Do You Smell What the Rock is Cooking?

This is pretty much a token post because it's been almost a week since my last post, and I'll be away until Sunday. Thought I'd make that little announcement in case the Ring of Thieves^TM wants to pay a visit to my humble abode. Maybe whoever-you-are wouldn't mind tidying up the place a bit? I'd be ever so grateful.

Okay then, on with the randomness.

You won't believe what I've been up to. Barb, are you sitting down? Y'all, I've been cooking. That's right! Every night for the past week. Please, hold the applause. It's nothing, really. Seriously, it's not that I don't like to cook or that I can't -- I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. And our dogs LOVE it. -- it's just that I'm not real fond of cleaning up afterwards. Since it's only the two of us during the week, it's been TONS easier just to go out, but that gets expensive. So in order to save money, I've decided to get back in the habit of preparing meals myself. Nothing fancy, you know, unless you're rilly impressed with Hamburger Helper^TM, but hey, it's a start. And I've figured out that I don't have to deal with leftovers because my dogs will eat anything. No kidding. I don't get the whole underwear thing, but I digress.

Well, I did cheat tonight and got heat'n'eat chicken from the Kroger deli, but only because I had to make deviled eggs for a luncheon at work tomorrow. I'm on a roll! Kinda makes me feel like a mom again.

Lindsey asked me if I would make baked mac'n'cheese and green bean casserole when I get to my mom's for Thanksgiving. I told her that someone else probably would, and she said "but I like yours better." No mention of the car though, so I'm inclined to believe she wasn't just buttering me up. We did talk about it a few days ago, and she asked me if I would bring it to her this weekend. HA! When I told her that I was thinking of letting her have it when she comes to stay, she said I was bribing her. She wouldn't feel that way if she knew I was thinking of removing the battery.

Just kidding.

It does need a lot of work, though. I'm not about to turn her loose in a car that needs new shocks and brakes and who knows what else. She'll have to wait.

By the way, she told me that she and Sarah got their phones taken away (again!) because they didn't give their dad their report cards. I don't know why Sarah didn't, but Lindsey's reason was that she didn't want him to know that she got a C. Funny that she would tell me, because that's one of the bajillion-and-one reasons I've given her for insisting that she needs to be here. So he took away their phones and quit Lindsey's job for her. I think that's an answer to prayer.

You see, I've been contemplating homeschooling. Lindsey is in 11th grade, and I'm concerned that if she stays where she is, she'll end up dropping out like her older sister did. If we homeschool, I'm sure I can motivate her to put forth the effort to graduate. It would solve a few other problems as well, such as dividing their time between both parents more equitably, and I can make sure they get regular Bible study as part of the curriculum. I mentioned it to her, and although she's not completely sold on it yet, she said she would think about it. The idea of graduating early really appeals to her. I pointed out that I've been praying that God would show us how to work all this out. The fact that her dad quit her job for her means that she can't use that as a reason not to come. And I had nothing to do with it! That excites me, because I can see God's hand in it. It was no accident that I began blogging and have met so many other moms who homeschool. I believe that He's leading us in that direction. Will you pray for us?

One last thought before I go...

I got a call today from a guy who had found Mr. X's cell phone. Apparently, he had left it in the break room where he works. The guy asked if I could tell him whose phone it was, and without hesitation, I told him. As soon as I got off the phone, I had a George Costanza moment, and thought "Man! I shoulda told him the phone was stolen and that since he found it, he could keep it if he would dispose of the SIM card." No, I didn't call back, but I did enjoy the moment. It's a good thing I didn't because Lindsey had to use it to call me.

I'm telling ya, the Lord is at work.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, y'all!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Hi! Didja miss me? I've been keeping busy (not really, but it sounds good.) I have accomplished a thing or two, though. Like cleaning the kitchen and cooking a few meals. And watching back to back episodes of Star Wars while snuggling on the sofa with my beloved. Good stuff, that. The snuggling, not Star Wars.

Now I must confess that I'm not ready for Christmas. In case you haven't noticed, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Scratch that. Every day is thanksgiving, but you know what I mean. I'm a straggler when it comes to decorating for the holidays. I never, ever put out Christmas bling before December first. I've been known to wait until the twenty-first. And we don't do lights on the outside of the house, for obvious reasons. Would YOU want to spend Good Friday taking down Christmas lights?

Ah, but Christmas lists? That's another story. No, I don't make a list, but my kids do. Lindsey called me just a few days ago to tell me what she wanted.

"Mom, I'd like to have a (some brand name) coat. Do you know what I'm talking about? Christy can tell you if you don't. Anyway, you can get me that for Christmas, okay?"

"Sure, honey, but let's talk about that when I'm not at work."

"Okay. Or you can give me your car. Loveyoubye."

Hmm. That must be some coat.

Y'all have a fantastic Friday, y'hear?

Campus News

I received this notice in my inbox this morning, and I couldn't resist passing it along.

Athens, (GA)--UGA football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reportedly found an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Mark Richt immediately suspended practice and called the police and federal investigators.

After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance, unknown to players, was the GOAL LINE.

Practice resumed after special agents decided that the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again this season.

How 'bout them Dawgs?

Hmmm...

Found this article at The Sacred Sandwich. In light of yesterday's post, I just had to link it.

Browse around while you're there, and be sure to check out their photo gallery. Enjoy!

Puppy Love

Our pastor said something yesterday that sounded a bit strange to me, but I don't think it's the first time I've heard him say it. Before I tell you what he said, let me tell you about the service.

Since it was a 5th Sunday, the ministerial team decided to try something new. If it went over well, it would become a regular event. Rather than having the pastor preach a traditional sermon, we had a song sermon, in which several songs were selected to emphasize a particular theme. Between each song, the pastor provided a segue - an short speech to introduce the next song. The theme was Love, Grace, and Mercy. As part of the Ladies' ensemble who sang the first song of the sermon, I had the privilege of attending all 3 services. That's right, 3. It was enjoyable, albeit a bit redundant.

Our early service is attended mostly by older members and is traditional Methodist. A few hymns, the Apostle's Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the sermon. The pastor used his notes for this service. I think it went well.

The 9:40 service is more contemporary - praise songs take the place of the Apostle's Creed. The sermon is the same, as are the anecdotes. Almost word for word. It also went well.

The 11:00 service is even more contemporary - a younger, more lively crowd. This service usually runs longer than the earlier services. In the past, this was because worship was more energetic and no one was in a hurry for it to end. This seems to be a new concept for our current pastor, who tried to get us out by noon when he first came to us in June. He has since been informed, apparently, that we prefer a longer service. His tendency is to draw out the message, addding a few anecdotes or extra comments in order to fill the time. But it's still the same sermon. Almost.

So, the three services were all the same, except that in the 3rd service, the preacher man decided to ditch his segue notes, and this is when it got a little strange. He got ahead of himself and had to ad-lib his way back to the intro of the first song. He recovered pretty well, and unless you had been to the other services, you probably wouldn't have caught it. Towards the end, however, it got a little hairy. This is when, in talking about God's love, he made some vague reference to the "Hound of Heaven" and God's relentless pursuit of us. Somehow, this led to his memory of owning a kennel and the puppies that would chase and nip at his heels.

I looked at my husband and asked "Is that supposed to be an analogy?" To which my beloved replied, "Yes, God is like a puppy."

Kinda makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, don't it?