Don't Worry for God Knows What We Need

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:25

This morning as the children and I sat around the breakfast table, Liz read this passage from our prayer group. The fruit of the spirit discussed yesterday was peace. From what I heard, it was a bit controversial as the women's views were debated a bit.

Nonetheless, as she shared with her children and myself the Bible verse, I couldn't help but note the final line (see above). Each day has its own problems and struggles yet we are so eager to look into the next day for guidance. As people, we are always wanting more. Looking to the future for hope and restoration. But if we could just relish in the present and enjoy what the Lord has given us TODAY, then perhaps we would be at peace.

Just a litte something to chew on...

Scream

In lieu of the Halloween spirit, I decided to go see (not one but two) scary movies. Due to my flexible work schedule that goes against normal business hours, I took on this venture by myself. I have no qualms about flying solo to a flick. It is actually often liberating as you are able to divulge into the movie in a more prestine way by seeing it alone. You are not apprehensive about the other person's opinion of the cinema.

However, I have never been the only person in the theater before. So yesterday was a day of firsts. For The Stepfather and Saw VI I was the only person watching the movie. Instinctively, I sat in the middle row having no regard for how much scarier that might make the films. I fearfully looked back several times just to make sure a mass murderer was not behind me.

Classic.

My review of the movies is actually quite delightful. Both were suspense-filled, realitively possible, and mind-racing. All in all, I enjoyed my spooky adventure.

Canines n' Costumes

Today officially serves as the one year anniversary of when I moved to Sunny San Diego. It is hard to believe that I pulled into the bright lights of downtown with nothing but the belongings in my car and my pup, Beau, 365 days ago. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed and a great sense of relief all at one time. A 2-day drive cross country is not exactly a walk in the park.

The very next day Beau & I strolled on over to Coronado where we met a lovely woman who told us about this phenomenal concept: Canines n' Wine. A place where pet lovers gather with their dogs while sipping wine and dining on appetizers. And on that particular day, they were having their annual Pet Halloween Costume contest! Needless to say, I was delighted.

I quickly made a grooming appointment for Beau as this was VERY important for his new arrival into SD. Around 5pm I dressed Beau in his 'YMCA worker' costume and headed to the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center. To my amazement, there were 30+ dogs all dressed to the nines.

People of all ages were sitting around chatting with one another and admiring the creativity each pet owner had displayed. I found my way to a table with a few young couples who were beaming over their pups. We made small talk and took a few dozen photos.

As they called Baby Beau's number, I pranced him down the make-shift runway in front of the judges. The oooohhhh's and ahhhh's made me blush a bit as Beau took it in stride.

The judges tallied up the scores and were ready to announce the winners. And drum roll pleaseeeeeee........Beau came in 3rd place! His first day in a new city, and he was placing in contests! I was the proudest mother there for sure. At that moment, I knew that moving to SD had been a GREAT choice!

Tonight Beau will make a push for an advancement in place. While we are hoping for 1st, 2nd place will still be a wonderful accomplishment in this pup's life. As we make the necessary preparations today, we welcome any prayers for the Beau-man!

Magic Monday

Most Mondays I find myself making the trek back to SD from LA. I generally open the sunroof, roll down the windows, let my hair blow with the wind, and indulge my senses in the ocean air. And I let my mind wander. It wanders to the past, memories with family & friends, my career aspirations, and the weekly to-do-list. But most importantly and frequently, my mind wanders to the previous weekend spent with arguably the most amazing man I've ever encountered (2nd from my dad of course).

I relish in the sweet words that he speaks which let me know that I'm special to him. I chuckle at the corky/goofy things we've done together. But mainly, I get lost in the awe and magic that with his touch he is able to ease my body and soul.

While we have both suffered our fair share of heartache and disappointment separately, I truly believe deep in my heart that we will experience a very beautiful and bright future together.

And that starts my week off just right (insert the biggest smile imaginable).

Mi Madre

While poetry Friday is one of my faves to blog about, I wasn't able to come up with one yesterday due to external circumstances (aka my fake family was displaced and Bennett was with me during Mark's lesson).

So I will discuss how excited I am to see mi madre today. I often feel as if my family (dad!) boycotts visiting me since they haven't exactly approved of my cross-country moves. Yes moves. However, my mom always manages to make up some excuse to make the trek. This time she is using work. She arrived in Cali on Monday evening; however she is staying in Apple Valley (the desert) with my cousin.

We have decided, after much drama, that we will meet in Riverside this evening for a little dinner, a lot of wine, and some girl talk. I teetered on the idea of driving east rather than west to L.A. and adding the extra mileage (as I am already 10k over) on the old car. But in a month, I will not remember the time or money spent traveling to see her, rather I will recall the great rapport that we will build this evening.

Mommy, see you soon!

T-minus 7 Ladies

T-minus 7 days until our annual girls' trip begins. We have been planning this weekend for nearly 5 months. There have been numerous texts, emails, and phone calls regarding the itinerary and attire. Proving that we are indeed still girly when it comes to these things.

In 5 years, we have all six only been together once, and it wasn't the best of circumstances. Due to our widespread living quarters (Honolulu, SanFran, San Diego, Chi-city, Mississippi, and Charleston), we have had a difficult time, obviously, getting all six of us to be in the same place. Over the years, we have had mini-trips where three or four of us make it. And the cross-country travel is worth every penny just to have the memories.

So needless to say, we really had to plan in order to have all six commit to being in LexVegas for Halloween weekend. We have succeeded in what seemed to be a hopeless task. And everyone is ecstatic. JL has given countdown updates for months. Marquette has threatened to wear Kim's ass-less chaps a dozen times. Aham put off buying her flight with the promise that it would get done this week countless times. Kel sent a note via regular mail expressing her excitement. And Kim rearranged the birth of her (pseudo) niece to fly in on time.

This just goes to show that with a little commitment, a lot of flexibility, and a bit of luck...all six of us CAN come together!

The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy...

'For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.' -Jeremiah 31:13

2 1/2 years ago I struggled immensely with the deep spiritual joy that the Lord intends for us to have. I was lost in a cynical world of self pity and substance indulgence. My faith teetered, and overall joy seemed non-existent.

I would be lying if I said it was an easy journey to that restoration. There have been a lot of curse words followed by immense anger transfered to humiliation and eventual flooding tears. But this journey has made me a stronger Christian, a better person. And it certainly has shown me things that (in my wildest dreams) I never thought possible.

Nonetheless, the joy of life and the spirit has been rejuvenated in my heart and soul. For this, I am truly in awe. And I sincerely believe that it is more passionate and profound than ever before.

White Water Adventures

After an 11 day hiatus from school, my (fake) kids will finally return to Evans tomorrow. My boss and I have asked ourselves numerous times how we managed to last 8 hours, 5 days a week with them last year. I am not sure how we survived it as we barely made it through the past week and a half.

While we wanted them to go out with a bang, we decided a little adventure never hurt anyone. So this morning we headed out kayaking in the La Jolla Shores. And it was breathtaking. The weather was cool but sunny. A rare animal shaped cloud or two floated by as we sailed the Pacific. The water was a clear blue, and the waves were magically calm (until they crashed into 'crab island').

I had never been kayaking, but I am thrilled to add it to my list of water activities. The 4 of us looked liked children on Christmas morning in the already developed film courtesy of our water-proof camera.

Just another day in paradise and another day where I thank my lucky stars.

Wine a Little, You'll Feel Better...It's True!

Generally when you build up an event, it often disappoints as so much anticipation and intensity has been put on the occasion. However, this weekend was the exception. For nearly 3 months, we have been discussing and planning a wine-tasting sesh in the romantic countryside of Santa Barbara. That is a lot of anticipation.

And the weekend delivered perfectly. The weather was gorgeous. The company was untouchable. The wine was splendid. The Canary, our hotel, was phenomenal. Dinner was scrumptious. And dancing was comical. I am only speaking about Saturday, thus far.

Sunday was seemingly relaxed with the perfect amount of activity. I hadn't picked pumpkins since I was a kid. Nor had I riden on a hay-filled tractor in decades (except maybe once after a heavy night of drinking). Putt-putt, although it was a punishment to myself, was incredibly exciting as well. And the night was capped off by a delicious meal with new-found friends.

Waking up at the wee hours of the morning was definitely worth staying another night in the Greater Los Angeles area. I'm hoping the week follows suit...

The Six of Us

We met by chance
Nearly a decade ago
Who would've thought
We'd still be stealing the show

We've seen each other
In the highs and the lows
Keeping each other's secrets
That no body else knows

There's been loads of laughter
And cries of tears
We have roasted and ripped
Raised our glasses in cheer

No matter how many miles
We live apart
What remains strong
Is the love in our hearts

Round-abouts

Before I post my Friday poem, allow me to express my annoyance with those who seem to have the inability to understand a simple round-about while operating a vehicle.

Yield: To give up one's place, as to one that is superior

While driving, this means to yield, NOT STOP, as you enter the round-about. The person in the circle already has the right away (superior) so you must simply make sure they are exiting before you enter.

Europeans have round-abouts at every street almost, and they seem to be able to navigate this driving task just fine. If only, us, Americans could catch on.

Did I Go Back to School?

I just completed a 6-sided brochure on Yosemite National Park. I did not do this for recreation or by assignment...well my assignment anyways.

Bennett's 3rd grade teacher assigned him a giant packet of school work for their 'fall break.' So much for a break. Aside from 2 book reports, math sheets, grammar pages, and flashcards, she decided a brochure would be dandy. While he did the majority of the research, my perfection-like personality couldn't stand by and let him do the actual brochure. So I whipped up a little something on the old Microsoft Word. And I must say, it is quite nice.

Lately, I feel as if I am being challenged in the creative/technology realm. In the past two weeks, I have made a powerpoint, a brochure, and a weak attempt at a website. (Read: J.J. may be taken up on his offer to help me.)

While I feel a bit out of touch with this stuff, I am learning to feel my way through and maybe even get a little confidence...

Love is Patient...

There are a variety of passages in the Bible discussing the basis of the relationship that God wishes us to have with Him. At the route of all, remains the constant that He wants us to know we are loved by Him. In John 3:16, we learn that God loved the world so much He gave his only son, Jesus, to and for us.

As we discussed the ways to display love in our lives at my prayer group this morning, I was reminded of all the ways I may or may not properly convey my love. Shannon suggested that we reach out to the people we love most by reminding them of how important they are to us. I did as told.

Then we were to think of one person in our life that we have difficulty loving. This wasn't a hard one for me given the month(s) long tension between our friendship. My assignment is to work on loving this person better. I am counting on the Heavenly Father to guide me through this homework.

In the meantime, I am also going to work on loving my house. While I thank my lucky stars that I have a home, I often become frustrated with the annoying moths that migrate in my kitchen as well as the webbing spiders who reside in my laundry den. And don't even get me started on the giant rat (not a real one but a replica) that bunks here.

Hodgepodge of Stuff

I missed my first Monday of blogging in 34 posts yesterday. It is not because I didn't want to blog. Honest. And I am not even blaming it on the fact that my computer is (STILL) not here. I was truly ill. Fever, stuffy nose, sinus infection (although I don't have sinus issues), headache, and nausea. Clearly, all signs point to being love sick.


But really, I believe it is that time of year. Viruses are spreading like wild fires all the way down from LA. So hence, my energy level was too low to actually type. It was even too low to eat for the majority of the day. Precisely when you know I am sick because I love a good meal or four per day.


Despite the Monday blues, the weekend was relaxed. I spent time with a variety of old friends that I hadn't taken the time to see lately. I was able to catch up and remember why I am so blessed (yet again) with great people in my life.


From the Haunted Hotel to Basic & bowling to cold brews to dog walks to vino & antipasta all the way to my Broncos (5-0 baby) defeating Jebber's Pat's, it was a phenomenal weekend!

Friday's Wish List

Friday has become sort of a poetry blogging day lately. Mainly because my energy level is lowered on the last day of the work week, and I can write poems fairly quickly on Thursdays (something about sitting at Barnes Tennis Center inspires me...creepy, right?).

However, the poem that I wrote yesterday is more intimate and will remain a secret until mid-December. It is for two very special people in my life, and it describes their love. So sorry to disappoint.

At the present, I am more concerned with a plethora of things. My laptop being (hopefully) somewhere in route to CA. My car making it here by the 21st. My financial woes being solved albeit a glorious full-time position or ingenious business plan. Finishing my book. Developing a consulting firm. However, these are all par to my worries of my special friend.

When you care about someone, it is troubling to see them upset, sad, angry, etc. It is double the heart wrench when they are not feeling well and you are miles away. I feel utterly helpless in regard to caring for this special manfriend. I have said a few extra prayers to the Lord above on watching over him allowing for a speedy (like within minutes in a perfect world) recovery.

So if you are listening oh Heavenly Father, can you please please make this happen? Thank you in advance!

Ahhhhh

This whole 'not having my own laptop' is really starting to irk me. It is in no way condusive to my writing practices. I have spare moments of computer time when one of my roomies is home. Mind you, I am free during the day hours while they are slaving away at work. By night fall, I am so dang tired and a little less motivated (chasing rugrats is an exhausting job by the way).

I was told the computer was shipped last Friday. Low and behold, almost a week later and I DO NOT see my new computer. Fitting. I figured it would take longer. So I learned that it was shipped yesterday. Supposedly. If it gets here by next Thursday, I will be thoroughly impressed.

Please shoot me. Is it Friday yet?

Fruits of the Spirit

Today I began my 8 week women's bible study group. Technically it is not mine as in I am not hosting it, and I actually only know two women in the group. My boss invited me to join as they begin their new series, and I gleefully accepted. If my main goal in 2010 is to develop a closer relationship with God, I figured it never hurt to get a jump start on things.

Shannon, the pastor's wife, hosted the first meeting. Her modern home was welcoming and we sipped on coffee with a side of pastry. Despite being the only attendee who did not have kids, I seemed to fit right in.

Our series will be about 'fruits of the spirit.' I am delighted and intrigued to not only learn them but to also explore and implement them into my daily life. (Insert prayer for me to hold up my end of the bargain).

There are no pressures amongst these women as to impress or hold back (lucky for me because I am not good at either). There is an actual serenity and peace to the various backgrounds, personalities, and troubles of each of the women that I look forward to sharing.

La Jolla's Finest

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning on my am adventure, I see the exact same La Jolla neighborhood dog walkers and avid tennis players. Sort of like a subset community.

If Petey's owner (Petey is a dog) doesn't see Mark and I jogging by at precisely 6:25, he taps his watch and says "there you are." Then we have the young girl who sits and ponders on the rocks of La Jolla. If she perhaps doesn't show up, Mark gets notably worried about her, and he begins to fabricate all sorts of reasons for her absence.

My personal favorite has to be the four British 80 year old women who arrive around 7:10 each morning to play on the court next to us. Despite their age and skill level, they are highly competitive and rather bossy with each other. Nonetheless, they chatter and giggle like young school girls discussing a crush.

Today they were laughing about how 'Clarice' usually gets up at 5:45, but lately, she has been sleeping in until 6:15. I was not ease dropping...the courts are just in close proximity. Mark couldn't find the humor in this convo. I tried explaining to him that some things do not seem funny to us because we do not fully understand the story or the irony.

I don't think I got through to him; however in the midst of my explanation, my thoughts wandered to the question of 'why do old people always get up so early?' Immediately it all sort of made sense to me though. Perhaps they rise early because they know their days are numbered. They are coming to the end. Maybe not rapidly or abruptly, but they sense that time is not on their side. So they awake to squeeze as much living in as possible in the present day.

All this time I thought it was so silly. But it is a phenomenal tactic really.

Priorities, Priorities

Due to my recent entrepreneurial ideas, I have been putting my writing on the back burner. I feel horrible about it frankly. Morrell was accurate when he said talking and/or thinking our thoughts out loud inhibits our writing skills.

I did a large amount of driving through the countryside this weekend. Breathtaking. Absolutely breaktaking. My mind became lost in the scenery and zillions of thoughts danced around in my head.

I was reminded today of why I began the whole blogging practice in the first place. I have been taskfully completing my research and crossing the topics of my to-do-list in regard to my writing. But in the past week and a half, I feel like the book hasn't been my main focus.

So I am recommiting myself to the book being priority numero uno. Now if only my fingers can magically type genious words...

Feelings for You

These feelings for you
Consume me each day
I'm compelled to express them
There's just no other way

If we were a see-saw
I'd be high above
As more time passes
So grows my love

Sometimes I'm unclear
Of where you stand
Can we journey together
Walking hand in hand

Forget about the past
It's just you and me
Perhaps that's the beauty
And in time, you will see

Google Me This

This whole 'not having a computer thing' is really starting to get to me. I was unaware of how dependent I was on such an electronic. It isn't just the Internet that I am addicted to, but rather the whole Microsoft Office setup as well.

I have had to resort to using my iPhone for Internet use which is not very condusive to accomplishing my daily goals. I can't blog from my phone nor can I send proper emails. I can't write documents on the damn thing either.

Clearly, I have been forced to write on paper, think outside the box without assistance from Google, and communicate with actual people. I was throwing a major fit at first, but I (admittedly) have enjoyed having a little time away. Every now and then, I guess we need to clear our heads and spend time in solitude.

I have been promised that my new laptop will be sent tomorrow. I sincerely hope that it arrives promptly on Monday morning. I am going to need my week to start off right!