Saturday, June 21, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Aliens Have Few Friends
Yep, that'd be me. I'm the alien with few friends. I don't mind the few friends part because my friends are few but they're good ones. The kind that you can not talk to or see for a couple of months and yet when you do get together or talk it's as if no time has passed and you can make one another laugh until your face hurts!
I do mind however the Alien part. It can be difficult to have the proverbial "eye-in-the-middle-of-your-forehead" when meeting and getting to know new people. I have found that people either really quickly "connect" with me or really quickly dismiss me as a nutball or worse sweet but strange. Of course those who think I'm out and out nuts are so far removed from my values and worldview that there's no pain in that. But those who I do truly share so much in common with but who have such a totally different personality and approach than me can make me really second guess myself.
I have had recent occasions which have brought this to the forefront and I hate to say it but it's been on my mind and heart. Simply put - it just BUGS me!! I find it so hard at times to reign myself in and calm myself down in order that people can relate to me better. My humor, my loudness, my brashness, my over the top use of hyperbole to make humorous points, my sarcasm. All of it can really take its toll on those of an entirely different persuasion. They are so distracted by my "delivery" that my "message" is just out the window. I'm an alien. A nice alien. But an alien none the less.
Alien life sucks! Thank goodness for friends and for Jesus - they love this alien!!
I do mind however the Alien part. It can be difficult to have the proverbial "eye-in-the-middle-of-your-forehead" when meeting and getting to know new people. I have found that people either really quickly "connect" with me or really quickly dismiss me as a nutball or worse sweet but strange. Of course those who think I'm out and out nuts are so far removed from my values and worldview that there's no pain in that. But those who I do truly share so much in common with but who have such a totally different personality and approach than me can make me really second guess myself.I have had recent occasions which have brought this to the forefront and I hate to say it but it's been on my mind and heart. Simply put - it just BUGS me!! I find it so hard at times to reign myself in and calm myself down in order that people can relate to me better. My humor, my loudness, my brashness, my over the top use of hyperbole to make humorous points, my sarcasm. All of it can really take its toll on those of an entirely different persuasion. They are so distracted by my "delivery" that my "message" is just out the window. I'm an alien. A nice alien. But an alien none the less.
Alien life sucks! Thank goodness for friends and for Jesus - they love this alien!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
God's Plan
So, here I am sitting on the front stairs of my house blowing bubbles as a little girl. Who knew that 32 years later I'd be living the life I live now. God had a definite plan for me all along. That's something I've come to realize and dwell upon lately. It makes me fee so special and yet humbled too. He had a plan for me, just me, and it's working itself out right now too.As of late I've volunteered to facilitate a TOB study at my church. The teens there are lead by a great youth minister. She has them all doing the TOB for Teens study program by Ascension Press. There is a young adult group and and adult/parent group simultaneously doing the same study as well. Because it's geared toward teens and I am facilitaing for adult/parents I've got to change up the info slightly to make it relevant for us instead. That hasn't been easy! Specifically last Monday night I crashed and burned so to speak. That experience really humbled me and got me thinking. It got me asking "ok Lord why did you put me here if I STINK at this!?" To which he responded to me "I have a plan for you. I have always had a plan just for you"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert Father's Day Interview -- Beliefnet.com
Tim Russert Father's Day Interview -- Beliefnet.com: "And do you have a favorite story about your own father?
A memorable father-son moment
Well, so many. You know, my dad, after he read 'Big Russ and Me,' said, 'You made a mistake.' I said, 'Dad, I didn't make a mistake. I vetted the book so carefully and I really tried to be precise and be accurate.'
He said, 'Yeah, you say I always call you and say you've got to eat.' I said, 'You do. You call me on my birthday at 7:00 A.M. and say, 'You've got to eat. You've got to eat. What are you having for supper?'' I said, 'Dad, I haven't had breakfast yet.'
It is just being there."
A memorable father-son moment
Well, so many. You know, my dad, after he read 'Big Russ and Me,' said, 'You made a mistake.' I said, 'Dad, I didn't make a mistake. I vetted the book so carefully and I really tried to be precise and be accurate.'
He said, 'Yeah, you say I always call you and say you've got to eat.' I said, 'You do. You call me on my birthday at 7:00 A.M. and say, 'You've got to eat. You've got to eat. What are you having for supper?'' I said, 'Dad, I haven't had breakfast yet.'
It is just being there."
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Para Mi Familia de Espana
My sister, Kelly has recently gotten back in touch with our friends from Spain. This makes me very happy. Julia and Maria and their mom and dad Julia and Vicente, are good people. I have missed them so much in the past 12-15 years!!! WOW! It has been a LONG time since we have seen one another. I think of them often. Kelly has sent me their e-mail addresses and I have sent a note to Maria. I told her to come on over here to my blog. This blog is the fastest way I know of to catch her up on all the news of my life.
So - If you arte reading this I hope that you anjoy all the pictures and that you somehow are able to hit the translate button... I need a big refresher course for Spanish. But I do remember this - Te amo familia - muchos besos - Kris
Good Times... Back In the Day When There Was Still Something Decent On TV
This article caught my eye.Good Times: 'Ain't We Lucky We Got 'Em' Views TheRoot.com: The author writes about how she had once dissmissed "Good Times" but how she now realizes what a solid show it had been. I couldn't sgree more!!! The premise was similar to "Little House on the Prairie" which I love as well. A good family doing good things under not so great circumstances. Confronted with the crap life throws at families on a regular basis they chose to live their lives with integrity.. The author puts it like this...
"Good Times covered it. And the family's way of dealing with these issues always centered around morality, integrity, strength and just being downright decent. What African-American TV family represents those values today? Hell, what white family for that matter?
The Evanses had a strong two-parent home. James was clearly the leader of the family, but he and Florida still acted as partners. The kids respected the parents. They weren't obnoxious smart asses, and they weren't incorrigible troublemakers either. They were regular kids. They were us. Although they were poor, they were hopeful and eager to learn and jump at opportunity."
Frankly, I'm tired of the crap that's on tv. On gut instinct alone I said no way to Hannah Montana as well as a TON of other stupid shows. I just have a "sense" for how bad these teeny bopper sitcoms are and so they are AUTOMATIC NO NO's for my kids!! Yet, yesterday I decided to sneak a peek at Hannah Montanna just to see what it was all about...YIKES!!!! Boy was I right! We cannot expect our kids to grow up with any kind of balanced and proper sense of their place and purpose in this world, if we let them watch this crap. Thank goodness it's summer and my kiddos are to busy playing outside to feel like they're "missing out" on some tv show...
"Good Times covered it. And the family's way of dealing with these issues always centered around morality, integrity, strength and just being downright decent. What African-American TV family represents those values today? Hell, what white family for that matter?
The Evanses had a strong two-parent home. James was clearly the leader of the family, but he and Florida still acted as partners. The kids respected the parents. They weren't obnoxious smart asses, and they weren't incorrigible troublemakers either. They were regular kids. They were us. Although they were poor, they were hopeful and eager to learn and jump at opportunity."
Frankly, I'm tired of the crap that's on tv. On gut instinct alone I said no way to Hannah Montana as well as a TON of other stupid shows. I just have a "sense" for how bad these teeny bopper sitcoms are and so they are AUTOMATIC NO NO's for my kids!! Yet, yesterday I decided to sneak a peek at Hannah Montanna just to see what it was all about...YIKES!!!! Boy was I right! We cannot expect our kids to grow up with any kind of balanced and proper sense of their place and purpose in this world, if we let them watch this crap. Thank goodness it's summer and my kiddos are to busy playing outside to feel like they're "missing out" on some tv show...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Where Have We Been - What Have We Been Up to?
Well, May has been a very hectic month for us. Collin graduated from preschool, Morgan is full steam ahead in softball, school has many things going on - the musical, field trips, May crowing etc., Mary had her first Holy Communion, and just generally we have been busy with yard work, riding bikes, and just plain ol' being outside! Oh and I almost forgot - I have been busy with bible study and also developing a new religious education program and a new TOB (Theology of the Body) program for our parish/school to adopt. I had a meeting with our pastor and then the subsequent Friday I had a meeting with our principal to discuss all my ideas... all this plus the usual butt wiping and laundry washing, folding and putting away (see picture provided = one day's laundry) Then our youth minister asked me to facilitate a 12 week session of TOB over the summer for adults. I love it but I'm also a little nervous about it too...have I bitten off more than I can chew? Maybe but I'm letting the Holy Spirit lead me... Here's some pics - ENJOY!!!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A Bunch of my Favorite Images
A LONG while back Shelray from over at CLS made this compilation of some of my favorite images...I just now figured out how to find it again on youtube and I'd thought I'd post it.
Thanks Shelray!!!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Love Is Asparagus
You may say Huh? But it's true. Love is asparagus. I opened the fridge and found a bunch. A pretty bunch of flowers picked just for me. Everybody hates them - especially Tim. I'm the one and only around here who loves to eat them. So when they end up unexpectedly in my fridge I know how much I'm loved. Love is asparagus. For that matter love is diet Pepsi, yogurt, zucchini, and soy milk too!!! It's so nice to be loved...
German Progress
I just got this e-mail from Martin...he's updating us on the new addition progress. Here are some pics to go with... Soon He and Kelly will be here with us and having a much deserved and need VACATION from the craziness of 3 children, work, and a home under construction!!!!
Hi everybody,
as announced, we've been a little overwhelmed with the latest stage in our remodeling project, e.g. rearranging the first floor. We've moved all into Tobias' room, and just have a microwave, a hot water boiler and five plates at our disposal.
Me being sick for most of the kids' Easter vacation hasn't helped either, but we are managing. We (I) had hoped that we would be able to move into the new kitchen this weekend, but we have to postpone that.
After the 'deconstruction', e.g. ripping out the old walls, was quite fast, the 'reconstruction' is a lot more tedious than I expected, and most corners and edges still have to be redone next week. Keep your fingers crossed to send you more finished pictures next week!
Enough words. Here is the new entrance, you can see that we ripped out the wall to widen the entry space - well, it will hold our coats and shoes. The space was taken from the (old) living room."
as announced, we've been a little overwhelmed with the latest stage in our remodeling project, e.g. rearranging the first floor. We've moved all into Tobias' room, and just have a microwave, a hot water boiler and five plates at our disposal.
Me being sick for most of the kids' Easter vacation hasn't helped either, but we are managing. We (I) had hoped that we would be able to move into the new kitchen this weekend, but we have to postpone that.
After the 'deconstruction', e.g. ripping out the old walls, was quite fast, the 'reconstruction' is a lot more tedious than I expected, and most corners and edges still have to be redone next week. Keep your fingers crossed to send you more finished pictures next week!
Enough words. Here is the new entrance, you can see that we ripped out the wall to widen the entry space - well, it will hold our coats and shoes. The space was taken from the (old) living room."
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