A Little Groggy

Ralphie got his teeth cleaned for the first time today and he is a little worse for the wear. I know it may sound a bit strange that we brought our dog in to get his teeth cleaned, but remember...I don't yet have children...and Ralphie must, to a certain extent, play the part.

Plus he has bizarre teeth and I'd like to preserve the few he has (he has very few in his sweet head).

What I learned today...

I "rub" my face when I'm really, really stressed.  Such a weirdo.

So, I got very stressed out at work today and kept rubbing my hands on my hands on my face (probably to relieve tension) and one of my coworkers pointed it out. 

But in all seriousness, I was losing my cool and the face massage was about the only thing keeping me from crying.

And crying at work is for kids.

And I'm a grown up (I try).

All in all, today could have been better, but the things on my plate, in my path, set before me to handle with care, are mine and mine alone to conquer with God's help (and a little venting to my mom).  Wait, I know I just said I'm a grown up, but moms really do know how to listen, don't they?

And just because I love all things pink.  This post is pink all over.  Pink, the color of happiness.

Amen.

Gone With The Wind

I think the saddest scene in Gone with the Wind is when the injured and killed list after the battle of Gettysburg comes out and this boy in the band can't hold back his tears.  I cry literally every time I watch it.  Those tears, that face, that sense of duty amidst the torment of loss.

Thrilled to be here.

Ecclesiastes 3: 11 - 13

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Kindness

Kindness is to carry the weight of others for the benefit of others and incidentally, the preservation of self. 

Ever-renewing. 

Increasing in beauty, this world, we occupy.

Encased in Ice (and otherwise wordless)

Snowed In

If you haven't heard, we're snowed in here in Washington, so I've been working from home, staying cozy...

And drinking sweet tea in my Sweet Tea Tervis tumbler from my Aunt Debbie, dreaming of being in the South.

Fiddle-dee-dee!

Deceit and Hope

Today, the hurt of another mirrored the grief I caused my loved ones as an ignorant child.  I remembered my own desire to make a connection; a true connection to anything, anyone.  Something to make my heart feel validated its desire to burn a path in this world.  What I didn't know was "that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [are] only evil continually." (Genesis 3:6).  My foolish and weak will gave into the urges of my heart and grieved those who only wished to guard the very heart that thudded angrily, restlessly, rebellious against the walls of my chest.  And to witness, through a mother's tears, the thrashing of another child of God, spirit-girl in in the skin of her life, against a heart gone wild ...I want to tell her that those connections, those people you think will fill you with a sense of familiarity, purpose, soul symmetry, are just a shell of what could really be for you.  It is not something that can be whispered, or even shouted on the dirt of this earth.  A view of His truth can only be revealved by a pain broken by His LOVE, a shattering to shards, the glass that you see the world from behind.  Without God's love you live restricted, thinking that you see quite clearly, but your arm oustretched can only touch the face of the world before you and with Him, they grasp at nothingness.  That is why the longing inside - your vessel will never feel quite full enough without clinging, unashamed of your need for salvation.  Your desperation and determination to claim Him and in doing so understand your His own claim on you, has the power to change the person you think you are into the person He has made you to be. 

And so where words fail and people fail, and only God heals, we fall to our knees and do the only thing worth doing - PRAY.  On our knees and without ceasing.  Even as our fingers run accross keyboards and cutting boards in the acts of service we know as life, we pray in your name.

Amen.

A January Snow

Snowfall came late this winter, on the heels of a premature spring, or so I thought.

"The flakes are skyflowers,
pale lilies from the clouds,
that wither on earth."

~from "The Snowfall is So Silent" by Miguel de Unamuno

Even when the Sun Sets

When I came home from work tonight, I drove into our neighborhood and knew I would be rushing in to grab my camera and running straight back outside to photograph the sunset over the lake.  On my way back down the street, Ralphie and I sprinted past three people who had the same idea.  One man even stopped his car right in the middle of a street of cars during rush hour to get a picture.  Everyone was so taken with all the colors (the gold moments were the most impressive), not a single horn sounded.

Quote of the day, "You're a purchaser of the Asian market."

(Numbers Man in response to a statement made on a t.v. show about collecting fish roe and selling it "on the Asian market").

It's true.  So true.

Winter Wonders

God bless the little defrost buttons in the car. I can just sit here listening to a Gone with the Wind audiobook and contemplate the notion of becoming a horsewoman and going to garden parties 'neath a parasol.

...in my erstwhile frozen motor vehicle.

Diligence and sore fingers...

My very first crochet attempt. So far just a basic single crochet, but as I progress, I will be trying "stripes" of other types of stitches to practice them and en up with an interesting looking scarf. I am hoping to persevere in this crafty endeavor because there are so many things I want to make. An afghan for one, a particular style of afghan actually, which my "Quick an Cozy Afghans" book calls "Understated Elegance". It's stripey and kind of Victorian in feel. *swoon*. And then of course there's baby booties. *hopes*

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Fashion Inspiration ~ Spring

When planning my spring wardrobe, my inspiration is coming from a movie character, Lena from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It's true.

I can't resist all the crisp white, feminine colors an preponderance of skirts and dresses.

Of course, having Greece as a backdrop doesn't hurt.

I Squee for these...

I guess this is my version of 1,000 Gifts..

1. Heartfelt chats with my hairstylist.
2. Licorice Tea.
3. Sweet children in front of me in line for lemonade saying the darnedest things and grinning ear to ear (presumably in lemonade anticipation).
4. A rain-free dog walk.
5. Parking Karma!
6. Swishy, comfy sweaters on sale.
7. Pretzel dogs.
8. Efficient storage bins.
9. Seeing beautiful twin girls in matching purple outfits. So sweet!
10. Pix messages of my cute Ralphie while I'm out running errands.

Darkness

This is what happens when Ralphie wants to sleep and everyone is awake, the lights are on, and it's noisy.  He cuddles and hides in one swiftly curled little ball, usually with a nose sticking out, looking cute.  Silly Goose!

One thing ridiculous and one thing beautiful.

I saw these nutcrackers donning camo at Target today along with some other treasures. They cracked me up and I was tempted to pick one up. However, a Christmas with an army of one nutcracker just seemed a little underwhelming. Perchance if I happen upon a collection of Terra Cotta soldiers with Santa Claus hats I'll give them a home. Until then, we remain a peaceful house.

And speaking of a peaceful house, how gorgeous is this night light my mom bought me in Leavenworth (the Bavarian town, not the prison)! I think it is one of the most beautiful night lights I've ever seen. And I love me some night lights! :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a joyful New Year! I caught only the last bit of the Rose Parade (hello nostalgia), but it left me hankering for an animal style burger and fries from In-N-Out. We decided we're going to schedule a flight home for early this year! Not just for the aforementioned food, but to see friends and family of course.

LOVE!