We might not be as normal as we thought....

My daughter tries to encourage us to "Think Green". I will have to admit that it easier to think it than to actually do anything about it. But we try to do two things regularly, occasionally, okay, when we remember. We use our Big Blue tub that the city provides to recycle plastic, paper and aluminum, and we try to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic. That's it, that's about the amount of effort I ashamedly put forth.

The big trick to the reusable shopping bags is two fold (besides actually folding them)--remembering to put them into the car after the last use and remembering to get them out of the car and into the store.

Well...last night we went to do the grocery shopping for the big girls weekend. We picked a good time, it was about 8:30 pm and the store was relatively quiet and they hadn't started unpacking the stocking crates yet. I felt encouraged that we could accomplish our task in a timely fashion. That's what I get for having a positive attitude.

We finished gathering what seems like enough stuff for an army and head to the check out. We walked right up with one person finishing up ahead of us. Now... I try to be pleasant to the clerk I appreciate the job he/she does but I also try to respect the time of those behind me in line. But my respecting their time is irrelevant if the clerk seems oblivious. She was totally telling me her life story and at the same time was determined to stuff every reusable bag to a weight so heavy that I would need Hulk Hogan to get me out of the store. Really... I have plenty of bags, I remembered to put them in the car and I remembered to bring them in the store, I'm prepared.

We finally get everything bagged and paid for and the person behind me is totally taken back by our use of the reusable bags...really?...So now the clerk remarks how wonderful she thinks they are and how much stuff she can get into them...yea we noticed. And the shopper wants to know how we thought to do that...really? I mutter my standard line "The trick is remembering to bring them in the store"...laugh... polite dismissal. Moving on...

Believe it or not two more people, before we get out the door, mention what a great idea those bags are. Where did you get? How much do they cost?...really? Are these that much of a novelty? I guess since Jenna is so into the "Think Green" that we just think of these bags as normal ...but now that I think of it maybe we have a few more than normal...

Is it Wednesday already?

The preparation for the Mother/Daughter weekend is heating up. I might as well be moving into the office for all the stuff I keep bringing with me everyday. Because we are in the midst of this wonderful remodel I have extra pieces of furniture all around me. One of the carpenters just finished a storage cabinet that will eventually have a permanent place in our room. So for now....

I'm using the lovely cabinet as storage for all my goodies for the weekend. Luckily, the office also has two full size refrigerators that I plan to fill tomorrow.

Now I have to find time to read the book club book and prepare my Mother/Daughter activity session. I'm going to need to take Monday off work to recover from the weekend.

What was I thinking?

I really may have completely lost it this time. In the effort to provide my only child a perfect tolerable world in which grow up, I sometimes over think things. Months ago I had this brilliant
not really all that well thought out idea. I thought what if I host a mother/daughter weekend for us and some of Jenna's closest friends. I really thought that I might face some resistance from the mother's who thought that I was nuts, crazy, delusional....etc. But that didn't happen. I got lots of support, the girls were really excited, the plans all came together. Now the weekend is almost here and I am wondering....WHAT WAS I THINKING????

This a great group of people and I'm sure we will have a great weekend. But as the time approaches and the reality sets in of what I have really said I will do, I get a little freaked out. We have a great itinerary planned out, we have good space to host the event, everyone has been great about pitching in to provide activities, food, and support. I have no reason to believe that it will be anything but fantastic.... I have no reason to believe that it will be anything but fantastic.... I have no reason to believe that it will be anything but fantastic....

Another Musical Moment!

More musical news. We got to see Wicked yesterday. It was incredible! It was a great story and the score was amazing, I've been hearing in my head all day. Jenna has a great music/theatre teacher who loves this musical and really got her interested in it so when it came near we had to go see. It worked out that we got to ride, have lunch, and attend with friends. That made it even better.


This is the musical the really put Kristen Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native, on the map. We had been listening to the soundtrack, with her, all week and I will have to admit I thought her shoes might be impossible to fill. But I was wrong, the young woman who played the role of Glinda was fantastic, as was the role of Elphaba.


This a picture of mine and Jenna's fingernails, which had to be green in honor of the greeness of Elphaba. We also wore green, thanks to Savanna's great idea when they went to see it. All in all a great day and another great moment brought to us through the magic of musical theatre.

The facebook group strikes again!

I'm sure many of you have fallen into what I like to call The Facebook Group Syndrome. It's that brief moment when you want to believe that this time is going to be different. This time the group will build quickly and continue to grow momentum, that you will actually find the time and energy to check back often for posts and pictures that will surely be added. This time the Facebook Group will be successful.

Yesterday it happened to me again. I am getting my hopes up for this page though. The other groups that I have joined have had various reasons for gathering. Mostly the other groups that I am part of are groups where the people only have one thing in common...ie. A summer mission trip, a show choir, loving Walt Disney World, High school...you get the picture and I'm guessing you also are part of one or two of these type of groups. They get you all excited. They entice you with the promise of renewal, but let's be honest if you really had things in common with these people other than one moment time you would've already stayed in touch.

Anyway....... Today's invitation came for a family group. My Grandmother's (Dad's mom) side of the family decided to start a family group page. I have hope for this to actually be useful and full of promise. These people have blood in common something that should actually make us care about one another. Hopefully we have more common ground to build a facebook group. I am tucking my cynicism in a corner and going to give this group a chance. I can hope!

Here's a sampling of some of the people this group includes:

Okay, maybe my hope is misplaced!

Something old...Something new.

The blog content is the same, just making some cosmetic changes. Come to think of it maybe I should take some of those same liberties with my actual person. Please excuse the mess.

Joseph...What cha gonna do?

We went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last night. What fun!! We had never seen it but my friend Alisa loaned me the soundtrack so I would be familiar with the music...always a great idea in preparation to enjoy a new musical. It was fantastic, and so fun that it goes with the sermon series this month.

Oklahoma City has a great treasure in our Lyric Theatre at the Civic Center. They produce a whole summer season of great musicals every year and do a smaller fall season of plays and musicals in their own theatre. They bring in great talent and then use all the wonderful talent from the Oklahoma and the region. This particular production is very heavy on the vocal abilities of the leads. They brought in two American Idol finalist from years past to do the leads, I was a little sceptical about that myself but the did an outstanding job. (Anthony Fedorov and Diana DeGarmo). Then just to get the public out they combined their summer theatre camp kids into to production (80 kids on the stage, quite a few of Jenna's friends).

Another wonderful event that provided us the transportation from our hum-drum life to that of the magical musical theatre. Off the see Wicked on Sunday. Gotta go listen to the soundtrack. Kristen Chenoweth...enough said.

Out of the mouths of babes...

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.

His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.'

You want to teach me what????

I had a full weekend without having too full of a weekend. I am typically a social person, but everyone once in a while a have to fight the urge to just hibernate, and it's not even winter. This past weekend brought just the right amount of activity, you know, the amount that gives you time to do a load of white clothes so you have clean underwear, but enough to do that there is no time to clean the house.

Jenna came home from camp and just the three of us got to go to dinner and Jenna and I got to go visit one of our favorite new stores in town, Half-Price Books. Quite a nice mix of right priced new books and value price gently used books. Even my non-shopper daughter likes it there.

Saturday brought time for a friend to come over for swimming, sunning, a movie. Then dinner with the besties and cards. This was the challenge of the evening for me. I do not like new things. I like to know what's happening. I don't like to try new restaurants. I do not want to learn a new card game. I like the card game we always play, I have it down, it offers me comfort. But no....Jim thought we should learn to play Hearts. You would think after 20 years he would know not to spring a new thing on me without warning. Every passive aggressive tone in my voice and action in my body language came to the surface. But I played, and in time I could probably even learn to like it...but don't push it.

Sunday brought another great sermon on Joseph and a great lunch with the family at my mom's house. She made a delicious lunch and everyone's favorite dessert...you ready...Chocolate cake with homemade caramel icing...so far, so normal. But we all eat it in a bowl with milk on it. I know...blame my dad, it was his favorite. My nieces and nephews are growing up so fast but they are growing up well and are quite enjoyable to be around. But then my niece Katie (a senior this year and who I thought was so much like me when I was her age) suggests that we learn a new card game. Silently I am thinking... NOOOOOOOO!!! Two in one weekend. Thank you God, nice joke.

But I played and was not nearly as passive aggressive as the night before. Before the lesson was over there was a table full of us playing and we had a great time. I don't know if it even had a name but we played it with like three decks of Skip-Bo cards. Great for a large group or a party.

Arrived home in time for sun and run time and then we head to small group. I will have to admit that I am not always excited to go to small group but after arrive I am always glad I went. These are some great, down to earth people. They have great hearts and intelligent minds and I greatly enjoy their company. They shared some great examples of God's hand of Providence last night.

All in all this was a great weekend and I thank God for his blessings in my life and for the things that I might not know the reasons for quite yet, and I even thank Him for new card games.

No more empty nest!

Jenna (my darling pre-teen) comes home today!! She has been away a church camp all week. It has been strangely quite. Jim and I have had a taste of the empty nest syndrome. I don't how well we faired. The dog is completely confused because he usually eats his food when sit down for dinner but we haven't actually sat down for dinner this week. The laundry took less loads to complete. We went to a movie on a Monday night, which by the way, there is no line at the concessions on a Monday night. We were kinda back to that days "before child", and we were married 8 years "before child". We were such two single married people. We did what we pleased and occasionally ran into one another for some activities and mostly went about our business individually. This particular choice of lifestyle made it little difficult to adjust to a baby coming into out lives but...it may be as one goes out eventually that it won't be so hard to fall back into a routine with the empty nest. We do have a few years to figure it all out and in the meantime we will be glad to have our girl back home tonight.

Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson

These are some incredible lyrics--You never know who the messenger is going to be. I have appreciated Michael Jackson's musical ability for what seems like forever. This is one of my absolute favorites. If you read my blog or have a ever been around me for more than ten minutes you will have noticed that music and especially lyrics of music play a huge role in my life. These lyrics hit me right between the eyes--- No message could have been any clearer--If you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On
My Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Needs

A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other
On The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go
That's Why I Want You To Know

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of
A Selfish Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some
With No Home,
Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind,
Ya' See Cause They Got No Place To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With Me(Starting With Me!)

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
(Ooh!)I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
(Ooh!)And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change)


Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’


“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
—Matthew 25:34-46

We're thinking about two more weeks....oooh really?

If you have been following my blog attempts you might remember that my office is in the middle, well I hope further than the middle, of a remodel. I have made reference to a few of the interesting moments that have come about because of close quarters. Go here and here.

So today I thought I would get you up to speed. You would think we should be moved back in and I could show you lovely photos of all of us back in a our respective areas with the students comfort being our number one priority...yeah, you would think?????

No, we are still in our common space. We have seen progress...as turtle like slow as it may seem. We've had carpet in certain area for weeks, but no baseboards. We have painted walls but with really strange finishes. We have carpeted areas that just don't seem quite right. We have major spills, who needs a drop cloth anyway? We have opened ceilings just like your favorite sitcom. In fact we might become your favorite sitcom before this is over.

We do have more electrical outlets than before. We have a new storefront doorway. Dayna has a beautiful handcrafted reception desk.

So... maybe we are on the tail end of this project. I think if they had just let me and my co-worker Franicine have a couple hammers and some paint brushes evrything would have been done long ago. So here's to hoping we are in our new area before that rush of students that always comes with the beginning of August.

If Only..

...life could be wrapped up in a neat package of musical numbers, right decisions and a happy ending with a great deal or applause at the end!

Jenna and I went to see The Music Man last night. It was all you expect from an old-fashioned musical, and for some of you the thought of just that is nauseating beyond being tolerated, but for Jenna and I it is most enjoyable. The escape from reality into the magical world of musical theater is one of the things we enjoy most.

And really, wouldn't it be fantastic if the world worked that way? If you put your feet on the floor in the morning with the anticipation of musical numbers bursting out of nowhere with full orchestra accompaniment. Where people played a part that was scripted and always timed perfectly. Where the plot of the day is never too deep or intellectual but has enough moral conflict to make you feel good about the decisions made. A day where everyone is rooting for the couple to live happily ever after and make prefect harmonies as the last notes of the score are heard. And then... the whole cast of your day gets to return to the stage and receive applause for a job well done (that part should be a new federal mandate for the end of everyone's day--all days should end with each person receiving a warm round of applause!) I think life lived like in a musical really may not be such a bad idea.

So here's to all of you who trudge along today and do the work put before you with a song in your heart. I tip my hat and raise my hands in a warm round of applause to all of you.

Meanwhile....

Genesis 37:34-36

34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Our Senior pastor was back on Sunday after a four week break. I really didn't want to get up and go to church in fact we got in Jim's car and had to come back to the house because his tire was so low and we almost just gave it up and stayed home. But we switched cars and headed out a second time. I don't know why it surprised me, but it was worth it. God has blessed our pastor with the ability to present the stories we have heard for years in a way that becomes pertinent to our (or at least my) life today in 2009.

He started a series on Joseph, you know the guy with coat of many colors. I know this story inside and out, I've heard it a million times. I would say it is one of my favorite Bible stories. So how is it possible that Sunday morning it became a whole new story for me.

He started with examining the two hands of God...the hand of the miracles of God and the hand of God's providence. The providence of God -- His ability to work through any situation that we happen to get ourselves into. The providence of God provides a way... Joseph is arrogant and obviously his Father's favorite...jealous brothers take the future into their own hands... lies are presented to a heartbroken father...greed overwhelms... but meanwhile.... God's hand of Providence prepares the way.

These past few months I have been struggling. What am I doing with my life? Am I being a successful parent? How do I get my cheerleader back? In the words of Bob Hope to his wife of 69 years.. "What are you doing for the rest of your life?...the north and south and east and west of your life?" This is the question that is turning my comfortable life upside down.

I have been reading, searching, questioning, praying, crying, running, eating, hoping for an answer or some guidance...the came Sunday.

God's hand of Providence... God his working through all the situations in which I find myself. There is not a path I take where He cannot lead. That even when I don't quite know what I'm doing he is ahead of me preparing the way. Maybe I just have to push on through these crazy moments to find the light...so to speak.

So, I don't find the struggle completely over, I still seem to find myself in a new search for something, I still feel a little off balance and somewhat crazy, but I press on looking forward to the next part of God's providence in my life. I know that as I do my part to travel this road with as much eloquence as possible that there is a way through...God goes before me...Meanwhile...

A Welcomed Surprise!

When I arrived home from work today I had the sense, even as I walked in the door, that someone had baked something. I don't really bake--I cook dinner, and can usually follow a recipe to make casseroles and such, but baking, not so much. I knew Jim had been home at lunchtime so I thought maybe he had baked something in the oven and the smell was just lingering. But no... My wonderful daughter sheepishly says that I need to carefully open the freezer to see what she has created. This is what I discovered...


Yes... She made Cream Puffs!! My mom had given her a cookies press that she bought at a garage sale and there was a recipe for cream puffs so she just decided to make them. No hesitation, no thoughts of failure, no reason not to believe that she can cream puffs... who knew?

I give credit for this new "cooking enthusiasm" to my friend Alisa who has been patiently, lovingly, and selflessly teaching 6 almost 7th grade girls to cook this summer. Jenna did you proud today.