Pass the cold turkey

I love this day - it's a chance to start over and make all kinds of resolutions that we have no real plans of keeping. Yet, it gives a chance to dream big, wish big and resolve that this year will be different than last year.

I should make a list of the things I do NOT resolve to do...i.e. eat McDonald's, start smoking, etc. I guess I just don't like setting myself up for failure. If I say I won't drink coffee anymore, that's a huge lie and the resolution will be broken by tomorrow at 8:00 am. But if I say I will only drink one coffee/day, that's a bit more reasonable.

Once a few years ago, while watching Oprah, someone made the statement that we should all require more of ourselves. This saying has stuck with me since then and I really like it. It is simple yet powerful. It says so much without promissing stuff that is unattainable.

Therefore, this year, I resolve to RMOY - require more of myself. Therefore, I should get my butt to the gym before it closes.

I figure though, if these don't work there's always Lent.

I was making rather merry

Being back at work a mere 36 hours after the big event reminds me that I am not 12 and on Xmas break. Although it's relatively quiet, there's not a lot to do, and I'm doing a lot of staring outside at the snow, I'd really rather be elsewhere.

I'm also looking online at the place we're staying...when we go to....

PARIS!

Yes, my brother-in-law cashed in his frequent flyer miles and it was enough for Hillary and I to go to Paris. We're going in March and we'll be gone for about 8 days. I can't really believe it's going to happen and I probably won't believe it until I am actually on the plane and we take off. I got my passport out last night and looked through it.

Take a look at the apartment rented for our stay: http://www.vrbo.com/160830

Yes, that's the Eiffel Tower in view. I'm not sure how I got this lucky or why my bro-in-law likes me...but I'm grateful and happy to be spending some of the Springtime in Paris.

Wise men DON'T seek him...they FIND him!

God announces the best gift known in human or spirit history only to two groups of people. Shepherds, which are the lowest of the low in Jewish society, not because they are shepherds, but typically because they can't be bat mizvahed. This is because they can't read or write, which is a requirement to proceed to Jewish manhood. So, instead of living "within the law" they are "out" law if you will. Yet, God chooses to reveal his only son to them...and them alone. Not to the High Priests, not to Herod...or to Rome even...but to shepherds. To the outlaw, to the lowly, the uneducated, smelly and poor. Jesus later identifies himself as the Good Shepherd. Interesting.

Do you get the elegance of this?? He reveals his SON - the long awaited MESSIAH...to only them! It shows how important these folks are to the Kingdom established in the manger in Bethlehem. Messiah has come and he only tells the shepherds. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

The 2nd group he reveals to is some Asian men from Babylon. Not a Jew in the bunch...some wise men in Babylon and somehow they figure out that they must go and see he who was born, King of the Jews. This ticks Herod off to no end! The story is so amazing...

God is so amazing...he changes the course of human history with the birth of his son and with who he chooses to tell. I know some shepherds in my life...who I need to be a little nicer to. I also know some wise men.

I'm thankful for tonight and for the revelation of Jesus on earth to Shepherds.

The eagle...or the peace has landed

What a day.

Our internet at work as been out for several days. Since ALL systems I use are internet reliant...I was screwed. I left at 2:30 and headed for the new & improved L.A. Fitness. It is an amazing club. All new machines, weights, racquetball, etc etc. It's kind of like I don't belong there anymore. The best part is the fans they have to cool you as you're walking, riding, or ellipticalling. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Now if they would just provide a smoothie boy to bring me a smoothie every now and then.


My time of crisis is just about over and I thank you for bearing the burden with me. It's sucked...trust me. But, thanks to the kindness of friends that is unbelievable and my new found ability to yank money from an old IRA...I will be flush by the end of the year!! I just got the call about the IRA today and it was a Christmas miracle to be sure. I can pay my mortgage and maybe even my car payment!! THANK YOU JESUS (and friends...for acting like Jesus!)

Thanks to all who prayed and continue to pray for me. What a roller coaster.

Peace...peace...God's peace...

My pastor spoke about the peace of Christmas this past Sunday and the message has stuck with me through this week. This has been a HARD week for me. I don't just mean hard in the sense of lots to do and people to please...I mean hard as in I don't know what I'm going to do kinda hard. The hard that causes one to doubt the peace that passes all understanding...the hard that requires friends and family and even blog readers to pray twice as much for you in order to bear the burden. It's the kind of hard that is easy to assume Jesus will not care about or take care of. That's where I'm at...and at this time of year? Shameful!

Yet, my wise pastor's words have stuck with me as he shared that there is a peace that can pass my feeble understanding - a peace that is like oil over the skin - soaks in and is hard to wash off. A peace that I so desperately need at this moment. An "it's gonna be alright" kind of peace. A sitting in Jesus arms kind of peace. A Bethlehem kind of peace.

Deck the Halls! The Shoppin' is done!

I have finished Christmas shopping! I went to Costco today and picked up one more little thing for my friend Theology Mom - a little something for her to take on her trip.

After searching I finally found Ellie's present and can say that I am done! I vowed to by 100% of my gifts online this year (except stocking stuffers) and with one exception...I succeeded!

I am not only done with shopping - I'm done with school for the quarter. Now I can play solitaire at work instead of doing homework!

Now if I could just finish my Christmas cards, clean my house, finish trimming my tree, hang my stockings by the chimney with care and maybe bake something...it would be a Merry Christmas!

I have the Christmas parties this weekend and they should be fun. I also get to work at Mosaic on Sunday after a hiatus. I think I might have gotten fired...but oh well.

Nice job Linus

Charlie Brown: "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about!?"

Linus: "Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about...lights please"


"and there were in the same country, shepherds, abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night, when lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shown round about them and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, FEAR NOT, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to ALL people. For UNTO YOU is born this day in the City of David, a SAVIOR, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.'"



That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.

All.night.long

Last night Hillary and I went to my friend Rebecca's house to finish (or start!) our Christmas stamping. It was a fun evening of pizza, ice cream, little red-headed Mallory and stamping! I finally broke down and made 8 different cards and Rebecca helped me get my real Christmas cards ready for assembly. They are really cute.

Rebecca also invited another friend over. This friend is from her church and they are in Stampin' Up together. This is the kind of person who talks...non-stop...all.night.long.

Did I mention that she talked all.night.long. It wasn't the kind of interesting talk either...it was a kind of "all about me" talk that is highly annoying - yet very telling of the kind of insecurities a person has. She wanted to know why I didn't have kids. I didn't really have a good answer and it's been bugging me ever since. My normal answer is "cuz I'm not married..." but that didn't seem to fit this situation. We talked about school and she asked what my MA is in and I told her Organizational Leadership and she laughed and said "so you can organize my closets??" Ha.ha.ha. So not funny (well kinda funny)! This went on all.night.long.

I talked to Hillary about her today as we were all kind of getting annoyed with her-all except Rebecca who was sweet and nice and encouraging and then told me that Stephanie had recently been saved and was really trying to turn her life around. As we were leaving Stephanie said "thanks for including me in your Friday night plans".

She was annoying, talked too much and had way to much hair dye in her eyebrows, but I was reminded that this is EXACTLY the type of person I'm called to love - regardless. And yes...I will include you in our Friday night plans again Stephanie and I will pray for you and your children and boyfriend.

I am not a patriot

I do not think that I hate another NFL football team more than I hate the New England Patriots. They are cheaters, womanizers, gutless, arrogant and jerks. They are not losers, however. Which is probably why I hate them.

Tom Brady has one kid with one woman who he's not married to and is now seeing some scrawny model (not the mother of his son). So, he's a real gem of society. Then there's the coach...biggest cheater in the N.F.L.

And Wes Welker only got me one point on my Fantasy league. Hate should not be something we discuss this close to the holidays..but I can't help it.

Thanks for letting me rant. Seahawks fans unite! This weekend we could clinch the NFC West division (for like the 12th year in a row...). Also, the two Hasselbeck brothers will be squaring off against one another. Should be fun!!

Snow in Seattle

Today I went to Mo for a meeting and when we got done, Christa and I went to Pacific fabrics to get...well...fabric! I needed a new Christmas apron for the one day I may work in December at Mo.

She's so talented and bought fabric to make bags, aprons and other cute little bits for the holidays. Then we went to lunch. I looked outside and (mind you we're in Northgate...some 25 miles from my house) saw huge, white flakes coming down like crazy. Needless to say, I got CW home safe and then it took me only an hour to make it up to my little home.

I have a paper due and my 2nd job staring me in the face. But, I'm blogging and listening to the weather reports to see if Church will be a possibility tomorrow.

I also talked to Phil (my bro-in-law living in Kuwait) and he already reserved a Seabrook house for next Thanksgiving! I love that guy.

Back to work! Get to it!