Refresh

Friends of ours asked us to go see the Christian Rock group Newsboys on Friday. They have been around since the 80s but we have never seen them. I know you are thinking we are kind of old for that sort of thing. I am also sure the kids are a little freaked out at the thought of their parents jamming to some Christian Rock. The truth is, I was really inspired at how they presented to gospel so clearly and unashamed during the concert. They have been featured in the movie " God is not Dead" and also in an upcoming movie "Do You Believe?" Recently I have realized how comfortable I am in my world and that I really need to be prepared to share God's Word in my daily life. In the midst of the loud bass, awesome drum show, see this linkhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EnPaWcjzhTU, light show, God really used that to remind me to freshen my outlook.

Speaking of refresh, have you ever used a paint sprayer? Those things are clearly made by some sort of evil person. Lauren has a dining table and chairs that we gave her that are over 20 years old. We wanted to change the oak to black table and white chairs. I mistakenly thought using a paint sprayer would be so much easier than plain old cans of spray paint. So, so wrong. I have not been that frustrated and covered in that much paint, ever. I bought a cheaper model and used that first, it worked for the primer then stopped working. Mid- project, thinking a more expensive model would work better, I went to Lowes covered in paint in my really unattractive paint clothes and bought a name brand model. Fail. We ended up going back and getting spray paint to finish the job. Lesson learned. Today I need to return the evil contraption and the paint that we never used. For all that is good in this world, listen to me and just use old school spray paint. They have really bumped up the quality and you get a great finish. The fumes aren't so bad either.

What I am saying friends is, Spring is a perfect time to refresh things outside but inside isn't so bad either. 

Yes, I'm still here

Have you been to a Wendy's restaurant recently and seen the new beverage dispensers? We went for a quick dinner last evening and I was standing in front of this space-age looking dispenser that can supposedly provide over 200 choices of a beverage. As I stood there looking, deciding, feeling ever more stressed about which beverage I was craving, the screen displayed this question, " Are you still there?" First, just because I need to evaluate my selection from over 200 choices and take more than 10 seconds, yes I am still there. Some frequent customer was breathing down my neck so I quickly made a choice but kept thinking about the deeper meaning that the question asked. How can a beverage dispenser make me think of that really philosophical question? 

I am being a little sarcastic but still it made me think. I have enjoyed beyond words my time not working these past 3 weeks. It's glorious. I had no idea how much better I would feel. I know I need to find a part-time job when we return from a week in Florida just so I can say, " Yes I am still here." Time to get back to reality and pull my weight. Now I know why those in education take a sabattical. Well, not really but it's a sweet gig if you can get it. 

I have purchased a sewing machine for the first time in my life. I took sewing in Home Economics in Eighth grade and it was a disaster. The teacher was kind of awful and gave us a pattern and expected us to sew a complete garment. Later when Lauren was born I made the colossal mom mistake and tried to make her clothes when I borrowed a sewing machine. Fail. This time I think it may be more successful. Some of those basic techniques seem to be in my noggin and my expectation is only to sew a straight seam so my low expectations combined with my user-friendly machine, it just work this time. I will keep you posted. 

So still not sure what

Let's see, what have I been up to my first week unemployed? I have exercised, once, but who's counting? I have managed to sleep in later than 6 am a few mornings, I cleaned my wood blinds using a method I saw on Pinterest, obviously since I no longer can think on my own, I have had lunch with my cute girl who also likes Pho and shopped for a few things for her place, NOT had to drive in a few winter storms cause I didn't have to, and figured out what Gunner does all day.

He's hard to keep up with. 

Then today, while looking at my kitchen, I thought it would be a good idea to reorganize my cabinets. Who ever thought that was a good idea? I am now in a vortex of shifting stuff from one cabinet to another then another and it still makes no sense. Someone help me please. More snow expected tomorrow so I can spend another day cooped up inside, with no daylight, wilting from winter, so maybe I will figure a way out of the mess I started today. Anyone reading this that feels the need to tell me it is still winter in March clearly has not lived in Central PA where by this time of year daffodils are usually blooming and forsythia are ready to burst. I am guessing this person might be sitting comfortably somewhere more south of where I am but I am just guessing. I am sure when my vitamin D levels go up I will be more tolerant of those comments.  I'm fine really. Don't send help yet.

So, now what?

It has happened. My last day of full-time employment after 15 years at Messiah College was yesterday. I am certain it was time for me to leave but am freaking out a little inside. Why you ask? Now I need to really do the things I have always used work as an excuse not to do. It's a little daunting. 

I did wake up at 6:15am today but rolled over unti 8am until the sun was shining in the window of my bedroom. I didn't realize that since I have not been in bed that late in forever. Well, during the week. 

In my perfect world, I will find a part-time job doing something that makes a difference, volunteer a few hours a week somewhere, and spend a few hours a week exploring a hobby like repurposing furniture or baking biscotti. The last one I wasn't really thinking about but more than one person asked me if that's what I plan to do. They may be on to something. 

I hope to make a better effort at exercising and daily devotions. This sounds pretty lofty but I think if I say it out loud I will be more likely to do it. 

I am grateful Rich is willing to support my decision and that I can be a kept woman for awhile. He says I will make it two weeks before I look for a job. He might be right. I am hoping I know clearly when a door opens. 

Epic fail

One of my goals for this year is to have one original thought I didn't see on Pinterest. Seriously, I blame Pinterest for turning my brain to mush. 

I saw a pin about cleaning in between the oven door and I just so happened to have a big drip in mine that has been driving me crazy for a month or so. I asked my beloved a couple times to help me but our timing wasn't synching by which I mean he didn't feel like doing it when I wanted him to feel like doing it. So I took matters into my own hands. 

The pinner said you simply unscrew the two inside screws, the door comes apart, you clean the mess and screw back together. At first that seemed like the case, until the whole front of the oven flopped open like some kind of jigsaw puzzle. I was concerned but confident I could do this. Until the one big piece in front fell on my toe and did this. 

Wow, I need a pedicure. Sorry, you can't unsee this.  

Rich then paid attention and came into the kitchen and was, let's say curious as to what I was doing. I asked him to hold the one side and as he moved in to help, one of only  two srews that hold this whole puzzle together went flying. I knew it but he didn't. I was looking for it the whole time he was getting more frustrated and irritated that I thought I could do this by myself. I actually said I don't need him for every project I do when in my mind I knew that probably is not right. I was sweating it knowing soon, very soon he would know one screw was missing. We looked everywhere and the added problem of seeing dirt at that eye level I didn't know was there was also alarming. He shook the drawer under the oven and out fell the screw. Whew! Small miracles. My oven is back together but I am still picking up the pieces of my pride. 

Neptune

As I am writing this Blizzard Neptune is still making a nuisance of himself. We missed the snow but around 7pm last night roaring winds started and a for real polar vortex descended on us. I get jumpy and anxious when it's this windy. We live around many trees and are usually the first to lose power and we did. All night. It was 50 degrees in our house this morning. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for a house and protection but this really solidifies my hatred of winter. By this time of year I have had just about enough. 

Earlier yesterday we stopped into my parents house to help them with a critter that was trapped in their  chimney. When I say we I mean Rich. He opened the flue and out flew a starling. The last thing I saw it went straight for my dad's head. That's when mom and I ran screaming. It made the rounds downstairs towards the windows until Rich was able to pick it up and take it outside. Mom and I continued to hide for another 10 minutes until we realized it was outside. Glad we could be helpful. 

While I was there, my dad then gave me a box of my favorite chocolate for Valentine's Day. It's a local family-owned store in a not so great part of Harrisburg. He basically risked his life for me. That's how I see it. My dad is the best.

So while we were hunkered down waiting for Neptune, we made dinner here rather than go out for Valentine's Day. We agreed not to get each other cards or gifts. I think if you are both on the same page with this holiday, that is fine to not celebrate it. We love each other and show each other in lots of little ways so why make it a big deal on one day of the year. We did however celebrate with Lobster and scallops. We needed nourishment for the storm ahead. 

With all the time on my hands, Gunner and I took some selfies. Sorry you have to see this. As usual, he steals the show and looks super excited about all of this. 

Introvert Perspective

My beloved and I went to a friend's surprise party last night. We knew it was going to be a small crowd and we would only know the birthday girl and her husband. I had a conversation with Rich earlier in the week where I stated that he was not to leave my side at any moment. He claimed he has never done that but that was the whole point of the conversation because that has definitely happened before. My worst nightmare is to be stuck in a room with strangers making small talk. Rich assured me he would be attached to my hip for the evening. We arrived and two people were already there and instantly put us at ease and we enjoyed talking to them. 12 more people arrived and we were in a lovely small room and as usual Rich was the life of the party. I don't think there has been one time we have been in a group setting that someone doesn't look at me and say " He must be so much fun to live with." I think I speak for all introverts that comment kind of sounds like perhaps I am NOT that fun to be around. It's really beside the point that, yes, Rich is indeed fun to be around, most of the time. He can work a crowd like nobody's business. It's a gift, I am convinced. On our drive home he said something that was very enlightening. He told me he knows I hate to be the center of attention so he tries to take the spotlight off of me by being who he is in those situations. That is actually very sweet and makes it seem more like a gift than him trying to work the crowd. He's a keeper. 

One gentleman there came up to me as we were leaving and said he told his wife they should be talking to me because I would have much more to say because I am the quiet one. He must be a kindred introvert. 

Also of note, many of my kind might also have an inner Mario that may not be obvious to the common eye. Rich fulfilled his lifelong dream of getting a Corvette and I took it for a spin yesterday. It's a six-speed and although I learned to drive on a stick-shift it's been just about that long since I've driven one. Rich spent some time explaining the intricacies of driving it before I took the wheel. Apparently it's like riding a bike because I owned it and had no problem. He was kind of amazed. I like to surprise him every now and then. Yep, it's the quiet ones you gotta watch.