Technically, it's still spring according to the calendar, but here in Alabama, 90+ degree days mean that summer's here. I do love to cook, but when the temperature rises I find myself turning to recipes that don't necessitate turning on the oven. In fact, recipes that can be served at room temperature or cold are my ideal this time of year.
Here are a few favorites that are on a regular rotation at my house in the summertime:
Gazpacho
Until a few years ago, the thought of a chilled soup seemed nutty to me. Then I read You on a DietbyDrs. Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz and gave Lisa's Great Gazpacho a try. (How could I pass up a recipe with that name?) Oh. My. Word. Talk about a flavor explosion. I make a couple of tweaks to the book's version--I use low sodium V8 instead of tomato juice, and don't always put in red peppers--and I eat it on a near-weekly basis throughout the summer. It's fast, easy and definitely hits the spot on a hot day. I like it with hard crackers (like Wasa crackers) or some crusty bread.
Remember how in the opening paragraph I said I turned to recipes that don't necessitate turning on the oven? Okay, so this one necessitates turning the oven. But it's worth it, I promise. I love recipes that marry sweet and salty flavors, and this one packs a punch with ripe nectarines and tart blue cheese, with some salty mozzarella and walnuts. I do take the easy route and use pre-made thin pizza crusts rather than make my own, and occasionally I'll substitute whole wheat pita bread for the crust and create several mini pizzas. With nectarines in season this time of year, this is a lovely way to use them for something besides dessert.
This recipe is for a dessert or snack rather than a main dish, but it's another one that's full of summery goodness. I've only made it with mangoes, but I'm sure you could use most other fruit that would go well with coconut. In case you're wondering, yes, the chia seeds used in the recipe are indeed the same that turn into kitschy pets. Don't blame me if you're now singing "Cha-cha-cha-chia."
And now here's a recipe that I recently found on Pinterest that I will most likely be adding to this week's menu. I love Greek and Mediterranean food, and this recipe once again hits the fast-easy-no oven required points. I'll probably add some feta cheese and kalamata olives to it.
So, do you have any summer recipes that you enjoy on a frequent basis when the mercury's rising?
As a Christian single woman, I have read my fair share of books for Christian singles over the years. While occasionally I've come across a book that is inspiring and insightful (in my opinion) and that centers on God's purpose for the single person, the vast majority seem to be largely focused on catching a man finding the "love of your life". And books like that typically make me want to puke are a bit of a turn-off for someone like me who (while I would certainly love to find "the love of my life") is not obsessing over it.
And so it was with some trepidation that I agreed to review another book for Christian singles, I've Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has by Mandy Hale. Hale, whom I had never heard of prior to this book, is apparently a popular blogger and social media maven known as "The Single Woman". The book chronicles her life from high school to present, focusing on her various relationships and emotional upheaval brought on by each. She is open about her battles with anxiety and depression, and about an abusive relationship from which she struggled to set herself free. She also shares her career woes, having worked her way up into a high-profile role in the entertainment world, only to lose it.
I appreciated Hale's honesty about her life story, including sharing some of the foolish decisions she made regarding relationships in particular, but I struggled to find a lot of Godly wisdom and insight in this book. To her credit, she does not give a list of things you should do in order to find a Godly man or keep him--if anything, I'd say do the opposite of pretty much everything she has done, relationship-wise.
Although the book had some entertaining and mildly amusing anecdotes, to me it was not the "hilarious" read that some other reviews have lauded it as. In fact, I found it sort of sad and a bit trite at times, particularly her hero worship of Oprah (of whom, I will be the first to admit, I am not a fan, so perhaps I'm a little jaded here). All in all, this book just wasn't for me.
If you're interested in reading about a single Christian woman's life struggles, you may find the book entertaining. But if you're looking for some deep spiritual insights, I'd keep shopping.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Although I currently have a job that I {most of the time} enjoy, from time to time I'll fantasize about other occupations. After all, I've got at least a couple of decades of work ahead of me, so it's not unreasonable to think about making some career changes down the road. And while I'm fantasizing, I might as well make these fantasy jobs really good. For instance:
• A taste tester at a chocolate/ice cream/coffee factory. (Hopefully that job would come with an allowance for a personal trainer to help me keep from ballooning up from all the sampling.)
• A namer (for lack of better job title) of nail polish colors, lipsticks and other pretties. I love makeup. I love colors. I incorporate puns into my conversations on a regular basis. I feel fairly confident I could handle this gig.
• A travel writer/critic for luxury hotels and spas. What's that? You need me to fly first-class to Switzerland and spend a week at your new four-star hotel, undergoing daily spa treatments and tasting five-course gourmet meals? It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.
But perhaps my #1 dream job would be one in which I'm paid to lie in a hammock (or a comfy lounge chair would do) on a balcony overlooking the beach, with a cup of coffee and a stack of books waiting to be read. I'm pretty certain I could do this job with very little complaint. So...do you know anyone who's hiring for this position?
What's your dream job? The sky's the limit here...
Another day, another book review. I promise, I'll soon return to writing about other things, but for now I'll continue to wear my critic's hat for at least one more post so I can tell you about Out of the Depths by Edgar Harrell, USMC. The book tells the story of the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis, one of the crown jewels in the U.S. Navy's fleet during World War II. I have to admit that, despite having a grandfather who fought in WWII (and who, ironically, was from Indianapolis) and a father (his son) who taught American history, my knowledge base of World War II is fairly limited in scope. In fact, I don't recall much teaching on the Pacific side of WWII when I was in school, aside from the bombing of Pearl Harbor; most of the teaching seemed to focus on Europe in general and Nazi Germany, specifically. (In all fairness to my high school history teacher, trying to cram 200 years of American history into one school year is a fairly daunting task; we were lucky if we got to the Vietnam War before summer.) Given my limited knowledge of this part of American history, I enjoyed the book from a fact-finding viewpoint, as it opened my eyes to the dramatics taking place with the Japanese in the Pacific. After being sunk by a Japanese submarine, the survivors of the Indianapolis spent five horrific days on the open water, surrounded by sharks, dealing with injuries and suffering from dehydration. Harrell, one of the survivors who was a young Marine at the time, shares his ordeal and the amazing circumstances that ultimately led to his rescue. He discusses how he and other survivors drew on their faith in God to save them and how thoughts of family and home provided hope and purpose when others were ready to give up. Harrell also discusses the remarkable chain of events that led to the sinking of the Indianapolis, and to the miscarriage of justice that occurred in the Navy singling out someone upon whom they could place blame for the incident. Some 70 years later, Harrell speaks about the Indianapolis to groups around the country and uses the incident as a platform for the message of reconciliation and trust in God. Although he still suffers the anguish of the painful memories of the sinking and the days leading up to his rescue, he finds peace in knowing that God was in control of it all. Even if you're not a history lover, I think you'll still appreciate the message of hope that Harrell had, a hope that is available to each of us who believe.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany Housebook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
First, a confession: I waited to start reading Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption until after I'd taken a shopping trip. There's nothing like a convicting message about how much I money I waste on things I don't truly need to put a buzzkill on an otherwise pleasant trip to the outlet mall, right? At least that's what I figured, which is why I held off on reading this book by Jeff Manion until after I'd gotten some spring clothes shopping done.
In all fairness, Satisfied, while certainly convicting, did not put me on the guilt trip I'd expected. It did, however, encourage me to examine my purchasing habits and remember that true contentment does not lie in anything I can buy. Manion is upfront and honest about his own struggles to find satisfaction, and I always seem to gain more from books like this where I can identify with the author.
Although a short read, the book is packed with wisdom and some anecdotes to help drive home Manion's points. It's divided into six parts: The School of Contentment, Comparison, Identity Shift, The Challenge of Affluence, The Generous Heart and The Invitation. I found myself particularly touched by the section on Comparison, as I know that I struggle with comparing myself to others and looking at what I don't have rather than appreciating what I do have.
Each section ends with some discussion questions and suggested projects for practical application, making this book an easy one to incorporate into a small group study or class.
All in all, I found Satisfied to be a quick and enjoyable read that is challenging me to seek a counter-cultural life by focusing not so much on pursuing possessions but on seeking after God.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookSneeze®.combook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Today was one of those days where things did not go according to {my} plan. For starters, I've had a clogged kitchen sink the past couple of days. I tried Drano, plunging it, etc. to no avail, and finally called in a professional. Thankfully, the plumber was available to come a little before 9 this morning, so rather than go to work and have to turn right around and come back to meet him, I just stayed and waited for his arrival. He did arrive on time, but the clog took much longer to eliminate than anticipated. {Helpful hint for any house hunters: When you buy a house that's, say, 60-plus years old with cast iron pipes, expect those pipes to build up some corrosion over time. And expect unclogging said pipes to take more time and effort than you think.}
On the plus side, in the process of unclogging the sink, the plumber discovered a small leak and was able to fix it, so at least I didn't have to pay for an additional service fee. I finally made it in to work but pretty much felt like I was running behind all day.
By the end of the day, I was beat, and was debating whether or not to go to my Wednesday night Bible study. We are currently studying Beth Moore's James: Mercy Triumphs, which I am really enjoying, and Wednesday nights have become a highlight of the week for me. However, knowing that tonight we'd be watching Beth's video, I was a little afraid that I'd be on the verge of falling asleep during it. Still, I knew I'd be missing out on a great video and some great fellowship if I didn't go.
I went home after work and got home with time to have eaten a quick bite before driving back across town for church. However, I took a good look at my sweet puppy and ultimately decided to stay in and spend some time with her. Most weekdays I'm able to come home at lunch to let her outside but today (since I'd gone in to work late) I'd brought my lunch and just ate at work. I hate having to leave her home alone all day with no human interaction, so I decided she needed some "mommy time" tonight and that I'd be better off at home with her than rushing around town.
Who can resist this face?
So tonight I'm cutting myself some slack and having a night in. I did spend some time working on some of the homework from this upcoming week's Bible study, and had a couple of "a-ha!" moments during it that I think I needed to discover tonight. And yes, I'm also spending some time playing with my sweet pup. As much as I'd like to be at Bible study tonight, I'm pretty sure right now that I'm exactly where I need to be.
In case you hadn't figured out by now, reading is a passion of mine. And I do a lot of it, both online and in book form. Here are a few recent reads that have piqued my curiosity and provided some food for thought and/or entertainment. On My Nightstand: • I'm grateful to have a sister who loves to read as much as I do, because we often swap books (and since she, like me, often reviews books for her blog, we get a lot of free books to share between us). I'm currently working my way through a stack of books that she loaned me a few weeks ago, and have just recently finished One Good Deed (which I loved and wrote about here) and Jesus Feminist (a thought-provoking read that I enjoyed quite a bit). • I also recently finished The In-Between, which was one of my Christmas gifts. This book focuses on the often-trying and frustrating business of waiting, and learning to make the most of that waiting time and see it as a gift rather than as torture (which is how I usually view waiting). This was another really good read which challenged me to see waiting in a new light. • These days I tend to read more non-fiction than fiction, but I do like having some fiction on hand for "escape" reading. My most recent fiction choice was The Paris Wife, a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway's marriage to his first wife. I'd been wanting to read it for quite some time and finally found it for free on Paperbackswap.com (one of my favorite places to get books). I wasn't at all familiar with Hemingway's family life prior to reading this so I don't know exactly how much liberty the author took with her accounting of his first marriage. I did enjoy the book overall, although it ended quite sadly, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a "light" pick-me-up sort of read if that's what you're wanting. • I'm now reading French Kids Eat Everything (another loaner from sis). It may seem a bit of an odd choice to read considering that I don't even have kids, but (a) I love reading about France and (b) I love food so I figured I'd give this one a go. It's turned out to be a rather fascinating study on the importance that food plays in French culture and how parents teach their children from a very early age to treat food and mealtimes with great respect. While having babies throw food on the floor or play with their food is de rigueur here in America, in France it would be unthinkable. Some of the principles discussed in the book are applicable to adults as well as children, and it's causing me to want to try to adopt a more respectful approach to eating, as in actually sitting down and enjoying my food rather than wolfing it down on the run (another no-no in France). In My Browser: • One of the {many} blogs I read on a regular basis is Greater Than Rubies. The author, Caitlin, is a Christian who started her blog after being convicted about her love of shopping and wanted to become a better steward of her clothes and finances. Her blog focuses on curating a simple (yet still incredibly stylish) wardrobe, focusing on quality over quantity. I particularly liked her recent guest post on creating a simple, hardworking wardrobe, which addresses not only the practical aspects of creating a wardrobe but also the spiritual aspects. In the post, she asks:
“What is your relationship with your closet and how is it affecting your relationship with Him?”
Is your wardrobe encouraging and life giving? Or does it leave you with frustration that bleeds into the rest of your life?
Honestly, I'd never thought about my wardrobe from that perspective. I've heard plenty of discussions and sermons on dressing modestly, but never any on how our closet can affect us spiritually. One of her suggestions is to view our closets through a lens of thankfulness. So many great points and food for thought in all of her blog posts, so if, like me, you too struggle with having too many clothes and yet not being satisfied with your wardrobe, check Caitlin out.
• Another recent read that I enjoyed was this one titled "A Handy Guide to Christian Outrage" by Scott Dannemiller at The Accidental Missionary. I agree with much of what he says in it, especially the point about not being more outraged over issues like gay marriage and the "Noah" movie than world hunger and poverty. Plus, he includes this very handy (tongue-in-cheek) flow chart for knowing whether or not to be outraged:
I do indeed love to read, so if you've got any great book or article/blog recommendations, share away!
There is an acquaintance whom I don't know very well, but what I do know of her I like. She is one of the sweetest people I know; her countenance and demeanor (not to mention her words) just ooze kindness. On top of her inward beauty, she is outwardly beautiful and always looks totally put together, despite having two adorable little ones at home who keep her hopping. She could easily be the kind of person that I might resent because she just seems so perfect--but she's so darn sweet and likable that it's impossible to not want to be friends with her.
A few weeks ago I heard some startling news about this acquaintance, regarding some rather serious marital problems that she and her husband are having. A casual observer such as myself would probably never have guessed that her seemingly idyllic family and life was in such turmoil. My heart aches for the pain that she is going through, and I've found myself praying for her and her family, especially her little ones, several times these past couple of weeks.
Another story: Just the other day I learned that another acquaintance and her family are dealing with some major, life-changing problems with one of her adult children. Again, just by looking at this woman and engaging in our usual small talk, I probably would not have discerned that she was dealing with such a heavy load.
These two recent stories are serving to remind me that you just never know what kinds of burdens other people are dealing with every day. I'll be the first to admit that I am quick to judge others and (often wrongfully) assume that if they look composed and confident on the outside, then everything's hunky-dory in their world. I'll also admit that I am often so caught up in my own little world that I am probably missing some signs or signals that people may be putting out that they're actually hurting and in need of encouragement.
So my challenge to myself (and to you, if you choose to accept) is to look beyond my own happenings and try to be more sensitive to those around me who may be fighting some hard battles. And above all, to be kind, because you never know who might need that kind word or action at just that moment.
My sister recently loaned me a book that I'm in the middle of reading called One Good Deed by Erin McHugh. The author set about purposing to perform at least one good deed every day for a full year, and this book chronicles her efforts.
Most of her good deeds are fairly simple don't do and don't require a lot of time or money. Some are what she calls "good deeds of omission", such as choosing to bite her tongue instead of telling somebody off (even when they really, really deserve it).
I used to think of myself as a fairly generous person, but this book is opening my eyes to see that I'm a pretty selfish individual. I'm usually willing to give money to a good cause or to help someone in need, but giving my time--now, that's another story. I get pretty possessive with how I spend my time, especially on weeknights after a long, hard day at work when I just want to veg out on the sofa. Several of McHugh's good deeds in the book involve her giving up nights (after long, hard days at her own job) to spend time with a friend who needs some company or support a performance or other event.
So this book is challenging me (in a good way) to be more willing to share my time with others and to just be more generous overall. Perhaps I too need to take on a "one good deed" year-long challenge and see how much I can do to brighten other people's days. Anyone care to join me?
Perhaps you may think it's odd that I, a woman on the cusp of her '40s who still considers herself a young whippersnapper, chose to review a book that is geared toward those in the, shall we say, golden years of their life? Well, I do hope to live long enough to make it to those golden years, and it doesn't hurt to start preparing now to live them successfully.
In Rich in Years: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Long Life, Johann Christoph Arnold shares wit and wisdom from himself as well as from friends about how to grow old gracefully (i.e., without becoming an old grouch). The book emphasizes the joy in realizing that life has meaning and purpose at every age, and that's it never too late to put that purpose to good work.
The book is a quick read, largely consisting of anecdotes of various people who have successfully met the challenges of aging. I wouldn't say that there are any groundbreaking revelations that I discovered while reading it, but rather some good reminders that our purpose in life is not bound by age.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Handlebar Publishingbook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
One of the television shows that I watched frequently throughout my junior high and high school years was "A Different World", the spin-off of another beloved show, "The Cosby Show." To this day, Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert remain one of my all-time favorite television couples, with their constant on-again, off-again, will-they-or-won't they? romance, highlighted by one of the greatest television wedding moments ever, in my book.
I was delighted to recently discover "A Different World" airing in syndication and have enjoyed watching it again. And that's what brings me to today's topic, de-stressing the Whitley Gilbert way. In one of the episodes, a stressed-out Whitley goes to see a therapist (played by the brilliant Debbie Allen), who teaches her the mantra "Relax...relate...release." (Skip ahead to the 4:00 mark in the clip below to see its introduction.)
There have been many times, particularly at work, when I've had to coach myself to "Relax...relate...release." Today, for instance, I came to work already feeling a wee bit stressed out about a few deadlines that I'm up against. To add to the stress, right off the bat I got waylaid by an unexpected project that demanded my attention for much of the day. I didn't get as much done on my other projects as I'd planned...but that's okay but I told myself to Relax...relate...release. (And yes, I find that I can't say it even in my head without hearing Whitley's thick Southern drawl.)
Here are a few things that Ms. Gilbert's mantra has taught me regarding dealing with stress.
Relax: When I reach a point of feeling totally overwhelmed by work, or when I'm struggling with a block in my creativity (sadly, creativity does not always come automatically during regular work hours), I find that it helps if I step away from my desk for a little while. Even a quick trip to the break room or to talk with a co-worker can help me relax a bit. Of course, taking a mental health day is the preferred course of treatment, but rarely feasible, so these mini-breaks will have to do.
Relate: I tend to keep things--particularly things that I'm worried about--pretty close to the vest, but I know that I'm much better off if I open up and share my worries and struggles with other people. Sometimes that's in the form of shooting a quick email to a trusted friend asking for prayers, sometimes it's writing in my journal or on this blog, sometimes (and really should be always) it's spending time in prayer to God about whatever's weighing me down. Somehow just talking about what's troubling me makes it seem slightly less burdensome. (Hmmm, maybe Paul was onto something with that whole "Share one another's burdens" instruction...)
Release: Just this morning on my way to work (before I even knew that I'd have this unexpected project come up) I prayed that I would let go of the notion that the work I do is more important than how I treat people involved in the work. It's too easy for me to get stressed out over deadlines and forget that, truly, it's not going to matter in a year or five or a hundred years just what date my quarterly magazine was mailed out. Instead, the way that I treat my co-workers and other people I encounter is the lasting impression that matters.
I've also had to release some opportunities due to timing. Case in point: I was recently asked to help out one of our church's ministries by producing a newsletter. That is right in my wheelhouse, and I was tempted to say yes, but I just couldn't. Since I'm already working on several publications at work, I realized that when I come home from work the last thing I'd want to do would be to work on another newsletter. I could do the work, but I'd probably develop some resentment toward it if I tried to do it right now. And so, after some thought about it, I reluctantly told the person who'd asked me to consider the project that now was not the right time for me to be part of it. I feel a sense of peace about it, and I know that if I'm meant to be involved in that project or another similar project, that the opportunity will come up again at a time that's right for me. Learning to release my own sense of timing and trust God's has been a difficult lesson to learn (and one that I'm still learning), but I'm glad that He helped me recognize the need to let this project go right now.
Have you learned some methods (even from non-sitcom characters) that have helped you when you're feeling particularly stressed out?
One week ago at this time I had just flown home from a work trip to Las Vegas. Gambling is, fortunately, not one of my vices; occasionally I'll play about the penny or nickel slots but the only gambling I did this time was buying a new lipstick from Sephora. Eating, however, is one of my vices, and Las Vegas is a great place for foodies such as myself. I had some wonderful meals out there and tried some dishes that were new to me (and which I am eager to eat again on my next trip).
What a difference a day makes: The day after I returned home, I came down with a stomach bug that I no doubt picked up at some point along my trip. I'll spare you the gory details, but it's safe to say that any excess weight I may have gained from overindulging in Las Vegas was quickly lost. I missed a day and a half of work and spent most of the weekend lying on the couch in recovery mode.
Although I felt a little better each day, today is the first day in a week that I've fully had my appetite back. It's amazing how much I missed having an appetite; feeling hunger but not wanting to eat anything is not a good feeling. And while I hated being sick, I'm very thankful that I wasn't sick on my trip or, worse yet, on the plane ride home. I'm also thankful for my sweet dad doing a grocery store run for me to get me stocked up on Jell-O, lemon ice and fruit, the only foods that seemed remotely palatable to my stomach at the time.
Now that my appetite has returned, the challenge will be reining it in so I don't regain the weight I've lost. We have a big conference and expo coming up next week that's causing me to work late most nights this week in preparation, and today I was too busy to take the time for my usual afternoon snack, so that may be a blessing in disguise. I also have a 5K coming up on Saturday; not sure how well I'll do given my lack of running of late, but hopefully I'll do a bit better than I did with the January race. I'm still planning on racing in a half-marathon in March, so I've got plenty of motivation to get me back to some semblance of a normal, healthy, pre-Vegas diet.
My most recent book for review was Ingredients for Success: 10 Best Practices for Business and Life. It was written by Joseph James Slawek, the founder and CEO of FONA Inc., an international company that produces flavorings for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
A devout Christian, Slawek has {unsurprisingly} based his business on Biblical principles, many of which he shares in his book. The book itself is a quick read at just over a hundred pages and ten chapters, each devoted to a specific principle or practice. I have to admit that I found some of the principles listed somewhat elementary--principles such as "Plan Ahead but Be Ready for Surprises" and "Know, Develop, and Use Your Unique Abilities" seem to be inherent to most successful companies, Christian-based or not.
I did, however, appreciate some of the other principles that may not be the "typical" ones that come to mind when thinking of such companies--for instance, "Aim for Excellence, Not Perfection", which is a refreshing take in a world where so much emphasis is placed on the end result.
At times the book felt like an advertisement for FONA (which I had never head of until reading this book). Overall, I'm not sure that there are any revelations within the book that would take a CEO or would-be entrepreneur by surprise, but it's perhaps more of a good reminder of how ancient Biblical practices still have relevance and importance in today's world.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Handlebar Publishingbook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
There are a couple of difficultchallenging people whom God has placed in my life, and I will be the first to admit that I have really struggled with my attitude toward them of late. Which is a slightly more genteel way of saying that my attitude toward them stinks to high heaven.
I find myself avoiding these people if possible, and griping and complaining to others about {what is in my mind} their unreasonable demands and requests. There are others who have similar thoughts and attitudes toward these same people, so we've been able to share our mutual gripes and complaints with each other (misery loves company and all that), and while it's somewhat comforting to know that I'm not the only one being driven crazy by these folks, it's also not healthy for me to keep complaining about people who, let's face it, are probably not going to change their ways.
Many days I've prayed about my attitude on my way in to work in the mornings, and then at night I find myself praying again, this time seeking forgiveness for sinking back into that negative attitude throughout the day. But last night as I drove home, I sensed God leading me to pray not about but for one of those challenging people in particular. I realized that it's easy for me to criticize how they handle certain situations--I'm sure I would do things far differently--but I'm not them. I don't have the same background and experiences that they do. I don't have the same personality and wiring that they do. I don't have the same challenges and struggles (both at home and at work) that they do. And so it's unrealistic for me to expect them to act and react the way that I would in certain situations because I'm not them and they're not me.
As I prayed for this person, I found my heart softening a bit toward them. I found some (not all, but some) of my frustration toward them melting away. Perhaps most importantly, I was reminded that although they are probably not going to change, I can change my attitude toward them. So I'm hopeful that, in spite of the frustrating situations that will no doubt arise, today I will approach them with a little more grace and patience. We'll see how that goes...
Since my last couple of posts have been vents about the frustrations of the past week, I thought it would be healthy to start a new week focusing on the high points of the last few days for a change.
• To go along with my stellar annual review, I got a very nice raise (just in time to start preparing for having a car payment again soon!).
• I survived the first week of boot camp after our three-week break. Although I'd exercised a few times on my own during the break, I certainly don't push myself as much as boot camp does. My calves were a little tight for a couple of days, but I wasn't as sore as I'd anticipated.
• I also started running again this week, and got to start the day yesterday with a just a nearly 6-mile walk downtown with one of my friends.
• I lost a couple of pounds, thanks to stepping up my exercise plus sticking to my non-dessert plan for January. I did deviate from my plan slightly yesterday when I met up with another friend in the afternoon and we ended up sharing dessert (a piece of tiramisu and a cannoli, yum!) at a local Italian eatery. Both desserts were absolutely delicious and I didn't feel too guilty considering I'd gotten in a lot of exercise that morning.
• I got the okay to go to Las Vegas for our annual national convention in a couple of weeks. The Las Vegas trip is always a fun one. I'm not a gambler (I might play at most twenty bucks in the slots) but there are plenty of other interesting things to see and do there in between my meetings.
• Another bright side: earlier in the week I received a jury summons (boo) for the week after the Vegas trip, which is also the week before our big winter conference. I contacted the court and pled my case about needing to be at work that particular week, and got a surprisingly quick reply agreeing to reschedule my jury duty for May. I'm not thrilled with the prospect of jury duty (as this will be my fourth or fifth time to be called, if I remember correctly) but at least I don't have to stress over being away from the office at a crucial time.
• In TV-related bright sides, he returned to give me something to look forward to on Mondays,
"Frustrating" seems to be the appropriate word to sum up my week. Remember how I mentioned having car problems earlier in the week? I got the car back from the shop on Wednesday, everything seemed to be in proper working order, and then last night on my way home it started having trouble again. FRUSTRATING.
Thankfully, once again, my parents kindly loaned me one of their cars to use for the weekend, and Monday my dad and I will take my car back to be serviced yet again. This latest issue has pretty much convinced me that it's time to shop for a new (or newer, less troublesome) vehicle. I'm not wild about the prospect of having a monthly car payment again, but I'm also not wild about being on a first-name basis with the service department.
It's also been a somewhat frustrating workweek, with a couple of people driving me up the wall with various requests and remarks. I've had to do a lot of praying on my way in to work in the mornings about my attitude towards certain people. I wish I could say that my attitude has been completely gracious and self-sacrificing toward those who rub me the wrong way, but I would be lying. Some days it's a real struggle to keep myself from complaining and having a rotten attitude, and a lot of days I've vented way too much when I should have kept my mouth shut. Obviously I still have a lot of praying to do and the Holy Spirit has a lot of work to do on me.
In summary, I've been saying or thinking one of my favorite Seinfeld-isms this week. A LOT.
This is turning out to be one of those weeks where I drag myself home at the end of the day, exhausted and spent. I kept thinking today was Tuesday when it, in fact, is Wednesday. Normally I would rejoice in having the workweek fly by so quickly and being one day closer to the weekend, but I am up to my eyeballs in projects so I could actually use a little more time in my week, not less.
On top of the busy workload, I've had to deal with car repairs this week (including one that's been a recurring problem over the past year and a half), which has been frustrating. I got the car back today (and thankfully my kind parents loaned me one of theirs to use while mine was being worked on) so I'm hopeful that all issues, recurring and not, are resolved.
Several months ago I first heard the song "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North, and it's one of those songs that comes back to me on days like today when I feel totally brain fried by day's end. Although I currently feel more mentally and physically worn out than emotionally, I still find the song to be comforting in the midst of what feels like a somewhat chaotic week. And perhaps someone (perhaps you?) need to be comforted by the song today, which is why I'm sharing it with you now.
It has not been easy to get back to a good post-holiday fitness routine. As I rather expected would happen, I indulged my tendency toward laziness during the holidays and got off track with working out on a regular basis. We took a three-week break from boot camp, and although I fully intended to run at least three or four days a week at minimum, I think I probably actually ran a total of three times during the break. Not good.
I kicked off the year with doing the Resolution Run 5K on the first Saturday in January. It is billed as the toughest 5K in town, and it certainly lives up to its name, as most of the course is uphill (including that brutal hill leading up to the finish line). I did finish, but my time was terrible. I ended up walking way more of it than I'd hoped. I have no one to blame but myself--my slacking off on running in the weeks leading up to the race really punished me. Still, I AM proud that (a) I did the race despite it being a freezing cold day and despite having been such a slacker and (b) I finished the race upright and (c) that I didn't come in dead last.
Slow as a turtle at this race, but at least I did it!
The good news is that boot camp has resumed this week and I'm planning to run on my non-camp days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) so I know I'll do better with a regular routine. I've also resumed using My Fitness Pal on a daily basis since January 1 to track my food intake. So I'm slowly but surely getting back into a good health and fitness routine.
How about you? Did the holidays do you in like they did me and are you getting back into the swing of things or still struggling with a routine?
Why, hello 2014! I'm just ten days late in getting out my first post of the year. I was waiting until I was inspired to write something incredibly moving and profound that would go viral on the internet and be picked up by multiple outlets and ultimately land me a writing gig with HuffPo or CNN. Spoiler alert: this is not going to be that post.
Instead, I'm sharing a few tidbits from the past week. With this being my first full week back at work since before the holidays, I expected the last few days to d-r-a-g by, but the week has actually flown by for me. I survived the arctic blast from earlier in the week and am welcoming the somewhat warmer temps that we're expecting for today and this weekend, although not the rain that's due to accompany it.
The week got off to a grand start with the extremely welcome return of "Downton Abbey". (Don't worry, I won't comment on any of the plot lines in case you haven't seen it yet. Although if you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? Stop reading and go watch it immediately.) Reviews of the season premiere seemed mixed, but I loved it. It certainly had a bit more of somber tenor to it that most episodes, but Violet Crawley can always be counted on to deliver comedic relief even in the midst of grief.
To whet my appetite for "Downton", I finally--after many recommendations from my sister and others--began watching another British TV import, "Call the Midwife". I finished season 1 over the weekend and will most likely start (and perhaps finish) season 2 this weekend. I found it to be charming and quite entertaining, although I still like "Downton" a little better. The first two seasons are currently available for streaming on Netflix, so I highly recommend watching them if you can before season 3 premieres in March.
In other (non-TV-related) news, I got a new 'do this week with 3 inches cut off my hair. It's been a while since I've short-ish hair so it's a nice change. I also had my annual review at work, and to my delight it was nothing but positive. It's always nice to get some atta-girls from your bosses, and when they can't think of anything negative to say about me that's a good boost to my self-esteem. I'll try not to let it go to my head too much.
On tap for the weekend--hitting the library, dinner with a couple of friends, church and the usual weekend chores around the house. And of course, tuning in Sunday night for another episode of "Downton". Happy Friday, everyone!
• For the past couple of weeks I've been listening almost exclusively to the Christmas Carols station on Pandora. Surprisingly I'm not sick of hearing "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies", even though it seems to be every third song they play. After tomorrow, however, I think it will be back to non-Christmas music.
• At some point (most likely several points) over the next day I'll watch my favorite Christmas movie all time, "A Christmas Story."
Thanks to TBS's annual 24-hour marathon, I am sure to catch it throughout tonight and tomorrow. It just wouldn't be Christmas without the leg lamp. Or Flick getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole. Or Santa telling Ralphie, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" Suddenly I'm craving Chinese food…
• In case you've never seen my SECOND favorite Christmas movie, take a look at this adorable re-enactment of "Elf" starring a bunch of pugs. And even if you've seen the Will Farrell version, you'll still want to check out these cuties.
• Although non-Christmas-related, I can't resist sharing this video of Conan O'Brien visiting the American Girl Doll store in L.A. It's hilarious and a bit creepy.
• As of 11:00 a.m. today, my Christmas vacation officially began, and I won't be back at work until January 2 (hooray for saving vacation time that I have use or lose by year end!). In anticipation of having some time to catch up on reading, I made a trip to the library the other day and was excited to find a copy of Paris: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd. I read London a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it, so I'd been hoping to be able to read Paris next. Clocking in at 804 pages, I think I have enough reading to keep me occupied until 2014. Or perhaps 2015, if I don't get a move on.
Aiming for the rich, abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10 :"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I'm striving to live life to its fullest through the grace and leading of Christ.
