I spend a lot of time in my car (Scarlet) going to and from work. Probably between 6 1/2 to 7hrs a week is spent behind the wheel driving. It gets old, really old.
I don't like being bored and sometimes driving the same road becomes tedious. I need to change it up a little, so I do things like listen to books on CD or sing along to K-Love radio or to another CD. I wish there was a way to exercise effectively in the car, cause I would try that too. When I was in school, I'd record the lectures and play them back during the drive to help me study.
Some books I have "read" are The Lord of The Rings Trilogy (twice), The Chronicles of Narnia, The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson, and the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead. (I am ready to start Book 3 Tuck of that series). I also listen to Adventures in Odyssey, a children's radio program by Focus on The Family. This passes the time effectively and even allows me to look forward to the drive if I am really into the book.
Something else the drive is good for is thinking and planning. The problem is remembering later! I also use the time to pray. Keep a prayer list on your sun visor as a reminder.
Being that I spend so much time in my car, I eat there too. I do not recommend a hot, steaming bowl of Ramen Noodles. When they dump in your lamp while sitting at the light in Salisbury, it makes you do a frantic form of dance to get the hot, oh so hot, noodles off your now scalded skin. Not to mention making the other people at the light turn away in embarrassment at the strange sight and sounds coming from your car. Therefore, sandwiches and finger foods work best.
Eating helps to keep me awake too, in the mornings on my way home. Some of the time. I do pull over and take a nap when I just can't go anymore. When I get sleepy driving, it is pretty much a lost cause. The best times to take a nap in your car is in the Spring and Fall. Like with Goldilocks and The Three Bears, I don't like it too hot or too cold, but just right. Nobody likes to wake up feeling like either an icicle or like they've been done to medium rare. Yep, Spring and Fall are the best.
Maybe someday, I will have a car that I can program to do the driving for me and I'll just be along for the ride. Until that day comes, I guess I'll just enjoy the drive, taking advantage of the time to myself, to think and pray (with my eyes open of course), to sing and dance (well, kinda) to a favorite song, or take in a good book that I wouldn't take the time to read at home.
Vroooooom!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Confession at High Noon
Confession time.
I slept until noon today.
Lazy? Maybe.
Or maybe just needed.
After working 3 night shifts and then sleeping yesterday, once I was awake, I was really awake. Like, until 2:30am awake. So then I slept. Until High Noon.
"I'll meet you at high noon at the saloon. Be ready for a steaming cup of coffee."
Oh, I forgot to mention that I was awake around 8:00am when Leo brought me breakfast in bed. For no reason other than he is my sweetheart. So, I ate scrambled eggs 'n' ham (not green) and a waffle. He's so good to me. Then, I fell asleep again.
I usually think I am invincible. That when I take off my shirt, there is super hero clothing on underneath stating that I am WonderMom. But it's not true.
I need rest, and lots of it. I need good food, and lots of it (well, maybe not lots; I just like food). I need to exercise (notice the lack of lots). I need to take time to rejuvenate, renew, refresh, and revive.
I need to be okay that I need those things. I need to take care of me so I can take of my family, so I can go to work with a positive attitude, so I can enjoy the life God has blessed me with. I've tried to be the person who thought that I should never put myself first and what I found was that I wasn't really helping anyone. My attitude in serving others was one of martyrdom. Does that make sense?
When I take a little time for me, I am ready to serve others with a joyful heart. It's about balance. It's not all about Me, Me, Me; rather, it is a combination of God, others, and me.
I struggle with serving others with the right attitude. I know that taking time for rest and all the other stuff makes me better able to have the right attitude.
So, my today resolution is: Be a blessing to the people God puts in my way, whether it is to just smile and say "Hi", or to fix their flat tire (at least I could call TripleA).
I slept until noon today.
Lazy? Maybe.
Or maybe just needed.
After working 3 night shifts and then sleeping yesterday, once I was awake, I was really awake. Like, until 2:30am awake. So then I slept. Until High Noon.
"I'll meet you at high noon at the saloon. Be ready for a steaming cup of coffee."
Oh, I forgot to mention that I was awake around 8:00am when Leo brought me breakfast in bed. For no reason other than he is my sweetheart. So, I ate scrambled eggs 'n' ham (not green) and a waffle. He's so good to me. Then, I fell asleep again.
I usually think I am invincible. That when I take off my shirt, there is super hero clothing on underneath stating that I am WonderMom. But it's not true.
I need rest, and lots of it. I need good food, and lots of it (well, maybe not lots; I just like food). I need to exercise (notice the lack of lots). I need to take time to rejuvenate, renew, refresh, and revive.
I need to be okay that I need those things. I need to take care of me so I can take of my family, so I can go to work with a positive attitude, so I can enjoy the life God has blessed me with. I've tried to be the person who thought that I should never put myself first and what I found was that I wasn't really helping anyone. My attitude in serving others was one of martyrdom. Does that make sense?
When I take a little time for me, I am ready to serve others with a joyful heart. It's about balance. It's not all about Me, Me, Me; rather, it is a combination of God, others, and me.
I struggle with serving others with the right attitude. I know that taking time for rest and all the other stuff makes me better able to have the right attitude.
So, my today resolution is: Be a blessing to the people God puts in my way, whether it is to just smile and say "Hi", or to fix their flat tire (at least I could call TripleA).
Friday, January 6, 2012
Ritual and Routine
We humans are such creatures of habit. Most of us like to get up at around the same time everyday and then we follow a routine of some kind.
Go to the bathroom.
Brush teeth.
Step on the scales to see if that piece of pie was worth it.
(Believe me, the pie was worth it!)
Stumble to the kitchen (stumbling because I still haven't had my coffee)
Make coffee.
Eat breakfast (usually yogurt with fruit and granola with some flaxseed thrown in)
Drink coffee while having some devotional/Bible reading time.
Make my to-do list for the day
Etc etc...
We all have our daily rituals that help our lives make sense. When I deviate from my "usual" I feel out of sorts. I like structure. I like order. I am the person who adds things to my to-do list after I have done them, so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off.
But, my life usually tends to fall into the category of unstructured, unordered, even chaotic at times. Most of that is due to my work schedule and night shift. Today was technically a day off, but I worked last night, so I came home and slept. Sometimes I try to just stay up all day, hoping to have a productive day. Usually, I end up grouchy and not a nice person to be around, so I am better off sleeping, at least part of the day.
Other days, when I haven't been working, I may have a plan that gets changed by a sick child, or a phone call by someone who needs a favor, or lack of supplies/ingredients for a project. I have learned to be more of a "go with the flow" kind of woman.
It hasn't been easy.
Again, I like structure and order. When something as simple as a couch cushion is out of place, I feel unbalanced. I think I may be a little OCD.
I have had to give a little, give a lot. Sometimes, I just have to say "In the big scheme of things, is what I am freaking out about, really all that important?"
I need to keep it balanced. Because keeping it in balance, is like being organized and structured in a way.
It is just realizing that life isn't always "by the book" (or to-do list), and being able to be okay with it.
So, now as my day is ending:
Clean up supper dishes
Check laundry (move stuff from washer to dryer)
Relax with family
Read or watch TV for a while while folding laundry
Eat a piece of pie (with whipped cream)
Brush teeth
Set alarm for morning
Go to bed
Good night all.
See you tomorrow.
After my cup of coffee.
Go to the bathroom.
Brush teeth.
Step on the scales to see if that piece of pie was worth it.
(Believe me, the pie was worth it!)
Stumble to the kitchen (stumbling because I still haven't had my coffee)
Make coffee.
Eat breakfast (usually yogurt with fruit and granola with some flaxseed thrown in)
Drink coffee while having some devotional/Bible reading time.
Make my to-do list for the day
Etc etc...
We all have our daily rituals that help our lives make sense. When I deviate from my "usual" I feel out of sorts. I like structure. I like order. I am the person who adds things to my to-do list after I have done them, so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off.
But, my life usually tends to fall into the category of unstructured, unordered, even chaotic at times. Most of that is due to my work schedule and night shift. Today was technically a day off, but I worked last night, so I came home and slept. Sometimes I try to just stay up all day, hoping to have a productive day. Usually, I end up grouchy and not a nice person to be around, so I am better off sleeping, at least part of the day.
Other days, when I haven't been working, I may have a plan that gets changed by a sick child, or a phone call by someone who needs a favor, or lack of supplies/ingredients for a project. I have learned to be more of a "go with the flow" kind of woman.
It hasn't been easy.
Again, I like structure and order. When something as simple as a couch cushion is out of place, I feel unbalanced. I think I may be a little OCD.
I have had to give a little, give a lot. Sometimes, I just have to say "In the big scheme of things, is what I am freaking out about, really all that important?"
I need to keep it balanced. Because keeping it in balance, is like being organized and structured in a way.
It is just realizing that life isn't always "by the book" (or to-do list), and being able to be okay with it.
So, now as my day is ending:
Clean up supper dishes
Check laundry (move stuff from washer to dryer)
Relax with family
Read or watch TV for a while while folding laundry
Eat a piece of pie (with whipped cream)
Brush teeth
Set alarm for morning
Go to bed
Good night all.
See you tomorrow.
After my cup of coffee.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
An Acquired Taste
This morning before driving home from work, I needed to fuel up. So, I stopped at The Beanery.
That's right, I knew that Large Coconut Creme Cappuccino would get me home.
Ohhh,,,,,and it was good...and I don't even like coconut.
Years ago, another lifetime really, I hated the taste of coffee. I always thought it smelled good, but even a sip would make my tastebuds rebel. I even thought Leo should stop drinking so much of the nasty brew.
Then I tried a cappuccino at a food show. It was probably more like hot chocolate than a true coffee-based cappuccino, but it was a start. I decided that maybe, just maybe, I'd give it a try. After all, I was in nursing school, and I needed to drink coffee for the caffeine, right?
Now mind you, it took a while to graduate from powdered cappuccino packets to rich, dark, strong coffee. And I still haven't mastered the art of drinking "black coffee". I don't really want my coffee to grow hairs on my chest. I like my coffee flavored with some decadent goodness,
like caramel,
like chocolate,
like sweet cream,
like maple and brown sugar,
and even coconut creme.
Oh, and a dollop of whipped cream on top is never a bad thing.
But you have to start with coffee. Real coffee. All the rest that you add, is just icing on the cake.
For me, a good cuppa joe is more than just a way to wake up ("...the best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup..."), it is a comfort food. I look forward to making the coffee for the day, afternoon, evening, middle of the night, whenever I may need a moment to sip and savor. I enjoy picking out the mug I will drink from; it has to fit the mood and season. I like to relax, read, and relish my coffee break.
And besides, coffee technically is a vegetable. It does come from a bean, after all.
So, if a have a mocha (coffee + chocolate), it's like having two servings of vegetables.
Cause, you know, chocolate comes from a bean too.
That's right, I knew that Large Coconut Creme Cappuccino would get me home.
Ohhh,,,,,and it was good...and I don't even like coconut.
Years ago, another lifetime really, I hated the taste of coffee. I always thought it smelled good, but even a sip would make my tastebuds rebel. I even thought Leo should stop drinking so much of the nasty brew.
Then I tried a cappuccino at a food show. It was probably more like hot chocolate than a true coffee-based cappuccino, but it was a start. I decided that maybe, just maybe, I'd give it a try. After all, I was in nursing school, and I needed to drink coffee for the caffeine, right?
Now mind you, it took a while to graduate from powdered cappuccino packets to rich, dark, strong coffee. And I still haven't mastered the art of drinking "black coffee". I don't really want my coffee to grow hairs on my chest. I like my coffee flavored with some decadent goodness,
like caramel,
like chocolate,
like sweet cream,
like maple and brown sugar,
and even coconut creme.
Oh, and a dollop of whipped cream on top is never a bad thing.
But you have to start with coffee. Real coffee. All the rest that you add, is just icing on the cake.
For me, a good cuppa joe is more than just a way to wake up ("...the best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup..."), it is a comfort food. I look forward to making the coffee for the day, afternoon, evening, middle of the night, whenever I may need a moment to sip and savor. I enjoy picking out the mug I will drink from; it has to fit the mood and season. I like to relax, read, and relish my coffee break.
And besides, coffee technically is a vegetable. It does come from a bean, after all.
So, if a have a mocha (coffee + chocolate), it's like having two servings of vegetables.
Cause, you know, chocolate comes from a bean too.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sam
Yesterday was my nephew Sam's 2nd Birthday!!! I can't believe he is already a toddler, entering into the realm of "The Terrible Two's" (Actually, I thought age 3-4 was way more terrible!)
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| Opening his Christmas gifts |
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| Opening Thomas The Tank Engine (Now he gets to open his birthday gifts!) |
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| Sam, this past June |
And before his mom and dad will be ready, they will be watching him get on the school bus for that first day of Kindergarten. Then they will turn around and Sam will be in middle school, wanting to play a sport and learn a musical instrument. His parents will blink once and Sam will be in high school, asking for help with Algebra and girls.
Wasn't it just yesterday that Sam was born and we were all praying that he'd be healthy and strong? That this little baby who insisted on coming six weeks premature (in a snowstorm!) would grow to be a mighty man of God?
That wasn't yesterday. That was two years ago and we all wonder at how quickly time goes by.
Not just for Eric, Valerie, and Sam, but for all of us.
How do I have a 20 year old daughter already? And when did Aaron turn into a man? I thought Amy and Heather were still my little girls, and in the time it took to blow the fuzzy dandelion and watch the seeds scatter, they blossomed into young ladies. And then there's my baby. Ryan was just born, right? So what is he doing being a boy of 8? I can't even really call him my "little" boy anymore.
Sigh.
Time passes for all of us. Enjoy today. At least a part of it, a moment of it, if you are able. I need to cherish where my children are at this stage in their lives, because I will turn around, or blink, and it will be gone. I need to cherish where Leo and I are at in our relationship for the same reason.
Time passes quickly....don't let life pass you by. Live it!
Love Dianne
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Scarlet, Adrienne, and Snow
I would love to be singing "...and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...", but I work tonight and am privileged to get to drive to Johnstown in this delightful stuff.
Don't get me wrong; I really do like snow. I even kinda enjoy a really good snowstorm.
As long as I don't have to go out in it. Therein lies the dilemma.
So, I'll make sure my car has a full tank of gas (thank you Adrienne!!), not that I ever run out of gas within sight of the gas station (thank you Aaron!!), a blanket or two (just in case), and a flashlight. Then I can head off with confidence in Scarlet. That's my car. My sweet little Subaru.
But for my last couple of hours before I leave, I am going to work on some mending that needs done. I think there are some articles of clothing that no longer fit anybody in this house in that pile of missing buttons, bad zippers (come on, am I really going to fix a zipper!?), and torn seams. But maybe I'll find one or two things I can tackle today.
Keep it simple. Keep it doable.
My today resolution: Make the mending pile a little bit smaller and get rid of the things that I am never really going to fix anyway.
Maybe I need to add: Keep it realistic.
Stay warm today! Drink something hot!
Love, Dianne
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| One of my gardens...brrr |
As long as I don't have to go out in it. Therein lies the dilemma.
So, I'll make sure my car has a full tank of gas (thank you Adrienne!!), not that I ever run out of gas within sight of the gas station (thank you Aaron!!), a blanket or two (just in case), and a flashlight. Then I can head off with confidence in Scarlet. That's my car. My sweet little Subaru.
 |
| Adrienne--Thanks for running around in the cold so I don't have to leave 15 min earlier tonight! |
Keep it simple. Keep it doable.
My today resolution: Make the mending pile a little bit smaller and get rid of the things that I am never really going to fix anyway.
Maybe I need to add: Keep it realistic.
Stay warm today! Drink something hot!
Love, Dianne
Monday, January 2, 2012
My "Today Resolution"
Note the word "usually".
Maybe that should be, "sometimes" or "almost never", but hey, the intention is there!
Speaking of intentions, now is always a good time to think about the "R" word.
Resolution.
I usually don't make any official declarations of intent, because I don't want to ever feel like I need to wait for a new year to make a needed change. For me, that only becomes an excuse to put off what I need to be doing now.
Like, eating healthier...
Like, getting rid of clutter...
Like, keeping my financial affairs organized and not waiting until it has to be done...
Like, exercising consistently...
Like, getting unfinished projects done...
Like, cooking more for my family (yeah, Leo is a fierce cook, and that makes me lazy)...
Like, not making excuses...
You get the idea.
So, my "Today Resolution" is to make supper for my family.
Let's see...Ham
Twice-baked Potatoes
Some kind of vegetable (the top vote from the family usually wins)
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| prior to baking....mmmm |
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| After baking...even more Mmmmmm |
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