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.

Happy Holidays

I only sent out a handful of cards this year. If I missed you, please forgive me and print out the photo on the left for your fridge.

Love,

Kristy & O'Malley

(Pirate) Christmas Comes Early

Here is my pretty Christmas tree. I have a few more ornaments coming via LadyBoyd. She wisely once used the same colors as I do for her tree :).

Anyway, things have been rather hectic lately with 2008 Youth planning (I can't wait until the church finds a new leader; I want to be a helper not a leader.) and the 2008 Plan for work. I've started my Christmas cards and hope to have them all out by the end of the week. I also found time to help out with the Women's Ministry blanket making project. Two Sundays ago, I went to the church and was able to complete a blanket with two other accountants. Then I decided after prayer meeting last week that I would have time to make a blanket before the 12/8 deadline since I had Friday off. Well, it ended up that my Friday was just as busy as any other day, so I finished up the blanket around 11p. I did have a good time rocking out to Day Of Fire while tying the blanket. I don't think that I could do another full size blanket by myself in one day, but I think I could tackle a lap blanket.



Back to the point: Christmas has come early. On Sunday LadyBoyd brought over her husband to help me patch the hole in my kitchen ceiling. (I got a patch for Christmas. See the pirate-ness of it now?) And by help me, I mean that he did all of the work and I held the dustpan while he swept up. Then, last night Mom called to tell me that I would be getting a beautiful Irish Nativity set for Christmas. I had seen it in the catalog and forgot about it because I knew it was out of my price range and I had requested BB gift cards for a new computer. Well, the Nativity set got ordered not knowing that it came in installments so once it arrived there were some second thoughts. But Mom & Nanny loved it so much they are going to get it for me anyway. (I've been told that it will become an heirloom and that Mom is first on that list!) The last little bit of Christmas to arrive this week is in the form of information I received this morning. I can't really go into it right now, but this will make my life easier in the long run.

Feeling Festive

Most of you may know that I am not big on winter. There is all of that snow, gaudy decorations, and annoying Christmas music playing EVERYWHERE! When it comes to decorations I'm all about simple. No non-Christmas related holiday decorations--the simplest of all--is the norm. I enjoy a tastefully decorated tree (small white lights are preferred) and that is about all I can take. This may be my way of rebelling against the plentiful decorations I grew up with in both my mother's and grandmother's houses. They both decorate themselves and their houses for Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving (beware of the multiplying Pilgrims!), Christmas, birthdays, etc. Heck, if they could find the right decorations for Mondays, they would be all over it. I'm not saying that this is a bad way to live; it's just not for me. So when E sent me a picture on Saturday of her fully decorated live tree, I started feeling festive. I spent Sunday night dragging out the pre-lit tree I bought a few years ago. I got all of the ribbon and ornaments on in short order. I even hung a few stockings from the mantle. O'Malley was very intrigued by the whole process and is in love with the tree box (and that is the excuse I'm using for the fact that it is still in the living room). I even spent last night wrapping some presents for under the tree. So pretty! I tried to take a picture of my tree with my cell phone but it has some weird color issues. I'll try again later with my camera.

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

The family all met up in Maryland for Thanksgiving this year. To ease the stress for my Aunt & Uncle my immediate family stayed in a hotel a few miles away. I shared a room with my parents (they got the bed and I got the pull out couch) and my brother's family (left) got to share a king sized bed. As you can see the boys are getting so big. The oldest turned 5 on Nov 1 and the youngest will be 3 in Feb. They grow so fast. The one nice thing is that the boys always recognize me. I haven't seen them since the end of July, but D was the first to take my hand and draw pictures for Auntie Kristy! He even wrote out my Christmas list for me, Santa and all. We had fun just being together and eating. There was lots of eating to be done. I stayed an extra two days with N&P at my aunt & uncle's house after the rest of the fam left. I got to spend the day napping and reading. Heaven if you ask me. That last day really helped me to come down from all of the busyness of the holiday. Also, O'Malley was so happy when I got home. She's been all over my lap and spent the last two night curled up on my stomach at bedtime :)

To Hold Or Not To Hold?

So I thought I would try to get another mother daughter pic last night even though I was looking pretty rough. Something tells me that self portraits are not the way to go. What do you think?

A week later...

The once glowing tree outside my office is now naked. Most of the leaves came off in the nasty storm we had this week. On the bright side, the tree in my backyard is sporting nice yellow leaves. As for me, it just the norm. I have potluck this week and will be running between churches. Unfortunatlly, until they can get a youth leader this will be standard practice. I am heading down to MS on Sunday to visit E&J's new church. As E is aware, I'm having a bit of a hard time with the fact that she is not just switching churches but denominations. But I understand why she is doing what she is and am trying to be supportive nonetheless. Work is ramping up with all of the '08 Planning. Sometimes I wonder if it is even worth it as no one here usaully bothers to ask me and just spends anyway. It's pretty hard to hold back paying something if we've already committed to it. Also, the proposed office move next summer is leaving things in the air expense-wise.

Deep Thoughts Inspired By O’Malley Jane

All this week I have made it a point to wake up on time and have a morning devotional. This consists of a selection of chapters from the Bible (2 Kings 1-3 today) that go along with a reading in the HMS Richards’ Bible in a Year book while listening to the SoundScapes channel on TV and having O’Malley contentedly purring on my lap. This last part is a treat. O’Malley is very finicky about when she will and won’t sit on my lap or nap with me. There are times that I make this decision for her, but she quickly shows her distaste of being forced to do anything. This got me to thinking. I love O’Malley like no one else. I hate being away from her for even a night. I’m sure that those of you with spouses and/or children of any kind know what I mean. And I know that O’Malley cares for her momma. She likes to be in the same room as me even if she is no where near me in that room. While this is good, I would still like more from her. I would love it if she would sleep next to me every night and curl up on my lap or play the entire time I’m home. I must admit it’s been hard for me that she only sleeps on the bed when I pull her up for Sabbath naps and even then, I have to force her on the bed but once there she is ready to cuddle. So back to the thinking: This must be how God feels about us. He loves us more than we could ever love Him. He wants us to spend time with Him, but we want it on our terms. We like to spend our time our way. Sure we’ll come up in His lap for church and other worship events, but after all that lap sitting we get up, stretch our legs and run off to do our own thing forgetting that He is still there waiting for us, wanting us. Even when we have the best intentions, we somehow manage to hurt Him with are carelessness. (I relate this to how O'Malley forgets how much her claws hurt when we are playing and then I have to stop playing because she has torn a chunk of flesh from my finger. She doesn't mean to hurt me, it's just a part of her nature like sin is a part of ours.) While God doesn’t want to force us to spend time with Him, there are times that He puts situations in our life that remind us that we WANT to be with Him. Now, if only I could stop being selfish and place my will in God’s hands daily. I want to want a close relationship with God but I am horrible with follow through in all of the relationships in my life. Being a visual person, I wrestle with His intangibility--not hearing God and not being able to see the path that He sees for me. I can't just call Him up and ask for advice like I can with my friends and family. I can't hug Him to show my appreciation and care. I pray every day that God will make me want to be the person He wants me to be and show me how to do it.

Lookin' Smart

So I picked up something new today. Can you guess what it is? It's a obvious as the glasses on my face. Oops, I gave it away :) These new glasses do more than make me look smart. They are specifically for night driving and for when my eyes are tired from the computer or TV. They will hopefully correct my astigmatism enough to stop those crazy bad migraines that follow my weekly Doctor Who, Torchwood, and SciFi Friday marathons on Sundays. Because, really, what good is a Sunday without some British sci-fi? Brilliant!