Monday, March 31, 2008
Sigh...check it out
Update on Matt:
www.mattsmiracle.blogspot.com
(I need a vacuum...does anyone have a vacuum I can have? I haven't swept in 6 weeks because they don't make bags or belts for mine anymore. I have two cats...its nasty. Please help.)
www.mattsmiracle.blogspot.com
(I need a vacuum...does anyone have a vacuum I can have? I haven't swept in 6 weeks because they don't make bags or belts for mine anymore. I have two cats...its nasty. Please help.)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Please don't arrest him!
Wow, what a night. My FIRST experience with the cops coming to my house! (Okay, there was the time I lived in CL, pop. 1100, when I had just moved in and the cop stopped at the end of the driveway to see how I was doing, because in a small town like that the fuzz has nothing better to do than check in with new tenants. But I felt safe!!).
So, I've been at the computer a lot tonight (Knighthood...it's addictive). Matt's outside working, cleaning out the truck, moving things around in the yard. Sure it's after 9:00 pm, its dark and 30 degrees, but that's when he does his best work. He came in 10:15, maybe 10:30. At 10:45 I nearly dropped a load in my pants when someone knocked on our front door. I opened up to find...the Winchestertonfieldville Sheriff's Department (a guy and gal).
Apparently someone called in because they thought they heard two gun shots in the area (yikes!). Common for Vegas, where my sibs live, but not so much in Northern Michigan. So I invite them in and get Matt out of bed. The guy seemed okay with us. The gal, well, she was checkin' out my house. I'm pretty sure she thinks we're with the Michigan Militia (only about 6 people have ever been in our house...for a reason...we have no storage and lots of power tools...in my kitchen/foyer...please don't drop by unannounced). Anyway, Matt gets up and starts talking with the dude. If there HAD been gun shots, Matt would have been outside when it happened.
(not the actual conversation; it has been added for dramatic effect)
"Two shots?" we ask.
"Two," they confirm.
"Well, I was working in the dark," Matt explains. "I found a couple of old speakers that I don't need and threw them toward the back of the house, to get them out of the way."
"Two?" they ask.
"Two," Matt confirms. "And they hit my aluminum shed."
"That could be the sound they heard," says the dude.
"Why wouldn't you hear that noise?" the chick thinks suspiciously, sizing me up to figure out how a woman in a preppy teal sweater can live in such chaos.
"Because I'm married to him," I stare back. "It's not uncommon for him to make unusual noises in unusual places at unusual times of the day."
So Matt took the nice man and woman to the shed, where they found the speakers right where Matt said they would be.
And now we know the cops.
So, I've been at the computer a lot tonight (Knighthood...it's addictive). Matt's outside working, cleaning out the truck, moving things around in the yard. Sure it's after 9:00 pm, its dark and 30 degrees, but that's when he does his best work. He came in 10:15, maybe 10:30. At 10:45 I nearly dropped a load in my pants when someone knocked on our front door. I opened up to find...the Winchestertonfieldville Sheriff's Department (a guy and gal).
Apparently someone called in because they thought they heard two gun shots in the area (yikes!). Common for Vegas, where my sibs live, but not so much in Northern Michigan. So I invite them in and get Matt out of bed. The guy seemed okay with us. The gal, well, she was checkin' out my house. I'm pretty sure she thinks we're with the Michigan Militia (only about 6 people have ever been in our house...for a reason...we have no storage and lots of power tools...in my kitchen/foyer...please don't drop by unannounced). Anyway, Matt gets up and starts talking with the dude. If there HAD been gun shots, Matt would have been outside when it happened.
(not the actual conversation; it has been added for dramatic effect)
"Two shots?" we ask.
"Two," they confirm.
"Well, I was working in the dark," Matt explains. "I found a couple of old speakers that I don't need and threw them toward the back of the house, to get them out of the way."
"Two?" they ask.
"Two," Matt confirms. "And they hit my aluminum shed."
"That could be the sound they heard," says the dude.
"Why wouldn't you hear that noise?" the chick thinks suspiciously, sizing me up to figure out how a woman in a preppy teal sweater can live in such chaos.
"Because I'm married to him," I stare back. "It's not uncommon for him to make unusual noises in unusual places at unusual times of the day."
So Matt took the nice man and woman to the shed, where they found the speakers right where Matt said they would be.
And now we know the cops.
Subscribe now!
Hi folks...you'll notice a new option to subscribe to my blog, courtesy of FeedBurner. I don't know why I added it. I don't exactly know what it does. But I DO know that I want to have more subscribers than my sister, because you should always try to out-do your sister.
So please subscribe...I'll give you a cookie :)
So please subscribe...I'll give you a cookie :)
Friday, March 28, 2008
I'm still trying...
Well folks, I am still trying to be a writer, but I often find that the line between personal writing and publishable writing is blurry. I want to write a piece that someone will read and say, "That's funny. She's a freak. Let's publish that." But where do I post it?
The Ramblings? Just comments on my life. Nothing spectacular, just naked ladies in bathrooms, hockey replays and broken elevators. No big deal.
There Has To Be A Beginning? It's supposed to be my writing blog, but so far its just comments to let you know how my novel is coming along. That's not good. It should be my essays. But when I think about my essays I realize that they're nothing spectacular, just naked ladies in bathrooms, hockey replays and broken elevators. Wait a minute...
I have to draw a line in the proverbial sand. What do I post HERE? What do I post THERE? Got it!
Short essays (and family pictures): Here
Long essays (and writing updates and author reviews): There
Whew. Weight off of my shoulders!
Okey-dokey...I'm gonna go eat dinner. All of think must have burned two or three calories...maybe four!!
The Ramblings? Just comments on my life. Nothing spectacular, just naked ladies in bathrooms, hockey replays and broken elevators. No big deal.
There Has To Be A Beginning? It's supposed to be my writing blog, but so far its just comments to let you know how my novel is coming along. That's not good. It should be my essays. But when I think about my essays I realize that they're nothing spectacular, just naked ladies in bathrooms, hockey replays and broken elevators. Wait a minute...
I have to draw a line in the proverbial sand. What do I post HERE? What do I post THERE? Got it!
Short essays (and family pictures): Here
Long essays (and writing updates and author reviews): There
Whew. Weight off of my shoulders!
Okey-dokey...I'm gonna go eat dinner. All of think must have burned two or three calories...maybe four!!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Can't Wait 'til I'm Old
Then Matt and I can push shopping carts side-by-side down the aisle at Meijer and look at everything on sale...and no one is rude cuz we're old. We can stop and block traffic to look through our stack of 4,329 coupons to see if we have that Del Monte coupon...and people are patient cuz we're old. Then we can debate whether or not that forty-five cents is worth it, or maybe we should hold on to the coupon until the veggies are even MORE on sale...and people have pity on us cuz we're old. We can fart in public without, wait, Matt does that now. We can go through the express check-out 'do-it-yourself' line and hold up traffic for thirty minutes...and people will try to help us, cuz we're old.
But most importantly, we will RULE Winchestertonfieldville on Wednesdays because it's Senior Citizen discount day all over town. We can:
- Drive 46 mph in the left lane, next to the 45 mph driver in the right lane.
- Turn on our blinker and brake at every driveway until we find the right one.
- Walk through parking lots without ever looking for cars.
- Turn a 3-shopping bag trip to the store into an hour long demolition derby.
- Make the younger generation excited about growing older ... so they can exact their own revenge someday!! Ha, ha, ha!
But most importantly, we will RULE Winchestertonfieldville on Wednesdays because it's Senior Citizen discount day all over town. We can:
- Drive 46 mph in the left lane, next to the 45 mph driver in the right lane.
- Turn on our blinker and brake at every driveway until we find the right one.
- Walk through parking lots without ever looking for cars.
- Turn a 3-shopping bag trip to the store into an hour long demolition derby.
- Make the younger generation excited about growing older ... so they can exact their own revenge someday!! Ha, ha, ha!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Because We're VB's...a Shopping Excursion
What trip would be complete without a little shopping? As the same blood flows through the veins of Homeo, E-B and me, it was off to the outlet mall.
For those of you who know me well, you understand that I HATE to drive and, therefore, quite often chat while I move. Is E-B really my niece? I think this photo is proof enough.
So, we shopped a lot and got some GREAT deals on kidlet clothes and toys, but with so many fun rides throughout the outlet mall, it was inevitable that the E-B would need to test them out, for quality assurance purposes. The helicopter was fabulous...
...but a ride with Bert & Ernie?? Doesn't the excited expression say it all?? Yeah.
A little ways down the corridor and we stumbled across a fountain. We probably could have passed it, but back at the apartment complex Aunt Karin was showing the E-B how to dip her toes in the pool without jumping in. As soon as the E-B saw the fountain, she just HAD to test out her new skills!! I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it (more than her ride with the Muppets).
After all of that excitement, however, little legs need a break. With no help needed, the E-B pulled herself up and took a load off.
Finally it was time to head out. Anxious to go as far and as fast as possible, the E-B took off ahead of Aunt Karin and Daddy-O...the ones carrying the bags. Of course Mama had to make sure the E-B didn't attack that kiosk up ahead. What kiosk you ask?
Why, the one selling sunglasses, of course. But, if you're the E-B then sunglasses are just called "Mamas". Anything that Mama wears is called a Mama...sweatshirts, coats, etc. Oh, I take that back...she knows "choose" and "docks" (yes, that's shoes and socks).
And that's my trip! Okay, there are more photos to come...
For those of you who know me well, you understand that I HATE to drive and, therefore, quite often chat while I move. Is E-B really my niece? I think this photo is proof enough.
So, we shopped a lot and got some GREAT deals on kidlet clothes and toys, but with so many fun rides throughout the outlet mall, it was inevitable that the E-B would need to test them out, for quality assurance purposes. The helicopter was fabulous...
...but a ride with Bert & Ernie?? Doesn't the excited expression say it all?? Yeah.
A little ways down the corridor and we stumbled across a fountain. We probably could have passed it, but back at the apartment complex Aunt Karin was showing the E-B how to dip her toes in the pool without jumping in. As soon as the E-B saw the fountain, she just HAD to test out her new skills!! I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it (more than her ride with the Muppets).
After all of that excitement, however, little legs need a break. With no help needed, the E-B pulled herself up and took a load off.
Finally it was time to head out. Anxious to go as far and as fast as possible, the E-B took off ahead of Aunt Karin and Daddy-O...the ones carrying the bags. Of course Mama had to make sure the E-B didn't attack that kiosk up ahead. What kiosk you ask?
Why, the one selling sunglasses, of course. But, if you're the E-B then sunglasses are just called "Mamas". Anything that Mama wears is called a Mama...sweatshirts, coats, etc. Oh, I take that back...she knows "choose" and "docks" (yes, that's shoes and socks).
And that's my trip! Okay, there are more photos to come...
Sunday, March 09, 2008
The Shrek Hat
Okay, so this isn't exactly the picture of Ella I wanted to post, but it was the last one I uploaded and it won't let me just delete this one picture. It took SOOOO long to upload all of the photos that you'll just have to look at the one that looks like Ella picking her nose.
The first three shots are a family in Shrek. It's really just the same two hats. They were a present from Uncle Matt who believes EVERYONE should have a Shrek hat (it you get one in the mail unexpectedly...thank Matt).
Ahh...Ella in timeout. Isn't it cute??
And Ella with her "mow" (ma-oo) [that's what a cat says...just ask her]. This is Violet. They love each other.
The first three shots are a family in Shrek. It's really just the same two hats. They were a present from Uncle Matt who believes EVERYONE should have a Shrek hat (it you get one in the mail unexpectedly...thank Matt).
Ahh...Ella in timeout. Isn't it cute??
And Ella with her "mow" (ma-oo) [that's what a cat says...just ask her]. This is Violet. They love each other.
Hot Tubbin'
I could just tell you that my sisters and I tried to use the apartment complex hot tub, only to find out when we got there and tried to open the gate that it was closed (we had to hunt someone down to tell us why). But that's boring. Instead, I will act out the incident as Ella's inner monologue:
"Are you sure I can wear this in public?"
"How am I supposed to know where to go? You're the adults!"
"Uh-oh...looks like we're locked out? Hey, if I pull on this will my robe open?"
"Just pretend like you're tired and Momma will carry you home! Hee, hee!"
"Are you sure I can wear this in public?"
"How am I supposed to know where to go? You're the adults!"
"Uh-oh...looks like we're locked out? Hey, if I pull on this will my robe open?"
"Just pretend like you're tired and Momma will carry you home! Hee, hee!"
Saturday, March 08, 2008
To whet your appetite...
And these aren't even the CUTE pictures!! Wait until I get those up...but right now I'm fearing "Springing Forward!", so I'm going to bed.
Inside, outside, upside down!
Actually, my kitties prefer to be inside just about anything. Here you see Bucket (black) in a box, and our dear lil' Midgie in a bag. It's impossible to keep any empty box or back out for any period of time longer then ten minutes; if its out that long, the cats have found it and are playing in it. And they usually destroy it, as they fight over who gets to be inside!!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Stuck in an Elevator
So here I am, enjoying visiting Vegas. I'm helping Shell get moved, so we rented a storage unit for some of her items. There's a U-Haul storage nearby, so it seemed fitting. We rented a unit Saturday, moved a few items in and decided to do some more on Sunday. That's when it got interesting.
Shell has a 5x10 unit on the 2nd level, interior of the facility. They provide carts for your use at no charge. Excellent! We can wheel her stuff to the elevator and up the stairs...two doors down to her conveniently located unit.
We made or first trip. The carts are Austin-Powers-inspired and require precision and accuracy when making a 27-point turn. Once we finally figured those out, life was easier. Until we returned with her dressers.
It got pretty chilly in Sin City, so we wanted to unload as quickly as possible. I loaded the first cart and headed off to the unit. I got into the elevator, pushed "2" and waited. And waited. And waited. I pushed "1". Nothing. I pushed the Door Open button. Nothing. I started to sing my own version of "Stuck in an Elevator". I pushed some more buttons. For fun, I knocked on the door. It knocked back.
"Shell??"
(Muffled) "Karin? Did you already go upstairs?"
"No. I'm stuck."
(Insert crazy laughter)
Shell went off to get some help. At some point the elevator doors randomly opened, so I made sure to push her cart of belongings out. I waved at Shell and the U-Haul man as they walked toward me. I told him I was fine, but the elevator wasn't working. He decided to see if he could fix it.
Mr. U-Haul man went into the mechanical room as Shell and I laughed and laughed about my ordeal. We chatted and laughed as Mr. U-Haul tried to fix things. He got into the elevator to see if he had been successful. Shell and I started crying because we were laughing so hard at the silliness of the situation. We laughed some more. Then some more. Finally, Shell looked at the elevator.
"I don't think it went up," she said. "Hey! Are you stuck??"
(muffled) "Um, yep."
(A chorus of hilarious laughter)
Then I got to go to the office and tell the other U-Haul guys that I had safely emerged from the stuck elevator...but now Mr. U-Haul was stuck. LOTS of laughter and joking from the staff!
Well, I'm proud to report that Mr. U-Haul exited safely, much as I had, when the doors randomly and unexpectedly opened. With little fanfare, he suggested we use a different elevator. We did.
That's all.
Shell has a 5x10 unit on the 2nd level, interior of the facility. They provide carts for your use at no charge. Excellent! We can wheel her stuff to the elevator and up the stairs...two doors down to her conveniently located unit.
We made or first trip. The carts are Austin-Powers-inspired and require precision and accuracy when making a 27-point turn. Once we finally figured those out, life was easier. Until we returned with her dressers.
It got pretty chilly in Sin City, so we wanted to unload as quickly as possible. I loaded the first cart and headed off to the unit. I got into the elevator, pushed "2" and waited. And waited. And waited. I pushed "1". Nothing. I pushed the Door Open button. Nothing. I started to sing my own version of "Stuck in an Elevator". I pushed some more buttons. For fun, I knocked on the door. It knocked back.
"Shell??"
(Muffled) "Karin? Did you already go upstairs?"
"No. I'm stuck."
(Insert crazy laughter)
Shell went off to get some help. At some point the elevator doors randomly opened, so I made sure to push her cart of belongings out. I waved at Shell and the U-Haul man as they walked toward me. I told him I was fine, but the elevator wasn't working. He decided to see if he could fix it.
Mr. U-Haul man went into the mechanical room as Shell and I laughed and laughed about my ordeal. We chatted and laughed as Mr. U-Haul tried to fix things. He got into the elevator to see if he had been successful. Shell and I started crying because we were laughing so hard at the silliness of the situation. We laughed some more. Then some more. Finally, Shell looked at the elevator.
"I don't think it went up," she said. "Hey! Are you stuck??"
(muffled) "Um, yep."
(A chorus of hilarious laughter)
Then I got to go to the office and tell the other U-Haul guys that I had safely emerged from the stuck elevator...but now Mr. U-Haul was stuck. LOTS of laughter and joking from the staff!
Well, I'm proud to report that Mr. U-Haul exited safely, much as I had, when the doors randomly and unexpectedly opened. With little fanfare, he suggested we use a different elevator. We did.
That's all.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Still in Vegas...
It's been rough. Getting a solid eight hours each night, playing with my niece, going to the gym with my sister, letting people cook for me. Whew. I'm beat.
Here's today's run down (this is for Jessica: Run Down...thunder and lightning! If you aren't 6'2" and blonde, you won't get it).
Woke up to one crabby baby. She pointed to her ears and said, "Ouch". Yep...looks like another ear infection. Apparently this is #3 in about 3-4 months, so my older sib wasn't too keen on getting more drugs. Soooo...I called my good friend JJ back in Winchestertonfieldville and got his all-natural, homeopathic advice. One bottle each of collodial silver, echinacea and Wally's Ear Oil, plus about $40, and the E-B is back to her chipper self! Of course, the ear oil only stays in a 19 mos. old ears for so long...the rest of it makes her look like a greaser from the 50's, but boy is she cute!
I went to the gym with the younger sib. Okay, so really...you could pretty much fit ALL of the gyms from TC, MI into this one gym. It was crazy. But they have a hot tub. And it works. Nuff said! I'm takin' my swimsuit tomorrow!
And I will be going tomorrow. Oh yes. Let me preface this next section by saying this: I didn't realize how much Matt's cancer affected me until it was over. I now realize that I'm ready to get back to work full-time and I'm ready to get off my butt and away from the chocolate. A year of comfort food has not been good for the body. And now tonight's escapade: cupcakes. So I'm over the comfort food phase, by Shell is just getting into it. So, we took our BOGO card to the Cup Cakery and bought 6 cupcakes...and got 6 free. Cam, her hubby, Shell and I managed to eat 10 of them...2.5 cakes each. Our recommendations: Red Velvet Cake...Coconut Kiss...Chocolate Peanut Butter (the frosting is RICH...eat carefully). I liked the crazy raspberry one with the champagne frosting with glitter on top, but it wasn't a crowd favorite. Anyway, we're saving the Mocha Mocha and Carrot Cake for tomorrow...after four hours in the gym (only one of those hours will be spent in the hot tub, don't worry).
If you hadn't noticed, I'm tired. See me rambling? That means tired. If I start crying that's another good indication, but if that happens I'll probably short out the computer and you won't know anyway. Whatever. I gotta go to bed.
Here's today's run down (this is for Jessica: Run Down...thunder and lightning! If you aren't 6'2" and blonde, you won't get it).
Woke up to one crabby baby. She pointed to her ears and said, "Ouch". Yep...looks like another ear infection. Apparently this is #3 in about 3-4 months, so my older sib wasn't too keen on getting more drugs. Soooo...I called my good friend JJ back in Winchestertonfieldville and got his all-natural, homeopathic advice. One bottle each of collodial silver, echinacea and Wally's Ear Oil, plus about $40, and the E-B is back to her chipper self! Of course, the ear oil only stays in a 19 mos. old ears for so long...the rest of it makes her look like a greaser from the 50's, but boy is she cute!
I went to the gym with the younger sib. Okay, so really...you could pretty much fit ALL of the gyms from TC, MI into this one gym. It was crazy. But they have a hot tub. And it works. Nuff said! I'm takin' my swimsuit tomorrow!
And I will be going tomorrow. Oh yes. Let me preface this next section by saying this: I didn't realize how much Matt's cancer affected me until it was over. I now realize that I'm ready to get back to work full-time and I'm ready to get off my butt and away from the chocolate. A year of comfort food has not been good for the body. And now tonight's escapade: cupcakes. So I'm over the comfort food phase, by Shell is just getting into it. So, we took our BOGO card to the Cup Cakery and bought 6 cupcakes...and got 6 free. Cam, her hubby, Shell and I managed to eat 10 of them...2.5 cakes each. Our recommendations: Red Velvet Cake...Coconut Kiss...Chocolate Peanut Butter (the frosting is RICH...eat carefully). I liked the crazy raspberry one with the champagne frosting with glitter on top, but it wasn't a crowd favorite. Anyway, we're saving the Mocha Mocha and Carrot Cake for tomorrow...after four hours in the gym (only one of those hours will be spent in the hot tub, don't worry).
If you hadn't noticed, I'm tired. See me rambling? That means tired. If I start crying that's another good indication, but if that happens I'll probably short out the computer and you won't know anyway. Whatever. I gotta go to bed.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
It's me!!! I'm here!!!
Well folks, I'm here in Vegas! Woo hoo!
The flights went well...I slept from GR to MSP...and again from MSP to Vegas. I was REALLY wired when I got here. I shared a room with my 19 month old niece, the ever lovely Ella-Bella. Bright and early at 7am on Wednesday morning we were all up...and boy is she a cutie pie!
Wednesday Shell took the day off work so we chilled with Homeo and the E-B. We had a fan-TAB-ulous dinner at Rosemary's Restaurant: Wednesday night = Ladies Night. Everything a lady orders is 50% off. Big Guy bought the meal. The Birthday Girl (Shell's ex-roomie) joined us. We ate all we could handle and brought leftovers home to the babysitter. It was fab.
Today was a bit crazier. Shampooing carpets...Bible studies...toddlers fighting over toys. And then, to make matters worse, we prepped ourselves all day for a night in the jacuzzi only to find out it has bad oxygen levels (or something). We couldn't get in :( Booger.
And so here I am, sitting in Homeo's living room, typing on Shell's computer, missing my honey in TC and wanting to shoot myself for getting so involved in Facebook (but LOVING the connections I'm making!!).
Okay, so I want to let you know that I can't tell you everything that's going on because it involves my family, my friends and two crazy kitties, but let me tell you this: I cannot thank God enough for the wonderful husband I have (yes, I know...that sentence is grammatically incorrect). Even when he brings me five dirty dishes after I've already drained the dishwater...or when I'm sick in bed with bronchitis and he asks if I want to go to the movies...he's awesome, and I love 'im.
I'm headin' out now...I don't promise pictures right now, but I will at least post some when I get home. Later!
The flights went well...I slept from GR to MSP...and again from MSP to Vegas. I was REALLY wired when I got here. I shared a room with my 19 month old niece, the ever lovely Ella-Bella. Bright and early at 7am on Wednesday morning we were all up...and boy is she a cutie pie!
Wednesday Shell took the day off work so we chilled with Homeo and the E-B. We had a fan-TAB-ulous dinner at Rosemary's Restaurant: Wednesday night = Ladies Night. Everything a lady orders is 50% off. Big Guy bought the meal. The Birthday Girl (Shell's ex-roomie) joined us. We ate all we could handle and brought leftovers home to the babysitter. It was fab.
Today was a bit crazier. Shampooing carpets...Bible studies...toddlers fighting over toys. And then, to make matters worse, we prepped ourselves all day for a night in the jacuzzi only to find out it has bad oxygen levels (or something). We couldn't get in :( Booger.
And so here I am, sitting in Homeo's living room, typing on Shell's computer, missing my honey in TC and wanting to shoot myself for getting so involved in Facebook (but LOVING the connections I'm making!!).
Okay, so I want to let you know that I can't tell you everything that's going on because it involves my family, my friends and two crazy kitties, but let me tell you this: I cannot thank God enough for the wonderful husband I have (yes, I know...that sentence is grammatically incorrect). Even when he brings me five dirty dishes after I've already drained the dishwater...or when I'm sick in bed with bronchitis and he asks if I want to go to the movies...he's awesome, and I love 'im.
I'm headin' out now...I don't promise pictures right now, but I will at least post some when I get home. Later!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sowing & Reaping
[DISCLAIMER: This blog in no way 'guarantees' reaping, nor will I address the issue of the attitude behind giving. However, if you have been giving to the church in order to receive and NOT because you want to help further God's kingdom, I suggest reading 2 Corinthians chapter 9]
Some of you out there have heard of sowing & reaping from a Biblical standpoint. Others of you may believe in karma (which is based on the Biblical teaching). For those of you who are clueless, let me fill you in:
You reap what you sow.
Are you angry and verbally abusive toward others? Be the bigger man - show patience and love. You'll see it come back to you. [Besides, have you ever noticed that the people you yell at tend to yell back at you? Reaping what you're sowing!]
Have you ever noticed those really, really nice people who can get anyone to do anything for them with a smile and a kind word? The smiles and kindness they sow into other people's live are being returned to them.
But here's the more challenging question, the sowing with which people struggle...the financial sowing. Is it possible to give away money and receive it back? Well, let me try to explain.
2 Corinthians 9:6 [New Living Translation]
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Now, this entire chapter is about giving, especially financially. I am not going to debate the amount if money people should give, but I will share my experiences with sowing and reaping.
First, my husband and I tithe everyweek (that is, we give a percentage of our income back to the God...I believe a tithe to begin at 10% of your income, though God may move you to give more). Now, bills pile up and things happen and it can become VERY easy to forget to write that check, so I made it easy: Our tithe check is the FIRST check we write as soon as we receive our paychecks. (It's also a Biblical principle to give God your 'first fruit' and not your leftovers, so we want to honor that). How does it work to pay our bills then? It truly is a miracle.
When Matt went through chemotherapy we received disability checks...for half the amount of what he normally made. Regardless, we wrote out our tithe check every two weeks, giving much needed money back to God. How did it work out? I ended up with a long-term subbing job, then all of my other days filled up, then a friend paid me to help him at work one weekend. I went from subbing 2-3 days a week for the 06-07 school year to subbing 4-5 days a week this year. My long-term job bumped me into a higher pay scale, so anytime I sub for that teacher I make $4 more an hour. Through the entire time Matt was off work we NEVER missed a payment, we never went without and we didn't go into debt.
Now, that's great, but I know some people wouldn't exactly consider more work an answer to prayer. Well, I'd like to give you another example:
Last month on top of our tithe Matt & I gave a substantial amount of money to our church to help build a church building in Equador for a pastor with whom we are partnering and supporting. This amount of money was not in our budget, nor was it readily available. However, we knew how much God wanted us to give, and we did. Here's what happened:
- We had "utility" problems at home. The service guy came. His time and help was costing $75 for the visit and $25/15 minutes. He left us with a bunch of advice on how to fix the problem, as it was quite simple, and noted on his form "husband fixed before I arrived". We were never charged.
- We've been selling things on eBay - the play to go buy things at auction for less than you would pay in the store. Yeah...we sold two nicely priced items for TWICE their face value!! I ask - why would anyone pay $60 for something the could buy for $30 someplace else??? I have no idea...except that we are reaping.
- Some of our electronics need to be replaced. Matt & I have been saving Coke points for months, but they haven't really had anything we need. Last week we picked up a new alarm clock for Matt (and he can dock his iPod...which he got for Christmas); we got a a new universal remote; we got a new CD player. All for free...all to replace things in our house which are breaking/need repair.
It may not seem like a lot to most people, but when Matt and I look at the money we saved/earned over the past 2-3 weeks...its double what we put into that offering plate. Wow.
So I encourage you - if you want to bless God with your money, if you want to bless His work and His kingdom, but you can't ever find the extra cash - GIVE FIRST! You can't really afford not to :)
Some of you out there have heard of sowing & reaping from a Biblical standpoint. Others of you may believe in karma (which is based on the Biblical teaching). For those of you who are clueless, let me fill you in:
You reap what you sow.
Are you angry and verbally abusive toward others? Be the bigger man - show patience and love. You'll see it come back to you. [Besides, have you ever noticed that the people you yell at tend to yell back at you? Reaping what you're sowing!]
Have you ever noticed those really, really nice people who can get anyone to do anything for them with a smile and a kind word? The smiles and kindness they sow into other people's live are being returned to them.
But here's the more challenging question, the sowing with which people struggle...the financial sowing. Is it possible to give away money and receive it back? Well, let me try to explain.
2 Corinthians 9:6 [New Living Translation]
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Now, this entire chapter is about giving, especially financially. I am not going to debate the amount if money people should give, but I will share my experiences with sowing and reaping.
First, my husband and I tithe everyweek (that is, we give a percentage of our income back to the God...I believe a tithe to begin at 10% of your income, though God may move you to give more). Now, bills pile up and things happen and it can become VERY easy to forget to write that check, so I made it easy: Our tithe check is the FIRST check we write as soon as we receive our paychecks. (It's also a Biblical principle to give God your 'first fruit' and not your leftovers, so we want to honor that). How does it work to pay our bills then? It truly is a miracle.
When Matt went through chemotherapy we received disability checks...for half the amount of what he normally made. Regardless, we wrote out our tithe check every two weeks, giving much needed money back to God. How did it work out? I ended up with a long-term subbing job, then all of my other days filled up, then a friend paid me to help him at work one weekend. I went from subbing 2-3 days a week for the 06-07 school year to subbing 4-5 days a week this year. My long-term job bumped me into a higher pay scale, so anytime I sub for that teacher I make $4 more an hour. Through the entire time Matt was off work we NEVER missed a payment, we never went without and we didn't go into debt.
Now, that's great, but I know some people wouldn't exactly consider more work an answer to prayer. Well, I'd like to give you another example:
Last month on top of our tithe Matt & I gave a substantial amount of money to our church to help build a church building in Equador for a pastor with whom we are partnering and supporting. This amount of money was not in our budget, nor was it readily available. However, we knew how much God wanted us to give, and we did. Here's what happened:
- We had "utility" problems at home. The service guy came. His time and help was costing $75 for the visit and $25/15 minutes. He left us with a bunch of advice on how to fix the problem, as it was quite simple, and noted on his form "husband fixed before I arrived". We were never charged.
- We've been selling things on eBay - the play to go buy things at auction for less than you would pay in the store. Yeah...we sold two nicely priced items for TWICE their face value!! I ask - why would anyone pay $60 for something the could buy for $30 someplace else??? I have no idea...except that we are reaping.
- Some of our electronics need to be replaced. Matt & I have been saving Coke points for months, but they haven't really had anything we need. Last week we picked up a new alarm clock for Matt (and he can dock his iPod...which he got for Christmas); we got a a new universal remote; we got a new CD player. All for free...all to replace things in our house which are breaking/need repair.
It may not seem like a lot to most people, but when Matt and I look at the money we saved/earned over the past 2-3 weeks...its double what we put into that offering plate. Wow.
So I encourage you - if you want to bless God with your money, if you want to bless His work and His kingdom, but you can't ever find the extra cash - GIVE FIRST! You can't really afford not to :)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Are you out there?
So in my last 492 posts I've only received 3 comments. Have I become so outdated? Am I no longer entertaining? Do I BORE you?? Are you looking for pictures (cuz really...I'm getting fat over the winter...nothing else is changing!)? WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY POSTS?!? I don't do sex and violence, so don't ask. Okay, so I pushed my sister down the stairs once, but that was a long time ago.
I'm going to eat pita chips and hummus...
I'm going to eat pita chips and hummus...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Okay, okay...I know I'm a day late, but when you hear what I have to say, you'll see the appropriateness of it.
I like the idea behind Valentine's Day - showing love - but I don't like the hype and importance of it. I mean, just because I don't get a candy rose from a kid in school doesn't mean no one loves me...its just means my friends are broke ;)
For a few years now my family has participated in a WONDERFUL, cost-saving expression of love: 50% off Valentine candy on Feb. 15th. That's right folks: tonight my honey and I are hittin' the supermarket ... I can show him TWICE the love for the same amount of money. Doesn't that make more sense?? Is it really love to squander your savings on a temporary chocolate induced coma that will haunt your waistband for days? Far better, I say, to get dinner AND candy on the day after (your waistband is never happy...why try to appease it now??).
So I'm letting you know that I love you...and if I lived closer I would spoil YOU with cheap candy too!! :)
I like the idea behind Valentine's Day - showing love - but I don't like the hype and importance of it. I mean, just because I don't get a candy rose from a kid in school doesn't mean no one loves me...its just means my friends are broke ;)
For a few years now my family has participated in a WONDERFUL, cost-saving expression of love: 50% off Valentine candy on Feb. 15th. That's right folks: tonight my honey and I are hittin' the supermarket ... I can show him TWICE the love for the same amount of money. Doesn't that make more sense?? Is it really love to squander your savings on a temporary chocolate induced coma that will haunt your waistband for days? Far better, I say, to get dinner AND candy on the day after (your waistband is never happy...why try to appease it now??).
So I'm letting you know that I love you...and if I lived closer I would spoil YOU with cheap candy too!! :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Captain Computer saves the day!
I'm taking a minute to give props to my man Captain Computer. I have been without my desktop 'puter for a while now...almost six weeks. I DO have my laptop, but it find it VERY difficult (and distracting) to write with it. I don't know why, but that's just the way it is. I like my computer at my desk with my ergonomic keyboard. The laptop just isn't cutting it.
Another mild inconvenience is timing. I usually feel the most motivated right around 6pm...when Matt is coming home and wants to cruise the internet for a while. Okay, perhaps I need to suck it up, but sometimes you really just do get the inspiration and ... your husband is looking up Mother Earth News on eBay.
Well, Captain Computer nad I have been trying to coordinate a meeting for 2-3 weeks now. I get up at 5:30 am and try to be in bed by 9pm. I hang around in my house all winter to avoid exposure. I like weekends at home, when I can clean, study, worship or work in my jammies. C.C. goes to bed around 2-4 am, and I have no idea how late he sleeps. He walks around in 15 degree weather in a t-shirt and vest...no coat. He spends his weekends driving around the frozen wasteland of Northern Michigan in search of snowmobile and ski adventures. As you might have noticed, our schedules do NOT match. But...
We did it! Yesterday we managed to find four hours of free time when he came over and I was here and now my computer works!!
Thank you Captain Computer! You're my hero!!!
Another mild inconvenience is timing. I usually feel the most motivated right around 6pm...when Matt is coming home and wants to cruise the internet for a while. Okay, perhaps I need to suck it up, but sometimes you really just do get the inspiration and ... your husband is looking up Mother Earth News on eBay.
Well, Captain Computer nad I have been trying to coordinate a meeting for 2-3 weeks now. I get up at 5:30 am and try to be in bed by 9pm. I hang around in my house all winter to avoid exposure. I like weekends at home, when I can clean, study, worship or work in my jammies. C.C. goes to bed around 2-4 am, and I have no idea how late he sleeps. He walks around in 15 degree weather in a t-shirt and vest...no coat. He spends his weekends driving around the frozen wasteland of Northern Michigan in search of snowmobile and ski adventures. As you might have noticed, our schedules do NOT match. But...
We did it! Yesterday we managed to find four hours of free time when he came over and I was here and now my computer works!!
Thank you Captain Computer! You're my hero!!!
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