This is my last week at work. It's been a somewhat weird last couple of months, knowing my job will soon be over. I like my job, not love, but like. I have had it for 5 years and that's fairly significant for me.
My true love is cooking, baking, etc...so while life events are taking longer than I thought to process, I felt the need to look for a part time job.
Where does one look for serious, high quality job possibilities? Why, Craigslist of course!
I found a few here and there. Bakery, bartending, server, hostess...you get the picture.
I thought I had stumbled on a perfection when I found this:
Small Bed & Breakfast is looking for reliable help with breakfast and some occational room cleaning. Duties include helping prepare & serve breakfast for up to 4 couples.
Mostly weekends 7:30 to 11:30 A.M. with occational weekdays during the summer months. This is a permanent position with opportunities possible for the right person
Fun place to work with a relaxed atsmosphere
I noticed there was an email address with the name of the bed and breakfast attached. Perfect! I could check it out online!
It isn't located too far from me, about 20-30 minutes. I was pretty pumped about applying until I read the line "...clothing optional".
Wait...
What????
A job fixing breakfast for a nudist bed and breakfast? Is clothing optional for the chef as well? Would YOU eat food fixed by a naked person?
I've seen some pretty crazy things on Craigslist...but this seemed legit, innocent, fully clothed...
Guess it's back to the drawing board...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Happy 55th Birthday Ghana!
Ghana.
The name evokes so many feelings, memories, loves:
Cups of hot tea with sugar and evaporated milk
Fresh Ghanaian breakfast bread with jam
The way the sun rises and sets so majestically that it simply takes your breath away
The call to prayer in the morning and evening (I don't care for it any other time...)
The bright colors of tie & dye lined up inside a shop
School children carrying pencils on their head as they walk to school
The sight and smell of banku being stirred
The politics of the market women
Enjoying a Star with the sounds of Reggae and Highlife music blaring around you
The beeping of motos weaving in and out of traffic
Seeing a family of 4 smushed together on said motos
Being able to buy a soccer ball, kuli kuli, gum, or calling cards all from your car stopped at a traffic light
Hearing the phrase repeated just about anywhere you go: Pure water
How suffocating it gets right before a big rain
Being laughed at when you try to dance or speak like your friends; knowing they are laughing with you
How community is more important than schedules
Dancing at weddings and funerals
Omo tuo with groundnut soup and goat meat
Bargaining my way from the tourist price to a "local white lady" price
Arriving at a new place and having people tell you "you are welcome"
Coming back from a journey and having people tell you "you are welcome"
Long, bumpy, dusty roads
Cheesy Nigerian movies any time of day
The list goes on...
So Ghana, today I am thinking of you. Missing you. Remembering you. Thank you for fighting for your independence; it has helped make you who you are. But you have always been strong: a true "Warrior King."
(photo by Mona Hewitt)
The name evokes so many feelings, memories, loves:
Cups of hot tea with sugar and evaporated milk
Fresh Ghanaian breakfast bread with jam
The way the sun rises and sets so majestically that it simply takes your breath away
The call to prayer in the morning and evening (I don't care for it any other time...)
The bright colors of tie & dye lined up inside a shop
School children carrying pencils on their head as they walk to school
The sight and smell of banku being stirred
The politics of the market women
Enjoying a Star with the sounds of Reggae and Highlife music blaring around you
The beeping of motos weaving in and out of traffic
Seeing a family of 4 smushed together on said motos
Being able to buy a soccer ball, kuli kuli, gum, or calling cards all from your car stopped at a traffic light
Hearing the phrase repeated just about anywhere you go: Pure water
How suffocating it gets right before a big rain
Being laughed at when you try to dance or speak like your friends; knowing they are laughing with you
How community is more important than schedules
Dancing at weddings and funerals
Omo tuo with groundnut soup and goat meat
Bargaining my way from the tourist price to a "local white lady" price
Arriving at a new place and having people tell you "you are welcome"
Coming back from a journey and having people tell you "you are welcome"
Long, bumpy, dusty roads
Cheesy Nigerian movies any time of day
The list goes on...
So Ghana, today I am thinking of you. Missing you. Remembering you. Thank you for fighting for your independence; it has helped make you who you are. But you have always been strong: a true "Warrior King."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Piles...
I sometimes feel like my life is reduced to piles.
Let's face it; we all have piles of dishes, piles of laundry, those piles of important papers you are going to file............tomorrow next week.
I have even managed to pile things such as friends (this friend goes in this category, this one goes in that category).
I have piles of things that need to be boxed, piles that need to go to the storage unit, piles that need to be organized (yeah, right...), and piles of recipes that need to be made.
And until recently I was able to keep my job out of the "piles" category. *Sigh* Until I was reduced to back scanning all eight file cabinets at work.That is right; removing staples -lots of staples-, paperclips, binder clips, and figuring out why we kept this or that paper for the last 18 years. One month down and another (or so) to go...and I find myself creating.....
piles.
Let's face it; we all have piles of dishes, piles of laundry, those piles of important papers you are going to file...........
I have even managed to pile things such as friends (this friend goes in this category, this one goes in that category).
I have piles of things that need to be boxed, piles that need to go to the storage unit, piles that need to be organized (yeah, right...), and piles of recipes that need to be made.
And until recently I was able to keep my job out of the "piles" category. *Sigh* Until I was reduced to back scanning all eight file cabinets at work.That is right; removing staples -lots of staples-, paperclips, binder clips, and figuring out why we kept this or that paper for the last 18 years. One month down and another (or so) to go...and I find myself creating.....
piles.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
It's a love-hate thing...
Monday night 11:57 p.m.
I love:
-Chef Waier - he's awesome. You don't even KNOW!
-Egg Cookery - oh yes, that's right...egg cookery...seriously...
-Being all tired and not feeling good but totally forgetting all about it when I am so completely wrapped up in doing what I love.
-The energy and "high" from being with people who love food like I do.
I hate:
-The energy and "high" that comes from doing what I love and being with people who are doing the same...cause it means that I won't come crashing down and be able to sleep for at least another hour...*sigh*
I love:
-Chef Waier - he's awesome. You don't even KNOW!
 |
-Egg Cookery - oh yes, that's right...egg cookery...seriously...
 |
| Scotch Eggs - I made some, but these aren't mine. But mine looked just like them. Basically a hard boiled egg encased in sausage, breaded and then...fried...that's right...you heard me. FRIED. yum. |
-Being all tired and not feeling good but totally forgetting all about it when I am so completely wrapped up in doing what I love.
 |
| yum. |
-The energy and "high" from being with people who love food like I do.
 |
| Students from my school |
I hate:
-The energy and "high" that comes from doing what I love and being with people who are doing the same...cause it means that I won't come crashing down and be able to sleep for at least another hour...*sigh*
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A few of my favorite things...
Yum. This was dinner for me and a friend recently. I think it's time for a repeat!
First came the Macadamia-Crusted Barramundi with Mango Cream Sauce
Then Saffron Rice and Sauteed Asparagus
All beautifully together on my plate (yes I ate it all - don't even ask)
This poor mango slice gets eaten moments after this picture.
Can we have a moment of silence for the blueberry shortcake? Obviously with fresh whipped cream.
Macadamia-Crusted Barramundi (You can really use any white fleshed fish)
1 Mango peeled, seeded, diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch of red pepper flakes
1 pound fresh fish (bass, barramundi, something that can withstand a good crust)
salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Combine nuts, crumbs 1 teaspoon olive oil, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor and process in pulses until finely ground (don't just let it go or you'll have macadamia butter, which is tasty, but not good for this recipe). Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius for those of you outside the U.S. - or Belize...)
In a small sauce pan heat cream, mango, and lemon juice over medium heat until boiling then reduce the heat and simmer until thick. You may have to use a blender to get the consistency you want. I used my immersion blender...that I love so...
Season the fish with salt and pepper then begin packing on the crust. Place the fish on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan. (This allows the fish to cook more quickly and also keeps the bottom from getting soggy.) Then place the fish into the oven. Roast until cooked through. Serve with the oh-so-amazing mango cream sauce.
I don't have the exact recipe for the blueberry shortcake anymore. But if anyone would like it I can certainly find it.
I also apologize for the pics. Something is up with my camera and until I find out what it is...or get a new one...I think I am stuck with that foggy spot towards the bottom of the pictures.
Spiders...I think
Hope I live to see 31...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sad Slacker
Ok, it's been WAY too long. Time to get back to it. I apologize to all 2 readers of my blog for keeping you in such suspense of my life.
Alright, well nothing too incredibly exciting has happened unless you want to count going to Botswana, having an "I miss Africa" freak-out, planning a trip to Ghana then going on it, snagging a boyfriend while I was there, coming back and starting culinary school as exciting.
I'm just worn out from typing it. SEE! This is why I haven't written updates...I'm too...busy?
Well, let's just put the past behind us.
Start fresh.
Today, nothing exciting happened...
I suppose that's not entirely true as the day has not quite ended.
However, I guess this post is just to state that I intend to do better in the future.
Alright, well nothing too incredibly exciting has happened unless you want to count going to Botswana, having an "I miss Africa" freak-out, planning a trip to Ghana then going on it, snagging a boyfriend while I was there, coming back and starting culinary school as exciting.
I'm just worn out from typing it. SEE! This is why I haven't written updates...I'm too...busy?
Well, let's just put the past behind us.
Start fresh.
Today, nothing exciting happened...
I suppose that's not entirely true as the day has not quite ended.
However, I guess this post is just to state that I intend to do better in the future.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
UPDATE!!
So, my boss, Drew Springer, comes to me today and asks how the fund raising is going. I told him I was close to being halfway there. Then he drops a bombshell. He's going to give me some money but he said he will match whatever I get in the next week or two. HE'LL MATCH IT! That means if I get $50 in donations, he'll give me $50. If I get $500, he'll give me $500. So, what I need to do, is obviously get $1,000 of donations from people with in the next couple of weeks...obviously...
I guess this brief blog is my plea...if you have planned on giving it would be great if you could get it to me or the church in the next week or two.
Thanks so much!
p.s. - There is no time limit on the prayer coverage...just...so...you know...
I guess this brief blog is my plea...if you have planned on giving it would be great if you could get it to me or the church in the next week or two.
Thanks so much!
p.s. - There is no time limit on the prayer coverage...just...so...you know...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Leavin' On a Jet Plane...
Five years ago, I left Ghana. In my heart, I knew someday I would go back to Africa. From that time, on the plane, God has been preparing me to go back. I believe this summer is my opportunity.
This blog post is to inform you of my intention of going to Botswana and also to ask for your support. From July 25 through August 9, 2009 a team from New River Fellowship will travel to Botswana, Southern Africa to minister to the peoples of Maun, Botswana. We will serve through construction, hut-to-hut evangelism, working with AIDS orphans, visiting the village churches and so much more. We will serve alongside the Lackey family, founders of Love Botswana Outreach Mission (www.lovebotswana.com).
Botswana is a fairly peaceful country. It is roughly the size of Texas and has an 81% literacy rate, $15,800 income per capita and a population of approximately 1.7 million people. Although it seems to be a sparsely populated country (mostly due to the excessive mortality rate of AIDS), Maun, Botswana is a crossroads not only to other parts of Botswana but to most of Southern Africa. Love Botswana Outreach Mission was set up in Maun to provide a central base to train and educate others to minister in the area.
Your prayer support is coveted. Having served in the bush of Africa I know spiritual forces are not to be taken lightly. I’m asking that you pray for me and for our team that we may carry the truth of God boldly and speak His words faithfully, that we will stand up to Satan with the strength that only God can give and that we will obey the Spirit of God wherever He may lead us.
I am also letting you know of another need. You guessed it, money. The estimated cost of the trip is approximately $4,000. If you feel God is leading you to help me cover some of these expenses I would greatly appreciate it. Checks should be made payable to New River Fellowship (please put my name and Botswana on the memo line) and are tax deductible as a charitable donation. Send money to:
New River Fellowship
Attn: Betsy Admire
3252 E I-20
Hudson Oaks, TX 76087
Lastly, I want to thank you, whether by prayer or donation, for any way you are able to support me in this mission. I feel so strongly that God is calling me to make a difference in lives during this trip, as well as continue shaping me into the woman of God he has called me to be. I look forward to sharing with you how God worked through your prayers and financial support.
In His Strength,
Mary Beavers
This blog post is to inform you of my intention of going to Botswana and also to ask for your support. From July 25 through August 9, 2009 a team from New River Fellowship will travel to Botswana, Southern Africa to minister to the peoples of Maun, Botswana. We will serve through construction, hut-to-hut evangelism, working with AIDS orphans, visiting the village churches and so much more. We will serve alongside the Lackey family, founders of Love Botswana Outreach Mission (www.lovebotswana.com).
Botswana is a fairly peaceful country. It is roughly the size of Texas and has an 81% literacy rate, $15,800 income per capita and a population of approximately 1.7 million people. Although it seems to be a sparsely populated country (mostly due to the excessive mortality rate of AIDS), Maun, Botswana is a crossroads not only to other parts of Botswana but to most of Southern Africa. Love Botswana Outreach Mission was set up in Maun to provide a central base to train and educate others to minister in the area.
Your prayer support is coveted. Having served in the bush of Africa I know spiritual forces are not to be taken lightly. I’m asking that you pray for me and for our team that we may carry the truth of God boldly and speak His words faithfully, that we will stand up to Satan with the strength that only God can give and that we will obey the Spirit of God wherever He may lead us.
I am also letting you know of another need. You guessed it, money. The estimated cost of the trip is approximately $4,000. If you feel God is leading you to help me cover some of these expenses I would greatly appreciate it. Checks should be made payable to New River Fellowship (please put my name and Botswana on the memo line) and are tax deductible as a charitable donation. Send money to:
New River Fellowship
Attn: Betsy Admire
3252 E I-20
Hudson Oaks, TX 76087
Lastly, I want to thank you, whether by prayer or donation, for any way you are able to support me in this mission. I feel so strongly that God is calling me to make a difference in lives during this trip, as well as continue shaping me into the woman of God he has called me to be. I look forward to sharing with you how God worked through your prayers and financial support.
In His Strength,
Mary Beavers
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Meanwhile: Nonsense...
So I know I posted this earlier on my facebook status but it really does bear revisiting.
Today was the TEA Party in Weatherford. For those of you who haven't a clue what's going on in American society...TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already...but I'm not here to blog about that and how effective it is or isn't...oh no...I'm talking WAY more serious than that...
The TEA Party march started at the First Monday Grounds and then came up south main and around by the square and across the street from my workplace. So what does any office do at 4:30 p.m. when you'd rather not be at work? That's right, you go outside...stand on the sidewalk and stare...
We watched people go by with flags and signs and all kinds of things...some people even brought their dogs...let the barks be heard loud and clear! No more taxes!! The government is stealing kibble from our mouths...(OKAY so they dogs didn't actually have signs or do any barking...but it's my story and I'll tell it like I want!)
Needless to say there were young and old and everyone in between. When all of the sudden, a bright red beacon gleaming from the middle of the masses emerges...it's bright red...and the older gentleman wears it proudly...tucked into his dress pants...none other...than the great...
Tomato?
Seriously, this man had a Bob the Tomato (you know, from Veggie Tales) t-shirt on. Bob the tomato attended the TEA Party here in Weatherford...let's see YOU beat THAT!
Today was the TEA Party in Weatherford. For those of you who haven't a clue what's going on in American society...TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already...but I'm not here to blog about that and how effective it is or isn't...oh no...I'm talking WAY more serious than that...
The TEA Party march started at the First Monday Grounds and then came up south main and around by the square and across the street from my workplace. So what does any office do at 4:30 p.m. when you'd rather not be at work? That's right, you go outside...stand on the sidewalk and stare...
We watched people go by with flags and signs and all kinds of things...some people even brought their dogs...let the barks be heard loud and clear! No more taxes!! The government is stealing kibble from our mouths...(OKAY so they dogs didn't actually have signs or do any barking...but it's my story and I'll tell it like I want!)
Needless to say there were young and old and everyone in between. When all of the sudden, a bright red beacon gleaming from the middle of the masses emerges...it's bright red...and the older gentleman wears it proudly...tucked into his dress pants...none other...than the great...
Tomato?
Seriously, this man had a Bob the Tomato (you know, from Veggie Tales) t-shirt on. Bob the tomato attended the TEA Party here in Weatherford...let's see YOU beat THAT!
More China
Because I said I would post more on China...here is day two...however, don't expect more and when they do come it could be quite interspersed...
Monday, October 20, 2008
7:00 a.m.
I slept pretty well all right and BAM (Emeril-style) my eyes opened at about 6:30. Joni and I got ready and literally RAN to meet the bus. It was a 3 minute ride (but a 20 minute walk!) to the part of school we had her classes in. When we got off the bus we still had about 40 minutes till classes started. We checked out the cafeteria but decided to opt for a bakery shop instead to procure our breakfast. Hmmm...maybe not so wise of a choice. Chinese pastries can be very deceptive. Just because it looks sweet - doesn't mean it will be. We got these little things that looked like donutholes - hmm - they were filled with "something" that looked a bit like shredded meat and soy sauce with perhaps a bottle or two of liquid smoke...not so tasty when you are expecting something sweet. We ate the rest of what we had chosen and it was off to class.
She had two freshmen oral classes that morning. The students were very excited to meet me and after I told them about me they asked some questions. Mostly about being home-schooled and about me living in Africa.
We then joined some of Joni's teacher friends for lunch and it was SOOOO yummy. One dish was like hash browns but not cooked all the way and in an oil of some sort. There was an eggplant dish that quickly became one of my favorites. A green bean dish and something called cola chicken...or was it coke chicken...either way it was fabulous- also a tofu dish that was VERY good. 
After lunch we had a sophomore culture class and then we came back. I was starting to get very sleepy so I laid down and slept right through Joni's free talk. She woke me up in time to eat dinner with another foreign teacher and then 3 others joined us for conversation later. Oh- dinner - we had garlic shoots! Yum!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
7:00 a.m.
I slept pretty well all right and BAM (Emeril-style) my eyes opened at about 6:30. Joni and I got ready and literally RAN to meet the bus. It was a 3 minute ride (but a 20 minute walk!) to the part of school we had her classes in. When we got off the bus we still had about 40 minutes till classes started. We checked out the cafeteria but decided to opt for a bakery shop instead to procure our breakfast. Hmmm...maybe not so wise of a choice. Chinese pastries can be very deceptive. Just because it looks sweet - doesn't mean it will be. We got these little things that looked like donutholes - hmm - they were filled with "something" that looked a bit like shredded meat and soy sauce with perhaps a bottle or two of liquid smoke...not so tasty when you are expecting something sweet. We ate the rest of what we had chosen and it was off to class.
She had two freshmen oral classes that morning. The students were very excited to meet me and after I told them about me they asked some questions. Mostly about being home-schooled and about me living in Africa.
We then joined some of Joni's teacher friends for lunch and it was SOOOO yummy. One dish was like hash browns but not cooked all the way and in an oil of some sort. There was an eggplant dish that quickly became one of my favorites. A green bean dish and something called cola chicken...or was it coke chicken...either way it was fabulous- also a tofu dish that was VERY good. 
After lunch we had a sophomore culture class and then we came back. I was starting to get very sleepy so I laid down and slept right through Joni's free talk. She woke me up in time to eat dinner with another foreign teacher and then 3 others joined us for conversation later. Oh- dinner - we had garlic shoots! Yum!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Day One - China
2:30 p.m. (approx 24 hours after waking up to get to the airport) Sunday October 19, 2008
Arrived in Shanghai, China and there was a HUGE line at customs. When I finally got through and found my luggage I walked out. It was then I was wishing Joni was a blond...she was a little harder to spot but I found her! I was so excited to see her but it was already 3:10 and the bus for Hangzhou left at 3:30 (the next one not leaving for another 2 hours) so we had to hurry. Burger King would have to wait until the return trip in 12 days. We lugged my bags to some random elevator that wasn't even working properly and shoved ourselves in with too many people and a motion sick girl. We rushed out and over to buy our tickets with 5 minutes to spare. Enough time to use the toilet (they even had a western style toilet at the bus station!)
We stored my bags under the bus and were on our way. The bus trip NORMALLY takes 3 hours. When a traffic jam stalls you for an extra hour however...yeah...
SO - needless to say, it was about 4 hours till we got to Hangzhou. Just in time to take the hour long bus BACK to Xiasha...where Joni's school and apartment was. We both looked a little rough at the end of this trip. We got to Joni's apartment about 8:30 and decided to "dine in" on some soup a friend had given her. We unpacked my bags and I'm happy to say she was pleased with all the goodies! We chilled out and then went to bed about 11:00 because we had class the next day...in fact, a whole day full of classes. The first one starting at 8...a.m.
More of China to come...
Arrived in Shanghai, China and there was a HUGE line at customs. When I finally got through and found my luggage I walked out. It was then I was wishing Joni was a blond...she was a little harder to spot but I found her! I was so excited to see her but it was already 3:10 and the bus for Hangzhou left at 3:30 (the next one not leaving for another 2 hours) so we had to hurry. Burger King would have to wait until the return trip in 12 days. We lugged my bags to some random elevator that wasn't even working properly and shoved ourselves in with too many people and a motion sick girl. We rushed out and over to buy our tickets with 5 minutes to spare. Enough time to use the toilet (they even had a western style toilet at the bus station!)
We stored my bags under the bus and were on our way. The bus trip NORMALLY takes 3 hours. When a traffic jam stalls you for an extra hour however...yeah...
SO - needless to say, it was about 4 hours till we got to Hangzhou. Just in time to take the hour long bus BACK to Xiasha...where Joni's school and apartment was. We both looked a little rough at the end of this trip. We got to Joni's apartment about 8:30 and decided to "dine in" on some soup a friend had given her. We unpacked my bags and I'm happy to say she was pleased with all the goodies! We chilled out and then went to bed about 11:00 because we had class the next day...in fact, a whole day full of classes. The first one starting at 8...a.m.
More of China to come...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Poor Always Among Us?
So here I sit...supposed to be blogging about poverty, when all that comes to mind is a recent conversation I had with a friend. The conversation started when he lamented that his colleagues weren't getting his humor. I told him that when I lived in Africa they didn't get sarcasm (which obviously drips from my tongue - if you know me you know this is true) and that it was a rough couple of years (from a humor standpoint). He wondered if the lack of sarcasm in Sub-Saharan Africa was a factor in agriculture and political stability.
He finally connected the two (okay MAYBE it was a bit of a stretch connecting the Sahara with lack of appreciation for sarcasm to lack of water, leading to no food.) but now that I think about it, I have to wonder. Why IS there so much poverty in the world? Why does it seem to flourish in some areas/countries more than others?
Perhaps sarcasm is not the answer to poverty, political stability, and food in Sub-Sahara Africa. Perhaps it all starts with caring about those in poverty, becoming aware of those in poverty, being so affected by it that you can no longer sit by and do nothing.
For more information about worldwide poverty check out http://www.globalissues.org/issue/2/causes-of-poverty
A little less talk and a lot more action? Check out http://www.endpoverty2015.org/
He finally connected the two (okay MAYBE it was a bit of a stretch connecting the Sahara with lack of appreciation for sarcasm to lack of water, leading to no food.) but now that I think about it, I have to wonder. Why IS there so much poverty in the world? Why does it seem to flourish in some areas/countries more than others?
Perhaps sarcasm is not the answer to poverty, political stability, and food in Sub-Sahara Africa. Perhaps it all starts with caring about those in poverty, becoming aware of those in poverty, being so affected by it that you can no longer sit by and do nothing.
For more information about worldwide poverty check out http://www.globalissues.org/issue/2/causes-of-poverty
A little less talk and a lot more action? Check out http://www.endpoverty2015.org/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Smalltown, America
As many of you know, I leave a week from Saturday to go to China. I'm visiting a friend who teaches English at a university. She asked me to bring a few items which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Velveeta (let's face it, we ALL eat it...you'd miss it to if you were denied the ability to purchase it!)
Salsa
Tortillas
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
I love her priorities!
SO- I wanted to make sure she had enough. I bought four boxes of Velveeta, four jars of Joe T. Garcia's salsa (if you have to buy it you might as well buy the best!) and four bags of Reese's, two of the regular size and two of the miniature's (you know, just to mix it up a bit...).
I decided to do the self-check out because somehow I thought it would be faster and I wouldn't have to pretend to be nice to anyone (yeah, it's just been one of those weeks I guess). I put everything on the conveyor belt and began to realize how strange it looked. I was actually embarrassed to have four boxes of Velveeta and the same number of bags of Reese's. All of the sudden I hear this voice RIGHT behind me saying, "Looks like you're gonna have a good time!" I turned around and there is a fairly large man looking at me like it's Christmas and he wants a feast at my house...it also looked like he was bringing his wife...
I kind of laughed and said yeah, my thought? Better for them to think this is all I eat than to engage in conversation that is sure to lead to drivel (if you've read my blog before you probably already know the outcome of this post). Then his wife chimes in, are you having a party? I decided to go for the gold and tell them EXACTLY what it was for. If you can't ignore them, might was well confuse them!
I simply stated that where my friend lived she couldn't buy these items. She was living out of the country and I was going to take these items to her.
NO LIE, the woman looks at me like it was a crime to not be able to buy Velveeta and then says, "She must be in another state!"
Okay so if you're like me you're totally laughing...although I give myself credit for keeping it all inside and a serious face.
I re-stated that she was OUT OF THE COUNTRY...she lives in another country where you can't buy these things. I'm buying these things for her...and taking them to her, where she lives...in another country. Once I figured this had cleared things up she begins to tell me about her sister who lives in California and can't buy Ranch Style Beans.
-I'm sorry I just keep laughing out loud and am having a hard time finishing this blog...-
So apparently her sister buys large boxes of them while she's here and then takes them back to California. I kind of faded out at this point and finished my purchase which was taking WAY too long and left.
I left with these thoughts, whether they be wrong or right.
Most people in Smalltown, America have no clue about the world beyond their own. I'm so thankful for my experiences and the ability to see so much of the world.
Maybe it all begins with small steps. These people had insight of what it's like in California, perhaps their next step is global...
Velveeta (let's face it, we ALL eat it...you'd miss it to if you were denied the ability to purchase it!)
Salsa
Tortillas
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
I love her priorities!
SO- I wanted to make sure she had enough. I bought four boxes of Velveeta, four jars of Joe T. Garcia's salsa (if you have to buy it you might as well buy the best!) and four bags of Reese's, two of the regular size and two of the miniature's (you know, just to mix it up a bit...).
I decided to do the self-check out because somehow I thought it would be faster and I wouldn't have to pretend to be nice to anyone (yeah, it's just been one of those weeks I guess). I put everything on the conveyor belt and began to realize how strange it looked. I was actually embarrassed to have four boxes of Velveeta and the same number of bags of Reese's. All of the sudden I hear this voice RIGHT behind me saying, "Looks like you're gonna have a good time!" I turned around and there is a fairly large man looking at me like it's Christmas and he wants a feast at my house...it also looked like he was bringing his wife...
I kind of laughed and said yeah, my thought? Better for them to think this is all I eat than to engage in conversation that is sure to lead to drivel (if you've read my blog before you probably already know the outcome of this post). Then his wife chimes in, are you having a party? I decided to go for the gold and tell them EXACTLY what it was for. If you can't ignore them, might was well confuse them!
I simply stated that where my friend lived she couldn't buy these items. She was living out of the country and I was going to take these items to her.
NO LIE, the woman looks at me like it was a crime to not be able to buy Velveeta and then says, "She must be in another state!"
Okay so if you're like me you're totally laughing...although I give myself credit for keeping it all inside and a serious face.
I re-stated that she was OUT OF THE COUNTRY...she lives in another country where you can't buy these things. I'm buying these things for her...and taking them to her, where she lives...in another country. Once I figured this had cleared things up she begins to tell me about her sister who lives in California and can't buy Ranch Style Beans.
-I'm sorry I just keep laughing out loud and am having a hard time finishing this blog...-
So apparently her sister buys large boxes of them while she's here and then takes them back to California. I kind of faded out at this point and finished my purchase which was taking WAY too long and left.
I left with these thoughts, whether they be wrong or right.
Most people in Smalltown, America have no clue about the world beyond their own. I'm so thankful for my experiences and the ability to see so much of the world.
Maybe it all begins with small steps. These people had insight of what it's like in California, perhaps their next step is global...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Do You Find It Funny?
Do you ever wonder why we find certain things funny? I'm sitting here as I type this watching that show America's Funniest Videos. At least I assume that's still it's name. I was flipping channels looking for something interesting to watch while I do a little Internet stalking...I settled for this show. I'll admit, it's mostly a dumb show but from time to time there is a funny video on there...tonight there are several. Now, I would go into detail about what was so funny but that's what made me think of writing this. (Okay like I ever need a "real" topic to write about-this may be the "fluffiest" blog you've ever read) What is funny? Funny is subjective. Isn't it? There are a few people I know that I would classify as funny.
Josh Warthen - this guy is hilarious...just try playing Balderdash with this guy. You may know exactly which answers are his, but they'll have you laughing so hard you won't care about the rest of the game. Josh has random humor. I remember him renaming both dogs we had in college. He would spend all night calling Scout by another name until the poor dog actually believed that was his name.
Brent Sorrels - (though I'll admit, with his wife they are a dynamic duo) can make me laugh at absolutely nothing. Maybe it's not so much what he says as how he says it.
Zain Hakeem - Most of Zain's hilarity comes via Sheri Hull. However I would have to say his theory on One Child Left Behind, while making some sense, has me in stitches every time I read it. Yes, that's right, One Child Left Behind. While I had full intention of posting a couple of bits or pieces I wouldn't want to butcher the masterpiece that it is or suck the funniness out of it in anyway. (*For the full theory shoot me an email and I can share it with you.)
This is not a conclusive list of those that make me laugh. I bring these people up because their humor is perhaps subjective. While I (and many others) think them quite funny or even hilarious, some people just don't get their sense of humor, some people just don't find them funny (I'm actually quite sure these people have NO sense of humor but, whatever...). While I'm glad there is such a variety of humor in this world to satisfy everyone's funny bone, I'm most thankful for wit, dry humor, and the occasional practical joke...
*Pending approval from Zain. After all, it's his theory...
Josh Warthen - this guy is hilarious...just try playing Balderdash with this guy. You may know exactly which answers are his, but they'll have you laughing so hard you won't care about the rest of the game. Josh has random humor. I remember him renaming both dogs we had in college. He would spend all night calling Scout by another name until the poor dog actually believed that was his name.
Brent Sorrels - (though I'll admit, with his wife they are a dynamic duo) can make me laugh at absolutely nothing. Maybe it's not so much what he says as how he says it.
Zain Hakeem - Most of Zain's hilarity comes via Sheri Hull. However I would have to say his theory on One Child Left Behind, while making some sense, has me in stitches every time I read it. Yes, that's right, One Child Left Behind. While I had full intention of posting a couple of bits or pieces I wouldn't want to butcher the masterpiece that it is or suck the funniness out of it in anyway. (*For the full theory shoot me an email and I can share it with you.)
This is not a conclusive list of those that make me laugh. I bring these people up because their humor is perhaps subjective. While I (and many others) think them quite funny or even hilarious, some people just don't get their sense of humor, some people just don't find them funny (I'm actually quite sure these people have NO sense of humor but, whatever...). While I'm glad there is such a variety of humor in this world to satisfy everyone's funny bone, I'm most thankful for wit, dry humor, and the occasional practical joke...
*Pending approval from Zain. After all, it's his theory...
Monday, September 22, 2008
And now's it's time for -Bizzare Thoughts with Mary Beavers
I have a couple of friends that are either doing the Internet dating thing or are seriously thinking of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to bash it at all. It may not be for me...at least not yet...but I have to say I have thought about it. I wonder, how specific can you be on those things? If I were to sign up there would be certain critera I would look for. Perhaps the most important would be his last name. I'm pretty sure at this point I would want it to be McGee. You have to admit it's a pretty cool last name. I'd prefer if he wanted lots and lots of kids...you see, some of my friends have had their children's names (so really none of them have had kids yet...but you know, future kids...or whatever) picked out for a really long time. I could only think of one or two names I liked. I always liked names that were a little different. That's when I thought of marrying someone whose last name is McGee...
Think of all the possibilities.
-Crazy Eyed McGee
-Long-Legged McGee
(or if we produce short kids) -Short-Legged McGee
-Knobby Kneed McGee
-Stinky McGee
And why limit it to looks or smells, let's go for personality:
-Smarty Pants McGee
-Bump on a Log McGee
-Funny Bones McGee
-Grumpy Pants McGee
When you think about it, the possibilities are limitless...
Oh, one more characteristic I'd be looking for in a potential match. He's got to be crazy enough to be crazy enough about me...
Think of all the possibilities.
-Crazy Eyed McGee
-Long-Legged McGee
(or if we produce short kids) -Short-Legged McGee
-Knobby Kneed McGee
-Stinky McGee
And why limit it to looks or smells, let's go for personality:
-Smarty Pants McGee
-Bump on a Log McGee
-Funny Bones McGee
-Grumpy Pants McGee
When you think about it, the possibilities are limitless...
Oh, one more characteristic I'd be looking for in a potential match. He's got to be crazy enough to be crazy enough about me...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
You Know You're FROM the Country When...
Okay notice I did not post the title as You Know You're Country When...it's FROM the country people. I ain't cuntry (um that's a joke so I hope you all picked up on that).
So I was driving home tonight from Lifegroup and was almost home. I took the back road toward my apartment which looks very much like a country road. For those of you reading this and have never been on a country road (isn't this where I would insert the phrase, Bless your heart???) this is what it looks like. Imagine two sidewalks side by side...with no edges. Now, insert a pot hole in one of three places (your "side", their "side", and the middle) at least every 15 feet. Police have a very hard time discerning drunk people on a country road because you must naturally weave in order not to bottom out or ruin your tires. However, I digress. So I'm driving on this smallish road and I come over the hill for the last little stretch before some "genius" decided to widen the road 25 feet before it ends. I notice something on the side of the road. This is where my country skills come into play. (When you've grown up in the country your eyes are used to scanning the road and beyond so that you don't run into a deer, though my friend Nikki "swears" the deer ran into her...sure. I mean, I'm not the one who murdered the turtle. But that's another story.) I noticed that there was a particular slithery companion to my right. Now those of you that know me, know I HATE snakes...and when I say hate I mean abhor. They give me the creeps, always have and probably always will. When I was in Africa who saw more snakes than anyone? That's right...me.
So what do I do you ask? Well, I naturally swerve towards the snake. Did I hit it? It was only about 2 feet long. A fairly small snake. These thoughts cross my mind. Now I know what a lot of you are thinking, but the evidence of living in the city must be rubbing off because to answer your unasked question, no. I did not put the car in reverse, just enough to see if I hit it, peel out on it's coiled up body and back up to do it again and again until I was sure that I have killed it. This is what we country folks are taught to do. We've all seen our parents do it, my friend Janet's mom must have driven over this one dumb snake 15 times...if he didn't die from the tire crunching his body into the gravel he probably died from boredom watching her drive over and over him. Back and forth, back and forth, while we all stared. Even from a distance we knew what she was doing. You could tell the country people there...we all caught each other's eye and shook our heads...another snake...then do one of two things: Go back to what you were doing (we making s'mores at the campfire) or walk up to where the vehicle is and make VERY certain the snake is dead. Possible by poking it several times with a long stick.
Sometimes there's just not much to do on a Saturday night in the country...a snake on the road can certainly liven things up.
*Please do not play with live or dead snakes if you are unfamiliar with them. Even if you are familiar with them please...just drive to the nearest town with lights...they're sure to have a movie theater...it may cost more (depending on the amount of gas you waste on running down that snake) but I guarantee your date will be more impressed with the movie.
**no snakes were harmed in the writing of this story.
So I was driving home tonight from Lifegroup and was almost home. I took the back road toward my apartment which looks very much like a country road. For those of you reading this and have never been on a country road (isn't this where I would insert the phrase, Bless your heart???) this is what it looks like. Imagine two sidewalks side by side...with no edges. Now, insert a pot hole in one of three places (your "side", their "side", and the middle) at least every 15 feet. Police have a very hard time discerning drunk people on a country road because you must naturally weave in order not to bottom out or ruin your tires. However, I digress. So I'm driving on this smallish road and I come over the hill for the last little stretch before some "genius" decided to widen the road 25 feet before it ends. I notice something on the side of the road. This is where my country skills come into play. (When you've grown up in the country your eyes are used to scanning the road and beyond so that you don't run into a deer, though my friend Nikki "swears" the deer ran into her...sure. I mean, I'm not the one who murdered the turtle. But that's another story.) I noticed that there was a particular slithery companion to my right. Now those of you that know me, know I HATE snakes...and when I say hate I mean abhor. They give me the creeps, always have and probably always will. When I was in Africa who saw more snakes than anyone? That's right...me.
So what do I do you ask? Well, I naturally swerve towards the snake. Did I hit it? It was only about 2 feet long. A fairly small snake. These thoughts cross my mind. Now I know what a lot of you are thinking, but the evidence of living in the city must be rubbing off because to answer your unasked question, no. I did not put the car in reverse, just enough to see if I hit it, peel out on it's coiled up body and back up to do it again and again until I was sure that I have killed it. This is what we country folks are taught to do. We've all seen our parents do it, my friend Janet's mom must have driven over this one dumb snake 15 times...if he didn't die from the tire crunching his body into the gravel he probably died from boredom watching her drive over and over him. Back and forth, back and forth, while we all stared. Even from a distance we knew what she was doing. You could tell the country people there...we all caught each other's eye and shook our heads...another snake...then do one of two things: Go back to what you were doing (we making s'mores at the campfire) or walk up to where the vehicle is and make VERY certain the snake is dead. Possible by poking it several times with a long stick.
Sometimes there's just not much to do on a Saturday night in the country...a snake on the road can certainly liven things up.
*Please do not play with live or dead snakes if you are unfamiliar with them. Even if you are familiar with them please...just drive to the nearest town with lights...they're sure to have a movie theater...it may cost more (depending on the amount of gas you waste on running down that snake) but I guarantee your date will be more impressed with the movie.
**no snakes were harmed in the writing of this story.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Can't believe I'm posting this...April 16, 2008
Two days ago I was at my friend Nikki's house and she was showing me
some of her clothes (that she never wears anymore) and I saw the
cutest wrap dress. I began to exclaim how cute it was and she told me
I could borrow it, in fact, she told me I could keep it and if she ever
wanted to borrow it she would let me know. I was so excited because it
had been so long since I had worn a dress or found one that looked
good. I immediately grabbed it from her hands and carried it with me
until we left. I knew I would wear it the next day (despite the
weather!). It's that stretchy material (very forgiving) with a fairly
busy pattern (ALSO very forgiving!) and I put on a brown camisole so
as not to be too revealing. I was also sporting a pair of aqua
undies...but really, do you need to know everything?
I put on my brown wedges that should not be worn to walk 6 miles of
downtown Cincinnati in...but looked pretty cute with the dress. Diana
exclaimed how good everything looked...Randy (my boss) exclaimed that
it looked good and he liked the material. Even Matt said he liked it.
I was feeling pretty good that day my friend...pretty darn good.
I went home for lunch...touched up my hair...added some earrings I
hadn't had time to put on that morning...and headed back. Dropped off
people's taxes at the post office and then made my way over to the
office. 3:45 rolls around and it's time to take the mail. Now, I only
have to walk approximately 1 3/4 blocks to get to the mailbox...mayhem
struck when I got to the corner of Austin and Trinity. I had a good
hold of my dress on the left side, because that was where the wrap was
the most exposed...the wind had other plans.
I had the mail in my right hand, holding my dress in the left...the
wind whipped up behind me and to the right...catching the hem of my
dress just right and flipping it up somewhere around my chin as far as
I can remember. I pushed it down quickly and glanced around only to
see an old man getting into his truck and his wife looking right at
me...
I walked calmly to the corner, deposited the mail in the postal
receptacle and grabbed hold of my dress with two good hands. Relieved
to see the truck gone when I crossed back over the street, I headed
straight for my building. The wind was now laughing at me and trying
it's best to recreate the situation I found myself in earlier...I got
three steps from my building and a grin forced itself onto my face...
made it to the door and giggles rose up in my chest. I sat down and
had a good guffaw for at least 3 minutes...relating the story to my
colleagues as best I could...
Ahh...it still makes me laugh, and I know now, next time I wear the
dress, to choose my undies more carefully...
some of her clothes (that she never wears anymore) and I saw the
cutest wrap dress. I began to exclaim how cute it was and she told me
I could borrow it, in fact, she told me I could keep it and if she ever
wanted to borrow it she would let me know. I was so excited because it
had been so long since I had worn a dress or found one that looked
good. I immediately grabbed it from her hands and carried it with me
until we left. I knew I would wear it the next day (despite the
weather!). It's that stretchy material (very forgiving) with a fairly
busy pattern (ALSO very forgiving!) and I put on a brown camisole so
as not to be too revealing. I was also sporting a pair of aqua
undies...but really, do you need to know everything?
I put on my brown wedges that should not be worn to walk 6 miles of
downtown Cincinnati in...but looked pretty cute with the dress. Diana
exclaimed how good everything looked...Randy (my boss) exclaimed that
it looked good and he liked the material. Even Matt said he liked it.
I was feeling pretty good that day my friend...pretty darn good.
I went home for lunch...touched up my hair...added some earrings I
hadn't had time to put on that morning...and headed back. Dropped off
people's taxes at the post office and then made my way over to the
office. 3:45 rolls around and it's time to take the mail. Now, I only
have to walk approximately 1 3/4 blocks to get to the mailbox...mayhem
struck when I got to the corner of Austin and Trinity. I had a good
hold of my dress on the left side, because that was where the wrap was
the most exposed...the wind had other plans.
I had the mail in my right hand, holding my dress in the left...the
wind whipped up behind me and to the right...catching the hem of my
dress just right and flipping it up somewhere around my chin as far as
I can remember. I pushed it down quickly and glanced around only to
see an old man getting into his truck and his wife looking right at
me...
I walked calmly to the corner, deposited the mail in the postal
receptacle and grabbed hold of my dress with two good hands. Relieved
to see the truck gone when I crossed back over the street, I headed
straight for my building. The wind was now laughing at me and trying
it's best to recreate the situation I found myself in earlier...I got
three steps from my building and a grin forced itself onto my face...
made it to the door and giggles rose up in my chest. I sat down and
had a good guffaw for at least 3 minutes...relating the story to my
colleagues as best I could...
Ahh...it still makes me laugh, and I know now, next time I wear the
dress, to choose my undies more carefully...
God's Beauty
Written about a year or so ago on my way back from Ohio. I miss you Ohio people!!!
This story is not humorous...fyi
There's always been something very fascinating to me about flying . I love it. Whenever I travel there are several things I like to do. First of all, I love to people watch in the airport. Where are these people going? Who have they been to see? Is their trip long or short? Have they just arrived or are they leaving?
The second thing I love about flying is actually flying. I love everything about it; like taking off. I love the way the plane gains speed, until you think you can't possibly be going any faster, and then suddenly, magically, the plane lifts off. It's front wheel first, then it's back wheels. Suddenly you're rising up into the sky and leaving the ground far behind. The plane begins to find its current and pretty soon all you see are squares of farms and homes and how tiny everything seems.
If I can manage, I always pick a seat with a window. I've never understood people who wanted the isle seat. I want to see, to feel, like I'm flying. I've always thought, if I couldn't be a human, I'd like to be a bird. I love looking out the window and wondering about the places I'm going or places I'd like to go. I like to remember places I've been and the feeling of new experiences and that sweet, sweet feeling of coming home after a long, long time.
This past weekend I spent with my friend Sheri in Ohio. We had a great weekend and I wasn't particularly ready to come home but my flight was already scheduled and I had to work the next day. So, I boarded my flight, found seat 14F and pulled out a book I had been casually reading.
Usually I will read until the plane starts to taxi, watch and feel the take off (grinning like an idiot because I love the feeling so much). Look around for a bit and then dig into my book, putting it down as we begin the descent and watching the landing. Pack my book and wait to deplane. This is usually my process. Not so on Monday, September 3rd, 2007. (Incidentally, 3 years to the date of my departure from Africa-this seriously has NOTHING to do with my story, I just thought it was interestingly coincidental.)
I got as far as pulling the book out of my bag and putting it in my lap. I didn't want to open it so I looked out the window at the guy checking the wings and doing the final cross-checks. I just couldn't gather up the energy to pick up the book and read until taxiing began. I stared out the window and cat napped a bit. We started to taxi and I could feel the excitement start. I began to encourage the plane. Albeit, quietly as to not frighten the passenger to my left. "Come on, you can do it", "faster, we'll need more speed, let's go baby, let's go!" "You got this now, take off, come on, up!" Then that stupid grin hit my face…we were flying. Actually flying, soaring through the air in a hot metal tube. I began to think how great it was that God allowed man to invent airplanes that we could see what it's like to soar.
I quickly became lost in my thoughts and my book lay forgotten on my lap. I cat napped some more, got my beverage and just kept looking out the window. I began seriously thinking of taking out my camera and getting a few pictures of the clouds, they were amazing, but I thought the strange girl next to me would think I had lost it so I left it where it was.
I began to take pleasure in how beautiful the clouds were. Some were flat like a lake of mist, others were mountainous and majestic. I felt like a hobbit who had wandered out of his hole to find the entirety of Elrond's kingdom at my feet. I started thanking God for all he had created, that he could design such beauty for me…but instead of feeling all mushy inside and relishing in God's love for me, I began to see the truth. Those beautiful clouds, the darkest caves in the world, the depths of the sea may never be seen by mankind. We may never see all the beauty God created. Why? Why did he create it if we weren't meant to see it? Because of simply this, beauty wasn't created for you or for me. Beauty was created for God. Everything God created was for Him and for His glory. Not for my enjoyment, not for my pleasure, but for God's enjoyment, for God's pleasure. But you see, we were created in God's image and so we appreciate beauty just as God does. The best part? God created beautiful things and God created us. We can revel in God's creation as beautiful because it reflects the very nature of God. No matter what, God will always be glorified. It doesn't take you or I to lift his name up and declare His praise. He's already done that. God's glory doesn't depend upon you or I acknowledging it. It just is.
God is beauty and he creates it. For Himself.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up the roaring of their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea.
Your testimonies are very sure; holiness [apparent in separation from sin, with simple trust and hearty obedience] is becoming to Your house, O Lord, forever.
Psalm 93 (Amplified Bible)
I suppose I'll always choose that window seat if I can because I know that next flight, God has something else he wants to reveal to me about Himself.
This story is not humorous...fyi
There's always been something very fascinating to me about flying . I love it. Whenever I travel there are several things I like to do. First of all, I love to people watch in the airport. Where are these people going? Who have they been to see? Is their trip long or short? Have they just arrived or are they leaving?
The second thing I love about flying is actually flying. I love everything about it; like taking off. I love the way the plane gains speed, until you think you can't possibly be going any faster, and then suddenly, magically, the plane lifts off. It's front wheel first, then it's back wheels. Suddenly you're rising up into the sky and leaving the ground far behind. The plane begins to find its current and pretty soon all you see are squares of farms and homes and how tiny everything seems.
If I can manage, I always pick a seat with a window. I've never understood people who wanted the isle seat. I want to see, to feel, like I'm flying. I've always thought, if I couldn't be a human, I'd like to be a bird. I love looking out the window and wondering about the places I'm going or places I'd like to go. I like to remember places I've been and the feeling of new experiences and that sweet, sweet feeling of coming home after a long, long time.
This past weekend I spent with my friend Sheri in Ohio. We had a great weekend and I wasn't particularly ready to come home but my flight was already scheduled and I had to work the next day. So, I boarded my flight, found seat 14F and pulled out a book I had been casually reading.
Usually I will read until the plane starts to taxi, watch and feel the take off (grinning like an idiot because I love the feeling so much). Look around for a bit and then dig into my book, putting it down as we begin the descent and watching the landing. Pack my book and wait to deplane. This is usually my process. Not so on Monday, September 3rd, 2007. (Incidentally, 3 years to the date of my departure from Africa-this seriously has NOTHING to do with my story, I just thought it was interestingly coincidental.)
I got as far as pulling the book out of my bag and putting it in my lap. I didn't want to open it so I looked out the window at the guy checking the wings and doing the final cross-checks. I just couldn't gather up the energy to pick up the book and read until taxiing began. I stared out the window and cat napped a bit. We started to taxi and I could feel the excitement start. I began to encourage the plane. Albeit, quietly as to not frighten the passenger to my left. "Come on, you can do it", "faster, we'll need more speed, let's go baby, let's go!" "You got this now, take off, come on, up!" Then that stupid grin hit my face…we were flying. Actually flying, soaring through the air in a hot metal tube. I began to think how great it was that God allowed man to invent airplanes that we could see what it's like to soar.
I quickly became lost in my thoughts and my book lay forgotten on my lap. I cat napped some more, got my beverage and just kept looking out the window. I began seriously thinking of taking out my camera and getting a few pictures of the clouds, they were amazing, but I thought the strange girl next to me would think I had lost it so I left it where it was.
I began to take pleasure in how beautiful the clouds were. Some were flat like a lake of mist, others were mountainous and majestic. I felt like a hobbit who had wandered out of his hole to find the entirety of Elrond's kingdom at my feet. I started thanking God for all he had created, that he could design such beauty for me…but instead of feeling all mushy inside and relishing in God's love for me, I began to see the truth. Those beautiful clouds, the darkest caves in the world, the depths of the sea may never be seen by mankind. We may never see all the beauty God created. Why? Why did he create it if we weren't meant to see it? Because of simply this, beauty wasn't created for you or for me. Beauty was created for God. Everything God created was for Him and for His glory. Not for my enjoyment, not for my pleasure, but for God's enjoyment, for God's pleasure. But you see, we were created in God's image and so we appreciate beauty just as God does. The best part? God created beautiful things and God created us. We can revel in God's creation as beautiful because it reflects the very nature of God. No matter what, God will always be glorified. It doesn't take you or I to lift his name up and declare His praise. He's already done that. God's glory doesn't depend upon you or I acknowledging it. It just is.
God is beauty and he creates it. For Himself.
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up the roaring of their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea.
Your testimonies are very sure; holiness [apparent in separation from sin, with simple trust and hearty obedience] is becoming to Your house, O Lord, forever.
Psalm 93 (Amplified Bible)
I suppose I'll always choose that window seat if I can because I know that next flight, God has something else he wants to reveal to me about Himself.
More Stories From the Past -August 28,2007
I'd like to tell you about my morning..unforthunatley I'm a little hard to unersthand...
Okay kiddies...let me tell you WHY it's important to floss. First of all - who wants to see someone walking around with things stuck in that person's teeth? No one...but the second reason is as follows:
Flossing can prevent cavities...
Oh, we've heard it all our lives, at least those who were brave enough to make it to the dentist at least twice a year, (I know what you're thinking, some of us were dragged - never given the choice) but sometimes, when you're told something so many times-it still doesn't compute. Now women, I know what you're thinking, "I thought only men were prone to this, 'you've told me 15 times but I never heard you' syndrome". It's not true (okay well, it's mostly true). And I'll tell you why, I didn't listen. Perhaps I should restate that and say, I never heard.
I go to the dentist twice a year, I brush my teeth and use mouthwash but flossing was never a priority. Oh sure, I get something stuck in my teeth and I use floss to get it out. But I wasn't what you'd call a daily flosser. As you all know, I got a new job about 6 months ago.(Okay so now it's been more like a year and 6 months ago...) Of course insurance came with the job so I went through the task of switching everything around. I learned that while I had dental insurance, it wasn't the same plan, hence, a new dentist. Now, I've had the same dentist for about 3 years (not counting time spent in the bush of West Africa) and my sister-in-law is a dental hygienist so I was used to the routine. I loved my dentist (as much as anyone can love a man - or woman - who digs around in your mouth and asks you questions that require paragraph answers while shoving three more cotton balls in your mouth - just to even out the baker's dozen that are already there).
I'm not going to mention my new dentist's name, though he's a nice enough guy and did a good job. This story is not about the job he did...this is about my inability to handle the numbing procedure and learning to floss.
A few weeks ago I went to the dentist. My first visit to my new dentist. I just needed a regular cleaning and felt pretty confident that I would be in and out in no time. The girl cleaning my teeth was nice enough, she thought she was funnier than she was, but she did a pretty good job. She then asks if I'm flossing. "Sure." I tell her, cause I have been flossing, every time I feel like I have something stuck in my teeth, I floss. She kind of gives me a look and then keeps going. I'm thinking, "whew, that was close, but I guess I sure fooled her.". Think again Mary...she calls the dentist in for the final examination and to look at my x-rays. He starts with "oh my goodness" and 4 cavities later I'm wondering whose x-ray this woman got mixed up with mine. No such luck...I knew there were a few teeth my old dentist was "keeping and eye on" but for crying out loud FOUR?!?! The dentist asks me, "are you drinking cokes?" "no", "are you drinking sweet tea all the time?" "no", "are you flossing?" this one I couldn't quite avoid easily, but the answer was, "not really". He had to know, I'm pretty sure the hygienist tattled on me before he ever got into the room. Well, I was through for the day but had rescheduled my fillings for...today.
I got up this morning and got ready, came to work and worked until 8:50 and then I left for my appointment. I got there and they got me in the chair quickly. Now, I could go into hilarious detail about the events leading up to and following my procedure but, frankly, I don't have that much time. (Maybe next time, he only did half the cavities today, in two weeks I'll be going through all this again) Let's just say he used the needle I was numbed...am numbed...and will probably still be feeling the effects of being numb when you all see me tonight. I couldn't answer the phone the first few hours I got back into the office because Cox-Springer sounded more like Cox-thpringer Finansal Advizors. I'm hungry as heck (because I ran out of time for breakfast this morning) and it's 12:30. I've spent my lunch writing this story because I CAN'T EAT ANYTHING. I'm afraid I'd bite my tongue off and not know it...
Why do I tell you this? Because flossing is important. It's strange what we'll do to prevent what we know is already going to happen. I'll have you know, I flossed every day after that first appointment until today, somehow I was hoping they would see the excellent job I had done by flossing every day for 2 weeks and decide my cavities had gone away. No such luck...Does that mean that I will stop flossing, you can bet your gums I WON'T! I've learned a valuable lesson...unfortunately, the hard way.
I hope you're all having a fabulous day and remember, before you go to bed tonight, FLOSS!
This was written about a year ago but I figured it was funny enough for you to endure. Consequently - the second visit to the dentist was worse than the first. Apparently when they hit a nerve with the anesthetic your face swells up like someone who's been in the ring with Mike Tyson (though my ear was still intact when I left the dentist office). All the more incentive to floss...hahahaha....yeah.
Okay kiddies...let me tell you WHY it's important to floss. First of all - who wants to see someone walking around with things stuck in that person's teeth? No one...but the second reason is as follows:
Flossing can prevent cavities...
Oh, we've heard it all our lives, at least those who were brave enough to make it to the dentist at least twice a year, (I know what you're thinking, some of us were dragged - never given the choice) but sometimes, when you're told something so many times-it still doesn't compute. Now women, I know what you're thinking, "I thought only men were prone to this, 'you've told me 15 times but I never heard you' syndrome". It's not true (okay well, it's mostly true). And I'll tell you why, I didn't listen. Perhaps I should restate that and say, I never heard.
I go to the dentist twice a year, I brush my teeth and use mouthwash but flossing was never a priority. Oh sure, I get something stuck in my teeth and I use floss to get it out. But I wasn't what you'd call a daily flosser. As you all know, I got a new job about 6 months ago.(Okay so now it's been more like a year and 6 months ago...) Of course insurance came with the job so I went through the task of switching everything around. I learned that while I had dental insurance, it wasn't the same plan, hence, a new dentist. Now, I've had the same dentist for about 3 years (not counting time spent in the bush of West Africa) and my sister-in-law is a dental hygienist so I was used to the routine. I loved my dentist (as much as anyone can love a man - or woman - who digs around in your mouth and asks you questions that require paragraph answers while shoving three more cotton balls in your mouth - just to even out the baker's dozen that are already there).
I'm not going to mention my new dentist's name, though he's a nice enough guy and did a good job. This story is not about the job he did...this is about my inability to handle the numbing procedure and learning to floss.
A few weeks ago I went to the dentist. My first visit to my new dentist. I just needed a regular cleaning and felt pretty confident that I would be in and out in no time. The girl cleaning my teeth was nice enough, she thought she was funnier than she was, but she did a pretty good job. She then asks if I'm flossing. "Sure." I tell her, cause I have been flossing, every time I feel like I have something stuck in my teeth, I floss. She kind of gives me a look and then keeps going. I'm thinking, "whew, that was close, but I guess I sure fooled her.". Think again Mary...she calls the dentist in for the final examination and to look at my x-rays. He starts with "oh my goodness" and 4 cavities later I'm wondering whose x-ray this woman got mixed up with mine. No such luck...I knew there were a few teeth my old dentist was "keeping and eye on" but for crying out loud FOUR?!?! The dentist asks me, "are you drinking cokes?" "no", "are you drinking sweet tea all the time?" "no", "are you flossing?" this one I couldn't quite avoid easily, but the answer was, "not really". He had to know, I'm pretty sure the hygienist tattled on me before he ever got into the room. Well, I was through for the day but had rescheduled my fillings for...today.
I got up this morning and got ready, came to work and worked until 8:50 and then I left for my appointment. I got there and they got me in the chair quickly. Now, I could go into hilarious detail about the events leading up to and following my procedure but, frankly, I don't have that much time. (Maybe next time, he only did half the cavities today, in two weeks I'll be going through all this again) Let's just say he used the needle I was numbed...am numbed...and will probably still be feeling the effects of being numb when you all see me tonight. I couldn't answer the phone the first few hours I got back into the office because Cox-Springer sounded more like Cox-thpringer Finansal Advizors. I'm hungry as heck (because I ran out of time for breakfast this morning) and it's 12:30. I've spent my lunch writing this story because I CAN'T EAT ANYTHING. I'm afraid I'd bite my tongue off and not know it...
Why do I tell you this? Because flossing is important. It's strange what we'll do to prevent what we know is already going to happen. I'll have you know, I flossed every day after that first appointment until today, somehow I was hoping they would see the excellent job I had done by flossing every day for 2 weeks and decide my cavities had gone away. No such luck...Does that mean that I will stop flossing, you can bet your gums I WON'T! I've learned a valuable lesson...unfortunately, the hard way.
I hope you're all having a fabulous day and remember, before you go to bed tonight, FLOSS!
This was written about a year ago but I figured it was funny enough for you to endure. Consequently - the second visit to the dentist was worse than the first. Apparently when they hit a nerve with the anesthetic your face swells up like someone who's been in the ring with Mike Tyson (though my ear was still intact when I left the dentist office). All the more incentive to floss...hahahaha....yeah.
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