Got this from Barb over at A Chelsea Morning:
Here's how it works:
Grab the book closest to you.
Open it to page 123.
Scroll down to the 5th sentence.
Post the text of the next 3 sentences, the name of the book and the author.I'm changing rule #1 a bit. I'm changing #1 to "grab the book you're currently reading."This is the book I'm reading right now. It is "The Cat-nappers" by P.G. Wodehouse.On page 123, sentences 6, 7 and 8 are: "Compared with other items on the list of my troubles it was perhaps a minor cause for melancholy that the old ancestor should be trying to get me on the telephone. Nevertheless, it added one more thing to worry about. It could only mean, I felt, that she had come out of the amiable mood she had been in when last heard from and had thought of a lot more to make on the subject of my failure to reach the standard which she considered adequate in a nephew." This book, like all Wodehouse books, is British humor at its finest. I know not everyone revels in it, but those of us who do laugh out loud at the adventures of Jeeves and Bertie. You'll only find these at the library or used bookstore. But they are well worth it, and appropriate for any reader. Pass it on.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Drumroll Please
Allrighty! Everyone pick a partner and line up to do the Happy Dance with me! Yes, the year of waiting on God has finally come to an end and I got the job with Oral Roberts Ministries! I start in a week, so I hope God has all the other details worked out and was not caught by surprise. There has been a great deal of hootin' and hollerin' here at the Taylor homestead, right after I accepted the position from the lofty perch of my bathwater. Pretty difficult not to splash when you are shaking all over. Though my voice? Like buttah. I can hardly contain my excitement and it will be a challenge to sleep tonite. So many plans, so few finances. But God is faithful - all the time.
I'll post more after the shaking subsides.
I'll post more after the shaking subsides.
Monday, August 28, 2006
How About A Game of Catch (up)?
OOH! So much to say...so late at night. O.K. I'll try to catch up on some info and relate some heartfelt musings.
1. I've discovered one of the many reasons why my family thinks I am a raving lunatic. I have found that by the time I have answered "What's for dinner?" individually for each and every member of the family (with at least one "I don't like that.") if you are the last person to ask, it sucks to be you because I will have forgotten that you haven't asked the other 5 times and I will probably yell at you. This also goes for requests for purchases or money. Can't all you family members take a meeting, decide on the questions and ask them just once? I mean really.
2. If it were possible I believe that I would be bald, entirely, by now from the stress of waiting for God's timing. I know, I know. I shouldn't worry, shouldn't stress, should have more faith, lean to the left and hold my tongue just right. Forgive me. I'm absolutely doing my level best.
3. What's the deal with school supplies? Why do I need to supply extras to turn in to the teacher every year? What are they doing with all those protractors? On whose authority does my son's teacher give him a daily grade of 40 because payday and subsequent supply shopping didn't come until after the first two weeks of school? Do I care that said teacher may be offended by the letter he received from me after hearing about said daily grade? I do not. I. Am. Moving. Not sure when, but this is my mantra of faith and I will not be shaken. I have it on good authority (my brother, the pastor) that this is what is meant by "having done all to stand, stand therefore." Besides, wasn't all that revenue from the Texas Lottery supposed to have all of our children up to their hoo-hahs in markers and laptops? Who's spending that money and how can I get my hands on a couple of protractors to wield on behalf of all broke parents?
4. Pardon me a moment while I return my soapbox to its locked and upright position... there now, where was I?
5. My son is a sheep dog. Not as in shaggy, but as in obliged to control by nudging. He has always been this way and is not likely to change. The problem is, I resist nudging. Wait, make that "the hair stands up on the back of my neck" when this happens. So you see my dilemma. Put that together with the fact that he is the youngest and figure in #1 of this post and you will get a clear picture of a great many of our interactions. Were he not also the most affectionate, devoted, giving, God-loving almost-14-year-old alive, he might no longer be alive. Tonight he got up after he had been in bed about a half hour and said he felt like God wanted him to pray for us (hubby and I) about stress, jobs, finances, etc. He did and trotted happily off to bed. And did I mention he had to settle for a cheap imitation of the shoes he really wanted and worked to earn because we just couldn't swing the name brand? Just yesterday? Color me abashed and appreciative.
6. Oh, you say you'd like to know how my trip to Tulsa went. Well...because our VW Harlequin Golf has no clutch, our Chevy Venture has no air, and my husband and oldest daughter both have jobs that require the use of the shock and strut-less Cutlass Ciera, I rented a car to get there. It was nice driving a car on which everything worked and got decent gas mileage. Once again I spent the night with my dear friend from long ago and stayed up much too late talking. It was so humid when I got up that the hairspray turned immediately to cow slobber on my hair. For those of you not raised in the South, that would be the beads that turn up on the merangue of your favorite pie. I know, icky term. Not so great on the hair either. I arrived at the HR building with 3 minutes to spare and began to make my way across the lawn and around the back of the building to the correct entrance. However I was wearing my oldest daughter's lovely lime green pumps, specifically designed for sitting. I could only move about 4 inches at a time, but now would not have time to inchworm my way back to the car to find my backup shoes and make it into the office. First interview, outlining the job description and requirements, references, recommendations, pay and benefits went very well. On to the second interview - back to the car, four inches at a time - change shoes and drive across the street to meet the managing editor and copy editor. This interview ended with the words "front runner" and "kindred spirits" - that's good, right? They said they had one more interview that they "probably ought to do" but that they would be making the decision right away and how soon would I be available. So I did the happy dance - not in the office, silly! Now I just have to hope and pray and wait for Tuesday or word that the other candidate has moved to Albania to take up underwater basket weaving. Do you see any hair falling out? So, once again, I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.
7. Given that the job is a done deal, all that remains is that I find a place to stay, a car to drive (my middle child threw up in the only intact car after a trip to Six Flags yesterday), my husband gets a job in Tulsa and we sell our home. No big woop. I must say there's nothing like driving to church in Texas, in the summer, in the Vomitmobile. Good Times.
I'll sign off now. I have MomTime in the morning. YAY! and I can't wait to spell the socks off my dear friends after watching "Akeela and the Bee" and eating pizza. Thanks for the prayers.
1. I've discovered one of the many reasons why my family thinks I am a raving lunatic. I have found that by the time I have answered "What's for dinner?" individually for each and every member of the family (with at least one "I don't like that.") if you are the last person to ask, it sucks to be you because I will have forgotten that you haven't asked the other 5 times and I will probably yell at you. This also goes for requests for purchases or money. Can't all you family members take a meeting, decide on the questions and ask them just once? I mean really.
2. If it were possible I believe that I would be bald, entirely, by now from the stress of waiting for God's timing. I know, I know. I shouldn't worry, shouldn't stress, should have more faith, lean to the left and hold my tongue just right. Forgive me. I'm absolutely doing my level best.
3. What's the deal with school supplies? Why do I need to supply extras to turn in to the teacher every year? What are they doing with all those protractors? On whose authority does my son's teacher give him a daily grade of 40 because payday and subsequent supply shopping didn't come until after the first two weeks of school? Do I care that said teacher may be offended by the letter he received from me after hearing about said daily grade? I do not. I. Am. Moving. Not sure when, but this is my mantra of faith and I will not be shaken. I have it on good authority (my brother, the pastor) that this is what is meant by "having done all to stand, stand therefore." Besides, wasn't all that revenue from the Texas Lottery supposed to have all of our children up to their hoo-hahs in markers and laptops? Who's spending that money and how can I get my hands on a couple of protractors to wield on behalf of all broke parents?
4. Pardon me a moment while I return my soapbox to its locked and upright position... there now, where was I?
5. My son is a sheep dog. Not as in shaggy, but as in obliged to control by nudging. He has always been this way and is not likely to change. The problem is, I resist nudging. Wait, make that "the hair stands up on the back of my neck" when this happens. So you see my dilemma. Put that together with the fact that he is the youngest and figure in #1 of this post and you will get a clear picture of a great many of our interactions. Were he not also the most affectionate, devoted, giving, God-loving almost-14-year-old alive, he might no longer be alive. Tonight he got up after he had been in bed about a half hour and said he felt like God wanted him to pray for us (hubby and I) about stress, jobs, finances, etc. He did and trotted happily off to bed. And did I mention he had to settle for a cheap imitation of the shoes he really wanted and worked to earn because we just couldn't swing the name brand? Just yesterday? Color me abashed and appreciative.
6. Oh, you say you'd like to know how my trip to Tulsa went. Well...because our VW Harlequin Golf has no clutch, our Chevy Venture has no air, and my husband and oldest daughter both have jobs that require the use of the shock and strut-less Cutlass Ciera, I rented a car to get there. It was nice driving a car on which everything worked and got decent gas mileage. Once again I spent the night with my dear friend from long ago and stayed up much too late talking. It was so humid when I got up that the hairspray turned immediately to cow slobber on my hair. For those of you not raised in the South, that would be the beads that turn up on the merangue of your favorite pie. I know, icky term. Not so great on the hair either. I arrived at the HR building with 3 minutes to spare and began to make my way across the lawn and around the back of the building to the correct entrance. However I was wearing my oldest daughter's lovely lime green pumps, specifically designed for sitting. I could only move about 4 inches at a time, but now would not have time to inchworm my way back to the car to find my backup shoes and make it into the office. First interview, outlining the job description and requirements, references, recommendations, pay and benefits went very well. On to the second interview - back to the car, four inches at a time - change shoes and drive across the street to meet the managing editor and copy editor. This interview ended with the words "front runner" and "kindred spirits" - that's good, right? They said they had one more interview that they "probably ought to do" but that they would be making the decision right away and how soon would I be available. So I did the happy dance - not in the office, silly! Now I just have to hope and pray and wait for Tuesday or word that the other candidate has moved to Albania to take up underwater basket weaving. Do you see any hair falling out? So, once again, I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.
7. Given that the job is a done deal, all that remains is that I find a place to stay, a car to drive (my middle child threw up in the only intact car after a trip to Six Flags yesterday), my husband gets a job in Tulsa and we sell our home. No big woop. I must say there's nothing like driving to church in Texas, in the summer, in the Vomitmobile. Good Times.
I'll sign off now. I have MomTime in the morning. YAY! and I can't wait to spell the socks off my dear friends after watching "Akeela and the Bee" and eating pizza. Thanks for the prayers.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Livin' on Tulsa Time
It's been a lurkin' good week here and I am amazed at how you people blog once or twice A DAY! I haven't blogged because the whole of my consciousness is consumed with, "I. NEED. A. JOB." and "How long can I survive on NO. MONEY."
I actually missed my MomTime group this week (BOO HOO!!!) because of a poorly scheduled orthodontist appointment. This was a real hardship. I'll be back on Monday, ready to kick some spelling booty, as that is the game for next week.
Oh, by the way... I HAVE AN INTERVIEW! A REAL LIFE, FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW! ON FRIDAY! So brush off your pray-er and remember me at 10 am Central on Friday. This just might be the one.
Now I am really sleepy and I have to drive up to good old Tulsa tomorrow morning. Thanks for all your prayers.
I actually missed my MomTime group this week (BOO HOO!!!) because of a poorly scheduled orthodontist appointment. This was a real hardship. I'll be back on Monday, ready to kick some spelling booty, as that is the game for next week.
Oh, by the way... I HAVE AN INTERVIEW! A REAL LIFE, FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW! ON FRIDAY! So brush off your pray-er and remember me at 10 am Central on Friday. This just might be the one.
Now I am really sleepy and I have to drive up to good old Tulsa tomorrow morning. Thanks for all your prayers.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Books, Books, Books!
I'm jumping onto this meme from A Chelsea Morning, though it's taken several days for me to get to it. Let's see if it inspires anyone else.
1. Books that changed your life: Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend - helped me take back the me I had lost along the way and restored my husband's respect for me in the process. Speaking of Love by Fred and Anna Kendall - helped me to understand that my husband was not just trying to rain on my parade 24/7 and that my son's desire to lead (control, sheepdog, etc.) me was not also not meant to drive me insane. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - just because. The Bible - it continually changes my life.
2. Books that you've read more than once: The Chronicles of Narnia - I think at least 8 times through all of them at last count, Boundaries - I need updating regularly. The Bible - I'm on my second time through it entirely, though I was raised on it and have read many of the books multitudinous times.
3. Book you'd want on a desert island: the Bible, of course because it always has a fresh word for me, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - I'd need uninterrupted time to take it all in and begin to understand it.
4. Book that made you laugh: My dad had a copy of The in Blue by P.G. Wodehouse - very dry, very British humor that I appreciated at a very early age. I would laugh till I cried and those around me thought I had lost my mind.
5. Book that made you cry: wow, so many, the script for Shadowlands by C.S. Lewis - I literally sobbed. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom - two boxes of Kleenex, anything by Nicholas Sparks.
6. Book that you wish had been written: Don't lose yourself in your marriage: the young wives' guide to sustained respect and happiness.
7. Books you don't enjoy: self-righteous "Do it my way - the right way - and you won't have any problems" types, anything that implies there is only one right way, excessively frilly "women's" books, in other words, books that aren't REAL, also textbooks, manuals, Nathaniel Hawthorn, Ernest Hemingway, and Walden Pond.
8. Book you are currently reading: I just finished Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich and I'm supposed to be reading The Search for Significance, Growing Up Divorced, and a book about raising gifted adolescents. I keep starting, but can't seem to plow through any of these. I need another Wodehouse book to get me through.
9. Book you've been meaning to read: Mere Christianity - I think I'm going to need a discussion group for this one.
10. Book you remember as a real page turner: This Present Darkness - it was tough getting started, but then I couldn't put it down. The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime - written from the perspective of an autistic young man.
11. Nonfiction books you have enjoyed: Lisa Whelchel's books - all of them, Wild at Heart, and other aforementioned books.
12. Children's books your family has loved: Big Max, Where the Wild Things Are, Fox In Socks, The Pokey Little Puppy, Charlotte's Web, The Chronicles of Narnia, And to Think That It Happened On Mulberry Street.
My lifelong love of reading makes a comprehensive list impossible. Perhaps these few mentions will strike a chord with you.
1. Books that changed your life: Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend - helped me take back the me I had lost along the way and restored my husband's respect for me in the process. Speaking of Love by Fred and Anna Kendall - helped me to understand that my husband was not just trying to rain on my parade 24/7 and that my son's desire to lead (control, sheepdog, etc.) me was not also not meant to drive me insane. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - just because. The Bible - it continually changes my life.
2. Books that you've read more than once: The Chronicles of Narnia - I think at least 8 times through all of them at last count, Boundaries - I need updating regularly. The Bible - I'm on my second time through it entirely, though I was raised on it and have read many of the books multitudinous times.
3. Book you'd want on a desert island: the Bible, of course because it always has a fresh word for me, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - I'd need uninterrupted time to take it all in and begin to understand it.
4. Book that made you laugh: My dad had a copy of The in Blue by P.G. Wodehouse - very dry, very British humor that I appreciated at a very early age. I would laugh till I cried and those around me thought I had lost my mind.
5. Book that made you cry: wow, so many, the script for Shadowlands by C.S. Lewis - I literally sobbed. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom - two boxes of Kleenex, anything by Nicholas Sparks.
6. Book that you wish had been written: Don't lose yourself in your marriage: the young wives' guide to sustained respect and happiness.
7. Books you don't enjoy: self-righteous "Do it my way - the right way - and you won't have any problems" types, anything that implies there is only one right way, excessively frilly "women's" books, in other words, books that aren't REAL, also textbooks, manuals, Nathaniel Hawthorn, Ernest Hemingway, and Walden Pond.
8. Book you are currently reading: I just finished Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich and I'm supposed to be reading The Search for Significance, Growing Up Divorced, and a book about raising gifted adolescents. I keep starting, but can't seem to plow through any of these. I need another Wodehouse book to get me through.
9. Book you've been meaning to read: Mere Christianity - I think I'm going to need a discussion group for this one.
10. Book you remember as a real page turner: This Present Darkness - it was tough getting started, but then I couldn't put it down. The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime - written from the perspective of an autistic young man.
11. Nonfiction books you have enjoyed: Lisa Whelchel's books - all of them, Wild at Heart, and other aforementioned books.
12. Children's books your family has loved: Big Max, Where the Wild Things Are, Fox In Socks, The Pokey Little Puppy, Charlotte's Web, The Chronicles of Narnia, And to Think That It Happened On Mulberry Street.
My lifelong love of reading makes a comprehensive list impossible. Perhaps these few mentions will strike a chord with you.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Some Catching Up To Do
I find I am a much more faithful skulker when it comes to blogs than I am a writer of them. Though now my family is after me, "You need to blog again!" So here we go. I thought I'd take a page from Sarah's book and since I don't know how to post links I'll just say her blog is "In the Midst of it" and it is amazing. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Never mind that she is at least 15 years younger than me. And by the way, "Snaps for Addison" for coming home and making new sounds. We're so proud of this tiny trooper. Anyhoo (is that a Midwesterner's saying?), "What I Learned on My Summer Vacation"
I think I shall call this the "Summer of Stretching," but not in the exercise-y meaning of the word. I think I have stretch marks on my soul and they itch, too. I have learned that I can wait on God, even when I don't wanna! (Picture me stomping my foot) I can love Him even when I don't get my way and I can say, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo (Abedniboo? Abenibob? Benny?) "I believe my God will deliver me, but even if He doesn't, I will still serve Him." He loves me too much to let me get away with behavior that is unacceptible, but He gives me lots of opportunities to make it right. One time at ORU a preacher from some African country spoke on Jonah and taught us a song, "He will not compel us to go, Oh no, He'll just make us willing to go!" The breakdown of the air conditioner in my car has been my own personal "belly of the whale." UNCLE!
I've learned that my family is quite fond of me (Go figure!) even though I am snappish when under this much stress for this long. And will deny being snappish up to the point where I box their ears! "I'm not angry!" I've learned that my kids are turning into some really amazing people and will make very good friends when others are in need. My husband is a saint. He faithfully rubs my diabetic feet every night, without me asking. He remains married to this slave driving shrew who expresses her frustration by finding work for others. (I don't like that part of me!) He can fix ANYTHING. What a man!
I've learned that pizza holds no allure for me in the summer months - too heavy, too cheesy, too hot. Hot brownies and chocolate chip cookies, however, are always welcome. I like ice cream with the aforementioned items, as well as with cobbler or shortcake, but I never really crave it by itself. I love fresh iced tea and I consume massive quantities of it, but have sent back bad iced tea at restaurants more times than I can count. BLEH! Steak is my most favoritest food ever, but I don't care for beef dishes in general. I don't much trust a casserole. My husband went to a business thingy at the Viking Test Kitchens and later said, "I don't even know what some of the things I ate were." This is a phrase you will NEVER hear me utter. (shudders!)
I've learned that while stress may turn me grey, apparently my hair will not turn loose. THANK GOD! We've all learned to be a lot more flexible. Sometimes I feel like Yum-Yum, the contortionist roommate of my friend, Mary, who used to be in the Ringling Brothers' Circus. Or was that Purple Peggy, her other contortionist roommate? At any rate, I'm still here, still trusting God, still believing for the dream.
I think I shall call this the "Summer of Stretching," but not in the exercise-y meaning of the word. I think I have stretch marks on my soul and they itch, too. I have learned that I can wait on God, even when I don't wanna! (Picture me stomping my foot) I can love Him even when I don't get my way and I can say, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo (Abedniboo? Abenibob? Benny?) "I believe my God will deliver me, but even if He doesn't, I will still serve Him." He loves me too much to let me get away with behavior that is unacceptible, but He gives me lots of opportunities to make it right. One time at ORU a preacher from some African country spoke on Jonah and taught us a song, "He will not compel us to go, Oh no, He'll just make us willing to go!" The breakdown of the air conditioner in my car has been my own personal "belly of the whale." UNCLE!
I've learned that my family is quite fond of me (Go figure!) even though I am snappish when under this much stress for this long. And will deny being snappish up to the point where I box their ears! "I'm not angry!" I've learned that my kids are turning into some really amazing people and will make very good friends when others are in need. My husband is a saint. He faithfully rubs my diabetic feet every night, without me asking. He remains married to this slave driving shrew who expresses her frustration by finding work for others. (I don't like that part of me!) He can fix ANYTHING. What a man!
I've learned that pizza holds no allure for me in the summer months - too heavy, too cheesy, too hot. Hot brownies and chocolate chip cookies, however, are always welcome. I like ice cream with the aforementioned items, as well as with cobbler or shortcake, but I never really crave it by itself. I love fresh iced tea and I consume massive quantities of it, but have sent back bad iced tea at restaurants more times than I can count. BLEH! Steak is my most favoritest food ever, but I don't care for beef dishes in general. I don't much trust a casserole. My husband went to a business thingy at the Viking Test Kitchens and later said, "I don't even know what some of the things I ate were." This is a phrase you will NEVER hear me utter. (shudders!)
I've learned that while stress may turn me grey, apparently my hair will not turn loose. THANK GOD! We've all learned to be a lot more flexible. Sometimes I feel like Yum-Yum, the contortionist roommate of my friend, Mary, who used to be in the Ringling Brothers' Circus. Or was that Purple Peggy, her other contortionist roommate? At any rate, I'm still here, still trusting God, still believing for the dream.
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