New Year Who Dis?
3 years ago
Friday, October 31, 2008
Clarity
I've had some bad days this week...definitly in the "bottom" 10. More on that later. For now, go right to Baby Reece's blog and read it. God is faithful even in th storm.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Product Plug
I know it is still 70 plus degrees out, but I know it is officially heading towards fall because the kids had colds and now I have a cold. Whoopie!
However, let me tell you about my latest discovery (and if y'all knew about this before and didn't tell me...shame on you). Puffs...plus lotion...PLUS VICKS! It's a little unnerving at first. You think "a tissue shouldn't smell like that!" But then you realize that in order to smell it, you had to breathe. And if you can breathe, you know it, it works!
Even better--you don't have to smear greasy stuff on yourself. Or maybe you like that. Who am I to judge?
***Melinda is not being paid for this endorsement because for some reason, 40 readers aren't enough for Puffs to fork over the big money***
However, let me tell you about my latest discovery (and if y'all knew about this before and didn't tell me...shame on you). Puffs...plus lotion...PLUS VICKS! It's a little unnerving at first. You think "a tissue shouldn't smell like that!" But then you realize that in order to smell it, you had to breathe. And if you can breathe, you know it, it works!
Even better--you don't have to smear greasy stuff on yourself. Or maybe you like that. Who am I to judge?
***Melinda is not being paid for this endorsement because for some reason, 40 readers aren't enough for Puffs to fork over the big money***
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Do Not Vote
The following is a letter to the editor of the Mail Tribune published on October 20, 2008. I thought it was quite apt.
Do Not Vote
Let me pass on a bad rumor to you. You probably hear this one each election season. It goes like this: Everyone should participate and vote in our elections. This rumor is repeated so often that many of us have come to believe it is true.
Good government flows from the combined wisdom and intelligence of informed voters. If you are reading this letter in the back page of the newspaper, you are probably one of these smart voters. Efforts to increase the raw number of voters actually harm the quality of our government. We should not encourage apathetic, ill-informed people to dilute our measured judgments.
Elected officials spend staggering amounts of money each year just to get the attention of voters who are too busy to watch debates, attend events, or read intelligent reporting. How many inane political ads have you seen so far this year? Candidates successfully pander to the shallow voter with odd tax schemes, catch-phrases, and personal stories. Casual voters prefer charismatic candidates who are like them. Instead, we should elect upstanding, experienced, and exceptional people.
Voting is not cool. The vote does not rock. Please do not vote. — Jason Spies, Medford
Do Not Vote
Let me pass on a bad rumor to you. You probably hear this one each election season. It goes like this: Everyone should participate and vote in our elections. This rumor is repeated so often that many of us have come to believe it is true.
Good government flows from the combined wisdom and intelligence of informed voters. If you are reading this letter in the back page of the newspaper, you are probably one of these smart voters. Efforts to increase the raw number of voters actually harm the quality of our government. We should not encourage apathetic, ill-informed people to dilute our measured judgments.
Elected officials spend staggering amounts of money each year just to get the attention of voters who are too busy to watch debates, attend events, or read intelligent reporting. How many inane political ads have you seen so far this year? Candidates successfully pander to the shallow voter with odd tax schemes, catch-phrases, and personal stories. Casual voters prefer charismatic candidates who are like them. Instead, we should elect upstanding, experienced, and exceptional people.
Voting is not cool. The vote does not rock. Please do not vote. — Jason Spies, Medford
Monday, October 20, 2008
Oh the Places We Go
This was the fourth weekend in a row of being out of town for at least part of the weekend. We were in Portland for the Run Like Hell half-marathon. Next weekend, I GET TO STAY HOME! Jason is going on a retreat, but I'll be home.
I had been looking forward to this trip for awhile. The kids would stay in Eugene with my parents and it would just be Jason and me. Last year we had a great time together, so I really had my hopes up for the weekend. About a week ago, Jason wasn't sure if he would run. He has been running on an injury for awhile and it seemed to really be hurting him. Selfishly (because I wanted the weekend in Portland), I pushed him towards running and praise God, he did really well in the race despite the injury. We are also low on money (who isn't) but decided to go anyway. Cheap hotel, cheap food, free baby/dog-sitting = acceptable expense.
We drove up on Friday and were pleasantly surprised by the hotel. It was actually quite nice. Saturday morning we slept late, had breakfast and were on our way to go pick up the registration packet for Sunday's race and as Jason walked around the car to get in I heard "uh-oh." Our back corner window was smashed. Again, PRAISE GOD, we did not have anything of real value in the car but the violation of theft hits deep in one's soul. Our easy, relaxing morning became phone calls to insurance, glass repair, police, hotel managers and expedia people. From there we had to track down some way to cover the window (it won't be fixed until tomorrow). Our "morning" plans didn't start until afternoon so being a mental plan person, I felt off all day.
Everyone was as helpful as they could be. The hotel agreed to comp our room and even though insurance can't help with payment because it is under the deductable they were helpful in getting the repair set up. The event cast a shadow over my weekend. We continued our plans and had a nice time together. That afternoon we had agreed that Jason would nap/football at the hotel while I went to IKEA. I can spend hours at that store, but in my current state I could barely get through the short list of things I had come prepared to buy. I had a total meltdown in the warehouse section. I went back to my car to bawl in private for about an hour, then I went back to the hotel and crashed.
The bright spot of the weekend was taking Jason to Uptown Billiards. Stacie and I had been there on our trip to Portland in March and I couldn't wait to show it off to Jason. He enjoyed it as much as I had hoped he would. Sunday's race was great for Jason, but I never really was able to shake the shadow.
God knew all this would happen. He knew about the break-in. He knew that would send me over the emotional edge where I've been residing lately. I think He was trying to tell me not to go...but I blatantly ignored Him. I know I will pay more attention in the future. Everything has a spiritual aspect to it and when I ignore that, things tend to crumble around me. Remember, Melinda, Remember!
I had been looking forward to this trip for awhile. The kids would stay in Eugene with my parents and it would just be Jason and me. Last year we had a great time together, so I really had my hopes up for the weekend. About a week ago, Jason wasn't sure if he would run. He has been running on an injury for awhile and it seemed to really be hurting him. Selfishly (because I wanted the weekend in Portland), I pushed him towards running and praise God, he did really well in the race despite the injury. We are also low on money (who isn't) but decided to go anyway. Cheap hotel, cheap food, free baby/dog-sitting = acceptable expense.
We drove up on Friday and were pleasantly surprised by the hotel. It was actually quite nice. Saturday morning we slept late, had breakfast and were on our way to go pick up the registration packet for Sunday's race and as Jason walked around the car to get in I heard "uh-oh." Our back corner window was smashed. Again, PRAISE GOD, we did not have anything of real value in the car but the violation of theft hits deep in one's soul. Our easy, relaxing morning became phone calls to insurance, glass repair, police, hotel managers and expedia people. From there we had to track down some way to cover the window (it won't be fixed until tomorrow). Our "morning" plans didn't start until afternoon so being a mental plan person, I felt off all day.
Everyone was as helpful as they could be. The hotel agreed to comp our room and even though insurance can't help with payment because it is under the deductable they were helpful in getting the repair set up. The event cast a shadow over my weekend. We continued our plans and had a nice time together. That afternoon we had agreed that Jason would nap/football at the hotel while I went to IKEA. I can spend hours at that store, but in my current state I could barely get through the short list of things I had come prepared to buy. I had a total meltdown in the warehouse section. I went back to my car to bawl in private for about an hour, then I went back to the hotel and crashed.
The bright spot of the weekend was taking Jason to Uptown Billiards. Stacie and I had been there on our trip to Portland in March and I couldn't wait to show it off to Jason. He enjoyed it as much as I had hoped he would. Sunday's race was great for Jason, but I never really was able to shake the shadow.
God knew all this would happen. He knew about the break-in. He knew that would send me over the emotional edge where I've been residing lately. I think He was trying to tell me not to go...but I blatantly ignored Him. I know I will pay more attention in the future. Everything has a spiritual aspect to it and when I ignore that, things tend to crumble around me. Remember, Melinda, Remember!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Anxiety & Thanksgiving
I went to the Women of Faith conference last weekend. I had a wonderful time with my friends and enjoyed the speakers very much.
The highlight for me was just a short snippet of what Jan Silvious said on Friday. Apparently recent brain mapping research has shown that anxiety and gratitude can not physically exist simultaneously in the brain. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It really is true! Not just in a spiritual realm, but in the physical world. With thanksgiving on your brain, anxiety disappears.
This is my cry this week, "THANK YOU LORD THANK YOU LORD THANK YOU LORD." I am finding the smallest things to be grateful for because my anxiety is enormous! So, what are you thankful for? What are you clinging to in order to ward off the anxiety of life?
The highlight for me was just a short snippet of what Jan Silvious said on Friday. Apparently recent brain mapping research has shown that anxiety and gratitude can not physically exist simultaneously in the brain. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It really is true! Not just in a spiritual realm, but in the physical world. With thanksgiving on your brain, anxiety disappears.
This is my cry this week, "THANK YOU LORD THANK YOU LORD THANK YOU LORD." I am finding the smallest things to be grateful for because my anxiety is enormous! So, what are you thankful for? What are you clinging to in order to ward off the anxiety of life?
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