Allergies, allergies, allergies! When will the ragweed die down?! I'm going crazy over here with itchy eyes, throat and ears. Not to mention the constant congestion and random coughing.
I grew up in Kentucky, in a town much like Nashville. Unless I have a horrible memory, I don't remember allergies bothering me. Ever since moving here though, the spring and especially the fall give me a one-two punch that I can't dodge. Oh well, such is life.
Any of you from Nashville want to join me in saying that the entire Green Hills area is the biggest pain to drive through? I avoid the area as much as possible. My blood pressure sky rockets when I venture that way. Whoever designed the traffic light setup and timing did not need to have that job! And trying to park at Green Hills mall is enough to send the mildest of temperament into orbit. Anyway, glad that shopping excursion is over.
Hope all is well in your world. Side note...I slept until 11:30am today. I feel so much better. :)
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
It's there, I promise
While driving into work this morning, I noticed the hazy horizon and the skyline of Nashville against it. There is one point on my way to work where I see the skyline of Nashville perfectly.
There are days, like today, where smog or a haze has settled on the city causing the buildings downtown to look as though they are covered by a thin, slightly see through fabric. There are other times when you can see the buildings perfectly, no smog, no haze, no obstruction to the view. Then there are days when I can't see the buildings at all. It's as though someone has snatched them up and deposited them somewhere out of view. The buildings are there, my eyes just can't see them at that moment.
A thought came mind; God is always there, His promises, His commands, love, plans. I can't always see what God is doing around me or in me but He is still there. To my finite mind and eye, it may appear that God is not there.
The cares of this world may block my view at times, and I may too easily let that happen. Sometimes it might be God placing a "haze" around something while He works, not wanting me to see it until the work is done. Whatever reason for the inability to see what is infront of me is for my good and comes with a purpose. I must remember that God is not always visible, but He is always there.
There are days, like today, where smog or a haze has settled on the city causing the buildings downtown to look as though they are covered by a thin, slightly see through fabric. There are other times when you can see the buildings perfectly, no smog, no haze, no obstruction to the view. Then there are days when I can't see the buildings at all. It's as though someone has snatched them up and deposited them somewhere out of view. The buildings are there, my eyes just can't see them at that moment.
A thought came mind; God is always there, His promises, His commands, love, plans. I can't always see what God is doing around me or in me but He is still there. To my finite mind and eye, it may appear that God is not there.
The cares of this world may block my view at times, and I may too easily let that happen. Sometimes it might be God placing a "haze" around something while He works, not wanting me to see it until the work is done. Whatever reason for the inability to see what is infront of me is for my good and comes with a purpose. I must remember that God is not always visible, but He is always there.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
What I'm reading at the moment
I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, a Kentucky-based author. I picked up the book at random at the bookstore, and to my delight later, I found the story is based in Kentucky. AND...Somerset is mentioned in the beginning chapters. Somerset is my hometown.
A doctor has to deliver his own children as a freak snowstorm stops his wife from making it to the hospital. Twins are born, a boy and a girl. The second one, the girl, is born with downs syndrome. He makes a quick decision, without his wife knowing it, telling the nurse to take the baby to an institution in Louisville. The story that follows is of the nurse running away with the baby and raising the child as her own. I'm not finished with the book, but I'm sure a reunion is bound to take place between the father/mother and the nurse/child.
What I have taken away from the book so far is how our lives can change in an instance. We make one, seemingly small, decision and our life is thrown onto a completely different track. I've had that happen to me a couple of times. As I ponder what my life consists of at the moment, I can see the difference a couple of 'small' decisions made in my path.
The decision to walk away from a relationship that was heading for marriage was the most difficult one I have ever made. What would my life be like right now if I had stayed? Would I be in Nashville? Would I have the friends I now know? Would I be working at my present job? So many things could be different. Although the decision to end that relationship took a while to finalize in my mind, there was a moment when that decision set me on a different path than what I was taking.
Now that was a big choice on my part, so I'm not really talking about that situation inparticular with this post. I am thinking of all the little choices I've made and don't know and never will know the impact they had on my life.
I really don't know where I'm going with this post. I guess I'm just putting down some random thoughts. So often I look at my life and just wonder what differences there would be if I had made the other choice that was before me in a number of circumstances.
A doctor has to deliver his own children as a freak snowstorm stops his wife from making it to the hospital. Twins are born, a boy and a girl. The second one, the girl, is born with downs syndrome. He makes a quick decision, without his wife knowing it, telling the nurse to take the baby to an institution in Louisville. The story that follows is of the nurse running away with the baby and raising the child as her own. I'm not finished with the book, but I'm sure a reunion is bound to take place between the father/mother and the nurse/child.
What I have taken away from the book so far is how our lives can change in an instance. We make one, seemingly small, decision and our life is thrown onto a completely different track. I've had that happen to me a couple of times. As I ponder what my life consists of at the moment, I can see the difference a couple of 'small' decisions made in my path.
The decision to walk away from a relationship that was heading for marriage was the most difficult one I have ever made. What would my life be like right now if I had stayed? Would I be in Nashville? Would I have the friends I now know? Would I be working at my present job? So many things could be different. Although the decision to end that relationship took a while to finalize in my mind, there was a moment when that decision set me on a different path than what I was taking.
Now that was a big choice on my part, so I'm not really talking about that situation inparticular with this post. I am thinking of all the little choices I've made and don't know and never will know the impact they had on my life.
I really don't know where I'm going with this post. I guess I'm just putting down some random thoughts. So often I look at my life and just wonder what differences there would be if I had made the other choice that was before me in a number of circumstances.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Working through I Corinthians
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor. 2:1-5 (Italic emphasis by Mindy)
These few verses have always stood out to me in this book. Paul wanted to make it clear that he did not try to impress them with eloquent speech or with talent and skills. The one thing Paul wanted for the people in Corinth, and for every town he preached in, was a faith that did not rest or find its foundation on anything a human had done or said. Paul desired the Christians at Corinth to have a faith which rooted itself solely in Jesus. For Paul knew a faith built on human wisdom or eloquence would not stand the test of time and life trials.
Do people walk away from my actions and words with a deeper faith or understanding of God? Do they sense that anything I do is through His power and not mine? Do I allow God to speak through me or I am simply filling the air with my own words? Words that will leave the listener no closer to God or rooted deeper in Him than when I started talking.
These few verses have always stood out to me in this book. Paul wanted to make it clear that he did not try to impress them with eloquent speech or with talent and skills. The one thing Paul wanted for the people in Corinth, and for every town he preached in, was a faith that did not rest or find its foundation on anything a human had done or said. Paul desired the Christians at Corinth to have a faith which rooted itself solely in Jesus. For Paul knew a faith built on human wisdom or eloquence would not stand the test of time and life trials.
Do people walk away from my actions and words with a deeper faith or understanding of God? Do they sense that anything I do is through His power and not mine? Do I allow God to speak through me or I am simply filling the air with my own words? Words that will leave the listener no closer to God or rooted deeper in Him than when I started talking.
Introducing the do
I have two pictures to show off my new look. I like the versatility of this cut; I can style it into a bob that frames my face or style it into a flipped-out do for a fun night. Let me know what you think of the new look! Comments are a wonderful treat to find in my email box. :)
Friday, September 22, 2006
Yes, yes...I cut my hair off
Yes, I cut my hair off! Don't be surprised when you see me next...if you haven't already. I went from hair down my back to short-do around my face. And I love it! I will post a picture soon. Maybe I'll get a picture taken tonight at the apartment.
I do these occasionally, completely change my look. I can't help it. I get tired of one hair-do for too long. So I wack it all of sometimes :)
I do these occasionally, completely change my look. I can't help it. I get tired of one hair-do for too long. So I wack it all of sometimes :)
Monday, September 18, 2006
A new hairstyle and Kudos to Mandy
Tomorrow I am getting my hair cut. Get ready to see my new look. The picture here is what I am taking with me to show my stylist. We'll see what the finished product is...
My adorable and thoughtful friend, Mandy, gave me a wonderful gift for my birthday. Ever used those bath-fizzer thingies? I highly recommend them. Drop one in your bath and watch it fizz into oblivion or into your bath water :) Tonight I used the one with clove. The label said it would relax sore muscles and I bear witness that it does!
I laid back and let the worry and tension of the day melt away. Now the apartment smells of clove! hehe Reminds me a little of Christmas time, the hot tea that includes clove. My mom used to make it when family came over. It's amazing the memories a scent can bring to mind.
Hope you have something in your life that allows you to relax. Mine is a hot bath.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Connection to grandma
If you don't know this about me already, I have a love affair with peanut butter. I admit it, guilty as charged. For whatever reason, my youngest brother and I love the food. Our grandma New used to make the grandkids their favorite pie for their birthday. Of course mine was peanut butter. And, man, could she make a pie. Grandma had it down, the crust, the filling, the meringue on top. It was a special treat that I still hold dear.
My grandma passed away at 69 to ovarian cancer. She has just begun teaching me to sew and bake. I was not afforded the opportunity to stand next to her in her kitchen, rolling out the crust, cooking the custard on the stove top. I think of that often, all the wonderful things we could have shared under her roof. But the Lord wanted her home long before I wanted to give her up.
Throughout the years, my youngest brother and I have searched high and low for a peanut butter pie. No one makes them anymore, or even a custard pie. Guess we have gotten away from the art form of baking. To frustrate things more, no one had grandma's recipe for the pie. She had it memorized in her head.
After years of wishing we had that recipe, I have finally found one almost like it. The point to this blog? I felt a connection with my grandma when I made it the other day. She was a wonderful lady, someone who is worth emulating. Knowing I can carry on the pie tradition she so beautifully mastered makes me long to see her and feel as though I have become somewhat like her. Any way I resemble my grandma New is an honor. Someday I will be with her again. Until then, come visit me and taste the pie. It's worth the drive!
My grandma passed away at 69 to ovarian cancer. She has just begun teaching me to sew and bake. I was not afforded the opportunity to stand next to her in her kitchen, rolling out the crust, cooking the custard on the stove top. I think of that often, all the wonderful things we could have shared under her roof. But the Lord wanted her home long before I wanted to give her up.
Throughout the years, my youngest brother and I have searched high and low for a peanut butter pie. No one makes them anymore, or even a custard pie. Guess we have gotten away from the art form of baking. To frustrate things more, no one had grandma's recipe for the pie. She had it memorized in her head.
After years of wishing we had that recipe, I have finally found one almost like it. The point to this blog? I felt a connection with my grandma when I made it the other day. She was a wonderful lady, someone who is worth emulating. Knowing I can carry on the pie tradition she so beautifully mastered makes me long to see her and feel as though I have become somewhat like her. Any way I resemble my grandma New is an honor. Someday I will be with her again. Until then, come visit me and taste the pie. It's worth the drive!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Introducing my roommates and me! Wendi on the left is a 2nd grade school teacher. She loves her children and truly wants to nurture their whole being, not just the brain. Krista on the right is at Vandy, doing masters work in Special Education. She recently moved from Tucson, AZ. Just wait for the weather to turn cold...hehe
I am in the middle, surrounded by two wonderful ladies. This picture was taken the night of my 29th birthday. When did I get this old?
Sometimes I wonder where my twenties went to; how am I at the end of this time in my life? Life seems to be getting faster everyday. I don't dwell on it long, depresses me at times :) But I know that the 30's will be wonderful. Why? Because my God will be will me. And He always makes the pilgrimage worth while.
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