Whenever I need to feel like a kid again, I can just pop The Sound of Music into the DVD player and let the last twenty years melt away. I don’t think there is an actor or actress alive who is as soothing as Julie Andrews is to me. I love Captain Von Trapp and Fraulein Maria’s love story in film because they grew to love each other (versus falling in love at first sight) – and because they loved each other despite their opposite personalities. There is no telling why I am inspired by such stories. ~wink~ Movies can teach us a lot, if we are paying attention. For that reason, we should be … [Read more...]

The weekend is upon us! A few more work hours and then we can declare “party time” until Monday. Maybe this is your approach to the weekend, or maybe you dread the weekend because you have to work, or the traffic is worse. However you feel about the two days sandwiched in between Friday and Monday, let me be the first to say, “Have a great weekend!” Shut Out the Negative Everywhere we turn, there are negatives. The news is full of bad news. When I was watching Fox News faithfully, I felt more on edge. It is good to be informed, but watching it constantly and dwelling on all the crises and … [Read more...]

In Monday’s post, I talked about the power of a woman’s attitude and how it sets the tone for the home; but, perhaps I let the gentlemen off the hook too easily. ~smile~ While it is true that living with a cantankerous woman is completely miserable (Proverbs 21:9, 21:19, and 25:24), living with a complaining man is not all that much fun either. Not that Eric ever complains... Okay, maybe he does occasionally complain. ~smile~ After I started working from home, my stress level greatly reduced. Finally, Eric was able to talk about the stressors in his life since I had finally shut up. ~smile~ … [Read more...]

Complaining has blessed my relationship in the following three ways: 1. Uhhhhh... 2. Hmmm... 3. Well... On second thought, I suppose complaining has not blessed my relationship at all. ~smile~ The Daily Growl When Eric and I were both working at the same university, I got off work at 4:30 pm and he got off at 5:00 pm (or later, if he needed to finish a project). So, I enjoyed a little down time before he came dragging inside. Then, the daily post-work grievances would begin: Me: Okay, so I am so sick of the (fill in current aggravation here) which keeps happening at work. Eric: … [Read more...]

What makes your insides light up? Here are several words, consider how you feel when you read them: Teaching. Preaching. Singing. Signing. Counseling. Writing. Studying. Playing. Spending. Saving. Eating. Cleaning. Connecting. Reading. Delivering. Creating. Evangelizing. Competing. Inventing. Even if nothing on this list evokes a positive emotion within you, something in this world tickles your fancy. What causes speak to you? What would you be willing to march in a parade to promote or protect? What makes you want to stand up and fight? What inspires you? What charges you up to … [Read more...]