Saturday, September 27, 2014

Big Girl Pants and Being Pretty

Just so that you know, when I say big girl pants, I'm not talking about the metaphorical ones that we pull up when we have to be a grown up.  Trust me, I would never pay for the 'privilege' of being a grown up!  I'm talking about the tangible ones that you pull up every morning and believe they will be the one thing that keeps you and your personals  covered in rain, hail and shine. Every girl knows that your big girl pants can make a difference between a good and an itchy one! 

Last week I went to town and did some good old fashioned shopping!  When I say shopping, I'm talking about the kind of shopping that spans city blocks, department stores and specialty shops.  This is the shopping that ends in exhaustion and sore feet.  Remember that scene in Pretty Woman, when Julia Roberts collapses into a chair, dressed up to the nines and surrounded by piles of bags and boxes.   My flop on the bed was far less glamorous and I was in sensible walking shoes and still had sore feet. Good thing I was staying in a modest hotel in the city.  The PJ's were on before the room service arrived. 

My expedition included a frantic search of the underwear department of (the ritzy and superior), Target.  Why was I frantic?  I need new underwear.  The situation is getting desperate.  Well, it was desperate last week. You see, I found an excellent line of underwear a few years ago.  It was pretty and fitted comfortably.  Undies are an important part of your outfit,girls.  I'm not shy about saying it.  I know that no one sees my undies but me and the laundry fairy but when I wear my granny undies I feel like a granny and there is enough going on, any give day, that makes me feel like a granny without my undies jumping on board.  So, when my favourite line of pretty panties were no longer available - discontinued - I could have cried!!! In fact, I might have cried. 

I went shopping with the intention of finding a new underwear collection and when I couldn't find anything at Target, despair was looming.  Fortunately, my frantic rifling into the backs and bottoms (no pun intended) and corners of the underwear racks finally uncovered a limited range of big girl undies that didn't look my Nan's.  It was more that a little disturbing that I was so delighted by a purchase of such a necessity, but that's how it goes these days. 

My romp in the city was a success.  I came home with new undies and a new pair of shoes.  =) 

 Nothing beats a comfy pair of undies.  But, if they're pretty, it's a bonus. 




Tuesday, September 16, 2014

My Cat the Diva

Very early this morning, while it was still dark, Dad got out of bed headed to the kitchen.  He checked his blood glucose level and took some medication, as he usually does. He tends to do this in dim light as he knows what to do and where everything is and it all sort of happens automatically.  

Shelly, the cat, demanded her pre-breakfast morning snack and Dad obliged by pouring some of her breakfast into her bowl, which he found by feeling the edge of it.  



Later this morning, while it was still dark, Shelly woke me up and demanded the remainder of her breakfast.  I got the cup from the bench and tipped the remaining breakfast portion (only three of four pieces) into her bowl.  She purred and ate them up.  I went back to bed.  

Only a few minutes later, Shelly was walking all over me and meowing in my ear.  I got up (AGAIN!) and went to the kitchen to sort it out.  I turned on the light and found that the majority of Shelly's breakfast was on the floor, beside her bowl.  Shelly stood beside her bowl with a look of expectation.  
"Mee-oow" she demanded. 
"Your food is right there." I replied, pointing to the pile of food beside her bowl.  
"Meo" she croaked back at me and sat down beside her bowl with that look I give my students when they ask if I'm serious.  That look of stubborn patience.  That look that says, I mean it and I will just sit here silently and wait for you to come to your senses.  

I sighed as I bent down and scooped the food from the floor to her bowl.  No sooner had the food had dropped into the bowl, was it set upon by Shelly's jaws.  She gulped and purred and purred and gulped as my small handfuls of food fell into the bowl.  It was exactly the same food that had been on the floor.  Exactly the same.  

I'm raising a princess! 


Sunday, September 14, 2014

What I "learned" at Church today.

I put "learned" in air quotes because I already knew it, I just needed to learn it again. One of the newest members of our church, a beautiful baby girl called Eden Grace was dedicated to God during our service today.  Her grandfather led our morning worship service and reminded us that we are saved by the Creator of the Universe who loves everyone of us.  I learned it again.  I will keep learning it until it is finally something I won't ever forget.

The Key Question of the Message this morning was:
"What kind of Gospel is this?"

Linda Bond, General of the Salvation Army (Retired), said that the Gospel appears ludicrous and incredible.  What Kind of Gospel appears Ludicrous? The Gospel of Faith.  It demands faith.

This Gospel is life changing.  Simon Peter, Saul who became Paul on the road to Damascus, Timothy all changed dramatically when the Gospel was brought to them.  While there are many who are born into a Christian family and way of life, they may feel that knowing God hasn't truly changed their life.  But, what if they weren't born into such a family? Where would they be if they hadn't heard the Gospel?  What would they have done in their youth if they hadn't been at church?  What would they be doing now if they had not learned of God's grace in their infancy?  What kind of Gospel is this?  A faith-based, life changing Gospel.

While society seeks to label everyone, God does not label or condemn us.  Most children these days have some kind of 'label' that attempts to explain away their shortcomings.  Everyone is 'supposed' to fit into a box or fall into a group or role depending on the situation.  We have mothers, sisters, career women, stay at home mums, children, adults, CEO's, government officials, average people.  We have owners and renters and nationalities, socio-economic status, married and unmarried.  There are places and rules and considerations of justice.  The Gospel is for EVERYONE and ANYONE!  It doesn't matter who you are or where you have been; it matters that you Believe your life will be changed.  Your past doesn't exclude you.  The Gospel is not restricted.  The Gospel is not determined by your social status, bank balance, family, neighbourhood, education, race, appearance, marital status or employment.  What kind of Gospel is it?  This is a Gospel for you, me and them.  This Gospel is for everyone.

The world today can be a very scary place.  The news is a depressing part of anyone's day.  There are deaths, crimes, natural disasters, financial difficulties and wars.  One could be forgiven for wanting to hide away.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the Gospel of reassurance.  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Nothing is constant or certain but GOD does not change. The truth of the Bible has not changed in thousands of years.  God's love is eternal.  This Gospel must certainly seem incredible because it is not dynamic.  It isn't relative.  It doesn't 'depend' on the circumstances.  This Gospel is solid.

What kind of Gospel is this?  This is the Gospel of HOPE, FAITH, and LOVE.  This is the Gospel that CHANGES the LIVES of anyone who BELIEVES.

Why would I believe in anything else?






Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Another Week and Another List of Happy

Today, I decided it might be interesting to write a poem instead of just a boring list. I am making an effort to accentuate the positive and, at least once a week, write about what makes me happy.  I want to focus on the good things that I am grateful for. I decided to write a Cinquain.  If you want more information about the poetic form, rules for the structure and tips on how to write Cinquains you could check out my previous posts on Cinquains or Google it (quite a few teaching resources are available too).  


Thanksgiving
Blessed, Loved, Safe.
Laughing, Playing, Learning, 
Peaceful in the Present.
Praise

Love

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Today I'm Grateful For...

Psalm 126:3; NIV "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."


  1. My laptop and my other internet enabled devices.  I'm not sure what I would do without the Internet.  I know there was a time when I didn't use the Internet at all.  I didn't spend nearly as much time in my pyjamas and I was almost always cranky.  True Story! 
  2. My Dentist - while I don't like having to visit him, he is very skilled and often goes above and beyond my expectations when it comes to providing relief.  He is, of course, rather expensive. 
  3. My job - the most important part of which, this week anyway, is the pay packet.  I can afford an expensive and excellent dentist because I get paid.  
  4. My parents - I love my parents and they would do anything (within their power) for me.  Sometimes that includes telling me truth I don't want to hear or pushing me further than I want to go.  
  5. My bed - It really is a very comfortable bed!!