Foto Friday - Bear & Birdie

I’ve never been a fan of knick-knacks in my home, even to the point of being accuse of liking a “cold” and “uninviting” look.  Maybe it can be traced back to my childhood chore of dusting the house – including the piano.  The family piano is more a display case and less an instrument.  I took only 3 years before giving up because I wasn’t any good.  My mother plays well, just not often. 

Maybe my OCD tendencies keep me from having too many figurines – after all the fewer I have the less worry there is about something being out of place.  Or not being aligned perfectly with true north.  Or something equally as neurotic.

The few items I do have are symbolic, and considered worth of the trouble to dust around them.  The jar of unity sand from our wedding represents our intertwined lives.  The fake Bush’s cans with “Chesnutt Hill” on the label represent my husband’s insistence on buying something to decorate a kitchen he’s never in.

Two of my favorites, however, seem out of place to even those who love dust collectors…I mean thingamajigs.  Despite my farmhouse style in the majority of our house, the master bedroom is a more modern look.  The walls are painted a rich, dark teal.  The room accessories, including the bedspread, are gun metal and black – save the bear and the bird on my nightstand.

A few years ago I visited my sister and her family for the weekend – nothing out of the ordinary.  I can’t remember the specifics, but the Princess said/did something to hurt my feelings.   As an apology, she brought me the care bear as her way of saying “I’m sorry.”   To this day, the bear hangs out in the black lamp on my nightstand.

Just recently, while cleaning out the office, Jay found the bird and put it on my nightstand to keep the bear company.  Birdie was a gift from my Mamaw.  Of course she certainly knows better than to think the bird is the type of home décor I enjoy (she bought me my super awesome comforter after all).  The tiny little statue has a much more interesting story behind it.

Each year around Christmas time (usually the Saturday before) my family gathers at my house for an evening to hang out and be silly together.  Set aside is the stress of cooking holiday food (we have soup, sandwiches) as well as the stress which goes hand-in-hand with gift shopping/giving.  Instead, we keep it pretty simple.

The rules for our “dirty Santa” game state that each individual wanting to participate must find at least 1 item from their home that they no longer want.  The item might be useful to someone else, or it might be something they end up throwing in the garbage.  One year I was the lucky recipient of a 20 year old bathroom hand towel.  (I now use it for a sweat towel at the gym.)   Birdie is a reminder to me of all the crazy-fun my family has together.

Some call it “curio” others “crap” but to me, these baubles are symbols of the love my family shares with me.  

Tri-Week Daily Thanks

Friday - Wellness program

I often forget how fortunate I am to have free access to the gym - classes, equipment, and locker rooms - available to me via my employer.  Logic goes the more employees workout the healthier we will be, lowering our health insurance costs.  This is definitely a benefit I use frequently!

sporting one of the many "wellness" gifts we've received through the years.

Saturday - Cades Cove run

Last week I told you about the Backyard Olympics.  This weekend I met up with the Knoxville Track Club Socialities for a run in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park followed by food and fellowship.  I ran with Kim for the first half, then took the back portion solo.  I'm one of those crazy runners who can't decide if I like the solitude of running alone or the benefit of chatter that comes with company.  I had the best of both for this run.  I ended up going long and doing over 10 miles, the longest I've ran since April!

Sunday - Kelly & Crew

My parents and I traveled to have lunch with my sister and pick up her rug-rats for the week.  As always, I very much enjoyed hanging out with her.  The Princess didn't feel well the last time I saw her, but was back to her old self yesterday.  The Little Man is cuter than ever.

Monday - Dollar Hot Dog night

I met my parents and the kids at the TN Smokies game for $1 hot dog night.  Along with my handy-dandy refillable (for only $1) mug purchases at the beginning of the season, I had a pretty reasonably priced ball park dinner.

Tuesday - Garden fresh produce

I enjoyed a delicious cantaloupe for breakfast as well as a green pepper (topping on my bagel pizza) - both courtesy of my father's garden.

Wednesday - Friends!

I'm very thankful for friends that I've had for the past decade.  Our group met at work (my first real post-college job) and made quick friends.  A decade later, 3 of the 4 of us have moved on.  We've probably traded thousands of emails over the years, and somehow we've made it work, despite having very little in common.

Thursday - One last swim

I'm doing a triathlon this weekend, and Monday's mini-tri was less than what I had hoped it to be.  "Suck-tastic" is a good word to describe my swim (my weakest of the 3 sports).  Today's swim, however was everything Monday's wasn't - relaxing, reassuring, comfortable.  Feels good to have this one under my belt 2 days before race day.


What have you been thankful for this past week?

Constantly Craving - Book Review

When I saw the Book Sneeze review opportunity for Constantly Craving: How to Make Sense of Always Wanting More by Marilyn Meberg, I jumped at the opportunity.  After all, this was a topic right up my alley.  I'm always wanting to run a bit further, a bit faster, try the latest thrill seeking adventure, or even lose just a couple more pounds. 

Surprisingly (at least to me), this book has nothing to do with food or fitness.  Meberg addresses our common desires for more love, more from our relationships (including separate chapters for marriage and friendships), time, solitude, among others.

I was disappointed with the book over all, although it contained some helpful information.  For me, the book fell short of going past the "direct your cravings to God" church answer.  Maybe I'm being too critical, given the book being different from what I expected.  I must admit I found myself skimming towards the end, just to get through it for review purposes.

Bottom line: Borrow from a friend.  If you are bored.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Living Their Faith

Rather than discussing what I've done wrong this past week in my attempts to live missionally, I thought we would all be better served to discuss what we've seen others do right. 

I've had 2 very clear examples, one from someone very near and dear to me.  The other is a complete stranger.

When scheduling his hair appointment (his niece owns a salon), Joyce asked how the family was going.  Being the king of over-share (yes, like father like daughter) he launched into his knee woes, my mother's need for arthroscopic surgery, my Mamaw's fall and subsequent shoulder problems - all as a stressor on top of the big deal of Zach's cancer diagnosis/treatment.

A couple of days ago, Joyce called the house and asked my dad to stop by her shop.  The lady who's hair she was doing had overheard them talking about Zach's cancer diagnosis and wanted to do something to help.  Instead of the trite "I'll be praying for him" she put her faith into action.  While praying for him, she made Zach a prayer quilt - a gift both practical and thoughtful in nature.

Every time he takes the quilt to a chemo treatment, or wraps up in it at home, Zach has literal proof of the love and prayers by which he's being surrounded.

Another touching example of faith in action I witnessed at a funeral this past Monday.  For several years, a local attorney struggled with a rare blood disorder.  I attended his funeral on Monday with my mother.  She had worked with him, and counted him among her friends.  After he became ill, even after moving to another state to await a transplant, she kept in touch. 

As we walked through the line, I watched as my mother introduced herself and I watched as the expressions on the faces of each of the family members changed.  Each time, their face went from the blank look of a mourning family accepting generic condolences, to a look of recognition and appreciation.  Repeatedly, they thanked my mother for being a good friend and source of support.

My friends, that is what living missionally is all about.  In what ways have you witnessed the love of Christ in action?

Backyard Olympics

You might not know it, but I'm married to a gold medalist.  What sport, you ask? 

Beer chugging! (oh wait - that's me!)

Jumping rope (25 times immediately following above-stated beer chugging)

then running a zig-zap pattern through cones, only to tag the next relay partner on your team.

And that was only the first activity!  Some of the buddies I've been social running with lately put together the backyard beer Olympics.  We split in to teams - I was very thankful to NOT be on a team with my super competitive husband - to go for the gold(schlager).

We had a tug-of-war tournament. 

(My team lost miserably in the first round to the team with the giant, but we recouped with a solid victory in round 2 for the bronze.)

Bungee Run

Three legged race

And ended with a plank-hold endurance challenge. 

Then it was time to head inside for food and (more) beverages...

There was an award for best Olympic costume

Honorable mentions included a male gymnast (see picture below), a speedo (swimer? diver? beach volley ball chick? see pic 2 below), and Kara Goucher (see pic 3 below).  Then it was time for team awards.

Bronze {rum}

{bacardi} silver

 

...and finally the gold{schlager} team!

Where am I, you ask?  My team finished 4th.  Out of 4.  We did win triva later though!

Jay also took home the MVP trophy for his team.  Why, you ask, given one of his fellow teammates is a beeping tank?  Good question.  Just kidding...but seriously. 

In all honesty, I think Jay was awarded the trophy based on his effort.  Jay is a competitor - be it chugging a beer or walk/run/hiking  26.2 miles.

What fun do you have planned for this coming weekend?  Jay and I are going to be meeting back up with this same group, only this time we'll be doing a long run followed by soaking our feets in the cool creek and refueling.   

Daily Thanks - Back in the Saddle

I've slacked on daily thanks these past couple of weeks, but its time to get back at it!  Here are just a few of the things I've been thankful for this past week.

Thursday - Shrinking Olympics

After 10 days of online challenges - I won the ultimate Olympian prize!  (Bragging rights in addition to a $100 gift card.)  I won the gold medal in 4 events, silver in 4, and bronze in 1 - best I could count during the awards ceremony.  I'm very pleased with my effort and performance!

Friday - Sleep

Jay and I watched a Netflix DVD, then he went about setting up our new modem & wireless router (or old ones were struck by lightening).  He began around 8 o'clock and I fell asleep shortly after.  We were going to watch something on Hulu when he finished.  Instead we went to bed and I got some good rest before my race the next morning!

Saturday - Running (& walking) friends

I participated in a race (and took 2nd in my age group) in the morning then hung out with some other runner friends for backyard Olympics later in the evening. 

Jay's team gold medal (aka goldschlager) and his MVP award

Sunday - Family

I often use "family" as a thankful point, but I am truly blessed with incredible parents, grandparents, and extended family.  Sunday after church I hung out with my parents, watched a (really bad) movie, and enjoyed my Mama's home cooking from my Daddy's garden.

Monday - 70th Monthiversary

Jay and I celebrated our 70th month together since the day we met by going on a local winery tour/tasting then eating dinner out.

Tuesday - Insomnia

Normally, this wouldn't be a thankful topic, but my mother had minor surgery on Tuesday.  Early that morning (around 3) I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep, giving me ample time to pray for the doctor who was performing the surgery, the attending nurses, and for God to calm the nerves of my father and grandparents.  I'm also thankful the surgery went well.

Wednesday - Training buddy

I'm very blessed to count my training buddy (and coworker) as one of my best friends. Sometimes I'm the fast one, sometimes I hold her back but always we have something fun to talk about - and someone with whom to try new events/distances/social activities.  

Break-through: Review & Giveaway

The title of the book - Break-Through: When to Give In, How to Push Back. The Moment that Changes Everything by Tim Clinton and Pat Springle – gave me high hopes for directives regarding Godly relationships.  I wanted a checklist of “when to give in” and clear instructions on “how to push back.” 

Instead I had my eyes opened to my own relational flaws.  Not so much a user manual as a case study on relationships and behaviors.  Going into the read with the wrong mindset, I must say I was disappointed with the first few chapters.  The only examples were extreme unhealthy relationships not found in my life – the over-bearing mother, the abusive boyfriend, and the like.

About half way through the book, I realized that my expectations were hampering my reading.  I readjusted my mindset and almost immediately began to glean helpful information from the book.  Instead of reading to “fix” others in my life, I became aware of damaging, albeit minor, behaviors of which I am guilty.  Examples include being too passive when my husband asks for my opinion and being too pushy when he doesn’t agree with my opinion.  (What can I say – I’m an eclectic personality.)

While the writing style was a bit too clinical for my preferences, it contains a lot of helpful information from which I think most people could benefit.  And benefit one of you shall…I’ve been given an extra copy of the book to share with one lucky bloggy friend (and get to selfishly keep my copy for myself)!

Giveaway Entry details:

*Manditory* Leave a comment recommending the last good book you read. If you don’t read, audiobooks count.  If you don’t listen, books made into movies count.  If you don’t watch movies, I’m sorry to inform you we can no longer be bloggy friends.

+1: Follow my blog.  See that little button over there? >>> Leave me a comment telling me you did (or already do).

+1 (each): Tweet, facebook, blog about the giveaway.    (Up to once daily until the giveaway closes)

+1: Something creative that I forgot.  Hit me up in the comments. 

Giveaway closes on August 22. 

Thanks to Worthy Publishing via Handlebar Marketing for providing me with a free copy of this book as well and a copy to give away.  Opinions expressed are my own.