I Spy With My Little Eye.

Lately I have been indulging in my love of mystery novels.  I really like Agatha Christie but honestly throw anything my way and I will give it a try.  This recent, high intake of suspense and thrillers has gotten me on a path of self improvement. I have undertaken the challenge of becoming a great witness!  Now I should regal you with the deep and meaningful reasons that led me to this mission but, I can't.  Not because it's top secret and I'd have to kill you if I told you, but because there is no such reasoning.  I just want to be ready in case my eye witness testimony is ever needed.

You see Scott the "mocker man" has in years past made non-flattering laughing sounds at my observation skills.  Just because you don't notice a Lowe's being built in a previously empty lot until opening day, I say "Why would I be looking at an empty lot? My time is more valuable than that!"  If I happen to notice someone has started shaving his head a few years late, I say at least appearance is not important to me.  I think its rude to keep count of who notices what and when.

Now being a very civil minded person and not at all strange and/or bizarre I have decided to embark upon the journey to star witnessdom.  I do not think that this will be a journey without its trials, for example Scott has already corrected my observations 3 times and Allye keeps saying, "Mom why do you keep saying 'I'm a witness!'?"  See, no support at all.  Also I am pretty sure that if I actually were to witness a horrific crime the only way any details would come from my catatonic brain would be through strong medication and hypnotherapy.

Its true, the dark green(Scott says it was black) Saturn with a man in his late thirty's/early forty's, had a license plate reading CHEWBCA.  See I notice things.

Today I .......

Finally!   We had an actually honest to goodness nothing to do stay home Saturday!!!!  I know!! I feel the same way, pinch me am I dreaming!!!   So let's see what kind of magic I made out of my day....

I began my morning with an urgent need to pee so I took care of that first off.  I decided to go ahead and stay up just in case by sleeping longer someone may have tried speak to me upon awakening.  Just to be safe I get up before anyone else in order to prevent potential acts of violence.  I then made a delicious pot of coffee and did some important Facebooking and blog reading.  I watched an episode of Bones on Hulu.

By the time I was finished with all that stimulating activity Scott was up and we sat companionably together reading novels.  I am a novel and a chapter ahead of him so I am trying to pace myself.  I had a bowl of  cereall for breakfast but for the life of me I can'remember what kind.  I feel certain it was super healthy and in no way is it endorsed by a cartoon character.  

I decided tidy the kitchen and spent about 10 minutes marveling at how nicely my lousy dishwasher cleaned to dishes for a change.  I added some white vinegar to the bottom of the washer and as suggested by my pal, Kendra, I ran the hot water until it was steaming and then I started the cycle.  Well really for me that was enough to call it a great day but hold on to your hats there was more!

I then completed the laudry and Scott was sweet enough to keep me company and help out.  He did the dreaded task of sock matching.  I know!  It's okay to be jealous.  After laundry I began sewing and I actually have 3 completed projects for the day YEA!!!!  I started and completed 2 apron/potholder sets and a swaddling pouch.

A few days in the life....

Well this week is shaping up to be another earth shattering chapter in my exciting life.  I didn't fully recover from my weekend until today so yesterday was pretty much a bust.  I kinda, possibly,  maybe snapped at the kids in drama class,  hopefully they will think I was just acting....  I sewed a fairy skirt.  A "heart fairy" to be exact.  What is a heart fairy you ask...Why it is a creation of my own making.  Autumn called Quack to say she wanted to be a heart for Halloween and I said "Sure!"  Then I thought how uncomfortable will that be so I called and counter offered with a fairy costume.  Clever huh?  You'd think so but now it has to be extra awesome so she will forget that I didn't make her a heart.  Brooklyn was sewing with me on Sunday day and every time we heard someone above us walking she'd say "That's Jesus." 

On Friday I had to fix dinner and get out of the house in a hurry.  Scott told me not to worry about cleaning up, he'd do it.  I told him I'd never found him more attractive and of he picked up a broom I may not be able to leave.  The moment of insanity passed and I got to do dishes on Sunday....

I actually cooked dinner two nights in a row.  I know that is ground breaking news and my family is still reeling from the shock.  I'm hoping to make it a regular activity.  Ash was so overcome with good feelings that after dinner he came over and said "Mom you sure make ooonnnneeee good meal!"  Well at least I cook one thing he likes.

The children keep saying things like "Mom can I get a blanket?  Its cold outside and we don't have long pants."  Really! where do they get this passive aggressive behavior, they should just speak their minds so I can say "get over it", instead of playing dumb and pretending I'm not getting the hints to get the cold weather wear out.  Not sure why I dread that trip to the attic twice a year.

Weekend with the teens....

So this weekend I chaperoned an event for the youth at our church.  The event was a youth rally called FallFest.  It was wonderfully fun and spiritually uplifting.  I always enjoy time with the teens and I learn so much.  I find their personalities refreshing and charming; although, I will say that sometimes they should be knocked in the head.  I suppose I should think they are weird, but I don't.  I guess that is pretty telling about my state of mind.....  I know they think I am weird and for Allye's sake I hope she doesn't mind. 

We laughed lots, stayed up very late and had conversations ranging from the silly to the potentially life changing.  I will never understand parents who do not see how crucial it is to share in these kinds of moments.  I know I will not be able to be present every moment with my children when emotions are high and their hearts are ripe for change, but you can bet that I will have shared enough of them that they will be burning with desire to fill me in and pray. 

What I don't understand are those who treat youth events and youth group as though it were a paid service that is to be used to fill the weekends and keep the kids out of trouble.  It is an avenue, a tool, a resource for opening the hearts of our youth and showing them the blessings of fellowship and relationship we can have through Christ.  Sharing in this part of their lives shows our commitment to their salvation.  I don't get in Allye's space, I let her play and laugh and sing and pray within her group.  I am just present.  They(the group) will  come find me and bring me in keep me close, they want us, as their parents and loving adults they trust, to be the steady voice of reason that gives them the courage to let some walls come down and begin to acknowledge that there is a need for Christ and salvation and they are not invincible or alone.

Many in this group of teens have been in my life since they were in diapers, that makes my attachment to them all the stronger.  I love them and I want only the best for them.  I want only the Godliest of things for them and I pray I share only His standards of purity, modesty and sincerity as I influence their hearts.  

Not much....

Not much going on in my world lately.  I went to a meeting last night and probably spoke out of turn, it's just something I do.  I made chicken and dumplings for dinner.  I did not master the sewing on of blanket binding or mitered corners.  I got impulsive and plunged my hands into a pot of green dye and had incredible hulk hands for an evening.  Tucker informed me he gets sick when he thinks about lying and Landry said he sometimes thinks about it.  We seem to have the flea situation under control, so Henry can come back in the house soon.  I woke Scott up this morning to listen to suspicious scurrying sounds.  I procured a commitment for a basket in our silent auction at the Gala in February.  I folded laundry and matched socks and then I got crazy and put them away.  I sorted through some pattens to choose some for the plays I am costuming.  I spent about 20 minutes trying to decide if Chris O'Donnell is attractive.  Still not sure. I took a shower and forgot to shave my legs.  I spray painted a cheese plate.  I only drank one and a half cups of coffee today because I got hot.  We let Allye get a facebook account and I seem to have mixed feelings.  I went to the library and checked out 3 books and the Brady Bunch.

Obviously the glamour of my daily life is shocking, but try and maintain control.

doing.........

For all of you who were worried about my general state of mind, we caught a mouse.  The sad truth is that I'd have rather been hallucinating.

Yesterday we had a guest speaker at church.  His name is Jason, and he has a shaggy "Jesus" beard.  I was moved as always by the things he was convicted to share with us.  I have no doubt that God sent him here at this time to adjust my bad attitude. I, as those who know me well already know, think I know everything.  I also think I do everything right, which leads to thinking I am leading a more Godly life than everyone else.  Let me tell you this is not good.  This attitude builds bitterness, arrogance, angry, pride, and SIN.  The worst part about it is that when you think you have it all right, you don't need God so much and then the darkness is there and that's where the ugly things blossom.

Jason reminded me of several things, the first being that I belong to a awesome God.  God who began time, is at the center of time and is all that will be at the end of time.  He reminded me that satan is a created being and is the prince of this world of death.  He reminded me that Jesus endured more than my weak minded self can ever grasp.  He endured it on MY behalf and He is asking only that I do the job I am called to do.  I am not called to monitor the flaws of others.  I am not called to ensure everyone at church does their fair share.  I am not called to condemn those who make choices for their families that I may know with certainty are wrong.  I am not called to sit in superiority over those who may not have the expectations of their children that I do.  I am not called to keep score.  I am not called to stay within my comfort zone of people I approve and by doing so hiding His word from those who need it.  I am not called to be in charge of this world.

I am called to love.  I am called to sacrifice.  I am called to obedience.  I am called to service.  I am called to goodness.  I am called to humility.  I am called to honor God with my life.  I am called to repentance.  I am called to patience.  I am called to doing the right thing.  I am called to a pure heart.  I am called to removing the plank from my eye.  I am called to being busy at home.  I am called to sharing the Good News. 

Please join me in praying that I am always striving to do what I have been called to do.

sometimes i wonder.....

Do you ever just wonder about random things?  It would seem that I do.

I wonder if Han Solo's name was chosen to reflect his independent, Lone Ranger personality.

I wonder if anyone besides me ever felt annoyed because their husband slept with a pillow between his knees.

I wonder why men are perfectly capable of playing sports fully clothed but women are not.

I wonder why God created fleas.

I wonder why people like cooked fruit.

I wonder why if anyone else likes the word pagan, not actual pagans, just the word.

I wonder why people who love root beer often don't care for Dr.Pepper.

I have many more thoughts I may share them again sometime.........