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Showing posts from January, 2007

Say what?

From time to time, I encounter news story which makes me shake my head in an effort to clear my brain of what must surely be hallucinations. This was just one such story . I am no fan of Castro, mind you. But a party at the Orange Bowl? With themed t-shirts? WTF?

A marked man... or, how my husband became a tattoed republican.

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We begin a new series at church next week-- Tattoo. Devin will be talking to us about how we each have something which marks our lives. As part of this four-week series, we will have a person getting a tattoo during the service. This is pretty daring, even for us. My very brave girlfriend is "it" for one service, and yesterday I was marveling at her bravery when Jon pipes up and asks when his turn is. My characteristically smart-aleck response was something to the effect of, "what's stopping you?" Dumb. I am dumb. Six years with this man has taught me NOTHING!!!!! The discussion carried over into lunch with Wojo and J, ending with a telephone call and appointment at Bad Apple Tatto Company . Six hours later, this is what me have: The artist, Jay, is a heck of a nice guy, and was very kind to the tatto virgin. This somewhat painful afternoon is by way of Jon's very early 30th birthday gift. I am thinking my husband is something of a masochist. *shakes

In other words...

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"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life, and his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his lie is truth." ~ Neil Anderson ~ Surrender. Nine little unassuming letters which have, beaten me down. I can do conditional surrender--"God, I know this should be turned over to You, but perhaps I can keep a little for myself?" However, it is unconditional surrender which He demands. All is His. Every last struggle, every tear; every triumph, too. None of this is mine. What is it that is so important that I cannot let go of control? I have always been a stubborn thing. I really didn't stand a chance, coming from a long line of determined people. When I was young, the rule at dinner was eat it now, or have it for breakfast. Pretty simple guideline, I would say. I can't tell you how many times I had warmed over turkey soup for breakfast. Turkey soup in the evening may have been drudgery enou

Am I dreaming?

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It would seem that there is a possibility, however slight, that I can actually, for the very first time ever, vote FOR a candidate . This is contrary to my usual voting habit, which is to choose the lesser of two evils. I also might be making my first-ever campaign contribution . Dad will be so proud. I would love to see Dr. No become President No. I would do a little dance for that one! Oh yeah, and he is a FairTax supporter .

Happy Birthday!

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The Poe Toaster has left his tribute. No notes this year, no unruly crowd. Just three roses and some cognac. I come from a family of readers, and my father has a great love of narrative poetry. Dad wanted to name me Lenore. (Kelly Belly was bad enough on the playground. The only thing I can think of that rhymes with "Lenore" is "manure") So today, on the anniversary of Mr Poe's birth, I am feeling nostalgic for my father's reading of The Tell-Tale Heart . I don't know what other kids' parents read to them, but mine were all about the classics. Dad's taste ran more to American lit, so he encouraged Poe (whom I adored), Crane, Cooper, and Hawthorne. Words are a gift, and I am in awe of people who are able to paint pictures with their words. Grammar I can do; vocabulary is a snap; crafting paragraphs-- not so much. I can, however, appreciate the work of those who are gifted, even compelled to write. I can treasure their artwork time and a

Brrrrr!!!!

Las Vegas high today: 37 deg. Fahrenheit Salisbury low tonight: 51 deg Fahrenheit Needless to say, the Bass player and I will be spending much of our time indoors. Such a sacrifice. ;)

Put down your beverages.

That's the only warning you'll get. I don't know the origins of this video, but it was linked in Neal Boortz's newsletter this week. And to my father-in-law, if you are reading, I am sorry if you are offended. (But I think you will see the humor) Oh yeah, I am totally going to stand in line to get his new book .

Works for me: Lentil Chili

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Shannon is theming this week's Works For Me Wednesday, and asking us to post our favorite healthy-eating recipes. This chili was a big winner at our house when I was growing up, and Jon loves it too. Needless to say, it appears on the menu every month. Chili con Lentils 4 cups water 1 tsp salt 2 1/3 cups (one pound) lentils, washed 1 can stewed tomatoes (28 oz) 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 Tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp cumin 2 Tbsp dried parsley Bring water to a boil in 2 qt saucepan. Add salt and lentils. Simmer 30 minutes. DO NOT DRAIN. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 10 more minutes. Adjust consistence if necessary. I tend to eyeball the seasonings, as we prefer things a little more heavily seasoned, but this is a great mild recipe for families. The versatility of this recipe is unmatched. I usually serve it the first night over some nutty brown rice. The leftover make excellent burrito or taco filling. Jon has even been known to use leftover lentils as omelet filling! Yumm

Say cheese!

Perhaps it is because I live in Las Vegas and have become desensitized (or perhaps it is simply that I am one of the mindless sheeple), but cameras are just another part of my life. Because of this, an essay at Reason caught my attention. Go. Read.

What the...?

Why do people Google what they Google, and how do they end up at my blog ???

Christian no more?

Jules over at Everyday Mommy is asking us to think again. Doesn't she know that I don't have to think until 16 January? Oh well. I cannot vouch for the thoughtfulness of my thoughts this evening, but she is asking about something which I have been pondering myself the last few months. In question are these videos from Community Christian Church near Chicago. They are a parody of the Mac vs PC commercials of late, and I must say that the production quality is top-notch. For me, the tone is what is troubling. I much prefer this response . But I digress. Jules has four questions for us, and I will attempt to answer each. 1) How is the Christian portrayed versus the Christ follower? Well, the obvious answer here is that the Christian is cast in a negative light. At the end, however, the Christ Follower allows himself to be caught up is the snarky childishness of the exchange. More thoughts on this in the coming questions. 2)What message is the video attempting to convey

[rez-uh-loo-shuhn]- noun

From dictionary.com: 1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution , joint resolution . 2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. 3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. 4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose. I am no longer concerned with making a list of goals for the new year. Really. I did make one New Year's Resolution, as it were, and told only my husband (for accountability), as it is very personal. Beyond that, I am more about making a set of smaller goals-- twelve, to be precise. I have assigned myself a project for each month. January is all about my sewing and craft corner. A and D gave me a super-cute sewing basket, and from Jon I received a handy yarn tote. No more scrounging for needles or pins a

There really is no place like home.

So glad to be back in my own bed, with my own cat and my husband. I had a lovely visit with family and friends, but the time on each end without Jon wasn't as much fun, I have to say. I suppose I am a sap, but I just do not like being away from him. I have to start with a mini-rant, I think. A few observations from our trip 1) Why does the Salisbury Regional Airport rate FOUR TSA officers on duty at one time-- this time being 5:30 AM on a January 1. There is only one security gate and the planes only have 37 passengers when full. Is this my federal tax money at work, or are they just sucking the citizens of the Peoples Republic of Maryland for this? 2) Note to supervisors everywhere: when talking to your charges on a two-way, beware of snarky comments about customers. I have enough brain cells to compose a letter of complaint. 3) Lovely Fruitland W@(-m@%t pharmacist: with that attitude, you will always be ringing up Stouffer's lasagna with the Advil Cold and Sinus. S