Embarking on My 4th Decade of Life....

Yesterday I turned 30. I’m ok with this. I have a good job, great friends, a wonderful family, and a house—or rather a mortgage. I really don’t feel any older, except for the pains in my hips. But I’ll get to that in a minute.

Yesterday started off like every other: empty the litter box. I then had a doctor’s appointment to follow-up about my knees and ankles (Doc says things are good just deal with the aches with some glucosamine and OTC pain killers). When I got to the office there was a wonderful Coconut Pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting (everything homemade) waiting on my desk. Breakfast of champions! I also got balloons for the first time in who knows how long and then I was off to PT. We really pushed it and that is why I am now hurting all over. Tell me again how shoulder presses during my toe walks helps? The rest of the day went smoothly. I splurged on a calzone to share with O’Malley for supper and was able to “mow” (only used a line trimmer) just over half of the back yard before getting too tired. I hope to finish the rest tonight and also plan on getting a real mower for the back yard soon. It’s just too much on my arms and back to use the whacker for such a long time. Back inside I spent the night on the phone with the parents and grandparents and watching some old Law & Order episodes. I made it up to bed around 11p. And then a little miracle happened: Daly made it upstairs for the first time by herself. After I kicked her out and put her back downstairs she made the trek again. She also decided that she should come up to my bed and we spent an hour or so (around midnight/1 AM) debating this. She would climb up the dust ruffle and I would drop her back on the floor (mini claws firmly planted in my hands) saying “This is O’Malley’s bed, not Daly’s bed.” After about an hour, now closing in on 2a, I gave up with the thought that O’Malley would fix it herself. So up Daly stayed, just not on Mal’s side of the bed. Then about 2:30, Mal jumps up and paying no mind to the little one on the other side of me, promptly curls up and falls asleep. She stayed up there until about 5:30 then realized Daly was there, jumped down and thought that I should wake up too. Then she went back to ignoring the little one. It was nice to have both of them there, but I woke up about every 30-60 minutes to make sure everything was alright and that I didn’t roll over and crush Daly.

Here is O'Malley enjoying the long holiday weekend.


And little 8 week old Daly doing her best gremlin impression.

Introducing....

Daly. I'm still working on a middle name. I guess once I have to scold her, it will come. That's right: a girl. I was hoping to get a boy, but also wanted the runt of the litter since O'Malley is petite. Well the runt turned out to be a girl. I like the name Daly (pronounced Day-ly) better for a girl anyway so it worked out. This morning she weighed in at exactly 1 pound and didn't even flinch when she got her first shot and worm medicine. Her purr is reminiscent of a motorboat. She is 7 weeks old and smaller than my size 6 1/2 feet. She has the cutest tiger stripes on her arms and stomach. I guess it is fitting that my new baby has "sleeves". Her little face is overpowered by her big yellow-green eyes and gremlin sized ears. O'Malley is not thrilled with the idea of another cat in the house and shows her displeasure whenever their paths cross. Thankfully, Daly is a quick learner and gets out of the way. I've discovered that it is best to let Daly sleep downstairs so Mal can get her Mommy Time at night. The first night I let Daly sleep with me and Mal was upset enough to give me a good scratching on the shoulder. But last night when it was just me and Mal, she turned back into her purring cuddle bug self.

Only A Day Away

I get to pick up my new kitten tomorrow! I'll post a pic of the kids together if it's possible. As for me, I'm still suffering along with these dang knees and ankles. I had my first real Physical Therapy appointment today. It went well, but I have to dig out the bathing suit for Wednesday. Hopefully I won't blind anyone with my white, white legs. I guess this is payback for buying long basketball shorts for PT this week. As long as it helps, I'm all for it. On another note, since I'm doing PT two times a week for two week and have a followup doctor's appointment, I'm going to be shelling out about $200 this month in co-pays! Mom and dad better sell that motorcycle quick. I really don't want to have to use my credit cards. I'm been really good with only using them for work things or for discounts and then paying that amount off right away. It's so pretty to see those balances go down every month. I have the Teen Movie Night at my place tomorrow night. I hope that there is a good turnout. Unfortunately there are some conflicts, so it will be a smaller group. I think there might be pizza overload :) I'm off to get the last bit of things for potluck and then go on a cleaning spree.

Kitty Update

Here is the most recent pic of the kitties. Only a couple of weeks left until I can make one of them my own. They grow so fast.

Feeling It

Today is one of those days that I am acutely aware of my singleness. I spent a lot of energy dealing with other peoples problems and trying to pick up after them. I'm done! Isn't it about time for someone to take care of ME? I am the sole breadwinner, landscaper, house cleaner and cook. Oh and don't even get me started on being the sole SS teacher. I'm not asking to be pampered. Right now I need someone to share my frustrations with (O'Malley doesn't count this time), someone to get away with. Don't get me wrong, my female friends are great. But the majority of the local ones are married or in long term relationships so we are in different places mentally and emotionally. The only single friend I can think of I can only take in small doses. (We don't have the same communication style and I often feel physically trapped--personal space and politeness are part of this--when we have conversations.)It has been over two years since my last date and am missing all of the things that go along with even a casual dating relationship. Dang! Now that I type it, that sounds really bad. I do have an old flame (from back in 2001-era) who I have been getting reacquainted with, but he lives in Massachusetts. Besides, it's nothing more than the occasional text message chat/phone call.

Time Flies

I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post. I guess time flies when your life is boring. Not too much has been going on. Always teaching Sabbath School, some school board meetings, a leaky shower (puddles in the kitchen) that is hopefully fixed, a good cleaning of the house, and a picture of my new kitten. I'm hoping for one of the orange fuzzballs that is male. And since it's a redhead, I have no choice but to keep with the Irish theme and name the little one Daly. Cross your fingers that O'Malley will let him stay. If all goes according to plan, I can get Daly on a Saturday afternoon in late May and take a couple days off to watch him and the Head of the Household together.


I'm starting to get excited about this summer. I'm anxious for my two week vacation in June. Just the thought of nephews and sleeping and reading and canoeing and Fenway. (I may even be able to spend some time with an old flame that I haven't seen in years but still talk to on occasion. But don't tell Mom, she'll get her hopes up.) I'm also looking forward to not being "on" every Sabbath. I know that I will be doing a little something most weeks, but to be able to actually relax on Sabbath is very much needed. I do feel bad about "abandoning" the Teens, but I think that they will understand and I also think that I have some great replacements. Unfortunately, my current "co-leader" is not so understanding. He's been MIA for weeks and became very angry when he wasn't asked back. But come on! If you refuse to teach the lesson when you begged for weeks to be able to lead out and hand it back off to me with zero notice, can you really expect to be trusted with responsibilty? Sometimes I have a hard time understanding how people think.

Still Adjusting

I decided to start walking this weekend. There is a local state park with a paved 1.67 mile loop around a lake. It has been my intent (and so far I've followed through)to make two laps around the lake whenever I go. When I was walking the lake on Saturday, I saw a couple and their pre-teen/tween aged daughter doing the lake lap too. They were walking, the kid was on her bike. Just as I was getting ready to pass them, the guy lights up a cigarette. Only in the South do they take their smokes out to nature and make it part of an exercise routine!

Say What?

I had a very interesting phone call yesterday. One of my newer friends called me at 8:40a on Sunday and I waited until yesterday to call her back since the voicemail that was left stated “nothing important, just call when you get a chance.” Note that anyone who knows me knows that there better be an emergency or a serious commitment that I’ve made to get me up before 9a on Sunday. And this was my first Sunday in months where no serious commitment caused me to set my alarm. Needless to say, I refused to answer the phone Sunday. When I finally called back, my friend said that she was glad that I called back because she was worried about me all day Sunday. I was taken off guard by this. There is nothing going on that I am aware of that would cause anyone to worry on my behalf. Come to find out she was worried because I went to a colleague’s baby shower Saturday night. And well, as a single it must have been very hard for me to be in that situation. WHAT?! I’m not the type of person to throw a massive pity party for myself because I’m hanging out with married and pregnant people. Most of my friends fit in at least one of those categories including the married mother of two who was worried about me. Now, in the interest of total disclosure, I may have moments when I see a married person who does not seem like the marrying type (i.e., the very angry newlywed at this weekend’s shower) I do sometimes wonder why they can be married, but I’m not. This thought might last about 30 minutes or so. I know why I’m single. Marriage is not a priority for me. I’m content to sit, wait, and work on me. I’m not going to go husband hunting or look for a trophy somewhere just to have one. There are more important things, like being a good auntie and momma to my O’Malley girl.

Update

There isn't much going on lately. I've been very tired for no real reason. For example, last night I went to bed at 8, and woke up at 8 this morning. Maybe it has something to do with all of this nasty weather. Will the rain & thunder every stop? On the good news front, it looks like I'll be getting a kitten. A co-worker has a new batch of kittens (born this morning). She said that I could have a trial with one. I have wanted to get another cat, but I know how anti-social and possessive O'Malley is. I am working under the theory that she would be more open to a kitten than an adult cat. We'll find out in a few weeks. I have the option to give the kitten back if Mal doesn't take to it. Cross your fingers that it works out.

One Day At a Time

I don't know why I am so tired this afternoon. Maybe I do. I didn't sleep well last night. I couldn't stop my mind from racing last night and I am still running laps in my head. I've had too many Starbursts today (yellow and pink are best!) and my tummy is complaining. I can only pray that the situations that are causing this uneasiness are resolved quickly and pleasantly. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be going that way. There are more questions than answers and more talking than listening. We are supposed to be loving Christians. Where did we go wrong?

Sleepy Time

I’m not really sure why it happened but I was channeling Rip Van Winkle all weekend. With all my sleep this weekend, I’m surprised I don’t have bed sores! Church was cancelled on Sabbath due to the sn*w, so I turned off the alarm when I went to bed Friday around 10p. (I had already fallen asleep on the couch at 7p Friday night, but woke up an hour later when Dad called.) I woke up at 10:30a Sabbath morning, had a nice big breakfast, and finished watching a special about one man’s search for the Ark of the Covenant. I don’t think I agree with his conclusion, but it was interesting nonetheless. Anyway, I curled up on the love seat with O’Malley from about 2-4p and again from 5p-7p. I skipped out on seeing the Celtics, but that’s ok. I was in bed for the night by 11:30p. For those wondering, No, I did not change out of my PJs. Sunday was nominating committee, which thankfully had been pushed back to noon. I woke up at 9:30a (new time, dang “Spring Forward”) and wasted away the morning. I made it to the church by 11:30 and hung around until two. Then I went back home for a quick lunch and another nap from 4-7p and was in bed for the night by 11. I had hoped to make a trip to Lowe’s, maybe next week. This morning I woke up at 8:30. I should’ve left the house by 8:30. I had set my alarm for 7, but I guess I turned down the volume when I put the clock ahead. Whoops.

Pondering the Quote of the Day

"The central purpose of the Sabbath is relationship." Mark Finley, Solid Ground pg. 110. This struck me because we always hear that the Sabbath is a day of rest. I do like to take advantage of that fact with my afternoon naps. But I have to wonder if I am taking full advantage of the Sabbath. My guess is no. If the purpose of the Sabbath is relationships than I am lacking. I don't make the effort I should when it comes to fellowship with my church family. And I know that I don't (ever) give God the time He deserves. This is something that I am trying to work on, but life gets in the way. I need to realign my daily priorities much in the same way I have set up my monetary priorities.

More of the Same

At lunch a found a link to an article about Why Women Should Rule the World. I found it fitting considering my last post. I still find it very dishartening that while we stand a good chance of having a female president, we can't expect the same from our churchs.

Discouraged and Disappointed

I have spent most of the night tossing and turning. My mind is playing and replaying the events of the day and each time I think of them I am saddened and discouraged. Today was our first official nominating committee meeting. Without violating the confidentiality of the meeting, I feel an immense burden to express my discouragement with the Seventh-day Adventist church. This morning we discussed the positions of Elder, Deacon, and Deaconess. While reading the February 14th edition of the Adventist Review, I came across a letter to the editor in reference to a previous article about one woman's call to ministry: "The Cost of the Call." The letter closed by asking "I conclude that only one anomaly exists: the deaconess is to the deacon as the (what) is to the elder? (pg 3)" I brought this up in our meeting and asked about this exclusion. The overwhelming response was that while it is a good idea in theory, the likelihood of a female elder at our local church is slim to none. This was reinforced by the shrinking number of female elders in the conference. "After all," I was told, "this is the South." The overall thought was that before the idea of a woman holding a position of such high regard could even be entertained, a complete re-education process would need to be undertaken with regards to a woman's ability to "teach." I let the matter drop while making known my wish for the re-education process to start and my displeasure of seeing a platform of only Elders when that is a position that women are not encouraged--but are actively discouraged--to obtain. "Women have other roles in the church." One of them is that of Deaconess. Never before being a deaconess and not remembering seeing my mother or grandmothers in that role, I was unfamiliar with the duties of that position. But when I was asked to serve as a deaconess for the upcoming term, I accepted. When I got home I took out my SDA Church Manual reference sheets. Specifically I looked at pages 57 and 58 which deal with the duties of a deacon and deaconess. I had always thought of a deaconess as "a female deacon" much in the same vein as an actress is to an actor. Disappointingly, that is not the case. A deacon in the SDA church has six main responsibilities: 1. Assistance at Service and Meetings, 2. Visitation of Members (I think it is of note that not once in the two and a half years that I have been a member of my current church, and not once that I can remember in the 10 years I was in Boston, have I ever been visited in my home by a Pastor or other church officer. Perhaps this is because I am a single female?), 3. Preparation for Baptismal Service, 4. Assistance at the Communion Service, 5. Care for the Sick and Poor, and 6. Care and Maintenance of Church Property. In contract, deaconesses have only three main duties: 1. Assistance at Baptisms, 2. Arrangements for the Communion Service, and 3. Care of the Sick and Poor. I find this very unsettling. The deacons take up the offering and dismiss the congregation each week at my church. But if a deaconess wants to contribute to the service all she can do is to fold the napkins over the communication table once a quarter. Is this really all that the young women growing up in our church--including myself--have to look forward to? It pains me that the Seventh-day Adventist church--both corporately and locally--see me as a second class citizen. A church founded on the teaching of a prophetess resigns it women to the pews. Yes, we can teach the Sabbath School lessons and tell the children's story. But it seems to me that in a time where a woman and a black man are the top contenders to govern our country, the only places for women in my church is that of wife (to support her husband) and mother (to train up her children). Where does that leave me? In the kitchen at potluck?

Remiss

I just noticed how remiss I've been in posting. Fortunately, or would it be unfortunately?, not much has happened. Let's see (Warning! Stream of consciousness approaching!). I've been sick and am on my way back to health. I only have an annoying cough now. I was put on the church nominating committee. This is my first time on one and I'm kinda looking forward to it. We are going to start meeting Sunday mornings from 9a-noon. I hope they don't mind me bringing my Starbucks fix. A group of us did our first Dinner My Way at LadyBoyd's. The pastor has bowed out of teaching in my SS class, but his wife has stepped up to the plate. Cross your fingers. I did my taxes and have gotten my refund. I paid off one of my credit cards with it and put some money away for a new roof. One of my goals for this year is to be very proactive about paying down my credit card debt. I could do so much more with that $700+/month I send out in payments. Today is my nephew's 3rd birthday; I can't wait to see him this summer. My brother and SIL close on their houses (sale of old, purchase of new) in a few days. I'm getting an estimate on Monday for the roof repair. I think I may have just enough socked away for it. Thank goodness for small houses. O'Malley may have a problem with one of her eyes. A thicker discharge than normal. It was very runny, but that stopped. Hopefully that will clear up without a vet visit. Our new boss started this week. He seems like a really good guy. I've taken the reigns (again) and am working on the plans for the church Teen campout. We planned it the weekend of Spring Break. I hope that people can still come. I know that one of the chaperons has already taken that Friday off. I also know that three of our regulars can't make it. I voted in my first ever presidential primary. This was the first year I was able. I don't pick a party on my registration card since I like to vote based on who a person is not what the party is. Until this year, MA did not allow open voting in primaries so it was never an option. TN has open primaries. I believe that if you don't vote, you have no business talking politics. So I voted, even if I don't spend a lot of time talking politics. I had my hair cut. It's just above the shoulders and my grey adds some nice highlights. Enough rambling. Happy Thursday.

I Find It Odd...

I find it odd so many people find it hard to believe that I can/like to cook. No less than three people showed surprise at this fact recently. Now I don't claim to be a Julia Child (or Lady Boyd) or anything like that, but I'm a decent cook. I can understand Esther's surprise since we were only acquaintances until last weekend. I must have done a good job since she asked me for my cottage cheese loaf recipe. My grandmother told me this week that she is still shocked that my mom and I are comfortable in the kitchen. Though in the very next breath she told me all about how she was going to be cooking with my 5 year old nephew on Wednesday. And then tonight JH called and seemed taken aback that I was cooking dinner. Actually, I was heating up the leftover lentil chili that I made last night, but she still commented that I cooked at all. I find this really odd because she knows I cook for potluck all of the time. True, being vegan she has not tried 90% of what I've brought. Either way, I'm kinda miffed. Now the real question: With so many others around who like to cook, why is it so hard to believe? Is it because I don't have a family to cook for? Because I'm an accountant? Because I'm under 50? I can't have anything to do with being female.

Just Not Right

I understand that in our culture we put a lot of interest into the lives of celebrities. I personally like to look at photos of celebs. But today, with the death of Heath Ledger I have to say that it's gone too far. One of the websites (which will remain nameless) is posting streaming video of the police removing his body from the building in which he died. The caption says: "live streaming video from outside the Soho building were Heath Ledger was found dead today. Authorities are on the scene -- watch as the drama unfolds." Sorry, but that is just SICK!

Princess Party

I was a little bit nervous for this weekend because in addition to teaching SS, Saturday night I hosted a youth movie night at my place. This was a first for me. There were 9 kids and 6 adults. I had a blast and I think everyone else had fun too. I read a devotional to start the evening and then we started the movie and pizza festivities. The Pastor's wife made pizzas and I was on Popcorn watch. We went through 4 boxes! The kids chose Princess Bride and A Cinderella Story. It was nice to have a living room filled with laughter. I don't usually have hostess duties. In the past this was mainly due to the fact that I lived so far out from the rest of my friends (ie, Collierville, Weymouth...) and recently it is because I don't have a doggy friendly house. Someday I'll get my fence fixed, but that won't help with not having doggies inside. Anyway, it was fun playing hostess. My guests cleaned up after themselves so I didn't even have to vacuum! I would open my house for guests again in a second. Not only was it fun, but it's a good way to keep me on task with the house cleaning :). On top of that, I got the good news this afternoon that Ellie is ready! After only 24 days of waiting the part is in and installed. I'm going to pick her up in the morning.

Communication Breakdown

I just got a call from the service department of car dealership that has had my car since the morning of December 21, 2007. I guess my car is sitting "off to the side" and has been there for quite awhile. They called to make sure that I hadn't abandoned my car! I told them that yes, it is in for service and is waiting on a backordered part. I gave them my contact's name and the line that I was given about the part supposedly coming in tomorrow. How sad it that? I guess communication breakdowns are a fact of life in all industries.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Christmas & New Year's have come and gone. Both were rather low key and involved family and/or friends. I don't believe in New Year's resolutions anymore so I didn't make any. This is partly because I don't have a good history of keeping them and partly because you shouldn't wait until the new year for life change opportunities. Although when you take into consideration that I spent most of New Year's Day watching You Are What You Eat and The Biggest Loser while sitting on the couch, maybe I should've. :) This week was a big spending week for me. I finally broke down and bought a new laptop. They were having a special on all-in-one printers, so I picked one of those up for $30. I even treated myself to a 1GB RAM upgrade meaning I now have 2 GB (which was offset by the discount for re-signing up for internet which gets installed on the 18th) and a wireless router which was paid for with all of the gift cards I got for Christmas. All if this at no interest for 18 months! Don't you just love it when stores have those specials? Anyway, I called my parents to tell them the good news and discovered that without even trying I have the same laptop and printer as Mom! I guess I am my mother's daughter. This weekend will be a busy one. Since the Pastor is out of town, I will be teaching SS for the second week in a row. Per his request, I do start off the class every week, so I'm not really sure how much of a help it really is for him to do the lesson 3 times a month. Oh well. I also get to learn about laying tile on Sunday. That should be fun. Finally I need to get my house in tip top shape because I am hosting a movie night next Saturday (12th). I have a good start since I had a major cleaning session to prepare for my Great Aunt & Uncle's New Year's Eve visit. It's all about maintenance mode now.