I Don't Do Pink and Various Other Things About Us

I don’t do pink. Pastel pink that is. I dig hot pink. Especially with lime green. Yup. Lime green makes a lot of things look good!

Needed

Today, my boy hugged me. “…overwhelmed, “ he said, “So overwhelmed.” Actually, my boy needed his mom to hug him. And I did promising that there were more where they had come from.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about how my son is a stranger to me; about his hidden life. He is 23 years old and there is so much I do not know about him. When did that happen? When did he become a stranger?

So, too, is my daughter. I probably know a little more about her but that is because she is 32 and a mother. We relate because we are both mothers. However, we are so different.

We think of having “babies.” We do not think about having defiant teenagers. We do not think of having 23 and 32 year old children. Are they any less our children as they grow older? At 56, I am still my mother’s child. The Girl and The Boy will always be my children.

There are probably a lot of things I don’t want to know about my children. I feel anxiety just contemplating their secrets. There are many things I hope my mom doesn’t know about the younger me. I wish it wasn’t so but it is.

Where am I going with this? I don’t know. Just feeling the need to try to work out what I am feeling. My children still need me. I need their help. Maybe there will be a symbiosis some day. ~heavy sigh~ Some day.

A Blessed Christmas to You

It seems that my last post upset one of my faithful readers; someone I love like a sister. This, along with Himself's cajoling and a very convicting sermon this morning, has caused me to try, ever so hard, to get into a proper Christmas spirit.

"There is one found worthy The Lion of the tribe of Judah There is one found worthy The root of David."

Only one is worthy of all blessing, honor and glory. Only one can wash away my sin. Only one can comfort the hurting. Only one can take away any bitterness in me.

There are twenty families suffering unimaginable pain and sorrow this holiday season. Their babies were brutally slain along with a number of school personnel. How dare I gripe.

Loving Father, please forgive me my bitter attitude which I have blamed on offense for your Son. You are bigger than I and you speak for yourself. Please keep me watchful and prayerful now and always for those who hurt. Thank you for your forgiveness. In Jesus' most precious name do I pray.

Crabby Christmas to You

"I just can't help it. Yes, I get crabby when I am decorating the tree and people get in my way. Yes, I get a somewhat nasty tone in my voice. What of it?!"

"I do it all by myself for years and NOW they want to help? I wouldn't even put it up if it weren't for my being bullied about it!"

Facebook update and my comment following it on Tuesday night.

Yup, I said all that. I can be a real piece of work when pushed. I don't know why or how it happened but I am the grinch. I celebrate Jesus 365 days a year and would be happy to sing happy birthday on December 25th. However, the three month lead up to it makes me nasty!

Nasty is a choice, I know. I don't have to be nasty. Usually, I am not. If I could only figure out what makes me feel so put out this time of year.

Yes, I mentioned the months it takes to come and go.

There's not having the eye on the prize, God becoming man.

Here's one to start an argument: lying to children about a white-bearded man visiting in the middle of the night and leaving gifts for good girls and boys.

How about cranky people spending money they don't have to give to people they may or may not even like?

I used to bake and bake and give the cookies and candies I made as gifts. After it became a drudgery, I spent a few more years begrudgingly doing it and then just stopped. I also realized I was becoming prideful because my cookies were the best to look at and to taste. Really, they were amazing.

We tend to want to show the best of ourselves on our blogs. Here I am showing my warts. I am a prideful, sometimes nasty person saved by grace.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving up your heavenly throne so that I might have eternal life. Because you lived as a man, I can never say, "You don't understand."

December 2012 Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...unseasonable warmth contrasts the Christmas lights.

I am thinking...about whether to read, crochet or watch tv while playing on the computer.

I am thankful...we don't go overboard for Christmas.

In the kitchen...a cold oven reflects my decision to not bake Christmas cookies.

I am wearing...pajamas; sweet, comfortable pajamas!

I am creating...a knitted cowl for warmth...I think it is for me...

I am going...to be very busy trying to get rid of anything in my home that hasn't been used in the last year.

I am wondering...how I am going to find the energy to do the above.

I am reading...David Baldacci's latest novel, The Forgotten.

I am hoping...I can visit my friend Ellen to finish the cowl I am working on. She is my knitting guru!

I am looking forward to...Christmas Eve with my side of the family.

I am learning...to trust in the Lord as we go through a storm.

Around the house...a spot is waiting for a Christmas tree that I don't feel like decorating.

I am pondering...how to get everything done that needs getting done this week.

One of my favorite things...having quiet time (have I posted this before?).

A peek into my day...not today but a good shot of the love of my life!

Weathering the Storms

The first national nightmare I remember was John F. Kennedy being shot. I was in first grade and our teacher platform carrying the president’s coffin.

Since then, there have been natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. There has been all manner of human depravity in the name of power and “rights.” We have weathered two 9/11 tragedies and, in the U.K., 7/11. Terrorism comes in many forms.

Last week, Hurricane Sandy came right to my front door. Being the “lucky” ones, we were without power for only three days and three nights. Many others are still, after more than a week, without power, and some, many without homes, whilst still others are burying their dead.

Yet, we have seen some of the best of humankind; our neighbor shared his generator power so that our freezer goods wouldn’t go bad. People with gas grills were cooking food for neighbors which would have otherwise gone bad. Those with power are sharing their homes and their electricity to anyone who has need. Samaritan’s Purse sent people to local churches to help people devastated by the storm by cleaning out what was left of their homes. Utility workers from states not affected by the storm caravanned to our aid.

Yes, there are looters and burglars and scam artists looking to make a quick buck with inferior or non-existent repairs. However, kindness has been the rule.

Just don’t try to cut into a gas line in Jersey. It would could get really ugly.

*I wrote this a few days ago. Today, a Nor’Easter came in and we have wet snow. Some areas which had their power restored are losing it again. Please pray.

Random Stuff

In order to keep this blog going, I am going to have to stop waiting until I "have something to say" and just type!

I read the obituaries. Yup. Have been reading them for many years although I am only...years old. I get curious and, if the obit doesn't say what they died of, I look at the end of the post. Often, it will say, "In lieu of flowers," and will say please give a donation to a charity which is often for the cause of the death.

Recently, I have seen several "in lieu ofs" for autism organizations. Every time, one of the survivors has been a grandson (in case you don't know, the majority of people on the autism spectrum are boys). Love transcending the grave. It is a beautiful thing.

Are you sick of this American presidential campaign? Oy, I am so looking forward to it being over. May God have mercy on this nation I live in.

Speaking of November 6 (election day), it is Himself's and my 25th wedding anniversary. Where on earth did the time go??? We know that the kids aren't giving us a party. The Boy said, since we (meaning I) hinted so much he and The Girl are taking us out to dinner. Hey, it's the least they can do, right?

My mother-in-love and I have a standing date on Fridays. I bring her to the hairdresser and then she takes me out to lunch. It's a good thing we get along so well. Yes, you do marry his family.

We are hunkered down for what is being called "Frankenstorm." There is a cold storm coming from the midwest and a warm hurricane coming from the south. Oy. I am so glad God is in charge of our lives. We have bottled water and food. Our next door neighbor has a large enough generator that he kindly offered to let us run an extension cord to our basement where our freezer is. It is full and I'd hate to lose all those groceries.

I'm going to end here with a wish that all who read are well. Please pray for us that this storm will pass without injuries.