back to the coffee...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
MCP Project 52 wk 4
The theme for this weeks photo was "soothing repitition". One of the things that is soothing right now, besides repeatedly lifting a good cup of coffee for a sip, is watching this little doe outside my window while I study. She comes up very near the house, and has shown me on several occasions that as long as I keep about 20 feet between us, she is okay with me being in her space. She was in the yard again last night when I came home, and didn't run off until I slammed the door to the shed. I like the fact that she knows I'm not going to hurt her :) She needs a name...but so far I just call her "little one".
Thursday, January 20, 2011
MCP Project 52/wk 3
This weeks theme is Shades of grey. Driving home from work this afternoon, the wind was really whipping around because there is another storm blowing in. Did I mention it is cold?!? brrrr!!! When I started down the road to the house, I noticed the windmill was going like crazy and thought it would make a cool pic. So...here is my week 3 photo:
I am really enjoying the challenge of trying to find a good shot...so far :) School starts Monday and we will see if I am able to keep up with it at that point!
Here's a couple of pics that I didn't enter!
Monday, January 17, 2011
The giving of gifts...
I have a few thoughts rattling around in my head this morning. Actually, to some degree they are thoughts that I have had before, but for some reason...today...they want to be voiced. It's about the giving of gifts...the "whys" of them.
This is possibly spurred by my "heart projects" from November & December...my decision to focus on my blessings and then to focus those blessings onto others. I was determined to live more intentionally, to not be so much about me. As I've started into the new year, I have been determined to continue to have that focus...and it's not easy! I keep having to beat selfish back.
Why do you give gifts? Is it out of obligation or the benefit you will receive in return? Do you rush into a store thinking you've got to find "something"? Or do you choose a gift that you know will be just what is needed or wanted...regardless of how you feel about it? I think that giving gifts should bring you as much joy as it brings the recipient...I think that's how gifts are intended. Not as an obligation or something that can be crossed off your list.
But I'm going to take that a step further. This is going to be a tough one though...so don't run screaming from the room. I find that taking a tax deduction for gifts or tithes cheapens the gift for me. It is like I gave out of obligation instead of love. It is like giving a gift and then asking for the gift bag, bow & card back so you can return them to the store for credit. Sure...our laws are set up so we have that benefit. It's "legal".
Aren't gifts to be given freely and unconditionally...like our love? If you do things for others out of love, without strings, it means you don't expect anything back. Even if they mock you or don't treat you with respect or love in return...you give because you want to. Maybe you can't connect the dots between giving freely and tax deductions :) I'm just writing down how it feels for me...maybe give you a little food for thought. Or a reason to mock me! Would you give less if you couldn't deduct it?
To take this full circle (in my mind at least), as a Christian...I can't see Jesus asking for credit back on the gift He has given me. Isn't that what I want my life to look like?
This is possibly spurred by my "heart projects" from November & December...my decision to focus on my blessings and then to focus those blessings onto others. I was determined to live more intentionally, to not be so much about me. As I've started into the new year, I have been determined to continue to have that focus...and it's not easy! I keep having to beat selfish back.
Why do you give gifts? Is it out of obligation or the benefit you will receive in return? Do you rush into a store thinking you've got to find "something"? Or do you choose a gift that you know will be just what is needed or wanted...regardless of how you feel about it? I think that giving gifts should bring you as much joy as it brings the recipient...I think that's how gifts are intended. Not as an obligation or something that can be crossed off your list.
But I'm going to take that a step further. This is going to be a tough one though...so don't run screaming from the room. I find that taking a tax deduction for gifts or tithes cheapens the gift for me. It is like I gave out of obligation instead of love. It is like giving a gift and then asking for the gift bag, bow & card back so you can return them to the store for credit. Sure...our laws are set up so we have that benefit. It's "legal".
Aren't gifts to be given freely and unconditionally...like our love? If you do things for others out of love, without strings, it means you don't expect anything back. Even if they mock you or don't treat you with respect or love in return...you give because you want to. Maybe you can't connect the dots between giving freely and tax deductions :) I'm just writing down how it feels for me...maybe give you a little food for thought. Or a reason to mock me! Would you give less if you couldn't deduct it?
To take this full circle (in my mind at least), as a Christian...I can't see Jesus asking for credit back on the gift He has given me. Isn't that what I want my life to look like?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
MCP Project 52
Here are the first 2 submissions for my participation in the MCP Project 52.
Week 1 theme was Around The House:
Week 1 theme was Around The House:
The theme for Week 2 was to illustrate a song...this seemed perfect for today :)
Cold As Ice - by Foreigner
I think this is going to be fun!!
a new year...
The new year has been here for a couple of weeks, and here I am behind already! To finish up last year, I did finish last semester with the 4.0 I was so hoping for! I was pretty excited about that, but it has since worked its' way back around to uncertainty of the semester that is to come. Classes resume on the 24th, and it will be a challenging one. This semester brings Anatomy & Physiology with it. I have taken this class before...more than 25 years ago...and I still remember how incredibly difficult it was. It's funny, but I am excited to get started and dreading it at the same time!
My December project to focus outside myself and do more giving blessed me in ways I cannot explain. I really don't want to say too much about it, but I had the opportunity to be involved in a few different organized fund raising events, and also did quite a bit of independent type things. I am going to be more organized about planning for that during the year so I will have a better budget for it when it comes time. I have also decided that it doesn't have to be a Christmas project, so I'm looking for ways to make giving part of my everyday life.
I have decided to enter a photography project this year. MCP Project 52 started 2 weeks ago, so I am right on schedule to have signed up today! I think it will be a much healthier project to focus my free time on than was the baking I was doing last semester. I love to take pictures, and now that my lost camera has surfaced, I'm going to be making up for lost time :)
I know that baking will still be part of my life...it gives me too much joy to cut it out completely. I am going to try to focus on finding healthier recipes, and do more cooking than baking. I have always enjoyed baking more...but I need to diversify :) Cupcakes will always be part of my life!!
As I move forward into the new year, I would say my biggest goal is to complete several projects that I have not gotten finished...a couple for several years. They aren't projects I must do, but rather ones that I desire to do in the deepest part of my heart! I will use my creative gifts more this year as well, and I'm really looking forward to that :)
My December project to focus outside myself and do more giving blessed me in ways I cannot explain. I really don't want to say too much about it, but I had the opportunity to be involved in a few different organized fund raising events, and also did quite a bit of independent type things. I am going to be more organized about planning for that during the year so I will have a better budget for it when it comes time. I have also decided that it doesn't have to be a Christmas project, so I'm looking for ways to make giving part of my everyday life.
I have decided to enter a photography project this year. MCP Project 52 started 2 weeks ago, so I am right on schedule to have signed up today! I think it will be a much healthier project to focus my free time on than was the baking I was doing last semester. I love to take pictures, and now that my lost camera has surfaced, I'm going to be making up for lost time :)
I know that baking will still be part of my life...it gives me too much joy to cut it out completely. I am going to try to focus on finding healthier recipes, and do more cooking than baking. I have always enjoyed baking more...but I need to diversify :) Cupcakes will always be part of my life!!
As I move forward into the new year, I would say my biggest goal is to complete several projects that I have not gotten finished...a couple for several years. They aren't projects I must do, but rather ones that I desire to do in the deepest part of my heart! I will use my creative gifts more this year as well, and I'm really looking forward to that :)
the grands
Time is surely flying by! My vow to be better with my blogging has obviously not been fulfilled, but I think about it...does that count? Here's a couple of new pictures of the boys.
Sean turns 5 years old this month, and I am finding hard to wrap my head around the fact that he will be off to kindergarten next year! Let me tell you...this is one smart kid! Cash was 3 at the end of December, and he continues to charm the socks off anyone in sight. In sight because he can use those big brown eyes like nobodies business! They are so fun, and such amazing little men.
Benjamin is closing in on 15 months, and it has been recently discovered the he will be a big brother this August! He is so cute, and has dimples that melt my heart! He is full of giggles and loves!
So often I marvel at the fact that I am a nani to these 3 little dudes! When I think about what my grandparents meant to me, it really boggles my mind. One thing is for certain...it is the most fun label I have ever worn :)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Reflections on a month of thankfulness...
I decided at the beginning of November that I would name at least one thing every day that I was thankful for. It isn't that I don't express thankfulness throughout the year...I just wanted to focus on it more and really challenge myself to be aware of all the good things in my life. I think it was a pretty effective exercise. Even though there were some challenges this month...I determined not to allow them to become the place I rested. I think it is a good habit to carry on going forward!
The "big picture" in all this is that we too often take things for granted. One day, I focused on being thankful for water...a couple of days after that, the water at the house froze and I was reminded how much I expect the basic things to just be there. We really do take so many things for granted...going to the faucet and turning it on knowing water will come out is just one of them. In light of all the people I realize don't have the basic necessities, I am working on reminding myself daily to be thankful for the things I forget too often to be thankful for. I really think that some of our biggest blessings are the things we take for granted.
There are several little ones that I have been keeping close in my heart. Someone once told me that I get too involved in the blogs and stories of these sick kids, but I really think it is connected to the reasons that I feel so drawn to pediatric nursing. I can't even explain how they plant themselves in my heart, and I want to be able to be a bigger part of their stories. A facebook friend posted a question yesterday...something like "if money were no obstacle, what is the one thing you would do?". I hadn't really thought about it lately....what is that "thing". But it came to me quickly, perhaps because there was recently another family affected by cancer that has had their whole world turned upside down...jobs put on hold...too much time spent in the hospital...other children to tend to...where to live? Though they are "struggling well", it would be great if there was a way to take some of that struggle away. My answer to what my "thing" was...I think it would be so amazing to have a big farm with a big house & barn that I could open to families that have kids at the children's hospital. A place for the siblings to run...people to help care for them when the parents need to be at the hospital. A big, warm & welcoming place of rest. I even found the perfect place...and all I need is about 8 million dollars to make it happen! Now that...would be awesome :)
We have about 3 more weeks of this semester until Winter break. Things are going well school-wise, but I find myself with a touch of dread every now and then for what is ahead. Next semester will be a challenge for sure. I am excited and scared out of my wits :) In the midst of it all, I am determined to remain focused on my blessings...and my anatomy book!
The "big picture" in all this is that we too often take things for granted. One day, I focused on being thankful for water...a couple of days after that, the water at the house froze and I was reminded how much I expect the basic things to just be there. We really do take so many things for granted...going to the faucet and turning it on knowing water will come out is just one of them. In light of all the people I realize don't have the basic necessities, I am working on reminding myself daily to be thankful for the things I forget too often to be thankful for. I really think that some of our biggest blessings are the things we take for granted.
There are several little ones that I have been keeping close in my heart. Someone once told me that I get too involved in the blogs and stories of these sick kids, but I really think it is connected to the reasons that I feel so drawn to pediatric nursing. I can't even explain how they plant themselves in my heart, and I want to be able to be a bigger part of their stories. A facebook friend posted a question yesterday...something like "if money were no obstacle, what is the one thing you would do?". I hadn't really thought about it lately....what is that "thing". But it came to me quickly, perhaps because there was recently another family affected by cancer that has had their whole world turned upside down...jobs put on hold...too much time spent in the hospital...other children to tend to...where to live? Though they are "struggling well", it would be great if there was a way to take some of that struggle away. My answer to what my "thing" was...I think it would be so amazing to have a big farm with a big house & barn that I could open to families that have kids at the children's hospital. A place for the siblings to run...people to help care for them when the parents need to be at the hospital. A big, warm & welcoming place of rest. I even found the perfect place...and all I need is about 8 million dollars to make it happen! Now that...would be awesome :)
We have about 3 more weeks of this semester until Winter break. Things are going well school-wise, but I find myself with a touch of dread every now and then for what is ahead. Next semester will be a challenge for sure. I am excited and scared out of my wits :) In the midst of it all, I am determined to remain focused on my blessings...and my anatomy book!
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