Hey ya'll

FYI -- Sara T. Has the flu. Blech. So I stayed home and painted a wall in the living room red today. And made a coconut cream tart. And some Grandma Helen Potatoes. And took a nap. Good day...despite the hacking and the temperature.

Froggy Update

So....what's going on with the frogs you may ask? Well...it's been kinda a slow year. I still see Cartman quite often, but again, no commitments so I continue to "kiss" other frogs....

Snakecharmer and I are both American Idol watchers, so we have begun a Tuesday night ritual of watching AI. We flip back and forth between houses, host makes dinner and or dessert. Snakecharmer makes excellent nachos! As for me, it's nice to have someone to cook for and share a meal with. This past Tuesday he requested lasagna, and I was happy to oblige. I also introduced him to risotto, which he also enjoyed. I make an excellent risotto with lemon and rosemary. I do believe it's more comforting than mashed potatoes...yes, I know. It's almost sacrilegious.

I haven't heard from the Hand-Me-Down since his friend painted my bedroom. Maybe the age difference was too much, maybe it was the weird way in which we met or maybe he just wasn't ready. It surely couldn't possibly be me could it?

Mr. Football missed our first date because he was in a "car accident." He never even called to confirm the second date, and I have to say, I wasn't all that upset. I'm sure my nephew "The Hammer" will be upset. He was impressed that he plays for the Marion Mayhem. In his mind, we should get married so he could be related to a real-life football player.

I met the Gambler last Saturday night. I got online about 8...he was online too. Instead of "talking" online, we just decided to meet for a late dinner. He was hysterical. I don't think I've ever met someone who talks as much as he does. The Gambler is 28, worked professionally, and is now back at OSU studying Golf Course Management. He also likes to gamble -- particularly blackjack and poker. He has even considered going professional. He was really nervous because it was his first date in quite some time. He'd been dating a girl for about 3 years, and then he got sick. They discovered a large tumor growing beside his heart. When they removed it, they had to remove part of his lung and part of his pericardia sack. He pulled the neck of his t-shirt down to show the beginning of his scar where they cracked his chest. Four days after his operation, his girlfriend dumped him. That was in December. So, who knows where this one is going...I'm not sure if he's going to be worth the gamble (I know, bad, but I couldn't resist).

What a Co-inky-dink!

Many of you will know that on July 8, 1947, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and cattle ranch just outside Roswell, New Mexico . This is a well-known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal Agencies and organizations.

However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of March 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:

Albert A. Gore, Jr.
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi

See what can happen if aliens breed with sheep and or cattle? I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.

Do you smell that?

Well, it's beginning to be late winter. Know what that means? Yep. The skunks are mating. For about a month or so now, there will be a surge in skunky roadkill. It will subside until the babies are ready to be out and about in late spring.

Why would Sara T. know this? Well, let me tell ya. I live in the woods...in a cedar sided house. I attract all kinds of critters: Mary Lou, the big ole' groundhog who lives under the porch and steals apples from the neighbors tree, Casper the albino deer and Foxy the fox, who has no need to be sly and trots down the middle of the road at his leisure, just to name a few.

For the next month or so, I will be awakened in the wee small hours of the morning by the stench of love-sick skunks. They don't spray the house, but they are somewhere near-by....close enough to wake me out of a sound sleep. By mid-morning, their aroma is gone. I'm sure they are resting in preparation for the next night's courtship.

Think this will be a good selling point if I ever put my house on the market?

Happy Presidents Day

It was February of 2000. I was living in England, working on my Master's Degree. I was required by the course to take a latin class. I had always been good at latin, but was having a hard time adjusting to the British style of teaching. Consequently, I wasn't thought of as a stellar latin student. I made high grades on exams, but the oral translations we were asked to do was something I never caught on to.

The professor seemed to delight in singling me out for these oral exercises. At first I thought it was for my own good -- the more I did it, the more I would become comfortable and I would improve my skills. I was so naive.

Presidents Day 2000, I was asked to stand before the class and translate a paragraph. Often, the professor would write the passages, so that they would provide numerous examples of whatever lesson was being taught. That day, I stood up and recognized the professors work. She was using the moral of George Washington and the cherry tree. Because I knew the story well, it was easy for me to translate. I rushed through it...all the way to the end, "Father, I cannot tell a lie. I cut down your cherry tree." I was pleased -- until I read the next line:

Operor vos non votum totus Americans erant is pia?

I fumbled through the translation. Roughly, it says....don't you wish more Americans were like this? Ouch. I sat down red-faced and embarrassed amongst the 30 or so twittering Brits.

I never did win the favor (or should I say favour) of that professor. But that's ok. She couldn't deny my grades and I ended up with more than one good friend in that class. And they know that some Americans still are honest...just like George Washington.

Wanna boycott Kohl's with me?

It's never been my favorite store. It seems suspicious that there is always a sale going on. The layout is not well thought out. Their products aren't always the greatest.

However, I had gotten a pair of slippers for Christmas that I needed to exchange. Two pairs actually. Cause she knows me well, Mom wrapped up both pairs, figuring I would like one better than the other. It turns out that neither pair fit. The slippers still had the price tags on them, but the receipt was lost. I took them back right after Christmas knowing that I would have to get store credit. There was a sales clerk inside the door who told me I could make the exchange at the check-out stand. I took my lunch hour, found a pair of sneakers that I could use, and stood in line. When I reached the cashier I found out that no, you can't do exchanges at the check-out stand, you have to go to the service department. The line was long and my lunch hour was almost over so I gave up and left the store.

I finally went back this week to exchange the slippers. I understand that without the receipt, they cannot honor the price on the pricetag. That's fine. With all of their sales, I didn't expect the full price to be refunded. I was, however, shocked when the service clerk said that she could only refund $2.00 of the purchase price. Hmmm.......

I told her no thank you and was going to leave the store. Want to know what I found on my way out? Yep. Kohl's is selling the same exact slippers (model, size, and color) for MORE than what was on the price of my Christmas slippers -- the ones that are only worth a $2.00 refund. And guess what? They were on "sale."

As my friends in England would say, they're a bunch of wankers.

So...anyone want a pair of size 8/9 slippers? I've got two pairs to choose from!

Prompted by a good friend....

So a good friend just discovered my blog, and chose to e-mail me instead of commenting. Among other things, the e-mail said that now that she knows what's going on in my life, she wonders what's going on in my heart. The truth is...I don't want to face what's going on in my heart.

I find myself without a church home and without a pastor to really talk to. It's a terrific loss. I've been hurt and know I'm in the valley -- desperate for the mountain top. And of course, once you're down, the enemy likes to close in and the attacks come hard and fierce. I wouldn't say I'm having a crisis of faith, but there is a weariness in my bones.

I was cleaning out my e-mail folders and came across the following e-mail. I was in the middle of reading Rob Bell's "SexGod." It's an awesome, quick read.

Anyways, he starts be talking about how he got his courage in junior high to ask this girl to dance and she ran into the girls bathroom and how he had to live with that rejection. And he talks about the risks that start there and continue for the rest of our lives, and sometimes the rejection that comes when we give a part of ourselves to someone, and they say no. He talks about how love is giving away yourself and giving up control. Then he asks this question, "So if you were God -- which I realize is an odd way to begin a sentence -- but if you were God, the all-powerful creator of the universe, and you wanted to move toward people, you wanted to express your love for the world in a new way, how would you do it?"

He goes on to explain various personalities that we all deal with, both those that are aggressive and controlling and those that are weak and manipulative. He concludes, "If you were an almighty being who made the universe and everything in it, you would need to meet people on their level, in their world, on their soil...like them. This is the story of the Bible. This is the story of Jesus."

WOW. So often, I get caught up in the bigness of faith, that it's easy to forget that it really is a simple love story. God is in love with me. He's in love with you too :)

Rob Bell puts it much more eloquently than I. He closes the chapter by saying, "In matters of love, it's as if God has agreed to play by the same rules we do. God can do anything -- that's what makes God, God. But God can't do everything. God can't make us love him -- that's our choice. Love is risky for God too. Which is a bit like a boy asking a girl to dance."

whew. I just had to share.

I miss the girl who wrote that. I don't know where to find her again.

Happy Valentine's Day

Vacation

va·ca·tion [vey-key-shuhn, vuh-] _-_noun

3. freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

Attention gentle readers: I'm taking an undetermined amount of vacation from my blog and other forms of written communication (ie IM and e-mail).

Technology is great and enhances our lives in many ways. But it is no substitution for the power of the human voice and companionship.

In the past month, I've encountered four different situations where I've been hurt, or I believe others have been hurt, by things that were written...and most of them come from misunderstandings. It's easy to write things that you would never say to a persons face. and it's easy to assume you know the writers attitude. The world of technology makes it easy to accuse and easy to hide. We might have more information, but at what price? It will never offer you a hug or return your smile.

Today, in the choice between all of this and the real world, I choose the real world, hands down.

If you want to get ahold of Sara T., I hope you still have her number!

Providing Service?

OK...I'm throwing this out for public comment, cause I'd love to hear some of your views.

Some of you know the full story, for others, here is a brief synopsis. I grew up singing in the church. I love it -- I find it the most complete way I can worship. Four years ago, when my church started it's contemporary service, I was asked to "produce" it. I did so willingly, even though I wasn't using my primary gift. I "retired" after three years and started singing with the band at the same service. Singing with the band -- leading worship in this way -- is one of the most fulfilling experiences of my week.

Now the band we have for this service has gone under many changes, trying to find the right personnel and sound. A while ago, it was decided that the band would be paid, so that more "control" could be put upon them, in terms of quality. So when I started singing with the band, I assumed a paycheck would be headed my way too. It didn't turn out that way. When it finally came to a head, budgets were already turned in and there was nothing left to pay a female singer. Although I was hurt and could have used the extra income, I realized that my relationship with Christ was far more important than a paycheck, and I continued to sing....

Then the lead of the band was switched out for someone who has a bit more charisma and experience. My Sundays were cut from every week to every other, so his wife could sing in the off weeks. I welcomed the opportunity to attend other services in the church and worship with friends. Also, it was too difficult to sit in the service that I helped build from scratch and not be in "work" mode. Thoughts like, "are the ushers ready?" and "are the back doors shut?" would invade my worhship.

Then came the e-mail about mandatory rehearsals. Now, I'd been going to rehearsals when they were sporadic, but they weren't very productive. If you know anything about bands, they aren't the most punctual, efficient people in the world. It would literally be an hour after rehearsal started before the first note was played...and then it would mostly focus on the instruments -- not the vocals.

The mandatory rehearsals are two hours every Thursday night. When you sing every other week, that works out to four hours of rehearsal for one performance. Even when I was working on my music degree, I never had to put that much rehearsal time in. So I contacted the leader and explained that I'm more than happy to come to rehearsals for the weeks I sing, but it's asking too much to make those of us who aren't paid attend mandatory rehearsals.

I was told that this was a ministry and that exceptions couldn't be made for anyone (even though everyone else who is non-paid came in after this leader took over and knew these rules from the start), that rehearsals are a time of fellowship (even though the rest of the band is mostly men under 24 who like to discuss things like...the ultimate fighting championship) and that I need to fully commit or step down from the band. He also mentioned that he didn't think I was committed because I wasn't there on my "off" Sundays.

So, here's my dilemma: Do I commit to this as well as all of my other commitments and get stressed out because I'm overbooked, or do I quit some of the other commitments I've undertaken to do the one thing I love, or do I give up the one thing I love so that I can keep my obligations to others?

PS -- somethings wrong with bloggers spell check...I apologize for my horrible spelling.

Random Frog Blog

Cartman isn't interested, nor is he able to commit to anything more than friendship right now. I still have good times with him, but obviously need to jump back in the pond with some sort of vigor and intention. So here's what's been going on.

The hand-me down and I talk somewhat frequently. We're both tentative, which can make for a lot of assumptions of intentions on both ends. He did hook me up with his good friend who is going to paint my bedroom cheap cheap. When it comes right down to it, he has a very full schedule and I'm not sure how things will pan out.

Trolley popped up on IM Friday night and wanted to go out. I explained I had been on funeral watch all day and was really not in any shape for company. He made some inappropriate comments. For whatever reason, I suggested Saturday night. For 10 minutes we IM'ed about where and when, and it ended up with, he was going to call at noon the next day to set something up. After multiple phone calls, we ended up meeting at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe. Now, I had seen a picture, and knew that he was a mocha color, grew up in Zambia, and his name was Mo. Why I didn't piece this together, I don't know. Mo was short for Mohammad...and he was Muslim. All I could hear was Aunt's C's voice in my head, "A Muslim and a Christian will never be friends...." Needless to say, we didn't see eye to eye on anything...including where Muslims and Christians split....he says with the identity of who Jesus really was, and I said NO...it goes back much further to the Patriarchs and a stolen blessing and a ticked off older brother.

Mo did take the liberty of ordering my dinner for me, then asked me to pay for half. I said that's ok, I'll let you get it. When we were getting ready to leave, I said that I didn't think this was going to work, and he said ok. THEN HE GRABBED MY REAR END. I shrugged out of his grasp, gave him a curt good night and sent him on his way. He keeps IM'ing me. Blech.

Sunday, I had plans to watch the Superbowl with Seriously. We talked earlier in the day, to confirm. Seriously said he would call back closer to the Superbowl, cause we were undecided if we were going to a party, a sports bar, or my house. He never called back, and then he wouldn't answer my call. For those keeping track, that's 4 dates he hasn't shown up for, two he hasn't bothered to call or cancel. Buh-bye.

Monday, I'm home because of the whole Salvation Army fiasco, and Mr. Football pops up. Now, Mr. Football and I have been e-mailing, but he just recently hooked up IM. He's my age, owns his own buisness, and plays semi-pro football as a linebacker. He trains with the Marion Mayhem. We're chatting and he asks if we can meet, so I say sure. We were both free for the next couple of hours. Now, I always arrange a meeting in public for the first time. We confirm a place and I gave him my cell phone number. I told him I needed to take the dog out and then I would be on my way. Fine. So I go and sit by myself for an hour doing the USAToday crossword and watching Superbowl recaps. I get home, and immediately IM him -- don't know what happened, I didn't see you, waited an hour, hope you're ok. Haven't heard a thing yet.

I have a question. Where are all the nice guys? If you know one, will you please introduce me? I'm tired of wasting time....literally.

Rant and Roar

As some of you know, I've been in a seemingly never-ending process of "re-doing" the bedrooms. What started off as a simple project of re-painting the "guest" room has turned into a near 6 month endeavor of moving furniture, sanding down and painting hard-wood floors, purging years of stuff I don't use and moving piles of "stuff" from one room to another as it is needed.

I'm nearing the end. The "guest" room is now completed and is serving as a staging area for everything that will go in the the "master" bedroom. The master bedroom will get new paint this week-end, new carpet for Valentines day, and new furniutre next week-end. Since there is new furniture coming, the old furniture has to go. Up to this point, I was still using the white/gold french provinical Sears furniture that every girl growing up during the 80's in the mid-west had. I had updated the dressers with fresh paint jobs and new hardware. I had also supplemented with other pieces picked up at second hand shops and yard sales. But it was time for all of it to go.

I made an appointment with Salvation Army to come pick up the items. SALVATION ARMY REFUSED MY DONATION. Apparently, my stuff is not good enough for anyone else. They suggested I call MAP, a furniture bank that doesn't sell things, but gives furniutre away to the needy. They also gave me a receipt showing that I did make the donation of dressers, which I will certainly put toward my taxes next year.

So, I called MAP. THEY REFUSED MY DONATION AS WELL. I guess noone likes free, functional furniture. I am beginning to doubt if there really are needy people. If there were, they wouldn't be refusing these items.

It reminds me of a story my cousin tells, about a family who said they had no money for food, yet turned their noses up at the meal they were asked to share.

I contacted a local junk removal company. They will gladly haul my stuff to the dump....for $100 minimum. Geez. I can't donate it, I have to pay for junk removal...I guess the only "free" way to get rid of it is to sell it.

Thankfully Dad will be able to stop by Thursday and pick everything up to store up at the shop. We'll put it all in the next garage sale and I bet ya....someone will pay for it. Afterall, it is from the 80's -- I can tell them it's "vintage."

Thoughts on Vermont....

I had an EXCELLENT trip to Vermont. The best thing of course was seeing my dear friend Beth again. We've known each other since 7th grade...and our friendship has grown a lot over the years. I have to say, that probably my favorite part of the trip was just hanging out at their house and chilling. I picked up some self-striping sock yarn and knitted a lot. We also cooked, did jigsaw puzzles and watched the entire season of "Flight of the Conchords" (my current fave obsession right now...cause I'm the motha flippin' hiphopappotomus).

Burlington itself is a nice town. It's located between the Adirondacks and Lake Champlaign to the west, the Green Mountains to the east. All are visible from the city and are just gorgeous. There is a neat downtown area that has a lot of shops and eateries. The University of Vermont is in Burlington, so there is a bit of a college-town feel.

Beth and I did drive over to Stowe to visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge. Yes, the same Von Trapps whose story was told in "The Sound of Music." I did spin around with my arms outstretched singing my best....The hills are alive....

Beth and Craigs house is strategically located between the Ben and Jerry factory, The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and The Magic Hat Brewing Company. Wanna guess which one I wanted to visit?

The Magic Hat Brewery was AWESOME. They had free tastings of all of their beers, including an organic beet beer that I fell in love with. I actually bought a growler to bring home, but unfortunately it froze in the car and I was denied any more of the ruby colored goodness. **sigh** I bought souvenirs that included glasses, cards, lighters with bottle openers built into the bottom (cause Toby needs that!) and the Mardi Gras sampler pack.

I also found something unusual in the brewery gift shop. Magic Hat has come out with their own line of condoms. I was standing in front of the display, trying to decide if it was something I should laugh at or not, when a gal who worked there walked by and saw my inquisitive look. Apparently, the brewery wanted to give something back to the community, so they sell condoms. All the proceeds go the the local rape crisis center. I did laugh (cause the Magic Hat Condom Logo is quite funny), but I also supported the cause. So, if you're in need....

I also got to attend a free hot chocolate tasting at the Lake Champlaign Chocolate Company...but it wasn't nearly as fun as the brewery. There wasn't anything quite as funny in their giftshop.

We didn't go to Ben and Jerry's or the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. I had brought Graeters Ice Cream from C-bus as a belated Christmas gift for Beth. She actually danced a jig when she saw it. We had more ice cream then we knew what to do with.

I have to admit that I was glad to come home though. Mainly because of the people. They complained about everything, but in a nice way. It just seemed fake and hypocritical. Noone seemed genuine. Examples:

**At 4 PM, Beth and I stopped at a pub for a pint. We were going to take some wings home for Craig, so we asked to place a carry-out order. We were told that they don't do carry-out on Saturdays, because they were too busy. We were almost the only ones in the place. The waitress went on to explain that she would bend the rules for us this one time, but we shouldn't expect it next time and she would probably get in trouble for it. OK.....

**At another restaurant, we asked for them to split the bill. We were told that they were unable to do that, but they would run separate credit cards. Hmmm....in my world, that's called splitting the bill. I felt like I had to be told I was an inconvenience for them.....

**I find it laughable to overhear conversations about how evil President Bush is, how we need to take care of each other and the environment, and how horrible the economy is by people who are wearing more labels than I have in my entire closet, sipping their Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts Coffee in disposable cups, and who don't even have the common courtesy to hold the door open for the person behind them.

**I don't think anyone in Vermont owns a brush or a razor or soap. Those items must be illegal. I felt like odd man out because I have a haircut. Also, it's freezing cold, and these women are wearing skin tight jeans, Uggs and puffy jackets that leave their muffin tops hanging out. How do you explain that only your bellybutton and/or coin slot has frostbite?

So there are my thoughts on Vermont. They have good beer (and cheese), it's absolutely beautiful, but I'm not rushing back anytime soon. Unless of course, my friends stay there, for whom I would endure 1000 Vermonters just to have a chat with them face to face.

Why there hasn't been any posts about Vermont yet...

First of all, if you haven't done it lately, give thanks for your thumbs. Last Sunday I was cooking up a storm (as I do almost every Sunday...making "leftovers" for the week). I ran the side of my thumb through the mandolin grater. My thumb somewhat resembles the Pyramids of Gaza now. It has been extraordinarily painful. I've been keeping Band-aid and Neosporin in business. Anyways...it literally hurt to type...hold a pen, zip up my pants, knit or a myriad of other things. It did not affect my ability to lay in front of the TV and drink coffee.

Secondly, this week was bookmarked by two events similar in nature, but drastically different in circumstances.

Monday morning, a friend and colleagues son took his own life. Our family has spent much of the week doing whatever we could for the family -- making food, taking up donations, making more food, babysitting the house.... In fact, I was babysitting the house yesterday morning while the family was at the funeral. While I was there, I got a text message from my friend Nancy. Her mom had finally passed after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She had been under the care of Hospice for almost six months.

The contrast between the two events is overwhelming. On one hand, you have a young guy who's death was unexpected and senseless. It was met with deep hurt, anger and questions. On the other hand, Ruby's death was welcomed, expected and those left behind were thankful, not only that she was finally out of pain, but also that they had those precious end days with her.

I had a conversation with a friend this week who said that they would rather take their own life than grow old and suffer with any number of ailments and maladies that come with age. This is the second time I've heard this viewpoint recently. I can't really agree. Life is precious...no matter how long it extends or in what capacity we are.

So...that's basically why there haven't been any posts about Vermont yet. I'll get on it....just had a lot on my mind this week....