I bought a shredder! I've talked about doing it for a couple of years now. I know. It's not a big purchase. Why did I wait so long? I have no idea. I didn't think about it while at the appropriate stores, I guess. But I have one now! It's great! I used to make stacks of shreddable papers to take to work to shred there. Or I would indulge my pyromaniac side and light a match, hold over the sink, and burn the account number or whatever else until water was required.
Not any more!
I own my own! It is sitting proudly plugged in, already about half-way filled with it's first load of little white strips.
I love life's simple pleasures.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Words of Praise
Why is it so hard to accept praise? I don't mean when we've worked hard for something and are given hard-earned accolades. Neither do I mean the condescending kind that comes with a "good work" pat on the back. (You know what I'm talking about!) I mean, the unexpected kind that you feel unworthy of.
I was given a compliment today. At first I was in shock. "He's kidding, right? or somehow mocking me." That was my first thought. But I know this guy a little bit, and he's not the mocking type. I deflect the compliment and move on. But no, he does not receive my deflection and brings the spotlight back to me. At this point, I'm uncomfortable. I feel there are at least two others there that are MUCH more deserving of his words than I am and yet he's ignoring them to shower me. I stumble through some sort of acknowledgement and the conversation takes a natural turn.
A little while later, it comes up again! I try to turn the compliment to those that are more worthy. He does not allow me to do so. Instead, he puts both of his hands on my shoulders and repeats his words. I know he was trying to get his point across, to impress me to receive what he was saying. It wasn't even that big of a deal. The topic I mean. So why couldn't I just say thank you?
This incident made me think of Christ. My complimentary friend is a Christian, so it is natural that he is shining for Christ. I'm not sure if he was being intentional in that regard or not, but my thoughts went towards Him nonetheless. I'm not worthy of Christ's love. I feel like dirty rags in his presence. I wonder why He is showering me with His love. There are times I try to deflect it. Other times I put it off on other people. Sometimes I even refuse to acknowledge it at all. I know this hurts Him, yet I cannot seem to help it! Eventually Christ puts His hands on my shoulders, looks me in the eye and impresses me to accept His love. It is not forced, but the knowledge of His love is made perfectly clear. His desire to love me is known. I then bask in it. Humbly crawl towards it and say "Thank you, Lord!" for that is all there is to say.
I was given a compliment today. At first I was in shock. "He's kidding, right? or somehow mocking me." That was my first thought. But I know this guy a little bit, and he's not the mocking type. I deflect the compliment and move on. But no, he does not receive my deflection and brings the spotlight back to me. At this point, I'm uncomfortable. I feel there are at least two others there that are MUCH more deserving of his words than I am and yet he's ignoring them to shower me. I stumble through some sort of acknowledgement and the conversation takes a natural turn.
A little while later, it comes up again! I try to turn the compliment to those that are more worthy. He does not allow me to do so. Instead, he puts both of his hands on my shoulders and repeats his words. I know he was trying to get his point across, to impress me to receive what he was saying. It wasn't even that big of a deal. The topic I mean. So why couldn't I just say thank you?
This incident made me think of Christ. My complimentary friend is a Christian, so it is natural that he is shining for Christ. I'm not sure if he was being intentional in that regard or not, but my thoughts went towards Him nonetheless. I'm not worthy of Christ's love. I feel like dirty rags in his presence. I wonder why He is showering me with His love. There are times I try to deflect it. Other times I put it off on other people. Sometimes I even refuse to acknowledge it at all. I know this hurts Him, yet I cannot seem to help it! Eventually Christ puts His hands on my shoulders, looks me in the eye and impresses me to accept His love. It is not forced, but the knowledge of His love is made perfectly clear. His desire to love me is known. I then bask in it. Humbly crawl towards it and say "Thank you, Lord!" for that is all there is to say.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The reason I'm not married...
I've been recently informed the reason I'm not married is because I do not make out enough. I was politely told if I would simply make out with random men, then I would be married by now.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Much better!
We've all been forced to scrunch ourselves into one of the miniscule airport chairs for a long period of time while we're absolutely exhausted. I was in this situation on Monday in the Chicago Midway airport. I had a 3 and a half hour layover. I'd been up since 3 that morning to catch my flight and, due to odd sleeping patterns, was working on about 2 hours of sleep. When wonder of wonders, my bleary-eyed gaze comes across one of these...
ah, bliss.
ah, bliss.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
What a mess!
My sister just jumped in the shower. We're running a little (2 hours) later than we intended and are trying to get out the door. As soon as I could tell she was in the shower, I went in to do some things in the bathroom (yes, girls do this all the time). I stepped in a quite large and quite cold puddle of water. What?! I quickly realized that the shower liner was not inside the tub (the person that last used it must have taken a bath instead of a shower) and the water was cascading all over the bathroom floor!
What a mess!
What a mess!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Scary!
I was sitting in my parents' living room, chatting with Mom. Angela listening to our plans for the holidays (as always, they revolve around my school schedule) and looking at the calendar with us. Dad comes from the kitchen and bangs on the open connecting door. We glance up startled and quickly realize he is trying to get our attention because he's choking! Talk about heart stopping!
Mom starts doing the Heimlich and I stick my fingers down his throat to dig out as much as possible. In a matter of nanoseconds we realize we need help. I call 911 and we send Angela next door for the neighbor. (Mom is smaller than Dad and having trouble giving the Heimlich. Our next door neighbor is a larger man.)
We've got Dad's arms up and I'm pounding on his back while giving our pertinent info to the nice (and calm!) lady that answered our emergency call. Meanwhile his lips are turning blue and he's bright red and pale white all over his face. Throughout all of this, he's coughing up pieces of chicken. Before Angela even gets across our front yard, it all comes out and he begins to breathe normally. Still on the phone, we cancelled the paramedics and began wiping tears.
Man, talk about scary!
This situation reminded me of God's love. I mean, the entire thing happened in about... five minutes maybe? But it is something I will remember forever. God's love is about second chances. It is about starting over having learned a new lesson. Sometimes a lesson I have to re-learn again and again, but learning it nonetheless. Sometimes the particular lesson is that I am loved. A simple one, but extremely emotional at the same time.
I am loved.
Mom starts doing the Heimlich and I stick my fingers down his throat to dig out as much as possible. In a matter of nanoseconds we realize we need help. I call 911 and we send Angela next door for the neighbor. (Mom is smaller than Dad and having trouble giving the Heimlich. Our next door neighbor is a larger man.)
We've got Dad's arms up and I'm pounding on his back while giving our pertinent info to the nice (and calm!) lady that answered our emergency call. Meanwhile his lips are turning blue and he's bright red and pale white all over his face. Throughout all of this, he's coughing up pieces of chicken. Before Angela even gets across our front yard, it all comes out and he begins to breathe normally. Still on the phone, we cancelled the paramedics and began wiping tears.
Man, talk about scary!
This situation reminded me of God's love. I mean, the entire thing happened in about... five minutes maybe? But it is something I will remember forever. God's love is about second chances. It is about starting over having learned a new lesson. Sometimes a lesson I have to re-learn again and again, but learning it nonetheless. Sometimes the particular lesson is that I am loved. A simple one, but extremely emotional at the same time.
I am loved.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
On the road...again?
I haven't even been home a week and already I'm leaving again! Don't get me wrong. I'm excited about visiting my parents in Dallas and Julie in DC, but this is a lot of traveling for a girl that likes home! As much as I love summer and the fact that I don't have to get up before the crack of dawn each day, I think I will be ready to go back to work. Just so I will have a routine again!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Randomosities
I had my toes done yesterday. Love it!
While I was there, another lady came in. She was older and you know how grandmas can be. They say what they think and don't care how it sounds on the way out of their mouths. This lady began demanding from the moment she walked in the door. But the part that caused me to bite my lip was when she tried to take the clippers from her nail lady. She wanted to clip her own toes! She gave instructions the entire time. Eventually she did get a tool away from the girl's hands and worked on her cuticles. I exchanged a look with the lady in the chair next to me, but we both quickly looked away to keep from laughing out loud.
In my post yesterday, I mentioned driving was one thing I missed while gone. Well, I've had a lot of fun maneuvering around our beloved Htown in the last few days. But, my driving reputation would have taken longer than three weeks to be forgotten. At Houston Project last night, I was getting teased for an alleged act of driving. I still say I didn't do it!
I wasn't all that excited about my Houston Project assignment and have been praying about my attitude. Last night went well. I worked with 3 adorable 2 1/2 year olds and was able to get to know my co-workers some too. I'm not sure if we'll have any more kiddoes tonight, and I'm okay with that. It was fun to work with such a different age!
While I was there, another lady came in. She was older and you know how grandmas can be. They say what they think and don't care how it sounds on the way out of their mouths. This lady began demanding from the moment she walked in the door. But the part that caused me to bite my lip was when she tried to take the clippers from her nail lady. She wanted to clip her own toes! She gave instructions the entire time. Eventually she did get a tool away from the girl's hands and worked on her cuticles. I exchanged a look with the lady in the chair next to me, but we both quickly looked away to keep from laughing out loud.
In my post yesterday, I mentioned driving was one thing I missed while gone. Well, I've had a lot of fun maneuvering around our beloved Htown in the last few days. But, my driving reputation would have taken longer than three weeks to be forgotten. At Houston Project last night, I was getting teased for an alleged act of driving. I still say I didn't do it!
I wasn't all that excited about my Houston Project assignment and have been praying about my attitude. Last night went well. I worked with 3 adorable 2 1/2 year olds and was able to get to know my co-workers some too. I'm not sure if we'll have any more kiddoes tonight, and I'm okay with that. It was fun to work with such a different age!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Good to be Home!
I enjoy traveling immensely and will definitely do it again. I love experiencing different cultures, tasting new food, walking through historic places and admiring the view. The inevitable stories that happen when travling with others. Things to tease each other about, laugh or groan about.
So yes, I enjoy travling.
But there is no way to describe the feeling of arriving back home. It is usually the same things each trip that I miss. By the time I arrive back home, I'm ready to head for a tex-mex place and as nice as a strawberry margarita sounds, all I want is diet coke...from a fountain...cold...and unlimited.
Other things I miss:
My own shower
Driving
Chick-fil-A
Listening to the radio
Chatting with friends
Worshipping with fellow believers
Hugs
Sleeping in my bed
A closet of options
doing laundry whenever I want
a menu
pedicures
So yes, I enjoy travling.
But there is no way to describe the feeling of arriving back home. It is usually the same things each trip that I miss. By the time I arrive back home, I'm ready to head for a tex-mex place and as nice as a strawberry margarita sounds, all I want is diet coke...from a fountain...cold...and unlimited.
Other things I miss:
My own shower
Driving
Chick-fil-A
Listening to the radio
Chatting with friends
Worshipping with fellow believers
Hugs
Sleeping in my bed
A closet of options
doing laundry whenever I want
a menu
pedicures
Friday, July 06, 2007
I'm Back from Europe!
Wow! Europe was an experience! I had a fantastic time, but it SO good to be home! London is still my favorite European city (out of the ones I've visited) but Normandy was my favorite experience this trip. The mayor of the town came and did a presentation. There was an American veteran of Omaha beach there as well. A very meaningful experience to listen to the national anthem of the Allied forces while watching their flags being raised!
The Colosseum in Rome...wow!
Here are a few pictures!
Alison and Alyssa inside the Colosseum
Normandy cemetary
Me tipping up the Leaning Tower of Piza
Me as Mrs. Smith at the Cannes Film Festival site
Alison and I at Versailles
Alison and I in the London Eye with Big Ben in the background
The Colosseum in Rome...wow!
Here are a few pictures!
Alison and Alyssa inside the Colosseum
Normandy cemetary
Me tipping up the Leaning Tower of Piza
Me as Mrs. Smith at the Cannes Film Festival site
Alison and I at Versailles
Alison and I in the London Eye with Big Ben in the background
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