I left work this morning, feeling the pressures of a busy day ahead. But I am blessed, beacuse I have children to pick up, a paycheck to deposit in the bank, a house to clean and dogs to walk.
I got to the gas station only to find the price of gas had gone up -- again! But I am blessed, because that means the weekend must be here!
God is constantly reminding me that He is in control and I am not alone. Even in the "simple things," I never need to fear, or worry, or guess.
Right now is a season of drama in our lives. Our hearts are breaking; we have no idea why things happen as they do. We have been hurt; those who should be supporting us are against us, and our hands are effectively tied. We have no choice but to pray, obey, and wait -- a most difficult course of action for independent, headstrong, take-charge folks like us. But...
... we are blessed! God is continually working to make me strong, bend me to His Will, condition me to seek His Refuge, and draw me closer to Him in everything I do. He is bringing me to His Throne constantly, compelling me to surrender to His Wisdom and Counsel; the love He has for me is staggering. I can, and do share my story with others -- to God's glory. I encourage my husband and share with him the things God reveals to me on a regular basis. I endure what feel to be some of the hardest tasks or saddest moments, because God is there with me, holding me up, loving me. And, I can give the glory and honor to Him, for He sustains me. I can boast of what the Lord has done in my life, despite some of the most adverse situations; I can rely on Him, and not the duplicity of mankind. My husband can find comfort in the fact that all of this shall pass, but God's promises prevail and His Word is Truth. Throughout each day God brings me to the realization that pain and suffering can be just that, when seen through the eyes of the finite, imperfect individuals that we are. But, through the blood of Christ, there is only perfection. Only through Him, can the paradox become reconciled; only through Him can the failures and weaknesses of this world become the victory and strength of a life lived in service to Christ. I am blessed to have the opportunity to live for Him!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
How to REALLY Relax
This was a very relaxing weekend. My mother-in-law stayed with us for a couple of days; my mother joined us for lunch on Saturday and dinner, Sunday. With the exception of Christine, everyone was here. I had meals to cook and laundry to do; I washed my truck on Friday and got some writing done on Saturday. The house is, relatively, clean and the dogs will be going for their walk shortly. I spent time visiting with my family, enjoying some great meals, and even got to spend a couple of hours of "quality time" with my husband. I feel a sense of accomplishment -- something that is very important to me.
That's where "lazy weekends" come in. I know I really need to work on my priorities; I need to get less hung up on what I do or what I manage to complete. I know this because lazy weekends stress me out. Watching movie after movie or sitting for hours on end, leaves me with a sense of self-loathing and sloth. It does not rejuvenate me like crossing things off my "To-Do" list does. I wake up from my lethargy feeling as if the things I should have been doing are looming over me, waiting to be accomplished before I even begin the things that are on my agenda for the day. In "Judi-World," relaxing is being able to puff out my chest, pat myself of the back, and still keep my sanity. Not a very flattering picture.
When I try to see my home from an outsider's point of view, it doesn't look so bad; I know I can afford 24 hours of inactivity, but inwardly I yearn for perfection. I tell myself that if I can "just get these things done, I can sit and enjoy myself." I crave the thrill of sitting in a spotless, fresh home, "Better Homes and Gardens" style, and knowing that my work is done and I have "all the time in the world to just relax". I know the important things in life cannot be measured by the amount of Clorox wipes I use or whether I have the ingredients for Osso Bucco. I know the pressure I put on myself is not only uncalled-for, but ridiculous.
I have wondered whether this compulsion stems from my upbringing -- should I blame my mother? or is it years of private school -- being taught to work before play? Perhaps I can attribute it to some genetic strain that causes unnecessary neurosis when windows are streaked. Or, maybe I can just add feeding pigeons in the park or sitting quietly by a waterfall to my "To-Do" list!
That's where "lazy weekends" come in. I know I really need to work on my priorities; I need to get less hung up on what I do or what I manage to complete. I know this because lazy weekends stress me out. Watching movie after movie or sitting for hours on end, leaves me with a sense of self-loathing and sloth. It does not rejuvenate me like crossing things off my "To-Do" list does. I wake up from my lethargy feeling as if the things I should have been doing are looming over me, waiting to be accomplished before I even begin the things that are on my agenda for the day. In "Judi-World," relaxing is being able to puff out my chest, pat myself of the back, and still keep my sanity. Not a very flattering picture.
When I try to see my home from an outsider's point of view, it doesn't look so bad; I know I can afford 24 hours of inactivity, but inwardly I yearn for perfection. I tell myself that if I can "just get these things done, I can sit and enjoy myself." I crave the thrill of sitting in a spotless, fresh home, "Better Homes and Gardens" style, and knowing that my work is done and I have "all the time in the world to just relax". I know the important things in life cannot be measured by the amount of Clorox wipes I use or whether I have the ingredients for Osso Bucco. I know the pressure I put on myself is not only uncalled-for, but ridiculous.
I have wondered whether this compulsion stems from my upbringing -- should I blame my mother? or is it years of private school -- being taught to work before play? Perhaps I can attribute it to some genetic strain that causes unnecessary neurosis when windows are streaked. Or, maybe I can just add feeding pigeons in the park or sitting quietly by a waterfall to my "To-Do" list!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Hitchin' a Ride on the Express
I am a local legend. Well, local in the sense that those who live at my address know my reputation for being frugal (they call it "cheap" and even crack wise regarding my name and my reluctance to save a dime -- you figure it out). Anyhoo, every Friday morning I pour over internet ads to find the best sales, and plan most of my menu for the week around bargains. Now, I know people are making ridiculous money on books and blogs about this kind of behavior, but I have been doing this since the days when "blog" could have been some sort of derogatory term about one's mother. Because I missed the gravy train on that one, let me be the first to expound on the "Benefits of Obeying the 'Fifteen Items or Less' Sign."
First, let's discuss the meaning of "Fifteen Items or Less." Fifteen, it's the number after "a fortnight," and the number before the birthday that every teen in sneakers longs to observe. It is two more than a baker's dozen and two less than the age at which my child no longer qualifies as a tax credit. Now, some people feel as though this is a very subjective "fifteen," as if fifteen has multiple definitions, or there is "fifteen EST and fifteen Central." Some use the interpretation, "If I have multiples of one item, it only counts as one." Let me be the first to say that "Fifteen is fifteen." If I owed you $15, would you accept $14 or $13? Or, if the price of one of those items was $15, would you pay $18 or $19? I reiterate, "fifteen is fifteen."
Second, let's discuss some of the benefits of the "Fifteen Items or Less" line:
A) Speedy Checkout. I think some stores still use this term in relation to the "Fifteen Item or Less" rule, and the premise is that the folks standing in the "Fifteen Item or Less" line do, indeed have fifteen items or less, and are therefore "with" the program. They are interested in checking out at the speed of light. They are not going to write a check and leave their check cashing card at home. They are not going to dispute the price on each item, or ask the cashier for a subtotal every third item. And they DO NOT have an entire cart full of canned tomatoes at the Can-Can Sale which they believe constitute one item! But, I digress. The word here, Boys and Girls, is "speedy," let's make it happen.
B) Seasoned Cashiers. Many of the markets I frequent have the Customer Service Counter strategically positioned near the "Fifteen Item or Less" line in order to make the most of their head cashiers or customer service people. These are the employees that either have been with the company longer than the Ranch dressing in aisle sixteen, or have more brain cells than the guy bagging my eggs under the four industrial-sized cans of yams I just purchased. These are people who can, presumably, multi-task. They can, quite possibly, adapt if you decide once your change has been calculated, that you have the 3 cents in your pocket that will keep your change to a minimum, as opposed to the store putting a call to the Denver mint.
C) The Proper Tools for the Job. Have you ever noticed that some registers have shorter belts, smaller bagging areas, and only the cashier to bag orders? There could be a reason for this. Perhaps, fifteen items do not require two and a half miles of landing strip on which to place items. (When wrestling with the concept of "fifteen," the length of the belt might be a tip-off.) The bagging area is usaually designed so that the talented, multi-tasking individual known as the cashier can ring "smaller-sized" orders, bag "smaller-sized" orders, and offer a level of service designed for the individual "just picking up a few things."
D) Public Safety. One of the key benefits of the "Fifteen Items or Less" line is public safety. I cannot say enough about this. Have you ever witnessed an angry mob at the Deli? It starts with #47, shifting from one foot to the other. Then, #52 mumbles a complaint about the three people being waited on who, apparently, are buying cold cuts for a small country. Instantly, #39 pipes up, "I'm only here for a pound of cheese." And that's when it gets ugly. #26 turns beet red as she orders her last pound of chipped dried beef; #25 nervously squeaks, "No, never mind, that's everything." #27, with all eyes upon her, brazenly orders the remaining ingredients for myocardial infarction and shakes off the crowd's indignation. The tension in the air is more palatable than the Limburger, and you can just sense that someone's getting jumped in Organic Produce. "Fifteen Items or Less" is a convenience and a key safety measure -- let's see it for what it is, and resist the temptation to abuse it!
In summation, I hope I have been helpful and my advice, perhaps, revolutionary. Oh, and don't forget to buy my book, coming out in early spring, tentatively titled "Confessions of an Express Lane Prodigal," or "Express Lanes for Dummies."
First, let's discuss the meaning of "Fifteen Items or Less." Fifteen, it's the number after "a fortnight," and the number before the birthday that every teen in sneakers longs to observe. It is two more than a baker's dozen and two less than the age at which my child no longer qualifies as a tax credit. Now, some people feel as though this is a very subjective "fifteen," as if fifteen has multiple definitions, or there is "fifteen EST and fifteen Central." Some use the interpretation, "If I have multiples of one item, it only counts as one." Let me be the first to say that "Fifteen is fifteen." If I owed you $15, would you accept $14 or $13? Or, if the price of one of those items was $15, would you pay $18 or $19? I reiterate, "fifteen is fifteen."
Second, let's discuss some of the benefits of the "Fifteen Items or Less" line:
A) Speedy Checkout. I think some stores still use this term in relation to the "Fifteen Item or Less" rule, and the premise is that the folks standing in the "Fifteen Item or Less" line do, indeed have fifteen items or less, and are therefore "with" the program. They are interested in checking out at the speed of light. They are not going to write a check and leave their check cashing card at home. They are not going to dispute the price on each item, or ask the cashier for a subtotal every third item. And they DO NOT have an entire cart full of canned tomatoes at the Can-Can Sale which they believe constitute one item! But, I digress. The word here, Boys and Girls, is "speedy," let's make it happen.
B) Seasoned Cashiers. Many of the markets I frequent have the Customer Service Counter strategically positioned near the "Fifteen Item or Less" line in order to make the most of their head cashiers or customer service people. These are the employees that either have been with the company longer than the Ranch dressing in aisle sixteen, or have more brain cells than the guy bagging my eggs under the four industrial-sized cans of yams I just purchased. These are people who can, presumably, multi-task. They can, quite possibly, adapt if you decide once your change has been calculated, that you have the 3 cents in your pocket that will keep your change to a minimum, as opposed to the store putting a call to the Denver mint.
C) The Proper Tools for the Job. Have you ever noticed that some registers have shorter belts, smaller bagging areas, and only the cashier to bag orders? There could be a reason for this. Perhaps, fifteen items do not require two and a half miles of landing strip on which to place items. (When wrestling with the concept of "fifteen," the length of the belt might be a tip-off.) The bagging area is usaually designed so that the talented, multi-tasking individual known as the cashier can ring "smaller-sized" orders, bag "smaller-sized" orders, and offer a level of service designed for the individual "just picking up a few things."
D) Public Safety. One of the key benefits of the "Fifteen Items or Less" line is public safety. I cannot say enough about this. Have you ever witnessed an angry mob at the Deli? It starts with #47, shifting from one foot to the other. Then, #52 mumbles a complaint about the three people being waited on who, apparently, are buying cold cuts for a small country. Instantly, #39 pipes up, "I'm only here for a pound of cheese." And that's when it gets ugly. #26 turns beet red as she orders her last pound of chipped dried beef; #25 nervously squeaks, "No, never mind, that's everything." #27, with all eyes upon her, brazenly orders the remaining ingredients for myocardial infarction and shakes off the crowd's indignation. The tension in the air is more palatable than the Limburger, and you can just sense that someone's getting jumped in Organic Produce. "Fifteen Items or Less" is a convenience and a key safety measure -- let's see it for what it is, and resist the temptation to abuse it!
In summation, I hope I have been helpful and my advice, perhaps, revolutionary. Oh, and don't forget to buy my book, coming out in early spring, tentatively titled "Confessions of an Express Lane Prodigal," or "Express Lanes for Dummies."
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