We've all heard the saying "Don't blow a gasket", but today I found out what that really means. I took my car in for it's annual inspection, which expires on Friday, and the mechanic tells me that I have oil in my radiator where there is suppose to be only water or coolant. He goes on to say that it is probably a blown head gasket. I'm no mechanic, but even I know that is bad. I had a minor breakdown and the nice owner offered to bring me home so they could investigate the problem. They will do a pressure test to see where and what exactly is leaking.
It got me thinking about the "pressure tests" I have in my life and how to live without "blowing a gasket". This Bible verse came to mind.
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27
That's what happens to me more often than I'd like to admit. When I'm under pressure, I get angry or "blow a gasket", and like my car, stuff that doesn't belong in my life starts flowing and things get really gunked up. This is not the way God intended it to be. These verses in James explain.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
So the next time I'm tempted to "blow a gasket", like when they call and tell me how much it's going to cost to fix my car, I'm going to try to remember that my endurance is growing and be joyful! How about you?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Lice and mice are not so nice
The two things I hate most, I've been battling this past week. Lice and mice. Yuk! On Thursday, after a really good week, my middle son was scratching his head, so I looked and sure enough...lice! I spent the rest of that night and the next day, treating hair then washing hair, bedding, and clothes all the while picking nits and spraying antiseptic. When you have 4 children, one child with lice is an epidemic waiting to happen. And of course, immediately my head starts itching, so I even treat myself.
On WebMD they say that you don't get lice because you are unclean. They also say that they don't jump and can't live for very long without a human host, but I don't believe it either. When I was growing up the word lice was whispered in hushed tones. My mother was paranoid about us getting it and was vigilant about not letting us wear hats or share brushes and combs. Her paranoia, founded or not, has rubbed off and me, and I hate lice. To my knowledge, none of us kids growing up ever had them but my mother still hated them. I have experienced the mayhem and work they cause a couple of times and having done so, I really, really HATE them.
The other thing I hate to deal with is mice. Our family lives in a brand new neighborhood and with all the construction, etc. we have been battling field mice since we moved in last July. They have been in the garage, so we set traps and have caught several. I haven't like having them in the garage, but since I haven't seen any signs of them in the house, I've just accepted it as life. That all changed on Friday. It was smaller than a pink pearl eraser and it was loose in my house. Some guys had been working in our attic and left the access open, thereby giving the mouse an open doorway TO MY HOUSE! The boys chased it into a closet and were able to catch it in a cup. My soft-hearted son, Nathan, couldn't kill it, so he took it down the street to let it go, against my loud objections that it would just come back. He named it Coke because he let it go near a coke can. Less than a 1/2 hour later Coke's brother scampered out of the access (that's when we realized it was open and closed it firmly). Once again, Nathan was able to catch and release; this one he named Liberty for the name of the trap I was now setting INSIDE MY HOUSE!
The weekend has been quiet, Derek is lice and nit free and we've not seen any signs of our four legged enemies. Oh, the kids just came and told me that Coke or maybe it's Liberty is in one of the traps in the garage. AH! HA! Sweet victory.
On WebMD they say that you don't get lice because you are unclean. They also say that they don't jump and can't live for very long without a human host, but I don't believe it either. When I was growing up the word lice was whispered in hushed tones. My mother was paranoid about us getting it and was vigilant about not letting us wear hats or share brushes and combs. Her paranoia, founded or not, has rubbed off and me, and I hate lice. To my knowledge, none of us kids growing up ever had them but my mother still hated them. I have experienced the mayhem and work they cause a couple of times and having done so, I really, really HATE them.
The other thing I hate to deal with is mice. Our family lives in a brand new neighborhood and with all the construction, etc. we have been battling field mice since we moved in last July. They have been in the garage, so we set traps and have caught several. I haven't like having them in the garage, but since I haven't seen any signs of them in the house, I've just accepted it as life. That all changed on Friday. It was smaller than a pink pearl eraser and it was loose in my house. Some guys had been working in our attic and left the access open, thereby giving the mouse an open doorway TO MY HOUSE! The boys chased it into a closet and were able to catch it in a cup. My soft-hearted son, Nathan, couldn't kill it, so he took it down the street to let it go, against my loud objections that it would just come back. He named it Coke because he let it go near a coke can. Less than a 1/2 hour later Coke's brother scampered out of the access (that's when we realized it was open and closed it firmly). Once again, Nathan was able to catch and release; this one he named Liberty for the name of the trap I was now setting INSIDE MY HOUSE!
The weekend has been quiet, Derek is lice and nit free and we've not seen any signs of our four legged enemies. Oh, the kids just came and told me that Coke or maybe it's Liberty is in one of the traps in the garage. AH! HA! Sweet victory.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Half Empty?
You know the old debate, do you see the glass half-empty or half-full? For me, I think I'm a fairly positive person and try to see the glass as half-full. I look for good in every situation, not always succeeding. That probably stems somewhat from my faith. I believe in a loving and merciful God, so I have hope.
So while I like to be positive, I also love to tell stories, hence this blog, and every story has to have at least a bit of adversity to be a good story. Think about your favorite movies, books, etc., there is alway something to overcome.
This sort of "clicked" for me this week as I talked to a friend I haven't seen in a while and began to tell story after story of all the "bad" stuff that had happened to us since we'd last talked. Afterwards I wondered why I didn't tell her that we are all healthy, Kendall's job is going well, 3 of our 4 children made honor roll, our new home is lovely and becoming more like home, and Nathan got his driver's license and we can actually affort his insurance? It just doesn't make as good of a story. So how can I be a person with a positive outlook on life and a good storyteller at the same time? I'll think about that while I go refill my half-empty cup of coffee.
So while I like to be positive, I also love to tell stories, hence this blog, and every story has to have at least a bit of adversity to be a good story. Think about your favorite movies, books, etc., there is alway something to overcome.
This sort of "clicked" for me this week as I talked to a friend I haven't seen in a while and began to tell story after story of all the "bad" stuff that had happened to us since we'd last talked. Afterwards I wondered why I didn't tell her that we are all healthy, Kendall's job is going well, 3 of our 4 children made honor roll, our new home is lovely and becoming more like home, and Nathan got his driver's license and we can actually affort his insurance? It just doesn't make as good of a story. So how can I be a person with a positive outlook on life and a good storyteller at the same time? I'll think about that while I go refill my half-empty cup of coffee.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Creative outlet
This weekend I will be at the Fall Fest in Trophy Club selling my decorative stone coasters (shown) and frames. I will also have Blush Candles. If you are in the area, come by and see me. It's from 2-5 on Saturday, Oct. 18th.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Grocery Shopping
With all the technological advances we have made, why does it seem that grocery shopping has become more challenging? When I was young, my mother shopped at the local grocery store (not stores, like me). She knew most of the people by name. She took her cart, filled it and proceeded to the check-out lane. There was rarely a line. The clerk would then unload and check-out her items, all the while chatting with my mother. If something didn't have a price on it, there was a human being there who would go and find out what it cost. Then they would put her groceries in the sack and some nice young man would take them out and load them into her car. Once we got home we'd carry them in and put them away. All in all, pretty simple.
Today I went grocery shopping at one of the stores that I routinely visit. I got my cart. Of course it had one wheel that refused to work properly, but I didn't realize it until I was at the very back of the large store. So, I limped along putting groceries in my cart. Once I was finished, I went to stand in a line so long that it made me wonder about this economic downturn we are suppose to be experiencing. Not at this store. When it's my turn, I take all 3000 items out of my cart and place them on the belt. The clerk does not speak and barely looks at me while scanning my 3000 items at slow motion. When one of them does not scan and she can't make it, she looks at me disgustedly and asks if I REALLY want it? DUH! After limping to the car with my bags, I load up and then have to walk a 1/2 mile to find a cart return home for my broken-down cart. Once home I carry the bags in and unload. As I put away all 3000 items I think, maybe we are more technologically advanced but I'd prefer a bit more humanity.
Today I went grocery shopping at one of the stores that I routinely visit. I got my cart. Of course it had one wheel that refused to work properly, but I didn't realize it until I was at the very back of the large store. So, I limped along putting groceries in my cart. Once I was finished, I went to stand in a line so long that it made me wonder about this economic downturn we are suppose to be experiencing. Not at this store. When it's my turn, I take all 3000 items out of my cart and place them on the belt. The clerk does not speak and barely looks at me while scanning my 3000 items at slow motion. When one of them does not scan and she can't make it, she looks at me disgustedly and asks if I REALLY want it? DUH! After limping to the car with my bags, I load up and then have to walk a 1/2 mile to find a cart return home for my broken-down cart. Once home I carry the bags in and unload. As I put away all 3000 items I think, maybe we are more technologically advanced but I'd prefer a bit more humanity.
Writer's block?
I'm stuggling, but it's not writer's block as much as it's mind overdrive. Since I started this blog, I analyze and over analyze every situation and conversation to see if it would make a good story for my blog. So I'm spending so much time thinking about what I could write that I've written nothing...except this! More to come, I promise.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Guilt
Now as for me I feel a lot of guilt. I would even have to say that a good deal of what I do is motivated by guilt. Being a part of the sandwich generation, you know still caring for children while also caring for parents, I sometimes feel nothing but guilt. Add to that my two grown children and 5 precious grandchildren and I could easily be overcome by guilt. Instead of a sandwich I feel more like a double stuffed Oreo.
My guilt stems mostly from feeling as though I don't do enough for those I care deeply about, my family. Not because I don't want to, but because I run out of time, energy or both. I love my family and relish my roles as wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, etc. And as a recovering "bucket lady" I want desperately to make everyone happy. In case you don't know a "bucket lady" is someone who walks around with an emotional bucket asking everyone to fill it up so she can feel good about herself (this is according to the wonderful Donna Partow). As I say, I'm in recovery, but could fall off the wagon any day.
I am quite puzzled that my loving husband, who also has people pulling at him from all directions, seems to feel little or no guilt while I am wallowing in it. He seems happy to fly by the seat of his pants with respect to his life and relationships (except work) in general. He can watch football, golf or even fishing for hours without one twinge of guilt, even if the garage is a mess or the boxes from a most recent move are still not unpacked. I wonder if his lack of guilt stems from the fact that he is the "fun" parent. You know the one who wrestles, tickles, putts, plays, and rides with the kids. You'll not hear him talking about homework, chores, grades, teeth brushing or even the picking-up of shoes. As a matter of fact, his shoes are right next to theirs and are probably muddy! In addition, the "fun" parent almost never says "no". And if he does, a little wheedling and he can probably be persuaded to change his mind. What's to feel guilty about? I have tried for years to become more like my husband in the guilt department to no avail. As a matter of fact, I'm filled with guilt just sitting here typing this instead of finishing the laundry.
My guilt stems mostly from feeling as though I don't do enough for those I care deeply about, my family. Not because I don't want to, but because I run out of time, energy or both. I love my family and relish my roles as wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, etc. And as a recovering "bucket lady" I want desperately to make everyone happy. In case you don't know a "bucket lady" is someone who walks around with an emotional bucket asking everyone to fill it up so she can feel good about herself (this is according to the wonderful Donna Partow). As I say, I'm in recovery, but could fall off the wagon any day.
I am quite puzzled that my loving husband, who also has people pulling at him from all directions, seems to feel little or no guilt while I am wallowing in it. He seems happy to fly by the seat of his pants with respect to his life and relationships (except work) in general. He can watch football, golf or even fishing for hours without one twinge of guilt, even if the garage is a mess or the boxes from a most recent move are still not unpacked. I wonder if his lack of guilt stems from the fact that he is the "fun" parent. You know the one who wrestles, tickles, putts, plays, and rides with the kids. You'll not hear him talking about homework, chores, grades, teeth brushing or even the picking-up of shoes. As a matter of fact, his shoes are right next to theirs and are probably muddy! In addition, the "fun" parent almost never says "no". And if he does, a little wheedling and he can probably be persuaded to change his mind. What's to feel guilty about? I have tried for years to become more like my husband in the guilt department to no avail. As a matter of fact, I'm filled with guilt just sitting here typing this instead of finishing the laundry.
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