My new baby

My new baby is Gandalf.  He's the CUTEST!  He's such a lap dog.  He loves to just lay on anyone's lap and be loved on.  He even likes being held like a baby.  Brad said that since we got Gandalf, I've been handling life much better.  I guess that's proof about how pets are good therapy.  I've been tired lately, I think because of Gandalf.  He has so much energy and he wears me out. 

I'm starting to get decorating fever again.  Problem is, I don't have any money.  I do already have paint, though, and so I could start on the bathroom... don't know if I'm THAT motivated.  I'm more motivated to do decorating than painting.  It's the nesting instinct I guess.  I've had that since we've moved into our house.

I can't wait for this summer.  I am so ready for all the activities ahead.  I'm looking forward to Memorial Day and 4th of July festivities.  I really want to enjoy a lot of time outside.  Barbeques, parks, friends, family, sunshine... ahhh!

I'm eagerly awaiting my workbook I ordered--To Be Told, by Dan Allender.  (see www.danallender.com)  I can't wait to get started on it! 

Someone told me the other day that if a dog gets sprayed by a skunk, you can get rid of the stinch by bathing them in a mixture of vinegar, water, and... get this... Massengil douche.  My question is... who in the world thought about putting douche on a dog?  And for a deodorizer for that matter?  I'm wondering about some of us who belong to the human race

Tomorrow is church.  I love my church!  I'm looking forward to fellowshipping with fellow believers.  I don't take my church for granted.  I've seen and heard too much bad about churches, and I'm so thankful to have a loving church that really seeks to be and tell Biblical truth and grace.

To conclude this rambling, good night, God bless, and live well.

I'm feeling so refreshed.  I've managed to stay out of the Lost In Space state for a while now, or at least most of the time.  I'm thankful.  It helped that my in-laws were here and we did lots of things together.  We did lots of walking and exercise--went swimming, hiking, climbing, walked miles around D.C. , and painted.  What a 4th of July weekend!  It was so fun, and I can't wait to do more with other friends/relatives.  Exercise is so good for the soul.  So is being with people who are investing in your life.  You know, counseling all week is great.  I enjoy it.  I love helping people and investing in their growth.  I need people investing in me too.  That's why I'm thankful for my Friday night group with the girls who challenge me and listen to me and invest in each other.  That's why I'm thankful for my young couples group.  However, I fear that sometimes I let these people down because at the end of a counseling week, I've given and I mostly want to receive when I get with these people.  I hope I will be able to find a balance someday.   

Casting Seeds

I would just like to say that I am learning so much about life and myself.  We all go through life in a sort of hypnotic state every now and then, where we are more reactive and going through the motions.  This week I woke up from one.  I realized what stress, avoidance, and failing to take care of myself will do.  It was a huge revelation to me when I finished Friday with a frayed brain, feeling like one of those cartoon characters with the birdies circling around my head.  Of course, part of that could be from multiple new clients and it being full moon week.  And with a voluminous YES, I say there IS a dramatic affect on people around the full moon. 

Nevertheless, I have woken from my stupor and hope to stay fresh for a while.  I preach it in counseling, but sometimes I think I'm more resiliant than my also human clients.  The awesome part is that I saw how important it is to take care of myself, and that it's OK.  Everything/one else in my life will survive if I take time to care for myself.  So take care of yourselves.  Take an hour a week or 15 minutes a day to journal, read, listen to some relaxing music, meditate, exercise, eat something healthy, take a bubble bath, or lay under the stars.  I've gotten out of the habit, but now I'm going to work toward this type of seed-casting.  How can I be worth anything to anyone else if I'm not worth enough to myself to take time to feed my soul? 

6-25-05 Poll:   Hillary or Condi?

Apparently, it is now recorded that the potential for Hillary Clinton and Condi Rice in the running for the 2008 Pres. race IS a reality.  This is why Hillary is outraged at the new "biography" exposing her supposed secret manipulative plans to get in the Whitehouse in 2008.  So the poll... Who would you choose and why?  Or perhaps the better question, who would you NOT choose, and why?  Hillary or Condi?

Lost In Space or Casting Seeds?

Lost In Space are those moments or days that I am just surviving, having a "duh" moment, or being reactive rather than intentional about life.

Casting Seeds... that's impacting people's lives for the better.  The Bible talks about man and woman designed to make an impact on the world--fill, multiply, grow things.  I want to be about casting seeds for growth wherever I am. 

Under stress, however, I sometimes get Lost In Space.