Rambles (I'm not gonna lie). However, I confer with the most brilliant minds of Eastern Iowa on a daily basis - and some of their musings are bound to turn up...
There's a television station out there, riding the waves... it's called RAVE.
Tonight... I saw Depeche Mode - and listened to Depeche Mode - for the first time since... well, since I was in college.
Truly a wonderful show.
... all I ever wanted
all I ever needed
is here, in my arms...
... words are very unnecessary
they can only do harm...
...enjoy the silence
It seems like everyone I know is struggling with tough decisions these days. Whether these decisions are in regards to relationships, careers, or major purchases, these decisions just don't come easy.
I make my decisions almost solely on weighing the facts and my priorities - typically compromising my own desires, especially if it's in the best interest of loved ones (especially in the case of Miss Madeleine). But I think this works for me because I want nothing more than for Maddie to be happy, and for me to simply be satisfied.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the status quo. Nor does everyone use the same process to make decisions.
I was talking to my brother last night and he said he makes decisions the same way I make decisions, but his girlfriend differs in her decision-making processes. She is a "feeler". She has to have a gut feeling about something in order to make it happen. She doubts and second guesses her options until a decision feels totally right.
I'm not sure I understand feelers and the way they make their decisions.
I know I probably won't get many responses - if any - but I'm curious as to how you make really tough decisions. What processes do you use? Are you a feeler or a thinker?
Maddie and I watched Good Morning America yesterday morning and the top story, of course, was the conflict between Israel & Lebanon. Maddie wanted to know why the two countries were fighting.
I explained first that Lebanon was not fighting with Israel, rather the Hezbollah were fighting with Israel. I explained that it all started with God's covenant to Abraham: that Abraham (with his wife Sarah) would one day be the "father of nations".
Abraham, not wanting to wait any longer and do thing the way God intended, obtained permission from his wife Sarah to create a child with Sarah's maidservant Hagar. She bore a son named Ishmael. Sarah was upset by this (yes, even after granting permission) , and Abraham drove Hagar and Ishmael out of their lives and land. From Ishmael grew the nation of Islam.
Eventually, Abraham and Sarah did have a child: a son named Isaac. From Isaac grew the nation of Jews.
The two nations have been fighting ever since...
And Maddie said, "Well, I wish they wouldn't do that. My friend Peter is Lebanese and I hope none of his family is getting hurt."
I was so impressed that my child not only paid attention to foreign affairs, but that she applied it to life at home and showed compassion for others.
Bad news yesterday about some health issues. Nothing that can't be fixed, but not good none-the-less. Pray for me, please. God knows what I'm talkin' about.
If you're the prayin' type, please also pray for a certain someone to understand why she needs to let go of what she can't have. Pray for the guy who needs to cut the ties with his past that will hurt his chance at a future. Pray for the gal who deserves better than the man who broke the promises he made 6 years ago. Pray for acceptance regarding the ones he couldn't have - he shouldn't settle, and I think he will.
Or just pray that God will shed his grace on all of us and direct us to make the right decisions.
During our morning drive, Maddie asked me if running a red light would get someone arrested. I responded that running a red light would constitute little more than a traffic ticket in most cases.
So then she asked, "So what happens if you don't follow laws? Shouldn't you get arrested and put in jail no matter what?"
I replied, "No. Some broken laws are worth tickets. Some are worth a couple days in jail, and some are worth a long time in jail."
She said, "... and some are worth a baloney sandwich and Kool-Aid. Grandpa told me so!"
I finally got my baby back - from Disney World! She had a great time and had a lot of stories to tell about the trip.
Her favorite of the Disney parks is Epcot Center with its World Showcase and "Spaceship Earth" (her favorite ride that tells about the advancement of mankind - it's in the dome).
While there, Maddie met some new friends...
And tried some new styles...
I'm so glad she's back. And speaking of back...
My dad was the designated photographer during the vacation. He managed to capture a lot of Maddie's back-side during the trip.
It just goes to show that this little lady is always on the go - and the grandparents were never far behind!
Mike's getting props from the folks at Yelp.com! Yeah, Mike! I don't know how long he'll be featured under "Fresh Lists", so go out and catch up on some wonderful reviews of the Dubuque dining experience (he's also reviewed KC, the Cities & Madison to name a few). Just click on the little monkey.
“What screws us up the most is that you get this picture in your head of the way things are supposed to be and you end up closing yourself off to some of the wonder and serendipity of the actual experience."
I am totally that way. I have these idealistic thoughts and my refusal of the abstract, of things that fall outside my plan, my adversity to the no-so-obvious... well, they do close doors.
Think outside the box, LeAnn. Just do it!
I am a single mother who finds outstanding joy in ordinary circumstances. I love my daughter more than anything else of this world... and she loves the Beatles. I like to play the devil's advocate - it's a characteristic I inherited from my dad. I don't have any cavities (or fillings) and I only visit the dentist once every 5 years. I have the largest extended family of anyone I know and the coolest grandparents any kid could want. I was adopted and know ALL my parents. I own very little because I know it can all be taken away at any time. I take great solace in washing dishes by hand. I am blessed!
