Sunday Stealing

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Thought Provoking Questions
These are questions suggested by Markandangel

If you could instill one piece of advice in a newborn baby’s mind, what advice would you give?

Hell no! I'll be taking advice from this source, not polluting it with my stupidity!

What is the most desirable trait another person can possess?

Self-awareness.

What are you most grateful for?

Small moments of joy and painlessness.

Is stealing to feed a starving child wrong?

Nope.

What do you want most?

Peace.

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

I tend toward doing things right as often as possible; I need to pay more attention to doing the right things regardless of perfectibility.

What has life taught you recently?

Just cutting back on food intake or eating healthier food doesn't cause weight loss. So frustrating.

What is the one thing you would most like to change about the world?

I would really like people to spend more time listening with an open mind.

Where do you find inspiration?

Kids and animals, some weather (e.g. thunderstorms) and sleep.

Can you describe your life in a six word sentence?

"Just take it as it comes."

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

Because pride. Ego, if you prefer.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

Aside from kindness, I'd actually like to leave as little impact as possible. Call me nuts.

What is the most defining moment of your life thus far?

Life continues after tragedy, and there are ALWAYS things to be learned, often from surprising people and events.

In the haste of your daily life, what are you not seeing?

Realistically, if I'm not seeing it, I'm, uh, ... not seeing it.
To answer the implicit question, I'm often very unaware of how set in my ways I am.

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

"I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to—what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it.... When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway." (Romans 7:15-17a, 19 (NLB))

Paul had one answer for that. I tend to agree with him in the abstract sense: because it feels better to do the wrong thing often. Or it is or seems easier.

What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?

Music. Sleep. Venting to a trusted person.

Have you ever regretted something you did not say or do?

Only every motherlovin' day! Good God, this is my life. "Regrets, I have a few..."

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

Ayup. Usually with a twist because God's a funny guy.

Why do we think of others the most when they’re gone?

I don't really think I do; I am fairly certain I think about my Mom now as often as I did when she was still around. However, I think we all like to think about past times of our lives that seem much easier than today. I also strong distrust this rosy view of the past. My life wasn't appreciably "better" in my 20s, though some things were easier. Other things were pretty awful and I'd never want to do it again.

What is your most beloved childhood memory?

I've been thinking a lot lately about playing jacks (metal ones!) on the sidewalk in front on my house. We had a driveway pad that was very smooth so my hand didn't get all torn up scooping. I loved jacks....

Saturday 9

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Crown of Creation

1. Do you understand a belief model based on creationism?

Do I...? What? I have no problem integrating the metaphors in the creation story/ies with the theories of evolution. Does that answer the question?

2. Is your house run more like a dictatorship or a democracy?

It's a benign oligarchy. Mostly benign. Except when it's fraught.

3. Are you likely to forgive a transgression and give someone a second chance?

Depends on the gravity of the transgression and who or what was transgressed. I'd forgive a temper tantrum, in most cases, easier than I'd forgive anything premeditated.

4. Is religion a big part of your life?

Yup. But you probably knew that, assuming you've seen any of my other posts anywhere.

5. Do you feel your job (or your spouse's if you work at home) is safe?

Mine is pretty solid. Beast's should be solid, based on his sales figures. But since I don't understand how corporate America works, who knows, really.

6. Do you believe in gay marriage? Why?

It's not a matter of belief, it's a matter of fact. Do I think it's a bad thing that two men or two women get married? No. Seriously, why the hell should I care about other people's sex lives?

7. Do you think the current U.S. war will lead to a more peaceful world?

Not bloody likely!

8. Do you like people with swagger?

Have they earned the swagger? In general, I'm not a fan of cockiness overall, but sometimes it fits the person and/or the situation.

9. What kind of budget do you live on, is it tight or carefree?

Somewhere in between.

RevGalBlogPals

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Mission Impossible!

1) Have you ever been on a mission trip, as a participant or adult chaperone? What was it like?

I love mission trips! This will be our first summer since 2006 with no mission trip, and it seems really weird. We've only gone as chaperones, at least on overnights. We head west to The Medium-Large-ish City once a year for a day doing cleanup/repair/whatever on "skid row" there. Beast also used to work with Habitat B.C. (before child...and our move to the exurbs where there isn't much of a Habitat presence).

2) What is the worst thing that happened to you/your group on a mission trip (or retreat, or camp, or Habitat for Humanity experience, or something like that--hey, this is YOUR Friday Five, so you get to play it how you would like.)

Well, last summer one of the kids was diagnosed with mono on Day 3. That sucked. Being bitten by fire ants in Mississippi wasn't a blast either. I can't think of anything much else horrible. Three years ago, the kids had a great time eating bugs, slugs, and other critters during our weeding project; that same year, one of the girls got hit square in the jaw with a lacrosse stick.

3) If money were no object, where would you want to go to help and serve? What would you do?

I'd love to go to Africa. Yes, I'm insane. And it's doubtful I will, due to a lot of external forces at work in my life.

4) What would be your advice to someone who will be sleeping in a gym with 20 other people for a week?

Bring a fan, a hole-free air mattress (and pump) and earplugs. Tylenol, too. And a Bible, naturally!

5) Any parting thoughts, stories, or questions you have around the whole theme of Mission Trips?

Go! It's not all about the work. It's all about the people you'll meet, the stories they have to share, and the sprouts you find growing within you. Even with fire ants, rain, 100-degree temperatures, craptastic shower facilities, and moldy church basements, fun will be had.

RevGalsBlogPals

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Friday Five: Women's Retreat Edition!

1. Name a woman author you very much love to read.

I love Anne Lamott. I love Laura Ingalls Wilder. I love Sue Grafton, Anne Bradstreet, Diana Gabaldon, Sara Paretsky, Charlotte Bronte, Elizabeth George, Emily Dickinson, Margaret Coel....

2. Name a woman from the Bible with whom you would like to enjoy a nice long coffee talk.

I'd love to learn a little more about Leah. And Mary the Magdalene. Yes, that's two. I'm not good with picking one. Oh, and Lot's wife, prior to the salt thing.

3. Name a famous woman from history with whom you would like to have lunch.

Abigail Adams. And then maybe Caroline Ingalls tomorrow.

4. Name a living famous or infamous woman with whom you would like to go out to dinner.

Aung San Suu Kyi, but I think we'll skip dinner and go for a walk somewhere.

5. If you could be SuperWoman (o.k., I know you already ARE) what three special powers would you like to have?

Invisibility, time travel, self-duplication.

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. From Cat.: What's the best part about where you live?

We have AWESOME transit for the Big City, living as we do 20 minutes from the train station that gets us downtown in 90 minutes flat (slow train). This is turns gives us access to all sorts of cultural possibilities: museums, historical centers, plays and concerts, fancy shopping, etc.

2. From Cat.: What can we do about so-called Christians who really aren't? At least, they don't look like they've ever read the Gospels. At least, not the Gospels you and I seem to have read.

Well, really, Patrick, I was hoping for your insight here. I don't have any suggestions. I'm very annoyed with them for personal and social reasons (W#stb0r0 Baptist, I'm looking at you!), and while I pray for them and remind people that most Christians are not like that, that doesn't seem like enough somehow.

3. From Strange: Where did you grow up?

I grew up in suburban Denver, left there for college, and never went back (to live). This was a major strategic error, to be honest. I've lived within about 100 miles of where I am now for over 25 years, and I still desperately miss Colorado and the West.

4. From Strange: What do you like to do in your spare time?

This seems to eat up a lot of my time, spare or otherwise. I also Facebook a lot (too much) and watch TV and listen to music and read, though usually only one or two of those things at a time. I'm actually making a start this weekend on only being online when I have finished other chores, or only to do productive things (so, like, Facebook and other games: buh-bye!).

5. From Strange: If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go?

I'm itching to hit the Southern Hemisphere; want to visit Australia and New Zealand and perhaps some places in South America. And South Africa and Botswana and.... Yeah. In this lifetime, for sure.

6. From Aislínge: What made you decide to start your blog? An inspiration, a need to empty your head, a complaint of something, or something entirely different?

My first plan was just to keep my reading list online. That quickly morphed into another blog for journaling. Within a few months, I spun off this blog to consolidate the memes. Then I started a travel blog for my travel journals (big trips only), and I have a couple of work-related blogs and a venting spot and some attempts, not even half-hearted, at using other platforms than Blogger. The last couple of years have been so emotionally screwed-up that most of my blogging has been here rather than any serious journaling content. That's a shame, as I've gone back to look at the Old Blog to confirm some dates that I blogged about that I haven't kept up on lately. Sigh.

W.T.F.

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Be sure to load your dishwasher before going to Heaven

1) September, a.k.a. National Coupon Month, begins tomorrow. Do you ever use coupons when you go shopping?

I used to be insane about coupons, spending hours clipping and filing them. Then, about 15 years ago I realized that the healthy stuff we should be eating almost never has coupons. The coupons are for processed foods that we shouldn't be buying anyway. So I stopped. And never went back.

2) What topics do you usually think about on your drive home from work?

I tend not to think. I've usually got a book in the CD player, so I'm thinking about it. Also, trying to let go of work stuff, so I'm not all wound up when I arrive home.

3) According to the calendar on my wall, it's still June because I never changed it to July or to August. Do you still use traditional calendars (or daily planners) or have you digitized your life into some sort of digital-based calendar?

I use Google Calendar, and a Mead paper planner, and a dry-erase calendar on the fridge.

4) What do you hope is in your "welcome basket" when you get to Heaven (assuming you'll be going to Heaven *** insert evil laugh ***)?

I doubt I'll need a Welcome Basket, but I'd take a map so I can find those who got there before me.

5) Today (Aug. 31) is National Trail Mix Day. If you were to create your own type of trail mix, what would be included in it?

I hate trail mix. What a horrible combination of tastes that shouldn't be in my mouth together! So my trail mix would be all nuts, or all candy, or all raisins.

6) Today is also Eat Outside Day. Do you enjoy going on outdoor picnics?

"Outdoor picnics"?? OK, yes, I do, but Beast doesn't. I have to laugh at the concept of an indoor picnic; because Sparky's birthday is in February--not a big picnic month in the Northern Hemisphere--when he was little, I'd throw a blanket on the floor in the living room, bring all the food for dinner out there with plastic plates and cutlery, and we'd eat there for his birthday.

7) Do you have a specific way to load your dishwasher? If so, if someone else loads it for you and does it a different way, do you get upset?

Hey, listen: if someone loads my dishwasher, and it all gets clean, I'm NOT complaining!! It would be great if they'd empty it too...

8) If there were four specific words written on your heart, what would they say?

"Act, Love Mercy, Walk."

9) If you could add an 11th Commandment, what would it be?

"Shut thy mouth and use thine ears."

10) Which of your five senses normally evokes the strongest memories in you?

My strongest memories are probably brought by smell.

Saturday 9

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The Remedy (I Won't Worry)

1. What's the remedy for you to stop worrying?

Prescription medications. No, I am not kidding. I worry pathologically.

2. What is your favorite summertime beverage?

I don't really change much in the summer: still drink DDP. But I like lemonade and iced tea once in awhile too.

3. Do you use any freeware on your computer? If yes, do tell.

I use Chrome as my main browser at home, if you consider that freeware. Honestly, I would use it at work too if OCLC would support it.

4. What is one thing about your home that has to be just so or it drives you crazy when it comes to organization?

ha ha ha This is totally more about Beast than me! [long pause while I consider] The only thing I can come up with is that I hate when the house smells weird, like last night's dinner or whatever. I'm a big believer in air freshener and candles. I know that's not exactly disorganization, but it's all I can come up with. There are so many battles I've simply stopped fighting: coats hanging everywhere, dusty floors, stacks of non-kitchen items on the kitchen counters, etc.

5. Is there a specific subject you're especially curious about? A person? A region of the world? An animal? A field of study?

I read more than my share of books on the history of Christianity as well as interpretation of scripture and stuff. And I'm a big nut about the Russian Revolution and ancient Egypt. And of course there is the whole library jargon thing, which I hate, but use to communicate among peers.

6. What do you consider your most interesting trait?

Uhm? Depends on how you mean the word "interesting" I think. Perhaps my sense of humor would cover all interpretations of it.

7. What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

I don't like leeches. My brother found one while we were cleaning out the garden one spring and swung it around toward me (to show me, and to freak me out--he is a brother after all! lol). Couple that with the story in On the Banks of Plum Creek about leeches, and it cured me of ever wanting to see one close up. {shudder}

8. Who do you want to yell at to "get a grip!"?

So many people from whom to choose. I'd start with people who bitch because their reserves at the library aren't placed right--like, seriously, can you honestly expect to watch 5 seasons of a TV show in two weeks?? That's why we didn't place holds on all five seasons at once, you moron! And, mind you, THIS is a Board Member. OK, then I'd move on to people like me who get far too upset about things like that. ;-)

9. What do you wear to particularly look great for a party or event?

I don't care how I look for a party, as long as I'm clean and dressed approximately like everyone else. I am one of the apparently rare women in the world who couldn't give a shit about clothes.

RevGals Friday 5

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Fave Verses
List your five favorite passages/verses from the Bible and tell us something about why you love them.

1. Well, of course, based on my email, you have to know Psalm 23 is going to show up. This part is my favorite: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (v.5)
2. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed. (part of 1 Corinthians 15:51) It was on the nursery door in my childhood church.
3. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
4. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12) Because who wouldn't laugh?
5. There are many rooms in my Father's house. If this were not true, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

Commanding

You Are "Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother"

You may or may not have the most honorable parents, but you try to respect and honor them whenever possible. In general, you think that people should focus on their families more. Charity begins at home. You also believe that younger generations should do a better job taking care of their elders. It saddens you to see how older people are treated in most cultures. You think it's truly a disgrace.

Which of the Ten Commandments Are You?

Wow, this is horrifically wrong. Not that I don't like older people, but they aren't freakin' saints.

Friday Fill-Ins

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1. She had a great force of personality.

2. God is by my side, always.

3. I know this: I'm not doing ANY memes that mention Michael Jackson today!

4. Be still (and know that I am God).

5. These words apply to me: indecisive, boring, emotional.

6. In almost all the memories of my childhood summers, the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out alone for a few more hours and then buying tickets, tomorrow my plans include seeing Jenny (I hope...), and Sunday, I want to stay in bed, asleep, with the covers over my head--but I will probably be on an airplane!

Curious as a Cat

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1) What is the most evil thing you’ve ever done (that you’re willing to admit online)?

Oh the nasty, gossipy things I've said over the years! Actually, one of the things that I will have to work out in my next life is being angry and not resolving that anger with someone who is now dead. Time's up on that one.

2) Of all the people from the Bible -- excluding Jesus, because that is too easy ;-) -- who would you most like to meet?

I would stipulate having a video camera, and I'd want to meet Eve. WTF really happened with that snake?!

3) What is the most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard?

Waves lapping me to sleep about 25 feet from my bed.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. Public Domain Photo

It looks like Christmas to me. Red candle with sparkers emanating from it...it's a very cool photographic effect, but all in all...it just makes me feel all Christmas-y. Kind of nice on a rainy Monday morning in March. [how accidentally alliterative is that?]

Curious as a Cat

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1) What is the most unbelievable thing you have ever witnessed?

Love never seems to be believable, does it?

2) If you could change your identity completely (money no object), what would the new you be like?

Just like the old me, I expect. Really, it would take a lot of motivation to change myself enough to make changing my name worthwhile. It would require a death threat. [Is it obvious I'm watching "The Sarah Connor Chronicles"??]

3) What would you do if you saw someone making fun of another person?

Depends on whether I like the "other person." OK, no seriously, if it was out of line teasing, I'd probably suggest the teaser cool it. I've been the victim of unending teasing, courtesy my brother, and it's no fun.

4) If you could go back to the Garden of Eden and talk to Adam and Eve for five minutes, what would you say?

"See that tree over there? Yeah. Just don't go there. And stay away from snakes while you're at it." Actually, though, I'm a bit of mixed mind on this, since it was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil...and, well, I can see the temptation.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Photo © Cat. 2004

Well, to be honest...it reminds me of my niece and nephew, since this was taken about 10 minutes prior to their wedding. The man in the middle is the pastor. The green carpet is tulle and the flowers are sewn on to mimic a flower-strewn path. Very romantic, no? I'm so NOT a romantic...I think (thought) it was a lot of work for silly reasons. And this is why I'm not an interior decorator!