Allen Gant Sr.

Why am not surprised that pantyhose are a man's creation? Allen Gant Sr. introduced them in 1959. You have to know he had some kind of issues with women to do this to us. I have spent the better part of my day trying to ignore the ginormous hole in my big toe of my pantyhose. I am finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else but the fact that my big toe is slowly having the circulation cut off. Wikipedia has the whole story on these things but here's the synopsis of the disadvantages.

"The nylon fabric of pantyhose is extremely prone to runs (called laddering in the United Kingdom). A woman can even cause a run in the hose by catching the toenail of her big toe in the fabric when she puts the hose on, catching it on a desk, car, and numerous other 'risks'. Some women use clear nail polish to prevent runs from growing.
Unlike cotton, nylon is not an absorbent material. As a result, perspiration from the woman's feet is more likely to remain in contact with the feet, which may feel unpleasant to her. Unless, she choses a hosiery product which has silver in it. This helps to prevent odour and sweating of the feet. Thus, making the wearing of hosiery an altogether more pleasant experience. A woman can now buy silk stockings and tights so this natural fibre helps to prevent perspiration and keeps the feet feeling fresh all day."

I love that they use the word "risks." You have to check out the whole story at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantyhose#History just for the part on "Men and Pantyhose" and "Crime Applications".

Move Mountains

Pastor Phil challenged me this week by asking us to pray everyday from now until the end of Lent for just one thing in our life that seems as big as a mountain that needs to be moved. One thing immediately came to my mind that I fully admit I feel like it is the size of a mountain and haven't had much faith that it can be changed. What I find so comforting and makes this seem attainable is that all I need to do is bring it to God every day, and just ask him to move it. I don't need to ask him how to move it, when to move it, just to move it. Mark 11:22b-23 says "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he saith." I am excited to see what God will do with this mountain.

More Chickens

I know some people aren't but I am a Martha Stewart fan. I'm sure she must have days where everything she cooks, bakes, makes from some material only found in nature doesn't turn out, but I refuse to let those thoughts creep into my mind. She seems so at ease in her perfectly orchestrated world. She gets to spend her days with these adorable chickens. Don't take my word for it, check her blog at http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/?rsc=todaysidea_Homepage_Homepage. These pictures made my day.

Obsolete

I knew this day would come. I have finally reached the point in my life where something has become obsolete. We were setting up a new DVD recorder that we got so that we can copy all our VHS tapes onto DVDs, and to make room, we pulled all of our cassette tapes out of the entertainment center. After doing that we realized we don't even own a cassette player anymore so we threw them all out..... this is the day I'm talking about (deep sigh). Then again, I'm glad some things are obsolete like big hair, stirrup pants, and shoulder pads.

Quack

Last night we got one of those snowfalls that makes everything look white and clean, and I can't believe I am uttering these words, like a "winter wonderland". I am more in favor of a "summer wonderland" since there is not usually one thing I like about winter. I don't have a stunning photo to show you, but I am sure my cute friend Brandie will have one on her blog since she takes the most amazing scenic photos, so check her blog at http://www.xanga.com/brannabee.
So while dinner was cooking I stepped outside on our deck to see the "wonderland" and what did I hear? My favorite sound when I am outside at our house. The family of ducks that live in the creek below our house were splashing in the creek, quacking at each other, and flying up and down. It has been so fun to see the ducklings each year and to hear them whenever I am outside. They make me happy. It makes me feel like if they can be having fun during the winter, why can't I? And by fun I mean, sitting inside my warm house, with a book, looking at winter from the inside out.

Alpacas

I find it hard to believe I went most of my life without knowing about these adorable animals. They have become my new favorite things within the last year. We went to the annual PA Farm Show on Thursday night in Harrisburg, and I'm pretty sure this was the first year that Alpacas were there. Just look at this cute face! If I had a farmette, which I would like to some day, even though I am also a little city girl, I would have two Alpacas, named Dooney and Bourke. What better farm animals, they basically just eat hay and grass, they don't need alot of room, and you give them a couple of haircuts a year, sell their hair for a great profit, and best of all, unlike most farm animals, you don't have to (gulp) eat them after you have raised them. I love that!! I would totally be able to bond with them with no worries.

I also love these chickens.... how can you not smile when you see them. In my perfect world, I would have Alpacas, chickens, a pygmy goat, a brown cow, and a horse on my farmette and spend the day taking care of them... if only...

Cancer

Is there any more frightening word? Just in my small corner of the world, four people I so so care about have been deeply affected by this disease in the last few days. I feel shaken and sad and scared, but have felt the need to spend time in prayer, more so than I have in some time. God has spoken to me recently about my prayer life, so in some small way, isn't something good already coming out of this?

Rechargeable

battery... that's what I feel like on Sundays. Sunday is my favorite time of the week because I look forward to spending time at church and getting recharged for another week. By the time Sunday rolls around, I honestly feel like a rechargeable battery that has the life sucked out of it. Rich says I am so "tormented" because I feel things so deeply, and I think I am ok with that. There are so many things that I wish were different or that I could do better, but I was reminded in church today that my purpose here on earth is to love God with all my heart and share his love to this lost world either in what I say or how I act. It makes me so excited to get to heaven one day to put the struggles of being in this world behind me.

The other reason I so love Sundays is that is is the only day we are all in one place and one time when we go to church and then our weekly breakfast afterwards. I hope that if the kids live near us after they have their own lives and families, we can keep that tradition.

Bring on 2008

We spent the evening with our very dear friends Scott and Laralei and a few other couples we haven't seen in some time in Harrisburg and got caught up in the excitement of the crowd and the vibe of being downtown. I am a little bit city girl, Rich could do with out the city altogether, so I appreciate him being a good sport. We have never actually been somewhere when the symbol of the city has been dropped, Rich called it our first "dropping". I am kind of liking this stage of our lives now that our kids are pretty independent and we can devote more of our time with good friends, they really are priceless.
I feel very melancholy because tomorrow is back to work after 11 days off.... I need to unpack my good attitude. Maybe I can do that as I put all the Christmas decorations away for another year. Bring on 2008!