay in the sawdust as my husband built furniture in the garage. He'd rub against me as I weeded the garden, and he'd sit with me on the lawn chair and bump his head into my arm until I pet him. Pretty soon he had his own dish in the garage, then he came in the house one day to meet our indoor cats. After that he came in to visit now and then. Then our old cats died, and he came in to be our cat, and we were his people.

There's a wild and mean side to Boomer. I usually say he has bad manners. Our daughter says he was raised by dogs. Not that I think dogs have bad manners...Boomer just isn't the typical cat. He can be rude. So we know bad cat manners when we see them. Brutus the bully cat has horrible manners. He's just mean and nasty and I no longer think he might be friendly one day. It's not going to happen. I'm not the cat whisperer I think I am.

Boomer was bleeding this week. We didn't see the altercation but after a flurry of near misses, one of which involved my husband pitching a cup of coffee at the tom, it seems most likely Brutus the bully cat clamped down hard on Boomer and got him good. I know it makes no sense to apply human logic here, but it's our house and yard and the wild things should know where they aren't wanted!

We've been plotting how to trap the wild cats and take them to someone my husband knows who works with feral cats. She takes them to get "fixed." Some are returned to the wild. I'd prefer not to perpetually have wild cats terrorizing the neighborhood pets, but maybe there is hope in the fixing?

In the meantime I'm left curious how we tolerate bad behavior in one and not in another, for animals, and for humans. Is it the personal history we know, the love and affection we feel that redeems one from another? Boomer and I need to have a sit and a think about this.

***

Photo of Boomer by Kate Travis

Mother's Day is about being a blessing.

2011-05-08T11:45:00.001-04:00

You never know what a child will remember most about their childhood, or the people they meet along the way. For me, two of the most memorable and awesome women I remember were single ladies, one a neighbor, the other a teacher, and neither had a child of their own. But they had me, through their kindness and encouragements.

That's what I said last year and it's still true. I'd like to thank them and all the women who have an influence in the lives of children. That's what I think Mother's Day is all about. Sure, if we are of the human species, we all have mothers. Some can be recalled fondly, some are best left in the distant past. If that's the case for you, there is likely a woman or two who nurtured you, encouraged you, perhaps listened to the desires of your heart, and prayed for you.

We are called to be positive strong woman in the lives of children around us. I believe this with all my heart. It matters not whether you've given birth, it matters the example you set, the connection you make, the woman you are. You may never know the example you set. You may never feel the reward of a relationship. It's not about you. It's about the kids. It's not about being blessed. It's about being a blessing.

So here is my card for you today:

Thank you for the job you do
    with the children around you.

Thank you for the positive role model you are,
    and for your encouragement and kindness.

Thank you for your strength,
    thank you for your discipline when needed.

Most of all,
    thank you for the gift of your presence.

Happy Mothers Day!

***

Photo: Taken in Front Royal, Va

4 Steps to Prepare to Handle Errors

2011-04-28T12:52:00.001-04:00

One of my clients has me call people to let them know somewhere along the line an error has happened. I get to be their Switzerland or neutral territory. Usually disappointment ensues. Sometimes other emotions...it can be like being a punching bag. It's important to stay cool, have grace and logic. It's important to accept the responsibility for the error, no excuses, then move forward hoping for a positive result. At least it is important to me. I don't look forward to this part of my job so it's good it's not needed much. I have a call to make today though. Here's how I prepare.

Listen (or read the message) with the exact issue at hand. It's important to understand the direct complaint, not someone else's version of the problem. It's also important to do as they ask, return the call, or message back in the time they request if at all possible.
Find out what happened on the company end--I gather the documentation to have in front of me for the call, as well as the timeline. It's important to understand whether the customer has jumped the gun or if a problem is already resolved.
Research the options to correct the situation and the time required to do so. Fortunately the company that is my client, is generous and wants to make things right. One unhappy customer can spread a lot of unhappiness. More than that, if you provide a service or product, you need to want people to be happy if at all possible! I try not to ever make promises that can't be kept in a reasonable way. It's not fair to either side to expect superhuman powers. I know I can't possibly promise an action that someone else must carry out. I'm just the communicator.
Filter appropriately. Not all information has to be relayed, but communication is important. This goes both ways. It even goes for the who you are communicating with! I usually have a plan to share the basics and reserve details only if they are needed. I want people to know I'm on their side as their liaison.

No preparation means a second or third call is needed, or even an undesirable result. I hate when that happens. I like to be prepared and appreciate when others are too. I have my Church Administration job to thank for these skills. Working with committees, ministries, pastors, staff, and the congregation is a lot like being Switzerland, neutral, working toward fairness, and hopefully always, forward. It doesn't mean not being strong individually, it means being strong collectively. It's always better when things turn out win win. Being prepared is a key advantage to good results for everyone.

Back to my task at hand. I'm ready for the call and have communicated with the customer, letting them know to expect my call. I'm confident in my preparation we will have a good result and I'll have the chance to connect with the customer.

***

Spiritual gifts, a few questions

2011-04-12T19:24:00.000-04:00

Do you know what a Spiritual Gift is? Do you know what yours are? Do they stay the same or do they change in your lifetime? Most importantly, are you working within your Spiritual Gift? If not, why not?

I've been thinking a lot about Spiritual Gifts lately. It all started with a post I read over at The High Calling by Michelle DeRusha called Enough: A Year of Not Shopping. The post wasn't about Spiritual Gifts, but one of the comments was. Cassandra Frear made a very wise suggestion and an observation. Then Cassandra said, "Here's what I've noticed. Our enemy does not want us to use our spiritual gifts properly." I've been mulling and praying over this ever since.

So, I'm going to write a little about Spiritual Gifts over the next few posts. If you don't already know what a Spiritual Gift is, you can certainly find the answer in one of the books down below. You can also read Spiritual Gifts by Fred G. Zaspel online.

There are online tests to take, from simple to complicated. The first one I ever took years ago was on the United Methodist Church website: UMC.org Spiritual Gifts test There are others, just Google Spiritual Gifts Assessment and you'll find several but some require logins etc. The UMC website does not. It's my feeling it's a good basic assessment and returned the same results as the more complicated ones I took.

So, what do you know? Are you working in your gifted area? I'd love to know what you think.

***
Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associates Member and I may benefit from purchases made by clicking the links below. All proceeds go to Charity Water or UMCOR. My sole purpose for allowing sales is to benefit these non profit organizations. If you have questions I'd be glad to answer or point you in the direction of those who have answers.

Graphic from Antioch Baptist Church

Nuclear media storm? How should we react?

2011-03-23T18:55:00.003-04:00

I was feeling overwhelmed by the topic and quantity of news of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami last week. My heart breaks for those who lost everything and now look at a soupy mess where their homes and jobs once stood, and struggle for shelter and food right now. I was also a bit disgusted by the vast number of experts quoted, and the number of otherwise qualified experts, using up media time to "report" on the expected further devastation. How much of this is truth and fair warning and how much is alarmist and reactionary? And, is a nuclear reactor expert here in the USA an expert of ALL nuclear reactors? Or are there brands and models and customizations that make the Japan situation particular...so therefore what the heck does anyone know if they don't work there?

So today, I spotted a FaceBook link reference posted by my son-in-law, John Travis, for the BBC College of Journalism analysis of the coverage. Fiona Fox, Director of the Science Media Centre writes about all the coverage, the experts called upon and their numbers, some who even may have intentionally used "alarmist narrative." And then she points to the contrast of coverage with this week. Please read her post here:

Media meltdown

Ah ha, I say. I wasn't going crazy.

I am not sure we need as much news and information as we are served. It's like all day buffet and even the biggest news junkie could overdose on the amount of words spewed on a daily basis. Like a buffet, it's tempting to over absorb and get too full. My dad used to tell us "Don't talk just to hear yourself talk." He'd also say, "Move with authority." I'm not saying that earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster is not news. Far from it. But it's a little like Chicken Little and the sky falling. Is it really?

Give and get the facts.

Then let's move forward.

I think desperation breeds desperation. It was refreshing to find some folks moving forward but their stories were small. So small I can't find any decent story links for you to read about them. Search Fairfax Fire & Rescue to Japan for one. I'd like to read more about them. Most of my questions have been about what life is like, how can we help, what can be done? It turns out I found the most practical answers in the UMCOR website coverage.

Japan hasn't asked for help, yet. And, it's not exactly easy to send stuff to them. Truthfully, it's still early yet and recovery will take some serious administration and logistics to make sense. I imagine, since there are still earthquakes in the area, it's all folks can handle to stay sheltered. Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Deputy General Secretary for UMCOR writes,

"Many supplies are available in Japan and sending funds directly to our partners supports the local economy while ensuring that they are getting exactly what they need. I am always sad when I visit Haiti and other disaster affected areas and see the unopened boxes of clothes, medicine, and equipment that go unused because well meaning people have misdirected their good will. A practical example was pointed out to me by a physician in Haiti, who explained that it is important to purchase medicine in the country because the directions for use will be in the native language. An additional concern is that sending an unsolicited shipment into the disaster area runs the risk of hampering relief efforts, clogging runways, and creating an added burden to the system because there is no efficient way to distribute the shipment. Please consider your local thrift store for these kinds of thoughtful donations."

I wish information like this was included in general coverage by media. I'm more interested in the practical, and not the tabloid spins, or alarmist narratives, that could twist this into something very different.

The best thing you and I can do is to go about our business, love our families, get ourselves in order, and stay in prayer for victims and for those who are moving with authority, getting the hard work done.

***

I'm honored and grateful this post was mentioned by Glynn Young in his weekly Saturday Good Reads at his blog, Faith, Fiction, Friends. Thank you for stopping by!

Find the truth filters

2011-03-17T23:55:00.000-04:00

I found myself needing to do a filter check, a truth filter check, for stuff in the news. Things like the disasters in Japan, and closer to home, the Governor of Wisconsin/Budget/Union controversy, point to a major reason why it's important to be sure the news read or heard is truthful and accurate, and that the news givers are not actually helping to make or augment the news itself.

Get news from several sources is what I usually say. But, right now there's a lot of shouting, excess reporting, and editorial opining. It's hard to edit what is out there because there is so much! And it's really loud! Even my Facebook and Twitter seem to be shouting! It's wearing me out.

So, I took a news break today. I needed to calm the alarm in my head and heart.

One of my Church Administrator mentors is known for his fairness. I found it sometimes aggrevating especially when he sat back and quietly evaluated instead of jumping to action. But, I truly admire that ability and aspire to BE fair. I think fairness is a significant part of integrity. When one is in leadership it's important to be informed, stay tuned in to the world, and filter with fairness. I think it helps understand where people are coming from and where a team's potential lies so you can all head in the same direction. It's a mistake to work in a tunnel or a focused (overworked) bubble, especially if it's a church or nonprofit. It doesn't equip you to filter to the truth when people act a fool in a reactionary way. The last thing you want to do rush to conclusions and jump inappropriately on bandwagons. Remember Emily Latella, played by Gilda Radner? Emily twisted news and tried to get everyone worked up for her version, but upon learning she had misunderstood, she'd say, "nevermind." Funny...but not.

We all need to step back from the noise no matter what the situation. Really there is only so many times to repeat then repeat again before words are mispoken, misunderstood, or worse, manipulated. Sometimes it's best to double up the truth filters, and be quiet.

***

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

I never learned anything when I was talking. Jacob Stocker, my grandpa

Japanese disaster translated

2011-03-14T17:18:00.002-04:00

Are you like me, can't take your eyes or heart off Japan? I found some resources to share, that help translate the enormity of the situation.

Check out:

http://makikoitoh.com/ Blog by Makiko Itoh. Earthquake coverage isn't her usual gig but she is feeling useful translating Japanese news into English. "It's the least I can do," she says in her post after 13 hours of translating. Our US news can be as much as two hours or more behind. She's all over the translation right away. She Tweets at @makiwi and has even compensated for Twitter Fail Whales by creating an aggregator page on her blog. http://makikoitoh.com/aggregator

Check out the satellite photos at the New York Times. Use the mouse slider to get full view of the before and after. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html

And, as I suspected UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is already all over relief efforts. 100% of what you give goes to the relief. They do good work. I'm not Methodist but I believe in this organization. Get their latest news at: General Board of Global Ministry-UMCOR

We are all connected to Japan no matter our nationality. Chances are very great you've used Japanese products, studied our common history, have Japanese friends and colleages and benefited from this lovely country. My prayers are with them and the families around the world that have lost loved ones. My prayers are with all who begin to put the pieces back together.

***

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

2011-03-12T09:31:00.001-05:00

I've been a big fan of Tricia Goyer's blog work and have been wanting to read one of her novels. I think I'll start with this one.

Have you ever pretended you were someone else? I used to have a pretend self that was Amish. I'm not sure why. I also used to pretend I was African American with beautiful brown skin and soft fluffy hair. And of course I pretended I was a cowgirl and an Indian...er...Native American. In my mind, I looked much better in deerskin clothes and braids. I often pretended I was something else other than what I was was, always more exotic, and much much better than a chubby German Polish Norwegian girl with bad hair and hairy legs. I still sometimes pretend I am someone else. It's usually to gain some superpower I know they have. Like, sometimes, I pretend I am Tricia Goyer, when I need to get a lot done.

I'm looking forward to visiting my Amish "roots" again.

***
Disclaimer: When you click through on the Amazon link and make a book purchase, I benefit as an Amazon Associates member. My proceeds go to disaster relief.

Paper airplanes

2011-03-11T22:07:00.002-05:00

Sometimes my phone rings in the middle of the day and when I check caller ID, I can tell England is calling. It's usually my Kate. It tickles me to tell you my daughter called this week to let me know, because she knew how to make a paper airplane, which flew, AND hit a target, her pub quiz team raised themselves up to sixth from last. (There were 16 teams.) In fact, her paper airplane was the only one that flew. She said some pub quiz desperadoes actually just crumpled a ball of paper and pitched it at the target. Sad.

Is making paper airplanes a lost art? Do kids make them anymore? Or is it just American? My dad used to sit at the kitchen table with the Sunday newspaper and we'd make a fleet of airplanes. He was in the US Air Force so I always figured this was a secret knowledge he was passing on...because my husband didn't know how to make the same kind of plane. He was only familiar with the more ordinary folded plane designs. His dad was in the Navy so it stood to reason he wouldn't be in the know. At least for airplanes.

Well I AM darn proud my daughter knew how to make a paper airplane, and whether it was me or her father (or grandfathers) who taught her how to fold and fly, she knew how to make a paper airplane! It makes my heart glad. I have lots of regrets about her growing up years. We were work obsessed parents. She was a latch key kid. I always, always, feel bad about her childhood and wish we had done better. The fact is though, she is who she is today because of and in spite of it...and she is talented, beautiful, and successful, and she knows how to make a paper airplane that flies! Atta girl!

What I want my younger friends with kids to know is that the minutes spent making paper airplanes is important, don't discount it. It's not enough by far, but it's not a waste of time. Step away from the TV, the computer, your homework, the laundry. Make paper airplanes, and let them fly!

***

Photo illustration of paper airplane, with instructions can be found here.

Ash Wednesday markings

2011-03-09T17:37:00.002-05:00

Being raised Roman Catholic, I grew up a little scared of Ash Wednesday. I don't think I was the only one. In our home parish they even shrouded the gold leafed statues and altar niches, and took away the filigree candle holders. Lent was somber, bleak even. And there was emphasis on fasting and abstinence...which meant giving up stuff. Stuff I didn't really understand why I needed to give up. In my adult life and as a member of a very comtemporary Bible church, Ash Wednesday wasn't observed. It wasn't until I worked for a United Methodist Church that I began to understand the opportunity for spiritual journey and discipline, and the marking of time and hearts.

My pastor boss was really good at making Worship a personal experience for the congregation, because it was personal for him. He looked forward to Ash Wednesday. As I recall, he usually fasted, and made ready for the evening service, insisting on doing certain things himself, as if even the movement of his body were a prayer of preperation. Ashes were always part of the service. Pastor looked forward to imposing ashes on the foreheads of members, and often, emotionally. Why? He would say they marked the passage of time and life—some of the crosses were made with joy but he also knew some he made would most likely be for the last time. For him, it was a most intimate service.

Ash Wednesday, especially imposing ashes is an observation found usually in more traditional churches, and part of the liturgical season. I have every hope most churches do a better job of explaining the why of the tradition. Here is what Monsignor Michael F. Hull, tells us:

"The liturgical use of ashes in the Church dates back to well before the eighth century. Ashes have a long history in the Bible itself, where they are a symbol of penance, and were used in the Church as a general sign of repentance before being prescribed for Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent. We use ashes to this very day; we used them just a few days ago. Through the efficacy of the priest’s blessing, ashes are made a sacramental. And when they are imposed, they are imposed for a simple reason: to give an exterior sign to an interior spirit of humility and penance."

What I am grateful for now is how Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal and spiritual day because I was blessed with working for an awesome man of God who understood how to make is so. I hope you have such a pastor in your life and that you will observe the Lenten season with something that grows your spiritual relationship with Jesus.

Here are some Internet friends who have some posts you might be interested in reading:

Happy Lent - A blog set up for Lent by Helen
Faith, Fiction, Friends - Ash Wednesday post by Glynn Young
Writing Without Paper - Prayer for Ash Wednesday by Maureen Doalles
Moonboat Cafe - 40 Days of Lent by Cassandra Frear
Graceful: Faith in Everyday - A Lenten devotional by Michelle DeRusha
A Holy Experience - Why Do Lent? Why a Failing Lent Actually Succeeds by Ann Voskamp

Do let me know if you found some other blogs that are helping you on a Lenten journey.

***

Under storm, searching the past

2011-03-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

I think I'm under storm. I think God is bombarding me with thoughts and ideas and people. I have tried to write about a few of the things circling in my head but they aren't ready yet. I can tell they are coming together though, the storm is beginning to calm. But I thought that 4 days ago too, so we'll see.

In the meantime, here's a picture from a project I am working on, that may or may not be part of what gets filtered out of my storm.

Marie & Mildred Moehrke, mother & daughter.

This is my dad's mother, my Grandma, and his only sister, Mildred, Auntie Mimi to us, and Sis to her brothers. The photo is pretty battered and has only the words, "Mom & Sis in Washington DC." See the capitol building in the background just past my Aunt's elbow? I never thought of my grandma anyplace other than her house! I was fairly young when she passed away so I have just a few treasured memories. My Auntie Mimi was married to a military man and they were stationed lots of exotic places, including Washington DC. I'm sure Grandma was missing her daughter as much as I miss my daughter...but had the wherewithal to go on a visit hundreds of miles from her Wisconsin home. Unlike me, although I have moved to be closer to my daughter, and to the Washington DC area. Which is why this picture fascinates me.

Look at how close they are standing, tucked together, and look at how grand those hats are! My grandma wore a plume?! How fancy is that?! And Grandma is wearing white gloves, and what appears to be a fur coat. I even think I remember that coat. Maybe. If I had to guess what color my Aunt's coat is I'd guess blue, her favorite color. And, it's surely wool and lined in satin. Her beret was probably from France, one of the places they lived. I'm also guessing this was taken in the early 1950's. My Aunt passed away in my more recent adult years, after suffering with Alzheimer's. I don't ever remember talking to her about these years. I think sometimes we get curious too late but that's probably a result of our own experience creating curiosity.

Both of these women had a profound effect on me. I appreciate art and have a sense of decorum from my Aunt. Besides being named for her, I am told I resemble my grandmother right down to the way I walk. And, I value a comforting hug, having been hugged by both of them, as often as they could. They were a safe haven of love, always. This is especially firmly implanted in my brain.

Blessed to live in such a historic area of the country, I think about who walked in the same area, looked at the same mountains, breathed the same air. Just a few days ago I found myself marveling at the idea that I might be driving over the exact place George Washington walked to his office in Winchester. I reach out and touch walls and buildings with a sense of awe and admiration, and sometimes weep at the history. This picture connects me even more to my new place. My relatives have been here before. I so wish I could have known them back then.

***

Win big every day!

2011-03-02T14:49:00.001-05:00

"Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your account for your use. However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be: Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend the money. Each morning, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.

The second set of rules: The bank can end the game without warning! It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself. You would try to spend every cent, and use it all.

Actually, this game is reality! Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it. The magical bank is time! Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but it can dissolve at any time, and without warning! So, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think. Take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply, and enjoy life!"

Maybe you've seen this already as a blog post, or watched the videos on YouTube, and yes, there are videos. This came to me as an e-mail from my Mom. She gets a lot of forwarded e-mail from friends and distant family who seemingly consider forwarded messages communication of a sort. While Mom is better at NOT forwarding these messages to us kids, she still does from time to time. The above was one such message which I only just happened to open because I usually steer clear of Forwarded messages, especially the ones that say if you don't send this on to at least 12 of your contacts your face will fall off...or something like that.

This one though, struck a cord. And, I can't help but wonder if my Mom was sending us a message...a communication about our use of time, and lack of attention?! Was it a message to make us all think about what we call busy lives? Hmmm.

Anyway, as one who crams a lot of stuff into my day, some of it clearly isn't quality stuff. This I know, especially after spending two weeks caring for my Mom following her surgery last October. Time spent caring for her made everything else I called worthwhile, seem small, even silly. Really, I'm thinking about time differently these days. I'm thinking about how fleeting, fragile, and what a gift each second really is!

So, the question I ask myself every day now is, am I spending my 86,400 in the best possible way? How are you doing? Where can you spend differently or improve the quality?

Is it later yet?

2011-03-01T18:24:00.001-05:00

February is later already. Over. Done. Kaput. Was it as full for you as it was for me? The thing is I've known for a long time, winter months aren't as long as they used to be. Gone are the days when February was a time to catch up. Do not put off until February what you can get done earlier. It's just not going to be as winter doldrums as you think. Period.

Back in my working days, and way back in the early 2000's, it was customary to put off maintenance chores until February. It was easy to block off buildings or entire floors if we had to, to paint, strip and wax floors, clean storage areas, and do deep cleaning. In the office we'd look forward to February, to do complicated document assemblies, revamp files, or do tedious audit chores. But after about 2003, we noticed that our winter lull never happened. I should have known better, but I didn't.

I imagined my February as being rather lull-like, as if in luxurious slow motion, especially after our busy holiday season. I saved personal things I'd get done later in February, I set appointments for later in February when I had time, and I agreed to a new project for later in February...silly old girl. The problem with February isn't its length, or speed, or fullness of days. It's me.

Oh, by the way, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit, March 1, 2011. And, for the record, March came in like a lamb.

Photo: Kate Travis, UK

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

New Blogger template options

2011-02-01T21:33:00.000-05:00

Hey look, I have a new look!

It was very nearly painless to give my blog a new look, thanks to the new Blogger tools I happened on by accident. I'm sure there was some sort of big deal message I missed (or ignored), but I didn't really know things had changed.

Frankly the last redo I did caused me a boatload of problems. However unintentionally, instead of changing background or colorations, I changed the template. None of my custom settings transferred to the new template, so for instance, my Google Analytics flatlined, and a few other things couldn't find me. Eventually I got that figured out but it took a lot of time.

This time, I wasn't really looking to change the colors, but rather, wanted to expand the the text area for posts and discovered the new tools. It was easy peasy.

Let's take a look.

First, sign in to your Blogger Dashboard. Click Design

Then click Template Designer. You'll see the listing of things you can adjust here on the left. Templates is the first thing on the list. I DID NOT change my template.

I did change my Background, found in the Abstract section. Highlight the category of design, then select the small sample boxes. The potential new design will show up on your preview below. (I have cropped that view off.) Click Done when you decide and it will go live.

You can change your Layout here. The yellow arrows below as box highlighted are mine.

Plain as day there is an Adjust Widths area. Move the sliders to try out your change. Note in blue text you can reset to the defaults if you get too messed up.

In the Advanced area, you can change areas by highlighting each section of your blog you may want to change. For instance, Page Text is highlighted, and the menus for Font and Text Color pop up.

I like a fresh look on my blog now and then. That might be breaking some rule, but I like to live dangerous like that. I have both a Wordpress blog and this blog. I find the Blogger tools more intuitive and easy, and not at all more difficult than WordPress tools. In fact I think my WordPress tools leave a lot to be desired. Admittedly that might be because I'm operating the free version offered to convert the old Windows Live Blogs. Go ahead, freshen up!

***

Project: Memorizing Philippians-Week 4

2011-01-30T08:23:00.001-05:00

Memory verses this week, Philippians 1:19-26:

19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.

23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

New Living Translation

Note
How amazing that Saint Paul voices his back and forth feelings about life and death and the advantages of either. It's as if he invents the phrase, it's not about me.

***

Participate in the P2R project, click the link for more info about the Memory Moleskin project.

Project: Memorizing Philippians-Week 3

2011-01-29T12:20:00.001-05:00

Memory verses this week are Philippians 1:12-18:

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.

14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.

16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.

17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

Notes for more study
I think these verses illustrate the theory to never underestimate your influence on those around you. I know for me, I wanted what my Christian friends had. I wanted what I observed as a peacefulness, and strength. It made me seek and find my way to a relationship with Christ. I wasn't in prison but I was being held captive by some pretty evil stuff.

The other point I spot here is the motives of "others" who preach, verse18. We know this don't we? For example, I hear some folks critical of Joel Osteen yet he is getting the core message of Jesus to the people on a large scale. He feeds those that need to hear the message in that way. Others come to Christ and are fed with preachers like Max Lucado, or my personal favorites, Stuart Briscoe and Robert Emmitt. It makes sense to me God uses each in their own way.

I'm late publishing and late in memorizing. I'm still determined though.

***

Illustration: Painting by Rembrandt, Paul in Prison

Participate in the P2R project, click the link for more info about the Memory Moleskin project.

6 keys for working at home

2011-01-27T13:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon as I was searching for TV weather news about our impending snowstorm, I happened upon The Nate Berkus show and a segment on a woman who was having a hard time organizing and maintaining her home based business.

I think this is a great topic to cover but they barely spent time on the meat of this woman's issue. It would have been great to have taken more advantage of Tabitha's expertise --I would have been interested in what she had to say, and I bet it was WAY more than what made it through editing the segments. I think Nate probably had more to say as well. I hope this woman got a lot of off camera help because honestly the on camera stuff wasn't nearly enough. So let me fill in.

Here are 6 basic keys for working at home:

Your spouse and your family need to agree to respect and honor your home based business. Cooperation is key especially if space and time needs to be set aside to work the business during family hours. Everyone needs to be on board. But, family comes first. This is why you have a home based business. There will be costs in money and time to the family, especially at first so they need to be willing to spend it. I do think that children can be involved in home based businesses. This is a good time to learn to respect and be good stewards of other people's stuff, especially when it comes to inventory. It's a good time to learn good communication manners, especially when it comes to answering the phone too. A professional attitude can be maintained by everyone in the family from the smallest to the biggest as part of their support for the business. Work hours need to be work hours, and written down and scheduled as Nate suggested, but honestly it should be a rare thing to cross over family time with work if kids are in school, or your spouse is away at an outside job. Even if you have a day job and a home based business part time, expectations for everyone need to be clearly stated. Family meetings to assess and discuss issues should be regularly scheduled.
Have your space organized and keep it organized. Allow time to put things away at the end of the day. Keep it contained and don't infringe on the rest of the house if it can be avoided. Set and keep the example. Don't think it doesn't matter. If you aren't naturally organized, ask a friend or family member who is to help setup your basic storage systems so it will be easier to maintain. Shelves, labeling, a file, desk, and lighting are just the start. A door that closes designates your work space and serves as the dividing line between your work time and family time.
Invest in the tools you need to do your job, then respect yourself and your tools enough to keep them tidy and in good repair. Buy the best you can afford and plan to maintain and upgrade as needed. This is an investment in better business. If one of your tools is a computer, as soon as you can you should invest in a computer that is a dedicated business computer...no homework, no games, no web surfing. Software to maintain business records can be expensive but it can also be free. Take a look at openoffice.org, and Google docs and tools for basics. Customer databases can be maintained in Access or Excel, or any of the comparable programs. Financial records can be maintained in any number of secure web based programs, my favorite being Quickbooks Online.
Keep your business well managed, well documented, and secure. Be sure you follow your state and local laws for home based business. Be sure your housing development allows for this kind of use. Then be sure you are registered with the proper tax authorities. Have a separate bank account for money ins and outs. This is important. Don't run any business out of joint accounts. The exception is if your home based business is working remotely for a company and your salary or income is joint income. Keep and maintain good files, don't let things pile up. Keep money and records secure. Do your backups. Your motto after document document document, is, look out for number one: You/Your Family. If you aren't financially savvy, get connected with someone who is right away. MANAGE your business, don't let it manage you.
Make yourself smart. Take advantage of all company offered sales and management training. Seek out and take advantage of training in the community, through your library, through your local business organizations, even through your church. If your business is any part sales, take a sales class or connect with top sales people and find a mentor. Don't skip business meetings if they are offered by your company (Kitchen Gourmet, Avon, Home Interiors, etc), this is where you'll connect with people and learn from them as much as you do from the company. You don't have to reinvent the wheel especially if it's being done well by others. Tap in.
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Pace yourself. Just because you work at home doesn't give you license to lose track of boundaries, time, or hygiene. Have a professional attitude and work at building your reputation and business integrity. Don't be sloppy. Represent.

What does she know, you ask? My background includes several home based businesses over the last thirty some years. My husband and I have always had fairly unique skillsets so I don't think we have ever worried about making a living. When we were very young and newly married, I had a home based sewing business and did everything from alterations to make rooms full of draperies. As a young mother, I was a fiber artist and sold my art in galleries and at art fairs. I also worked as a Home Interiors and Gifts consultant and did very well with sales. It was during this time my income was the only income so a lot rested on my home based business. After we moved to California I gathered my sisters and we had a business together making charming pillows, dolls, and other home dec items that we sold wholesale and on consignment. What's remarkable about that is that we live in different states! My current home business is data focused, in helping people maintain their data. I currently have several clients that I either work remotely in their databases, or in web based applications. I find I am well suited to this work, and I like it much better than selling or producing a product.

Here are some resources I've found useful:

OpenOffice.org for creating and keeping business records if you can't or don't want to afford MSOffice.

Julie Morgenstern website, and books on time management and organization such as:

This post touches as briefly on the topic as they did on the Nate Berkus show. My point is if you are considering this step, be sure to think it through, get your family involved, and do it right. Be sure to listen!

Sometimes in winter

2011-01-25T22:59:00.001-05:00

Sometimes In Winter
by Steve Katz, Blood, Sweat, & Tears
Sometimes in Winter
I gaze into the streets
And walk through snow and city sleet
Behind your room

Sometimes in Winter
Forgotten memories
Remember you behind the trees
With leaves that cried

By the window once I waited for you
Laughing slightly you would run
Trees alone would shield us in the meadow
Makin' love in the evening sun

Now you're gone girl
And the lamp posts call your name
I can hear, them
In the spring of frozen rain

Now you're gone girl
And the time's slowed down till dawn
It's a cold room and the walls ask
Where you've gone

Sometimes In Winter
I love you when the good times
Seem like mem'ries int he spring
That never came

Sometimes In Winter
I wish the empty streets
Would fill with laughter from the tears
That ease my pain

Sometimes in Winter was one of my husband and mine's favorite songs way back when. We were big Blood, Sweat, & Tears fans. There is a wonderful Sometimes in Winter video on YouTube you should see with lovely winter scenes, which reminded me of last winter.

The winter of 2010 was our first winter in Virginia, our first true winter season since we moved away from Wisconsin to warm climate states in 1988. We lived in hot San Antonio, Texas for 18 years. To be closer to family we made the decision to move to Virginia, and research and propaganda said winters consisted of "light dustings of snow that melt right away." Imagine my surprise at the first 16 inch snow which repeated again with snowfalls that kept increasing until March when we had 32 inches. Yes, I was cold. Very cold. But it did get warm soon enough. Grass turned green, trees leafed out, roses bloomed, and mosquitos found me.

Our first winter in our new house has been fairly snowless, but still, it's been cold. The big difference is our heating system which is more than adequate and if it wasn't we have two fireplaces. It seems everyone in Virginia plans on using multiple heat sources. We have been quite cozy. We'll come full circle to warm weather again. This I know. In the mean time we cook stew and soup, and snuggle on the sofa under our magic fleece blanket whilst we wait, the sometimes in winter.

“As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.”
Genesis 8:22

For more views of Winter visit Peter Pollock and the One Word At A Time blog carnival.
***
Photo above, Woodbridge Va, taken in our front yard, winter 2010.

My imaginary world

2011-01-23T21:38:00.000-05:00

In my imaginary world I've accomplished quite a lot. For instance I've won numerous Olympic medals. I've medaled in ice skating, ice dancing, snowboarding, gymnastics, and of course, archery, just to name my favorites. I also have several best selling novels and have done award winning TV and movies. Of course my paintings are in demand and all the other art media I chose to do. I am an especially accomplished geek in my imaginary world too. In fact, all the technology companies insist they need only me to review their projects.

In my imaginary world I lunch and travel with Martha Stewart and Oprah, and Joel Osteen and Max Lucado and I are on a first name basis. In my imaginary world I've also been quite the philanthropist of course, rubbing shoulders with all the greats, building, growing, supporting worthy causes. In my imaginary world there are no obstacles or hangups to get in the way either.

In my imaginary world I have several advanced degrees and I can work as fast as I can think. I'm incredibly productive, and always have what I need to get a job done, which of course is always on time, before deadline, and always done with grace and beauty, to say nothing of perfection.

Are you bored yet? Yeah, me too.

That imaginary world is my old one. It's cluttered and while some attempt was made to be humorous, I have at times been just that superficial. Really, my new imaginary world is much more like my real world. I am happy to say, it's getting closer every day.

***

Photo from: http://surfboardsforless.info/

MLK: "Everybody can be great, everybody can serve" (Repost)

2011-01-17T10:15:00.000-05:00

Many articles and posts written on this holiday focus on the 1963, "I have a Dream" speech. It's an awesome speech. But, my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. speech is "The Drum Major Instinct." It's full of wisdom and guidance for everyone.

Here is a small bit. I encourage you to read or listen to the full speech.

For more information and to connect with the MLK organization visit the website at:

theKingCenter.org

And this website and PBS coverage was awesome:

PBS covers King

"you only need a heart full of grace...

soul generated by love...

you can be that servant."

***
Originally posted January 2010.

Project: Memorizing Philippians-Week 2

2011-01-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Philippians 1:7-11 were our memory verses this week:

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.

8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Some notes for more study:
Verse 8 seems to be saying essentially, I miss you, and so does Jesus. I'm not sure I've ever been missed by a pastor as a member of a congregation. But none of my pastors have been imprisoned. Imagine the Philippians, their pastor cares for them and guides them, and continues to encourage them. He is leading from prison! Time and space do not get in the way. This is extraordinary to me.

Longing, missing, wanting what others have, on the surface those are selfish emotions. But I see a motivation and reason to excell and improve. When I became a Christian, the seed had been sown as I watched a friend go through life, devoted, peaceful, with love...all things I wanted. I missed. We influence those around us with our everyday walk. Saint Paul takes his work seriously.

I had stuff going on this week, emotionally draining stuff. I should say I let my stuff drain me. I didn't turn it over to the Lord, not even a little bit, and I think the enemy jumped right in to make it worse. It took a physical toll on me too. My stuff imprisioned me. This makes me appreciate the bigger picture of Paul and his people of Philippi. My prayer is to focus this next week outside of myself, working to set a strong example, working to encourage and lead, working in the strong name of Jesus.

Being still

2011-01-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

With local, national, and world news, and personal events of the past week or two, including things in my friends lives which I take pretty personally, I've had the overwhelming need...to be still. So I have been.

I'm not sure how long I will have the need to be still, but I don't think it's my idea. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Standing back and recognizing the magnitude of the universe around us instead of making magnitude of ourselves, I think, should be required. It just should.

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
and the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at the break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

(New International Version)

Project: Memorizing Philippians-Week 1

2011-01-09T20:57:00.001-05:00

Last week our P2R assignment was to memorize Philippians 1:1-6. It goes like this:

Philippians 1

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

I did need a prompt or two to type that. My memory is chemically challenged with two new prescription meds. I don't use that as an excuse, just a note that I expect these first verses to take hold as I proceed, but also as I get released from my med cycle.

You might note I am memorizing the New Living Translation not the recommended version. That's because that's what my Bible is. Also, I'm using a notebook already on hand, not an actual moleskin. Writing helps me commit to memory so a notebook is a useful tool.

Some notes for more study:
Verse 1: "slaves of Christ Jesus" is an interesting description and I wonder how a slave differs from a servant? Do both words indicate reluctance? Or willingness? Or dedication?

Verses 2-6 are the epitome of encouragement. Paul was an encourager! Hearing these words, surely must have built stronger faith and helped keep and cast the vision. I don't think I ever noticed how encouraging these words were before!

Map Graphic from: http://www.jesuswalk.com/philippians/0_intro.htm

Epiphany: Bless this house

2011-01-06T08:52:00.001-05:00

Today, the 12th day of Christmas is Epiphany. Typically this is the day to commemorate the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus, but also the Baptism of the Lord. Mark Roberts sums up the significance of the day in a new way for me today in his devotion for High Calling Blogs. This got me thinking about symbols and dedications. Our new house will be dedicated today the traditional way. We'll post in chalk the numbers and letters, 20CMB11, on the top door frame, as others will do today as well. We want to be reminded of how we appear, as Christ followers, and as a Christian home, going out and coming in. For more complete information I recommend this resource, An Epiphany Blessing, at the General Board of Discipleship, a United Methodist Church organization.

Bless This House

Bless this house, O Lord we pray,
Make it safe by night and day . . .
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out . . .
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie overall . . .
Bless this door that it may prove,
Ever open,
To joy and love . . .
Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's Heavenly light,
Bless the hearth, a blazing there,
With smoke ascending like a prayer!
Bless the people here within,
Keep them pure and free from sin . . .
Bless us all that we may be,
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee . . .
Bless us all that one day we may dwell,
O Lord! With Thee!

Words and Music by Helen Taylor and May H. Morgan ( a.k.a. Brahe ), 1927

Art/Illustration above by Joseph Christian Leyendecker.

Draft dodger, finishing the unfinished

2011-01-05T15:47:00.001-05:00

I have come to the conclusion I'm a draft dodger. I have 17 posts started, categorized as drafts in my new post tab in blogger. A quick review has me stumped. What must I have been thinking? Where was I going with that? I think to myself, as I try to make sense from the scanty starts. I should have left a breadcrumb trail.

The started posts range from partial sentences or a picture or graphic saved to draft and never published. Except for the three posts I saved as drafts to take them out of public view...too personally revealing I decided. I've tried a blog post schedule and keep a spreadsheet, and up until I got busy with my client work this fall, it worked to keep my post writing organized. Still, some of those unfinished posts are dated during that so-called organized time. Clearly I had a blip of inspiration, got easily distracted, and pooped out on posting.

How often do we start something but lose steam? Yes, I'm including you here. We let stuff get in the way, we're distracted, or, we don't truly commit to completion. Are we hoping for better inspiration? More options? Things less messy? Or do we fear inadequacy? Or judgement? Or all of that stuff?

I'm deleting the stuff that makes no sense and saving the starts that could lead somewhere to a file offline to be prayed over and worked on...I figure there must have been a reason the thoughts were in my head.

Thank you Jesus for not losing track of Your purpose and mission. Help us complete our work and our words. Use us to inspire, teach, and convey Your Love. You really rock. Amen

Serendipity leads again

2011-01-03T00:12:00.000-05:00

First I saw this posted on Facebook from Maureen E Doallas of Writing Without Paper:

Art Journaling: Brown Paper Bag Style at Creativity in Motion by Gretchen Miller. Fun huh? Recycling lunch bags and other papers into a book sounds like fun and a good use for the scads of papers I have. I just need a theme or something to collect together so it's cool like the examples...

Then I saw another post on Facebook by my friend Kyle in San Antonio pointing me to P2R:

Partnering to Remember: 2011 Philippians Moleskin Project Wow! Philippians is my favorite book of the Bible. I only have three verses memorized. It would be swell to memorize the whole book, and look, I can make my guide book a la Art Journal style!

Feeling pretty happy about this, I wanted to share but first I did a little Reader Reading and read Jason's post about Everyday Testimony. He set up a website for sharing the good things God is doing and as a place to encourage each other. So I got myself clicked into the Facebook page and now following on Twitter. I think some of this will flow into my new journal.

It's a new year and there's no time like now to start something new! Go ahead, join me!

With everything good

2011-01-01T22:20:00.001-05:00

The second weekend in December my daughter and son-in-law were in town from UK for Christmas. We had just a couple days so we decided to do our traditional meal for Christmas Eve. Typically we have what I call Snicky Snacks or Snack Supper if you are Methodist familiar. We had all of our favorite finger foods which included cheese, sausage, crackers, dips, chips, pickled herring, olives, deviled eggs, etc....get the picture? But because the kids were arriving mid-afternoon and would be adjusting to the six hour time difference I wanted a couple of heartier offerings.

Earlier in the week I had watched the Martha Stewart show. Martha visited with Dorie Greenspan, author of Around My French Table, who made a stuffed pumpkin. I happened to have a pumpkin in my kitchen. The way Dorie talked about the recipe, offering suggestions, I knew I'd love her cookbook and I'd love the stuffed pumpkin! I made it with her suggested substitute ingredients and the recipe lives up to it's name:

Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good

1 pie pumpkin, about 3 pounds
Salt and freshly ground pepper
¼ pound stale bread, thinly sliced and cut into ½-inch chunks
¼ pound crumbled feta
1 peeled apple sliced in small pieces
2–4 garlic cloves (to taste), split, germ removed, and coarsely chopped
4 strips bacon, cooked until crisp, drained, and chopped
About ¼ cup snipped fresh chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
About 1/3 cup heavy cream
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Here's what the instructions say:
"Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment, or find a Dutch oven with a diameter that’s just a tiny bit larger than your pumpkin. If you bake the pumpkin in a casserole, it will keep its shape, but it might stick to the casserole, so you’ll have to serve it from the pot — which is an appealingly homey way to serve it. If you bake it on a baking sheet, you can present it freestanding, but maneuvering a heavy stuffed pumpkin with a softened shell isn’t so easy. However, since I love the way the unencumbered pumpkin looks in the center of the table, I’ve always taken my chances with the baked-on-a-sheet method, and so far, I’ve been lucky.

Using a very sturdy knife--and caution--cut a cap out of the top of the pumpkin (think Halloween jack-o’-lantern). It’s easiest to work your knife around the top of the pumpkin at a 45-degree angle. You want to cut off enough of the top to make it easy for you to work inside the pumpkin. Clear away the seeds and strings from the cap and from inside the pumpkin. Season the inside of the pumpkin generously with salt and pepper, and put it on the baking sheet or in the pot.

Toss the bread, cheese, garlic, bacon, and herbs together in a bowl. Season with pepper--you probably have enough salt from the bacon and cheese, but taste to be sure--and pack the mix into the pumpkin. The pumpkin should be well filled--you might have a little too much filling, or you might need to add to it. Stir the cream with the nutmeg and some salt and pepper and pour it into the pumpkin. Again, you might have too much or too little--you don’t want the ingredients to swim in cream, but you do want them nicely moistened. (But it’s hard to go wrong here.)

Put the cap in place and bake the pumpkin for about 2 hours--check after 90 minutes--or until everything inside the pumpkin is bubbling and the flesh of the pumpkin is tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife. Because the pumpkin will have exuded liquid, I like to remove the cap during the last 20 minutes or so, so that the liquid can bake away and the top of the stuffing can brown a little.

When the pumpkin is ready, carefully, very carefully--it’s heavy, hot, and wobbly--bring it to the table or transfer it to a platter that you’ll bring to the table."

I did have too much stuffing so put the extra in a baking dish covered with foil. It was done very quickly. Curious, Kate and I got our spoons to give it a try. Oh my oh my, it was delicious! Next time, I will try the same ingredients in an acorn squash, or even just in a baking dish to make as a sidedish. We cut our pumpkin in wedges to serve. It was very good. VERY good!

I bought the cookbook. It's as fabulous as I thought it would be. Dorie Greenspan has a terrific attitude about food and the way she writes about it inspires and encourages a cook like me.

It struck me that the name of the recipe perfectly set us up for what to expect, but I'm not sure I believed it was going to be so. I had to taste it to believe. Why do I do that? What part did I doubt? With everything good...good ingredients, in the hands of a willing cook has to be good! Did I doubt my part? My hands?

God gives us good stuff to work with yet sometimes we focus so much on the negative we don't give ourselves a chance to enjoy or appreciate the good, and the knowing what is, is good. Why is it easier to see "with everything good," in others than ourselves?

For study: 1Thessalonians 5:19-22

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."

The Amazon link below includes some good information, and pages and excerpts from the book can be viewed. You should know I am an Amazon Associate Member so that, should you purchase the book by clicking this link, I do benefit. Proceeds from sales go to Charity Water.

Resolved: Me...again

2010-12-31T07:56:00.002-05:00

Last year, as usual, I made a few resolutions. They seemed reasonable, doable, even measurable but for the first year in a very long time I didn't keep them. At all. What seemed reasonable on the last day of the year last year, got lost in a flurry of other stuff that pretty much changed the shape of our lives. And by flurry, I do literally also mean snow. Snow was a big deal to us former Texicans experiencing our first Virginia winter which was anything but average.

We had significant changes this year, most of which are documented on the tab up at the top of this page where I wrote about our search for a house, the buying process, and moving. Then the fixes began. (Those posts were actually my most read of the year.) The truth is my resolutions should have been possible no matter. I didn't really try to keep them. I didn't really pray about them either.

So here we are again. I really do still think it's useful to make resolutions. Some of my friends have taken to picking one word to be their watchword of the year rather than make resolutions. I couldn't possibly...could I? Just one word? I don't think so. I think I should stick with a rerun of last year's resolutions:

Find a Worship Church-we start Sunday.
Get smarter about writing-read more, write more.
Learn to knit socks-or some other leisure hobby activity.

I went on to add unofficial resolutions which were just ordinary things I needed to do...that a normal adult does or should do. Which, if it comes down to one word, DO would be a good word for me.

My one word for 2011 is Do.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Phil 4:13

Some assembly required

2010-12-25T11:26:00.002-05:00

Probably because my husband is in the kitchen assembling our Christmas present, a new work island cabinet, I'm thinking about how many things require some assembly.

My family stays connected by e-mail and usually I'm the one that starts the weekly check-in. The messages connect everyone from my parents to my nieces and nephews. We live all across the United States, and over the ocean to the United Kingdom where my daughter and her husband live. We live, work, and breathe thousands of miles apart and several different time zones and it would be easy to lose track of each other. We don't see each other very often and I imagine most families are like that. Effort has to be made to assemble.

Last night my sister sent a family e-mail and told us a story that happened at work. She works as a resource librarian in Kentucky. I thought I'd share this story of assembly, pieces that got put together to make success.

A week or so ago I was working and a young girl (maybe 12 or 13) came up to my desk and asked for help redeeming a gift card online. So I went over to where her brother was trying for the umpteenth time to enter the number on the back of the card. We tried a couple more times before I finally advised them to call the customer service number. She said they didn't have a phone at home and no computer...so I let them use my cellphone and went back to my desk.

Then next thing I knew this little girl was back at my desk but this time holding back tears. Then the poor thing told me her story...it seems Rachael Ray had teamed up with the online company and chose Bullitt Lick Middle School in Shepherdsville Kentucky as the recipient of their holiday television special. Every single student in the whole school received from Rachael (via closed circuit television) a $150 gift card! Holy smokes, huh?

My little girl hung on to her card but when a classmate suggested they all write their names on them with magic marker, she turned hers over to the classmate...here's where the story gets sorta murky...as it wasn't until that evening that she discovered that the card was not in her notebook where she put it. So the next day my little girl asked her classmate for her gift card and the classmate says "oh, yeah, here it is" and gave it to her...that was the one we were trying to redeem at the library...and customer service told them there was no longer any money left on it!!!

So now my little girl is crying, telling me this story, and it turns out the family was counting on that money for all their christmas presents...and that she feared that her mother was going to be very, very angry. She also told me that she had mentioned it to the teacher but he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh well."

OK, here is where I turned into one big MOTHER...and I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and sympathize. The girl was so sweet and her older brother was so caring. I urged them to talk to their mom about what happened and that I thought they should try telling someone at the school, again, that she deserved a better answer than they got.

So after they left I got to thinking...but at that time I didn't know which school or what the little girl's name was...so I called company customer service and talked to a nice lady named Michelle...and I told her their story...I really didn't ask for anything, but during the course of our conversations (over three phone calls because we kept getting disconnected) Michelle got permission from her supervisor to send me a replacement coupon worth $150 for me to give my little girl!!!

So the next day I called around and found out the school. I called the school and talked to a nice counselor who knew who I was talking about. So yesterday the little girl and her family came back into the library to thank me for what I had done. They were very, very nice, and quite compassionate regarding the girl who stole the money. It seems her parents made her pay restitution out of her college fund! My little girl's name is Samantha, by the way. And just tonight, we got confirmation that a $150 coupon is waiting for them. I get the feeling that Samantha will somehow use the money to "pay it forward." I got nice hugs from her and her mother...and I just so happened to have a little box of homemade caramels sitting on my desk that I gave them before they walked away!

I'm always proud of my tall sister so this story doesn't surprise me. She wasn't born with the skeptical gene like I was, and she seeks and voluntarily inserts herself to help. That's a lesson to keep in mind. I think the Lord assembles us and lets us assemble our life situations. I think this assemblage is a solid work.

Be blessed this Christmas. Thanks for stopping by.

Close the door?

2010-12-17T17:57:00.001-05:00

Here's something I'm mulling over in my past present continuum. Is a door meant to be closed on relationships? Work relationships?

Moving on from one job to another I had been advised to just close the door. That cutting ties was best for the place I was leaving, that distancing myself would be most helpful to those that needed to learn and do things in their own way, and allow for the new. Or, possibly, recover. There's that. One likes to think they've had a positive effect and leaving a professional legacy but perhaps a tenure wasn't the best thing. Yes, quite possibly, people need to recover.

Closing the door was difficult. I felt responsible. Especially for those I hired with the intention of raising them up, mentoring, and because I saw possibilities in them that quite possibly others wouldn't.

Recently I had the opportunity to look back through the door. It was more than a peek. I reached back to pull someone forward. That's all I'll say for now. I'm still thinking on what it means and the effect on the continuum. I will say I think we are meant to stay connected.

What do you think?

***

Celebrating my birthday week-With Updates

2010-12-06T10:33:00.003-05:00

I usually declare an entire birthday week for my deserving friends and family, but want them to ignore my birthday. That's just the way I am. As queen of Introverts I just want to not be any kind of center of attention for any reason. I also don't want to face my age number so if you know it, please don't say it out loud.

But...I have a need for order, and a need for accountability and deadlines as tools to gain certain order over procrastination. So I AM declaring my own birthday week, and I'm going to celebrate each day with accomplishing a few things on my procrastination list which has only been getting longer lately. The nerd in me will be happy to celebrate these accomplishments. I still don't want to face the age number though.

Celebrate with me if you have a list of things you need or want to get done. Let's work our lists together. It will be like the perfect introverts party. Thank you/You're Welcome.

What's on your list of procrastinations? First up for me, call the chimney sweep, and the landscaper to get the pile of dirt moved. Then, spreadsheet work, followed by Christmas cards.

Updates:

Did get the chimneys cleaned, but didn't get a landscaper yet, maybe tomorrow.
I found our insurance stuff and got us hooked up online, plus I made myself a doctor's appointment.
The spreadsheet did get done but now they want more so I'm not checking that off the list yet.
Found my missing Advent calendar, but not my stored Christmas Cards. Yet.
Ironed my pile of ironing. You laugh. My daughter actually grew out of clothes before they could be ironed. My husband irons his own shirts. I very dislike ironing.
Haircut is on the list for tomorrow.
Washed the rugs although this seems stupid since Boomer hasn't stopped urping up his dinner on a regular basis. Still, it is nice to know they are clean under my beslippered feet.
Talked to two friends this week that I should have been more encouraging and supportive of and now realize I have ministry in their lives. Sometimes the door doesn't close, but should remain open so you can help pull them forward. Reach out. Regularily.
Read some blogs, Tweeted a bit, keeping the words twirling in my head. I'm working on a short story. Or it's working on me!

Come on, share, have you worked on your procrastination list?

Silos observed

2010-11-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

I've always been fascinated with silos. I think they are interesting structures with a specific purpose on a farm and in industry. I grew up in Wisconsin so they are part of the landscape of agriculture there, but not everywhere. Texas had few silos. Crops and feed are handled differently there. Agriculture is different there. Silos can be dangerous. My husband lost an uncle in a silo accident and we both can name farm family friends who have experienced injuries, serious injuries, in silo accidents. In traveling cross country recently it was notable how many farms were in disrepair with their silos crumbling, missing their domed roof, and vine covered. New methods for storing acres of silage and grain include bag systems that lay on the ground, which would seem to be far less dangerous, and much less costly to build and maintain. Still fascinating to me, although as a child I pictured living in a silo, like a castle tower, so the bag systems aren't very dreamy.

Silo structure can happen intentionally or unintentionally in the workplace. In a church office it can happen because more often than not, people/the pastors, are just so glad to have something get done that before long an individual can build themselves into a silo of job responsibilities that no one else does or wants to do. Most church employees are prized for their self management and ability to work unsupervised. (Pastors need to pastor, and administration and management isn't necessarily their language.) Silos seems to be naturally perpetuated because stewardship and budgets prevent training opportunities for more than one at a time, especially in smaller budget churches. I confess to have built several silos myself, and defended them, resisting change with every fiber of my codependent being!

Somewhere along the line, with a change in leadership attitude, an atmosphere of vision and teaching entered the picture. Goals were encouraged, goals that supported the vision, and that were measurable. It's not that specialities weren't encouraged and appreciated, it was that teaching was also encouraged, sharing the knowledge and resources, in other words, cross-training. Which led to the ability to work as a team, to understand better how to support each other. It was a revelation. A thing of beauty. Instead of individual silos with separate crops and dangerous equipment, we became connected, focused on the season's needs and how best to provide a flow to our work.

Understanding this makes me want it for those who still work in silo structure especially if they are unhappy, and most especially if they aren't experiencing growth, personal growth, AND especially in mission and ministry. I've also found myself praying for change for a business or two I've come into contact with, from a customer viewpoint. There is nothing more frustrating that having to wait for resolution because it's not someone's job to assist. Break down those silo walls, build connectors already!

Side note: Change is possible. It takes time. It takes gifted leadership with vision and a heart for teaching. It takes some serious boundary breaking. My advice, teach or take a Boundaries class using Cloud and Townsend's, Boundaries. Then go from there.

***

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:15-16

A lesson in job judging

2010-11-28T09:50:00.001-05:00

It started off as a kind of joking conversation. My husband said, "I suggested in staff meeting you'd be good at the job." He looked down at his plate as he rolled peas around. We were having dinner and I had just regaled him with the events of my day.

"You're kidding? Doing what?" I waited for the joke part. Something like, landscaping, decorating, making lunch, all possible, but not likely, especially with how busy I've been with my remote work.

"For a sort of online person to answer questions, keep track of orders, stuff like that," he said. "Stuff you do and could do at home, with maybe some hours in the office." He looked serious, and straight at me. "I think you'd really be good at it and it would help me."

We talked a bit more about exactly what the job was and the time expectation. We also talked about the kind of support he needed and what the other staff needed. It seemed simple enough but I told him I'd think about it. We worked together back in the 1980's and it had been difficult. So difficult I made the decision to stay married instead of work together. This was different though. We are different.

Still, I had concerns. The biggest being, working as a direct report to my husband. I considered the idea for a couple of days then decided to accept under certain conditions which included my pay rate, which was not reduced because we are married, and that we'd try it out for the seasonal need only. That gave me a timed out. Plus, he had looked at me with those handsome brown eyes and I really did want to help him!

I didn't actually expect to enjoy the work since it was more general than my usual with far less autonomy. I expected to butt heads with my husband. I got ready to defend and justify. Honestly, working for and with him was the easy part. We were in team stride from the get-go! I respect his time and he understands my work style. No, the different and difficult was working with other areas which after a few weeks got easier as I understood what expectations and needs were and as I built a bit of integrity...a real concern since I might be and probably was perceived as just my husband's wife, handed a job.

Surprisingly I find myself a bit disappointed the time is ending on the job. I've hesitated in telling my husband as much but I will. He is really a good boss and a pleasure to support. I'll accept him as a client with no hesitation next time and I'll know it's going to be a good experience. I'll also remember this as I consider other clients and jobs!

Have you ever judged a job? Expected to not like the work or the people? Were you right or wrong?

***

Photo: Working at home means cat assistance. Boomer vies for attention.

Like a herd of turkeys

2010-11-25T21:38:00.000-05:00

Turkeys, at the farm my husband works for, are raised in pastures. It's a certified organic and humane operation so the turkeys, some 3,000 of them, get to plan their days, eat what they want, wander about, sit, sleep, and gobble gobble a merry tune. The farm raises heritage breeds, several kinds, so to look out over the pastures you see colors you might not expect. Variety. Look at this little video taken at the farm.

They don't necessarily follow instructions or people. In order to move them from pasture to pasture, a bunch of people have to kind of walk them in the direction they should go. They use encouraging words, calm movements, and avoid frantic arm waving or loud whistles and shouts...which causes a whole 'nother reaction other than the one desired. You might have noticed some puffed up birds there. They aren't necessarily the leaders or have a story to tell or even a real reason except to maybe proclaim they're feeling fancy at the moment. As the turkeys move along all it takes is one to get a different idea and suddenly you see a bunch of heads moving in a different direction.

It reminded me of something to be thankful for. I'm really thankful to have worked on some pretty swell teams despite our herd of turkeys tendencies at times. But more importantly, I am thankful for having worked for some really terrific leaders. They have encouraged, nurtured, inspired, and gently waved their arms in the ways I should go despite my wandering about at times, or my strong-minded notions. No, the best direction to go, in work, in life, is forward. And always, with Jesus leading.

***

Thanksgiving should be all around us and in every day. That's my prayer for you.

Time change weekend & a misc ramble

2010-11-06T16:22:00.001-04:00

I've been in Wisconsin helping my parents and this last week, I've been trying to catch up on my client work I had to ignore. There has been very little bloggy time for me, either to read, and most certainly to write. I have random stuff in my head today so I thought I'd misc it up and ramble out some stuff.

My sister, my tall sister, Marianne, started saying "misc" as in misk, for the word miscellaneous. I can't stop myself. It stuck in my head and it's one of the few abbreviations I'm fine with. It amuses me.

We change time this weekend. We fall back. We return to standard, standard time. For some of us it throws us into fits of metabolic turmoil. We mourn daylight. We get up too early, we confuse bedtime hours, and for sure eating meals is just plain out of whack. For others, the time change is scarcely noticed. I'm turning into the later after most of a lifetime being one of the former. I think the difference is my responsibility level.

I had a call this week from a neighbor. This is new for me. I'm not very neighborly really. My husband is the friendly one. She prayed for my mom and my trip to Wisconsin which was very welcome, very sweet. Where things went wrong in my head was when she mentioned noticing the glow of our lights at night and whether I was working or not, and what chair she saw me sitting in. You hear the same music in your head right now that I am huh?

Speaking of music, I'm enjoying Pandora on an Andy McKee station. Try it. You'll like him.

I didn't listen to a lot of music in my car on my 14 hour drive home. I enjoyed the quiet. I thought about the words I might write for NaNoWriMo this year but my head was a jumble. The jumble has lasted longer than I thought it might. Lingering angst for my parents takes up my spare thought time. I wrote a few blog posts in my head but have really only remembered one of them. It's not that I haven't written words. I wrote lots of them. I kept the family updated nearly daily on our mama and her surgery. I'm considering sharing some of that, so we'll see.

Priorities shift, kind of invisibly like the time. I'm mulling that in my head a lot lately. For now, misc is what I can manage. What kind of rambles have been in your head?

***

On Wisconsin: notes from the road

2010-10-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

I hit the road for a trip to Wisconsin to be with my parents for a medical procedure. My mom had surgery yesterday, my dad had worry. One of our ongoing topics of conversation when there is a lull is trying to figure out when, exactly when, was the last time I visited my home state. Honestly, it doesn't seem like it's been that long. The exactly when point is not missed on me. I should go home more.

Notes from the road:

Toll roads now (I'm so old) cost more than 90 cents a booth but there are fewer of them. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, have toll roads on my route. My 750 mile trip from VA to WI cost almost $45 in tolls.

Google Maps planned my route. They were wrong on where I'd be crossing from Indiana to Illinois by one exit, and the total trip time estimate by about 3 hours which I think had to do with the speed limits and construction zones, also, Chicago Bears game day traffic.

In the state where I was raised and where my speaking accent was formed I don't stand out. In the state where I was raised, an accent from somewhere else might be noticed, possibly admired, but certainly not mocked. It's like an introverts worst nightmare not to blend in, to stand out, to checkers at the grocery store, coworkers, interviewers, people at church. Blending in is a beautiful thing.

Central Standard Time seems so much more normal. Ten o'clock news seems so much more like news. It occurred to me, my bedtime in EST is exhausting me.

Monday, my brother called Bradley's Department Store in my hometown, from Seattle. He had the salesperson who answered the phone pick something my mom would like, in her size, gift wrap it, and have it waiting for his Ripon College daughter to pick it up. They knew her name when she walked in, the lounger fit like a glove. That puts the P in Personal Service.

Piggly Wiggly. It's just fun to say. Their cheese case is swell.

We leave for the hospital soon. It's an hour drive through fields of picked corn and black and white cows, and red barns. My rule is it gets worse before it gets better so this day after surgery is likely going to be painful. We'll visit, but try not to wear my mom out.

That's all for today. My time belongs to my parents during this visit. You understand?

***

Photo above taken with my Palm Pre in near stand still traffic in Chicago, on game day.

Curiosity?

2010-10-14T09:23:00.003-04:00

Fact: I can not be curious a long time. You have a secret? Fine. Need me to NOT know something, but know there IS something I'll need to know eventually? Fine too. Need to tell me half a secret and the rest later? I'm exceptional at that. I consider this part of my skillset actually. It's not that I'm not curious. I am. I wonder things all the time. Like today.

I wonder how high the pile of data would be that I have personally been responsible for, including the backups, and backups to the backups? Am I contributing to a problem of the universe? And, what does the pile of data I have deleted look like? Or inactivated? Is that just as high? In a thousand years will data archaeologists discover my digital prints as they sift through data fossils found adrift?

I'm curious about whether Billy Coffey will go out on tour at a bookstore near me so I can stand and watch him sign books? I wouldn't want to bother him. I'd just want to stand and watch his writer self be all author-like.

Does it make sense that computers and other tech stuff is made in black when dust is not black and very attracted to their surfaces? Why isn't the fashionably gray neutral color popular with HGTV designers available in keyboards, phones, speakers, monitors, modems, CPU's? I have seen a few, just not many. Dell Inspirons are the closest to dust color. White? Not good either.

And something I've always been curious about? What's it like to have a tail? Seems like a handy thing. A cat tail I mean, rather than any other kind of tail.

Post Update

Curiosities from this afternoon:
Are there bathrooms in a mine? Where do you take care of business? I sincerly hope we don't find out. Sometimes we get too much reporting. Less is more.

My daughter who lives in U.K. was shopping with a friend who bought Harry Potter in Latin. Latin? Did you know it was available in Latin? Can you imagine the chore that was? I wonder how many people in the world have the ability to translate into Latin? Is there anywhere that Latin is the first language? And how many readers can there be? For any book in latin? I guess they are good for those studying latin. Maybe.

For the second day in a row our doorbell started to ring. I'd get up and go answer and there would be no one there. We have guessed our new wireless doorbell is operating at the same frequency as a neighbor's. When their bell is pressed, ours rings too. I know there is a fix but here's where we fall into lazy. So until he who installed gets very annoyed, I get some up-and-down exercise answering the door with the mythical guest. I do kind of wonder if when I press OUR bell if one of the neighbors has to go running. Ya think?

***
Photo: Boomer models the iconic ?

Working at home: scattered Monday

2010-10-11T15:25:00.002-04:00

A busy desktop on a Monday.

Monday, October 11, 2010, from my home in Virginia,

Spent the morning updating a database with member information for a church in San Antonio, TX.
Took some time to check the progress of the online banking transition of Chevy Chase Bank to Capital One. Anyone know if they are sending new checks automatically? We heard you can't deposit without new deposit slips.
Answered a question from a woman in Iowa about a fresh turkey she can pick up in Middleburg Va. at the Home Farm Store on her way to her daughter's in Williamsburg, Va.
"Attending" the online Twitter release party (#SnowDayBook) for the new book, Snow Day, by my young writer hero, Billy Coffey. It's a pretty day in Virginia, where he and I live, a little too warm, so the idea of snow is a good thought. I have a column setup in my Tweetdeck with the hashtag so I keep an eye on the festivities.
Got a text telling me my prescription is ready.
I'm peeking in on a Live Stream from (Refresh)Cache, a conference going on in Arizona for community developers of Arena Church Management Systems. Very geeky boys these, no girls except if you count me from afar, but interesting what they are doing to make things better--or worse depending on your viewpoint. The focus is the web based database software I get to use.
Currently having a conversation with a friend who got to go to the conference via IM too.
Breaking to update my blog with a quick post. I am working up to my post for tomorrow for the Radical read along. I've missed two weeks.

In between my computer work, I've emptied and loaded the dishwasher, and wandered about the house looking up at the ceilings trying to locate the battery chirp I keep hearing which must be coming from a smoke alarm. This afternoon I need to make a couple lists of priorities for the week and my trip to Wisconsin, and update my client invoices since the 15th of the month approaches. I also need to think about dinner. I'm in charge of cooking these days. Never my favorite.

I'm having a scattered brain cell day, seemingly out of focus, but maybe it's just typical Monday stuff. I think that's the way working at home goes for most people. We don't have a cubicle to confine us or an office to contain just one job description's worth of tasks and responsibilities. I long for that at times but I'm grateful to have this work at home right now in its place. I'm especially grateful for technology and the scraps of focus I'm managed to pull together. It's a good start to the week.

***

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day and the work we have to do in the week ahead. Thank you for talents and skills and the focus to work well and with excellence. I especially ask for blessing over the work of Billy Coffey and the message his book carries. May all those who need to learn, learn. May all those who teach have the exact right message to teach. In the strong Name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray these things today. Amen.

Instant Message incident of words

2010-10-08T12:57:00.001-04:00

Boomer enjoys helping in the remote office department.

The incident happened by Instant Message. Back and forth words flew, small of font at first then the CAPS kicked in. By the end of the 15th inch of conversation it appeared to have calmed. Just a few more inches of conversation dribbled back and forth. I was too faint of heart to just click "Sign Out," but I should have, and should have inches back. I did try to halt the conversation. A look back at the message log shows I did try to stop the deluge but that doesn't help me feel less burned by the words that flew across my screen.

Instant messaging (I primarily use Windows Live Messenger) is a nice tool to use during the work day especially between offices that may be spread out, or where spoken conversation might be disruptive. There are rules of use that should be worked out, and there should be a common understanding IM is just a quick communication and not a substitute for face to face conversation.

The exception to that rule is obviously when distance doesn't allow for face to face conversations and check- ins, although with web cams it can be possible. I just find web cam stuff to be a waste of time at this point because someone always has tech issues which takes the instant out of the message. The point is IM is a quick way to confirm a fact or progress, an instant way to check in and out during the day, a way to keep work flow moving forward...and find out sooner than later the flow is in danger.

IM is not the place to lecture, train, or convey complex thought or blast frustrations. It's called Instant for a reason, It's just one tool to use in a toolchest of cool tech tools. The other thing to remember is--it's not secret conversation. It's not private really, and shouldn't be in a work situation. All words/keystrokes are recorded. This morning I was glad for that. It gave me a way to review the words.

Technology is great. It makes working at home an opportunity. It gives business and non profits the chance to take advantage of the talent that is out there and keep overhead as low as possible. Instant messaging is the piece that can put some human touch into the technical day. It just makes me a little happy to see my instant coworkers across the country glow "Available." Or tell me they are "Away" at lunch, or "Busy." It makes me even happier to be able to check in, ask a question, and get a quick answer.

Being professional doesn't mean feelings can't and won't be hurt. An instant message incident can leave marks too. The incident above stemmed from an assignment given with no background, but with the instruction, take care of it. I took care of it. I have the e-mail and database trail to show for it, and had documented the process used in an e-mail report that clearly had not been read. The blast back in the IM contained stuff I couldn't have been aware of along with a dose of condescension. I woke up this morning feeling a little burnt and wondering if things are okay? If I were in the office I might go stand in the door and ask "Are we good?" Then hope to have a conversation about the incident to avoid future issues. But that's not possible and as tempting as the "Available" glow is, I'm going to pick up the phone. This is not for an IM.

The bottom line advice:

Supervisors:
Create and use a work identity for work.
Use IM for check ins and brief conversations.
If what you have to say is more than 2 sentences, pick up the phone or schedule a meeting.
Do not use IM for training, or instruction of anything complex.
Watch your language.
Be encouraging.
Keep it professional.
Do not gossip.
Do not whine.

Workers:
All of the above.

Both:
The people in your office take precedence over IM. Focus on them, unless there is an immediate need for information. Please ask for permission to focus on the IM then go back to the personal conversation at hand.
Try to indicate Busy, Away, Available responsibly.
If a conversation gets uncomfortable, leave it. Sign out so it stops if you have to.
Have the understanding a signout means a boundary has been crossed. Then get together on the phone or in person.

***

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Last quarter 2010 resolution check

2010-10-07T05:58:00.001-04:00

Every year I make resolutions for the New Year. They are promises I make to myself that are usually measurable, and usually pretty well thought out, usually about growing myself professionally. This year, they were more personally focused. Silly me, I blogged about them so they were posted on the Internets here at Robin M. Arnold: All things back on New Year's Eve. It's already the last quarter of the year so I thought I should check in on my 2010 resolutions.

#1 - Find a Worship Church. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.
#2 - Make myself smarter about writing. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.
#3 - Learn to knit socks. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.

I went on to make some "Unofficial Resolutions."

#1 - Stay on top of bills, pay on time. ~~Kinda~~ NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.
#2 - Eat better. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.
#3 - Walk farther. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.
#4 - Get arty/crafty. NOPE. Excuse: we moved in June.

Then a couple weeks later, clearly snowbound, I added:

#5 - Read 50 books in 2010. NOPE (current count is 15). You know why huh?

Normally, I'd be all depressed and upset with myself for not being able to keep a bunch of easy resolutions. I might even try to fake it and catch up somehow. The truth is I'm just pleasantly disturbed about the enormous impact buying a house and moving had on us and the promise of what that means now that we are nearly settled. I might still make those same resolutions but the context and dynamic has changed.

My resolutions were aimed at getting myself personally back in balance. My prayer was and is for the Lord to put me where He needs me. Leave it to the Lord to know what I need and how to get me there, and, in spite of myself. I am feeling much more in balance, centered in our home life rather than work, and excited for the new opportunities around us. I'm fine with that.

Did you make resolutions? How are you doing?

***

This post is part of Duane~Scott's, Pleasantly Disturbed Thursdays.

Honor your father & mother...

2010-10-04T11:38:00.000-04:00

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12

My parents are going through some health issues of concern this year. My dad just had surgery and my mom is scheduled for surgery this month. Since I'm working at the most flexible job I thought I'd go to Wisconsin to help my parents. They are convinced they don't need help. I just got an e-mail, don't you love technology, from my mother which gives me a directive to stay put. They are fine. The only thing missing from the message is a, "That is all."

I think not.

I think not, even though I'm raised to follow rules, commandments, especially my parents. My respect for them and their life accomplishments grows yearly. But I think, my siblings think, it's a good idea to be there. So after a careful couple of days thinking and praying about the decision, I returned the e-mail and said thanks but no thanks, I'll be there.

What do you think about being an adult child and following parents directions?

***

Ralph & Gloria Moehrke

Want to know about my parents, especially my dad? Visit Ralph A. Moehrke: Daddalies

"Probably female"

2010-10-03T21:19:00.000-04:00

The other day I followed a link that promised an instant analysis of my blog. Alrighty then, let's take a look at this text analysis of gender, age, mood, and tonality for my Blogger blog: Robin M Arnold: All things.

"probably written by a female somewhere between 51-65 years old. The writing style is personal and happy most of the time."

That's actually exactly what I'm going for, even the gender ambiguity is fine with me. My writing teachers stressed writing objectively, fairly, with a neutral voice. All things is where I focus on more serious writing, especially work related and leadership topics, books, and including documenting our recent search for a home this year.

Let's see what it says about my other blog, my much older blog, I started at Windows Live Spaces I think back in 2007, and I've been busy migrating to WordPress this last week because they offered that as an option. It's called Robin in Va. This blog has shorter posts, usually more personal and opinion related. The chart shows a clearer indication of female voice, and it also appears I'm older over there. Honestly the results are probably skewed because there's a significant gap in posts. Since it's based on the last 10 posts that probably makes a difference I would think.

Honestly, I'd love it if I had a lot more readers and the discipline to keep a blog well fed and people coming back with interesting stuff to read. Writing blog posts, it turns out, is more work than I imagined. The truth is I'm best and happiest writing about nothing in particular. It comes from years of newsletter work and writing to fill gaps or inches. But really, I have every hope I'm helpful to some, inspire others, entertain at times, and for sure, honor God and my family. I'd hate to embarass them although I'm sure I have at times.

Things have changed for me since I started either blog, especially in the last few months. I suspect that means it will translate to my writing focus but I'm not sure how that might affect stats like what see graphed here. Maybe it won't? It has most certainly impacted what I read and who I read. So we'll see.

If you have a blog, or have a favorite blog you want to take a looky loo at the analysis, click on the main black half pie chart graphic in the upper left with the URLAI///who are you? Go ahead and share what you find in the comments below.

Be blessed in your reading and writing this week!

***

Under the bus, argutainments, & chef races

2010-09-30T09:58:00.000-04:00

Seth got thrown under the bus tonight. Michael C gets thrown under the bus almost every week. For sure several get thrown under the bus every week on The Apprentice. (See, they even made a video package about it.) A cruise around the TV channels and I promise you'll hear someone either throw or get thrown, under the bus. I heard the phrase used in the grocery store the other day and yesterday someone used it in a meeting. Is this a new phrase, something particular to eastern states, or has this been around for a while and I'm just not hip enough?

I did a little research and it turns out it became popularized in the 1990's. But I really don't think I heard it much if at all in polite conversation in Texas. With a college-age (Texas A&M) daughter then seems like it might have stood out. But, I also think I worked way too many hours so it's not likely I was out in the mainstream much to notice. The tricky thing is I don't think it means what people thinks it means.

According to the February 2008 issue of The Word Detective it means "the sudden, brutal sacrifice of a stalwart and loyal teammate for a temporary and often minor advantage." I hear it more related to getting rid of someone by pointing out their faults, their poor work, casting blame, whining, and behaving without grace in other words. In my opinion, I think it's not a useful phrase, especially when other more encouraging words could be used and acted upon. But if a bus is to be used, I hope it's one like that Swedish bus pictured up there. It's very efficient and much better for the environment.

Speaking of throwing someone under the bus, I've also noted how many television shows use arguments as entertainment. It seems to be all kinds of shows, not just reality, and not just junky talk shows or court room shows. Full out fights with arms flailing, gestures flaring, even knock down hair pulling, mean and nasty and often, stupid, arguments are popping up as argutainment. Arguments are not interesting, not entertaining, and especially if no logic skill or debate is involved. It's just mean spirited word sparring that show a person's crass side. And, in the words of my dad, often, just talking to hear themselves talk. I VERY do not like this trend either and won't spend time watching a program that resorts to argutainment.

Out here in the country, we used to get several PBS stations on a regular antennae, and on basic cable too. With the new and so called improved digital channel world, they've moved to numbers we are not allowed to see. You have to pay extra for the public stations. The ones that regularly have fund raising drives. I wonder if PBS knows I'd have to pay extra? I wonder if they get any of that extra cable money? I miss PBS. I miss PBS cooking shows the most. You can actually learn something on a PBS cooking show. Cooking is not a race against time and competitors and glamorous prizes are not awarded at the end of a show or series. You don't watch chefs sweat into the soup on PBS or use swears. I think Julia Child would be disappointed. I miss Julia Child.

Gee, I'm focused on TV this week it seems. I guess because it's still newer for me. I haven't watched much TV since the late 90's to begin with. We always only had network TV too, so we never got used to the offerings of cable. When I moved to Virginia, I went nearly a year without TV at all. These first months of cable have been like overdosing on sugar. I'm a little sick to my stomach, but I still want to watch, but it's not as delicious and I realize how fat I've gotten...I'm dieting from TV now.

***

This post is part of Pleasantly Disturbed Thursdays. Go read more at Duane's!

Radical Tuesday

2010-09-28T01:05:00.000-04:00

I have to delay my post today. I start with a new data client bright and early so I'm just going to link you to the discussion at Marla Taviano's blog for the time being. Her post seems optimistic so I have great hopes mine will be too! It amazes me what she gets done, and how devoted their family is. They very are the hands and feet of Christ.

Radical Response (Chapter 3)

***

Are you reading along? What do you think about this book?

Knowing when (Repost)

2010-09-27T00:34:00.000-04:00

This is a repost, written in early 2009 as my husband and I were considering our options, our work, our goals, professionally and personally. Besides a reminder of the decisions we made more than a year ago, I thought this post might be of interest to others who find themselves in that funny inbetween space between the past, present, and future.

***

How do you know when?

It's difficut isn't it?

Or is it?

Does it maybe get easier with age or experience?

Maybe.

It seems to me knowing when does gets better with age. When I was younger, knowing when caused me angst and gut grabbing pain. Finding the way to knowing when could be nothing but rabbit trails—quick fits, long lingerings, false ends, leading to confusing options. Sometimes spinning the way to knowing when made it impossible to know when at all. All that, what if, what might, what can, what will, stuff...gets in the way, especially when younger. Especially when the opportunity isn't recognized. When fear settles in to frozen immobility.

Some things, like, moving on from a job, or deciding to cut an obsession out of your life because it's the best most healthy thing to do, the knowing when can be obvious to others, just not to you. Listen to those who care about you. Let them help you know when. Most certainly, listen to the Lord as He speaks through them—and because you must—hand it over and don't take it back.

Relax. Open up. Let go of ill will, stubbornness, judgements. Get yourself ready to know when. Series of events pointing the way are seldom random. As doors open, be bold and take them. Even if the experience is not what you expected.

Knowing when is seldom obvious, seldom easy. I believe one must be prayerful and intentional, and willing to wait, or act quickly as the case may be. Then, when it's possible to know when, move with authority, IN the Authority of our most High God.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

***

Unsubscribe, unfollow, unfriend to avoid burnout

2010-09-24T13:40:00.001-04:00

Reading a comment in a favorite blog yesterday, a blog I normally read in my Google Reader, but that I clicked through to from a Tweet, made me wonder how many people keep track of those who unsubscribe, unfollow, and unfriend? And do I feel bad for doing all of those things? Or when it happens to me?
I decided the answer is no, not really. Especially if it helps manage time and computer resources. I don't even know how you keep track of that un stuff. Some have so many friends and followers and readers it seems to me a few folks rearranging their online lives wouldn't make much difference. It shouldn't. The Internet is a big place.

Here's why I clean up my online act and why you might want to spend some time this weekend cleaning up too.

Multiple subscriptions
The bonk on my head came one busy day when I looked at the overwhelming number of unread posts in my Google Reader, some 900 each week, or so it seemed. I have subscribed to certain blogs, but also followed or subscribed via Blogger, as well as Networked Blogs. Each one of those creates a subscription. So at one point I had three Billy Coffey's, THREE Katdishes, and three of quite a few blogs. And for whatever reason, even if you mark all the posts as read, they come back unread later in the day or evening. In triplicate. No brainer, unsubscribe and make a decision which is the best way to subscribe, then stick to that choice when new blogs of interest pop up.

Time management & focus
Time is more limited these days, I'm in a different house, different state, different state of mind than I was a year or two ago. I'm no longer professionally focused on church administration, and the life of the church. My own personal spiritual walk is in an entirely different place too. I don't have a staff anymore and I'm not relied on as the go to source for resources, so I ended those blog follows especially if I was finding those unread most weeks. I might stay linked to the website or blogger through Facebook or Twitter. That's because a glance tells me whether a post is something I can use. Or I might end that direct follow too and let another more multi interested person be my guide via their tweets or notes on Facebook.

Friends & Follows
I've unfriended former coworkers, former vendors, and former members, especially when space needed to be put between us. I've even unfriended a family member who kept posting swears in the status and questionable pictures. I'm image driven so a picture stays in my head for a long time. In fact I won't subscribe or follow anyone who does graphic, disgusting, or porn. Period. I block those that do.

Do you use Twitter lists? It's kind of a cool way to follow but not follow, but categorize someone to a specific list, which keeps the "noise" in a pocket you can check when you want. Cool tool. Even better, in Tweetdeck you can put your lists on your view across your deck.

Multiple multiples
Does it make sense to follow multiple people who tweet the same links, retweet the same tweets, and several times per day, which feeds their Facebook and takes up space in your newsfeed? And, so you have the same stuff in Twitter you have in Facebook? I think not. These take up valuable real estate, preventing view of those you'd really like to keep track of. This might happen if you focus on a small area of interest or group of people. If these same people promote each other suggesting I follow the other, what sense does that make? None. Give me a Queen or King of all things and call it done. Some people are better than others at thoughtful recommendations, I bet you know what I mean. Use them as your guide.

There are others who talk about unfollowing and quieting down your online stuff. I mostly agree with everything in this article called 20 reasons people unfollow. I also agree with Chris Brogan's post today, Silence as Business Edge, but I think it's a personal edge as well.

Google Reader, iGoogle, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn, Windows Live, etc are different tools to use, different connections. It's like having a microwave, a toaster oven, a wall oven, and an outdoor grill. They need to be maintained and used correctly or you can end up burned out on social media.

***

OK Go: Pleasantly disturbed Thursday

2010-09-23T14:17:00.001-04:00

I'm a cat person. We are a cat household. Boomer, my husband's cat tells me that all the time. I do have doggy friends but none right now that come to visit. Just ones I follow on the Twitter. Yes, I follow dogs on the Twitter. So does Boomer. Who you can follow at @BoomerArnold if you'd like. He's not that tweety.

I got a box of work delivered yesterday. I'm someone's secret weapon. I'm actually several people's secret weapon and it turns out I can make a little income in doing so. What I noticed about the Washington DC area is that lots of cutbacks were made in companies all over the area. Lot's of bigwigs are working without their company paid assistants but they are hiring personal assistants to take up the slack. On the one hand, it's disturbing to me that the honorable art of support work got cut from payrolls in respectable companies under the guise of saving payroll dollars, but then hiring personal assistants as subcontractors, with no benefits, no payroll taxes, etc.. This seems like bad thinking. Where is that reported in statistics? But it has opened some doors for support work options. Clever people can find work even if it's working between the lines.

My mother is finally having surgery in October. She injured herself back in May with like a groin injury but nerve related. It started encapsulating then her leg started to atrophy. This was all clear to my Mom and clear to my brothers and sisters. Her pain level has been incomprehensible. We have all wept in sympathy. Finally, finally, finally someone said enough is enough and ordered up the surgery. Why do we put people in pain through process ordered by insurance companies for their convenience. It just seems so wrong. I very hate them for making my mom cry in pain.

My mom IM'd me the other day. She typed, she was talking to my sister-in-law, and my sister-in-law suggested she talk to me about coming to help during surgery. Clever disguise there. Mom wants me to come help take care of her. Of course! I don't need to be asked. I was on my way in my head the minutes she said the day was scheduled.

Lately, I am surprised by how invisible I seem to be to people I really think I want to be noticed by. This disturbs me mostly because of my current reading, today's mission focus, and how really self absorbd that sounds to type. I do wonder what I'm doing wrong. I have cute dogs.

Let's watch them again!

***

This post is a contribution to Pleasantly Disturbed Thursdays.

Mission conference tells the story

2010-09-23T00:03:00.001-04:00

Have you ever gone on a mission trip? Missions to help people are everywhere. We are called to help our fellow humans. Some missions are local, in fact in this economy, a LOT are local. But the core of where the most work needs to be done is far and wide. Sometimes it takes a whisper to your heart to know you need to know more, to get equipped for missions. Sometimes it takes a full out lobby and a kick in the pants, especially for the skeptical, especially for those who want to be the hands of Christ, just not the brains. And for a lucky few, missions was born into your heart. You can't stop yourself.

I'm a big fan of the retreat, or conference, or revival. Events like this can set your heart and head on fire. It makes sense to at least go see, right? The conference mentioned here, Story 10, is built to answer questions and motivate. Here's what Brian C Russell wants you to know:

Story’10 is a missions conference from Pioneers which invites you to be a part of God’s story among the unreached peoples of the world. You’ll hear first-hand accounts of how God is moving in the world from missionaries fresh off the field from areas like Thailand, Central Asia, Indonesia, Europe, South America, Africa and more! There’s even a track specifically for kids! For more information check out pioneers.org/story!

And, let's look at this video, and warning, it rocks missions!

Story'10 Trailer from Pioneers-USA on Vimeo.

***

Meet the guy passionate for this conference and missions, Brian C. Russell over at his blog, Awesomologist, An Awesome Blog

I feel brain cells changing

2010-09-22T12:22:00.000-04:00

There must be a word in the English language that means when an idea makes sense and just to make the point, everything one reads, however random, relates to make the idea even juicer. This is happening to me this week. I feel my brain cells changing.

I'm reading Radical by David Platt. I've written weekly posts so far on the first two chapters.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2

Today Jon Acuff writes a beautiful post that describes a parallel realization. You probably already know his work but please read this one today:

#860 A near life experience

I'm going to go back and read that another time too. His content, imagery, and writing grace are worth reading again.

And, if you want to know more about custom slaughter and processing, I'm your girl. My husband and I had a business in the 1980's that died with the agricultural depression/recession. I think this was our near death experience, both my husband and I hitting rock bottom financially, emotionally, in our marriage, and oh so many other ways that took a long time to heal. But they did heal. It was work. Ugly work. It's possible to get through the humiliation and dregs to where a real life experience holds promise.

Are you at the bottom? Do you find yourself climbing up out of the same hole? There's hope and a plan for you. Let's find some resources together.

***

Radical secrets

2010-09-21T14:50:00.000-04:00

Chapter 2
Too Hungry for Words
Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Gospel

There is no question, Chapter 2 of Radical by David Platt needs to be read a number of times. The first time through the skeptic in me reads a certain boastfulness in Dr. Platt regarding his awesome teaching abilities. Then in the second reading I'm wondering about the awesome teaching abilities of Dr. Platt and why we experience that in our own pastors so rarely? I'm frankly stunned that The Truth in Chapter 2 has taken until this moment to reach me. How does this happen? Why have all the learned pastors and teachers I know missed passing these messages along? Kept this teaching secret? After reading Chapter 2, I'm having a hard time wondering who exactly is living in a country where the bible isn't truly taught?

Impact quotes:

"This is the question that often haunts me when I stand before a crowd of thousands of people in the church I pastor. What if we take away the cool music and the cushioned chairs? What if the screens are gone and the stage is no longer decorated? What if the air conditioning is off and the comforts are removed? Would his Word still be enough for his people to come together?"

"Fundamentally, the gospel is the revelation of who God is, who we are, and how we can be reconciled to him. Yet in the American dream, where self reigns as king (or queen), we have a dangerous tendency to misunderstand, minimize, and even manipulate the gospel in order to accommodate our assumptions and our desires. As a result, we desperately need to explore how much of our understanding of the gospel is American and how much is biblical."

'The modern-day gospel says, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Therefore, follow these steps, and you can be saved." Meanwhile, the biblical gospel says, "You are an enemy of God, dead in your sin, and in your present state of rebellion, you are not even able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. Therefore, you are radically dependent on God to do something in your life that you could never do." The former sells books and draws crowds. The latter saves souls. Which is more important?'

"We are saved from our sins by a free gift of grace, something that only God can do in us and that we cannot manufacture ourselves. But that gift of grace involves the gift of a new heart. New desires. New longings. For the first time, we want God. We see our need for him, and we love him. We seek after him, and we find him, and we discover that he is indeed the great reward of our salvation. We realize that we are saved, not just to be forgiven of our sins or to be assure of our eternity in heaven, but we are saved to know God. So we yearn for him. We want him so much that we abandon everything else to experience him. This is the only proper response to the revelation of God in the gospel."

Frankly, I need to digest this a bit more. I see the logical truth in the depth of these words but my heart isn't feeling them, understanding the impact yet. I also end the chapter with questions.

Is there room to understand people are God blessed different and need to absorb, learn, Worship differently according to their means, traditions, culture? I don't think that is just American. I think the Bible understands this too.
I'm not sure I understand why physical comfort matters if the Word is studied with an exemplary teacher? Distractions are distractions, if a cushion distracts one from study of the Word, it should be removed. If sweat, hard seats, and poor light keep an American from solid study, why is it wrong those things are provided?
Is study and worship different, or the same thing?
Bible teachers, where are you?

From an organized church point of view some of what offends me about what Dr. Platt is saying is true! I personally know that worship services are cut short by announcements, special music, and special ceremonies that are more about vanity than anything else in my opinion. If we come together in His Name, should we be focused on Him and His Word? My answer is yes. This also explains why I've gotten to this stage not having seen in plain print the above secrets of the gospel.

***

This post is part of a book study hosted at the blog of Marla Taviano. She also hosts the Facebook discussion as well and you can find the link on her webpage. Radical response (chapter 2)

Best blog resources

2010-09-20T11:17:00.003-04:00

Don't you love how just when you struggle with something you find a good resource? Weblog writing and maintenance runs in cycles for me. It can be real work, or it can be easy peasy. Smooth sailing, providing well reasoned and insightful content, a smidge entertaining (and maybe a little funny) is my goal. But quality and integrity is really important to me. I do write more for me, glancing at the numbers on a regular basis to keep me based in the reality of who stops by to read "All things."

I'm always glad to find resources and helps, so I thought I'd gather them together for us to use, and be encouraged by the other smart folks on the internets.

7 Ways to Applaud your Favorite Bloggers by Ron Edmondson - Great ideas for readers but also blog writers, it's like inside scoop with hints of etiquette between the lines.

Creating a Blog in a Niche You Know Nothing About by Adam over at Problogger - Encouraging words about being curious, asking questions, writing in an area not thought of as one's own.

When Novelty Wears Off by Chris Brogan - Good and common sense questions to ask about the time spent on social media, perhaps online in general. In my last post I confessed I get few referrals from Twitter yet I spend a good deal of time paying attention to what goes on there. I'm weighing the benefits verses cost in time, and time management.

How to Use a Writing Frame by Chris Brogan - I've followed and read Chris Brogan probably the longest I've followed anyone. He's got to be one of the greatest nutshell writers in history. He gets in to the point then gets out. He's informative, provides resources, and shares tips and ideas in an easy format. I've learned a lot from him.

This is just a start. I'll be adding to this list. Share your own favorite resources and feel free to share mine.

***

Here's a late addition. I added "ViewTheStory" to my blog last week. See, it's over in the side bar. I've always wanted a witness type link. This is a swell and customized link, a good addition for any Christian blogger. Unless of course you are good at creating your own...then share please.

Pioneer Woman does everything I'd really like to do with my blog if I lived in my imaginary world and was half that interesting. Her blog is amazing. She even gave me tips that I read from time to time just to feel that feeling of fresh squeezed lemonade blogginess.. What a lovely young woman. She could stop by anytime!

Crumbled & goodgied: Google Analytics & Blogger Stats

2010-09-19T14:03:00.000-04:00

Even though data is fun for me, checking my Google Analytics is more like picking a scab. And now Blogger has added their take on the nitty gritty of blogging with Blogger Stats. I'm not sure why they are different but they are. Blogger Stats seems to be real time and up to the moment. One usually has to wait a day to get the facts via Analytics. I end up checking my numbers about twice a month. I checked them today. In both places.

Things seem a bit crumbled and goodgied to me. Not familiar with crumbled and goodgied? This was a term invented by my daughter when she was a little girl to mean something interesting but messed up, good but strange, out of control but tame. At least that's what I've always thought it meant. (She's busy but hopefully she'll comment if I'm wrong.)

My numbers are up this week thanks to participating in Marla Taviano's organized book study on the book by David Platt, Radical. Her website is the top referring website this week too. Facebook comes next but usually is the top referring website. My conclusion here is my most faithful blog readers are my Facebookies and they are my family, high school friends, church friends, and former coworkers. I do have some writer friends on Facebook too.

In contrast, Twitter, where I spend a lot of time, hardly anyone clicks over from there although I'm grateful for the four that did this week. I am connected to a lot of people on Twitter, but it's pretty clear I get lost in the clutter there. This surprises me, makes me wince a little about the implications. It's not the writer relationship builder for me apparently, despite conversating, retweeting, etc. I'm also clearly not promoting as well or as smartly as I thought I was. Talk about not feeling picked....ouch.

I imagined having quite a number of blog readers by now...keyword, imagined. Those bloggers that have really good numbers are in constant promotion mode, have played the game it takes to get popular but mostly, they write faithfully and about good stuff, at least the bloggers I read do. I don't really do any of that if I were truthful. I've been blogging since February of 2007 and have only written 143 public posts. That's less than one post per week although I've picked things up in the last few months. Still, I have gaps. That's bad for analytics. That's a flat line no matter how you figure.

There is much to be confused about in Analytics. Bounce rate for one. I look at mine and wonder what it means really, even after looking up the definitions. I guess you want lower bounce rates. I guess. I'm not sure how to care about that. I think I do. But maybe not.

Amusing, almost a joke, is finding out how people find their way to my blog. One person Googled "UMass Amherst glasses." Huh? More amusing is that more than a few people clicked over from comments I made on other blogs. That always makes me wonder what I said that made them want to click on me. It also proves the point that commenting does help blog traffic.

Numbers are tools to use so they do provide me with information to filter topics I might write about or things I include in posts. Some of the information I processed from these reports this morning though, just makes me a little sad and needs some more digesting. The importance of numbers whilst interesting isn't why I write, or keep a weblog. Oh, I'd love to have more readers, truly I would, but I'd write anyway if I still had none. I love to write. I love to write about the varied stuff around me in each new day I'm blessed. I love to write even if my data is crumbled and goodgied.

***

Refrigerator pickles & the imaginary family chorus in my head.

2010-09-17T11:50:00.001-04:00

I woke up a bit sour this morning. Birds were screeching outside my bedroom window, probably at the kids waiting for the school bus, whose air brake squeal makes my ears pop, my husband left all his breakfast stuff on the kitchen counter with crumbs and a goopy peanut butter knife, and, no coffee in the pot. Then I found Boomer in my chair. Again. Of all the chairs in the house, he picks my office chair as his favorite. With him out of the way, I checked my spam, because that's all I had in my e-mail, no answers to my work related questions, or messages of a personal nature, I'm so ignored and invisible. And then I checked my social media to find all I could muster up as a status was about the cat urp I cleaned up in between all that other stuff this morning.

"Don't be such a pickle puss."

Family sayings have a way of grounding a situation don't they? I heard a chorus of my mom and dad, brothers and sisters all poking at me, chiming in, to point out how silly my attitude was this morning. I laughed at myself out loud. I CAN be a pickle puss. I'm an expert pickle puss. I also recognize the pickle puss in others and believe me, I know pickle puss people! You know who you are I bet. Which makes us all pickle puss experts.

The answer is laugh at yourself and move on. Those tiny things up there are just ordinary life stuff we are lucky to have. Muster up your excellent self and get on with the day working for good, not for evil.

So there you go. The motto for the day.

So, let's make pickles. Here is my much loved recipe.

Refrigerator Pickles

6 cucumbers, washed, sliced thin.
I buy pickling cucumbers if I haven't got any from the garden. If you can't find those, the long Armenian cucumbers with the bumpy skins are best because they don't have wax on them, and because they have smaller seeds.
1 cup red or green pepper or some of each, sliced thin
1 cup sweet onion sliced thin
2-6 cloves of garlic peeled
6-8 peppercorns
1-2 whole cloves

Mix or layer these vegetables in a large glass jar (2qt or larger). I use a large clamp lidded jar from the Container Store or a large recycled glass pickle jar.

Mix together:
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/8 cup of salt
1 cup of vinegar

Pour over the vegetables in the big jar. The sugar won't be dissolved really but don't worry, it will in a few hours. Store in the jars in the refrigerator. Later and several times a day, shake the jar to mix and redistribute the pickles. They will be best in about 3 days but we usually can't wait. Will last up to 3 months in the refrigerator.

Options:
Can be doubled but I usually repeat instead to be sure the proportions are correct.
Add more zip by adding the hot pepper of your choice.
Zucchini, smaller ones, can be pickled. I haven't experimented with things like green beans, etc.

These are great on a sandwich especially with all the peppers and onion etc.

***

“Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.” William Shakespeare

Cucumber photo: http://www.professorshouse.com/your-home/gardening-plants/growing-cucumbers.aspx

Preventative maintenance & ongoing care

2010-09-16T08:37:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning I sprayed the perimeter of our basement family room with a well known and pleasantly scented home insect spray. I had been avoiding the idea because it's new carpet, new baseboards, and new drywall and paint in our recently remodeled and new to us home. But evidently the spiders, creepy crawlies with many legs, and by the sound of it, crickets, thought it was all remodeled for them. There is barely any furniture down there so it's hard to figure out where the crickets especially were hiding, hence the spray into cracks and crevices.

The glimpses I got of crickets in the yard were of big black jumpy things, bigger than the crickets in Texas I might add. I also know crickets in the fall like to think of wintering inside, especially in new carpet. They can do damage. They chew things. They are NOT dressed in top hats and tails.

I have environmental issues with sprays in general and had tried some kinder gentler things which included trying to get Boomer the cat interested in bug hunting. (Not interested.) I have yet to find a pest control company here that uses environmentally safe chemicals. So I did my own spraying. Then l went upstairs to escape the fumes and try to get over the creepy crawly feeling of bugs in the basement. Let's all ewwwww together....later in the afternoon I went back downstairs to do a status check. Sure enough, there were dead bugs or almost dead bugs around the room, and one silent cricket.

New is no guarantee there won't be creepy things. Preventative maintenance and ongoing care which needs to start right away is the only answer and that's still not a guarantee there won't be issues of some sort. This is the newest house we've ever lived in but we are in a very rural area and the house sat empty for 7 months. Some places have more pesty things than others. In Texas we had an environmentally safe exterminator every quarter which worked great, but other friends had service monthly. We battled scorpions, termites, roly polys, roaches, and other icky bugs. My family in Wisconsin wonders what all the fuss is about. They mainly battle flies and mosquitoes a few months of the year.

So I spray the house to keep away the creepy crawlies. Hopefully I didn't wait too long. I can't help but think about how I pray to keep away the jumpy things, and things that take me places I don't belong, because I belong to Him. It's all about preventative maintenance and ongoing care. For me, I can't wait. It needs to be day to day.

***

Cricket image from: http://www.vtaide.com/png/cricket.htm and for the cricket curious you can scroll over the body parts to learn oh so much more about cricket parts.

This is my Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday post and you should go visit Duane's blog for more pleasantly disturbed posts.

Worship with me: Holy Holy Holy

2010-09-15T10:37:00.001-04:00

This is another Worship song by Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. I used to enjoy running lyrics for this song, especially toward the end...just when you think the song is over, it's not. It's especially awesome in person. So Worship with me a little this morning.

Holy, Holy, Holy from Community Bible Church on Vimeo.

Here's one of the short messages from "The Nines" from last week. This one happens to be pastor of Community Bible Church, Robert Emmitt. This is going to give us a little boost for the midweek, maybe even get you motivated to "Get out of the boat."

Robert Emmitt 2010 "The Nines" from Community Bible Church on Vimeo.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this day and this week. Thank you for the opportunty to help support our families, for our talents and skills. Guide us and strengthen us as we continue our week. Help us to hear you tell us clearly to get out of the boat and discern Your course for us. Your Son rocks!
Amen.

***

Radical risk, radical reward?

2010-09-14T08:54:00.001-04:00

Chapter 1
Someone Worth Losing Everything For
What Radical Abandonment to Jesus Really Means

Formidable headings huh? I saw my husband visably squirm as he thumbed through the pages when I invited him to read this with me. One of the first things I did was look up the word, radical. With the definition confirmed as far-reaching, pervasive, and favoring basic changes, I read the first chapter. I also looked up each scripture mentioned in the chapter and nicely provided in the Notes section at the back of the book. I also looked up a bit about Dr. David Platt and his Church, here, here, and here.

Impact quotes:

First from the outset you need to commit to believe whatever Jesus says. As a Christian, it would be a grave mistake to come to Jesus and say, "Let me hear what you have to say, and then I'll decide whether or not I like it." If you approach Jesus this way, you will truly hear what he has to say. You have to say yes to the words of Jesus before you even hear them.

Then second, you need to commit to obey what you have heard. The gospel does not prompt you to mere reflection; the gospel requires a response. In the process of hearing Jesus you are compelled to take an honest look at your life, your family, and your church and not just ask, "What is he saying?" but also ask, "What shall I do?"

We will evaluate where true security and safety are found in this world, and in the end we will determine not to waste our lives on anything but uncompormising, unconditional abandonment to a gracious, loving Savior who invites us to take radical risk and promises us radical reward.

Having a think:
I am struck with some conflict in reading this book as I suspected I might be. My vantage point is as a former church administrator with knowledge of the nitty gritty that makes or breaks church work. Ideas and vision are one thing, making it happen is another. Going out into the world to do good, even as Dr. Platt does, into the far reaches of the globe, requires adhering to basic structure that is comfortable and safe...for someone...possibly not you and me.

In an example comparison of a church building addition that cost $23 million verses mission spending of just $5,000, we all can agree, that's just nuts on face value if put through the filter of the call to serve the poor. I can think of several other filters that would be logical, even scripturally based. For the purposes of this book study though, I'm going to read further and tell Dr. Platt, not Jesus, let me hear what you have to say.

While this chapter is easy to read and apply personally, I can't help but think that Dr. Platt might be aiming a direct hit on the organized church and how it raises up church goers in the ways of Jesus, or not. I don't so much think Dr. Platt is asking individuals to leave their homes and children, as asking churches to leave illusions of grand attendance and even grander structures, and educate, nurture, and grow disciples for Christ.

Which brings me to parables in the scriptures...in reading the full text of the scriptures referenced I am struck by the use of parables. This makes me wonder if I will come to think of Dr. Platt's work as a parable in the end?

See that skeptical nature of mine?

On to Chapter 2 reading for next week.

***

For more discussion and reading about the book Radical-Taking Back Your Faith fom the American Dream by David Platt visit Marla Taviano at her blog and read the collected posts: Radical response (chapter 1)

Excited for Snow Day, new book by Billy Coffey

2010-09-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

Billy Coffey announced the exact day his book will be available in his blog post today. Finally. At last. I've been waiting, excited for Billy and his family, and his merry band of blogger friends who hang out around the internets together. I've been excited to watch this process over the last couple of years. I'm interested in a writerly sort of way because Billy started writing as a personal outlet then as a blogger. This book gives a little hope to those of us who fancy ourselves on the way too.

Truthfully, I've been interested to read more than a blog post from Billy. A day at a time is not delicious enough for me so I read Billy's blog in my reader once a week so I can have a nice chunk of words from him. This sweet and godly man is a gifted writer.

So yes, I'm excited for a book called Snow Day! I'm also inspired by his personal story. My prayer is that this book blesses and touches people in a meaningful way, and that Billy and his family begin to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Most especially I pray for Billy as a writer, his words, and his message.

***

It's possible to preorder the book and I've included my Amazon Associates links here--I would get a tiny percentage of the sale, which will go toward Charity Water Project: 30 Bloggers 30 Days $30,000. I'm an avid fan of Billy Coffey and he has commented here on my blog, but I'm not getting compensated in any way from him to talk about this book.

Centered, grounded, sooth my soul

2010-09-12T17:11:00.000-04:00

Does anyone remember that commercial that used to begin, "Pain. Agony. Tension. Depression."? The voice saying the words was deep and dramatic and the picture was of a woman holding her head. (It must have been for Excedrin maybe?) I just always remember those words and they can perfectly state the obvious certain times.

As a person genetically prone to depression and anxiety I have indeed had some bouts especially when I was a young wife and mother. In those early superwoman days it wasn't necessarily cool to admit anxiety. It took me a long time to figure out that's what was going on even though I had talked to my doctor about it....who told me it was PMS and I'd get over it. The real revelation for me concerning anxiety is, and to some extent depression, if I talk stuff through I can usually release the bad stuff, and, do get over it, but it's work. It very well is pain, agony, tension, and depression! My self awareness tool for prevention is to stay centered and grounded, and know what sooths my soul day to day and to not forget or get lazy about the precautions.

I wrote a little bit about having a work routine in a previous post especially now that my home is my office. When I talk to people especially about anxiety, I always suggest establishing a routine that is #1 controllable, and #2 easy to maintain. Don't set yourself up for failure, which can only trigger the obvious!

So a key part of keeping myself personally centered is prayer and devotion time as soon as I get up every morning. This involves reading a devotion, bible study, and prayer. I know others that end the day this way. The key is to make it a time that isn't likely to get eaten up by something else or put off for whatever reason. I know I like to ooze into mornings. I know I like to stay in my pajamas, have coffee, stare out the window a bit. My routine wouldn't work for someone who wakes up bright and cheerful and itching to do a three mile run right off the bat. So whatever is controllable and maintainable is where to begin a routine.

The other key I mentioned is to know what is soothing, especially when triggers are likely to cause reactions. For me it's surrounding myself in good music and staying away from media that may contribute to issues. I don't read women's magazines anymore because they commonly have health articles in them. If I read a symptom or a disease, I can HAVE the symptoms in my mind within hours. I'm not kidding. Likewise, I edit the blogs, the Twitter follows, even Facebook friends who expose me, inadvertently or intentionally, to things that take my mind places it doesn't belong. My friend Bruce shared an online streaming Praise & Worship website called The Healing Stream. This is the newest part of my routine although I still also use Pandora. Music keeps me company. Specifically Praise & Worship over mainstream Christian artists is my preference. It sooths me, keeps me focused, fills me up a little when I'm waning. These are things I do to guard my heart.

At the bottom of this blog is Philippians 4:6-9 and it's there intentionally. For me. For everyday living. This verse was key when I first became a Christian and after a very difficult bout with anxiety. For me, the fact that God thought of me, prepared this verse for me, means everything. I'm flawed, so not perfect, but the Lord loves me any way...I hope you know that too.

How do you keep yourself centered? What do you do to stay grounded? What sooths you?

***

Graphic above is from my paid subscription to churchart.com.

Septic tank saga

2010-09-11T11:18:00.001-04:00

If you have been following along with the purchase of our house you'll remember one of the stipulations for the sale was that we remove the septic system inspection contingency. The seller wanted a quick sale and we think he may have been aware there could be issues. After all, he had just bought the house seven months before. This didn't prevent us from having an inspection, but the contingency removal meant we couldn't hold the seller accountable should something be found. (By the way, this is debatable I'm told, and we may have actionable recourse.) We also asked for the septic tank to be pumped so on inspection day the septic guy showed up to pump the tank but couldn't. There wasn't anything in it to pump. The house had been vacant for seven months during remodeling which could explain the lack of water in it, but there should have been at least a certain level maintained and there wasn't. That guy's opinion was that meant there was a hole in the tank. No other symptoms in the system were apparent.

We moved in to the house and have been working our priority list. It's been very hot and we have been busy so digging in the back yard wasn't high on our list of stuff to do and little did we know digging wasn't going to be a simple task. My husband Bob started one weekend hoping to complete the electrical stuff that needed to be moved but it took several weekends and a lot of sweat, including the purchase of a pick and a mattocks. Our soil isn't soil really. I found out it should be considered shale. Lumpy, rocky, crusty shale with no real resemblance to fertile soil.

We went ahead and scheduled the inspection and tank replacement based on our hunch. Although this picture was taken during our recent work, it shows the cover of the distribution box and the blue PVC pipe that had been directly on top of the concrete lid. It held cables and wiring and was laid underground diagonally from the back corner of the house to the workshop/former recording studio in the opposite corner of the back yard. So yes, electric was on top of water and it blocked the inspection. In this recent work, our septic guy said that the box appears to be newer than what would have been originally installed when the house was built in 1978. It appears to be working correctly and the leach bed is good too. This was good news.

Digging began early one morning. Considering the size of the backhoe I expected the house to shake and rattle but there was barely a vibration. Are you like me and can barely take your eyes off big machines working? I am amazed at how much control our septic guy had over such a large machine. It wasn't long and the top of the old tank was in view then he began clearing the area next to the tank...which is not round by the way. They are rectangular. Suddenly the backhoe stopped. I exchanged hand signals with the driver, who for the purposes of this post, we''ll call Wilfred because he reminded me of Wilfred Brimley. Wilfred jumped out of the cab and hopped over to the patio to talk to me through the patio screen.

"Water" filling the hole from the tank.

"We got a hole," he said. For a second I thought, duh, of course we have a hole, you're digging it, then it occurred to me he was talking about the tank. "I can't dig anymore until the pumper gets here." I looked down the hole and sure enough water was pouring out of the flat sided tank like a river, filling the bottom of the hole and making mud soup. "Did anyone ever tell you, you got a hole in your tank?"

"We suspected," I replied.

"That's a big one," he said, and we both watched the water running from the tank. I felt both aggravated and relieved at the same time. Aggravated that we find ourselves in the position of replacing a tank in a house we've barely lived in 3 months, and relieved to be getting the tank replaced before real trouble could overcome us. Real stinky trouble.

The pumper guy arrived and cleared out the old tank and pumped the bottom of the watery hole, then Wilfred got back on the backhoe to crush the old tank and fill it in a little then finish digging the spot for the new tank. He worked pretty quickly because things were timed fairly close with the delivery of the new tank soon.

When the new tank arrived I was surprised to see it in two pieces. This picture shows the top half being lowered onto the bottom half already in the hole. Wilfred, sitting on the edge of the patio watched then helped guide the big concrete box precisely to match seam for seam. This is a 1000 gallon tank which was determined by the number of bedrooms and the number of people living in the house.

After the tank was in place, Wilfred took back over and began to assemble and connect the new waste lines from the house to the tank and then out to the distribution box. This actually involved getting inside the tank at one point. For about the 5th time that morning I was glad my talents are elsewhere, but very glad for Wilfred's talents! And by the way, he did them effortlessly and with great skill.

The last part of the job involved filling in the holes and then hauling away the excess contaminated soil. How long had the tank been leaking and why, and what caused the hole in the concrete wall? There isn't a way to guess those answers. But they most certainly had been there and hidden a while. There were no symptoms apparent during the peripheral inspections required of the seller. He had provided a clear report from an "expert" who walked the field and saw no evidence of failure and what lay below the ground.

Now we have a new septic tank and know the work below the ground is good work. This was permit required work and was inspected so it meets or exceeds code requirements. The electrical lines have been fixed and will be properly laid and hooked up to our new electrical panel with properly routed circuits. With a workshop about to be put into production on still more projects, this is good news too.

What comes next? Landscaping!

***

Book study: Radical by David Platt

2010-09-09T21:52:00.001-04:00

Are you like me, hearing buzz about the book above by Dr. David Platt? He says the point of the book is to dive into the Gospels of Jesus and discover that "the radical things Jesus said 2000 years ago still apply to Christians today. Denying ourselves, giving up everything, and loving Him above all others is a radically different way to live. But it is the only way to truly live. We were created for more than a middle class existence. We were meant to count for His glory."

Blogger Marla Taviano read and reread, and got exited about this book, so much so, she's sponsoring a study on her blog. Check in at http://www.marlataviano.com/radical/radical-read-along-intro-week/ She plans discussion posts every Tuesday in case you are interested and I'll be attempting to take part too.

But there are others including Dr. Platt's own website for Study. Check out http://www.lifebiblestudy.com/radical/ which includes a video introduction by Dr. Platt himself. Forget about a gray headed wise old pastor image. He's young and clearly inspired.

Marla wants us to read the first chapter for next Tuesday. I finished that this morning after devotion time. The book is written in a very easy style and easy to read aloud. Clearly Platt has a heart for missions. He proposes convincing reasons why we as Christians in the American Christian church, denominations or not, have twisted Christianity to mean something very comfortable and palatable.

Having worked in a church the most surprising thing to me (and it kept surprising me), how UN-church-like, and political, church business and the organization can be! So right off I'm in agreement with Dr. Platt to a large extent. BUT, his passion and premise seems to indicate WE are all clumped together. I have every hope he understands there is a place for different Christians just as there is a place for different Worship, different pastors and preaching styles, and different ways to accomplish mission and ministry. And, I think Jesus did intend it to be that way. I'm open to learning though. Perhaps I'm a victim of this religion thing he's talking about.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter and most especially looking forward to discussion amongst those in the trenches, new Christians, and those that hunger for renewal. Let's pray we all learn something.

***

Worship with me: My Hope Is In the Lord

2010-09-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

Whenever I hear the word hope my heart starts singing this song. I first learned it in San Antonio at Community Bible Church so for me, I hear David Jones and the 300 plus members of the choir in my head too. This is a great version too. Let's crank it up together and Worship a little today!

My hope is in the Lord forevermore!

This post is part of Word at a Time Blog Carnival on the word hope over at Bridget Chumbley's blog. Go read what will surely be some inspiration for your day!

***

You can download the MP3 ($1) of the Community Bible Church version here. Just scroll down to Our God, Great God and you can sample the song there.

Labor Day: The work of our hands

2010-09-06T13:10:00.002-04:00

I spend a lot of time thinking and praying about work which is not just a way to help support my family, it's an Offering, and, I hope, a sort of usefulness for the planet. Rather than wax any more poetic today, here's my favorite Psalm.

Psalm 90

Book IV: Psalms 90-106 A prayer of Moses the man of God

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning.

though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

The length of our days is seventy years -
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, O Lord! Ho long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.

Satisgy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many yearss as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us--
yes, establish the work of our hands.

New International Version

Be blessed in your work. Thank you for the way you support your family, and I pray you are encouraged and successful in excellence in the work of your hands.

***

"If I jumped in a time machine & went back to school..."

2010-09-03T13:22:00.000-04:00

Kem Meyer asks and answers this question on her blog today. It's a question I've been asking myself lately. I have a couple different answers most of the time. Here's how I feel today...

Since we are traveling through time and since we can do that under my rules, we know then, what we know now. The first thing I'd do is finish college, no matter what. I'd also make that same decision for my husband although he does have a degree. We, me, would take business courses specializing in management and administration. And, I'd also take as many journalism classes as possible. Forget the art I started out in...my mother was right...that was dumb for me...my creativity needed to be nurtured but in a different way.

Since we are in the time machine, I'd take a spin or press some buttons and make some people appear that would inspire, nag and nudge me, encourage, and hold me accountable. Especially that encouragement part. For sure I'd have laid my heart at the feet of Jesus sooner. Part of education is surrounding yourself with good people and good circumstances as much as possible. Get in church, stay in church. I'd have done that sooner too.

The fact is, my interests and gifts were different back then. I think I did pretty well and the school of hard knocks was hands on learning that was incomparable. I'm wiser now, and I'm a late bloomer to some extent. I learn differently. The fact that this question excites me tells me I don't need a time machine to consider the idea. It's an option that is a wide open door.

Kem's right, certain degree programs have nothing to do with the reality of an actual job. General is better, and sometimes the shortcut isn't the answer at all. The answer is in the struggle.

***

Lord, bless all who are seeking to learn where You need them and how best to serve. Thanks for our gifts and talents. Your Son rocks! Amen.

Hurricanes, oil spew, long hair on men, etc.

2010-09-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

There's a hurricane coming toward the Eastern seaboard. Actually several of them. Virginia is included in the states that make up that border. I think this is the first hurricane coming this way since we moved here. We have a good chance for rain but probably not more than that where we live. A cold front coming from the West is evidently going to keep the worst of it out over the ocean. I'm in favor of cooler temps and rain after the hotest summer on record since the last century. It's all so iffy though, this weather predicting stuff. I'm a believe it when I see it sort of person. Unless of course Jesus tells me it is so.

I was listening to Science Friday last week and was NOT suprised to find out there is a big mystery where all the oil that has been spilling has gone. On the one hand this will make it hard for my imaginary pirates to harvest the floating oil for profit, but on the other this goes to prove what I've thought all along. Oil is a natural substance. What comes from nature, goes back to nature. Current thinking is that there are bacteria eating away at the oil, digesting it, returning it to the Circle.

Pictures over the last months of my teenaged nephew showed quite a long head of hair. Now mind you, I haven't seen him in person since he was a gangly boy so that's always the picture I have in my mind. It surprised me to see this mane of hair. I'm not sure when it happened but I am just not a big fan of long-haired men. Every time I saw pictures of him, I kept wishing he'd get a haircut, to embrace his true nerd self, and a short haircut. (I do sound like my father sometimes.) Well I should have known there was a plan. He was growing his hair for Locks of Love and last night he got a haircut. What a difference!

Here are more photos of the haircut: Daryl's Locks of Love Haircut

What's interesting to me is the chameleon-like way his face changes in these pictures. I personally think he'd make a great spy. And trust me, he's very smart in a fierce sort of way. I'm proud of him.

This post might be considered a Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday post if our host Duane were up to the task. But he was in a pretty serious car accident so is taking a healing break. I won't link you to his blog today. In the mean time, prayers up for healing for him. Having been in a pretty serious accident myself, the physical injuries are just the beginning of the healing that needs to happen.

What's on your mind? What has your mind been stewing and digesting? What have you been amazed by this week?

***

I've got a Rabbit Trail Work Style

2010-09-01T20:10:00.002-04:00

Rabbit trail work style
Confession: I can be a bit of a rabbit when I work. Have you ever watched a rabbit run across your yard? It's not a straight path. I'm not sure it's their attention span, or maybe it's self preservation, but what starts out as a simple trip to the other side of the garden can end up 6 yards down, then right back to your cabbage patch, unless there's something else more interesting on the way.

My brain works like that a lot, and I can too, and it can get out of control when I'm not working in a disciplined way. Discipline is key for me. Discipline and prayer are key for me. Discipline and prayer are key for me especially because I'm working at home right now. Multi-tasking was made for people whose brains bounce. So are jobs that require mulitple skills and focus. It took me a long time to realize my gift and then develope my powers for good. The latest in work flow theory though is back to focusing on one task at a time. That's great for those who need and appreciate DOING one thing at a time. It would drive me crazy. So what if you are like me, with a brain full of rabbit trails?

Find a rhythm between physical, creative, & brain drains
Like a rabbit on a trail, sometimes it takes a physical chore or walkabout to get something else planned or in order, especially if creativity is involved. I use physical tasks for think time, especially things like cleaning or putting things in order, or especially gardening chores like weeding. That's a great time for me to think things through. But before all that, it's important to plot out the safe and soft spots of quiet, and the loud and dangerous crevices of the day, or if you can, the week.

Brain drains are intense thought process driven tasks, like spreadsheet work, anything financial, or for me, filling in forms! Some creativity driven stuff is also a brain drain, especially if it involves solving a design problem, sticking to a budget, and a timeline! Brain drains need to be done in quiet, with focus time allowed, when I can reasonably assume interruptions will be low.

Having some fill-in stuff to do just in case I hit a wall is also part of my planning. Lately, these kinds of tasks have included going through storage boxes to inventory craft supplies, or something like ironing shirts. I could never spend an entire afternoon ironing, but as a filler chore it works great.

Have a regular time to plan
I plan my week on Sunday afternoon. This involves doing laundry if I haven't done it already and a sit at the computer with my calendar. As much as I can I factor in my husband's schedule, and any outside appointments or contacts that need to be managed, like professional appointments, interviews, or meetings. Once I have those things in place the next thing I plan are meals and a check of the pantry to assess which day I will need to do grocery shopping, and run errands.

Have a regular schedule
As a self-employed subcontrator, I'm usually dealing with different time zones, usually not my own, so my first hour of every day is spent getting myself setup for the day. This is when I clean my Inbox, answer and send e-mail, connect with my social media, etc. Recently, I started using a webcam for some meeting participation so I no longer work in pajamas with a bed head. Most experts always have recommended getting dressed for work at home, and it really does work. Something clicks when I'm up and dressed for the day. I tend to think more consciously about the time, especially if I'm working by the hour. I write reports at the end of my designated work time but don't usually send them until the next day. I've found that reports are more welcome at the beginning of the day with the folks I'm working for.

Rabbit trails wander, stay flexible
Part of the beauty of having a rabbit trail work ability is that it just is easier to jump between issues and projects, and crisis. I'm not easily rattled, and logic is still my solid course in assessing a given chaotic situation. People know they can call me for a breath of calm and to gather order back. Or, if the situation calls for it, ride a bucking rabbit, no problem!

Anyone who does something well works toward a state of excellence. We strive for that always don't we? There's no reason why a multi-tasking rabbit trail work style needs to be less than excellent either. I always go back to what grounds me, prayer, and of course a touchstone verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

***

Rabbit rabbit rabbit September 1, 2010!

Vintage postcard image above. Also a note about Rabbit X 3, which is just a memory game to play, remembering to say rabbit rabbit rabbit on the first day of the month to the first person you see. We learned this when we lived in Milwaukee and have done it ever since...for just a little silly fun.

Cracker holes, bean salad, & 12 ounce pounds

2010-08-28T21:03:00.000-04:00

When all else runs out in our pantry, sometimes a nice saltine cracker (usually reserved for tomato soup), takes the edge of our snacking urge in this house. I'm partial to them plain but my husband likes to smear them with plain butter, peanut butter, or melt a little cheese on a plate full. A guilty pleasure that satisfies my sweet and salty craving is to smear a little jelly on top. What I've noticed lately though is that the cracker holes are way bigger than they used to be. It seems like they used to be just pricks, kind of decorative, across the top, just barely making indentations to catch the spreadable. You can't do that anymore. What you are spreading will smoosh through or worse, leak all over. It's not just off brand either, Premium themselves are big of holes. Is this a vast conspiracy to provide the same size but less cracker? Methinks, yes.

I picked up a couple of cans of Mexican Bean Salad thinking they would go nicely with my Fiesta Layer Bake the other night. The picture on the label was rather pleasant and tasty looking and I'm a big fan of the bean salad. But this, this was more like bean soup and in fact the directions say to heat it in the microwave. This seems incongruous in my mind. I didn't serve it. I stashed my opened salad in a plastic container in the frig and I'm trying to think of somewhere I can dump it to make use of the protein. Probably in a beans and rice kind of way. I looked it up online and the maker says use it like a hot bean dip or a sauce on burritos or drizzle on a taco. I think the word drizzle is key there. That's not salad, that's a sauce. I think if you say Bean Salad, you should mean Bean Salad. I'll show you bean salad...TRY THIS ONE but I use pinto beans instead of the cannellini beans. I also like to shred some lettuce and mix that in just before serving.

If you are old like me, you know that so many former 1 pound containers are now 11-12 ounces only. In fact, I've become so used to it, I caught myself calculating a measurement based on a 12 ounce pound but 1/4 th of a pound is not 3, it's 4 ounces. That would have been wrong. Am I the only one who misses 16 ounce containers?

I think about this kind of stuff when I'm waiting. It's odd where your mind can go if left to wander. I'm normally really good at waiting. I can, NOT wonder for a very long time, so much so, it has driven a few people crazy. I'm gifted in waiting. Usually. This week I had to wait for phone calls, wait for computer stuff, wait for answers to instructions, and wait for my freelance client to get his act together. I'm also waiting for the results of an interview I did...hoping I get hired! I got a lot of praying done. I found plenty to pray about in my Twitter feed alone. I think I was given waiting this week for the purpose of praying in fact. And just when I got a bit impatient, I had to wait more. I think the Lord is a giver like that. Who am I to question the purpose of my waiting? So I think, and I pray.

***

But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Pretty green doors

2010-08-24T20:39:00.001-04:00

Isn't this pretty? I think I want a green front door with our pinky red brick house.

See how good green looks with redish pinkish brick?

Or here, and look at that patina and charm...

Once I started looking for green door images, I found a bunch.

But probably not this color green...

Don't get me wrong, I love it, but my husband wouldn't.

Yup. I think green is a great color for our front door. I'm almost sure.

And how swell is this painting?

What a wonderful find, I'm excited. For more of artist Margaret Ramsay's work visit her blog at:

Magsramsay: Experiments with textiles, paints and plants

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3 church lady rules for filling out forms

2010-08-23T21:37:00.001-04:00

Print CLEARLY. Don't slant, don't write sloppy half cursive and print. Don't write over the top of anything written or printed before. There is not a person with x-ray eyes reading your form. Print clearly when you fill out forms. People have to read your data!
Be accurate. For the most part, we're recording history. Don't skip your birthdate unless you want to be lumped together with the rest of the folks born in 1789. Or worse, get put on the Youth mailing list instead of the generation more appropriate to your interests. Or some combination thereof.
Complete everything. Don't assume data is being entered or gathered in the same place you provided it before. There is a reason your church is asking for information. It also helps clarify specifics when comparing people with multiple similar or exactly the same names. For sure, fill out your REAL name completely. Not everyone knows who Rebekah and Juan are, or that Trey is short for Sam Smith III, despite your opinion they do know.

All that said, I heart personal data. I love working with it, processing it, making sure things are as accurate as can be, because like I said, it's history. It's like putting a church family puzzle together and making sure it's safe and sound.

I especially appreciate those who have come before me, writing long form and gathering paper records, preserving them for the future so we can know our people. I'm working on a membership data project as an independent contractor. I'm lucky to be able to serve a church remotely, earning some money to help support my family, and help complete their project efficiently. I'm just crazy enough to think this stuff is fun!

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