Friday, February 29, 2008
On the road tomorrow
We're pretty well ready to leave tomorrow morn. I'm dead tired. There was more to do than I thought. Next post will be from Arizona.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
1" trim
I got my one inch trim straight across and it feels great. Isn't it funny how just a small trim can be so refreshing? The odd thing is that I was at 41 7/8" before I went, he cut off one inch, and now I'm at 40". Hmmm. Very vexing.
Nevertheless. I like it.
Nevertheless. I like it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Category updated
I did some housekeeping in my blog today and added all the stuff I've beaded to the 'Beading' category.
It turns out the truck had a pin hole in the booster or something like that. It will be fixed tomorrow. We have a giant, long hill, about a ten or twelve mile long incline to pass to get to San Diego so we need the truckie to be in tip top condition. And my husband cleaned the inside of the truck today. It's all nice and clean now. He was gone all morning till about 2:00pm. Tomorrow he goes to the doctor for the results of his cholesterol test.
I'm trying to select bead colors online and while I was doing that I thought I ought to finish a pair of earrings I started about six months ago. I finished the partly started earring tonight and I believe I like it. It dangles so far it tickles my shoulder! It's a dark blue/purple background with a metallic green, fire-breathing dragon. It's so pretty. I only made one boo-boo. When the pattern called for three red beads I used fuchsia. Drats. I was too far along to fix it so it's permanent. It's not majorly noticeable. Hopefully. It had to be a loud fuchsia I chose as the wrong color.
Didn't see Ivan today. Tomorrow is the day now. Mañana, as they say. Mañana is my favorite day.
Fuel forecasted to pass the $4.00 mark in the spring. That's a bad thing. A very bad thing. I'm so thankful that we went to Alaska and Nova Scotia and all across Canada already. At four bucks a gallon we won't be driving a lot this year. Looks like we can still make it to Wyoming though. I sure hope so anyways. We can get there and stay for a couple months. I hope to see the fawns when they're just born or very young.
There was bird screeching like crazy outside early this morning. The sun had barely risen and he woke me up! But I went back to sleep.
It turns out the truck had a pin hole in the booster or something like that. It will be fixed tomorrow. We have a giant, long hill, about a ten or twelve mile long incline to pass to get to San Diego so we need the truckie to be in tip top condition. And my husband cleaned the inside of the truck today. It's all nice and clean now. He was gone all morning till about 2:00pm. Tomorrow he goes to the doctor for the results of his cholesterol test.
I'm trying to select bead colors online and while I was doing that I thought I ought to finish a pair of earrings I started about six months ago. I finished the partly started earring tonight and I believe I like it. It dangles so far it tickles my shoulder! It's a dark blue/purple background with a metallic green, fire-breathing dragon. It's so pretty. I only made one boo-boo. When the pattern called for three red beads I used fuchsia. Drats. I was too far along to fix it so it's permanent. It's not majorly noticeable. Hopefully. It had to be a loud fuchsia I chose as the wrong color.
Didn't see Ivan today. Tomorrow is the day now. Mañana, as they say. Mañana is my favorite day.
Fuel forecasted to pass the $4.00 mark in the spring. That's a bad thing. A very bad thing. I'm so thankful that we went to Alaska and Nova Scotia and all across Canada already. At four bucks a gallon we won't be driving a lot this year. Looks like we can still make it to Wyoming though. I sure hope so anyways. We can get there and stay for a couple months. I hope to see the fawns when they're just born or very young.
There was bird screeching like crazy outside early this morning. The sun had barely risen and he woke me up! But I went back to sleep.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Milestones of a long hair
Since I'm getting a trim I decided it's a good time to record technical stuff I notice about this length. Milestones of sorts. Brace yourself for a very deep, complex posting. Heh.
My length is 41.5" and I preface this with fair notice that I'm a shortie at 5'2". My tall girlfriends must spend more time growing their hair to reach these same milestones. Sorry pals! And I'm not only short, but also short waisted. How do I prove it. You know those cool hip hugger tights sold in the dancewear shops? They go all the way to my waist. Bummer.
Onwards and upwards!
When I comb it out at this length I noticed recently that I can't just comb downwards if there are very many shedding hairs in the comb. Instead, I must hold my hair against my body and then pull the comb outwards, away from my body, else I can't maneuver my arms far enough to remove the shed hairs because they're so long. Cool, huh. Kinda.
And several times I have pulled a hair off my arm thinking it must be a stray, unattached hair ready for the trash can, only to find it is still attached to my noggin. Kinda cool too.
It gets caught quite more often when it's down than ever before - in a closed car window, in door latches in the house, underneath my bottom when I sit, or someone else's if they're close beside me!
I believe this length is a boon for my ends because when combing out I can tilt my head a bit and it falls to mid-thigh length in the front. I can then slowly, gently comb through those tippy ends while keeping them flat against my thigh. Why is this significant and why is this a milestone? Good question! Because now I don't have to cause those fragile ends to flip each time I do a comb through. By holding the hair stationary and flat the ends endure less abuse and less manipulation; two things which are always beneficial to maintain and attain longer length.
It is a delight to the senses to feel the totality of the length.
As of now, I am braced to pass the longest length of hair that I've ever had in my life. Well, except that I'm getting a small trim tomorrow, so that will delay me a little bit. But delays and waylays are life. You can't really properly make waylay plural, but I took some artistic license here. It's my blog. I can make up any words I want.
I'll be fifty years old in 2009 and I am glad I'm still doing new things!
Those are my deep thoughts of the day.
My length is 41.5" and I preface this with fair notice that I'm a shortie at 5'2". My tall girlfriends must spend more time growing their hair to reach these same milestones. Sorry pals! And I'm not only short, but also short waisted. How do I prove it. You know those cool hip hugger tights sold in the dancewear shops? They go all the way to my waist. Bummer.
Onwards and upwards!
When I comb it out at this length I noticed recently that I can't just comb downwards if there are very many shedding hairs in the comb. Instead, I must hold my hair against my body and then pull the comb outwards, away from my body, else I can't maneuver my arms far enough to remove the shed hairs because they're so long. Cool, huh. Kinda.
And several times I have pulled a hair off my arm thinking it must be a stray, unattached hair ready for the trash can, only to find it is still attached to my noggin. Kinda cool too.
It gets caught quite more often when it's down than ever before - in a closed car window, in door latches in the house, underneath my bottom when I sit, or someone else's if they're close beside me!
I believe this length is a boon for my ends because when combing out I can tilt my head a bit and it falls to mid-thigh length in the front. I can then slowly, gently comb through those tippy ends while keeping them flat against my thigh. Why is this significant and why is this a milestone? Good question! Because now I don't have to cause those fragile ends to flip each time I do a comb through. By holding the hair stationary and flat the ends endure less abuse and less manipulation; two things which are always beneficial to maintain and attain longer length.
It is a delight to the senses to feel the totality of the length.
As of now, I am braced to pass the longest length of hair that I've ever had in my life. Well, except that I'm getting a small trim tomorrow, so that will delay me a little bit. But delays and waylays are life. You can't really properly make waylay plural, but I took some artistic license here. It's my blog. I can make up any words I want.
I'll be fifty years old in 2009 and I am glad I'm still doing new things!
Those are my deep thoughts of the day.
Mistakes
Oh dear. I returned a body tight that was defective. I didn't know I picked priority shipment that is rather expensive. I ended up paying $16.95 to return a $13.00 item. Yeesh. The post office girl told me the price after I filled everything out and I should have told her I needed to change it, but I didn't. My husband hasn't noticed my costly stupidity so I haven't mentioned it.
A warning light came on in the truck Friday night, so he has to take it in to Ford tomorrow. We don't want to get on the road pulling the trailer with any warning lights on on the dash. I hope they don't have to order parts. I hope it'll be a minor fix.
I finally found little beads. Really little beads. At Caravan Beads I found Miyuki size 15. I want to try to make one of my patterns smaller, and smaller beads might do the trick. They have a pretty good selection too! Delicas are used for beadweaving because of their uniformity, but smallest Delicas only come in size 11. I asked around and two people said the Miyuki seed beads are uniform enough to use with brickstitch.
If my husband is home early enough I'm getting a trim tomorrow. I have to do it this week for sure because we're leaving Saturday. I had planned to do it on the Spring Equinox but it is not to be.
A warning light came on in the truck Friday night, so he has to take it in to Ford tomorrow. We don't want to get on the road pulling the trailer with any warning lights on on the dash. I hope they don't have to order parts. I hope it'll be a minor fix.
I finally found little beads. Really little beads. At Caravan Beads I found Miyuki size 15. I want to try to make one of my patterns smaller, and smaller beads might do the trick. They have a pretty good selection too! Delicas are used for beadweaving because of their uniformity, but smallest Delicas only come in size 11. I asked around and two people said the Miyuki seed beads are uniform enough to use with brickstitch.
If my husband is home early enough I'm getting a trim tomorrow. I have to do it this week for sure because we're leaving Saturday. I had planned to do it on the Spring Equinox but it is not to be.
30 minutes
Thirty minutes I spent on the phone just getting a bicycle part sent to a new shipping address. I was so patient. I pat myself on the back for being so patient with the girl on the phone. She put me on hold for so long I thought she forgot about me. I almost hung up. Phone etiquette dictates that if a customer is on hold someone should pick up the phone after three minutes and keep them informed of what's going on. I guess they don't teach that anymore.
Everything is really beautiful to my eyes. I'm gonna miss the quail and the bunnies and the birds.
March is the season that the ocotillo bloom! We hope they received good rains so we'll see good blooms at Anza Borrego in southern California.
Everything is really beautiful to my eyes. I'm gonna miss the quail and the bunnies and the birds.
March is the season that the ocotillo bloom! We hope they received good rains so we'll see good blooms at Anza Borrego in southern California.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Quality time
It could be that sometimes I spend too much time on my computer. One night a couple months ago I found a ton of '70s commercials at YouTube. And I'm talking quality stuff. Remember the crying Indian? Remember Euell Gibbons? Remember the Creepy Crawlers commercial? I had Creepy Crawlers. Well, I spend a couple hours downloading all this high quality stuff and the next day our computers didn't work. Turned out we have a certain about we can download per day and if we go beyond the amount we get penalized. That's lame. So ever since then I don't do too much YouTube all at once. But here's a goodie. Remember those educational Coronet Films? I tell ya, there are so many films from school that I wish I could find for my son.
Here's one from 1959, such a very good year. The year I was born. It's titled Books and Their Care. They don't make 'em like this anymore. My husband thinks I'm one disturbed homeschooling mom. Haha! Our son actually enjoyed it. The part about how to care for the spine of a new book is good info. A lot of people don't know you should do that, but my mom showed us when we were little. She's a major bibliophile. No joke.
Here's one from 1959, such a very good year. The year I was born. It's titled Books and Their Care. They don't make 'em like this anymore. My husband thinks I'm one disturbed homeschooling mom. Haha! Our son actually enjoyed it. The part about how to care for the spine of a new book is good info. A lot of people don't know you should do that, but my mom showed us when we were little. She's a major bibliophile. No joke.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
I feel better and
For two days I felt so bad for our son. He's handling the incident well though. I'm pleased with him. Working through difficulties can build character and I believe he's going to be a man of good character like his father.
They "let him go" at his volunteer job. This child is industrious and has been going to his "job" seven days a week since we arrived in August. But a problem regarding liability arose. He had been working outside more with the men, the rangers, and he had been in and around heavy equipment and the management was fearful that an accident could happen. I don't blame them a bit. I do understand and they are correct in their action. But for a child it's a bitter pill. He loves the rangers and thinks the world of them. He was tearful for two days. Now he's getting control and he says, "Mamma, I've been hired and fired and I'm only ten years old. Who else can say that?" Haha! He is my heart. One must have a sense of humor, yes? I think the management could have handled it in a kinder fashion, but such is life. We crumble or we get stronger. Or we turn angry and ugly. We're trying to help him get strong, and I do not want him to become sour. I do my best to help him with that. Other people, I'm thankful for the other people in this park, they are helping too. They talk with him and it's therapeutic for him to talk about it - to talk it out. We're leaving sooner than expected now. We're leaving here March 1st. It leaves us enough time to wrap up loose ends here.
We're going to spend two months in San Diego! My husband made reservations today. We had reservations for one month all set. That's our usual. But we decided to leave here earlier, March 1st now, so we needed to move our reservation in San Diego up. Well, the lady who does reservations remembered our son and when my husband hemmed and hawed about which dates to reserve she said, "Just make your reservations for two months." And guess what. That's what he did. I am happy!
And I didn't want to go to dance, but I went anyway and I'm a better person for it. I feel lots better inside and out.
The moon was brilliant on my way home from class. It's nice to see things. Sometimes I look, but I don't see. Tonight I looked and saw. It was very big and very bright.
They "let him go" at his volunteer job. This child is industrious and has been going to his "job" seven days a week since we arrived in August. But a problem regarding liability arose. He had been working outside more with the men, the rangers, and he had been in and around heavy equipment and the management was fearful that an accident could happen. I don't blame them a bit. I do understand and they are correct in their action. But for a child it's a bitter pill. He loves the rangers and thinks the world of them. He was tearful for two days. Now he's getting control and he says, "Mamma, I've been hired and fired and I'm only ten years old. Who else can say that?" Haha! He is my heart. One must have a sense of humor, yes? I think the management could have handled it in a kinder fashion, but such is life. We crumble or we get stronger. Or we turn angry and ugly. We're trying to help him get strong, and I do not want him to become sour. I do my best to help him with that. Other people, I'm thankful for the other people in this park, they are helping too. They talk with him and it's therapeutic for him to talk about it - to talk it out. We're leaving sooner than expected now. We're leaving here March 1st. It leaves us enough time to wrap up loose ends here.
We're going to spend two months in San Diego! My husband made reservations today. We had reservations for one month all set. That's our usual. But we decided to leave here earlier, March 1st now, so we needed to move our reservation in San Diego up. Well, the lady who does reservations remembered our son and when my husband hemmed and hawed about which dates to reserve she said, "Just make your reservations for two months." And guess what. That's what he did. I am happy!
And I didn't want to go to dance, but I went anyway and I'm a better person for it. I feel lots better inside and out.
The moon was brilliant on my way home from class. It's nice to see things. Sometimes I look, but I don't see. Tonight I looked and saw. It was very big and very bright.
She's back!
And we're all doing the happy dance! Things are not the same. I don't think they'll ever be the same because this is now and that was then, but God heals and restores. That we know, on that we depend, and for that we give thanks.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tooth fairy
The tooth fairy left five bucks under the pillow and forgot to pick up the lost tooth.
Our son said, "Hey look! The envelope is still under my pillow and my tooth's still in it too." My husband bellows, "What happened here!" He's such a man. I said, "Well. I guess the tooth fairy is perimenopausal and she forgot to pick up the tooth."
I've got two mouths full of baby teeth filed away as it is.
This must be the last one?
Our son said, "Hey look! The envelope is still under my pillow and my tooth's still in it too." My husband bellows, "What happened here!" He's such a man. I said, "Well. I guess the tooth fairy is perimenopausal and she forgot to pick up the tooth."
I've got two mouths full of baby teeth filed away as it is.
This must be the last one?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Ouch
Someone broke our son's heart today.
We told him he had a good run. We reminded him every day can't be peaches and cream.
But still, I feel so badly for him.
We told him he had a good run. We reminded him every day can't be peaches and cream.
But still, I feel so badly for him.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Tomorrow's Monday
It's President's Day tomorrow which we don't usually take off from school, but our son wants it off so he did most of his studies while I was at church tonight. How can I say no? So tomorrow all we have left to do is history. Woohoo!
My hair has been behaving very well. Several times over the past two weeks I didn't even braid it for bed. I just lay it over the top of my pillow and...hardly any tangles in the morning. That's weird. In a good way. I finger combed it and then ran a comb through it easily all the way to the ends.
I received the nicest email from Collette. Gosh, it left me with all kinds of warm fuzzies. I have to write and ask her if I can share part of it. I intend to weave some of what she said into a discussion with our son as I think he will profit from it.
My hair has been behaving very well. Several times over the past two weeks I didn't even braid it for bed. I just lay it over the top of my pillow and...hardly any tangles in the morning. That's weird. In a good way. I finger combed it and then ran a comb through it easily all the way to the ends.
I received the nicest email from Collette. Gosh, it left me with all kinds of warm fuzzies. I have to write and ask her if I can share part of it. I intend to weave some of what she said into a discussion with our son as I think he will profit from it.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Ho hum
The days are too short. Can't get everything done.
And I am frustrated in dance. I am dealing with adding new hands so we will be uniform, adjusting movements that I was doing wrong, adding the rest of the choreography, and changing my direction in the beginning so we can mirror each other. My confidence is shot. What good is muscle memory if the moves are changed. Aye yi yi.
Son lost a tooth tonight. A big one. Surely it'll be the last one? I keep thinking he's done, then he loses another!
And I am frustrated in dance. I am dealing with adding new hands so we will be uniform, adjusting movements that I was doing wrong, adding the rest of the choreography, and changing my direction in the beginning so we can mirror each other. My confidence is shot. What good is muscle memory if the moves are changed. Aye yi yi.
Son lost a tooth tonight. A big one. Surely it'll be the last one? I keep thinking he's done, then he loses another!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Don't Leave It On The Desk
From Maedean. Where does she find these things!
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery.
Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night." "200?
That's pretty good, Steve, " Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk.
Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.
When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.
Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No."
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"
Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.
Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.
Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut." "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.
Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.
Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had doneeverything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.
"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."
Don't Leave It On The Desk
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery.
Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night." "200?
That's pretty good, Steve, " Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk.
Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.
When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.
Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No."
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"
Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.
Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.
Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut." "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.
Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.
Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had doneeverything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.
"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Hi!
How was your day? Mine was not too bad. We did homeschooling for a half day and then I washed my hair and got cleaned up for belly dance class. This month I have two belly dance classes every Friday. Tentatively, I'm planning to go dance at El Paso with my teacher on March 1st! I have half the choreography learned and if I can learn the rest and get a costume together too, I'm gonna do it. The odd thing is I actually have a bit of confidence performing the first half. Could I possibly have some measure of that same confidence to learn the rest? I have to get rid of that monkey in my mind who chatters away at breakneck speed telling me all the time that I'm no good. I need to believe in myself. I've spent so many years doubting that it's hard to get over that hump. I have a feeling everything is really pretty and green with lots of flowers on the other side.
On Thursday night I didn't journal because I came home sore and tired. I was the only one who showed up for ballet so my teacher worked me at my level, er, a little higher I'd say! I ate dinner (my husband made me a plate) then I went straight to bed. I was beat.
Tonight my Middle Eastern dance teacher said I have a nice voice. That was sweet of her. And she had me go up in front of the class and teach chest isolations for about three minutes all by myself. It was a little scary I tell ya. I went real slow and explained it as four points; go right, back, left, front. I did it slowly a few times then said connect the dots and smooth it out. Some ladies were looking pretty challenged like they were trying real hard and not getting it. It scared me. lol! I think I should have said not to worry if you don't get it tonight. Keep trying and as with all good things, it takes time to get it right. Wish I had said it, but I only just now thought of it. Well, it was a long three minutes. It's a good class though. You can feel a good group and I felt it was a great group of ladies. They were very enthusiastic and a laughing group. Laughter is good when you're trying hard.
Oh my gosh. I've got to get my costume ready. I gotta go to bed from thinking about this. I need to adjust my fringe on the bra. I need to adjust the bra. I need to alter the hip belt smaller! I gotta figure out some sleeves to attach to the bra straps because people don't want to see 48 year old upper arms. I need a head band. I need a necklace and earrings. And oh yeah, a SKIRT and veil to match. Duh. I've had my bedlah sitting in a box for three years awaiting this very moment.
I did pray. In case you're a person who asked for prayer for your mom this day, I didn't type it out loud, but I prayed it.
On Thursday night I didn't journal because I came home sore and tired. I was the only one who showed up for ballet so my teacher worked me at my level, er, a little higher I'd say! I ate dinner (my husband made me a plate) then I went straight to bed. I was beat.
Tonight my Middle Eastern dance teacher said I have a nice voice. That was sweet of her. And she had me go up in front of the class and teach chest isolations for about three minutes all by myself. It was a little scary I tell ya. I went real slow and explained it as four points; go right, back, left, front. I did it slowly a few times then said connect the dots and smooth it out. Some ladies were looking pretty challenged like they were trying real hard and not getting it. It scared me. lol! I think I should have said not to worry if you don't get it tonight. Keep trying and as with all good things, it takes time to get it right. Wish I had said it, but I only just now thought of it. Well, it was a long three minutes. It's a good class though. You can feel a good group and I felt it was a great group of ladies. They were very enthusiastic and a laughing group. Laughter is good when you're trying hard.
Oh my gosh. I've got to get my costume ready. I gotta go to bed from thinking about this. I need to adjust my fringe on the bra. I need to adjust the bra. I need to alter the hip belt smaller! I gotta figure out some sleeves to attach to the bra straps because people don't want to see 48 year old upper arms. I need a head band. I need a necklace and earrings. And oh yeah, a SKIRT and veil to match. Duh. I've had my bedlah sitting in a box for three years awaiting this very moment.
I did pray. In case you're a person who asked for prayer for your mom this day, I didn't type it out loud, but I prayed it.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Lyrical routine
We actually learned the first part of a dance routine in lyrical class tonight. I need to practice it. I wrote the steps down. The choreography is to a song called "Raincoat" by Kelly Sweet. It's a bit of a bluesy pop-jazz song; smooth, slow, calm. Here it is at YouTube. The moves are pretty too. The other girls danced it better but it's to be expected since they're familiar with the teacher and her style. I notice she doesn't teach in counts of eight. She describes each move. It does cause you to let the music move you more so than the counts. I think this may be a good thing. In college everything was done to counts. It can cause you to dance too mechanically. That reminds me. I used to think everything in counts of eight when I was a student. I used to cook tacos in count of eights.
The dance studio was so cold. I never did get hot. The gas was turned off by the gas company. My dance teacher is going through a lot. She said every day it's something. I feel so bad for her.
No Nano yet. Next payday I think. I did get fabric to sew a top. Let's see if I can find the pattern link online. Found it! McCall's 5050. I'm making style D. I decided to sew only this and make sure it fits. I usually have to adjust the bust a little but I have trouble with shoulders being too wide on me. With the elastic neckline on this one I don't expect the shoulders to be an issue.
The dance studio was so cold. I never did get hot. The gas was turned off by the gas company. My dance teacher is going through a lot. She said every day it's something. I feel so bad for her.
No Nano yet. Next payday I think. I did get fabric to sew a top. Let's see if I can find the pattern link online. Found it! McCall's 5050. I'm making style D. I decided to sew only this and make sure it fits. I usually have to adjust the bust a little but I have trouble with shoulders being too wide on me. With the elastic neckline on this one I don't expect the shoulders to be an issue.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The key. I found the key!
Yesterday I told my son to hand in his history lesson paper. He gave it to me and it was torn. It was illegible. It had tear stains on it. After 30 minutes of work it consisted of three sentences. But the Mamma cannot cry during school.
So I said, redo this paper. This time type it. See how it goes. You have it all in your mind you just need to get it in written form. Twenty minutes later he handed in his paper with the biggest, most beautiful smile. It was the best paper ever. Thank-you, Lord. I've found the key! The key to the universe! I am mother of a boy child and since I don't think like a boy, I am learning as I go along. Second time around even, since my older boy is 29. I am a slow, but a sure learner. For my children's sake, I'm sorry I don't learn faster.
And so he took a picture of my hair for me in the afternoon. This is February sitting down hair. I don't think I've had a sitting down hair photo before. And this is my hair with curls. Yes. Curls. I wore it up all night in three twisted loops. Took it down 15 minutes before the photo was taken. This is the very best my hair can do for curls. I love curls, but I cannot have curls. Boo hoo.
Tomorrow we go to Cruces and I hope to get fabric to sew something like a blouse on my new-old machine. I hope we might get a Nano-Pod too. But I just have to wait and see on that.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Politics and horsemen
There's a very good political article at Fox News. I'm still off the daily horrifying news, but my husband knows what I like and he sent this one to me. It's titled:
Virtue of Contemplation on Super Tuesday
A quote:
Contemplation prepares the soul to recognize messages of real beauty, goodness, and truth. It also enables us to pick out the impostors along the way.
There's an interesting character in the park. I hope to meet him. Our son met him today. He rides his horse all across America. For reals. He's got a couple pack horses and one he rides. He's staying in a tent with one of our illustrious camp hosts. He's been doing riding across the country since 1993. He's got a web page at Horseback America Expedition. I didn't know he was still here so I hope I get to meet him soon.
Virtue of Contemplation on Super Tuesday
A quote:
Contemplation prepares the soul to recognize messages of real beauty, goodness, and truth. It also enables us to pick out the impostors along the way.
There's an interesting character in the park. I hope to meet him. Our son met him today. He rides his horse all across America. For reals. He's got a couple pack horses and one he rides. He's staying in a tent with one of our illustrious camp hosts. He's been doing riding across the country since 1993. He's got a web page at Horseback America Expedition. I didn't know he was still here so I hope I get to meet him soon.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
a lost day
I woke with one of those headaches. Took a a Tylenol PM and went back to bed and woke up still with a headache at 3:00. Took a couple Excedrin and it went away and I went for a bike ride for three miles to try to perk up my body. A whole day lost. Didn't wash my hair. I missed the Catholic church's fiesta where they carry a cross down the street and have a big potluck. And I didn't practice dance at all.
But we did watch a Rocky movie tonight which I thought would be way stupid, but it was surprisingly good. We used to enjoy going to see the fights. I like to scream at the fights. We haven't gone in ages though. I used to like Oscar de la Hoya a lot. Sylvester Stallone did a good job in the film. I was impressed that his acting was quite good. My favorite scenes are when he's talking to his son and gives him the low down on what it be like, and when he's at his first day in training.
Forgot to mention that the roadrunners were here day before yesterday. I fed them but they haven't been back. They must be eating well somewhere else.
But we did watch a Rocky movie tonight which I thought would be way stupid, but it was surprisingly good. We used to enjoy going to see the fights. I like to scream at the fights. We haven't gone in ages though. I used to like Oscar de la Hoya a lot. Sylvester Stallone did a good job in the film. I was impressed that his acting was quite good. My favorite scenes are when he's talking to his son and gives him the low down on what it be like, and when he's at his first day in training.
Forgot to mention that the roadrunners were here day before yesterday. I fed them but they haven't been back. They must be eating well somewhere else.
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