I love her...

McKenna had to write a paper for school of a place she would like to visit.  This summer she read to me what she wrote and it brought tears to my eyes :)

Have I ever said how much I love this girl? Anyone who doesn't
understand that, doesn't know me very well =)

Speaking of children.  Yesterday was another great day at work where I was able to spend the entire day at MDA (muscular dystrophy) camp.  Our station hosts and airs their Jerry Lewis telethon each year so we become pretty involved in their events, this being one of the biggest.  I was able to go to the camp last year for the first time and had an absolute blast.  There are anywhere from 15-20 kids that come for the week long camp, each of them have some sort of MD and all are in different stages with the disease.  It is generally about split down the middle as far as how many can walk and how many are confined to power chairs.  Any smile from a child is priceless, but when you see these kids who for whatever reason have been burdened with this disease, it just melts your heart.  You want to do anything for them, and constantly wishing you could do more.  They definitely live a life of struggle but I hope they will look back on the days of camp and smile at  the talent show, soaking me with the squirt gun, throwing my co-worker into the pool, and their dance.

One more semi-related story from the day.  Their camp is help at the 4-H camp grounds so every year there is another camp of 4-H kids going on at the same time.  As we were eating our lunch in the back corner of the cafetorium, the 4-H kids are just sitting down to their lunch.  Their camp counselor announces they are about to give grace for the food.  All of a sudden they all start chanting/singing... (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) "Thank you kitchen for our food... for it is so nice and good...."  I was shocked.  The MDA camp coordinator explained to our table how many 4-H parents had complained about them giving thanks to God so this is their 'let's be PC and make everybody happy' grace.  That really tore at my heart.

not always easy

I read this today and it's a reminder we could probably all use, pertaining to SO many different life circumstances:

"Even when God has clearly
shown His grace and answered our
prayers, He doesn’t add a sticky
note saying, 'This will be easy.'”

recent finds

I found this frame in an antique store and you know when you make
a purchase you don't think you'll ever regret?  I haven't decided what
I'll do with it yet, either keep it blank and hang it, make it into a chalkboard,
or put a mirror in it... any way, I love it!

so cool, right!?

shoot - i forgot to flex for the camera! Random photo I
found of myself working a CMN banquet.

budgeting

budgeting used to come fairly easy to me but now I just feel lost and i'm not sure why. i've been thinking about it a lot lately, i've even started to write up a budget but i get hung up on too many bumps.  'how can i make a budget when both of my paychecks each month are inconsistent from month to month?' 'what do i do about random expenses?' 'should i do cash only, is that kind of control worth missing out on airline miles/cash back rewards?' so on and so forth.  i got paid over the weekend and after my credit card expenses from last month were paid, i took out $100... a nice, even amount.  that should last me for... a week?  is that reasonable? i mean, i am just one person. i think i just want a rhyme and a reason to the money spending, a method to the madness... i want a little more control, and i think that's a good thing right now. i've always been fortunate enough to have a backup money supply (even though i try to pretend it isn't there so i won't touch it).  that means that sometimes i justify buying things because even though i probably shouldn't spend the money, i know in the back of my mind that i won't go broke.  i am old enough to realize that the 'back-up' won't always be there so i need to start learning to live without it.  i need to give myself a reasonable budget each week and think ahead...  what needs to be done this week?

thinking ahead is a lost art that is going to take more than just searching behind a few sofa cushions to find! i think back to how i envision life was for my grandmothers (the glorious, simple days in my opinion). they didn't have cell phones with the internet or easy access to vehicles, grocery stores, etc... they HAD to plan, they had to remember. let's say they were able to make one grocery store trip a week. that would mean that not only do they have to map out everything their family will need for 3 meals a day, it also might be their only trip into town that week, period. they would need to remember the birthday party 7 days later that they need to buy a gift for and a dessert!  they would need to stop by the bank and the drugstore and the fabric store. that life has always made an impression on me, it is so respectable and it completely embodies what i think a woman should be like, especially a godly woman. we were born to multi-task, we can be good at it but sometimes our multi-tasking gets steered in the wrong direction when consumed with worldly pursuits. this is the type of woman we read about in Proverbs 31, the type of woman that i dream of being one day should the Lord bless me with a family to care for. the point is... i dream of this, but it's not going to happen over night. i'm not going to get married and all of a sudden be able to perfectly plan and schedule a week. i'm not going to pop out a child and suddenly create perfectly organized meal plans and freezer meal ideas. i need to start practicing now because even though i like to tell myself that it will come more naturally with a family because that is what i am passionate about... i can't put the small things off and i can't waste this time.

Austrian Man Wins Right To Wear Pasta Strainer In License Photo

In Austria one of the strangest fights for religious freedom has come to an end: Niko Alm, a self-described "Pastafarian," fought for three years for the right to wear a pasta strainer on his head in his driver's license photo.

His argument? Alm claimed he belonged to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and wearing the strainer was part of his religion.

At any point in this flying spaghetti monster's trial was the question raised as to whether he should even be behind the wheel of a car?

hi tech

I needed to show my friend an example of a project I need help working on.  I took a picture with my phone and sent it to his phone. done. he has it and knows exactly what I am talking about.  Afterwards I thought, remember the days where we had to go home to get the camera, come back to wherever the item was, take a picture, go home, upload it to the computer, send an e-mail, wait for them to check their e-mail.  Technology makes our lives so much simpler (sometimes).

Pees are a spring Veggie. They die in the scorching heat of summer. That's what I learned yesterday from my new read, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle." Phew, at least this wasn't caused solely by my lack of a green thumb this time, more so a lack of research and preparation! There are so many great tid--bits of information in this book, I wish I could remember it all even a minute past reading it.
Can I add another new years resolution to my list? Please? I think I can because it's only July and I've already completed both of my other ones!! So here goes, I want to make my own mozzarella. The author said it was easy. Actually, 'Ridiculously easy' is how she put it. I should be able to handle ridiculously easy.

down south where strangers smile

sitting in my car on my way home from work, windows rolled down, waiting for my light to turn green. a mail truck pulls up beside me and the friendly, black, mail man, his window directly next to mine, shouts out "hello!" I turn my head to look at him and reply with the same greeting, then look back to the light. He bursts out, "how is your day going?" I look back with a smile, thinking how this is awkward but really funny, and after I answered I asked the same of him. he went on to say how he was boiling in this weather. the light turned green and I told him I hope he has the chance to get a cold soda and sped off with a big smile on my face. another reason I love the south.

Arms that Hold the Universe

crying in the rain is so... perfect. maybe because you feel less alone in your sorrow.

I know it seems
like this could be
the darkest day you've known
but believe you me
the God of strength
will never let you go
He will overcome, I know

And the arms that hold the universe
are holding you tonight
you can rest inside
it's gonna be alright
and the voice that calmed the raging sea
is calling you His child
so be still and know He's in control
He will never let you go

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
you have already come
His grace has brought you safe this far
His grace will lead you home

randomness

sometimes i'll skim through an old post of mine and wonder what happened to that person.  does anyone else do that?  it's as if i'm reading about a person's life that isn't my own.  sometimes that is a good thing (see... i can change my sinful ways!) but lately it's been more of a disheartening thing.  i want to change, but i want to loose all the bad stuff and keep the good things.  one thing i will say, life is never perfect but i'm pretty darn content right now.  i feel as though God is really blessing me with opportunities to use my time wisely and for His kingdom which i pray i will always continue to do, no matter what else is thrown in my path.

well i did it.  i signed up for another triathlon.  it was a very last minute, don't give yourself too much time to think about it decision. it's in less than two months which worries me a little bit, but it's all the more motivation to keep up my swimming and running (both of which i've let slide since may!).  i'm excited, it's out of town so i won't know the course as well as my last race, but i'm venturing out and i'm excited for it!

i was able to spend some time at home (michigan home) this past week with my family and friends.  it was such a great week!  we spent the majority of our time at the lake campground which was my favorite part.  we have such awesome friends who camp with us and there is absolutely never a dull moment.  the trip definitely could have lasted another couple of days but i'll take what i can get.