Buried Alive

Buried alive, but still breathing! 

My silence this past week is no indication of a lack of activity.  

This past week I...

A Twister of Fate

(The following post was typed yesterday.)

On this day two years ago a little town, that I was barely familiar with, experienced a catastrophic F5 tornado.  One hundred and fifty one families lost someone they loved.  Hundreds of people were injured and displaced, most losing all of their material possessions.

An entire community was changed forever in Joplin, MO on May 22, 2011.

A twenty-nine year-old girl from Texas was forever changed as a result of this infamous tornado.

***

Kinsley and Her Ady

I didn't have to work today.  Ironically enough, it was a pre-scheduled "bad weather day".  Last night I came to my parents' and today I got to spend the entire day with my niece, Kinsley.

Click the pictures for a bigger glimpse into our day...

Social Painting

Last night I hosted a social painting party for my women's Bible study group.  Even though we missed the other six in our group, we girls had a blast!  We started with blank canvases and a black and white picture of our pattern.  Once we'd gotten a good idea of what we were going to do, "went to town" painting.

Week in Review 5.17

CURRENTS

Feeling: Like my allergies are going to kill me.  Excited that we are on the downward slide of the school year.  Ready for a slower paced few months.

Watching:  Last Friday I saw "Gatsby"- it was SO good!!! I don't often leave a theater, from seeing a movie based on a book, and think they kept the integrity of the book and its message intact, but I did with this movie.  It was lavish, edgy, imaginative, creatively used cinematography, showcased great acting, used contemporary music, had beautiful costumes, utilized color and filter to create mood, overall good adaptation of the literature and had nice special effects. It's a MUST see!  

Sweet Surrender

Today has been a REALLY long day. It's 9 PM and I'm just getting home.  I worked 1/2 day, drove an hour each way to the hospital, spent the afternoon with my grandad, who's in ICU, and my parents, taught five piano lessons and went on a wild goose chase to four stores in an unsuccessful attempt to find a new power cord for my router. I am physically and emotionally drained. 

My heart is heavy as I type.  My parents are set to leave in less than two months, my only living grandparent is in ICU and has had a rough day, emotions are high among all the extended family, the current events make me miss my Grandmother- who at the time of her death, six years ago, was my best friend - and I'm coming home to an empty house for what seems like forever. 

Today, as I've questioned God, argued with Him, and struggled to rest in both His prescence and promise, He has gently reminded me once again of my time with my niece. 

Nothing Lasts

"I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is."

-Benjamin Button-

Got a text after lunch today that my only living grandparent, Granddaddy, had been in a car accident, had a heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital.

Today I...

Strength and Honor are Her Clothing

1982

Happy Mother's Day to the person I've been the closest to the longest, "Mother".  She is...

Week in Review 5.10

CURRENTS

Feeling: Really good.  Happy with life. :)  Allergies bothering me.

Watching:  "Castle"

Reading: "Changing Gears" by Nancy Sathre-Vogel

Paper Tigers

Tonight I have been reading a book I just purchased entitled, "Changing Gears" by Nancy Sathre-Vogel.  It is the true story about a family of four that took three years and rode their bicycles from Alaska to Argentina.  I found out about this book from a blog I follow- Bohemian Travelers and it hasn't disappointed so far.

At the very beginning of the book, the author describes the moment she questions if she is up for an undertaking of such magnitude.  She describes lying in bed and asking herself the question,

10,000 Reasons

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes"

-Matt Redman, "10,000 Reasons"- 

I am not a huge fan of modern choruses.  Hymns get my vote 100% of the time; I think they are full of sustainable "meat" and not "fluff".  But, every once in a while a chorus will come along that really hits me.  "10,000 Reasons" is one of those- it has been playing on my iPod and in my head for about three weeks now.  If you're unfamiliar with it, click the link to hear it.

Even though each dawning day brings with it a new song, I find that in my life it seems to carry with it the refrain of yesterday as well.  

Bach and Beyond

The orchestra members were warming up.  The persistent chime of the gong was calling music lovers to their seats.  Excited chatter was accompanied by the sound of scurrying feet coupled with melodic snippets.  All elements of the concert coming together for a brilliant opening.  There was only one problem.  The final piece, the conductor, was slated to appear in five minutes and seat EB7, at the Meyerson, was still empty.

Man, I Feel Like a Woman

Power Tools.

Potting Plants.

Two Trips to Home Depot.

Four Trips to Wal Mart.

DIY Projects.

Spray Paint.

First Time to Have Live Plants.

Yep, I feel like a woman today, or at least a real adult.

*****

Week in Review 5.3

CURRENTS

Feeling: On Wednesday, as I was driving home for the first time ALL day at 10pm, I called Kristina.  After about ten minutes of verbal ranting and childish whining, she suggested I need rest and "alone time" (I rank high on the introvert spectrum).  Boy, was she right!  

Life Lesson Plans

Twenty five.  The number of teaching days left in this school year.  I am counting down, as is every kid  at my school.  I know this by their actions.  The end is in sight and they are checking out.

Many of my upper grade classes have recently decided the following: they don't have to do what they are told; my instructions are negotiable; and that they are too cool for our music lessons.  I undersand this attitude, to a degree, but it is contagious and if I don't nip it in the bud quickly, pretty soon I'm going to have a coup d'état take place in my classroom.  As dramatic as that may sound, step into a fifth grade class full of peer pressure, insecurity and strong personalities with attitude and you'll quickly realize that I'm outnumbered! ☺

Week in Review 4.27

CURRENTS

Feeling: I'm still feeling a little worn out these days.  Working two jobs, trying to fit everything into my schedule, and having a personality that demands downtime is keeping me feeling exhausted.  My current bad eating habits are making it worse.  The weather changes are keeping the arthritis in my back flared up. And, this week has brought with it feelings of loneliness (not to be confused with feelings of "aloneness"). But, I have still felt happy in spite of the above.

Home Team

As I've sat here on my lunch break thinking about what I should write today, only one thing has come to mind: relationships.  Now before you get all excited about the possibility of a post about romantic relationships, don't!  At thirty-one and single, I would be safer writing about how to care for your twenty cats than about how to relate to the opposite sex, and I don't even own any cats. (see yesterday's post)  No, this is a post about people.

Present Day Bridget Jones

If the title of this post is confusing, then you were, obviously, not a young adult in 2001.  "Bridget Jones's Diary" is a movie starring Renee Zellweger,  Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, about the escapades of a single woman named Bridget.  IMBD's description reads, "A British woman is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary."  Yep, that about sums my life up.  Well, minus the whole British thing- a minor detail. 

Only the Lonely

Sometimes it's just a fleeting thought.

It is often a sudden jab in the gut.  

There are moments that it is a physical ripping in the chest.  

And, on rare occasion it is a crippling emotion that overtakes the senses.

You're Gonna Miss This

The days left before my parents head back to Africa are getting fewer.  For me, this means as much weekend family time as possible.  

If you've noticed how often my hair style and length changes, then you will not be surprised to find out that I like change.  A few years ago when my mom was visiting the states, she and I gave my apartment a complete make-over.  That was about six years ago and I have the itch to do it again.  Next month we are going to completely redecorate my apartment and I can't wait!!!  I'm changing motifs, colors and furniture.