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Thankful Thoughts

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:34:01 GMT

I’m Thankful For: Forgiveness. Mercy. Grace. However you understand it, to me it is the knowledge that God does not hold sin against us, but forgives us when we ask.

I’m Thankful For: Cold Stone’s Batter Ice Cream Series, and the carton tops. The ice cream, because it’s the best thing I’ve tasted since bacon (if you know my obsession with bacon you’ll understand the gravity of this statement) and carton tops, because they protect my girlish figure. I eat a bite or two (or half), top it (throw away the spoon so no temptation to snack on the way) and bring it home for a treat the next day. Oh, the cakey goodness!

Along with Bacon and Mountain Dew, this is food I do not share. So don't ask.

I’m Thankful For: Lacey, the new Admin at work. Not only is she smart, but she cheerful and kind. She’s a wonderful addition to my work friends.

Esprit de l’escalier: “If not for ice cream, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.” ~Author Unknown

Theading Roughts: It’s wonderful. Why, oh, why did I wait this long to read it?

I CALL IT CRACK

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:05:33 GMT

...but others call it Ice Cream.

Specifically, Cold Stone's Blueberry Muffin Batter Ice Cream.

OMAWORD! Seriously, I just ate wwwwwaaayyy to much of it, and oh, wow...just...yea...

I have a new habit and his name is Blueberry Muffin Batter Ice Cream!

N, however, thinks its nasty. I told him I don't care; I wasn't going to share anyway.

Anyhoo, now that I am a serious sugar rush, I'm going to go read. Maybe my Anne-book can destract me from the fact my heart beat is a bit too fast for just sitting.....YAY FOR SUGAR-STUFFED ICE CREAM!

Things I’ve Been Doing Instead of Blogging:

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:54:53 GMT

- Tagging along when N bought his motorcycle.
- Realizing my “thing” for Boys on Motorcycles didn’t end when I broke up with that guy in college.
- Realizing being married to the Boy with the Motorcycle is a Billion times better than just being his girlfriend. And being the wife of the Boy with the Motorcycle Who Takes You to Barnes and Nobles to Buy a Book - that is a Billion + Infinity times better.
- Deciding I will get a Scooter instead of a Motorcycle for a myriad of reasons too numerous to mention, but suffice to say – it’s safer for everyone.
- Going to Fredericksburg to see my brother-in-law get Baptized and make his Profession of Faith.
- Reading Thank You letters written by College kids to donors of the money for their scholarships
- Ranting about how they do not teach students correct writing or even how to properly address of letter anymore.
- Cooking. I made awesome Cheeseburgers…and a Not-so-awesome Thai Curry.
- Cataloging my books. I over half way complete.
- Hugging my books because they make me happy.
- Reading. Loads of Reading.
- Watching Batman.
- Working. At work, I mean. Like, really doing the stuff they pay me to do. It’s madness, I tell you, utter madness!

Esprit de l’escalier: “True friends are never apart in spirit” ~ Miss Stacy, Anne of Green Gables

Theading Roughts: Okay, I have a confession. Promise you won’t stone me? I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I have no excuse. I’ve read her anthologies, and her Blue Castle is an all-time favorite. But I avoided reading this book for some strange reason. Anyway, I started it last night and I was so engrossed by the 2nd chapter that even when N mentioned going on a Date to B&N for a new book and some Ice Cream tonight, I barely managed an “m’okay.” If I’m not careful, I won’t sleep tonight until it’s finished.

More Bullety Goodness

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:22:00 GMT

- I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT BATMAN TONIGHT I MAY PEE MYSELF!
- Also, N is taking me to Sonic for dinner
- I’ve never been, but they have bacon, so I’m certain it will be good food.
- We were supposed to wear matching Batman shirts to the movie, but I couldn’t find one in my size.
- This makes me sad.
- Should I wear TMNT or a Transformer Shirt instead?
- I did not wear black to work today, like I do ever other day.
- I wore a light green sweater, a white skirt with brown embroidery and brown heels
- Three people have comment on how my clothes are “happy, summery” today.
- So, I guess I look like Death’s secretary on the other days. Thanks guys.
- I wear black because I am a klutzy and black doesn’t show stains.
- Also, black makes me look thinner.
- It’s not an emo thing.
- I need a Mountain Dew. I know because I am grumpy.
- Or, maybe I’m grumpy because my skirt is white and that makes me nervous.
- However, lunch has been consumed and I remain stain/spill/splotch free. Score!
- It was a Trible-Hug-Day. Best ever!

Esprit de l’escalier: “If you give forgiveness, you get forgiveness; If you give judgment, you get judgment back” ~ Jamie Buckingham

Theading Roughts: Once again, Buckingham has reiterated why he is a favorite Christian author. His book of short lessons on the parables has challenged me greatly – particularly in regards to forgiveness.
He mentioned the parable in Matt. 18:23-35. What struck me was the man was forgive a debt of 10,000 talents, or roughly $10,000,000, but refused to forgive a debt a 100 denarii, or about $9. Buckingham reminded us when we are tempted to hold a small transgression against someone, remember the great debt God has forgiven us and LET IT GO. If we refuse to forgive, we will not be forgiven either and we can not be used by God for His Kingdom. It’s hard, but good to be reminded of this command.
I highly recommend the book, as I do most of Buckingham’s works.

Thankful Thoughts - Week 5

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:42:07 GMT

I’m Thankful For: Romans 3:23 & 24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” While I like this verse, it’s the word freely for which I am particularly thankful. This word implies a certain joy, or wild abandon, or delight in the action, as if the person has no reservations. In this verse, the word demonstrates God’s delight, His pleasure in justifying us by the Blood of His Son. It shows His great Love for us. And I am thankful for His love.

I’m Thankful For: Double-Hug-Days. N leaves for work before I get out of bed, but prior to going, he always wakes me with a gentle touch and a strong hug. It’s the best way to wake up. Occasionally, I wake up before he goes, and when he sees that, he gives me a hug right way and one when he leaves, thereby granting me two hugs. That’s a Double-Hug-Day. They are my favorite.

I’m Thankful For: Motorcycle class. It was hard. I struggled to learn how to shift and clutch and brake and steer at the same time. I constantly felt like a failure. I fell, scrapping my arm and bruising my leg rather badly. I was scared and frustrated and tired. But thru awesome encouragement by my dear husband and the members in my class, I passed. God was so good, and always gave me what I needed to conquer my fear and I am now the proud (read: obnoxiously excited) owner of a motorcycle license. It was an incredible growing experience and I’m thankful that God gave me the chance to learn.

Esprit de l’escalier: “Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you.” ~ Jacques Prévert

Theading Roughts: I finished this last night. I know he’s a Noble Prize Winner, and yet…I really disliked his poetry. It’s repetitive, confusing, disjointed and morose – it’s almost like he tries to hard to be deep. Maybe it would be better in the original Spanish, but I don’t think so. Poetry is subjective, so I wouldn’t go so far to say I would never recommend his prose, but I didn’t like it at all and I wouldn’t hesitate to say that if someone asked.

A Spoonful of Prayer makes the Snarky Go Away.

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:11:06 GMT

My boss asked me to do something today I don't want to. Nothing bad, just something I feel is inefficient, wasteful and impractical. As I'm sure you can imagine, I am less than amused and have spent much of my morning grumbling, complaining and generally being an $#&%.

God, however, wants me to obey with a joyful and respectful attitude.

Yea, that's not a natural response for me.

So, if you have a moment, please pray I can quell the snarky attitude and remain polite, respectful and pleasant, so as to honor God with my work.

At least I can spend part of it thinking of thankful thoughts for my weekly Thankful post tonight. Nothing squashes a bad attitude like a bit of prayer and some gratitude.

Maybe I'll do a double thankful post; It's going to be a long day and I need to think lots of positive thoughts.

What do you do when you need to overcome a bad attitude?

Bullet

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:40:16 GMT

I've been a bit MIA on xanga for no good reason other than my brain is fuzzy and I can't write with a fuzzy brain.

Therefore, I am doing a bullet-point-post, inspired by Amanda.

- I love my label-maker
- No, really, it's the best office machine ever.
- I feel overwhelmed at work. Perhasps that is the source of the fuzzy brain.
- I need more Mountain Dew.
- N posted a conversation we had last night. It's funny.
- And for the record, they were Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, the very same ones I swore in this post would reappear after all of yours were gone.
- Oh, and they were very very yummy.
- I'm annoyed because in 1999 I read a book, I can't remember the title or author, but I remember what it said and I want to read it again, but I can't find it.
- I am thankful that N is my husband.
- I don't understand grace - why does God forgive me even when I do the same sin over and over and over again?
- I made Honey-Teriyaki Chicken with Lime Jasmine Rice last night and it was so yummy!
- I have the recipe, if you want.
- My husband is a nerd, and it's my favorite thing about him.
- Well, except the way hugs me. That's my favorite.
- Actually, his eyes are my favorite....oh, and the way he makes me laughs. That's my favorite.
- We are taking a class at the local community college this weekend to get our motorcycle licenses.
- Then, we are getting matching motorcycles.
- My mother is not happy about this in the least.
- In fact, I fully expect to find her chained to the wheel in protest.
- I'm going now, as I have run out of things to say.

Esprit de l'escalier: "People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs." ~ Unknown

Theading Rougths: We watch one episode every Sunday. It's good, very good. But the book is better.

Thankful Thoughts - Week Four

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:26:00 GMT

I am Thankful for: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Although they are imperfect documents written by imperfect men for an imperfect people, I still get chills up my spine when I think of the courage and audacity it took to do what they did. America is a flawed nation, but I would still rather see U.S.A. on my passport than any other country. I’m thankful to be American.

I am Thankful for: Homemade Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches. Oh, the epic goodness! I’ve made these before, but it’s been a while and I forgot just how scrumptious, how awesome, how amazingly addictive these tasty morsels are. I have about 15 in my freezer and it's a testament to God's work in my heart that I'm sharing them instead of stashing them in the recesses of the fridge and yelling MINE! if someone dare approach. These are known to excited violent hoarding in humans.

Here is the recipe, in case you are interested.

I am Thankful for: N’s family. I could write a million posts about how awesome they are but today I will just say Thank you to God that I get to be one of them. And I’m thankful I get to spend today with them.

N's parents, sister and us at the Bontanical Gardens, a few months before our wedding.

Things I am Up Too.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:44:00 GMT

Every now and then, I check the interwebs and see what I’m up too.

I type “Lauren is” into my preferred search engine and see what comes up.

Here are today’s Top 10 Things Lauren is:

Lauren is not the delicate whispers of a mother chanting lullabies to her baby. Uh, okay. That makes no sense

Lauren is not such a Good Girl Well, duh. Thanks for stating the obvious.

Lauren is Cool. Why, thank you!

Lauren is caught off guard when Steve makes a video where he starts a new cult. Well, who wouldn’t be!

Lauren is all set to sparkle. Sparkle? I am?

Lauren is spoiled I suppose so. N did warm and fold my towels before my shower last night. I guess that makes me spoiled :D

Lauren is like the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen!!! Perhaps you should get out more

Lauren is waiting for her dark knight I am? But I like the Knight I have!

Lauren is currently the Instructional Design Librarian at Wake Forest University and co-chair of the LITA Distance Learning Interest Group Wow! Who know I was that smart! I always wanted to be a librarian!

Lauren is such a lucky lady! Yes, yes, indeed - very lvery lucky.

So, what do the interwebs say you are up too?

Esprit de l’escalier: If you believe everything you read, better not read. ~ Japanese Proverb

Theading Roughts: Next on my list to read. So many books……

Thankful Thoughts – Week 3

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:12:26 GMT

I’m Thankful For: Psalms 143:8 Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.
Every morning, I read the Daily Passages from my One Year Bible. I read this verse recently. I realized this is why God wanted me to practice morning devotions. Not only for the discipline, but because He wants me to hear His love every day, every sunrise. Before I begin anything else, He reminds me of the Way I should Walk, and of His Love, that makes this Way possible. I am thankful.

I’m Thankful For: Rupert, my Salt-Shaking Monkey and his Pepper Palm Tree. I’m not sure why he’s holding his head: maybe he doesn’t want to lose too much salt, or he’s raising his fists in a Yahoo! of excited about being a salt shaker? I don’t know. But Rupert is a good monkey. He makes me smile.

I’m Thankful For: Amanda, Lydia and Aimee – they made Richmond wonderful and truly encouraged and lighten my heart. I am blessed and honored to know them.