Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Halloween High Jinx

Warning: Women “stuff” and (frankly) a little bit of gross TMI ahead in today’s post. Read it at your own risk...if you dare!

Halloween. Now, there’s a holiday that clearly illustrates the difference between my honey and me.

Normally, I am all geared up for Halloween. I love answering the door and making all those sugary sweet comments on those cute little costumes. I love hearing the gimmicky trick or treat jingle and the hurried, prompted thank-yous. I love the faces filled with joy as they hurry from house to house.

But tonight, thanks to a full day of TOM and its purge of 177 days of torturous waiting, I barely felt like breathing, let alone jumping up to answer the door sporadically for the next three hours.

“It’s okay,” I told my husband on the drive home. “You don’t mind answering the door tonight, do you? I mean, I’ve done it for the past seven years. You could answer the door tonight, right?”

“Babe, I am so sore. They had me doing heavy lifting today at work. I can hear the Jacuzzi calling my name. Let’s just leave the candy in a bowl in the chair outside the front door. The kids won’t mind.”

And here, my friends, begins the negotiation.

I am an only child. My husband is the youngest child. The battle of wills between an only and a youngest can be heated and intense.

That amount of conflicting stubbornness is almost unequaled anywhere else in the universe.

Because, you see, I WILL mind if someone doesn’t answer the door. I will obsess over what the neighbors will think when they KNOW we are home with ALL the lights ON and would rather do ANYTHING than look at their ADORABLE children.

Because I know what I would be thinking. And it would not be complimentary.

“Honey, it’s just a few kids. Please answer the door. I’ve never asked you to before.”

“Babe, I’m just so sore tonight.” (Subtext: Me, me, me, feel sorry for me, me, me.)

“Darling, I am the one who is having that time right now. You are not the one who could have filled an entire blood bank today, are you? Just a little sore, right? Not lost enough blood to be declared clinically dead, right?” (Subtext: Me, me, PMS, PMS, me, me you are being selfish when it’s really all about me, me, me)

Dead blank stare from my dearest (Subtext: I can outwait you, lady. I don’t CARE what the neighbors think…YOU do. And if it matters to you, YOU do it!)

Dead blank stare back (Subtext: Oh, it’s gonna be a long time before I make you any lasagna (deeper subtext).)

By the time, we got home, I was so physically exhausted, I wouldn’t have cared if an army of angry trick-or-treaters rallied together to toilet paper and egg the house.

I let the hubby put the candy in the dish by the door and tried my darndest NOT TO CARE.

We heard the little kids coming and going. The doorbell rang a few times, we both POINTEDLY ignored it. Eventually, Brett got up to check the “stash” and measure if any progress had been made.

Oh, progress had been made.

The bowl was overturned, and the candy scattered on the cement and over the flowerbeds with several pieces in the dirt.

My husband stood there amazed. “Some kid must have tried to empty the entire bowl into his bag. Or just knocked it over on purpose.”

I tried to smooth his ruffled feathers. “It was probably just a younger kid who accidentally knocked it over.” I smiled.

Brett looked at me through narrowed eyes as he put on his shoes, trekked outside, picked up the candy, brushed it off, and scavenged the best pieces to put back in the bowl.

I could tell he was wavering on whether to put the bowl back on the chair at all. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. “Those kids! They don’t deserve this candy!”

Eventually, his compassion for the littlest trick-or-treaters won him over as he secured the bowl firmly to the chair and stomped back inside.

I, on the other hand, waited until he was far away to make my point to an empty kitchen. “It wouldn’t have happened if we had just answered the door, you know.”

Later, we talked about (what will be come to be known as) the Great Candy Upset.

“Don’t worry, baby.” I told him. “I’m sure karma will give only the bad kids the candy from the bottom of the flowerbeds.”

And there my friends is the moral of the story. When you’re both selfish, nobody wins.

And kids have to eat dirty candy!

Happy Halloween!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Yes, I know it’s Wednesday, and for most of you the weekend is all but a pleasant memory by now.

However, I had a crazy weekend/beginning of the week this week, so I’m just now getting around to writing my weekend wrap-up.

I also took a short break to go completely crazy over criticized cartoons, movies, and entertainment venues. Complete psychotic break – what can I tell you?

Back to reality, I spent most of my weekend working.

Although, in this case, working was actually very cool. My company was invited to help with the Rockford Reunion. That’s it’s official name, but the unofficial name was The Rockford Peaches Reunion!

That’s right, the famous Rockford Peaches, along with all other surviving members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943 – 1954) were invited to a reunion in Rockford. Remember A League of Their Own? It was based on the Rockford Peaches.

On Thursday, members of my girl group (I was also able to attend with several other leaders as chaperones) were able to welcome the players and their families, eat dinner with them, and see the new exhibits at Midway Village, AND get player autographs.

On Friday, my girl group attended the dinner/lecture event at the Hoffman House as volunteers and got to spend one-on-one time with the players. The girls also volunteered on Friday where we all enjoyed a game of catch with some of the Rockford Peaches and a dinner/big band entertainment evening.

It was quite the busy weekend!

As a result of working the weekend, I was able to take Monday off. Mom and I tooled around. I had to go to the doctor for blood tests (still no TOM after 177 days AND medication to induce TOM). Then we visited CherryVale Mall and ate at the (totally recommending it) Granite City restaurant.

Mom, Gary, and I also attended the visitation for Brent Richardson who had passed away last week.

Mr. Richardson was my music teacher at Rockford Baptist when I was in elementary school. He was a wonderful, sweet, and caring man. He taught music with a unique passion and never complained, although his body was racked with pain for most of his adult life due to Crohn’s disease.

On Tuesday, I took a personal day from work to attend his funeral with Mom. I’m SO glad I went. He was such a special man, and he really did shape my appreciation for music. I had never had one ounce of his talent, but it was heaven to listen to him sing and play his trumpet.

I also know it meant a lot to his daughters, who I attended grade school with, that I was there. They said they knew I could empathize with them, having lost my father when he was only 53. Mr. Richardson was only 59 when he died.

After the funeral, Mom and I went to her house and got comfortable. We watched a movie and ate some pre-Halloween candy (shhh…don’t tell Gary!). We also browsed around Gordman’s for fun.

Tuesday night, we met with Aunt Annette (Traum) and Jeanette for dinner at Panera. They surprised me with a belated birthday gift of a beautiful flowered vase and candy container (do they know me or what?).

I tried the Orchard Harvest Salad. It was good, although somebody got a little too generous with the gorgonzola cheese!

By the time I got home, I was exhausted from all the running around and the (finally) appearance of TOM. That’s right…after all the testing, the medication, and 177 days…TOM finally arrived in all its icky ickyness.

Sheesh.

Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made – I keep telling myself that in hopes of becoming de-frustrated. The Lord knows what He’s doing!

All of that is why I finally feel like my weekend – which was so convoluted – is finally wrapped up.

Now on to the three day week ahead!

Just a Question

If you are a Christian, you’ve been probably been asked to boycott something or another at one time.

If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know of my recent discovery of a planned Christian boycott of the atheism -promoting The Golden Compass movie. I also recall being asked to boycott the oil companies, NYPD Blue, and The End of the Spear movie.

Here’s my question.

Have you ever boycotted something where the boycott made a difference?

I’m really curious to see if this sort of thing has worked in the past. Let me know!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

New Website - Kissing - And More!

My friend Cindy recommends a new website for teens.

I just did a quick pass through on the website, and it looks interesting. It's produced by the brothers of Joshua Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye.

I heard Josh speak at Moody when I was in college, and the familiar joke about him (he wasn't married at the time...obviously) was, "I'd like him to kiss ME goodbye, or hello, or whenever!"

He made an impression (I'll say!) on a lot of the girls and sold a lot of books.

Not so much on me. Of course. Because I didn't even like men. At all. Or need them. I could have kissed them ALL goodbye.

Until I met MY charming Swede, and then...

Well, let's just say we didn't kiss dating goodbye. Thank goodness!

Mea Culpa!

Well, well - what did I eat last night?

I re-read my post this morning and was like, "Wow. I guess I was really spun up about THAT last night. Hmm...didn't know I was quite that passionate about the morality of the Smurfs."

Egad! The thing about blogs is that's it's best to think before you write. But I suppose if I don't think before I speak, then why would I think before I write and publish...for all the world to see.

Gulp, gulp - is everyone going to refer to me as The Cartoon Defender from now on?

Oh, dear. My passion's probably spent in all the wrong places.

Please forgive my ranting little soul!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Worth Checking It Out

Looks like The Golden Compass' criticism is well-earned. Snopes backs up the claim the movie is anti-God, anti-C.S. Lewis, and anti-Christian.

I think a boycott is in order, then.

But, I'm not changing my stance on Smurfette!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I wasn't at church but two seconds, and I'd already been warned by two people about a new movie coming out soon - The Golden Compass.

The gist of the reviews was that this is the first in a series of three books written by an atheist author. In this series, which is being pitched as a Chronicles of Narnia-type movie, the children (I'm assuming allegorically) "kill" God at the end.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

I don't mean to be cynical. I would like to have all the information before I make a decision to boycott this movie or not.

The thing is that...I've been told my whole life that certain entertainment-type things are evil. And some of them were just plain Baptist paranoia.

Some examples? I was told:

In Fried Green Tomatoes (one of my all time favorite movies) the two main characters are lesbians.

THEY ARE NOT!!! They are just very good female friends. Anyone who does not see this has obviously not had a friendship this close. It is NOT sexual!!!

In the Smurfs (yes, the Smurfs), the bad guy and his cat are Satanic in nature and encourage children to worship Satan. Oh, and Smurfette was an example of the evil woman in Proverbs who led young men down to destruction. Uh-huh, Smurfette. Oh, and the Smurf's blue color was a representation of the triple 6's of Armageddon as the "outward" sign. I'm serious. I can't believe they wasted their seminary-trained minds coming up with this stuff.

In Disney's Avonlea series, The old women Peg Bowen is referred to as the Witch of Avonlea. The whole point of that episode was learning Peg is simply an old woman, turned hermit, who uses herbal medicines as opposed to modern day methods. She's not really a witch. Watch the entire episode before you condemn it, people!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were representative of the"end of days." They represented the way society will be - in Sodom-style - before the Lord's return.

Hogwashery! Balderdash! Horse Puckery!

So, you'll excuse me my skepticism.

But, I'm keeping an open mind. I know the Devil is alive and uses entertainment as one of his many snares. So, if you've heard legitimate criticism from a reliable source, I'd love for you to send me the link.

Thanks.

Now, I've got to check and see how my Smurfette Big Wheel is doing on eBay. I wonder how many bidders she's so blatantly led astray.

We Own The Night

Yep, they own the night. They also now own 18 of my dollars and three hours of my life.

On Saturday, Brett and I took in the movie We Own the Night starring the delicious Mark Wahlberg and brilliantly brooding bad boy, Joaquin Phoenix. It would be hard to turn down a movie starring two of my favorite male leads. Add to that, it was a movie Brett actually wanted to see, and we had the ingredients for a perfect weekend date.

The movie was okay, maybe two out of four stars using my loose rating system.

There is a sprinkling of sex at the beginning which I thought was completely unnecessary to the storyline. Throughout the rest of the movie, Eva Mendes (who play Joaquin’s character’s girlfriend) shows her love affectionately and physically without resorting to any kind of graphic sex, so I’m completely stumped as to why they threw in an explicit interlude between the two at the very beginning.

Not necessary, but Hollywood likes their R rating, I guess.

They could have easily gotten their R just from the violence alone. There was a LOT of violence, gratuitous, and jolting.

There were especially two scenes which resonated with me. The first is when a man - who is under pressure not to testify - is captured by the police. Instead of facing an interrogation where he might crack, he manages – while in police custody – to slit his own throat. The movies pans in and you see the blood pumping from the open wound. The camera lingers there while you actually see his life’s blood leave his body. It was so disturbing; I had to remind myself it wasn’t real.

The second scene involves Joaquin’s character jumping out of a second story window to avoid being shot by the police - some of who don’t know he’s working undercover for them.

The camera angle shows us Joaquin’s view as his body ejects from the window and slams directly on top of a metal gate. His body see-saws over the gate and smashes onto the cement below. You can actually hear his bones break as he falls. We all jolted in our seats when he took his first shuttering breath after the fall. I think most of us had counted him out.

The actual storyline is simple. Joaquin and Mark are brothers. Mark is a cop, along with their father, portrayed by Robert Duvall, who is the Chief of Police. Joaquin is the manager of a popular dance club.

Mark is promoted to the Narcotics division, and asks for his brother’s help in staunching the tide of drug traffic that can be traced back to his club. The movie takes a lot of twists and turns, and the ending, while somewhat happy, is also poignant and true to life.

Now, back to my familiar movie theater rant.

You’ll be glad to know there were no children at all in my theater. No screaming or crying, so that was nice.

However, near the end of the nail-biting-suspense part of the movie, some idiot opened up his cell phone and lit up the entire front row in a blue glow.

It was BEYOND distracting. And hard to ignore.

Especially when he started texting. DURING A MOVIE!!!

I told myself to stop thinking about it and concentrate on the movie. I felt Brett tense next to me, so I knew it was getting on his nerves, too. Eventually, the idiot closed his phone, and the movie went on uninterrupted.

After the movie ended, we started down the stairs. I turned to see “the idiot” and was surprised to see he was a grandpa. I mean, this guy was at LEAST sixty, if he was a day.

What was even more interesting was a huge, barrel-chested man, Brett’s height, and easily twice his weight, reading the Texting Grandpa the riot act.

“What the bleep do you think you’re doing man? You’re bleeping texting during the bleeping movie? You’re bleeping crazy! You bleeping better watch your back man. Next time, I’m calling the bleeping usher!” He yelled at the TG.

I was so impressed; I just stood there and stared. Brett had to tug me away before the guy asked me what I was bleeping staring at.

I wasn’t impressed at the swearing (which I could have done without), obviously, just that this guy had the stones to stand up for our serious moviegoer rights.

I imagine a guy that big doesn’t have to worry about retaliation or give a lecture twice to the same person.

“Do you think that guy would come with me to movies and talk to people who bring their misbehaving kids in?” I asked Brett.

“I don’t really want you going to movies with other guys,” my husband said easily. “But maybe we could invite him as our guest the next time.”

I had to laugh. Brett is as annoyed with movie theater babysitting as I am.

As we headed out to the parking lot, we saw an even more amazing site. The Huge Angry Man and the Texting Grandpa were getting in the same car! From their loud conversation, we gathered they were friends who go to movies relatively often.

We could still hear HAM giving TG the “bleeping” lecture as they drove off together. We laughed all the way home.

I guess it takes a true friend to forgive text messaging in a movie or someone yelling at you about it.

I hope they got home safely. Without any more texting from grandpa.

Friday, October 26, 2007

What Might Have Been

Have you ever wondered about the path not taken? Ever gotten a glimpse of what your life might have looked like if you’d made different decisions?

Last night I received the opportunity.

I was standing outside the convention center waiting for my husband to pick me up from my late night work event. One of my co-volunteers was kind enough to wait with me, along with her eleven year old granddaughter.

As we talked about this and that, we eventually ended up talking about her son, her granddaughter’s father. She described how he had been in a horrific motorcycle accident and was still in recovery. I marveled as she told me the story of his near death mishap.

I made the offhand comment that he had to be awfully young to lose so much mobility in his legs. “Yes,” she assured me. “He’s only 29.”

29? 29! I’m “only” 29, too. Of course, once I did the simplistic math, I realized it wasn’t unbelievable that I, too, could have had an eleven year old daughter by now. If I’d had her when I was 18.

When I was 18.

When I was 18, my real life was just beginning. I was off to college, meeting new friends, earning my degree, feeling the first surges of independence from my parents while safely anchored in a Christian environment. I was learning why I believed what I believed. I was finding my wings and becoming the beginning of who I wanted to be.

Children (and marriage, too) was the furthest thing from my mind.

While I was finding freedom, this man was witnessing the birth of his daughter. I have no doubt his life changed then, and from the time I shared with his daughter last night, he and his family have done a wonderful job of raising a well-adjusted young lady.

She is well-adjusted, but also a bit world weary, even at eleven. Her life has been filled with her mother’s boyfriends, father’s girlfriends, and the majority of her time spent with her caring (and active, vital) grandmother. This young woman seems to know her parents are still burning off the youth they must have sacrificed bringing her into the world, in lieu of college age mischief best spent in those in-between years.

I found myself thinking about having an eleven year old daughter. What kind of mother would I have been? Different, no doubt, than who I am today. Those 4 years between freshmen orientation and college graduation changed me profoundly, shaped me, and matured me in many ways.

No doubt unexpected parenthood does its share of changing and maturing, as well.

In spite of being grateful for the decisions I made when I was younger, I found myself somewhat wistful. The idea of having an eleven year old daughter with whom I could share my life and nurture into womanhood sounded like something I would very much enjoy.

It wasn’t that I was longing for different decisions, just getting a glimpse of what might have been.

It’s true that, along with the eleven year old daughter, I also didn’t have to experience painful break-ups, sacrifice my youthful independence, or experience frugal living long before I was ready.

When I said good-bye to my new friends, I found myself grateful for the chance to look in that mirror. To see what might have been. And to wonder who I might have been.

And then to find contentment with what is. What God ordained to be. Not in what might have been.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Pray for Grace

Well, I’m back.

I’d love to regale you with tales of autumn enjoyment on our oh-so-short family vacation, but I’ve descended into fundraising time here back on the job, so my time (inside, outside, and all around “work”) is simply consumed.

Instead, I’ll just ask you to pray for grace for me as I enter one of our busier times here at work. Please also pray that my transportation issues (since I’m minus a car due to my accident) during this hustle bustle time will be easily resolved.

In fact, if you don’t mind the extra knee time, please also pray for Brett.

At his job, there is an “E-2,” a time tracking device that is flawed in many ways and often gives a false report of how much time each worker spends doing his tasks. Despite numerous complaints from many employees, his company still uses the “E-2” to determine efficiency. Brett has been straddling the “efficiency” line, and even though we know God is our safety net, and not some job, we do ask for prayer concerning Brett and his job.

We all know how difficult it can be to work under pressure and time, especially if the possibility exists that we are being judged by a flawed device.

Just to give you an example, the “E-2” gives him a 70% one day and 118% the next day, even if he does everything EXACTLY the same. His co-workers are all disgruntled at what they view as an inaccurate reflection of their competency. Brett is right there with them.

And we all know how disliking your job affects life for you and especially those around you (said the longsuffering wife).

Well, I’m off! As always, your prayers are most appreciated.

P.S. - It’s good to be back in the company of some of my favorite people – friendly bloggers!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

My Vacation Prayer

My mother and Gary are generously treating Brett and I, Gary’s daughter Camille, and her two children, to a vacation in Parke County Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival. Camille’s husband, Dave, is a firefighter and will be on duty, so, unfortunately, he can’t join us.

We are all very excited about going, but having vacationed together before (sans Camille and the kids) I am trying to pray in advance so our vacation will go smoothly and be God-honoring.


As I was praying this morning, I realized my prayer might have sounded a little strange, even a little comical, but I know God listens. He understands me and knows my heart. The prayer put a smile on my face, and I hope it will on yours, too. It’s all good-natured, and every bit is true. We’d appreciate your prayers, as well.

Dear Lord,

Please help Brett come home in a good mood on Wednesday night so we can tackle vacation food shopping, packing, and bunny cage clean-up. Help Brett wake up early enough to get ready to leave at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Please help Mom not to strangle Brett when he is STILL not even UP at 10:00 a.m.

Help Brett not to drive too fast or Gary to drive too slowly. Please don’t let Mom and Brett ever be in the same car, at least not when I am also in the same car (that's an old family joke, Lord, but still...). Please help Camille’s kids to have a good time traveling and not keep asking if we are “there” yet.

Help the cabin to be spider-free and the bedroom assignments to be to everyone’s liking. Help Brett not to have the TV on too much as to annoy Mom who would rather not have the TV on at all.

Help me not to covet things when I walk through all those great craft fairs when I know I don’t have the money to buy anything. Help us to spend the vacation money we DO have responsibly.


Help Brett not to sleep the days away when the rest of us want to go out. Help the kids to have a good time and not be moody. Help Camille to not miss Dave too much, and me to not miss work too much. Help us all to get along and enjoy our time together.

Help us not to bug, annoy, or "accidentally" kill each other.

Most of all - help us to be ourselves, considerate of others, and have a memory-making vacation we can fondly remember for years to come.

See What I Lived With?!

I laughed my way through Mom’s latest post.

Growing up with two book worm parents in a house with no TV MADE me who I am today. I love to read, and (since Mom’s post points out why my parents refused to explain definitions to me) I became well-acquainted with the well-worn copy of Webster’s Dictionary Dad kept on the kitchen bookshelf. I remember asking my Mom and Dad what certain words meant and they would kindly pull out that old dictionary and say, “Let’s look it up and see.”


There were no quick and easy answers in the Trotter household. By gummy, we worked to find the right answer!

Reading mom’s post was like going back in time, and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

It Killed a Cat, You Know

Okay, so you’re my blogging friends, and you probably all have different reasons why you read my blog.

I hope you read it because it actually interests you, not just to see how bad my writing is, or what irreversibly stupid thing I’ve done or said now.

That said, I’ve decided to expand my blog to include one of my favorite hobbies – reading and reviewing mystery books. Every so often I review a movie, provided there are no screaming children in my theater, and so this isn’t all that different (and rarely, if ever, will there be rants about screaming children).

I don’t know why, but I’m particularly drawn to mysteries. It may be due in part to growing up with a mother who read Victoria Holt and Dick Francis novels.

My favorite types of mysteries include futuristic (J.D. Robb’s In Death series; Paul Johnston’s Quintilian Dalrymple series), suspense (Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series), and thrillers (Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series).

Some historical mysteries are okay, but I’m not a fan of the “cozy” mystery. You know, where Jack meets Suzy, they don’t like each other, they get robbed, work together to catch the robber, then fall in love and live happily ever after.

If there are no car chases, shady people running from the law, or something doesn’t get blown up, it’s not my cup of tea.

Because my time is valuable, I don’t want to waste it by reading inferior mysteries. I depend on The Mystery Reader’s recommendations in the four or five star category. They are rarely in my experience, if ever, wrong about the quality of a mystery book. I especially love their five star mystery selections.

I feel like reading a mystery engages my mind – I’m curious - trying to figure things out, deduce whodunit, and at the end, I’m able to read a conclusion that ties the whole thing up.


Novels are just…life…and I’ve already got one of those. It’s sort of mind-torture for me to read a novel with no mystery. I do enjoy the occasional auto or biography. But novels are just so…whoosh…much more work for me.

Although, there are exceptions. I’m not bashing non-mystery novels; I’m just saying mysteries are the junk food my brain enjoys the most.

And I hope you enjoy the forthcoming reviews! Along with my usual frippery.

Small Comforts

I am a social person. Most happiest when I am out and about, mingling with friends, and just DOING something.

But there are times I need my space, quiet, and am happy to just BE (probably as a result of my only-childom). Brett is a homebody, and so most of the time, our “what do you want to do’s” conflict. But, on occasion, they align quite well. I’m either in my quiet place or he’s in a social state of mind.

Last night was a prime example. After he picked me up from work, we made our separate dinners (pizza for him; mac-n-cheese for me) then snuggled on the couch to watch Chuck and Heroes.

During the commercials we gave each other massages, since I’m still recovering from the accident, and his job calls for a lot of manual labor. It was so relaxing to just be me – the real Ann-Marie – and be comfortable with him, knowing he loves me for who I am, not the me who’s convinced I’m never good enough.

We decided to try going to bed earlier, since we’ve both been dragging in the mornings. We got in bed at 9:00 p.m., and Brett went to sleep almost immediately. I read my latest book and was awake until 10:30 p.m. or so, but then I went to sleep almost right away.

This morning, we both felt better, so I think we’ll try the 9:00 p.m. thing again…although we go on vacation on Thursday, so then our schedule will be all topsy-turvy for a while.

Still, I think those little moments, spent together – just being together – are a big part of marriage.

I’m going to try to re-visit it…the next time I want to conk him on the head…for whatever reason!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Weekend Wrap-up

I could get used to two day work weeks; I really could.

Since I’d spent Monday to Wednesday recovering from my accident, I only worked Thursday and Friday of last week. And that was NICE, let me tell you.

Anyway, on to the weekend wrap-up. On Friday, I worked (kind of happily, actually). Brett dropped me off AND picked me up, since he’s off on Fridays. This has both its negatives (his car music selections are not my favorite) and its positives (he took me out to dinner after work). We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s where I overheard a bizarre little conversation snippet.

Man to Woman:

“We just got the cutest little puppy. She’s so adorable! We named her Onion.”

I strained to hear more, convinced I’d heard incorrectly. But, as Onion’s owner talked, it became apparent he’d actually named his cuddly puppy after a smelly vegetable. Takes all kinds, I suppose.

Saturday, we visited the 50-75% off Hallmark outlet store where I bought my first Christmas gift (at 75% off) for Mom. I also bought four boxes of tea lights at 50% off. I find that if I let Brett help pick out the scents, he’s more likely NOT to complain about the money spent.
Together we picked out Ginger Cookie, Berry Crumble, Juicy Cherry, and Trick-or-Treat (which is actually Candy Corn scented).

Then, we drove down to East State where Brett perused Borders for the 2008 Gun Digest (seriously) and I window shopped at the (full price) Hallmark store and Bed, Bath and Beyond (honestly, I like Linens and Things, better).

Saturday night we went to Lake Summerset and enjoyed a bonfire near the lake at the Cooper’s house. We roasted hot dogs and then marshmallows for s’more desserts. It was a beautiful night, and the fall weather was perfect for fire watching. We also met several new people who are now attending our Game Night Group. The group keeps expanding, and Brett and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.

We experienced blessed refreshment on Sunday with a message on the Lord’s Table, the Lord’s Table, and a time of worship and encouragement with spiritual songs. I especially enjoyed It Is Well With My Soul.


There was also a crowd of well-wishers to let me know I’d been on their minds and in their prayers concerning the accident. Our church family is so kind!

Sunday afternoon, I was so tired I took a nap and didn’t wake up until 6:00 p.m.! I felt horrible about missing evening church, but the rest seemed to help me move into the beginning of this week.

I also want to give Mom a shout-out Thank You for being my morning chauffeur while we work out all the car issues from the accident. The poor woman retires and now she’s driving ME all the way to Rockford, just when she’d finally been able to stop driving herself all the way here. Thanks, Mom! You’re the BEST!!!

Please pray for me this week. I am tackling some big issues, and I’d appreciate your continued prayers.


Please pray for Brett and I as we deal with several finance issues, and also my personal walk with the Lord. I’ve been struggling with contentment and change lately, so I’ll covet your prayers. Also, we’ll be going on vacation this weekend (Thursday – Sunday) and hope to travel safely and have a fulfilling time.

Thanks so much!

Friday, October 12, 2007

The Ten Commandments w/o Heston!

My cousin Michelle - who is beautiful, amazing, and the first person I thought of as a big sister - is mom to three adorably witty children! She lives WAY out in the land of the sun - where movie stars gather and churches preview films.

Check out her positive review of an upcoming kids' movie!

Back in the Saddle

My first day back at work went fine, if you consider that my typing is taking waaaay longer than normal.

Still, I was at a point in my schedule where I wasn’t being crushed by deadlines, so I’ve been able to catch up. Thankfully, I only had to hand off one assignment, since it would have required me standing for three to four hours.

Of course, I keep hitting the CAPS LOCK button on accident and unintentionally YELLING at everyone in my e-mails. Hee.

My co-workers have been great! There was a beautiful fall bouquet in a vase along with a very sweet Get Well card on my desk when I got in on Thursday. Our Print Technician has also now taken to calling me “Crash.” My other co-workers have offered to help with everything from buying me lunch to filling up my water carafe.


My boss even offered to drive me home at noon on her lunch break if I was too tired to make it through the day. Of course, I waved her off with my thanks, since I was sure I could make it until 5:00 p.m.

Let me tell you, when 5:00 p.m. rolled around, I was so exhausted, Brett practically had to carry me out of the office! By then I was wishing I’d let me boss drive me home at noon.

On the plus side, I do get to wear tennis shoes in the office!

The doctor told me to take a muscle relaxer at night, since it’s supposed to make you sleepy. She told me not to combine it with my pain pill (which I knew for a fact made me sleepy) since she thought I might sleep for 12 hours!


However, I discovered – through one VERY AWAKE NIGHT – that the muscle relaxer acts as a stimulant for me, not a sleep-aid. So, last night, I took my muscle relaxer right when I got home from work then my pain pill right before bed. I slept like a baby and woke up right on time! YEA! To the healing powers of a pain pill sleep aid.

I’m able to put more weight on my foot, so now I hobble along quite nicely. Which is good, since Brett isn’t exactly Johnny-on-the-Spot when it comes to laundry, dishes, or general housekeeping. Things were getting…messy. I still have a lot of pain in my wrist, but it’s been much more bearable with the muscle relaxers/stimulants.

Another good result of the accident? I’ve gone FIVE days without ONE Diet Coke. Of course, with my muscle relaxers, who needs it?

Friday Fifteen!

Drat! I missed the Thursday Thirteen.

Oh well! Here’s my replacement - the Friday Fifteen. Please feel free to post/answer these questions on your blog in honor of the (newly appointed) Friday Fifteen. I look forward to learning more about my blogging friends!

The Friday Fifteen:

Endearment you call your husband most often

Sweetheart

Endearment your husband calls you most often

Babe

Endearment you call your husband when you want something

Pun’kin’

Endearment your husband calls you when he wants something

Precious

Endearment your husband doesn’t like

Mister

Endearment you don’t like

Peaches

If “the fall” had never happened, which wild animal would you most like to pet?

Tiger

If you could shop for free in one store for one day, what store would you choose?

Coldwater Creek

Which actress/famous person have people said you look like?

Ali Larter
(back in college when I was thinner, and Ali was in the movie Final Destination and had dark hair with long, straight bangs. Not now, when she’s all hot, blonde, and gorgeous on Heroes (of course).)

Which actress/famous person would you like to look like?

Anne Hathaway

If you won the lottery, what’s the first totally frivolous thing you would buy?

A Yankee jar candle in every scent

If you could change places with one person for one day, who would you choose?

Melinda Gates (oh, the money I would donate in that one day!)

If you could go back in time, which historical/famous person would you want to spend time with?

Marilyn Monroe (was she really assassinated by the Kennedy family?!)

If you could choose one day in history to be present – but not be seen, heard, or able to affect change - what day would that be?

The first day of creation (can you imagine how awesome that would be?!)

What is your most unrealistic fear?

Being eaten by a shark (seriously. And I live in the Midwest!)

Now it’s your turn!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Prayers Appreciated!

Well, I've gone for my follow-up appointment at the doctor's office! I'm cleared to go back to work tomorrow (Thursday), but my doctor has set specific orders that I'm to limit anything that affects my left hand (like typing) or my left ankle (like walking or standing for long periods of time).

Since my job is primarily spent in front of my PC, I'm not sure how all this is going to affect me. Mom's going to drop me off at work, and Brett will pick me up when he gets off work. We'll experiment to see how all this will go. It may be a while before I can drive anywhere by myself.

This lack of independence is driving me a little bonkers, as is Brett's new nickname for me - "Hop-a-long."

The doctor told me 6 weeks is normal for motor vehicle-related injuries. SIX WEEKS!!! She also prescribed MORE drugs - muscle relaxers this time - and more ice. Also, I learned my left handed ring finger is fractured and now has to be taped! Sheesh!

Your continued prayers are MOST appreciated!

Monday, October 08, 2007

Car Accident!

You may have heard - I was in a very serious car accident over the weekend.

Praise the Lord - and I sincerely mean that - I walked away with only a severe sprain to my left ankle and left wrist, along with injuries from the seat belt - bumps and bruises - aches and pains now mostly. No broken bones, no blood, and only minor scrapes. God is so good!

I'm typing with one hand now - my right hand is my "good" hand for now, so please excuse any mistakes. I don't know how you right-handers do it! For now, I guess I'm the right-handed rabbit.

I'm in air casts on my ankle and wrist, and I'm extremely sore all over from being rolled around in the car. I can't walk without help, and I sure don't enjoy being one-handed! Thankfully, no one else was injured.

Here's the limited scoop. I was on my way to a work event on Saturday. A white van was bearing down on me with great speed, and I feared the van was going to hit me. So, I switched to the other lane and must have overcompensated my steering (since I was really frightened this guy was going to hit me). Then my car veered wildly to the right. The car went off the embankment, spun around in a field and then rolled violently on the side and teetered there while I prayed that the Lord would stop it, so I would not be suspended upside down, pinned by my seat belt.

God was gracious and the car stopped (after skidding for a bit) on its side. I was still pinned by the steering wheel, but I was able to unfasten my seat belt and breathe normally.

The police came quickly, and then the firefighters came and said they couldn't roll the car over since they didn't know the extent of my injuries. So - this is the painful part - they had to break all the windows in my car and SAW OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR to get me out safely.

My car is (obviously) totaled.

They actually used the Jaws of Life. Can you believe it? I couldn't. That whole day is a surreal dream to me right now.

After that, I was transferred to the ambulance and taken to SwedishAmerican where they did a full work up to determine I didn't have a broken neck or other bones. They fitted me for my casts and gave me drugs (yea!) for the pain.

That's all I can type for now. My "good" hand is killing me! I appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery. I have talked to my boss, and she is being very understanding and giving me the time off I need.

Please also pray for Brett to have strength as he deals with the insurance (health and car), car issues, and having his very independent wife dependent on him (and not liking it).

I'll go over the whole experience - it's kind of life-altering - later, but I wanted you all to have an update ASAP.

I love my blogging friends! You guys are the best!

Friday, October 05, 2007

One Foot in the Grave

After work yesterday, I went to the salon to get my shaggy mane de-shaggified.

Okay, “the salon” is really Cost Cutters, but we poor non-profit people have precious little money to spare on upscale hair care boutiques. Besides, both Brett and I have been happy with our discount hair cuts, and no one has mistaken us for homeless people yet – which is a plus.

My normal stylist was off work yesterday, so I had a new girl. And when I say “girl” I mean it. She was this itty bitty thing, probably no older than Hannah Montana. She was very sweet and promised to give my hair a nice layered look. As she was happily cutting, we started having a conversation.

Her: Wow, you have a lot of hair.
Me: Thanks.

Her: It’s a good thing you came it to have it thinned out.
Me: Yes, it was getting really heavy. My style was going flat by 2 p.m. most days.

Her: Oh, look. I found a gray hair.
Me: Are you serious?

Her: Oh, here’s another one.
Me: Are you serious? I’m only 29.

Her: Do you want me to pull them out and show you?
Me: Are you serious? I mean, seriously?

Her: Oh yeah. Have you ever thought of coloring your hair?
Me: No. I like my hair color.

Her: Hmm… here’s another one.
Me: AAAUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!

Her: Well, if you color your hair, you won’t have a problem with volume anymore.
Me: Oh, would coloring my hair be good for it?

Her: No. I just meant it’ll dry out your hair. You know, so it’ll be lighter. More brittle.
Me: Oh.

Her: Well, we’re just about done here, ma’am.
Me: You don’t have to call me ma’am. I’m only 29.

Her: Right. Ma’am. So, that’ll be $22.

I have gray hair? I HAVE GRAY HAIR??? NOW!? I’m still in shock. I never dreamed I would have to deal with gray hair until I was, say… 50. Okay, okay, a little unrealistic. But at 29?! In my 20’s still? It couldn’t have waited one more year?!

I’ve never wanted to color my hair. I LIKE the color of my hair. But if the “color of my hair” is going to be gray. That means I’ll HAVE to color it. I don’t want to be a gray-headed lady at 29 or 30!

So, I’m already thinking how much money it will be to keep it up every month so I don’t have roots showing. I never had to worry about “roots” when I was young, say in my teens, and still a brunette. I’d like to repeat: AAAUUGGHH!!!

You know, the only thing worse than being told I have one foot in the grave, is being told by a little Hannah Montana look-a-like!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Miss Me?

So there I was. All set to go to Wednesday night church, our last night of Missions’ Conference. I even packed a bag and brought it with me to work, so I could go directly from work.

Then, as I’m heading to my car, I realize I am on “E” in my gas tank, and our gas card is ALL the way at home with Brett! Can you believe it? All that, and I still only had enough gas to drive home (barely).

I was so sad to miss church – and that last message on Jonah. I’m just so grateful our church is technologically savvy so I’ll be able to purchase the CD’s from the series.

Normally, I take Route 2 home on nice days. As I turned onto Roscoe Road, there were about ten deer that passed in from of me. They crossed the road quickly from one wooded side to the other.


I was glad:
(a) I had seen them before I even got close
(b) it was still light out so I COULD still see them
(c) I was going at a normal rate of speed and could slow down
(d) there was no one behind me OR coming the other way.

I was especially happy to see they made it safely.

Some people talk about how this land was taken from the Native Americans, but it was REALLY taken from the animals.

I won’t get into all that, or you’ll be hearing my “I’d rather be a vegetarian” speech from the tiny little tree-hugging PETA supporter that indwells me from time to time. I’m not a fanatic. But being an animal lover and compassionate person can send my stomach into knots any time I see animals in peril – in any way – so that would include, yes, dead, and oops, there she goes. I’ll stop now.

And no cracks about being married to hunter. I get the irony. Believe me. I get it.

Anyway, we spent the rest of the night together watching TV (me and Brett, not me and the ten deer).
Which was actually really nice since we haven’t spent a night at home together for like 10 days or something. Brett said he was so glad to “finally” have me home with him, so that gave me the warm fuzzies.

We watched the new Pushing Daisies (which was like a Disney series for grown-ups), Criminal Minds, and a new show we are starting to like. It’s called Life and stars Damian Lewis, the good guy from Band of Brothers. So far, it’s been good – although his character is not SO much a moral person in this series. We’ll see if it survives the fall cancellation rush.

It was a mixed-up Wednesday, but a nice day – and night - all the same!

Resolution #1

Explanation:
It’s only October. Hardly the time to be making New Year’s Resolutions. But I figure if I start focusing on what needs to be changed in my life NOW then maybe I’ll have made these resolutions into healthy habits by January – making those NYR easier to keep all year long.

This is the first in a series of resolutions I’m going to make to better my life.


That said, I know that all I do should glorify God, so when I say “I” then I mean “with the Lord’s help and according to His will” – “I” will try ______ or will try to stop _____ . Like, for instance, barring some flesh-eating disease, “I’ll” probably never be a size 6 – so that wouldn’t be an advisable resolution.

I will try to keep you up to date on how I am doing on each resolution. As always, your prayers and support – in the comments sections – are SO appreciated.


Here we go:

When I look at my life, in its whole humanly scope, I’m rather (clipped British accent) depressed.

Where have my dreams gone? Those lofty goals I’d hoped to accomplish have vanished into a hum-drum existence l feel I have no control over.

I used to spring out of bed at the first peal of the alarm. Now, I find myself rolling over and slapping the alarm like it said something dirty about my mother.

You might think it’s no big deal to become an early morning slacker. So what? More than half of the world probably likes to sleep in. But I used to embrace the morning. From childhood to college, I’d leap out of bed and face the day early with my spirits high. Now my first word rolling out of bed ranges from Ugh to Umfph.

I hate being late for work. I hate having to decide between working out, my devotions, eating breakfast, and writing a note to a friend – when I could have time to do them all if I just got up a little earlier.

No excuses.


Resolution #1 – I’m going to stop sleeping in. I'm going to become a morning person again!

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Little Miss Ethnocentricity

Missions, shmissions!

I never had a heart for missions. I never understood what it was that moved people to go all the way around the world to give the gospel to tribal masses when there were unsaved people RIGHT THERE in their very own neighborhoods, communities, and country.

Why give up your language, conveniences, electricity, appliances, and vinyl flooring? When you could keep it all and STILL minister to others?

I knew all about the “Great Commission” and by age 12 firmly believed it was THE most over preached passage in sermons. I met numerous missionaries through church and my Christian school and found them affected with a holier-than-thou attitude that ratcheted my suspicions up to red alert.

In college, I met the infamous “MK’s” or missionary kids. They had their very own on-campus club – MU KAPPA. It was hard to befriend the MK’s, as they mostly stuck together, strangers in a strange land. They couldn’t believe how we “Americans” consumed so much food, wore so many different clothes, and seemed to take everything for granted.

I was mildly incensed.

I shared classes with several of the MK’s where I learned a little of where they came from, what they faced, and what scared them.

More than one MK told me he was going “into” missions because it was what his parents did. Many MK’s planned to become missionaries to the very same country so they would be able to work alongside their parents doing the very same thing they had known all their lives.

Essentially, it was just as important to them to be close to home doing something familiar as it was to some of “us” Americans. Namely, me.

It was interesting to listen to the MK’s. One guy talked about how we (Americans) take meat for granted. In his adopted country, the people eat mostly rice with tiny silvers of savory meat mixed it. He couldn’t believe how much meat we consume in a double cheeseburger.


Another girl told me she used to spend days stretched out on a Moroccan beach watching the tide come in. She didn’t understand the constant craving for TV and movies that drove most of us off-campus on the weekends.

However, there was a pervasive attitude among the MK’s I found hard to swallow. They were often convinced they were following a higher calling, especially than the communications majors (of which I was one).

Come to think of it, we comm majors got stepped on a lot since we weren’t going into the pastorate or missions.

I always enjoyed (Moody’s Communications Chair) Dr. Fetzer’s response. “Just WHO exactly do they thing is going to pay them overseas? Those of us who have JOBS in stateside congregations!”

He was just kidding, but we used his rejoinder in the occasional our-major-is-better-than-yours scuffle that occurs between immature 18 year olds on Christian college campuses all around the world.

Compounding all this was the fact that my new roommate was weirdly cultural.

I loved my old roommate Kelly. Mainly because we shared an eerily similar sense of humor along with a raucous friendship I treasured. The trivial falling out we had after our first year of rooming together forced us to find new roommates.

Kelly found hers first and so there were only two of us left roommate-less on the floor. It was either room with each other or take in a (gasp!) freshman. We chose the known over the unknown.

I didn’t know much about October – Tob, as I came to call her. But it took less than an hour of rooming together for me to realize that we were not alike. Not even a little.

It took me the better part of a day to unpack my college luggage. Tob’s luggage consisted of one suitcase and a duffel bag.

I would soon learn Tob was not like other girls. Occasionally, she liked to sleep on the floor – “just to see how it feels.” Or to eat nothing but rice for a week – “like people in third world countries.”

Despite her eccentricities, or maybe because of them, I came to love Tob.

She was unique and unafraid in areas where I trembled and shook. She was kind to all people – the pizza delivery guy, the old missionary, the girl with poor hygiene none of us talked to. She made an effort to reach out to street people, often forging friendships with people I wouldn’t have even acknowledged.

But, perhaps what I liked best about Tob was that once we were friends, she wasn’t afraid to call me out on my shortcomings.

She didn’t nag or harangue me, but often remarked on what I could do to be a better witness to others.

Read about how Tob gave me the nickname Little Miss Ethnocentricity.

It finally dawned on me that it WASN’T all about me. Or what I wanted to have. Or what I could achieve. (which was all I thought about in college at that point in my life)

It was about serving God. It was about others.

Now, I’m not going to say I immediately warmed to missions or other people outside my frame of reference. But it was the starting point where I realized there was a point to missions – whether they be around the world or around the corner.

I credit Tob with teaching me to think biblically about others when I was fully consumed by the me, me, me of the moment.

I admit I still struggle with understanding missions. That’s why I’m grateful to our church for creating a missions conference that focuses on learning –


Why missions?
Why there?
Why this way to reach the world?

I’ve learned significant things this past week.

The lesson it seems I am constantly learning is that people are people are people the world over. That holier-than-thou attitude I felt from the missionaries of my childhood was the exact same attitude I was exhibiting (actually more of a better-than-you) when I was an immature 18 year old.

I can’t imagine missions is an easy field to enter. I could never understand why people signed up to go. It’s amazing to me, after all these years; I’m finally learning those very things through our church’s mission’s conference.

One thing is for sure though. Little Miss Ethnocentricity doesn’t live here anymore
.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Week & Weekend Wrap-Up

Our pop machine is broken.
Our pop machine is broken.
Our pop machine is broken.

Deep breath.

Deep breath.
Deep breath.

Now that I am facing an uncertain future of unfulfilled caffeine needs, I’m not exactly sure how coherent this post will be. I tend to turn into a pessimist without my legally-approved buzz.

Okay, okay, so I’m going to attempt this weekend wrap-up, um, sober. Well, sober equaling uncaffeinated for me.

Last week was SO busy!

Monday - Candice came over, and the three of us watched the premiere of Chuck and the season premiere of Heroes.

Tuesday – The premiere of the NEW Philippians-centered Morningstar Ladies Bible Study.

Wednesday – Kids 4 Truth, guaranteed pirate-free

Thursday - I worked the night away at a board meeting event which was (thankfully) catered by River District Catering.

Friday – Dinner at Quizno’s (try the Italian Caprese Sub – so good!) and a Home and Garden Party with Carleen.

Saturday - I joined Heidi for supper at Jimmy John’s after which we caught The Bourne Ultimatum on the big screen – totally EXCELLENT!

Sunday – Our church’s Mission Conference – Serving a Merciful Sovereign – started off with a great message on Jonah.

Monday (this week) Mom, Gary, and Candice joined Brett and I at our church’s Mission Conference Soup and Pie night

Whew! Did I miss anything?

I was off work this Monday for a photo shoot with Rockford Woman magazine. One of the editors is doing a feature on women and their pets.


Apparently, I’m on file as a rabbit-lover (and owner), and so I got tagged for the interview and a photo shoot with my furry friends. Of course, MFF did not cooperate when the photographer showed up. Hector made me chase him all over the place (he thought we were playing tag), so I was hot and sweaty. Payton ran into his big box and thumped his hind legs at me.

Only Hannah allowed herself to be picked up, so the photographer was able to capture my sweaty self with my beautiful gray girl. We posed in the laundry room, and by the bunny cross-stitch Mom did for me when I was a little girl.

The photographer had visions of all of us rolling around together on the couch (picture a newborn pack of puppies), so I felt bad breaking the news that bunnies are notoriously hard to photograph. They do not sit still and definitely don’t take direction well.

I am not looking forward to seeing that photo, as I am sure I look like a sweaty side of beef. But Hannah will probably look gorgeous, as always! Look for that issue of Rockford Woman magazine on newsstands in December 2007.

Speaking of magazines, the fall issue of Northwest Quarterly just came out. I’m quoted extensively in a well-written article on my company. However, the accompanying photo makes me look a great deal like a chipmunk. Or the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I’m going with chipmunk, as it sounds slightly more attractive.

Tonight is the third night of our church’s Mission Conference. I’m excited to hear the continuing message on Jonah.

Joy and I had the chance to converse on several merely anatomical and biological consequences of being in a whale’s stomach. It was highly enjoyable, as are all my conversations with Joy. She makes me laugh. I miss dry, subtle humor! Where are you, my Kelly?

Spiritually speaking, the sermon was convicting on several levels. The main point being that Jonah wanted the Ninevites (Ninevonians?) to receive judgment. He didn’t go to Nineveh, because he feared the Ninevites would repent, and he didn’t want that. How many times have I wanted someone to get “what they deserve?” When all we really deserve, any of us, is judgment?

For more information on this excellent sermon series, click here. For further (funnier) information on whale topics, see me or Joy.