Random Office Chair December 24, 2008

The view out my front window includes lightly falling rain, broken trees, and a dusting of snow on the soggy ground. Normal for an area that just went through a winter storm.

Oh wait I forgot the office chair on the sidewalk across the street. It’s been there for 2 or 3 days. It’s parked in front of the stop sign as if waiting to cross the street with its invisible passenger.

I’m just wondering who put it there? And why? I’m wondering what the thought processes were that led someone to take their office chair on rollers outside. And then leave it there. For 3 days.

I’m assuming it belongs to the house directly behind it that has the mattresses leaning up against the garage door.

I’m just saying.

Update December 23, 2008

Gosh, it’s been so long since I posted I forgot my login. A record breaking winter has hit Oregon and my camera’s not working. We’re suspecting a bad battery but haven’t been able to get to the store. The roads are ok here where I’m at now but Jake’s been using the rig and so were stuck here. Maybe tonight.

Since he has the rig the kids and I made our way by foot to the post office so I could mail out the last ( I think ) of my Christmas cards. By the time I got back my face was starting to numb up. But I’m not complaining. It’s been kind of fun. My kids got an extra week of Christmas break and we’ve enjoyed playing in the snow.

An extra bonus is that we have a bunch of firewood now from all the trees that broke around campus aka Jake’s work.

Also we’ve learned that the money spent on new windows last year was well worth it. We have 2 oil heaters (the kind that plug in) and one base board heater in the kitchen and we are nice and toasty even in the teens.

Christmas will be weird this year. My mom and sister have come down with a stomach bug and so we’re not sure what the next 2 days will bring. We’re not celebrating with Jake’s family till the 27th. And my other sister is in Montana… Strange holiday season this year.

In other news…I’m reading the Shack and haven’t run for a week. But actually think I’ll go to the gym tonight and give my legs a workout (and my heart).

Merry Christmas!

Wrestling, it does a marriage good. December 9, 2008

Hi folks.  I’m nestled in with an electric blanket and a book near by waiting for my fingers to turn it’s pages.  But “the blog” called my name.  I must update I thought.  What’s the whisfam been up to?  

Sunday morning I was GRUMPY GILLS!!! big time!  Imagine that, right before church.  And what was it about?  Oh yes.  My husband had just arrived back home after setting up for church and I asked him if he could help because we were running late getting ready.  And he commented back something smart… which didn’t go over well with the uncaffeinated wife who’s not a morning person.  From then on steam poured out my ears and I left a trail of fire where ever I walked.  Thankfully my words were few.  

We headed to church.  About a song or two into the service Jake had walked over to turn down the lights down and then came back and when he did, my heart was softened (as only church (read: God/fellowship/worship) can do) and I looked at him with a smirk and we both started laughing.  I then muttered, ” I want to punch you in the face right now “… and we both laughed.  

First of all it does not matter how grumpy I am before church –which happens regularly — A song or two in I’m humbled and softened.  If Jake and I had argued on the way I’m now apologizing (and it’s usually my fault, seriously).  And I never feel God’s heavy hand but a gentle rebuke.  So gentle that I just melt.  

Second whenever my husband has irked me, but I’ve gotten over it, I want to beat him up.  I always say, “You’re lucky I’m feeling nice today.”  And then I punch him.  It’s one of our love languages.  I wrestle him with all my might which gets my aggression out, and he just shoves my head into the ground, or puts me in a headlock, or catapults me onto the bed.  He gets a good laugh and I’ve released a lot of stress.   Hey whatever works.  

I think I do that because in 99.9% of our arguments I’m in the wrong and I know it but too prideful to admit it.  So then when I’ve gotten over it, rather than admit my wrongs and ask for forgiveness I pick a wrestling match with him because his rightness and goodness just irks me.  So I have to beat him up.  I just have to take it to him.  Let him have it.  I have to show him who’s boss.  It’s my way of saying I’m sorry, I know I was wrong and your were right (again). 

Yes you read that right.  My way of saying sorry, in other words, is to physically pummel my husband until he’s crying out for mercy.   

And you know what Mr. Do-No-Wrong does???  When he is the one in the wrong.  On that rare, blue moon, occasion?  He admits it and says he’s sorry.  Like right then.  Sincerely.  He doesn’t have to wait, or let off steam, or cool down.  He just humbles himself and says, “I’m sorry.”

Where’s he at I need to punch him…

Good Girl December 7, 2008

Kenna: Pick me up mama.
Me: I can’t. It’s too hard from this position. (Don’t quite remember what we were doing …)
Kenna: Yes you can mama, you’ve been working out!
(That’s my girl!)

Oh Yah December 3, 2008

We are on it!!  It is December 2nd and we have our tree up and decorated.  We have our house (inside) decorated.  We are on it!!  So this is NOT normal for us.  We’re usually laggin’ behind.

So while decorating our tree tonight my daughter would shout, “OH MY GOSH!!!!!!”  everytime she’s unwrap an ornament.  Every ornament  was new to her.  The benefits of being six.  She saw them all last year but doesn’t really remember.  Telling you she was excited would be an understatement.  That’s one thing about that girl if she’s excited it’s oozing out her pores and steaming out her ears, there’s no containing it.  Ha! 

So I would LOVE to show you pics of our decorations but our camera is under the weather.  When it gets better I’ll show you.  My mom gave us her collection of Snow Babies and they are so cute!!!  We have a mini tree decorated in them and then figurines scattered throughout our living room. 

So what else???  Hmmm.  Well I’m not sick.  That’s nice.  Also I applied for a job.  Oh yah baby!  I’ll let you know more about that later.                  

Can I just say right now that I’m so happy it’s December.  I like December.  I love the lights on the tree at night.  Year after year I’ve always enjoyed being the only one up at night and having no lights on except the Christmas lights.  I just sit and enjoy the peace.  I pray and thank God for JOY. 

I also like the spirit of Christmas.  By that I mean the happiness that permeates the air more so than other months everywhere.  People seem more happy, gracious, generous.  It’s fun. 

I love the Christmas shopping.  Really.  I don’t love spending lots of money but I love the bundling up in the cold weather and going out amongst the Christmas decorations and music playing in the background.  Hot cocoa breaks between stores.  

I like seeing family.  There are some family members that I only see at Christmas.  But that’s ok, because it’s fun.

So whatever.  I like it.  I’m off.

Until next time.

P.S.  I ran 2.5 miles yesterday.  The first time I’ve run over 1.2 since October.  It felt good.  I’m hoping to run my first 5K Feb 1st.  Yay.

The Journey December 1, 2008

(This post was originally written for my p.e.r.s.p.e.c.t.i.v.e blog.  But I must’ve pressed a wrong button somewhere and here it is.  So it’s on both blogs.  There is a new post before this one on Holiday Baking.  I highly recommend it, as you should know, when it comes to baking, I’s got skillz!)

When will I learn?  Currently in my walk with God He’s drawing me back to Him.  (Miraculous, praise worthy, gracious, loving, amazing.)  I’ve drifted somehow.  (Miniscule choice after miniscule choice finds me in the desert.)  It’s dry and fruitless here.  God’s here but I can’t grasp Him, experience Him, feel His power run through my veins.  I need water.

Then boom!  Hear a message on baptism of the Holy Spirit, followed by a message on focusing on my relationship with God, followed by “random” reading of a blog post about God’s seducing his people back to Him in Hosea.  (Didn’t I just pray this morning that God would draw me back to him?)  He is.

Repent, turn back, leave your idols God whispers.  And I respond.

Holiday Baking December 1, 2008

I found a cookie recipe this morning to make for the holidays and it called for shortening.  I have shortening I’m sure…let me check.

I head to the fridge and sure enough I find a cube of shortening.  It’s been opened but I’m sure it’s fine.  I’ll check the date to make sure.

“Best if used by August 24th, 200…7″   

Hmmm….I’m thinking I need some new shortening.  The question is When did I buy this stuff????