Contentment
Posted on October 5th, 2008 by Mapper
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Mapping & snapping my way through life, sipping a white chocolate mocha as I go
Confessions About My Communion
Posted on October 5th, 2008 by Mapper
It’s World Communion Sunday. This means many of us probably took communion today in church. Please, when read on through this post, do not in ANY way think that I don’t take this serious. Because you see I do! And that is the very reason for this post. I find myself in a strange place, feeling the need to confess after communion. Why you ask? Oh, it’s all in my head I am sure. But I grew up in a fairly strict evangelical denomination that was pretty big on guilt. Again, don’t get me wrong, loving that same denomination, but even as an adult, I left the church feeling pangs of guilt this morning over things I should probably not. I’m not REALLY confessing here. I do my confessing between me and God. You know this is simply me telling a story. And the story goes something like this…
It all begins when I went to leave for church and in a moment of pure vanity I decided to put in earrings. My ears have been pierced since I was about 12, but for some hideous reason, they constantly grow shut and I am allergic to most metal even so I can’t keep studs in. When I decide to wear them, it’s basically like repiercing. Most of the time it’s a struggle, but overall no big deal. However, today I bled like the Red Sea. It almost made me late for church. So I get to church, clotting nicely I might add, and The Boy TOUCHES my ear! “Mommy, your ear looks bloody!” Crap. Ok, no problem, I can deal. So I ask W. and he says it just looks like a scab around the earring, not “bloody,” but I have already touched up there to see if my ear is bleeding. What does this have to do with communion? You’ll see later I promise. I quickly forgot my ear and the preacher started preaching.
When it came time to go to the altar, I knelt down and realized I had on very short pants. They are long enough when I am standing, but short if I kneel. Problem with that? I never wear socks of any sort, and low and behold, it occurs to me, AT THE ALTAR, that I have not shaved my legs in QUITE SOME TIME. So I find my mind wondering. I think of the people walking up behind me, looking at the growth that needs weed wacked off my legs. I am not in a communion state of mind. I kept telling myself to just pray and to STOP obsessing on this little issue! It didn’t matter! But then, just when I was able to get over the leg thing, the fact that I had touched my ear (the quote/unquote bloody ear with my hands and not washed them yet) started to bug me! Not just for me, I mean, it’s my body, but what if my hand touched someone else’s bread?! I mean, how skeeved out would I have been if that happened from someone else! Ok, I KNEW the devil was working over time on my mind! I was never in my life so distracted at communion!
I gathered my thoughts. I pulled it together. By the time the preacher walked up, leaned down and offered me the elements, I was fine. But wow, it was like no other communion ever for me! And then, before each group goes back to their seats, our pastor always prays a short prayer. I felt it coming. It built and built. NO PAM. NOT NOW. And I blew. Twelve sneezes in a row. From the altar, while he was praying, I sneezed and sneezed. By the time I got back to my seat I felt like I had just really been through a trial.
I know God knows my heart. I am ok with God. And I am not really confessing as I said to you all, more telling the story. It was just a weird communion day.
And in one final communion story, there is always leftover grape juice (yeah, we use juice) not even poured out of the bottle into the tiny cups. It is not “blessed” or anything, so rather than waste it, someone takes it home for their family. My dad took it, and somehow managed to have it leak all over his really nice yellow shirt.
How was YOUR Sunday?
Mechanical Engineering And Milk
Posted on October 4th, 2008 by Mapper
When my son informed me a few years back that he knew where he intended to obtain his degree one day in mechanical engineering, it did not surprise me much. You see, his father’s degree is in electrical engineering, and his uncle’s is in mechanical engineering. His mind works much in those same ways, so I can envision him in a similar career path. Yes, it’s a little early to be thinking of such things but my son is not one to waste time. He’s a planner like his mother. He’s a designer, a dreamer, and very mathematical and analytical as well. I can see him going far in the field of mechanical engineering should his interests continue in that area. I also assumed that the university he chose was chosen not only because of the great program there, but simply because it’s the only college campus my then seven year old had frequented in his life since his aunt and uncle were going to school there! But the more he talked of his future plans, the more I realized, he had OTHER reasons!
One other reason, milk. Yes, I said milk. Good old fashioned sold in the glass bottle MILK! If you have read my blog for very long you know of my love of cheese. Let’s just say my son has inherited that love of all things dairy. Near the campus of PSU sits a blissful place called Meyer Dairy. I was first introduced to the glorious milk of Meyer Dairy by Lulu in her first year in college. It took me back in time to trips to the local dairy as a child with my grandfather. We would pack up the glass bottles and exchange them for filled ones. I loved those trips. I lived for those weekly trips. How I miss those trips. Our local dairy is long gone, but the dairy near PSU remains. There is simply something nostalgic about milk out of glass bottles. And my son has decided that when choosing a college, this matters. I never laughed so hard as the night when he told us this!
That was a few years ago now, and Lulu and his uncle have since graduated with high honors. Lulu went on to get her masters from another university, his uncle is gainfully employed as a mechanical engineer and is working towards his masters as well. But we can never visit within a twenty mile radius of this area and NOT stop for milk! Even in the dead of the summer, it’s just a given.
* We don’t drink from the bottles at home, I assure you. But on a roadtrip, with no cups in the van we let him chug. Sometimes you have to chug cold milk. You just have to! And let’s face it, he looks like the cutest milk commercial you ever did see doesn’t he?!
So, while I am glad my son has chosen to further his education at a prestigious university, I must secretly admit that I too am glad there is sweet addicting milk in bottles nearby! After all, if he does go there, I will have four years of visiting him in which to DRINK that milk! Woo Hoo!
And really, when you are nine, isn’t that a really cute reason to pick a college?!
We considered buying a small bottle for him this day to just drink, but the big one made more sense. He and I downed it. All of it. Yeah, and I wonder why my hips got big. Ahhh huh. (Ok, I know why my hips were big, I KNOW! haha)
We packed quite a bit of milk to head home this day. The different colored lids are different types. I think they look pretty!
You know, we’ve heard the “Milk, it does a body good” slogan. But I think considering his decision to base his college choice partially on milk, I am going to start saying, “Milk, it builds strong minds!”
Let’s Talk Spanx
Posted on October 2nd, 2008 by Mapper
I love Anita Renfroe. Long before Good Morning America discovered her now famous “Mom Song” to the tune of the William Tell Overture, many Christian women just knew her as a cool comic with a great message, told in a hilarious way. So, this morning, I was pleased to see her once more on GMA, this time singing praises to Spanx. Once again, she amused me, but of course, there was as always on GMA, no spiritual value to her message there. But we can laugh just the same cause much of her humor is simply about innocent things we all endure as women and children of God. And I believe as people Google her, they will be led to the TRUE and REAL message she preaches about, so the TV exposure is awesome. This time, it just happened to be hiding our “assets.”
I don’t own any Spanxs, but yesterday while checking out my mom saw a package of Spanx and told me, “I have a pack of them that I’ve never even opened. Do you want them? They would fit you now.” Well without blinking an eyelash I was like, “Ahhh, yeah, DAH.” I mean, I will try it. I am all about comfort, but heck, if I can suck in a little more here or there, I am all for that I suppose. So here’s my little impromptu poll. How many of you wear Spanx and will fess up? Seems my comments are down and I don’t expect a huge line of you to talk on this post, but what’s your thoughts here? I have yet to pick up my “Mom doesn’t want them reject pair yet,” so I have no opinion. Talk to me!
Shopping With Mom
Posted on October 1st, 2008 by Mapper
I went shopping with my mom today. A few things happened that were simply adorable, but I promised I would NOT blog about them. And since my mom “…does know how to use a computer and does know how to get to that blog,” I won’t say anything further on those issues, EXCEPT, my mom is very sweet.
When I was younger I hated shopping for clothes and I was reminded today as to why, when I tried on about a million things. But today was sort of fun because believe it or not, this was the first time I really went clothes shopping since I lost 55 pounds. How is that possible you ask? Well, clothes have been hanging off of me for one. And, I did have some stuff from the last few sizes, so I was ok for awhile. And, I tend to buy stuff without trying it on, but you get to a point where you have no idea what size you are anymore, so you HAVE to try stuff on. And since I am down four sizes now, I needed to get some things finally.
We will be taking off for my brother in law’s wedding in Illinois soon, and the apparel is quite different. The “brothers” are wearing dark jeans and sports coats. Kind of the “country music award show look” if you ask me. (It’s a second wedding for both, out doors, fall etc.) And since I am singing at the wedding I felt challenged to find something befitting of the proper attire, but not over or under dressed. I think I accomplished that, and it was darn fun buying the size I did. Haven’t bought this size since I lived in Illinois 15 years ago! I am stoked! None of my family back there have seen me yet, so I am a little vainly excited to go this time. Not that I look thin by any measure, I mean, compared to what I did when I got married, I have a long way to go (another 55!). But I still feel good all things considered. And most of all, I am FINALLY getting all the health issues figured out. I feel like I will be here to watch my son grow up, and that is more important than anything else to me.
As for my Mommy, she’s adorable, and if she does, “get on the computer and read my blog,” all she is going to find is an entry about what a nice day I had with her and how much I love her. Thanks Mommy :)
Religon & Guns
Posted on September 30th, 2008 by Mapper
On Sunday I went to church and worshiped the Lord. Tonight I shot a really nice .22 in the field at my daddy’s place. I’m not bitter, and I don’t “cling” to these things in weakness, but in strength. I’m just a proud American, and a thankful Christian.
TV
Posted on September 30th, 2008 by Mapper
A friend of mine, my buddy Jan wrote a post about cutting back on TV, and it got me thinking about how little TV we actually watch as well. I know that we probably cheat though, because we do tend to watch news and such on the computer, and we sometimes even watch shows on the computer as well, but there are few shows we care about.
Now, I admit that might be because we only get one channel, but that was a conscious decision for us, both because cable is expensive and because there is nothing on we deem worth watching anyhow. But the truth is, I could probably never watch TV again and not miss it much. I do enjoy watching my Steelers games, that I would miss. But other wise, there is little I need a TV for.
Last night, I was cooking supper for my parents at their house prior to the game and my dad discovered his TV was broken! Oh my! The game was about to start, and the TV was broke! What to do? Well, they have other sets in their house, so the guys simply moved another set to the living room, but it was much smaller and it looks funny compared to the bigger screen we are used to. But yet, it’s the same size as the one TV we have at our home! Everything is relative I suppose.
Life is different for my son than it was for me at this age. He reads and spends his time differently than I did as a child. The shows that were on when I was growing up seemed more innocent. He does watch movies, and some shows. He is not “out of touch” with the modern world, but he doesn’t really care about all the shows and characters to the great degree many kids his age do. Jan spoke of the verse from 1 Corinthians 6:12, “Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial,” and that got me thinking that she truly has a good point here. I don’t think TV is a bad thing for Christians. I just think that especially our children can really benefit from limited exposure to all forms of media.
I think everything in life requires balance, and this is one area where I totally agree with my lifelong friend that being without it is not really that big of a deal. In fact, it does provide other opportunities even. I won’t rehash her well written post, jump over and read it from the link below.
On a silly note though, I will say, I remember watching reruns of The Brady Bunch as a kid, and as my dear best friend as a little girl, Jan always reminded me of Cindy Brady with her little pigtails. Yeah, I wore pigtails too sometimes, but hers were more blond than mine, so she looked like Cindy Brady more to me! (*random silly TV flashback!)
Just wanted to make a note, and send ya over to Jan’s blog to visit if you haven’t read there. She doesn’t have open comments, but she does have a lot of great posts.
Creative Writing 101
Posted on September 29th, 2008 by Mapper
Tell me a story about this photo. It can be humorous, romantic, serious or historical. Or, it can go any direction you want it to go. This is your moment to shine on MapperSnapper.Com. It’s your chance to make me laugh, smile, or cry. Impress me. And if you’ve never commented before, what better time than this to introduce yourself with a fun little tale! Go for it…
“I have a bracelet too!”
Posted on September 28th, 2008 by Mapper
No matter what you thought of the debate Friday night, there was one moment I think many can agree seemed rather childish on the part of the younger debater. I actually looked at my husband and said, “He sounds like a little girl on the playground.” Being given a bracelet by the parent of a fallen soldier is an honor, and the way he cried out, “Well I have a bracelet too!” sounded just like a small child too me, but then much of what he says sounds inexperienced and down right naive as Senator McCain pointed out. The moment itself struck me, but while reading on some political blogs today I followed a link which mentioned that perhaps the people who gave this bracelet to Obama doesn’t even wish for him to be speaking about it in public. You can find the story here on ABC News. I don’t know how much is fact, and as usual, I am sure time will tell, but after his little childlike outburst proclaiming I have one too, I found the article interesting.
As for Senator McCain’s bracelet, I had noticed it when we met him awhile back, and I was inclined to go back and see what photos I had of it. Close up, I have a few shots that show his hands, but the bracelet was turned at that point. The Boy captured one of him holding the podium as he talked, and I cropped in on that shot to where you can read the writing, all be it a tad blurry. So, here are my bracelet photos.
I know if I had a child who CHOSE to enlist in the military the man I would want as commander in chief is Senator McCain. He has proven his honor to his country time and time again. And even if you were to remove all of that past service, and totally level the playing field, I believe in my heart that you have to look at who a person associates with, and I don’t want a president who hangs with the likes of those Obama does. That’s my take. Take it or leave it. If you love your country, why would you launch your political career in the home of someone who bombs our capital? I guess it’s ok because you “were eight when it happened,” even if the man and his wife say they wish they had done more all these years later? Hmmmm. Something very non patriotic about that to me. But there are other very questionable things in my mind as well. My blog, my ability to rant. But I guess proclaiming “I have a bracelet too!” makes him ready to serve. Hey… while we’re at it, why not tell the enemy the date we are leaving Iraq so they can move back in and set up camp again there? Yeah, that’s a great plan. (* note my sarcasm, please) My trust is with a man who not only served but has the wisdom to lead. Our troops know who to trust. When Senator McCain goes to visit troops he actually visits troops. He doesn’t refuse to when he can’t take a campaign camera crew in. It’s not about a campaign to him, it’s about the men and women who serve. And he certainly doesn’t throw a rock star party for the people of Berlin and address them or play basketball instead of spending time at the military hospital.
McCain is a leader. Obama is arrogance and vanity personified. Oh… and if I lived in Missouri, Obama’s “truth squads” might have me arrested for saying that! Is that the kind of president we want?!
